Tams Blog

Pioneer Cemetery Photos

2012-01-16T18:19:00.000-08:00

Pioneer Cemetery isn't too far away from my new office location, so today at lunchtime I decided to go for a walk and stop to take pictures in the cemetery. The cemetery is HUGE. I only walked through part of it today, because it was soooo cold outside. It was still relaxing, but my fingers were frozen by the time I was done, so I didn't stay too long. Someone even made a snowman.......

1st Snow Day of the Year

2012-01-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning to a blanket of snow. I still get excited when it snows, just like I did when I was a kid. John doesn't mind the snow if it melts before he has to work in it, which I totally understand. It was fun watching Jess and Korissa having so much fun, and of course taking pictures.........

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

Ethan jumpin

Korissa was singing

Britt looks so cute

She looks pretty happy

I think he's thinking "what's in here?"

In my new coat I got from John, and that's the cute new dress I got from Dave and Jen.

Lisa

Warhammer of course :)

Lip shot...lol.

Cuteness

They're laughing because John is wearing his light hat backwards.

Awww

Jacks light hat

He looks like he has an evil plan

Love this picture.

Brittany is very excited about her blanket

Their blankets, soooo cool!

Someone is excited.

Nick got a light up hat too.

David wearing his hat.

Kiss!

Christmas Eve at Home

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve mom came over for our traditional Christmas movie. We decided to go with a short one this year, because it was late, and John and Jess convinced me we should open gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning. So we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of my favorites. It was funny because when Korissa was handing people their presents, she would say what they were when she handed them to us, we told her she's not suppose to tell...ha, ha.

Before our movie

Christmas wishes to Jackie and H

Me opening my cozy socks

Stocking stuffers

Jess with her apron we got her

Korissa with her new horse and shiny hat

John happy with some Star Wars

Dominic loves games

Jess opened her traditional Christmas gift

John with his toy

I got the new Kelly Clarkson for Christmas, it's an awesome Cd!

Craven Christmas

2011-12-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

We haven't gotten together for the Holidays with my family for a few years, so Jennifer and I made sure to plan some family holiday time together.

I think there was a deep discussion, and some tv watching going on...ha, ha.

Cass and Me

Jess and Me

I told Cassie she looks older in this picture :)

The build a bear kitty we got mom for Christmas

This Week

2011-12-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

Man, I wanted to do a post every day in December, but wow, this week has flew by. Monday I went to Portland for visiting and shopping, and was gone all day. Then of course work this week, and a few shopping stops. Last night we decorated our tree, and a light strand went out, so will need to fix that. Haven't done a lot of picture taking of the things I've done this week, so here's another one of my random things in pictures.......

LOVE this line, and there's no icky ingredients.

My favorite soap.

I've been a horrible vegan the past few months, having too much dairy, and not only does it gross me out, my body hates it. So, going to re-eliminate this dairy binge for good!

Bag with Jessicas gift in it that I need to wrap....lol.

Yep, still smokin....not attempting a quit anytime soon.

Rissa Photography

2011-12-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

Korissas pictures, with her words to go along with them.....

"Cheese Grandma"

"I wanna take a picture of Gumby sleeping"

"Ha Ha Grandma, I took a picture of your phone, and boobie....see grandma" (she points) Oh boy!!

D&O Christmas Party

2011-12-11T12:57:00.001-08:00

We went to the annual D&O Christmas Party yesterday. We only stayed one night though, but this year it was at the Salishan Resort (Johns company pays for one night), and it was awesome. We stopped at the outlet stores in Lincoln City, and I scored an Old Navy scarf, and went to Maurices looking for a sweater (I LOVE that store).

We only had about a half hour to get ready for the party by the time we got to the resort. We did the gift exchange (I had a really cool holiday door mat, but Amanda took it, then I took a cute angel doll, and then amanda ended up taking that too....bummer), but it was all fun. I had a Long Island Ice Tea which made me feel pretty good...lol. Then we had a yummy dinner and dessert.

After dinner we went to a lounge there called The Attic and I had some gross blue drink that I didn't finish. John was of course drinking Coors. After that we headed over to Rick and Amandas room for a while, then over to Grants and Katies room. John was having a high time...lol by this point. I was ready to call it a night by 12:30 AM, as I stopped drinking a looong time before that...ha, ha. We got up this morning, and after John took some advil, we headed for breakfast. We had a really nice time.

Last year in December, I took a trip to the coast by myself (something I always wanted to do), and stayed 2 nights. The first night I stopped and got me a box of chocolates (from Lifesource) and then when I arrived at the coast, I bought myself a card and a cute little stuffed bear. I put the card, bear and chocolates on the kitchen table in my room, and when I got up the next morning I opened up my gifts, to me, from me. It was pretty cool. Soooo, I am going to make it a thing, when we go to the coast for Christmas, I'm going to get me some chocolates and a cute little guy (stuffed that is).

Our room

My Cooper dog I got at Maurices for 6 bucks.

Me and Cooper again.

Josh, Jenny, John and Me at the Resort.

So ummm, this was John towards the end of the night.

Me, John and Beer. (I'm wearing the sweater from Maurices)

Cute couple: Grant and Katie

Our view from our balcony, overlooking the golf course.

Pretty tree from the balcony.

View of the other rooms.

This is the picture I took last year of my self gifts in my hotel room from my solo trip.

Date Night In

2011-12-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

John and I had a nice dinner (I weirdly took a picture of our plates with no food on them, but hones, we did eat food not air), then we watched Cowboys and Aliens eating popcorn and sitting by the fire....awwwww!

Missin H

2011-12-09T14:43:00.001-08:00

Heather is officially in Afghanistan now :(

Upcoming Wknd

2011-12-08T08:10:00.001-08:00

Friday night John and I will have the house to ourselves, so we are going to have a romantic dinner, then light a fire in the fireplace and watch a movie.
Saturday is our coast trip for his works Christmas Party.
Sunday we will be going to Todd and Jens for a birthday dinner for my mom.
Monday is my Ptown trip for friends, and Christmas shopping.

Somewhere in there, we gotta decorate our new tree and put up the Christmas village!

Frosted Web

2011-12-07T08:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday morning I saw so many webs with frost on them, and didn't get any pictures, so this morning I made sure to grab my camera.....Love it!!

New Artist Discovery

2011-12-06T10:10:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I like to google cool fantasy pictures, and discovered this amazing artist, Anne Stokes. I thought it would be soooo cool if she had a tarot deck, and guess what? she does! That's going to go on my wish list for sure. She does a lot of different work, but these two I love......

Tree Farm

2011-12-05T17:42:00.001-08:00

Johns new garbage route takes him into the country, and this year we got a surprise from one of his pick up customers who owns a tree farm....a free tree! We had our pick among all of them, and could have even gotten a flocked one, but we wanted the tree smell, so we went with a non-flocked tree.

Snowman greetings!

We could have cut our own, but we picked an already cut tree out.

We both loved this little one, but of course it was too small.

Journal Love

2011-12-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

I love the idea of this journal:

http://www.gadanke.com/product/she-gray-european-paper-writing-prompt-journal-quote-collection-1-0

My Day

2011-12-03T18:14:00.001-08:00

Played Castleville
Went Christmas shopping with my boyfriend ;)
Ate yummy Taco DeLmar
Went to Trader Joe's
Made my wish list for Santa
Made homeade brownies with Korissa
Read a bit
Did Laundry
Switched my purse out again. The black Guess purse I bought last year is my favorite purse, and I always go back to it.
Going to finish my night tonight with a Christmas movie, probably Christmas with the Cranks, or maybe an oldie like Holiday Inn.

Spider Tattoo

2011-12-02T08:48:00.001-08:00

Heather got a spider tat on her arm for me. The tat artist did an awesome job. I knew that my next tattoo was going to be a spider, and now I know which one, I'm going to get a matching spider. I'm thinking about putting it on my inside arm, it won't be quite so big as Heathers, and I'm not going to do a web, but now I'm super excited cause I've picked out the spider!!

Random Faves

2011-12-01T16:03:00.001-08:00

I would like to do a post a day in December, just because. So, my first December post is going to be random (as usual).......

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

David is still my fave.....lol.

Ahhh....love this game! The whole family is playing, even Jackie....saweet!

Why I just can't stay away too long from Days I will never know. The nice thing about soaps, you can catch up real quick!

My current read. It's super good!

The BEST lotion for dryness. I even gave a bottle to Jess, cause I have so many in stock....ha, ha.

Katy Perry music, just plain fun!

When I smell this VS Vanilla Lace, I'm in heaven.

I fell in love with Jessica Simpsons 'Fancy' scent last November, and still haven't gotten tired of it!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T11:40:00.001-08:00

I'm so thankful for..........

