What’s Next?

I’m at this point in life where I often feel that I don’t know what to do next. My job is ok for now, but It was never supposed to be long term, it was supposed to be an in between thing. And now I’m quickly  approaching two years there. I don’t want to do it for two more. I’m frustrated with a feeling of getting stalled. I see Ace making progress with his dream while I feel like I’m floundering.

I realized that I need take these frustrations and focus them on achieving what I’ve always wanted to, starting a skatepark. When I sit and think on my options in life that is the only one that sounds totally appealing. I think about in-home daycares, and urban farms, and homesteads and they all have some appeal. But I think about a fantastic, clean, modern skatepark, with a youth center, and classes, and camps, and healthy food and I can’t stop the joy and the dreaming. It takes all my passions and funnels them into one amazing thing. Its just a really really hard thing to make real and it’s overwhelming thinking about what it will take to make it happen Then I think about the people in my life and the things I’ve been a part of and I know its possible.
I’ve always worked for small businesses or jobs where I was basically in charge of myself; dog sitting, the local skatepark, my family’s pizza restaurant, doggy daycare, nannying. Heck, I already helped start a business when we started Light House Church. I was a key member of the launch team and designed every single program for the kids from the ground up. I didn’t use any curriculum the way it came. I dissected them and rebuilt them into what I wanted. Typically it was something far less structured and allowed for actual discussion, not just parroted answers. I learned a lot about how to start a not-for-profit in a different state. Now I need to figure out how to start a for profit business in Oregon. It seems so overwhelming, but yet totally possible at the same time. Maybe that’s why it’s a great idea.

I left Light House to start another church community from the ground up. That wasn’t terribly complicated to be honest. It mostly took a big heart and lots of time, but it is another thing that has helped shape me into who I am. Its another experience in managing a small group of people.

When we came to Oregon we came hoping to start a small business. It was the plan. Then the plan got sidetracked, partly because our down payment on our house used most of our money, and partly because Ace was inspired by the thriving Portland music scene to give his music a legitimate chance in a new place. After some floundering of his own and trying lots of venues and genres for his music he discovered YouTube. Through YouTube he’s found the widest audience for his music yet, as well as a growing community of creators for which he can do custom projects.

I came here hoping to be a stay at home mom. It was soon apparent that we weren’t going to be able to afford that unless Ace got a 9-5 job. I don’t wish that torture on him, so we both got part-time jobs while he pursued his music. He was basically forced to quit his job at the beginning of the year and since has been pursuing music full time. We’ve cut down our bills enough to be able to afford this for now, as long as I’m working about 30hours a week. Now I’m really ready to find something new. I’ve been itching to move on for about 6 months now. I know what I’m going to do. I just need to figure out how to do it.

Skating in the Wheels of Fortune contest in Seattle.

“The LEGO Movie” Mini Review

Just got back from “The LEGO Movie” and I was pleasantly surprised at the great plot, and at the beautiful theater we saw it in. 

I’m used to living in suburbia. I grew up in the sprawling “suburbs” (how can you call something 50miles away a suburb!?) of Chicago. I watch the farms turn into best buys, and condos, and libraries. Everything there was MEH it was all OKAY. Nothing was really nice or really bad. 

Here in the city, in Portland, there are lots of really scary crappy places, but even more beautiful places. Places I only used to see when I would visit “The City” (Chicago). Here I drive 10 minutes to Hawthorn Boulevard to check out the “Bagdad” theater. I tried to do this theater justice thought my typed language, but I can’t so I’ll quote the website to help you get an idea of its magnificence. 

“This marvelous relic of Hollywood’s Golden Age is a movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations now, the Bagdad’s Mediterranean/neon persona and daily films have made it an icon of Portland’s vibrant Hawthorne District. The interior is an attraction in and of itself, with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs and characters.”

Before the movie even started I was happy just to be in this beautiful building from another time. I’m so glad McMenamin’s does what they do in preserving these fantastic historical buildings. The Bagdad is also a “Brew and View” meaning you can purchase a lot more than your standard concessions. It was too early (for me) for alcohol so I got a burger. It was delivered right to my seat! There also wasn’t a bunch of fluff before the movie like at the other chain theaters. There was one preview, and it was for the next family movie coming to the theater. Awesome! 

The movie itself started strangely as you just jumped right in to the action. I was unsure if the movie had even started! Being right in the action was pretty much the rest of the movie. t was very fast paced and action packed, I’m sure Mark only picked up the very very bare bones of the plot. At some points the non-stop action was hard even for me to follow. 

