Just Curious....

Have you ever passed by someone on the street and wondered what makes them who they are? How did they get there? What is life like through thier eyes, in thier shoes? I wonder that all the time. Everytime I see someone who is down&out or maybe someone who looks like they have it all- I wonder...how did that happen?

If you could ask any stranger 2 questions...what would they be?

Please comment and let me know, I am very curious about how we, as human beings, are all somewhat curious about each other. Thanks for your help!!!

Longboarding...

When my parents moved my little brother, Chad, stayed behind. He also left his longboard with Greg and I for safe keeping. Little does he know that we have been having a BLAST with it!
I never thought I could ride on any kind of board. When I was in Jr. High, I had tons of "Skater" friends. I hung out with all the guys and they tried to teach me to ride a skate board once or twice. After many failed attempts and some scrapes and bruises- they told me to just "Stand there and look pretty". Nice. I had resigned myself to never learing to ride any kind of board.

Lucky for me, Chad left his board, and we have an apartment on the ground floor with all lynolium floors! Also lucky for me, Greg (who is a natural at this kind of stuff- like most guys) is an EXCELLENT teacher. He taught me how to ride! Longboarding in the house is SO FUN! I have also gone around the block- quite a few times might I add- AND- without falling!!!!! I want one!! I want two actually. One for me, and one for Greg. Like this beauty of a board posted here. I guess I will just have to save my pennies...............

Food for Thought

Did you know that Greg and I want to someday own a big hunk of land and grow an assortment of food? Well, now you do. That's what Greg is going to school for, and I am right on board with him. He was shown a film in one of his classes: The Future of Food.I would recommend this film to EVERYONE! There is one thing other than living that we ALL have in common. And that is, in order to live, we need to eat (obviously). Ask yourself, do you really know what you feed yourself? Do you know what it is, where it came from, how it might have been modified? Did you know that most food comes from abroad? I could go on, but instead I would suggest you just watch. You can see it free on Hulu.com. Watch and let me know what you think! (this might be weird, but I totally cried....)

I'm not Crying

So, last week my folks and my sister and her family left Oregon to move back to AZ. I'm not crying.....amazing. It does hurt my heart to see them go, but I know that we'll see them any time we are in Arizona. Almost ALL of our family is in Arizona. I miss you ALL! But I am amazed at myself because had it been a year ago- I don't think I would have stopped crying. My eyes did water a bit as I gave my hugs good-bye. Really, how could they not? I love my family and it has been fun being up here with them. I will really miss my sisters kids too. They are so special to me. I already have one set of nieces in AZ that I don't get to see. I can't imagine how big they have gotten in the two years we have been up here.

My heart aches for those that I love that are not around me. Friends and family- do you realize how much I love you all? I know I am far away, and sometimes I don't call often- but I think about each one of you. I look at your blogs. I look at pictures. I remember good times. And if you ever need me- I am here for you. I will always be here for you- no matter how long it has been, or how far away you live.

But I am not going to cry. My heart is full. I am happy. I have the BEST husband in the world! I love him more than I knew I could love. Not only that, but he helps me stay true to me, and hopefully, I do the same for him. We laugh so much together! We cook together. Lots of times Greg cooks for me when I am too tired after work. He also cleans and bakes! I feel like we have the perfect partnership- each one of us picking up where the other left off. I am so grateful to him- my husband- my best friend- my love. I have everything I need and more. I am in good hands up here in Oregon. And even though I will miss my family who has moved away- we are not alone, and we have each other. I'm pretty excited to see what the future holds!

Summer time and the livin is fine....

Warmer weather has finally arrived! Flowers are blooming everywhere, tons of plants are for sale, and the Farmer's Market is open! For the past three Saturday's, Greg and I have started a routine of sorts. We get up, grab our bag, and walk down to the market down by the courthouse. The Albay market is not as big as the Corvallis market- but it is also WAY less crowded! There is definitely something to be said for that.

I just LOVE the farmer's market. Individuals and family's selling all of their home grown/ hand made goodies. Tables piled with fresh salad greens and broccoli. Stands of fresh baked bread and goodies. Yarn that is spun and died by hand from their own sheep (there is one particular stand that has the most BEAUTIFUL yarn! I can't wait until I can afford to purchase some.). As the summer progresses, we are going to see more and more fresh veggies! Harvest time is the best!

After the market, we are usually thirsty- and hungry! So we walk down to the coolest little coffee shop (not to mention- the ONLY coffee shop downtown) to get some refreshments. The place is called Rhythm & Brews. Every Friday night they have some kind of live music. Once we have some more energy- we either check out the shops downtown or just go home to put away our market purchases.

It is so fun live downtown right by the river. Evening walks become magic when all the cotton from the cottonwood trees fly around you. Seriously- it looks like you are walking in a snow globe! In some places it looks like it just snowed at first glance! The smell of the cottonwood, blooming flowers and the river come alive in the evening. Which reminds me- Thursday evenings in July and August they have free concerts in the park!

There are a few things I want to do this summer. Here is a list to get started:

• Make lots and lots of iced tea
• Start our herb garden
  
• Camping- must go camping
• Silver Falls hike.... (the last time we went with Janay and Brett, and it was SO FUN! We really need to get back- wish they could too)
• Homemade Popsicles (although we did just pick up some Otterpops- I feel the need to make my own!)
• Hand pick blueberries
• Visit Sauvie Island Organics Farm near Portland- which just happens to be owned by a second cousin I have yet to meet..........
• Picnic at least twice

Maybe I am overly ambitious, but there is still more that I want to do! We'll see how far I get with this list. :)