My family: I'm thankful that they love me, and that they let me love them back!
Drama free living
My friends
My experiences. They have made me question things, brought me pain, but at the same time have let me grow.
People that have touched my life, even though they don't know they did.
My oak tree
To be home
My truck White Boy.........he's getto, but in a good way!
That I've gotten to know Jennifer Craven. She's my sis in law, and my friend!
Spiders :)
Music
Good Books

THANKSGIVING DAY

THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

We had so much fun yesterday just being gamers and doin nothing. It really was a blast.

John's Game area!

My area!

Korissas play area!

Jess is serious like her dad, she's got 2 game areas....ha, ha!

Nick gaming on the big screen!

Isaac

2011-11-15T14:15:00.001-08:00

Johns really good friend Isaac passed away last night. We met Isaac years ago when John first got into Warhammer. He worked at Borderlands and actually taught John how to paint his minis. It was always nice seeing Isaac at Borderlands, even though he was stressed out a lot with his work overload, he always had time to talk with us. The kids even knew him by name when they were younger, and would ask on our trips to BL's if Isaac would be there. When he found out John and I were back together, he was so excited for us. He of course had a lot of questions for us, like how and things like that, but you could see it in his eyes that he was so happy for us. He had a lot of back issues and sleep disturbances, that now I'm sure had to do with cancer, but everyone thought it was just his back. On Friday the 11th he was taken to the hospital. He thought he was just getting another cold, but he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it was also discovered in his bones as well. He was only 35 years old, I remember just wishing him a Happy Birthday in September. He will be so missed.

Rest in Peace Isaac, you were a great friend with a great soul!

Quittin' Time

2011-11-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, it's that time again, the time to quit smoking. I have had a hella time with this quitting process this year. After being smoke free for I think 8 years I had started up again in August 2010. I'm going to be totally honest, that first cigarette was good! You read so many times about how when you have quit and you start again, that first cigarette is horrible, nope, mine was good. I remember after taking the first drag even saying outloud "damn, that is soooo good". But, that's where the problem lies isn't it? It's great at first. I overlook the smell, heck, I get used to it. I rely on those cigarettes, they become my friend, my best friend really, because they are always there when I need them. And I'm a great friend to them too, because I will do anything to get them, if I had to choose between spending money on them or food, they would win.

But then, the glamour wears off. I see how much I spend on them, not just money, but time too. When I lived in Portland, I smoked in my apartment, now I've had to smoke outside, and what a waste of time. I couldn't multitask. Not too mention, brrrr, freezing!!! I have tried I don't know how many times to quit in 2011. I believe I even tried a couple times in 2010. I have lost count. I haven't ran in months, I still have a lingering cough from when I was sick over a month ago.....seriously? I think I have a bruised rib too, very painful.

Friday was my quit day. I am not going cold turkey, and I'm not following the whole patch plan. I have started with the final patch step and will use them for 2 weeks, just to take off the edge, then no more nicotine at all. I am ready this time.

Dear American Spirit Menthol Light Cigarettes,

You were there for me when I really needed you. I was stressed out beyond belief, and there you were. It was like no time had passed, we were right back to our old relationship. I had forgotten how much you meant to me. I forgot how much I relied on you. I forgot how good you made me feel. But, I also forgot how I lost myself to you. I had to give up a lot of things for you, and in the end, sorry to say, you're totally not worth it. I am not going to lie to myself or to you, I know I will miss you at times, but I've just got to remember, that me and you, we're just not good for each other...............

Halloween Party

2011-10-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday night we finally had our Halloween/Dominic Birthday Party. It was soooo fun! I even won at Bingo and got a cool prize. I LOVE Halloween............

John didn't wear his costume for very long, but at least I got a picture with him in it!

Some of the goodies!

Jess setting up the craft table!

The cutest kids.

Me and V

V is kinda rude....lol.

Mom was excited she got her costume for less than 5 bucks.

Jessica being chucked by a Ninja.

The nun being not so nunly!

Trevor and his friend Parker. Trevor is suppose to be Napolean Dynamite, but his hair is more Carrot Top.

The birthday boy taking the first Pinata swing.

Adrianas turn.

Rissa's time.

He wasn't quite sure what to do....lol.

Jen is really happy that the pinata is finally breaking. That sucker was hard!

Someones tired.

John had this on his head for a while and didn't even know it....ha, ha. Lisa stuck it there.

Dominic is excited about his new bike.

Wearwolf (only partly changed), Clown and a hippy!

Spider Pictures

2011-10-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

The light was perfect for getting some pretty cool web pictures, I couldn't resist......

This web is HUGE! I didn't see the spider that made this, but I imagine it's a biggy!

This spider I saw on a different day. This picture really didn't turn out too well, but he was BIG! A leaf landed on the bottom of his web, and he came out of hiding to get the leaf off, then he had to rebuild a bit.

Yellow Ribbon and Family Time

2011-10-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning we went to the yellow ribbon ceremony for the 1186 MP's. Last time Heather went to Iraq, we didn't really get much of a chance for goodbyes after the ceremony, but at this one, they got to leave afterwards for a few hours. I didn't want a big teary goodbye in front of everyone, even though it's family, to me, there were things I needed to tell both Jackie and Heather, that were a bit more intimate, so I was very glad for that. After the ceremony, we went to Elmer's with the family for breakfast. After breakfast, me, H and Jackie went to the mall so H could return a case to the Mac store. They were still in uniform, and got many thanks, and free Starbucks. When we got home, Jackie had to watch the new XMen movie...ha, ha, while Heather worked on downloading tunes. At least Jess got off work in time to be able to see her sister. John and I drove them back, and had many hugs and tears. It was heartbreaking.

Ptown and Blue October with Jess

2011-09-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

Finally our Blue October day arrived. Actually, it came up pretty quickly, it seems like I just asked Jessica "do you want to go to Blue October with me?" We had soooo much freakin fun! We first went to Clackamas Town Center and hung out there for a while. We made our Build A Bears, which was soooo fun. I was going to make a Snoopy, but I didn't like it, because it was heavy (it was musical), and it's ears moved. So, I ended up getting a cute Koala Bear, which I named Kola. Then I bought her a witch outfit for Halloween. We also bought some classic books from Barnes and Noble. They had buy 2 get 1 free on their classic books. I bought: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland along with Through the Looking Glass, The Odyssey, and Wizard of Oz. I read Wizard of Oz when I was a kid, but I have never read the Alice in Wonderland story. Jess said the Odyssey is super good, so I got that one.

After the mall, we went to Moonshadow, the BEST place to buy incense, but, they had moved locations, and we needed to get to our hotel, so I didn't get any incense. Our Hotel was pretty cool. Thank goodness we were only on the 12th floor, we both don't like being too high up. We even had valet parking, fancy!

After we took our things up to the room, we headed off to walk around downtown. We first located the max, because we were going to ride that to the concert, but the concert was closer than we thought, so we just walked. We eventually found the Pioneer Square Mall, but we didn't get to look too long because we had to get to the concert.

We waited for a half hour outside, then I think about 45 minutes after that for the first act to come on. The second act was 'I am Dynamite', they were super cool! Jess liked them so much, she bought their CD. We literally stood for I think a little over 4 hours, because it was standing room only. Our backs were toast by the end of the night....but....Blue October was worth it. Man, they were soooo cooool! I loved it too, that it was a small theater, because we all sang 'Hate Me' (my fave Blue song), and now I can say "I freakin sang Hate Me with Blue October", cause we were right there ya know!

They had the Race for Cancer walk right downtown on Sunday morning, so the streets to get back were all blocked, but we made an adventure out of that too. We didn't have any stress.....woot! We had a really good time, and are going to plan a just the two of us adventure every year now!!

Jess dressing her bear.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Ha, ha. We couldn't pass up the chance to be disturbing with this statue.....lol.

A nice lady asked if we wanted her take a pic.

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting.....hee, hee.

After breakfast. I tried several times to get the Denny's sign in the pic, but it just didn't work.

Guess Denny's didn't want to share camera time!

Hangin with some old friends

2011-09-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

My friend Sondra came over for a visit from Idaho so I drove to McMinnville to hang out with her and Janie. We planned on going to the coast for the day. It was so fun seeing them. I've known Sondra since the 6th grade, and Janie since Junior High. It's been almost 20 years since I had seen Janie, and it was like no time had gone by between all of us.

We ate here when we got to Lincoln City, the food was yummy!

Of course we had to go to Depoe Bay. It was cold and windy so we didn't go down to the beach .

We got lost on the way back....my fault, ha, ha. Alex is on the left, that's Sondras daughter.

A normal picture of us!

Funny Faces!

We made Sondra do another face, cause the one before this, just didn't cut it....ha, ha.

Smooch!

"Peace"

This hat cracks me up. It's for Janies grandson, but it reminds me of Dispicable Me.

Janie brings out props!

"Say what?"

I don't think Janie saw good things for our future.

I love these girls!