The plot was fantastic and, without any real spoilers, I can say that it was a very unschooling friendly movie. The LEGO Movie pits conformity and creativity against each other and of course creativity is what becomes the most valued by the end. The cast is incredible with many of my favorites including Liam Neeson, Chris Pratt, and Will Arnett (I vote he plays every batman ever from now on). It also included some appearances by some much love cult-icons (I won’t spoil it). 

I do have one other criticism besides the non-stop, overwhelming to small children action. That is the lack of female characters. There are three, in the whole movie, and more men that you can count. One of the females is a kitty-unicorn-thing with obvious anger issues and another is wonder women who gets all of 3 lines. Why can’t movies have, oh lets say, approximately HALF female charters, you know, like life? I would really like it if they just took some of the exact characters they already had and just made them female, change the look just a smidge and change the name. Thats it. Ok my little “almost feminist” rant is over.

The twist at the end movie ended up being better than I expected and even Mark was moved and had to hug me several times. It will hit all the families right in the feels and make all the unschoolers silently applaud their own awesomeness (don’t go thinking you’re above doing that). 

In short, go see it! If you have kids who are overly sensitive to high action films maybe wait for the blue-ray. I loved it and we are already talking about seeing it again when it hits the second run theaters around here. This is probably going to be one of the top family movies of the year, if you like movies, you’ll love The LEGO Movie!

Screen Free?

The last week or 2 or 3 or 4… not sure how long. I’ve been feeling pretty low. Not sure why, I look around and things are ok. But, I’m not motivated, I don’t feel well, I’m just… meh…. Its one of the reasons I haven’t been blogging, its just doesn’t seem to matter.

So next week I’m going to try to go screen free M-F (though I may need to post about how amazing Rush is, its pretty much all I’ve been looking forward to for over a month). I’ll take some pictures of our adventures, and get back to you next weekend. As of monday I will be shutting my laptop for a week. I’ll update the music on my phone before then, and I’ll check my e-mail from my phone. But my goal is to keep the TV off and the laptop closed as much as possible.

It Is a Windy Day, Fall is Here.

It is a windy day, fall is here. The leaves blow across our path and make a wonderful crunch under my feet and the wheels of the red wagon. We meander slowly through our neighborhood taking the time to look at everything we want to. Mark says “Hello” and “Bye-Bye” to every person, dog and motorcycle. Three little dogs chase us along the fence line and we laugh at them.

As we walk my short brown hair stick out from under my black cap and Mark’s wispy red hair blows in the wind. We take our time enjoying the warm sunshine and the cool breeze. We find an end of a 2×4 in the road and bring it home, who knows what it may someday become. Our path is unplanned and we find ourselves on a dirt road on a windy day. The dust blows around us, but doesn’t bother us too bad. We say hello to two more dogs and continue towards our house. This is just another day, but its special, it’s the first day it feels like fall. It is a windy day, fall is here. 

We have Arrived!

We arrived in our new house and are settling in. Sunday we got here around 6:45 Pacific time as we pulled in the driveway Mark yelled “NEW HOW (house)”! I was promptly interrogated by the neighbor but I brushed it off and we played in our back yard with our dogs. Soon the realtor arrived with the keys and we saw our house in person for the first time. We didn’t know the layout at all! It was really fun (and scary) exploring it. It was overwhelming. We only had a few things with us, and now we had this big empty house too. 

We both had some serous fears and doubts the first night, but soon enough we were passed out on the floor of our new house. 

The next morning we went to a great breakfast place (in that time we missed the appointment for the gas to be turned on) I ran some errands then picked up Mike and some lunch. We ended up going to a mall because it was so unnaturally hot we got some awesome, but WAY too expensive dinner before our ordeal of a night then involved losing my keys, forgetting things all over and eventually getting to take a shower….

Today was great because we got the truck unloaded and I got a nap! Seriously awesome. After I finally woke up we got lunch at a local food cart pod (more on these awesome places in a later post), then bought appliances! We won’t get our appliances till monday so I may need to go to the Laundromat soon. We managed to get our bedroom mostly set up and put away and we picked up a few groceries. 

Tomorrow we are probably going to IKEA to get a cheep couch and desk. 

On the Road

Here I am sitting in our kind of gross hotel in Draper, Utah. A suburb of Salt Lake City (I think…). All I know is that this almost tops the list of places I like the least of anywhere we visited (but beating LA is gonna be hard for any city). Its a weird climate that I don’t like much. I’m pretty sure this is still considered “Semi-arid” like most of the places we’ve been recently (Nebraska, Wyoming), but whatever it is I don’t like it. Its weird feeling, and too high up… and well just a strange place where every family is gigantic and has strange values. Where instead of having left turns they make you turn right, then have a U-turn lane. 0.o Its hot, and kind of dry, and kind of mountainy, but not that much. I’d take Vegas over this any day. Can’t wait to leave and head to Portland, but my planning wasn’t the greatest so tomorrow we have over 12 hours of drive time. We hope to leave by 7am Mountain time.

