Sleepy Time Productivity

Last night I slept FOREVER! Man was I tired. I seriously just woke up (9:47) and I went to bed around midnight. That felt AMAZING! I just worked a 54 hour week this week so really I think I deserve it. Ya?

Typically I never (REPEAT: NEVER!) dream when I sleep. I usually just wake up and it's been a 6-7 hour black void. I usually don't mind either until I hear about other people's amazing dreams and then I do admit I get a little jealous that my mind doesn't work like that while sleeping. There must be a shortage of some kind I'm sure.

Last night I did dream though. For my first dream I was in a dancing competition with this guy that I knew from maybe high school? I seriously have no ideal who it was - but apparently I had a major crush on him but we never were friends or whatever. (typical). Anyway so dancing competition....why? Who knows. I don't remember us really ever practicing the dance, or attending the competition so I can't tell you how that went, but the important aspect of my dream was that we fell in L-O-V-E. The starry-eyed kind of love that makes you silly and act all ga-ga with each other. Funny. Which - you all know I'm total crap at being like.

In my second dream I invented scented matches. You know how people sometimes light matches in the bathroom after going #2? Well what if the matches had a scent to them, so it didn't just smell like sulfur matches, but smelled like Plumeria or something else? I'm seriously thinking of pitching it to Bath & Body Works (haha) - so be on the watch for them at a local retailer soon.

Good Morning! Have a productive All Hallows Eve!

A Trent-filled Weekend

Last weekend I got to spend TONS of time with my cute nephew. Man there is something about hanging out with that kid that just makes me laugh. I love that he has REAL conversations with me, and will just chat chat chat my ear off if I just sit and listen to him. But if you ask him lots of questions....SHUT DOWN!

Friday I went to babysit him. I told Jake to tell him I was bringing him a surprise. My mom called later to ask him if he got the cookies she sent him - of course he did. Then my mom asked what the surprise was that I was bringing. Jake said he couldn't say because Trent was standing right there. So he spelled M-O-V-I-E (we watched "How to Train Your Dragon" which was really cute actually). When I got to Jake & Denise's house to watch the little monkey I said, "I have a surprise for you". Trent replies very know-it-all-ish "I already know what it is." Said with my best shocked face "How is that possible? What is it then?" Very matter-of-factly...."LETTERS". Because Jake had spelled letters to my mom, clearly that was the surprise. Yup I'm the worst aunt in the world and brought you educational crap. (although he probably would've loved that).

Then Trent and Jake and Denise came over on Sunday for Blake's family dinner extravaganza. I made Chicken Enchiladas, spanish rice and salad at Blake's request. Trent helped me finish the pumpkin carving I had started. Then we turned the pumpkin around and carved one special that Trent designed himself. I think both turned out equally great.

My pumpkin with some design help on the mouth



His pumpkin design. So cute right?

Missing the Mark

I found this picture while researching KISS (the band) album covers this morning. It made me laugh. HARD. And it reminded me how much I hate the dating process. It's just really not as fun as people think it is. Or perhaps people have just forgotten how to do it? There's either the people that wanna jump into bed after saying Hi my name is... (majority these days fall into this category). Or there's the inevitable "girl" of the relationship that wants to analyze things more than I do. Look if I'm the girl - which I am, just to clarify - then I get to be the girl in all aspects. Which means I'll be the one over analyzing everything...thank you very much. So far I'm just loving the people that want to be friends. Nothing more, nothing less. They're just more fun! And seriously just what I need right now. When there's too much drama by way of the male portion of the couple, you just know it's headed for the "danger zone". Seriously. Take a deep breath and step away from the girl called Jamie please. :)

The Fuel Crisis

PSYCH! I so wanted the heading of this post to sound like it was going to be about politics and oil in the Mid-East or whatever. Keep the real readers of my blog weeded out (like 100 level classes in College - man how I still hate you Food Science Nutrition, Physical Science, and PE 100. 3rd time wasn't the charm for either of those classes.)

I'm happy to report that I'm still on the same tank of gas since I moved here. Seriously how fabulous is that? It's been nearly 3 weeks! You know how I'm dying to get the full service fill-up too because I love that about Oregon. I just haven't needed to! I'm thrilled!