On an end note. I just wanted to share how proud of Janie I am. She has come a loooong way, and I wanted to share a link to her story on youtube with you, because it is an amazing testimony!!

Janie's story

September List

2011-09-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

A few things I'm looking forward to:

Meeting up with my Grade school and Junior High friends Sondra and Janie. I haven't seen them in years. We're going to go to the beach for the day this Friday.
Having a Ptown day with Jessica. Were going to go see Blue October this month in Portland. We're going to make a day/night of it too, staying at the Hilton downtown, taking the max to the concert and of course picture taking, window shopping, and I'm going to buy my incense from the BEST shop to get incense at!
Getting my eating healthy back on track. My goal is to stop eating such crap food. I'm not too bad about it, but I have more than I would like. I want to save treats for just that, a treat, and not something I need everyday. I tend to binge a lot when I cut something out, but I am so tired of how junk food makes me feel.....like junk! I also want to get my eating healthy so when I eventually quit smoking, I don't overeat. No, I haven't picked a date, I'm not going to be hard on myself about it right now. I just attempted it more times than I can count in 2011, I just know I am going to plan a quit time again, someday!
The leaves falling.
Bike rides.
Actually running 4 times in one week, instead of doing it sporadically.
Autumn Equinox.
Making pumpkin bread..........oh, yum!
Reading The Help. Yep, a lot of hype over this book and movie. I just started it last night. But when I hear about a big hoopla over a book, I gotta check it out for myself.

Updates

2011-09-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

Man, it has been a loooong time since I blogged. But, I was a busy bee this morning and updated, added a bunch.

Lacey visits

2011-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

I picked Lacey up from the airport, she came down for a visit for her birthday. It was really nice seeing her, I hadn't seen her in 6 months. We hung out at the mall for a bit, then headed over to Lukes place. I got my computer back, I am so freakin excited about that, because it has all my family pictures on it, not to mention World of Warcraft....ha, ha.

At the airport. Some random guy saw us getting ready to take a pic of ourselves, and he asked if we would like him to take the picture, why of course we did!

We had to stop at Checkers, the store right down from our old apartment.

Luke and Lacey. I don't think he was really talking on the phone, it was just a prop.....ha, ha.

Chelseas Wedding

2011-09-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday Chelsea got married to Sterling. The wedding was held at her grandma Maxines house in Tigard. I rode up with Jennifer, and was excited to take a ton of pictures, but discovered I had forgot my darn memory card. I could only take a few pictures because the camera doesn't hold much.....bummer!

Chels getting her hair done.

Cassidy, Jennifer and Trevor.

Joan (Jens mom), Maxine, mom and Trevor. Joan and mom made the wedding cake.

I love this one, it's so sweet!

I love the color!

Yep, had to take one of myself, just cause!

Cass and Me.

The only picture I got of her in her dress, and it's from the back.....grrrrr face!

Diamond Lake Camping Continued

2011-08-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Some more random camping pictures......

The card playing table

Korissa looks like such a big girl in this picture!

Jen was talking and it looks like Dave is listening.

Brittany reviewing her pictures.

Jackie using Noah as a foot rest.

Check out all those bites on Jessicas shoulder. Stupid skeetos, we hate you....A LOT!!

I took John on the bike route that Jackie and I took. This is by the bridge with the freezing cold water.

2011-08-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Jackie and I decided to go for a bike ride adventure. They had some cool bike trails at Diamond Lake.........

We found this little pond area, well, they called it a Lake, but it looked more like a big pond. You can't see it well in the picture, but those white looking things are all dragonflies.

Surprisingly, there weren't any skeeters at this place.

There were frogs everywhere though, I was afraid I was going to step on some. Jackie caught this little cutie so we could take a picture.

I love these butterflies, they were everywhere.

This bridge was another path. The water was FREEZING!!!

Butterfly

Jackie in the meadow. When Jen and I went for our bike ride, we saw deer here (and way too many mosquitoes). The mountain back there is the one the guys' climbed.

Me sitting on a log in the meadow.

Jacks Camp Breakfast

2011-08-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

On Day 3, Jack cooked a big camp breakfast for everyone. Taters.....yum!!!!

Heather.....ha, ha!

Sharon kept serving us some yummy watermelon!

Crater Lake

2011-08-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

Crater Lake was only about 20 minutes from our camp, so we decided to go see it. I had never been there before. It was AMAZING! I have seen a lot of beautiful things in my life, but Crater Lake was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I would love to just sit there and stare at that Lake for hours. We stopped at the first lookout area, and then we headed up to the lodge. The drive up there was a bit scarey because the drop off was right there, my mom was driving behind us, and I imagined hour scared she was, she is really afraid of heights. When we arrived at the lodge, she said she was pretty freaked out, poor mom. It was weird too, seeing snow in August. These pictures are great, but they don't capture the awe I felt when looking at that beautiful lake...........

Nick taking in the scene

Jessica enjoying the view

Cassidy and Mom by the lodge. Mom didn't even feel comfortable taking this picture it was to high for her.

My dirty camping feet in the snow!

John and Me....awwww!

Me and Rissa

Bathing Suit Babe in the snow.

My hand print.

Diamond Lake Day 2 Randoms

2011-08-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

The boys had to play a Warhammer 40k game

Jess and Ethan

Ethan was telling Korissa she had some food on her face....ha, ha.

I took a little around the camp walk and got these trees with the clouds, pretty.

Chipmunk!

Jackie was very proud of her fish.

Heather and her fish.

Diamond Lake Day 1

2011-08-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

We had a family camping trip at Diamond Lake this year. Our first day we had a pretty cool thunderstorm and had to go into our tents to wait it out. At least we had warning before it struck, because we were able to get all of our stuff inside before it got soaked.

My view standing right by our tent

Jackie and Heather being goofs in Jessica and Nicks tent

Jessica's a bit blurry in this picture, but I wasn't going to get soaked to take a clear one, ha, ha.

Cassie

John and Me in our tent. Yowsers, I look scarey.....lol.

Ring Ceremony

2011-08-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Today would have been me and Johns 19th wedding anniversary. Well, being because last year I was a complete retarded crazy person and divorced him, we couldn't celebrate it the same way since we aren't married anymore. Well, officially we aren't married, but in our hearts we still are. So, we decided to have a recomittment ceremony, exchanging vows and rings. We invited the family, and that made it sooooo special. When we were married 19 years ago, it was at a justice of the peace, with Jess and H being there, and 2 strangers from the pizza place as witnesses. I LOVED our ceremony this year. I was super nervous though, cause I hate it when everyone is looking at me.....lol.

Pretty Vegan cupcakes I made, with rasberry filling

Pretty flowers I picked up from Trader Joes

The table. I ended up keeping some of the pedals and putting them in a bowl to keep for always

Evans Garden

2011-08-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday we went to the Family Reunion over at Jack and Sharons. I surprisingly didn't take too many pictures, well, of people anyways..........

Ok, this picture wasn't taken in the garden, but by their pond. I love bees, they're fun to watch.

Me and Jess by the garden (David took this picture).

I can't wait for corn eatin'.

FLOWERS:

Happy 4th Birthday Rissa!

2011-08-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Korissas birthday party was at the park this year, and it was soooo nice outside. Jessicas parties never dissapoint.....ha, ha.

Happy Birthday cup.

I caputured this really sweet moment between Grandma Becky and Korissa.

What a cute birthday girl. She had to put on her Tangled dress.

Love her freckles!

Jimmy and Shannon being goofs!

Talan liked his party favor.

Ethan wanted me to take a picture of him. He kept saying cheese, but moving at the same time....ha, ha.

Jack enjoying some birthday cake.

The birthday girls daddy must look cool.

What? Wow, there's that super cute couple again.

The birthday girls mommy. I wish I had her eyelashes!

She saw her stuffed dog we got her. She loves playing with her stuffed animals and pulling them around the house, so we got her a leash and collar to go with it.

Waiting for everyone to arrive.

The kids talking about which cupcake they wanted to eat.

Some Random Pictures

2011-07-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just having fun with my camera........

In the backyard

In our front yard

The sun shining through our Mimosa tree

Mimosa leaves

Our star jasmine, it smells soooo good!!

Random Yesterday

2011-07-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

We got a new dishwasher yesterday, and I snuck this picture of the guys installing it!
The girls were playing 'doggie' yesterday.....too cute. Korissa was the dog and she wouldn't even talk, because she was into her dog role.

Camping Part 2

2011-07-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Trevor!
I snuck this one of Cassie, she kept hiding her face ;)

Jennifer brought bubbles for all the kids. Korissa was an addict though.

John in deep conversation.

Me and Dominic. I made all the kids take a picture with me....ha, ha.

See, she's so bubble addicted, she's looking at her bubbles and not the camera.

The Grays kitchen area. I see a bubble ;)

Around the campfire.

