Our house...and our dog house-edit-

Pendleton with Lindsay

A tribute to Tripper who was killed this summer.

Lindsay and I at the rodeo - we had a blast!

The colorful Indian pageant.

Other random pics that help tell the story of the Pendleton Round Up.

Monday

Back from the Pendleton Round Up!! Had a wonderful time and can't wait to show some pictures of the rodeo. Didn't take an awful lot of pictures, but really enjoyed the moment and had a great time with friends and family.
So... one of my main goals for today is to post pictures of my time at home, and more importantly.... pictures of our house! I really want to share, and so today is the day.
Can't wait!...

feeling down

Ever had one of those days where you just feel lonely?? I am totally having that moment right now.
"Doesn't anyone want to talk with me?"
"Doesn't anyone want to hang out with me?"
I know, I know, what a dork. Where is the self esteem? I am feeling too disconnected and as if no one has time (or the desire) to be with me right now. What is going on? Did I do something, or am I just unappealing. I don't know... let's hope that my week home with friends goes a little better than today did. Yuck.

Let 'er buck!

Ok, here I come Pendleton, Oregon! I haven't been AS excited for the Round Up this year... I'm not sure why. Usually I look forward to seeing old friends and celebrating for weeks in advance (ok, all year round...haha) but this year I have been so tired and busy and working on other things that the round up snuck up on me. However, now that I am only a day away from leaving, I am pretty excited. It is always so much fun to see friends and to have a few beers. I am bummed that my husband won't be able to go this year, but I think he is ok with it, and I know I will be fine.
So Wednesday I am going to visit old Pilot Rock and stay with my parents.
Thursday - I'm off to the rodeo with one of my favorite girlfriends Lindsay.
Friday - no clue!
Saturday - no clue!
and that is the fun of the Round Up. You don't have to plan your whole week... you can just go with the flow. I'm hoping to stay and visit with other friends while I am in Eastern Oregon.
So...Let 'er buck!

fresh breezes

I love having the windows wide open with fresh breezes floating through them. I love the smell, the freshness, the coolness, I love how the curtains sway and your belongings have a new light on them.
I have been trying to pick a paint color for our living room for weeks now, with no luck. I just can't seem to pick the ONE color that will be just the right fit. I want something that reminds me of the feeling I have when I open the window wide open on a fresh day. So I think I am going to go to Home Depot and just pick one. It can't be this difficult! I have burgundy couches, which is throwing me off. I also have a brick fire place that takes up an entire wall, and hard wood floors. If you have any suggestions, let me know! I am loosing my mind. I think it would be easier if I had NO couches, then I could start fresh... but I am thankful to have such nice things that we are starting our married life with. so the couches will stay.
Enjoy the fresh breezes where you are today...

Labor Day - done!

Lots to say... not sure how to get it all in.
Brandon and I had a fantastic weekend in Central Oregon camping with some of our CEM friends that Brandon graduated with. My good friend Kelly went with us and we had the best time!
Our weekend included...
* sun burns all around
* 3 fish caught in the new boat (two by me!)
* lots of mosquito bites, one of which caused my knee to swell to the size of a softball and hurt like a mother
* 'Yukka' made and passed around the camp fire
* bruises and scrapes on my sunburned legs
* my first experience on a wave runner (very fun)
* lots of play time for Duke with his CEM buddies
* memories made and pictures taken

When we returned home Monday afternoon, Brandon had a surge of energy (and I was going to take FULL advantage) and we (mostly he) cleaned the garage, cleaned the boat, washed all three of our rigs, put the boat in the garage and left room for my car! (I think), mowed the lawn, watered the lawn, emptied our dry boxes from camping, etc. WOW!!! I could not believe my eyes, I knew he was exhausted, but he just kept going. It was great.

School has started for 4J school district, and I guess I am going to be a sub teacher for awhile at least. I still haven't even interviewed for that much! It is amazing to think that another summer is over and fall is on its way. I am actually pretty excited about fall this year, but it is hard saying goodbye to the summer that Brandon and I got married in. The summer we moved in together in. The summer we took our first vacation to Mexico in.

On another school related note, my youngest brother in law is starting his junior year of high school. He is NOT excited, and in fact, won't even talk about it. I know it is hard for him to be there when he feels so strongly against it, but I want to find a way to explain to him (for him to really understand) that we all do it. We all need it. It is something we all have in common; we suffered through it with the rest of our friends and are better because of it. Life is long compared to high school, and enjoy being young while you can. There will be a time for him to be grown up and away from high school and all that goes with it, but live it for what it is worth right now. I hate to see him so unhappy... so if anyone has some good advice, pass it on!

Ok, off to get ready for a dinner party tonight. Love!