Our weekend

Brandon and I spent our weekend near Goldendale, Washington at a 24 hour motorcycle race for Brandon's youngest brother Luke. He has been doing some serious races lately, and this was the most recent to add to his resume.

We woke up early Saturday morning to drive to Centerville - which is about 5 miles from Goldendale, Wa. The race was at Starvation Ridge, about 5 miles from Centerville. It was such a beautiful place, and it was like a Mecca when you broke over the ridge and saw the hundreds of campers, trailers, vans, and motor-homes parked along side pit row. It was amazing. We got to the race about 30 min. before the start, and Luke was racing first on his team of 6. He was so pumped, so excited, so happy! He was in his element.

The start of the race is exhilarating, so many people, all watching and waiting. There are several different of classes of racers, and Luke was racing in the beginner class this time. So you wait for your class to be called and you all lay your bikes down in a line. When the green flag flies you race to your bike, stand it up, start it, and you are off! I have never seen anything like it, and it was pretty crazy.

After Luke took off Brandon and I walked up on a hill to see if we could find Luke. The race track is 22 miles long, out in a CRP field, so we didn't find him easily. We finally decided to stand near this little pond, where the racers have to slow down and make a sharp turn, and what do you know, we saw him! I didn't realize it was him in time to take a picture, but he saw us and revved his motor so we knew he saw us.

He didn't have to race again until dusk, so we spent some time cheering his teammates on, checking times, munching goodies and visiting in the camper. It was so great for us to spend this time with him, and I know it meant a lot to him for us to be there for him. He is so knowledgeable about this stuff, and he is good.

A 24 hour race means the team races for a full 24 hours, some teams have as many as 7 members, some only have one! Luke's had 6, so he raced once in the daylight, once at dusk, and then plenty in the dark, as he had great lights on his bike and helmet. So I felt like a new mom trying to sleep in the camper knowing Luke was out racing in the dark! He would come in and try to get a bit of rest, and then go back out. Each time I would wake and wish him good luck. I can't believe people do this, but I guess it must be fun for them. He raced 5 times in the middle of the night (each time doing one lap= 22 miles, about one hour or so). He was tired in the morning! We hung around until the end of the race, they earned 2nd place!

Well, I'm sure this is a weird post, but it was just so absurd that people do this, but we loved every second of it. It was important to us, and to Luke. He did great-

Something to post about

Last weekend my husband's family came to stay with us. Saturday evening we were all worn out and decided to just hang out and visit at the house. Well... 4 boys can not just sit in the house, they need something to keep them entertained. When Brandon came to me asking where the rubber bands were... I knew it couldn't be good.
Turns out, it was pretty funny. Don't turn us in, just laugh and be thankful it wasn't at your house! =)

This and that

OK, I know it has been quite a long time since I last posted. It isn't that I don't have things to say, or photos to share, or anything like that. I just am not sure what to post about. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I'm feeling boring, or uninspired... I'm not sure. I know I WANT to post, I'm just not sure what about.
I spent last weekend looking/thinking about furniture... thinking I might get a new kitchen table or maybe a china buffet/hutch. Not so sure... I'll keep looking/thinking.
I also spent last weekend with Brandon's family. It was SO much fun to have them all here at our house. It was pretty rainy, but we did do some shopping (at the ranch and home store, of course!) and Brandon had the chance to show his dad all around his job site and the bridge he is building. He loved that.
This week has been beautiful weather, feeling so lucky for that. Today I even got off my behind and took my dog on a walk. We saw piles of leaves, new people, and some cool houses.
Today I got the wonderful call that I had a new job--- very exciting!! I interviewed yesterday and got the call early this morning. I have spent lots of time on the phone sharing my joy with friends and family. I can't wait to start looking at the curriculum and getting into the classroom. This is going to be great. And I think my life will get busy again. big time.
So that is where I am. I also found a cool old chair at Goodwill and painted it glossy black. It is COOL. I have it in my craft studio and I love it. Can't beat a $10 chair.
Ok, I am going to organize some of my math materials. Now that I have a deadline again, maybe I'll get some stuff done!
Enjoy the day-

3 Months!

I can hardly believe I have been married for over three months now! I thought I would share a photo.

Today I am off to look at the school that I applied to. More on that later-

Then I am going to cook a few meals to freeze, make some snacks for this weekend, and maybe even mop my floors! Whew!

I love this one, I am wrapped in plastic, to protect my dress, getting my veil fixed (the wind in the wheat field did some damage to my hair), and drinking a beer.

Hardwood floors uncovered.

You just never know what is going to happen when Brandon and I have a few hours together. Brandon actually had the whole weekend off (amazing!), so we spent Saturday with lots of friends. The first part of our day was spent in Monmouth, OR. at a house warming party/ OSU watch party. The evening was spent at our friends Con and Sarah's at a dinner/OSU watch party. ( so we defiantly watched the OSU game. ) It was so fun to visit, relax and have some fun.