The camping coffee pot

2011-07-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

Jennifer got a super cool coleman coffee maker that goes on the camp stove. She was sooooo excited about it, I of course had to caputre the moment. We watched it, and got excited when the first bit of coffee started coming out, then I noticed the coffee grinds in it. Sad! Then things got sadder because only about 2 cups worth came out and she was making 4cups. We figured it was the filter that got messed up and thats why it was clogged, so we had to slowly try and get the water out, but then Jennifer realized that she saw a little plastic piece on the cup that she didn't take off.........problem solved, her next brewing turned out just fine ;)

Thumbs up! I only captured the excitement. I should have captured the sadness too....ha, ha.

I told Trevor he needed to get in on the thumbs up too, it was that exciting!

Camping Part 1 - Nature

2011-07-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

I rode up with Jennifer to setup camp the day before John and I were going because he had to work on Friday. So, I got to spend the day up there.

Had to have a fire so I could have a marshmallow before I had to go back, yum!

My mom and Judas. She was getting ready to read her CSI book.

Me and Cassie went on our own nature walk without the little kids, good thing too, because it was a jungle out there!

Trevor on the way back from our first walk.

The kids....too cute!

I put my feet in the water, and it felt good for the first 30 seconds, brrrrr!!!

Randoms

2011-07-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately with the office move, I haven't kept up on my blog posting. I decided to just put up the pics that I took of randomness the past several weeks........

I got this Keith Urban CD for my birthday....LOVE it!!

I took a picture of Trevor moving this filing cabinet, it was pretty heavy, what a strong boy....lol. He did have more fun being carted around on that hand cart though!

Still working!

Jennifer was in charge of moving all the files, she's a tough one!

Trevor relaxing after all his hard work. He didn't want his picture taken anymore ;)

I took Jess and Korissa out to lunch, this picture is so precious!

She posed for this.

This is a very random picture, because Korissa took it...ha, ha. It's of me reading the Busted paper.

Darnit, this picture turned out blury, but the story behind it is super cute. I have these rocks, shells and other treasures on my table in my room. Korissa knows about these things, she likes to help me organize them. So this morning I'm sitting there and I notice there's a new pine cone added to my other treasures. Korissa must have put it on there yesterday to add to my collection.....she's so cute!

New Orleans 2004

2011-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Since were moving our office, we have found some things we have forgotten about, or didn't care to remember....ha, ha. Anyways, I found my back up disc of the pictures I took when my mom and I went to New Orleans several years back. It was the year before the Tsunami.........

Jackson Square. That's St Louis Cathederal.

Mississippi River

The following pictures were taken on Decatur St.

Ha, Ha! Bet they carry all kinds of shrimp in there. I didn't go in, cause I hate sea food, but I had to take a picture of the sign.

Statue of Joan of Arc

Cafe du Monde. Oh man, this is where we got beignets. They are so yummy, like a sweet donut, but they are square. Going to have to look up a recipe, cause now I want one.

This was taken on Bourbon Street.

Visit with Tasha

2011-06-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

I drove Cassidy to McMinnville yesterday to visit with Tasha for the night. For those that don't know, I grew up in McMinnville. I hadn't been there in years. The drive there is really pretty still. It's gotten a lot bigger, but it's still the same. I saw where me and Sondra bought our first pack of cigarettes, my middle school, the 7 eleven where Janie and I would stop for snacks after getting off the bus after school. After dropping off Cassidy and Tasha, I drove out to where I used to live. On the way back, I went the wrong way, saw a sign that said Portland 38 miles, and I was like, uh, I'm going the wrong way.....so, I had to turn around and go back through town (with the twenty million lights and really SLOW drivers), until I finally got headed back to Salem....ha, ha.

Cassidy at the office before we left. She was tired! I guess 8:30 AM is too early for her?

We had a few minutes to spare before Tasha met us at the coffee shop, so we saw this place nearby that said books, but it was a knitting place with knitting books, sad!

After getting Tasha some coffee, we headed over to this cafe for breakfast. The food was really good, but way too much, and I don't mean price. They give you a ton of food!

This was Cassies HUGE pancake. Tasha made a smiley out of it. It doesn't look that big, but it was. That's like a super size plate!

Hayden and Cassidy playing!

Hayden liked my purse!

There was a cemetery by my old house that my friends and I would go to. We went at night to scare ourselves....lol. This is me in front of the cemetary.

Where I used to live. I didn't drive up to it, because I would have had to turn around in these peoples driveway, and country folk always look at you suspicious like when someone does that....ha, ha. So, I took a picture of it from the bottom. They built a house there, a nice one too. We lived in a trailer. But that pasture there is where our horses were, and we would sled down that in the snow!

Halloween in June

2011-06-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am already thinking of October. Who can blame me with this crazy non summer weather were having? I feel like I missed out on my holiday traditions while I was in Portland, Halloween of course being my absolute favorite! I'm even going to pull out my Halloween Tarot again....ha, ha. So, I'm making a Halloween post in June, what of it?!

This cute little witch is sad, not because she dropped her ice cream cone that she shouldn't be eating because it's full of dairy, but because she missed out on most of her favorite things last year. Heck, she didn't even carve a pumpkin until November, and she didn't even roast the seeds. Poor little witch!

Man, I wish I could carve something like this.

Jessica Gray, this is a cute idea for Rissa this Halloween.....it's a spider hair-do! I saved the link if you're interested ;)

Can't have a Halloween post without a cute spider!

My favorite Halloween movie I watch every year, except for last year. I just found out recently that I don't have this movie anymore. Another reason for that witch to be sad :(

LOVE this movie, lost this one too :(

I did eat these for Halloween though, yummy. I want some now actually.

Yep, I'm already excited for Halloween in June!

Chelseas Grad Party

2011-06-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Chelseas graduation party. We didn't see too much of Chelsea because she was fashionably over an hour late....ha, ha. Jackie and H stopped by for a bit though, and that made Brandon, Tasha and Cassie very happy! There were A LOT of people there!

Brandon made the girls take a picture with him.

The grad girl, wearing her revealing dress that Jackie and Heather really liked ;)

Jennifer finally got to eat some food!

Korissa had fun wearing a batman mask acting like a monster and chasing all of the other kids around.

Brandon holding Hayden

Tasha

Korissa playing on the swings.

The cake that mom made turned out great.

Tasha, Jennifer and Todd.

My Sweet Morning

2011-06-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I get ready for work in the morning, I will be in the bathroom brushing my teeth and I will here Korissas door open, then her little feet running into my room. Then she appears in my bathroom with her bed-head and puffy eyes....it's soooo cute. Then she asks as usual "what are you doing Grandma, goin to work?" Then she says she's hungry and we go out to the kitchen, she "makes" her own cereal and picks out a movie. It's so sweet!

Visit with Heather and Jackie

2011-06-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

We had a short visit with the kids the wknd. We drove up on Friday (stuck in Ptown traffic for almost an hour, cause John insisted on I-5 and not 205....ha, ha), we got there around 8:00 PM. Heather worked until 11:00, so we watched some True Blood with Jackie while we waited for her to get home. They were such good hostesses, they even gave us their bed to sleep in. After we got ready Saturday morning, we went to Denny's. We had to go back to their house as soon as we pulled into Denny's because Jackie got a horrible nose bleed. It was a fun time (minus poor Jackies nose bleed), but too short. We left around 4:00 PM on Saturday and headed back to Salem.

Yes, random picture. We stopped at 7 eleven, and this is what this guy did to his cigarette when he ran into the store. I thought it was clever. Can you believe too, that this was the brand I use to smoke.....ha, ha.

We went to Pikes Place in Seattle. It was so beautiful outside!

Pretty view!

Cute couple alert! Doesn't he look super sexy in his new glasses?!

Awwww!

On our way back from Seattle, we stopped and ate at Hooters. This is the tshirt I got.

Jackie took this picture of John and me in front of the Space Needle. We didn't go in it, too spendy.

We had to stop at Cabela's on the way back. Not the funnest place for a vegetarian to visit.....ha, ha.

John wanted me to take a picture of this moose, but I made him take a picture with it!

The aquarium at Cabela's

View from the top.

My book

2011-06-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

So, I have dreamt of writing a book ever since I was a kid. I love books, I love writing, but I never could come up with what to write about. Sure, I've done short stories and poetry, but never thought I could write an entire book. Yesterday I got a laptop (a real cheap one from Best Buy) just to use for my writing. I wrote my first paragraph this morning. I already know the characters and such, but now I gotta fit it all together and just write!

Office Spider

2011-05-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

I get to work this morning and open up my planner, what do I see? A freakin HUGE spider. Even being a spider person (the spider is my totem animal), I still jumped and got the pooh scared out of me (not really). It's funny because during my quiet time this morning the focus was on spider and the weaving of its web (my oracle card drawn today was spider woman). It teaches me patience in that weaving, and knowing I weave my own life and when my web gets ruined, I start again. Oh, got side tracked there a bit, back to the office spider..........

