Portland Bound

Photos from Web

We are Portland-bound on Thursday afternoon! 

We're doing a mini family vacation; the 3 of us, Annie will stay home with Bob since it is Summer and we'll be "out and about" the whole weekend. 

We are taking the camper with us to cut cost down on our trip, but will do meals out.

Since it is a family trip, I can't really plan on taking in any sites, because Rocky has a list of things he wants to do, so that trumps everything else!

I did say I only wanted to see one thing, and that was the Rose & Japanese Gardens.  It seems I've never been to Portland in the Summer and they are supposed to be beautiful.

We'll see if I make it.............

WORK

Part of my not blogging has also been w-o-r-k, you know that dreaded four letter word.

I decided to pick up a couple of "seasonal" jobs here at the Festival. 

I am currently working in the Members' Lounge on Thursdays, shift starts at 3:45pm and ends (Summer hours) at 9pm, but I'm not getting home until 9:30pm.  Spring, I was starting at 3:30 and ending at 8:30pm.  Makes for a long day when I tack it on to my regular job, which starts at 10am. 

I was also working at the Membership Cart on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. 

After about 3 weeks of that job, I quit.

Why? Well, it was an easy enough job, but I had to go home and drive back into town.  With what I was making (much less than my regular salary) and the price of gas it wasn't worth it. 

 I also thought that these "little" jobs would accrue vacation and sick time and they didn't, so that cinched the deal!

 Apparently, you have to work 20 hours a week in one job and then you can accrue.

Stinks!  Well, since I couldn't get even that, I left that job once they found a replacement and they did and I did! 

Still doing the Lounge, feel like I can't abandon that one and I'm used to it, it ends in October. Don't think I will be doing it next season.

Hoping I get extra hours at my "real" job.  With 5 extra hours a week at my regular job, it will cut down what I pay into my medical insurance tremendously!

Our new development director and new director of individual giving will get busier and need me more, so I look forward to that.  I already see it coming. 

Heat!

Our Summer has finally showed up this week and yes, we had to put the AC on!  We turned it on Sunday for the first time, yes, Vegas people, no AC until second week of July!

Don't know if that's a good sign or not, does that mean that our Summer will be longer than usual?

Who knows?

All I know is that it is a little hot right now, but I can't complain because I know what hot is!!!!!

Photos, grass, phones

Another reason I'm not blogging as much is I can't upload photos!  This photo and the camera photo (from yesterday) took 2 hours to upload!

Pete and I are still planning on "jumping" into the smartphone market, but our carrier still has not put the "good" phone on sale!  First they don't have a very good variety of phones, and second, I've read the reviews so I won't buy one of their crappy phones.

I was hoping that I would have one before my trip, but alas, I will have to wait.

US Cellular is debuting a new phone and when they do, the phone I want, might go on sale, according to the salesman! 

Hoping with 2 nice smartphones, we will be able to have enough internet for the 2 of us to use! 

OH, why the grass photo?  Doesn't my new grass look great?????  It has grown so much (since this photo) that Pete is getting ready to mow!

Can't wait for those plant beds to fill in and the lavender on top to GROW tall and wide!!!!

Getting Ready

I know I've been a terrible blogger, but sometimes "life" just gets in the way.

There have been a few things going on, but first my trip!

I'm going to NY on July 27th through August 5th. 

I am challenging myself to pack light, and by that, I mean a carry-on (according to airline guidelines), and a tote, which will also have my purse in it!

I will organize every piece of clothing I take!  I'm hoping not to take a hair blower, need to confirm with friends, first, if not I have a travel blower.

I have some "little" jewelry gifties for family/friends.

I did not want to take a big camera, so I bought a small one on Sellout "Woot", under $65.00 and very small!  (p.s. don't tell Pete, I bought this!)

Last night, I made the little case you see pictured! 

I have an appointment to get a "dye" job, since I know I will probably be putting my hair up and I have no idea what it looks like back there!

I'd been holding out for a pair of black sandals on Zappos, but they still haven't gotten them in, so I ordered a substitute pair.  I won't wear them in hopes of the other pair coming back into stock. 

Because you know once you buy something, the one you really wanted will appear!

Thank you Bert, for my birthday gift certificate and Eileen for the coupon!

I booked my trip months ago and have never gotten an email confirmation!  Yesterday, I finally called the airline to find out if my trip was still on!

Luckily, I wrote down the confirmation number. 

Now, I have a confirmation email, thank goodness. 

So far - I'm organized and hopefully things will go as planned.

This is my BIG trip, I'll blog about the others later!

4th of July dessert

Made this yesterday for the forth because I had some pie crusts sitting in the freezer.
I didn't buy blueberries or blackberries, and just used strawberries. And yes, I did add cute, little starts.  Cute, easy and yummy!

Here's the link http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/berry-lemon-cheesecake-squares/a550607e-0bee-4064-9885-6d02cc9b4268.

Enjoy!

Just when I thought I was done.............

After seeing the grass in, I was thinking about my "beds".  I was planning on moving bulbs out of this one in the Fall, but I couldn't wait.

I went to the nursery to buy another "gallardia" and found out that Agapantha's were deer resistant!   

Be still my heart, I've always loved these!  On top of that, they were
"dwarfs" and perfect for the spot.  While I was digging the holes, I dug up the daffodil bulbs in that spot.  Couldn't resist on putting in another Echinacea.
Crossing fingers these all "take off"!

Just want my perennials to show me the love and hopefully double next year!!!

This Fall we'll be finishing up the beds with mulch.