The trip is actually going EASIER than I expected. So easy I’ve driven the whole thing! The drive has been more scenic than I expected and the dogs have been very well behaved. They have been in the car over 8 hours a day for 3 days and in small hotel rooms at night (sometimes split up between two rooms). They are doing well with being walked and have gotten to run around off leash twice, once Toby ran off chasing a bird, but besides that they have been well behaved. Mark is handling the car well, so well we didn’t even use the DVD player at all the first day. The only downside is that the car puts him to sleep so he’s napping 2-3 times a day then staying up late when we all need to sleep.

I’ve learned a few things on this trip. Here are a few random ones: Don’t waste space in your suitcase for kids PJ’s because they won’t want to put them on anyway. Snacks, you can’t have too many snacks. Hotel ice buckets make good dog water bowls in a pinch! Cabalas is a great place to stop on the road, especially with dogs. They have outdoor dog kennels and water available. And they have walking paths and some even have enough outdoor area for a game of catch with your pup! We had all 5 running around at one! They also sell dogs supplies if you need any! 

One more day and we will be at our NEW HOUSE. 

Time to Go!!!!!

In about 9 hours we will be hitting the road to Portland! Most of our stuff is packed and lined up in what used to be the playroom, ready to go on the roof of our car in the morning. The dogs and Mark have no idea whats coming (though I have tried to explain it!), but I know they will do fine. Our dogs are crate trained and after 20minutes in the car they will calm down and sleep. Rest stops are going to be interesting and a pain in the butt…. but we will handle it!

Here is a picture of our new backyard waiting for us in Portland!

One third of an acre fenced in!

Here we go!!!

Sorry for the hiatus, I will try to write somewhat regularly throughout the move and for the weeks following. 

Today we put about 80% of our possessions in a truck, it leaves tomorrow. About 2% will be in the car with us, and the rest is being sold or given away. We leave Thursday morning on the greatest adventure, traveling cross country with 5 dogs and a baby. 

Mutt Monday: Aiden

This is the second post in my “Mutt Monday” series. The first can be found at Mutt Monday: Josie. You can find a post on our corgi at Waldo.

Aiden was our third dog and is actually our only non-mutt! As you know I’m a huge supporter of rescuing a shelter dog (and I plan on doing that for every other dog I ever get), but I also support responsible breeders. Breeders have a passion for a specific breed of dog and care to preserve that breed. They care about dogs temperament and health and help provide great pets and great working dogs. The most important thing they do is preserve breeds. Without responsible breeders we would not have dog breeds, so I do support responsible breeders. Responsible being those that only breed their females every 1-2 years at most, take care to only breed healthy dogs, find great homes for all their animals, and are committed to their animals for life, making their buyers sign a contract that they will return their dog if they can’t care for them (keeping their dogs out of shelters). Anyway… After searching shelters and finding no wolfhounds, I went to a great breeder in Kentucky. If you would like their contact info, message me. Thats where I got my only purebred dog, Aiden. My gentle giant.

Aiden was born May 2nd, 2009. He was my graduation present and he was born on my graduation day which also happend to be Kentucky Durby Day! He is one month younger than my nephew Vincent! The amazing part of using a breeder was that I got to follow his mom’s pregnancy and get updates on him every week. It was tough to pick a puppy from the pictures (since they were several hours away). I just asked them to give me the lightest colored male, and told them to start calling him Aiden, a good irish name meaning “little fire.”  And I’ll admit it I picked it from watching Jon and Kate Plus 8. I loved that show and those kids were so cute. 🙂

Aiden just a few weeks old. He was only 1lb at birth, now he’s 140lbs!

We got to meet Aiden on my way to TKD nationals in florida and on the way back we picked him up. We were so antsy to get him we cut our trip short! He was the last puppy to go home since we chose to wait till after vacation to get him (which was a great plan)!

What to say about Aiden. I don’t know where to start! He’s just fantastic, and I love him to death. He’s the dog with a facebook fan page that you can find here. He’s 140lbs of all love! When we first met him he was a little rough and tumble. He had no idea what the word gentle meant and would climb on you with his “dinosaur paws” wanting more love than you could give him and giving you more love than you knew what to do with!