My planner, where it all began. I wish I would have had time to get my camera, but that spider was quick!

When I opened up my planner, it dashed under my desk and went inside the hanging green folder. This is a picture of the aftermath.

If you have read my previous post from a while back 'Catch and Release' (http://sissybugs2.blogspot.com/2009/09/catch-and-release.html), you know you need tools for a successful mission. These are the tools I used in this mission. I had a plastic cup on my desk, thank goodness not full of water, because I would have dumped it out to use it, and the spider might have gotten a bit wet and died. After I finally caught him in the cup, I then had to dig in my drawer for an index card. I had to really hold that cup down while doing this, it was plastic after all, that's why it's so banged up. Then I had to find something hard to hold the index card down with, that way you're not too close to the spider when you flip the cup over, so I grabbed my Beatles coaster off my desk.

The broom above was used in this mission. This was my first time using this tool for catch and release. Usually this tool is used for smash and squoosh. But I don't do that anymore. I had to use this tool to push the hanging folder out from under my desk. I used the handle to do that, and then used it to also open the file. This was a very handy tool!

Success!!!

It can be helpful to have help on a super fast spider mission. You may need spotters, and it would be super helpful if you all had cups, just in case the spider comes your way. So here are the players...........

Jennifer.....A.K.A.....Spider Wimp and Killer. DO NOT use her on your spider mission, unless the said spider is poisonous. Because she will use the broom, or her foot for the Smash/Stomp and Squoosh technique. On this mission, she did nothing! I asked for help too. But she said "keep it away, get it away from me, if I helped I would kill it." Hmmmm. If I'm out in the woods, I hope she's with me, cause I imagine she could take on a bear with that attitude!

Barbara....A.K.A.......Boss Lady! OK, so the boss didn't help me either. She was too busy.....wait for it...working, at work. What the heck? She would also come in handy out in the woods. She could set up camp, and be in charge of getting things done, but if you need help on a spider mission, don't call this boss lady!

Tammy (that's me).......A.K.A......the Spider Catch and Release Champion, Hero and Savior of Spiders (when youre as cool as me, your title is super long)! Yep, tootin my own horn here. If you have a spider, call me, I will be patient with the catch, even if it takes a really, really long time. And if I have to do it solo, I will, because it's my duty as a champion!

Shooting Day

2011-05-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

We woke up Saturday morning at 5:30 AM to get ready to go shooting. We met Grant at his place and he drove, then we met up with Mike and Clay in Silverton. We drove for miles and miles....lol, up past Scotts Mills. It was a really pretty drive. I was hoping it was going to be nice out, but it was a bit cold. It was my first time shooting any kind of gun. I wish I knew what the guns were that I shot, but I don't.....lol. I know I didn't shoot a rifle though.

The shooting site. There were shell casings all over the place, and some dog pooh that I ended up covering with rocks so we didn't have to keep side stepping it....ha, ha.

John walking back from hanging up the cool neon targets we got.

I like this picture of Clay because I snapped it while it was smoking ;)

Me shooting our gun that I can't remember what the name of is!

Grants gun. Yowsers!

This gun was SUPER loud, even with ear protection on!

Sexy shooter!

I can't remember whos gun this was, I shot so many.....lol.

John shooting Grants biggie!

This is Johns gun from when he was a kid.

Cool bullet shot with a reflection, saweet!

This gun was the funnest to shoot. It has a red dot scope on it. I had a lot of fun hitting cans with this gun.

John, Clay and Grant shootin together.

Sucker Babe

2011-05-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Korissa spots any candy I have laying around. I bought a sucker from the mall last wknd from Candy Tyme, and of course she sees it. So she has to say "grandma Tammy, is that mine?" I spoil her and say she can have it, but only if daddy says it's ok "No Rissa" is his response....lol. She had to have dinner first. I took this picture BEFORE she was allowed to have it, and then I put it up for her till after she had dinner. She was a big girl about it too.

Oz Fairies

2011-05-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

I received one of my fairies yesterday from my Wizard of Oz collection. I got the wicked witch to go with Dorothy, Tin Man (my favorite one), The Scarecrow and Lion. I have them all on an Emerald City stand. I'm not sure how many are in the series. I thought I had them all actually, until the Witch came in the mail yesterday. Guess maybe the Good Witch and maybe Oz could be next.......

The Wicked Witch

My whole collection

Day 5

2011-05-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm on Day 5 now without a cigarette. I have had a few cravings, yeterday was BAD!! I find that if I feel bloated, or I'm at work, that's when the cravings hit me. It may sound strange, but I'm glad I'm having cravings. The longest I have quit this year was almost 3 weeks, and through that WHOLE time I didn't have any want or craving for a cigarette. So, after a couple of weeks when the craving hit me out of the blue, it was strong, I wasn't expeting it, and I just gave in.....pretty dang quickly too. So, these cravings are good, because I can deal with them. Yesterday I did the whole self talk in my head, "I can buy a pack, then I can quit when it's gone, why do I need to quit now? I like to smoke".......on and on it goes. My main motivation for quitting (you non smokers probably think, "shouldn't it be the fact that smoking causes cancer and is really bad for you?" uh, no) anyways, it's the fact that I want to run. I am looking so forward to running, it's surprising even me. I bring my black bag I got for free from Macy's with a purchase to work with me. I have all my essential quit smoking tools in it...........

Becky's book (I read it every day), my Happy Journal book (this book is so cool, you doodle in it, you make happy lists, that sort of thing), my journal, my Beginning Running book (it's full of pictures, and it really keeps me motivated), my smoogie with some licorice, gum, mint lip balm and some suckers I got from Lifesource.

Johns garbage route

2011-05-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday John took me out on a drive to show me part of his country route. It was so fun, and the scenery was beautiful. We even saw some quail, but they were too quick for me. Of course I made him stop for lots of pictures!

I love a freshly plowed field. I wish I lived in the country.

We saw two vultures on our drive, and I got a picture of one of them.

We stopped at a lookout area. Love this tall grass.

It was super windy. I got crazy hair. Johns hair wasn't effected ;)

This tree was so pretty. At first we thought it had blooms on it, but it had leaves.

This was the first deer we saw, it was eating on the side of the road and then crossed in front of us.

I would love to wake up to this view every morning!

Cool!

This was in someones big front yard.

Pretty!

After the family pictures

2011-05-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Goofing around after the family pictures......

What a dweeb!

Jackie looking longingly up at the sky!

Woot!!!

The other photographer.

Cute!

The Family Pictures

2011-05-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Girls

This picture is awesome!!

Smooch!

The Guys!

All the girls!

The Kissing Picture. Rissa is too cute!

How sweet!

Perfection!

Before the Family Pictures

2011-05-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Jess had the idea since the whole family was together to take some pictures. Of course I loved the idea. This wknd was so fun.

Me and Jess taking some test shots before the rest of the family came out.

Korissa and me doing some funny faces.

She's still holding her pen....lol.

Yep, there's the pen!

How lucky am I!!!

Now this is a handsome Guy!

Weird fish lips!

Jackie intently learning from the paint master!

Ghost Hunters

2011-05-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Heather and Jackie asked me to go ghost hunting with them on Saturday night, so we did....

Oh man, this picture is horrible....lol.

I don't really know how to explain this picture.....ha, ha.

Ghost Hunter serious face!

Mill Day

2011-05-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

John asked me to go to the mill with him on his last work day on Friday. So, I got off work early and we headed up there. It was pretty nice outside, glad it wasn't raining! I stayed in the car for a bit, because there were a lot of workers still there. I kept myself busy playing Angry Birds, taking some pictures, journal writing, and reading Becky's quit smoking book, which made me laugh at times. I actually put on my patch when I got home from work at 1:00 PM because I knew it woud be hard to smoke on the way to the Mill, and I didn't want to smoke up there, so I quit a half a day early. After the guys were done working, we met up with Mikes wife Angie and his other son at the Gingerbread cafe and had dinner. I had a veggie burger (it was so good), french fries and a watermelon lemonade. Now, I've had strawberry lemonade, but never even heard of watermelon lemonade, it was delish! We had a great time.

Waiting in the car, taking pics with my cool phone!

This came out a bit on the dark side, but he still looks mighty sexy! He came out to the car a couple times....lol.

John came and rescued me from the car, and I watched them do their final cleanup.

Mill couple!

Had to take a picture of my feet, weird, yes, but whatevs!

He was telling a funny story!

Big head mill shot!

John took this one. Oh, and the mud down there, didn't smell like fresh mud.....yuck!

John wanted me to take a picture of Mike workin hard!

