Additions not to be missed

Just to illustrate how close my car was to near disaster I have to include this picture (thanks Amy for sending it over). Seriously, how lucky was I??

Oh, and the one and only picture of the two of together from Ame's visit...thanks old symphony usher for taking a snap shot of us in front of nude lady covering her most private of parts.

A+ Student

Sadly Blake's car is working today so I had to go pick him during his lunch to run the car to the shop. I took Gypsy with me while I went to his classroom; needless to say she went totally nuts in there from excitement and I could see the fear in Blake's eyes as she got close to all the instruments. She sure is a cute pup-pup!

Visitor Take 23: AME!!

This girl came for a visit!

We went down this trail to a waterfall where we met a strange man who took a terrible picture (not posted for obvious reasons).

We then continued to Hood River where we got lunch with views of the Columbia River, drove around the fruit loop (yes, that's what it's called) where we saw these things.

After the fruit loop we went to Timberline Lodge (the exterior of hotel was used in the movie the Shining) where we enjoyed these yummy Iceberg hot chocolates. Poor Ame got sick and then

threw up on the side of the road and exclaimed "GROSS!" then of course I had to take a look at said vomit. I think this was the first time I wasn't the one doing the chucking. Sorry Amy!

Then we returned to my house to eat a delicious sandwich (Amy's food of choice) to watch our first of many episodes of How I Met Your Mother (we actually finished the entire 1st season and part of the 2nd) before heading off to our late night ghost tour in downtown Portland. There were some real characters in our group and I'm not talking about ghost; just very odd people. We saw the church of Elvis as pictured below. I've lived here for two years and I didn't know this was here!

The next day we slept in late and then ventured to an area of Portland called Nobb Hill where we treated our tummies to some tarts and purchased some of the most amazing bath products ever. We got soap bombs! We drove up to the Rose Garden and Pittock Mansion (Amy's fav Portland spot) and hit a movie before attending the Opera; this was my first real Opera (Pagliacci & Carmina Burana) and I thought it was pretty fun. O'FORTUNA!

On Saturday we hit the farmers market and Saturday Art Market and during this outing I did the worst parking job of my life and my car was almost in some serious trouble. We had a homeless guy and cop walk past us and pretty much laugh and the situation I was in, b/c my car was near destruction!. Onward and outward we went out to Sauvie Island where we ate some roasted corn and where Amy fed a chicken her scraps (right out of her hand...chickens are disgusting) and then later that night we went to the Symphony and saw a very so-so performance of Mozart's Grand Mass.

On Sunday my heart filled with sadness to know my dear friend was leaving, but we enjoyed a lazy morning at home and I made some yummy steel cut oatmeal that we enjoyed while watching more How I Met Your Mother before taking off tour Portland's different neighborhoods and view pretty houses (I'm glad Amy likes doing that as well, b/c Blake sure as heck doesn't).

Gypsy of course loved Amy and even tried to get her hump on the first night Amy was here and Amy had vast progress with Ella and cuddled with her (this is a huge thing!). Come back soon so I can have someone to do random things with.

"O"

Guess who is going to be seeing this lady live on October 27th?

We are.....hopefully we'll get a great audience gift and not something like a free book or dvd.

Reunited and it Feels So Good...

I think Gypsy had one of the best days last week, as she got to see her Danielle. Gypsy has loved her so much since she was a puppy and went googoogaga over her last week when she stopped over for a quick visit. Thanks coming over and for the birthday breakfast; it was a nice break in my normally boring workday! Gypsy would like to know when you plan on coming back and requested that it be sooner rather than later.

Groupon

My friend Amy purchased some Groupons a few months back and we decided to use them the day they expired...apparently so did the rest of Portland. It left the shop owner cranky and out of supplies since everyone decided to go on the last valid day; this left us with slim pickings for our pottery creations. Blake painted a dreidel (he's says he'll use it at school, but I'm not sure how a ceramic dreidelwill work with elementary aged students) and I painted measuring spoons...you know, because I really needed a third set. Once we pick up our finished products I'll post more pictures. Thanks Amy & Matt for a fun day in the city and for showing a new sandwich place!

WORKING AT HOME WITH ELLA & GYPSY

Working out of the house can get a little boring at times, but these two keep me entertained for the most part. I think Ella has a love/hate relationship with Gypsy and Gypsy....well, she just has pure love for her kitty. Ella trumps me, food and any treat in Gypsy's mind.

(most of the day goes like this...ella plops over and then gypsy will just look at her...for hours!)

(hilarious moment! gypsy was just nicely chewing her toy while ella was asleep on the couch and then ella woke forgetting gypsy was up there too...she had to reestablish her control with a mean hiss and swat!)

(curled up together. i really can't believe this day arrived. ella was asleep on the couch and gypsy just jumped right up next to her kitty-ella looked up and then back to sleep)

Just because I think this is funny. She does this about once a night & is really finding her voice.

Gypsy Ate an Egg

Gypsy eats a raw meat only diet which includes eggs. She got her first ever egg this past week and it was hilarious watching her try to figure out what to do with it; she knew because it was in her food bowl that it was going to be yummy so she was very excited. She had amazing balancing skills keeping that egg up! HAHA!

Canning Fools

So my friend Amy & I had the bright idea of canning this summer. We went over board...145lbs without a pressure cooker in two days. Yikes! Peaches, pickles and tomatoes. I do love the look of mason jars and I'm sure I'll enjoy the canned goods later in the year, but all I can think of right now is that we were nuts!

Dani & Torbin

Dani & Torbin got married! The wedding was so unique and beautiful in a meadow outside St. Helens, OR They both seemed so happy and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of their special day. I was lucky enough to spend some time with them before the ceremony and got some great shots. They are both wonderful people and will do amazing things together for sure. Love to you both!