Sunday we had planned to lay around resting, working on the boat, maybe going up to Salem. Instead, we painted the ceilings in our hallway, living room, and some of the trim in our bedroom. Then, we ripped up the carpet in our living room and got the floors ready. All in all, it wasn't TOO much work, and we have beautiful hard wood floors in our living room. It's great! the rest of the afternoon was back to our original plan, boat work, couch, dinner, etc. All in all, it was a great weekend.

The picture on the left is the 'before' (I almost forgot to take it).

Almost done...

And the finished product.

Inspiration

These past few months have been a time for me to catch my breath. I have worked on our house, our yard, and our life. In the house, in my craft room; I have gone through old papers, receipts, photos, junk, clothes, I could go on and on!
I have realized as of late that this is inspiration for me. Not only has my body recovered from the hectic life I had in Hermiston, but my soul is finding inspiration in all of this.
Some weeks my inspiration is in visual stimulation.
Some weeks it is found in making things with my hands.
Some weeks I find it by working on improving our house, by getting rid of stuff and beautifying what we have.
This week I have found through reading. I have spent hours on the couch reading. I have also listened to a lot of Oprah.com radio excerpts. I am also reorganizing things again. My studio/craft room needs to be looked at.
I also want to have our dining room painted by the time my in laws come to visit, so I have slowly been working away on that.
I find it interesting, the cycles I am going through. Now that I have the time and ability to relax and let myself go through these natural cycles, they become so much more clear to me. I see myself as scatter brained (like I often thought I was), rather I see myself as moving through this natural cycle of rejuvenation. God is showing me what I need to be doing with my time. Resting, organizing, getting ready for life to speed back up. I know it's coming, and I want to be ready.
Yesterday I spent some time getting cards ready. Yes, I am a self proclaimed card LOVER. I love sending cards ( and I like getting them too!) and as a bridal shower gift I was given a card organizer. So I spent some time at the card counter at Target, and at my craft table making cards and putting them in the organizer. So when life gets busy again, it will be easy for me to pull out a card for a friend and put it in the mail. whew!

I'm out of socks

So the conversation went something like this at 6am this morning.

"Honey, are you going to do laundry today?"

"I just did it yesterday, why?"

And my husband comes walking out of our linen closet wearing his underwear and non matching socks. "I'm out of socks".

nice. I had done the laundry, but it was still in the dryer, not ALL the way dry.

So my husband went to work wearing different socks today. Not than anybody but me will know, but still.

Needless to say, I did LOTS of laundry today. We are all caught up again. Towels, jeans, work clothes, whites, everything.

Overwhelmed?? soon, maybe.

I'm feeling pretty good lately about how my creative juices are just flowing. I am inspired. I am working diligently. I am focused. (well, as focused as I get...) Right now I have three journals going, two books I am reading, one journal I plan to start tonight, a blog, and several scrapbooks either almost done, or are works in progress. what am I doing?? I know this won't last, it can't. I know my life will get busy again. I WANT it to get busy again. However, I love where I am right now.

I have a prayer journal, in which I am also keeping my gratitude journal. I have a quote journal, and have recently started a journal where I am writing what has made me happy today. Each day.

I have two books open... one is Eat, Pray, Love. I'm loving it. I am also reading Mother Teresa: come be my light.

I have a blog. I love it. I try to write each day while I am home. I love it.

I started a list, more on that to come.

And, last but NOT least, I have been working feverishly on. I have almost finished our honeymoon scrapbook. All of the pictures are in it. It just needs some pizazz. I am currently working on a scrapbook about a trip I took to Vegas with my girlfriends 3 years ago!! Finally! I am also working on a scrapbook about our engagement up to and through our wedding. Oh, I also did a quick little mini book about mostly Brandon (a little bit me) in 2007. Each picture is from 2007. Love it.

OK, that is it. I mostly wanted to release this energy I have. I mean, I have three journals!!! I'm reading two books! crazy. Tell me I'm crazy.

Change

When did the weather become so cold and rainy??? Our highs are now only in the 50's... weird!

Can you see the rain in this picture?!

accomplish-my word of the year

While reading Ali's blog today I was inspired to create (really create) a to-do list. Now, those of you who really know me, know I love to-do lists. Any list of any kind. So this looked like something I needed to do. Ali Edwards has a friend that started a place where you can go and create your own list of things you want to accomplish.
So, at that very moment, I logged on and started one. I have 20 things so far, and look forward to adding more. This is cool because it's 'in stone', but I can change it. I can refer to it. I can cross things off my list. My friends can help me accomplish some of my goals. I can my friends accomplish some of their goals. How cool!
So, as I get closer to filling up all 100 slots I will post mine. But I encourage you to find this site, or open a new Word document, and start writing things down. Start small and you will be amazed at what happens.

What I'm reading

What I am reading right now: What I just found at Costco today and is on my shelf, ready to be read.
Also at Costco, this looks like one I can keep on my desk with my prayer journal. Maybe some inspiration...

more house pictures!

Today I added some pictures to the post about our house. Feel free to go back and revisit that post. Brandon and I spent some time Sunday afternoon hanging a few things on our walls... so I had some more interesting pictures. =)