The guys are happy, last day. They were starving by this time. (John, Clay and Mike)

Meet my new scent

2011-05-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

My other sis in law named Jennifer asked me to go to the mall with her at lunch to get a belt at Macy's. I said yes, of course, and decided I needed a new signature scent. I had been wearing 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson, but I wanted something different because that smell reminds me of Ptown. I know, weird, but I was ready for something new, to go with the new me, or old me but better....lol. I went specifically to check out Jean Paul Gautier, because I knew I wanted something a bit more mature, and with some vanilla notes. They didn't carry it at Macy's, so we went to Nordstrom's. I smelled it, and it was nice, but not really for me, a bit too woodsy and more mature than I wanted. So the counter lady suggested I smell Hanae Mori's 'Butterfly'. Oh my heck. I LOVE IT!!! It's not one of those overpowering fragrances that you can't stand wearing after about an hour. So, I got the gift box with lotion, gel and a deodorant, which also included the perfume. It was the same price as the perfume alone, so I love it when you score on the gift box...........

2011-05-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

What a great Mother's Day I had! John got me a really nice bracelet with a heart on it, and me and Jess made potato salad, fruit salad, deviled eggs, and a yummy Mothers Day cake. After our barbecue eating, we then played Pokemon. I am sad to say that my pokemon champ running streak has come to an end. Nick beat me, then Jess did the same :( It was super fun though! Oh, and Korissa kept telling Nick "Happy Birthday" and telling Jess "Happy Mother's Day." Then she would just randomly say "I love Mothers Day." One time she even had to say it's awesome. It was too cute. I am sooooo thankful, so blessed, and so happy to have the family that I do, and I'm so glad to be back home.

"Cheese"

A princess making a face!

The guys cleaned up the kitchen for us moms

Before digging in

Our beautiful cake

Some Used To's and Then Some 2011

2011-05-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

I did a post on 11/29/09, titled 'Some Used To's". It's funny, because I'm going to update that post, and let me tell you, it's really, really weird.........

1. Seriously, I used to smoke? Weird HA, HA. Really, I wrote that not having any clue I would start smoking AGAIN in 2010. Man, that sucks!! Now I'm going through the quit process AGAIN.
2. I used to go DAYS and DAYS without eating. I blacked out more than once because I didn't eat. What? Ok, so I haven't gone days and days, but when I was in Portland, I got down to 100 pounds. What???
3. It used to take me an hour or more (more when I used to curl every strand of my hair, and then use some Aqua Net to hold it in place - hey, that was the 80's) to get ready. Wow, I must have had a lot of free time. Another Ha, Ha. So, I don't use Aqua Net, but I either straighten or curl my hair. It takes me a long while now ;)
4. I would not leave the house without makeup. This one cracks me up. Really, I just stopped doing this the past couple years. Now I hardly wear makeup at all. It's not a lazy thing, it's a "why do I want to spend all that time doing that when it's going to smear, dry out my eyes, will take me twice as long to wash my face cause I gotta scrub it all off, and hey, I'm a beautiful goddess without it anyways....lol". Yes, I make up long statements and labels. I use a lot of words to explain myself, wow, I'm still going.... Too funny. I soooo take forever getting my face ready again. I actually LOVE getting ready. Now I feel funny again WITHOUT makeup, but not as bad as I used to be. I just like lookin hot!!
5. I used to color my hair every 4 weeks. See 4 above for beautiful goddess statement....hee, hee. I color my hair about every 4 weeks now, and I LOVE it. Now though, I don't do it myself, I have a professional do it. It's my little monthly treat to myself.
6. I used to sleep through the night without having to get up to pee a ton of times. Still have to get up and pee in the night, but not a ton of times ;)
7. I used to have to shave my legs, and pluck a lot less. Oh, the joys of aging :) Yep, still doing this A LOT more too!
8. I used to never be able to finish a bottle of shampoo or conditioner before I bought another kind. Sometimes I would have like 4 - 5 different types under my sink. I still stick with my same shampoo and conditioner, actually, I would hate to change brands cause mine works so well!
9. I used to eat meat, huh, say what? Again, weird I've had a few tuna sandwiches, and ate a bit of chicken. The tuna is ok, but the chicken, my tummy hates chicken. Going to not do that again. Maybe tuna every now and then, but will just stick with fish, no other meats. I don't like that junk sittin in my tummy!

Planning Day

2011-05-06T14:12:00.001-07:00

Today was my quit smoking planning day, and some bill planning too. I set my quit date for Saturday the 14th. I am very excited to have a plan. I am going to buy my smoogie bag today and fill it with my emergency stuff: mint lip balm (I smoke menthol, and it will help with that), hard candies, gum and suckers. I don't want to go overboard on sugar as I'm trying to cut that down this week, but a candy here or there isn't going to give me cravings for more. It's the candy bars, cakes and cookies that are a problem for me. In Beckys book, she has included her journal entries from her quitting process. I haven't read those yet, I am saving them to read on each day that I'm quitting, it will be like I'm not alone in the quitting process.

The Cigarette Addiction

2011-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well, my day 2 patch plan didn't go according to plan. I bought a pack of smokes yesterday. I stuffed my face full of nothing but junk all day yesterday. I have been eating really crappy lately. So, I need to quit this sugar thing again. That's not too hard for me, it's the cigarettes. I told my mom yesterday that I didn't know why it has been so hard for me to quit, and then said "you know, I don't have a plan for quitting. I just get so tired of smoking, I hate everything about it, then I say right then, I quit." Ya, I quit with no plan. So yesterday I get home, and on the kitchen table is the book 'You Can Quit' by Becky. I was so flippin excited! So this morning I read the first chapter, and she says you need a plan, no matter how anxious you are. Bam!!! Really, I'm not using this as an excuse to keep smoking, if you only knew how much I hate cigarettes! So, I am reading her book, and so far, it's soooo good. I love her humor in it too. And it's so helpful knowing that she JUST went through all this. So, I'm going to follow her book, and her steps. I need myself a plan, so today, that's what I'm going to do, start the planning. I'm also done with the sugaring. That will help in the long run, because then I won't be craving crap.

Me and my book

Some Happenings

2011-05-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today is day 2 on the patch program. I am determined to complete the whole program this time. A few times I was like, "oh, I can handle it...blah, blah, blah." Not going to do that this time. I don't care about will power. Whatever makes it easier to quit that nasty drug addiction, I will do it. I have had a few cravings here and there, but I just occupy myself and then I'm good.

John still has a week and a half at the mill. He gets home pretty late, but last night we watched the movie with Angelina Jolie 'Wanted'. I hadnt seen it, but we still have about 20 minutes left to watch of it tonight. This waking up at 4:00 am makes you tired....lol. But, I'm loving getting up early and having so much time.

Yesterday afternoon was gorgeous, so I took some pics of myself. No, I'm not conceited, I just love taking pictures....lol....of myself! I really need to get my photo shop editor on my computer so I can do more editing other than the dumb one built in with windows.

I love black and whites.

Oh what I could do with this picture if only I had a real editing program!

I like the trees in the background.

Breakfast for Babe

2011-05-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

I was leaving to go to work this morning, and Korissa comes out of her room and.....

Korissa: "Grandma, what are you doing?"
Me: "Getting ready to go to work."
Korissa: (whispering) "I want ice-cream."
Me: "You can't have ice cream for breakfast."
Korissa "But I want to."
Me: "No, no ice cream for breakfast."
Korissa: "Cookies."
Me: "No, you can have some cereal."
Korissa: "I want cookies."
Me: "You can have some cereal and two cookies."
Korissa: "Ok."

Korissa eating her cereal and animal cookie. Now I know where we all learn to negotiate, it starts young!

Family Pics

2011-05-02T09:02:00.001-07:00

Just some fun family pictures........

I LOVE this one of John and the Babe!

I love this Babe!

"We are Family"

My very favorite picture! John looks so freakin hot in this!!

Korissa wanted me to take a picture of the grass....ha, ha!

Me and the Dog!

A smooch for the Babe!

We just got back from grocery shopping!

Paparazzi on the Grays

2011-05-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

How cute, the Grays are taking a wagon walk to the little store. And what do you know, they have their very own paparazzi to capture the moment......

Walkin, smilin, and wavin!

Korissa and Jess watering.......
Jess had to flip her Babe upside down just get her socks off....ha, ha!

Friend Meet Up

2011-05-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Our friends Jon and Aimee moved to Maine last year, and yesterday John got a text saying they were in town, so we met for some yummy mexican food and catching up talk. Then of course, we had to do pictures.........

The Men

The Ladies

The funny face pose. Hey, Aimee didn't make a face, she was just laughing ;)

Sweet friends

Solo Blogging

2011-04-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

So, all my blogging buddies haven't been blogging....ha, ha. I threw out a challenge to Jessica that if she blogs EVERYDAY in May, I will take her out to a yummy mexican restaurant, but if she doesn't, she has to take me. She accepted my challenge! Yay!

