It's a New Year!! Woo Hoo!!

I was thinking about how everyone is always so big into the new years resolution thing. I have, of course, tried this a few times. What I have found is that no one ever follows through, or rather I never follow through, so this year I decided to not even bother. Instead, I tried to think about how I can make a difference in my life this year, however it may be. To think about long term goals, and what I can do to make a difference to someone else this year. I want to be a better person, and learn from my mistakes from previous years, and just enjoy life. It doesn't have to be this strict rule that won't be followed. I look at it a little like when your a teenager and someone gives you a rule to follow, and all you really want to do is rebel and break it. I want to just smile and laugh a little more, and not be so caught up in all the negative in life. Why not enjoy it everyday? Especially in these times of economic change and upheaval, we should look at what really matters. 2008 was a tough year, so in my book it won't take much to beat it. I have a wonderful husband and daughter, and I can't ask for much more than that.
So here's to a new year! Cheers!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Since I update on here approximately once a year now I thought I would say Merry Christmas!! I don't really know where the time goes, but it goes quickly! It's winter again, and it's been snowing non stop for about the last week. I am just about ready for summer. Ha Ha. I am ready for a really long vacation to a tropical island. Actually, I'd like to just retire there. Tomorrow.
Since that probably won't be happening, I'll just try to appreciate what I have here for now. So I hope everyone else is doing well and has a very merry Christmas!! Stay warm and safe and enjoy whatever family or friends you will be spending the day with. We will be enjoying our normal family day of lounging around, eating lots, seeing a movie and just relaxing. Can't wait! :)

It's been, um, awhile??

Wow, where has the time gone? To say I have neglected this blog would be quite the understatement. November was my last post? Seriously??? I haven't had a lot of readers anyhow, but still to the 1 or 2 of you, sorry!!!!
Well, we are still here in Bend, and after the horrid winter almost killed me, the summer has been AMAZING!!!!!! There is so much to do here in the great outdoors, and I have loved it. If it could only stay this way all the time, I would love it!! We are definitely loving it much more. My daughter has made tons of friends and work is good. We have been to Portland a couple times, (love it there), and are going to Crater Lake next week. Woo Hoo!!!
So that's a quick update of life over the last many months. What about you???

Adjustment Period??

It has been 3 weeks now that we have lived in Oregon. Sometimes it feels like it has been forever, and sometimes it feels as though we just got here. I know that it normally takes a while to adjust to a new home, but how long should it take???
I have been struggling the last few days with feeling out of my element and very homesick. I love it here, it is beautiful, but it is also very different from California. For starters, people drive slow, and there isn't a whole lot to do. Part of that is just the weather is gettting colder, so it is harder to do outdoor activities, or get motivated to , anyways. I am already freezing and it has been in the 50's. I am used to 70's so it is hard to adjust. I also have noticed there are not many choices for food here, and that is rather depressing. I probably just haven't been out and about enough, and there are plenty of smaller type places, just not the chain restuarants I am used to. Nothing familiar, I guess that is what it really is. My hubby is still in San Diego, and that is hard. Harder than I thought it would be. We are both pretty independent, but I miss having my friend here. I don't really have anyone to share things with, other than my daughter, which is great, but just not the same. So I guess I just feel sad. I actually called my hubby today and told him maybe we had made a mistake and we should just move back. He is the rational one, who told me I have to give it a chance. I am feeling very moody. I have to remember I don't always adjust to change very well. I love for things to stay comfortable and familiar. I also am ready to feel like I am home, and settled. Whoever set the expectations that you should be settled by the time you reach your 30's? I think I did, and since I am not I feel disappointed. Is it like this for everyone??? I know things will get better, but for now I really just want to cry. And then drink a glass of wine. Even if it is only 11am. I'm adjusting...right???

Pictures for fun...

Drake Park--the most beautiful park ever!
Me and my "baby"
A rest stop on the way to Oregon!
Isn't our new home pretty??? Today was the most amazing day and we enjoyed the great weather. And good news in San Diego that the wildfires are a little tiny bit better and my hubby is safe!!

Moving and Wildfires, oh my...

Wow. What a week.
We got safely to Oregon and are adapting. It was freezing cold and then it warmed up beautifully. It's a big change from San Diego and we are in a bit of culture shock. It has been 1 week now. My husband was here to move us and then headed back to SD for about 1 month of work he has left there. My daughter started middle school and cried the first day. My heart broke. She is now doing better and has made many friends. I started my job here yesterday and so far so good. I could not ask for a better group of people to work with.

And then, the wildfires in San Diego broke out. Everywhere. With my husband there and we are here. And let me tell you, nothing has tested my emotions before like this has. Twice he has been close to evacuation. There is fire basically all around him and stiffling smoke and thick air. And all I can do is watch the coverage on TV and talk to him, when I can get through, and hear about the devastation. We saw our neighborhood that we just moved out of on TV within 1 mile of the fire. I am in absolute shock over the whole thing. I am so saddened by how this is affecting people there. Some people that I know. It is terrible. All I can say is how incredible the community there is dealing with this. They are supporting one another and rallying together. And I had forgotten how kind people can be. It makes me proud that I was a part of that city just 1 week ago, and I hope those fires will die down quickly. I am still very worried about it all, and I know this will be a time in my life I will never forget. Everyone will get through this, and thankfully people have almost entirely been kept safe. Those firefighters are amazing and working night and day right now. I am so thankful to them, and I know my husband will be okay. Please keep San Diego in your thoughts and prayers!!

So many things left to do...

So I sat here tonight amidst boxes everywhere and cried. As much as I am excited to move, it seems you always realize how many things you will leave behind. When we moved from
North Carolina, it was like an adventure. But I hated to leave, too. I was leaving my dear friends. And my first home. And trees and nice people. So I spent a year missing "home". Then I adjusted to being in California. Things didn't turn out the way we hoped. We took a chance and it just didn't work out. So now we are taking a chance once again and moving to Oregon. A city I have never been to in my life. I am excited and scared to death at the same time. I seriously started to hyperventilate earlier. Overwhelmed would sum it up.
So we have spent days trying to fit in all the things we will miss about San Diego, like the beach and the great taco shop near our home and the bay and downtown and the zoo. There just isn't enough time. Then I doubt myself and this huge decision we have made. What if we hate it? But I determined that we won't know unless we go, and that's what life is about, right? Taking chances? Because if we always just lived with comfortable, where would the excitement be? I will miss this place, but I will be with my family, and we will be in it together, experiencing this new once again. And hopefully this time it will work out for us. So 2 weeks until our new adventure begins!