I Found My Way "In"

I'll spare you the long details...

I am, as of yesterday, a beauty consultant for Mary Kay!

I'm anxious, excited, incredibly overwhelmed, and scared to death, but it seems as if things are just sort of falling into place. All (I guess I should say "most") signs are pointing towards "GO FOR IT!" So I am.

That's all for now...more to come!

10 Years Ago Today...

...I met my husband. It was not love at first sight, but I suppose it was love at fist "day"...if there is such a thing. I was invited by a friend who lived on my floor to go down to OSU for a football game. I had never been, so I thought it would be fun. I had a few friends down there and one of my roommates was planning to go down that same weekend. Anyway, a friend of Kristin's (the girl who asked me to go) was planning to pick us up early that Saturday morning since neither of us had a car. When we arrived, and finally walked into his (Brad's) dorm, life was only just beginning to stir. I was on guard, as I knew there would be many guys lurking about waiting for fresh meat to prey on...or at least that's what I was thinking.

We hopped on the elevator and were greeted by a grungy looking OSUer sporting an Eric Cartman t-shirt, pajama pants, glasses, and a vacuum. He tried talking with us, but I just gave him the eye. When we reached the 5th floor of Cauthorn Hall, I held my breath, for the stench of beer and vomit lingered in the air. To make matters worse, the grungy vacuum cleaner guy followed us all the way into the same room. I guess Brad and him were roommates. I vaguely remember a conversation about why he brought the vacuum...I may have thought he was the floor janitor. Anyway, he said that he had heard that "ladies" were visiting and so he thought he would make the room more presentable. Right then and there, grungy Eric Cartman guy scored quite a few points with me!

The happenings of the day are kinda fuzzy. I recall visiting Panda Express and playing a handful of games of Mario Cart. When game time came around, we started to head out. By this time, I had finally learned vacuum guy's name, Adam, and we were expecting him to come with us. But, to my surprise, he decided to skip the festivities to go study! Who studies on a Saturday night...at OSU??? Anyway, we go to the game and come back late. By that time, Adam had returned and we hung out in their dorm for a while. Adam and I talked, while Kristin and Brad flirted. It was unclear, but I thought Adam had a girlfriend. It was a disappointing thought, but I couldn't help thinking that this guy could be the one for me. I kid you not...I was more taken with this grungy Eric Cartman t-shirt vacuum guy than any other guy I have ever come in contact with. In just our short little conversation I learned how much we had in common, and how much I really wanted to get to know him more.

The next morning, I learned that Adam went to church. And, the points just keep piling up!! He came back in time to say goodbye before we left...and brought his girlfriend. She was thin, pretty, smart. And she made sure to let me know that Adam was "hers." I left feeling a bit bummed, but hopeful...especially since he took the time to escort us all out of the dorm and say goodbye. He even gave me a "look."

The rest, as they say, is history...good, bad, and even some ugly. However, I wouldn't trade a single moment. I love you Adam...happy 10th sort-of-anniversary!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Owl Sighting

Last night Adam went outside to go searching for a pesky opossum that had been stealing all of Charlie's food and bugging the chickens. He was not out there 30 seconds when I heard him yelling..."NICOLE!!! Get the camera!!" I hurried on my shoes and headed outside to find he had spotlighted an owl. The owl didn't seem to care that he was shining lights at him and that I was getting very close to snap several pictures. I have to admit, it was pretty neat.

Barred Owl...better known as the "Hoot Owl"

Finding My Way "In"

With fall in full swing, I have become adjusted to my new life as "mom of a preschooler." I love this life, as I get to crawl out of my shell (home) and become an active member of the adult world. My duties haven't changed much, but I get to add chauffeur and snack helper to my long list of jobs. While dropping off or picking up Synnove from school, I have the privilege of saying "hi" or striking up a short conversation with other moms. To most, I'm sure this small bit of interaction seems hardly mentionable...but to me, it's monumental.

Being from a small town, I know what it's like. You know...the security and sense of camaraderie you get to experience from living in a small community. It has it's cons, but the pros greatly outweigh them (depending on the kind of reputation you have!) However, in order to be "in" the community, you must actually know some of the community members. And even though Knappa/Svensen is only a short jaunt away from Warrenton, I know very few people here. Sure, I may know of them or have heard their names before, but that's about it.

In my younger years, while living in Warrenton, I hardly had to worry about finding people I knew. My dad had grown up there, my mom in Astoria. Each of their families had made a name for themselves, and many knew who they were. My grandfather actually did most of his growing up in Svensen and my great grandparents had strong ties here. However, their generation in gone, and my grandpa raised his family in Astoria and lives there still.