Early Mornings

2011-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

I've been getting up with John every morning this week at 4:00 AM. It's really nice actually, I am not rushed, I get to eat breakfast, I can stay in the shower a few extra minutes, and I workout first thing. Eventually I want to start running in the morning with him, but I have to start slow. I only exercised a few times in Portland, so I need to get myself back on track again. Now, I am pretty tired from this early morning thing, but I'm hoping I will get used to it soon!

Me at work

2011-04-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

What is one to do when on a break and one doesn't smoke cigarettes, cause they're really gross and nasty, and you've already done Facebook'd yourself out? Well, if you have a camera, you entertain yourself with taking a few dork pictures of yourself.....well, I do anyways!

Normal Me

Weirdness

This one was inspired by all the chicks that post pics of themselves on Facebook. What is up with the lip thing from these girls? Do they think they become gangster when they do this? Uh, no. If you wanna be gangsta, just talk like this, "fo' sho' yo!" I tried this talk with John yesterday, and his response was "is that japanese for yes?" Then I was like, "gangsta for yes." Wow, that was a ramble........

Move In and Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a very busy Wknd. Friday my mom and I went to Portland to try and find a few things that had been sold of mine. Didn't have any luck, but I did get lucky when I got home, because I found a couple of very important things (my promise ring that John gave me 20 years ago, and my Mothers ring that he gave me several years ago) that I had hidden in my vanity. So, I was excited about that, it was like finding lost treasure. Also on Friday, I started moving my things back home. Johns bachelor room is only now a bachelor wall, and of course the bachelor bathroom is now pretty girlie ;)

Saturday we colored eggs (my dang camera battery was dead, so no pictures), ran around trying to find a heating element for the oven, and finished moving. Jess and Nick got themselves a cozy new bed.

Sunday of course was Easter. I took a ton of pictures (over 100), no, I didn't post them all....ha, ha....but I posted a BUNCH!!

Peace sign.....3D style

Jess and John trying to figure out some camera settings.

I hadn't hugged H in over 2 stinkin months.....it was nice!

David intentionally posed like this!

What do you know, Jen intentionally posed like this as well! I asked her permission to post this picture on here, she said, yes, but NO to Facebook.....ha, ha

What is up with all these intentional poses.....lol!

David and John looking up gun stuff. Meanwhile the kids were in the kitchen waiting patiently for egg hunting.

LOVE!!!!

I love this man!

John got us all Pokemon cards for Easter, and Jess and Him had to check theirs out!

Seriously, all she wanted were those Peeps. Man, I wish kids could always be pleased with only Peeps.....hee, hee!

Gotta have a Bunny!

Looking forward to this Wknd

2011-04-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today is Thursday, but today is my Friday, end of tax season, so we take an extra day off. I'm excited for this wknd. I get to see John more.....he works at the mill when he gets off work at D&O, and he doesn't get home until late during the week, so I don't get to see him much. Me and Jess are going to color eggs and decorate Easter sugar cookies on Saturday. Then of course Easter Sunday with the family. I'm looking forward to this holiday so much. I missed so many traditions with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even Valentines Day. This is the first holiday again with my family, and I'm glad it's Easter. As you all know, Halloween is my favorite, but I think now it's going to be Easter. It's a fresh start, just like Spring! I could go into several metaphors (a new birth, coming out of a tomb), you get the idea. But ya, this is going to be a very special time. I will take a lot of pictures too!

I'm so lucky!

2011-04-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

This past week has been so good. It's so nice being back in Salem and mending realationships with my family. It's really strange to me, but in a good way. The last 9 months have been a whirlwind. I was living in a completely different world, a world I would NEVER want to be in again. And I ask myself at times "who was that person?", and it was me. Scarey in a way! It's amazing how when you go through things, you look at the world differently. I will never take my life, my family, or love for granted again. I look back now, and can't honestly say what the heck I was thinking.

I'm so glad for this blog. The other day, I went back and reread all my posts, and thought "I had a really good life." It's funny in a way, I didn't do one post in the last 9 months, and I'm glad for that, because this blog will only be filled with memories of the people that matter, the people that truly love and care about me, the people that I love so deeply. At times it literally feels like I'm dying inside when I think of what I did to them. I'm so lucky that they are so forgiving.

I can't believe that John and I have this chance to be together again either, it's still very weird to me. Both of us never thought it would ever happen. It's crazy how you search and search for something, but what you are searching for has been there the whole time. A lot of healing needs to happen, but that will only come with time. I'm so very lucky!

I may not be a christian, but I still refer to scripture. This verse has taken on new meaning for me now..............

Love is patient and kind;

love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful;

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never ends.

Date Night

2011-04-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

John picked me up on Friday night, roses in hand for our first official date. It was super sweet. We went back to his place and watched the new Harry Potter movie. Jess said "I'm not going to be a part of date night" so she shut the doors into the living room, while I'm sure she Facebooked in the other room. Then a few minutes later, the door opens and there's a camera and she takes a picture of us sitting in the chair. It was super funny. I'm like, "wow, does this happen on all your dates?" Ha, ha. The next day we hung out a bit and then went to see True Grit with some friends of Johns. This wknd was soooo fun and exciting (no, I won't give you details on my exciting times), and Korissa kept asking, "Grandma, are you staying?" It was so sweet.

You know what I kick!!!

2011-04-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

I saw the movie Sucker Punch a couple of weeks ago, and it was so inspiring to me. It just reminded me so much of how WE create our life. We are the ones that choose who effects us. So, I realized that I don't want my life to be full of drama, and people who are cruel. It made me realize that I don't have to let those people even cross my mind, because I hold the key.

I am in love with this song by Bjork......... "Army Of Me" stand up you've got to manage i won't sympathize anymore and if you complain once more you'll meet an army of me you're allright there's nothing wrong self-sufficience please! and get to work and if you complain once more you'll meet an army of me you're on your own now we won't save you your rescue-squad is too exhausted and if you complain once more you'll meet an army of me

I'm all about symbols, so to me, a sword (yep, I went out and got me a sword) represents the symbol that I "kick-ass!" I did some self portraits of me and my new sword, and let me tell you, it's empowering!

I'm Baaaack!!!

2011-04-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Going to start this blog thing again. I've been doing some creative things with self portraits and making up cool posters to get myself back! I've been through a lot of stuff these past 9 months. I won't go into the details here, because frankly, it's not worth it. But, I did lose the trust my family had for me in the process, and well, that just sucks!! I'm sooooo freakin sorry. It's going to take a while for everyone to heal I'm sure. I was lost for a while, but you know what they say......

Nothing Really

2010-06-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

I don't really have too much to say. Just been pretty drained lately.....that's all I'm gonna say, but at least I posted something :)

Silly Poems by Tammy

2010-06-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Jessicas blog idea was to share a poem you wrote, or one you liked. I did my blog at work, so I didn't have my journal, so yesterday I shared my favorite poem by Robert Frost. Well, today I'm going to share with you two silly poems, and I mean, they are pretty silly, that I wrote:

Mr. Moo-Moo

5/26/2000

Mr. Moo-Moo Moose had a job riding a caboose!

All the other moose were jealous, cause they loved that caboose!

Mr. Moo-Moo Moose was very sad that all his moose friends were so mad!

So, Moo-Moo quit the caboose, and gave the job to Mr. Goo-Goo goose!

Pikachu

5/26/2000

Pikachu, Pikachu, furry and yellow, you are surely the cutest fellow.

I like your smile and funny faces.

You're always travelling to so many places.

You give others a big jolt and a shock!

I like your freinds Ash, Misty and Brock.

Pikachu, Pikachu, little yellow friend,

You're the best and greatest Pokemon to the end!

Oh geez, I must have really liked that pikachu, thank god I did'nt get a tat....ha, ha.

My Favorite Poem

2010-06-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite poem. It really makes me feel like it describes my life because I usually don't take the road that people around me have travelled, and it really has made all the difference in my life. It's not good all the time, but sometimes it's been more than great, it has been enriching, and has made me really soar!

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Pricesless

2010-06-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Proof that kids are easily impressionable, I give you......

THE POSE

We seriously didn't even make her do this, she saw grandma posing, and had to do the same thing......good thing Jess is quick with a camera to have captured this!

Not much Sunday

2010-06-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Not much going on today. Just the usual sunday getting things ready for the week, like making my salad for the week and finishing up some house cleaning. Going to watch the movie Youth in Revolt, workout and maybe go for a walk. It's another rainy weekend in June.

