Sunday, September 20, 2009

12.2%

Oregon's August Unemployment Rate: 12.2%*
U.S. August Unemployment Rate: 9.6%

As of Monday, I am part of economic statistic. I cannot say that I am sad that I had to leave that job. I was not very happy when I was working there and I did not love the people. To me it was always just some job and never a career. Most days, I was bored to tears.

It gives me some time to figure out what direction I would like to take next. The job market is pretty poor here, fourth highest in the country. There is not a lot to choose from, but I will keep looking. Until then, it will give me more time to focus on creating a happier home. For the last two months, I have been volunteering, so that keeps me somewhat busy.



*Actual unemployment rate is estimated at 14.8%, but 2.6% of the workforce have stopped looking for jobs, which excludes them from the statistic.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Two Month Anniversary

It has been 2 short months since our wedding and my husband is truly the best. The weather was in the 90's on Friday and Saturday, so we decided to take full advantage of it. Saturday morning, after breakfast, we walked down to the waterfront. We rented a surrey and took it on a 3-mile loop around the waterfront.

Rusty taking careful direction about the operation of the surrey.


Photo op along the Willamette River.


Our token self-portrait picture.


There were dragon boat races going on all morning, so we stopped to watch them for a few minutes.


After our fun morning, we were heading back home and decided to grab lunch at the farmer's market. Yucatan chicken tamales and watermelon ginger limeade. Yum!


Thanks for the best 2 months (and a pretty great 4 years before that too). Love you!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Ode to Lindsay

"People let me tell you 'bout my best friend,
She's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end.
People let me tell you 'bout my best friend"




After weeks of anticipation, Lindsay arrived in Portland for Labor Day Weekend. It was a short, fun-filled weekend full of a million laughs and memories to last a lifetime. Before I get to the pictures, let me tell you some of the reasons Lindsay is so super-fantastic.

-She is one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. She is always giving me small gifts and letters that I truly cherish.
-Her laugh is infectious. Seriously, it is impossible to be mad, sad, angry, or upset when she laughs.
-She gets along with everyone and if she doesn't it is probably their own fault.
-She is ambitious and driven, although she does not always give herself enough credit.
-If you look up the word fun in the dictionary, you will likely find her photo there.

Immediately after picking her up at the airport, we headed to Kennedy School. This is one of our must visit spots in Portland, but since Lindsay is an elementary school teacher, we knew she would love it. We enjoyed lunch and some local spirits.

Honors Bar - It's where we belong.


Lunch - Setting up this picture was entertaining for the people at the surrounding tables.


A teacher from September - May and a poolside lounger from June - August.


We headed back to our house for the big BYU - Oklahoma football game. I think we transformed Lindsay into a BYU fan.


After all of that, we headed down to the local PSU bar for some karaoke.


What would karaoke be without a "Summer Lovin" duet?


Sunday, we had brunch at the Leaky Roof. Oddly enough they happen to be Lindsay's initials on the window.


We decided to go on a lovely drive through Oregon wine country. The tasting rooms were packed due to the holiday weekend, but we still had fun.


Here are a few highlights from the rest of the day:

Although this particular pair was for sale, we did see someone wearing these babies.


Who exactly buys wine bottles this size? Giants?


Two of my favorite people.


The bull with the giant neck tumor or just a standard bump - depends who you ask about this one.


That night, Rick came over and we played Cranium. Unfortunately, Rick and I lost by one question.


Monday, we headed to the coast. We got a late start due to the addiction to Bubble Bobble that was rekindled this weekend.


Shipwreck in Astoria.


Rusty and Rick walking towards Haystack Rock aka Goonies Rock.


Cannon Beach


Tuesday came and it was sadly time for Lindsay to head home. I guess the first graders at Grand Prairie need her too! Before we took her to the airport we stopped at Multnomah Falls.


This may be the exact moment when Lindsay realized she loved nature and was an environmentalist.


Rusty and his best-friend-in-law, Lindsay. This phrase was coined by Susie Miner, who is my second-best-friend-in-law.


All weekend the weather was manic. We never got to show Lindsay the view of Mt. Hood from our balcony, but we did get to see a rainbow and a full moon.




One last thought...Lindsay brought her Snuggie in an attempt to convince Rusty to let me get one. Here is Rusty testing it out.


If anyone needs to buy me a gift, please get me a micro-plush Snuggie from Costco. If you do, I will dedicate a blog to you.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Nephews

I officially have four nephews. They are quite possibly the cutest things that have ever lived.

Dyson - This could be used as an advertisement for tuxes. He is so handsome.


Colby - He is a true artist. He was a big hit as our entertainment.



Hank - Cuteness! He was so cautious with the rings.


Max - Dancing the afternoon away!


Here are a few more.






Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Identity Crisis


I think I am having an identity crisis. Currently, I am stuck in some weird transition phase and I am not sure how to deal with it. I graduated, which was fun. I got married, which was pretty super-fantastic! With these wonderful events, why am I so lost? The positive thing about an identity crisis is it allows for self-analysis and self-exploration. Hopefully this means I will end up a better person, which is a good thing.

Monday, June 15, 2009

We did it!



Sometimes I can't believe it and I still don't think it has set in, but WE ARE COLLEGE GRADUATES! Since I have been working towards this for a decade, it is surreal that it is over, well at least for now. I should probably just register for some classes next year, as school is obviously some odd form of a security blanket for me.

Special thanks to all our visitors, you made the weekend one of the best we've ever had. Thanks Mom, Jimmy, Adam, Terese, Jeri, Griff, Randy, Rick, Miner, Susie, Cooky, and of course the Miner girls. Thank you for your love and support.

All we have left to do is put these babies on in 27 day! See you in Chicago!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

How many months?

3 months from today Rusty and I will be done with our BS degrees and 4 months from today we will be husband and wife! I cannot believe it finally feels like these events are happening sooner rather than later. Since commencement falls on Rusty's birthday, we decided to have a weekend bash for everyone making the trip to Portland.



We are still ironing out the fine details of the weekend activities, so things could change slightly, but here is a tentative itinerary for everyone attending:

Friday, June 12th
Pizza Party Dinner at Apizza Scholls

Saturday, June 13th
Commencement Ceremony 10am - 1pm
Luncheon at Widmer Gasthaus 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Bowling Party at PSU Lanes 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Sunday, June 14th
BBQ at Rooster Rock State Park

Both of us are truly excited for these very important events. We are happy that so many family members and some friends will be able to celebrate with us!