Fall

For a video this month, I decided to do another series of pictures (I hope you don't think that's cheating!).  Our neighbor across the street has a beautiful tree that was just starting to turn colors for Fall.  I thought it would be fun to take a picture of the tree each day and then watch the progression.  Of course, this is a short video because there are only about 25 pictures, but I still think it's cool.  For the last three years, I've missed seeing the seasons change so this video was especially fun for me.  I hope you enjoy it too!

As always, click on the "HD" letters to watch the video on Vimeo's website with better quality.

October 13 - A Day In My Life

This weekend, our city had a festival to celebrate the re-opening of the bridge in downtown Oregon City (the bridge has been closed for renovations for over a year).  As part of the festival, they had a Geo-cache challenge.  Bill and I decided to participate and we had to look for clues at specific coordinates and then turn in our answers.  It was a fun day and we learned a little about Oregon history while we discovered beautiful parks that we never knew existed!

Sleeping in - that's what you do on the weekend!

A bowl of cereal for breakfast...so many choices.

Bill and Bacon playing before our adventure begins.

We bid my parents farewell as they left for the weekend.

Looking for Geo-caching clues.  Oregon City is really beautiful.

Time check.

Bill working hard to find more clues.

We discovered a famous meteorite replica along the way.

Bill rode the famous Oregon City Elevator for the first time.

We turned in our answers for a Geo-cache Challenge Coin.  

We were very proud of ourselves!

Then we strolled on the newly re-opened bridge.

We went to Shari's for dinner and I had my usual Chocolate Peanut Butter milkshake...so yummy!

Then we headed back to the bridge to enjoy the fireworks over the water.

Oooohhhhh!!!!!

Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!

After a day full of activity, we relaxed with an episode of House Hunters.

And now it's time for bed...see you next time!

5 Things From Our Shipment

One of the perks of working for the government is that they ship your personal belongings all over the world for you.  So, back in July, I packed up most of what we own and it was sent on a boat to Oregon.  This week, it finally arrived!!!  However, because my parents are currently living with us, and have most of their furniture moved in already, we decided to leave our stuff in boxes.  At least, most of it.  We have opened a few boxes to get out necessary items, or just to use different clothes (it's starting to get chilly here).  I thought it would be fun to make a short list of some of the items we decided were essential...some of them are rather strange.

5 Things From Our Shipment
1. Cake Decorating Kit.  Normally, I don't think decorating a cake is essential, but since my mom's birthday is this week, I want to make a special cake for her.  So, I need my decorating bag and tips.  Luckily, the kit was easy to find because I kept such a detailed packing list!

2. Clippers.  Because Bill's hair grows so fast, he's been spending lots of money to get it cut regularly.  It's not his fault that they charge so much for a simple haircut.  But, since we own clippers, and I'm here now, it's time for Bill to get FREE haircuts.  We found the clippers easily and I've already given Bill a haircut.  And, since he sat out on the deck for the trim, the clean-up was easy!

3. Desk and Chair.  This one seems obvious, but it's been really nice.  Like I said, my parents have their furniture in our house so they each have a desk.  However, I didn't have a good place to use my laptop and cluttering up the kitchen island all the time wasn't very convenient.  So, we had the movers unpack my desk and desk chair and now I have a little office space set up.  I love it and it makes it easier to waste time on my computer all day!

4. Alarm Clock.  You might assume that since I'm not working, I wouldn't need an alarm clock to wake me up each morning...and that's true.  But, I do like my illuminated alarm clock (with the over-sized numbers) so I know what time it is in the middle of the night.  And, the big numbers are especially helpful when I have my contacts out.  So, I unpacked it and plugged it in and now I always know what time it is.

5. Bread Machine.  Again, this isn't often considered "essential" for most people, but I decided I needed it.  Now that I'm not working, I want to make wonderful dinners every night.  That means we're reviving our traditional pizza night each week.  And, since I use the bread machine to make my pizza dough, I had to unpack it.  I plan to make some delicious pizzas each week...I'm really looking forward to it!