Aiden and his litter mates. I believe Aiden is left of center (third from the left), but don’t quote me on that. Later he was given a lime green collar making it easier to identify him in the pictures of litter.

Aiden at 8 weeks old in all his floppy goodness! He was about 18lbs when we brought him home the next week.

As a puppy Aiden was growing so fast he need lots of calories so he needed to eat four times a day! As an older puppy he ate more food than he does now. Eating 10 cups a day at his max around 9 months old! Raising a wolfhound is almost as hard as raising a toddler! You have to make sure they eat a lot, but spread out, and not too fast, and they can’t play after eating. Oh and they can’t go down stairs for a few months, or play too rough, or run too fast. Yes. For real! A puppy! Wolfhounds grow so fast that their bones can break easily if they jump off a couch, or run and take a quick turn. Its really nice when the are older and you know the growth plates are closed so you can relax a little and let them play! luckily wolfhounds are NOT high energy dogs and love to just sit on the couch with you more than anything! It is important to take them for walks as puppies to make sure they are walking well and being trained well they are still small and easy to correct!

Trying to get a picture of our 3 dogs after Aiden came home, but he wouldn’t hold still! He was about the same weight as waldo, just an inch taller than Josie!

Aiden grew amazingly fast. So fast I could see the difference in the morning each day. His legs were string beans, just stretching out each day. I had no idea something could grow as fast as he did! He would put on pounds faster than we could track them!

Aiden at 4 months old. Still hasn’t grown into his ears and paws!

I did puppy classes with Aiden when he was very very young much younger thanI normally would because I wanted him walking nice before he was huge! He is my only dog that will reliably heal off leash (though Luther is getting there), so it was well worth all the effort put in! It helps that he is such a momma’s boy and will follow me anywhere!

Aiden wearing his “Star Puppy” medal at 6 months old. One of the youngest dogs in our school to pass the puppy version of the Canine Good Citizen’s test. He fits his ears better by 6 months!

Aiden is very loving boy and will do almost anything I ask of him. He passed his STAR Puppy test and later his Canine Good Citizen’s test with east. He later went on to become a Delta Society Pet Partner, Therapy dog! That test was a little harder because I was nervous Aiden did just fine!

Aiden is one of the most loving dogs you will ever meet (if you have the pleasure). I’ll always remember the day he really showed his intuition for the first time. We were at the vet when he was around 6 months old. There was an older lady there that had to put her cat down. She came out of the exam room crying and Aiden just walked over and put his head on her lap and was just there. She smiled though her tears petting him. No puppy goofiness, no pawing, he just sat there with her. That is the kind of dog he is. Loving, caring, compassionate. I’m lucky to have him.

Aiden about 5 months old next to a LARGE 3 year old wolfhound. Shows you how “Little” he was. Aiden is 3 now and is not as tall as this guy. He’s still very big, just not this big!

 

To say Aiden is tall is an understatement. People see Luther and say he’s big, or he’s tall. He is nothing compare to Aiden! You just can not grasp his height from pictures. A wolfhound needs to be experienced. If you have never met a wolfhound I would recommend looking up your local club and seeing one in person. They are truly something exceptional. Aiden can lick me in the face while standing on all four’s. He can stand on his back legs and look my stepdad in the eyes… and he’s still at an angle. I don’t know exactly how tall he is, as he’s taller than the device to measure dogs at the vet!

Aiden still young, lounging on “The Dog Couch”.

 

Aiden standing on the couch at my Parent’s house.

 

Aiden, 2 christmas’s ago stretching across the ENTIRE LIVING ROOM.

 

All my dogs at the time, plus my aunts dogs. Oh and I’m in there somewhere too. Aiden is still a pup in this one and he’s bigger than Luther. 

 

I can’t reiterate enough how loving Aiden is. He is a peaceful dog. He shares willingly with everyone and loves everyone. He will give up his food to the little dogs if I don’t keep them away!

Aiden loved when we fostered kittens. Here he is cuddling with Milo.

 

Aiden loves his “cousin” Vincent. Who is only 1 month older than Aiden. Here they are both just over 1 year old.

 

Aiden shares his bed with Josie.

 

When we first got Simon he quickly bonded with Aiden and still uses Aiden as a bed. Aiden doesn’t mind, he has a soft spot in his heart for daschunds.

 

Aiden’s ultimate annoying roomate, Mark. See how Ace is holding Aiden’s paw. The only way Aiden can hurt mark is accidentally. Aiden even loves babies. (Mark still makes that grumpy face.) 

 

Sharing the house with the baby.

Things You Never Think You Will Say: Number 2

Me to Vincent (3 years old).

“Do not put your penis on the table!”