My current obsession is new bikes and adorable new bike accessories. I think I've looked at bike helmets everyday this week online. SIGH. Right now I'm eyeballing a black and white polka dotted bike helmet that is gorgeous! And will go lovely with my light blue new cruiser I'm also eyeballing. Seriously...I should just go for it! I might opt for a different color helmet though, since my hair is so dark - I want it to contrast against the hair. Do you think all girls spend this much time thinking about riding bikes?

My First Oregon Date

That's right...You read that correctly...I actually went on my first date yesterday (Friday). Technically started at 5:30pm which was earlier than when me and my truck rolled into Portland. I think it's safe to say under 1 week. haha.

So when I first got here I joined Match.com. I know...I know. Seriously. But how else do people meet anymore? Plus I wasn't in it for the "dating" (read: make-out-ing)...just to MEET people...take it from there. I've actually emailed a bit with a few people that seem really cool. (it should also be mentioned that I have also emailed a bit with a few people that DO NOT seem really cool.)

Friday night I went out with a guy named Michael. He was REALLY nice! We had TONS of fun. Laughed lots. We had no real plans (loved that) and just kinda wandered where we wanted. And our whole night was spent walking around....NO CARS. So great. Except at the end where we went to the river to check out the sights of downtown from across the river. GORGEOUS. I'd forgotten what a beautiful city Portland is.

So here's the weird bit about Mister Michael. He's a high school teacher...AT MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL. HAHA. He wasn't teaching when I went there - but seriously....How random is that? Anyway, we had fun and I love that that's all it had to be!

I'm a new Employee!

After 5.5 years at the same company - it's kind of weird to be a new employee somewhere. However, at age 33 I've found out that I'm just there to do a job. Seriously people will either like me or hate me - but I'm just going to be me. So far....THEY LOVE ME! haha.

The last 1.5 days I was in Employee Orientation. Go figure right? It was really fun. They showed us videos and we talked about Diversity (I literally wanted Michael Scott from the Office to present - but no dice). Our guy was good too though. They brought in a Music Thanotologist to play the harp. Seriously amazing talent. And then with 1.5 hours left of the 1.5 days we'd just sat through, we started talking about benefits. So weird. But certainly a great way to be introduced to the company.

Free medical and dental insurance is the main reason I love the new company. Seriously 100% free. I mean I'll have a deductible and a co-pay for any visit...but seriously...FINE! Plus if I get my prescriptions filled at one of the hospital pharmacies...SUPER CHEAP! Win Win!

Then I went to my office and met some of the people I'll be working with. We're having an Earthquake Drill/Fire Drill tomorrow for my first full day of work. I wish I could say it was in honor of me...but alas - they'd had it planned for a bit. The lady in charge of the drill for our department is in LOVE with me because I suggested that she be-dazzle her bright yellow safety vest. She thinks I'm funny! The other lady I trained with thought I was great too! Man - Love that.

So my first full day is tomorrow. Should be fun!

OREGON!

Well I'm all moved in! I'm currently pilfering my internet service on an unsecure network called "Kitty Korner" - Gotta Love it! I have internet being set up, but apparently our house doesn't have a single phone jack that is actually connected to anything. Handy.

So on my drive here I had a long time to THINK. These were some of the random thoughts going through my head. Some have pictures to back this up.

1. You know how cops and bus drivers all give each other the nod or the semi hand wave? So my thought as I watched my dad driving my budget truck and passing another Budget truck....should he have done the "nod"?

2. I'm ready to submit a patent for the following information. Car-makers of the world...listen up. You should be able to control the temperature of the cabin AND SEPERATELY control the temperature on your feet.

3. I'm seriously a city girl. As I was driving down the freeway through Idaho I saw this farm and thought to myself, "that is awesome! Someone invented Black and White polka-dotted tarps to fancy farms up!" Then I drove closer and realized that it was just a white tarp with tires laid on it to keep it down. So close.


4. During the trip through Jasper, ID we passed 6 windmill blades being transported by truck. I do love the irony behind the transportation of an alternative energy solution by trucks powered by said negative energy solution (aka fuel)...but seriously these things were GIGANTIC! Enclosed is the best picture I could get while attempting to drive. This this was massive! (and yes that is my truck, being driven by my dad in the picture as well!)


5. Last but certainly not least...the ever glorious 45th parallel that you get to pass while driving through Oregon. It's the exact 1/2 way point from the equator to the North pole. Cool eh?