Allergy season

OK, it's here. I didn't want to admit it, but it's true. The grass seed is in the air, and with it came my sneezes, red itchy eyes, itchy skin, drippy nose, and cough.
The last three or four nights I have woken up in the middle of the night to a drippy nose. This in turn wakes my husband up, and that is NO good. So, the past three or four nights I have moved myself to the couch to blow, sneeze, squirm, and suffer.
Tonight was no different... I found myself on the couch at a decent hour this time, and was able to catch the last half hour of CSI: New York. nice.
However, I am still awake. I tried the air conditioner, meds, TV, the couch, and now laundry and blogging. Still awake. It's 11:45. nice.
So, to all of your allergy suffers out there, I'm feelin' ya. Hang in there, this too shall pass.
To all of you who don't know or understand what in the world I'm talking about, I hate you. =)

Catching up

Some pictures of what we have been up to this year.
Tubing in January at HooDoo.


Salmon fishing on the Columbia in March (?)


Wives club celebration in June.


Memorial Day camping with the CEM crew.

The Shack

I just finished reading The Shack. This is a book I could have read in one day. It grabbed my attention, and kept me curious through out the entire book. This doesn't happen too often for me. I struggle when reading books like this.
This book made me stop and think about things in a different way. My religion, Christianity, spirituality, my God, everything.
It makes you think about God and religion in a new way. If you don't believe, you might after this book. If you do believe, you might believe something different by the time you finish this book. It is amazing. I recommend that you go to Wal-Mart, to Amazon, or to your local book seller and read this book. I'm glad I did, and I think you'll be glad you did too.

Ty

Here is a link to the East Oregonian article on Ty Hansell.
http://www.eastoregonian.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&subsectionID=48&articleID=79346&Q=35762.05

I can't believe it...

Yesterday, as I was browsing in Borders, looking at books and enjoying my morning I got a phone call that stopped my world. I lost the ability to talk, I had to sit down.
As I was looking in the 'education' section at Borders, my phone started singing to me. I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my phone, and saw that it was my good friend Lindsay.
The moment she and I spoke our hellos, I knew something was wrong.
She gently told me that the husband of my of my favorite people had suffered a massive stroke the night before, had been life flighted to Portland, and was on life support. They were waiting for all of the family to arrive, and then they would take him off of life support. There wasn't anything they could do for him.
15 minutes later Lindsay called me back to tell me he was gone. It was confirmed. This man I had known only for a short time, but whose family was so important to me was dead.
I was halted in my little world. So many questions, so many uncertainties, so many tears.
So please, keep the Hansell family in your prayers over these next weeks. This is going to be a hard blow to get over, but I know they will be fine. They are a wonderful family. Our thoughts and prayers will be needed though.

projects

So I have had a few days at home now, and as you may know from my last post, I have had a chance to rejuvenate myself. I'm feeling a little bit more rested, and ready to get creative again. So I have begun to dig into my craft room, sift through the piles, and remember what it is that I want to do. I have so many projects that I want to work on and FINISH this summer...so here is my chance, right?!

Here they are, in no particular order:

Make a book for Brandon about his trip to Idaho.

Make a graduation book for my sister, she earned her Masters Degree this month!

Burn Luke's graduation pictures onto a CD and send to him. Maybe make a book for him?

Make a frame for my good friend Nate and his bride to be Bethany.

Make a frame for my friend Jill and her husband to be Corey?

Organize my school stuff and put it away. (Still waiting for another job interview).

There are more, but lets start small. haha very funny.