Anyway, where am I going with this? Well, I suppose I'm just trying to illustrate the fact that Knappa/Svensen just isn't my community...yet. I actually have to try to form connections and relationships with people I don't know. Now, if I were living in the city or in a bigger town, I wouldn't really have to try at all. How do I explain this? Hmm...in the city, you can be invisible, yet still have a bunch of great friends and acquaintances. In a small town, you cannot be invisible...and finding great friends is like sorority rush week. Don't get me wrong, the people here are wonderful and nice...however, they all have lived here for most of their lives and already have great friends...they don't really need new ones (ME!).

Fortunately, I actually do have a few ties here, and many of the folks out here know or have at least heard of one of my many relatives. I may strike up a conversation with a total stranger...they ask "so, you from here?" I say "sort of, I'm from Warrenton...my maiden name is....do you know so and so?" they say, "no, but I know so and so" I say "oh, I don't know them, but I've heard the name...do you know who so and so is?" they say, "oh yeah, they are my mom's uncle's cousin's cousin's girlfriend!" Overexaggeration? Hardly.

Back to what I was saying before...I'm enjoying this opportunity to form small connections with the people I see at Synnove's little school. It's just the beginning of my forever life here. Hopefully, I win a bid at AKS (Alpha Knappa Svensen)! I can't believe I just wrote that...I'm such a dweeb.

Synnove's Room: Before and After

We have finally finished Synnove's room (minus a couple of small details)! It all started the day we took possession of the house. Chris and I quickly painted her room before we were to move in. It wasn't until this last weekend that Adam and I ripped up the carpet and put in her new flooring (my birthday present). We worked hard all day Saturday, and then we began putting in the moulding after I came home from the Great Columbia Crossing. We were a few feet short, so I headed to town yesterday to pick up more. Unfortunately, I got a flat tire, and the whole day was completely shot. Ugh...what a day! Anyway, Adam came home from work today with enough time to finish up. I just now touched up the paint and finished replacing Synnove's things. The flooring (laminate purchased at Costco) turned out beautifully, despite a couple of minor installation issues. Installing a floor was a first for us!

These 2 photos were taken about a year before we bought the house.

These photos were taken 15 minutes ago...

Woo Hoo!! One room down...the rest of the house to go!

Great Columbia Crossing 10k

Last winter Elise asked me if I wanted to do the "Great Columbia Crossing" with her the next fall. She thought it would be a fun thing to do, and she really wanted the stupid t-shirt. I agreed and we made plans to do so. Over the summer, Aunt Jodie decided she wanted to join us. So, she and her daughter Jordan came with us.

I had never done a walk/run before and was very surprised at how many people were there! I had no idea how many people come from near and far just to walk/run 6 miles across a bridge. Wait....let me rephrase: I had no idea how many people come from near and far just to PAY to walk/run 6 miles across a bridge! We parked at the Port of Astoria and took a shuttle to Dismal Nitch in Washington. Although freezing, we had fun people-watching and visiting with people we knew.

We all complained about having to park so far away from the shuttle, as it was taking away from our energy to do the long walk. We wanted to stay in the truck and keep warm (it was REALLY cold out!), but we heard rumors that the shuttle only ran until 7:30 (run started at 9).

Waiting at Dismal Nitch

Our sweet numbers...I know, I know...you wanna be us.

Jordan noticed this killer manatee backpack...it became the center of our conversation for quite some time. It's now our team mascot. We're already making plans for next year. I would elaborate, but it wouldn't be as funny to you as it is to us.

We were so excited when 9:00 finally came around...not so much to do the walk, but to finally get warm. They let the runners go first and then the walkers (us). There were sooo many people, that it was hard to walk at a good pace. We had to do a lot of maneuvering to make any headway. We weren't trying to race or anything, just trying to walk at a pace faster than a stroll. We were hoping that once we reached the bridge that people would have spread out a bit. It did get easier with every mile, but it was still very crowded the entire way.

Leaving Dismal Nitch

I snapped a shot of the floods of people across the bend...

Once on the bridge, we followed the manatee backpack for quite a while...not on purpose.

Almost to the incline! Lori on the right.

Once off the bridge, my legs were noodles, but we still had about a mile to go. It took us 1 hour and 42 minutes to finish. It would have been better if we didn't have to weave through all the people. Maybe next year? We'll see about that...

A is for Apple Pie

I made apple pie today with the apples from my Mom and Dad's house. I must have over mixed the pastry, cause it kept tearing in places and I had to patch it several times. I also got all preschooly and put an "A" and some little apples on it. I thought it was cute, so I snapped a pic.

