(Twenty -) eight is GREAT!

Wyatt and I really have had the time of our lives this summer. Ever since he finished his classes in June we've just been playing our little hearts out. Five-weeks in Hawaii, a family reunion on the Oregon Coast, throw in a couple visits to the swim park, and finally the grand finale with my birthday celebration. I have been so drunk with fun the past several weeks I nearly felt like I was hit by a semi when I awoke to reality this morning. And I don't even have a job yet!

For those who are curious about our recent happenings, please read on. You didn't really think I was going to let my birthday pass without a peep, did you? I may be older but I still have a lot of growing up to do.

PS - Really, I'm not trying to brag about the cush' life I've had the past while. I really just want to tell you about my birthday.

Carry on...

Let me just say this was one of the best birthdays ever! In my opinion, the day was already off to an excellent start when I woke to CLEAR BLUE skies and a weather prediction of 96-degrees! I mean this with all sincerity, I couldn't have asked for more. But wait, I did get more, Wyatt made me a birthday poster that I absolutely LOVE! My favorite is the picture he drew of me running. Check out those draft winds. Wowza! I am speedy (but only in 2D drawings)!


First we went to the temple for the LONGEST temple session ever. I'm not saying that to be rude. I mean it matter-of-factly. It was long. There were two "special events" so there were lots of people and lots of late people, then there was a medical emergency in the middle of the session (I'm not entirely clear about what happened. I think the lady passed-out while she was sitting down. She finally came-to once they wheel-chaired her out.) , and lastly one pregnant lady that needed to go to the bathroom (she probably would've made it through the entire session under normal session times). Add these three events together and you get one extra-long session. Even so it was nice, just like always.


Second we went to brunch at La Provence around the corner from where we live. I like it quite a bit. My brother Harold said (when he and family were visiting last summer) that it reminded him of his mission in Paris - the food that is. I like it because it's tasty and charming. (I really, really, really want to work there. But money kind of is an issue and I wouldn't make any there.) I had the Monte Cristo and an almond brioche. Yum!


Third, we drove to Wyatt's parents' house to float the Clackamas river. Did I mention the beautiful weather? Hot weather + floating the river = best summer activity. Wyatt's sister, hubby, and son joined us. It was very cool and relaxing. Ahhhhh.


Next, I got sick. Can you believe that?!!! On my birthday I came down with a fever of 102-degrees! I know what you're thinking - heat stroke. But I promise it wasn't. I was feeling woozy on Friday to the point that I nearly passed out. I thought maybe I was over it when I awoke on Saturday morning but no, I was wrong.


So we scrapped the rest of our plans (bbq at the swim park and movie in the park) and ate Chipotle at home as we watched Eureka. Wyatt promised we could finish the remainder of my birthday celebration at a later date. In fact, I am eating the blackberry pie (we were supposed to have on Saturday) as I type. Soooo good.


And now it's Monday and I sent Wyatt off to his first day of dental school. I really feel like I am the emotional mother having a hard time parting with her child on their first day of kindergarten. And I'm nearly certain Wyatt is like that small child happy to finally be free from my apron strings. Sad. I really missed him today. After spending every day together for the past six-weeks, it was really quiet and lonely. I am going through Wyatt withdraws. I need a job...

Hawaii: Week Four and Five

We're home! I now see how people can get "stuck" in Hawaii because I was tempted more than once to spend the next four years on the island of Oahu as my sweet hubby slaves away at dental school. Hawaii really has a way of drawing you in so you NEVER want to leave! The good news is that we came home to summer in Oregon and, as I've said a hundred times before, I LOVE summer! We were greeted Thursday morning with blue skies... AND warm temperatures! Happy day! I like to look at it as a tender mercy of sorts. So even though I miss Hawaii I'm not too heart broken about enjoying Oregon's best season. Though the Lake Grove swim park (as much as I love it (and I'm not being sarcastic - it really is my favorite place in Oregon)) doesn't really compare to the beaches of the North Shore. Sigh. (cloudy + smelly + lake water < clear + non-smelly < ocean).

I think I've become quite the snob. Even being Waikiki was disappointing since it was over crowded with people, the water was infested with sunscreen, and the sand was as hard as concrete. Yeah, big snob. I'm just saying if you have the opportunity to spend time on the island of Oahu, go to the North Shore. You won't be disappointed.

I've had several people ask me how our trip was since we returned home. It's kind of hard to to maintain one's attention when there isn't anything terribly exciting to report... seeing that we spent the majority of our five-weeks on the beach...swiming. Don't get me wrong, it was really nice. But not a very grabbing narrative. And now I'll finish off the last two weeks of our trip with pictures. (If you'd like to see more pictures from our trip, take a look at our Facebook pages. Or if you're really crazy, we can invite you over and give you a personal slide show). Enjoy...

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I have no regrets about quitting my job and taking off for paradise. I am certain I will not be contacted about being the poster model for provident living. I just wanted to add this part because I was thinking about my old job the other day and had this overwhelming feeling of relief wash over me that I no longer have to think about it. My burden has been lifted, and I'm poor. Here's to finding a job that I like! Wish me luck!