Oregon Ducks

One of the things I was most looking forward to in Oregon was cheering for the Oregon Ducks (University of Oregon).  Bill knew this about me and when I arrived in Oregon, he gave me tickets to our first Ducks football game.  So, on Saturday, we headed south with my parents to Eugene to enjoy the game.  It was a really fun experience and I know it won't be our last game (if we could afford it, we would have season tickets!).  Here is a short video about the game.  Enjoy and GO DUCKS!!

As always, click on the HD button to watch the video on Vimeo's website with better quality.

5 Exciting Oregon Things

On Saturday, I'm going to America.  I'm leaving Panama behind and moving to Oregon.  I'm very sad to leave my friends (I so wish they could go with me!).  I will miss them more than I can imagine right now.  But, I'm also very excited to live in Oregon.  I'm ready!  So, this month I'm listing just a few things I'm excited about.  Oregon will be very different than Panama.  And, after living overseas for 9 years, I'm ready to spend time in the good ol' U-S-of-A.

5 Things I'm Looking Forward to in Oregon
1. Weather.  I will not be sad to leave the humid weather of Panama.  I like living in a jungle sometimes, but I've never really liked the humidity.  It's just too much!  Oregon's weather will be a lovely change.  Yes, it rains a lot, but I don't mind the rain.  And, I will enjoy the cool weather for a while (until I get too cold).  It will be nice to have the seasons too!  I'm looking forward to Fall...and soup...and warm beverages...and cool, brisk weather!  I can't wait.

2. Shopping.  I'm so excited to be near Target again.  I probably won't even shop there very often (because I'm quitting my job and won't have money) but it's nice to know I could go there anytime. And grocery shopping will be so much fun!  So many choices and so many sales.  And COUPONS...I plan to become an expert in coupon shopping.  I'm just looking forward to the easiness of shopping in America and being able to find everything you need/want.

3. Road Trips.  We like to take road trips.  And, we bought an RV so now our road trips will be even more fun.  We don't know anything about owning an RV so it will be an adventure to learn.  But, it will enable us to take our pet(s) when we go on road trips so we don't have to worry about leaving them behind.  I can't wait to go camping for the first time!  Even if we don't take the RV, I'm looking forward to road trips.  Driving in America is just fun!

4. Football Games.  I'm excited to watch football on TV again (in English) and have more options available.  But, I'm also excited to be in Oregon and cheering for the University of Oregon Ducks!!!  We plan to try and get tickets to some games this season.  Now that we're close enough to drive to the games, it will be fun to be there in person.  I'll be sure to let you know if we get tickets!

5. Owning a House.  Yes, we have owed our house for several months...but we haven't been living in it.  I'm excited to be a homeowner.  I'm sure there will be extra work that I'm not used to (like all the cleaning and yard work) but it will be fun to be in OUR house!  We've already had the house painted and have a new fridge.  I plan to buy a new stove and new furniture and slowly start to make other changes/improvements.  It will be fun to get to know our neighborhood and just get settled in as long-term residents in America!!

Week 48

November 27
In the airport, on my way back to Panama. I'm sad to leave Oregon...I love Oregon! I like this picture because of the duck, but also because of the small sign that says "No Sales Tax in Oregon". Yet another reason to love Oregon!

November 28
The first Christmas present this year...and it's for Bill. What a cute present...now we just have to set up our tree so we have somewhere to put it.

November 29
Bill is so tired. Just a couple more weeks of school...you can do it! We really should stop staying up so late!

November 30
Ubi was being really cute and trying to scratch his face with his paws. He is a cute dog. Thanks to the antibiotic, his skin disease is improving and he looks much better!

December 1
December means Christmas socks. Yay for Christmas socks. I wear them every day for the whole month!

December 2
This is another picture I've been intending to take all year. At the mall, in addition to animal statues at each entrance (to help you remember where you came in) they have a big King Kong statue. We go to the food court all the time and I thought it would be fun to take my picture with him, but never have. So, finally, in the last month, I took my picture. Do I look like I'm about to be eaten?

December 3
We finally put up our Christmas tree!! The whole day was spent setting up the tree and decorating! So much fun! This really is the most wonderful time of the year!