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!

WHAT is up?

OK, I haven't totally disappeared into a deep void. Just somewhat disappeared. Here is what has been up with me.

1. lots to blog about, nothing much to say. I think I am overwhelmed... so I just stopped altogether. I know, what does a 20 something married woman with no kids have to be overwhelmed about?

2. Job hunting: here is the low down. I have officially informed McKenzie that I won't be accepting the position for the 08/09 school year. It would have been a FANTASTIC deal- but with the price of gas I just couldn't swing it. So.... I have applied to most of the districts in the Willamette Valley. I am/was really hoping for a primary position in Creswell (just south of Eugene). I know some peeps who know some peeps, and so I am still keeping my fingers crossed. That would be great, hardly any commute, and we could stay in our house. I also applied to Salem-Keizer (among MANY) and THEY were interested. They have called my references, and so now I am simply waiting to hear if they still want me. If that works out then Brandon and I would look at houses in the Salem area and would eventually buy our first home. Those are the two districts that are on my brain and on my tongue the most lately.

3. yard work: Brandon and I decided to plant a garden this year. So that has taken up quite a bit of time. I would like to document more of the progress... so watch for that soon. (hopefully). We have also spent quite a bit of time mowing (every week for at least 3 weeks already) and spraying for weeds/moss. I have spent a couple of hours pulling weeds from my flower garden, and potting pots of flowers, but if you drove by my house right now you would never know it. It looks like a mess! ugh!

4. spring cleaning: OK, I had a break down last Friday night. I was in tears and freaking out about the state of our living right now. Piles, piles, piles. Mess, mess, mess. So Brandon was a champ and spent a few hours on Sunday with me - going through our 'office/pantry' pitching stuff we didn't need/want anymore and also organizing that which we wanted/needed to keep. It only took a few hours, and I felt much better. There is still a lot of work to do around here... but that much did help ease my mental stability.

5. House hunting: So Brandon and I have been casually looking for months... looking at older houses, looking at newer houses. And our latest outing had us looking at historic houses and thinking about building a house. We are both currently leaning towards building. But that could change in a day or so. You never know with us! After we got back from our latest outing we spent the evening looking at house plans and talking about what we would want in a house. I'll keep ya updated!

Well, I could go on and on (graduation, work, love, life, etc.) but I won't. So please keep us in your prayers and I'll try to keep ya updated as things change and evolve.

Friends

OK, well I now know that most of you are friends of mine! Big surprise...=) Thanks for your support of my blog. It is fun to post things and share stories and pictures to others. Keep checking for a new post!

I am curious

Only because I am fairly sure that more people read this blog than comment or email me.
Only becuase I feel that this blog has become a part of my life.
Only because I am super curious. =)