A Birthday Party For Soren

It really was a nice party. Many people came despite the fact that some family was away hunting in Eastern Oregon. Last year, Soren's party was pretty quiet. It rained and lots of people couldn't make it. This year, the sun was shining and the house was full of chatter!

It was fun to have some little ones over! Tayahnna, Faith Wilson, and Alice enjoyed the toy explosion downstairs.

It was a "Bob The Builder" themed party, so he got lots of builder-type toys!
Adam and I got him his first big-boy bike!

It is really hard to find "Bob The Builder" toys and party supplies as it has been phased out of stores. I bought all of his party supplies off of Ebay, including the cake decorating kit. Home Baking did a wonderful job on the cake!

Full House.

Enjoying the sunshine.

The kids struggled to eat outside while being attacked by the occasional yellow jacket.

CAUGHT!

Spider Overload!

I don't know about ya'll, but I've had about enough of this spider craziness! It's reminiscent of a horror movie outside. I can't even walk though my front door without being "webbed" every morning. I have never in my life seen such and explosion of garden spiders! The other day, while making an attempt to clear the outside of my house of creepy crawlies before guests were to arrive for Soren's birthday party I even spotted a fluorescent yellow one with large black stripes. Ugh! Gives me chills just thinking about it! I'm not super freaked out by "garden" spiders but I certainly don't like them. And I especially don't like them in my house! Imagine my disgust when I found this lovely garden spider and gigantic web in my house this morning....

I sprayed it with hairspray :)

A Post to Satisfy My Mother

I know, I know...the lack of blog posts in the last couple of weeks has been disappointing. I wish I had something fun to share, but really, life has been pretty hum drum. No doubt, we've been keeping ourselves busy...so here's what we've been doing lately:

1.) Caulk. The rain was inevitably coming, so I had to kick it into high-gear and caulk our cracked siding. The garage side of the house sees the most weather, thankfully, and as a result, the garage siding (in places) has begun to rot. So, I suppose I caulked it back to life. Then, I primed it back to life. And one day when the rain stops, I'll paint it back to life.

2.) Adam repaired our deck door. Last winter, we discovered rain seeping it's way downstairs through a window. After some investigation, we found that the deck door was rotten in the corner and leaking into the basement. Hopefully, it's truly fixed. Oh, and I also did a good amount of caulking on the deck side of the house as well.

3.) I joined the preschool board. Nothing special, but I see it as a way to get involved with the community and meet people. Last Friday I baked cookies, baked a whole oven-full of potatoes, and volunteered at the preschool's annual "Salmon Corn Dinner." Home-grown corn and freshly caught BBQ'd cedar plank salmon...YUM-MY!

4.) Watched "The Proposal" with my Mom and her friends at the Columbian. I hadn't been there since junior high because of the scary owner/manager. It's been re-vamped as a somewhat run-down McMenamin's type theater for several years now. It was quite fun! Afterwards we had appetizers at Pier 11 Steakhouse (again, another place I hadn't been to since HS for their less than awesome food). The place is under new management and the food was delish!

5.) Adam left for Atlanta on Sunday for work. He won't be returning till this Saturday. Sad.

6.) Visited Faith. The Hollett family moved into downtown Vancouver over a month ago, and I was dying to see their new place. Adam had already been there with the kids on the day that I was doing the Shanghaied in Astoria "Fun Run" on the Astoria Riverwalk in support of my sister's coffee shop. It's a little coffee shop competition...I'll spare you the details. ANYway, Faith's place is adorable. It's probably somewhere around 100 years old and quite charming. The kids played (rather loudly), Faith and I visited, and she foiled my hair (again). All around, a good time.

7.) Auntie Weesie spent the night! Elise's husband is working nights this week for his boat operator's job, so she was free to hang out with us. We talked, watched 1/2 a movie, and turned in early. Elise and I don't spend enough time together, and it was nice not to have to spend another night alone.

8., 9., & 10.) Paint. Paint. Paint.

**I got halfway done with painting the bunny shelter.

**I painted Synnove's closet in preparation for her new floor. Originally, we left her closet paint-free because it was cedar. However, because we took her closet doors off (didn't work properly) and put up sheer white curtains, her closet is exposed. Having painted plank walls, a non-painted plank closet, and plank floors would just be distracting. Ugly. So, I fixed the problem.

**After MUCH delay, I finally finished Soren's dresser. Painting it was easy. It wasn't until I tried to replace the hardware that it got difficult. I thought I had checked the hole placement for the screws. I didn't. After it was painted AND lacquered, I realized I needed to drill new holes and patch the old ones. What a disaster. I finished it yesterday and achieved the look I was hoping for. Here's a pic of Soren's freshly painted dresser and a pic of the inspiration dresser at Pottery Barn Kids...