Keep On Keeping On

There's not much in the way of news around here, and I think I'm okay with that for now. I'm in the process of securing a full-time job, stepping into independent contracting for graphic design, and beginning another round of classes next week. On one hand I'm a little impatient for things to begin, but on the other I'm trying to enjoy my last week of complete freedom. I've also been very housewife-y since we got back: cooking, baking, cleaning, organizing, shopping, etc. And just in case the next few months are as busy as I think they may be, the freezer is now stocked with two kinds of cookie dough. For emergencies, of course...

Random photos from the last couple months

"Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."

- Gilda Radner

Workin' For a Living

I didn't anticipate being quite so busy during the last leg of this term, but it's over now and it looks as though my efforts have paid off. I won't be taking as many credits next term because we are in the process of buying a house! We put in an offer and were accepted last week so I'm heading back to the real (working) world to help smooth the transition. We hadn't planned to get serious about finding "the" house until spring, but we happened across a fantastic deal and decided to take the plunge a little early.

But before anything else, I'm heading back to Oregon for an extended visit. Here's hoping that the sun shows up at least a couple of times while I'm there since Idaho has been spoiling me with massive amounts of sunshine. My plan for relaxation: A long run through the countryside followed by a new book and a glass (or two) of good wine, repeated daily. 

We had a little visitor last week who was pretty suspicious of the dog...

...but they eventually got used to each other.

Home for the Holidays

I'm back! Sort of. A more accurate statement would be that I'm choosing to cut my day short (at the 14 hour mark) to do something other than school...like update my blog. Exciting times, I know.

We drove back to Oregon for Thanksgiving and it wasn't as terrifying as I expected it to be. Growing up in the Willamette Valley means that I have an excessive healthy fear of driving when it snows. This fear is completely rational when you consider the fact that no one knows how to drive in the snow back home - and those that claim they do are still grievously out of practice.

Needless to say, I do not agree with Dean and Frank's cheery assessment of the wonders that accompany the "marshmallow world" of winter and proceeded to have a minor heart attack when snow began falling shortly before we planned to leave. (Don't get the reference? Click here)

The weather calmed down and I resumed breathing normally...

Until the weather outside of La Grande took a turn for the worse.

Luckily, it stopped snowing east of Pendleton. Of course, that is also where the real excitement began since the road was covered in ice...but ice makes me less panicky than snow. Eastbound traffic had a much rougher time than the few of us heading west - cars were off the road, a few trucks had jack-knifed, and traffic was at a standstill.

It stopped snowing, hooray! Oh, wait...

The roads were clear from Pendleton all the way back to Salem, but we found out later that I-84 closed shortly after we went through. Yikes.

Oregon welcomed us back with the usual grey and rain, but a couple of sunbreaks peeked through early in the week.

All in all, it was a successful holiday: we caught up with family and friends, laughed a lot, ate too much, and came back from the break refreshed and well rested.

"I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world." 

- George Washington

Temporary Absence...

Last week was spent rushing to get caught up on everything that had to be postponed to accommodate midterms, this week will be filled with frenzied attempts to get everything done before the holiday, and next week will involve madly prepping for finals/final projects while balancing holiday events.

World's lamest excuse for a lack of pictures and updates? Highly likely, but unfortunately necessary. Gone crazy, be back soon.

Winter Already?

Midterms are over...and I'm still standing. I think they went well, but won't officially know for a week or two. Fingers crossed!

The first snow of the season came in last week. Thankfully, it only stuck in the foothills on Friday night so the roads stayed clear for our friends who drove out from Oregon that afternoon. It was great to see them and the timing was just right to allow for celebrating one of their birthdays as well! I realized today that I neglected to take pictures over the weekend though, not cool...

"A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water."

- Carl Reiner

Every Day I'm Shufflin'

Midterms. One little word robbing students everywhere of sleep...

Just kidding! Kind of... There's only one midterm that's making me a little nervous. One instructor demands a level of specificity bordering on the ridiculous since many of these "necessary" details are not directly connected to the theories of microeconomics. Maybe it's just me, but it seems a bit unfair to ask for a list of the physical symptoms of sleeping sickness rather than the economics of the situation...on a microeconomics quiz.

Don't worry though, I have helpers...

 

 

And a wonderful husband who buys me flowers.

He also bought me a chocolate cupcake, but it didn't last long enough to take a picture.

P.S. Watch this video. You'll feel better about your neighbors and hum this ridiculously catchy song for days. You're welcome.

School Is In Session, Finally!

I've been impatiently waiting for classes to begin, but the tension has broken as fall term commenced last Friday. I may be singing a slightly different tune by December, but my enthusiasm for the topics should easily carry me through most of the term.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Chris' parents last weekend. Playing tour guide in a town that we are still getting to know can prove to be a bit challenging, but we took them through most of our favorite spots and found some new things along the way. While touring the capitol building, we discovered that the lower floor has a visitor's center complete with educational videos about the history of the building and Idaho's government as well as the building's recent renovation/expansion. Apparently I succumbed to a nap part-way through one of the longer versions. Darkened room with comfy chairs...gets me every time.

Sunset view from our backyard

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." 

- Flora Whittemore

Somebody Has A Case Of The Mondays

Poor little guy

We rocked our midterms and are entering the box collection stage of the moving process. Downside of living in a small college town: empty boxes become an endangered species by June.

Idaho, Here We Come!

Chris got the job and we will be heading to Idaho shortly after his graduation! Hooray for securing a job fresh out of college!!

In other news: it's week five of spring term and I'm already looking forward to a break! Sheesh.

Spring Break, Finally!

Ahhh, it feels so good to say that our finals are officially over!

Today was the first day in weeks that we've been able to spend more than just a few hours together. Sleeping in, coffee, park with the pup, catching up on The Office, and dinner prepared by Chris. Here's to the good life!

Oh, and we're leaving bright and early Wednesday morning for Chris' second interview. Wish us luck!