My Day

2010-06-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last night John, Heather and I went to Laser Floyd. John didn't want to go, but I made him anyways, but let me tell you, I don't think I'll do that again. He didn't complain or anything, but you know how you can just tell someone isn't enjoying themselves? Well, that's what he was doing. Heather had a blast though, and of course so did I. Heather used her Tom Tom that her girlfriend bought her since we hadn't been to the new Omsi. That thing was AWESOME. Except when Heather gets mad at it she calls it Thomas and not Tom Tom....ha, ha. After Floyd we dropped of H at a hotel that her and her roomies are staying in for the wknd because it's Gay Pride wknd in Portland. They made tshirts and everything. Today I'm just doing some shopping and spending some birthday money. I was going to buy the box set of that 70's show, but I decided to stretch my money a bit so I could get more things....lol. I did buy season one though. And I scored at Best Buy on Seasons Two and Three of 30 Rock. After shopping I will probably read a bit, throw in a workout in there somewhere and relax with a movie, maybe even two......Shutter Island and When in Rome, or maybe I will watch the Notebook and cry for freakin ever, who knows!

Pictures Past Again

2010-06-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

So I figured since I had posted a lot of past pictures, I might as well finish the week off with them, bringing a few of my friends along with me.....

Sondra at church camp. How cute!

Ahhhh my long hair. This was right before I cut it all off and went blonde to look like Madonna.

Marsh and Me.

Janie and Marsha being cavepeople.

My brothers ex girlfriends daughter wearing my Madonna gloves and a few of my necklaces.

Uh, dorks!

Ok Marsha, looks like youre sportin a Ramones shag....lol.

Marsha and Me....again....lol.

Us skiing, well, I fell a lot ;)

Emotion

2010-06-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be a very simple post. I have been feeling stressed out, pissed off, crazy, and a whole bunch of emotions the last couple of days. I know things will be ok, and sometimes you just get so overwhelmed, that you just gotta stay in that dark place for a while, because to not do so just makes it unbearable. So, this picture pretty much sums up how I'm feeling now.......

Just Sad

A Few More Past Photos

2010-06-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

I kept thinking today, "what I'm I going to blog about?" Then I thought, "I will see what Jessica's post idea for the day is." Wouldn't ya know it, it was about posting old photos. Since my mom had the photo album here still from my birthday post yesterday, I decided to post some more "vintage" photos of my childhood. I must have really liked animals back then too, cause they are in almost every shot.

1970

Halloween 1976

June 1976 with my dog Pokie

Me and my brother holding our rabbits (uh, mom, what the heck am I wearing? I look like a pioneer without the hat, and man were my bangs short). 1975

Me holding my cat Squeaky 1975

What? How the heck did a David Gilmour picture get in here? Hey, it goes with the 70's vintage theme, and man is he nice to look at.

Birthdays Past

2010-06-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Today I'm another year older. It's amazing looking back on the year and how much different I am. Although that's really nothing new, I change a lot. I was just thinking back on past birthdays, and a few of my memories, so I had my mom dig out her photo album and I took a few pictures of some pictures of birthdays past. Not the best quality, but hey, I still look super cute and that’s all that really matters isn’t it?

My first birthday, hey, I wasn't too messy!

My 7th birthday.....1975. This was my Smoky the Bear birthday cake. Hey, my mom has always liked decorating cakes huh! I believe she still has these decorations too.

I love this shot, cause only kids look cute with their eyes closed in pictures. I sure couldn't pull that off now!

I even got clown ice cream cones. I probably had no idea what a vegan was back then....ha, ha. I think I'm missing a tooth.8th Birthday.....1976. Check out those plaid pants my friend Lisa Gossett was wearing.

Ok, this was a cool present. I got Dusty and her horse Nuggett. I remember the jingle from the commercial too "Dusty Dusty Dusty ridin' Nuggett Nuggett Nugget".

Day 1 Blog Challenge - My Wknd

2010-06-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I am excited to start this blog challenge. It's for 30 days, and they say it takes about that long to form a new habit. I've always loved writing, and I'm trying to really make time to do it, so this will help with that as well.

This wknd was a nice wknd. Saturday it looked like it was not going to ever reach the 80 degree mark that was predicted. It eventually got warmer as the day progressed, and so Jess and I went out back with the crazy Babe for a bit. When they left, I stayed out back and read my Dragonlance book for a while and just enjoyed watching the birds and sitting under the Oak. It was very refreshing.

Sunday after a short walk with the hubby and stroller Babe, I made tatos and pancakes for breakfast. I had to share my breakfast with the beggar Babe though. Then I went to the store and bought veggies for our week long salads, washed all that up and then John and I watched Whale Wars. We get quite animated while watching that show. If you've ever played the Sims, we use Sim postures like the raising of the arms and declaring something very boldly. We don't say "ochicolo" like a Sim though, we do speak English.

Heather texted me and asked what I was doing, so she came and picked me up and we went to Borders, and to some downtown bookstores (two of which were closed and we were very sad) and then we went to the park and talked, stopping at Lifesource on the way back home.

It was a really great wknd, oh, and I also watched Forest Gump in there somewhere and cried.

June Looking forward to's

2010-06-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

My birthday, cause I like presents. But the best part about my birthday, is I use at as an excuse the WHOLE day to get whatever I want.
Starting Jessicas blog challenge next Monday. Gonna be fun and challenging.
Continuing to get more active and in shape. Oh, and better at yoga.
Walking barefoot a lot more.
Planning some fun summer stuff.
Getting my David Gilmour tshirt that my mom bought me (it hasn't arrived yet) for my birthday. Of course she had to ask "Is that a guy or a girl?" WHATEVER LADY!
Summer Solstice. Is it almost here? Looking outside, you sure couldn't tell.
Watching the kids be able to play in the backyard with water (weather permitting of course).
Laser Floyd at Omsi. John is actually going to go. I pulled the "you have to for my birthday, so you can't say no." H is going to go too.
Eclipse movie.
Hopefully just about completing my Dragonlance book collection. Almost done.

This is the shirt I ordered

I'm going to pass on the midnight showing though. I just hate waiting in line and sitting forever in the theatre for it to start. Plus one of my Twilight midnight showing movie buddies moved to Maine and she won't be here.

The Cove Trailer

2010-06-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend this movie!

May Happenings

2010-05-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

This month has been a GREAT month. It's been busy, but even though it's been just about raining nonstop, I've really had a lot of wonderful things happen. I started working out and not eating sugar and that has been AWESOME. I have already gone from a size 12 to a size 8. I've lost a lot of inches, and have lost 9 pounds. I have about 10 more pounds I want to lose, but my body is so much stronger now. I remember first starting out the workouts and literally saying "I'm dying here", and now even though it still works me, I know I can do it. What I have done is no sugar, I don't overeat, and I workout about and hour a day. I have just made it a priority, and have just looked at it as a lifestyle change, and I feel so good.

These are the workouts I use......I love the Biggest Loser, it's so inspiring!

This one is so fun. It has a bit of everything in it. Man, the jumping jacks killed me at first! My favorite workout in this one is the lower body (thats where I need it the most).

This one is a killer, but it makes you feel pretty strong.

Ok, the yoga one is the one I have the hardest time with, because it takes A LOT of balance and strength. I'm only on level 1, but this workout is the one I look forward to the most because it's so challenging for me. I have horrible flexibility, and I can see myself gradually becoming more flexible and that's awesome!

I went to look at pictures on my camera, and Jessica decided one day to take a bunch of random shots with my camera I didn't know about. She wrote that note and took the picture, dork! She also took a picture of her foot, a spoon, and my cupboards.

Jessica planned a Mother's Day barbecue at the park. It was so nice that day. We missed half of the family though :(
Shannon brought these beautiful roses
So John and I got mountain bikes. Super exciting. Mine is the one above, and Johns is the one below. My butt freakin hurt for like a week after my first ride. I'm not very good yet, a little wobbly still. I grew up in the country and didn't ride bikes, so it's all new to me. We got a mountain bike trail in Oregon book, so were looking forward to biking a lot this summer.

Monday morning John was in the backyard and yelled for me to grab the camera. We love spotting the white squirrel in our neighborhood. He's so pretty!

Rock God

2010-05-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

So, I was going to do an update post on what's been going on the past few weeks, but for some reason I can't get my camera to come up on my computer. So, I decided to post a really quick....only 7 seconds, of the hottest and of course most talented rock god of all time.....David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. Replay, replay, replay....

2010-05-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

It's almost here......

and then next week......

Skinny Shorts

2010-04-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't had any sugar in weeks. I think Monday I will be going on week three. I don't even miss it this time. Seriously, when I make my mind up about something, I can do anything! I've also been working out almost every night. Today I went to Old Navy and bought myself some "skinny" shorts. I know youre probably saying "Oh no you didnt". But my friends, "Oh yes I did". They are going to be my motivation.

Some randoms

2010-04-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Listening to....Pink Floyd
Watching.....Friends (that show cracks me up)
Looking forward to.....Iron Man 2 (Is it just me, or is Robert Downey Jr. getting hotter with age?)
Reading.....Chelsea Handler 'My Horizontal Life' and 'Going in Circles' by Pamela Ribon
Tired of.....the rain
A should be doing.....I should learn a new song and sing it every day in the shower, cause shower singin is good for ya