Summer

Yippee! Summer has arrived for me, and I am so ready for it!
Thursday was my official first day of summer, and I spent it catching up on errands and rejuvenating myself.
Friday morning Brandon and I both had appointments at the dentist. Mine was for some fillings, and Brandon's was to have his wisdom teeth pulled. So while he was in having his teeth pulled, I was right next door having mine filled! Yuck! I spent the rest of Friday worrying about him, and waiting for my own mouth to stop feeling numb. That evening my girlfriend came down for a visit, and so we took Brandon out to dinner! Poor guy, we ate burgers while he sucked down a milkshake at BJ's pizza. Saturday morning Brandon was feeling pretty good so Kelly and I snuck out to the Saturday Market and the Farmer's Market. After we finally found a spot to park we had a nice quiet time wandering around and taking it all in. I took a few photos and then we were on our way to find lunch. I am really indecisive, and Kelly is way to sweet, so we ended up looking for 'just the right' place to eat, which eventually was at the Marche Provisions at the 5th Street Market. This is such a fun little mall area, and this bakery is relatively new, so I had not eaten there before. We grabbed sandwiches and ate out by the fountain in the sunshine.
We then headed to the Valley River Mall to pick out some chocolate from See's and then we headed home to check on Brandon. Kelly left soon after and Brandon and I finished out our day on the couch watching movies and just hanging out. We watched more movies this weekend than I have watched in a long time. I think we watched 5 or so?? Yikes!
Sunday was a day of resting, movies, and driving around neighborhoods looking for houses.
By the time Monday rolled around I was ready to get something accomplished! I woke up and went for a walk, cleaned parts of the house, scheduled appointments, sent emails, called about our anniversary weekend (it's coming up soon!) and ran errands. I also laid out int eh sun, read my book, and accomplished everything on my list for the day. It felt great. When Brandon got home we drove across to Springfield and picked up some 'new to us' patio furniture. Then we ran to the grocery store and then came home! What a day! =)
Today was a day of staying at home and resting again. I am working on refinishing our dining room table, so I was out in the garage off and on sanding and painting it a creamy white color. I think it is going to look great when it is done. I also vacuumed out my car, weeded part of the vegetable garden, vacuumed our house, baked chocolate chip cookies (some without the chips so Brandon can eat them!) and cooked dinner. I know this is sounding like a weird post, but I think it is more for me then anyone else. I need to know that I accomplished more than reading my book and taking a long nap and laying out in the sun.

No Job

I heard from Douglas Gardens yesterday, and I was the number two choice, not the number one choice. Number two had worked in the building in previous years, and so took priority. I'm bummed, but will hopefully find something else. I was hoping to have this process over with, but I guess I have some work to do still! I will continue to keep you all updated.

not yet

OK, so we haven't heard anything yet.
Nothing about the job (so hopefully that isn't a bad sign...I'm a little nervous).
Nothing about the house. (We're OK with either verdict on that one)
And I am down to just 1 1/2 days with my kiddos. I am so tired that I am actually looking forward to a break, but I will miss McKenzie and my kids so much. I don't think I will ever forget my first group of kindergartners (and first graders). I know I would like to teach both of these grades again. LOVED it.
I'll let you know if we hear anything on Monday.
In the mean time, it's report cards for me!

an update

Last weekend Brandon and I drove to Heppner for Brandon's youngest brothers' high school graduation. Friday night was his celebration up at the house, and it was very fun to see everyone again. Saturday was the graduation, and it was so great to watch Luke receive his diploma after only three years of high school. He has worked so hard and wants this so badly. He received some scholarships which will be very helpful as he begins he flight academy in the fall.
Saturday night Brandon and I drove back down to Portland after some grad parties. Sunday morning we were up bright and early to watch my sister graduate from grad school at Lewis and Clark. This was a fun time, as a lot of my family was there to celebrate with my sister. I know my sister has worked hard for this degree. It was so special to see her wearing that hood and knowing that we have the same degree after all of our differences.
Brandon and I made an offer on a house in Springfield last Friday. We won't know if our offer was accepted for a couple of weeks. It is a newer house in the Thurston area of Springfield, which is just on the edge of Springfield where you would take off to go up the McKenzie River.
I had an interview for a 2nd grade position in the Springfield School District Tuesday. I think it went well, but you never know! I should know if I got the job or not on Friday.
Our last day of school is next Tuesday, so we are defiantly winding down. I started taking things off the walls and packing up things today, and it was pretty sad. I always get way too emotional about these things. I will spend some long days this week and go in on the weekend to make sure I get everything ready for kids to take home, report cards to be turned in, and my stuff taken home. I also need to pack up the belongings that will stay at McKenzie.
That is what we have been up to, I'll keep you all updated!