Reflections on the last year

Today I can't help but reflect on how the last year of our lives has gone.  We have had so many adventures together and been through so much.  But I think in the end, it has all been worth it.  Here is a recap of what we have done with our lives this year.

The first part of the year started like any other.  Jake and I both had jobs, although my job was not my dream job and I was constantly looking for something more.  I was working in Pocatello, Idaho,  mostly as a dental assistant, and occasionally as a dental hygienist at the same office, or temping wherever I could.  I went on several interviews in Blackfoor and Pocatello, but nothing was panning out.  But at least I had a steady dental assisting job, and I was grateful for that.  During this time I was also searching for a job in Oregon.  Jake encouraged me to do this, as Idaho has several dental hygiene schools producing new graduates every year and hygiene jobs are few and far between, especially if you wanted a full time job like I did.  Then, in February, the call came that would ultimately change the course of our lives.  I had applied for a full time job in Coos Bay, Oregon, and they wanted me to come out and do a working interview followed by a face to face formal interview.  We arranged for the first week of March.  The timing was perfect because Jake had just lost his job of almost five years, and I was stressed to the max because my dental assisting salary was not going to be enough to pay for our house and my student loans and other normal expenses.  The timing was also good because then Jake could drive me to Oregon, which we found out, was a very LONG drive!  A few weeks later I got another phone call: "When can you start?" and I told him I could start 9 days later, which meant me quitting my job the next week.  Then I called Jake and said, "Honey....we're moving!" with tears streaming down my face.

So our new lives started at the end of March in Oregon.  We are now over 800 miles from home.  And due to mold issues, we have already moved once since we moved to Oregon.  It took a while, but now Jake has a job here too, which is such a relief in this economy.  In fact, he even got a raise after his 90 day initial working period!  I am so proud of him for working so hard and sticking to his guns when it came time to ask for a raise.  We are just trying to live day to day and pay down bills, just like every other American.  Jake still travels to Idaho every 8-10 weeks for his braces, but hopefully he will be done with those in the next 6-8 months.  His teeth are looking so good!!  I have been back 3 times since we moved: once to take my friend back after she had to have emergency surgery after coming to visit me in Oregon, once as a surprise birthday present for my little sister's 16th birthday, and then most recently at Christmas.  It was so good to see friends and family each time, and we are so lucky to have friends and family that have taken us in each time and given us a place to stay!  We miss Idaho, but Oregon is our home for now, and very well may be for years to come.  Do I sometimes still check Craigslist for dental hygiene jobs in southeast Idaho and Boise?  Yes.  Would I actually move back there?  Probably not, because there aren't any full time jobs with benefits like the dream job I landed here in Oregon.  We have truly been blessed this year.  I can't wait to see what next year will bring to our little family!  I have a feeling it will be a great year!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

I love these dogs!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Washington Trip

I had a 5 day weekend and Jake only had a two day weekend, so I headed to Oak Harbor, Washington to visit my youngest brother, Sheldie!!  It was a nine hour drive, but one bonus was that you can pump your own gas in Washington!!  Score!  I always make Jake fill my tank here in Oregon because it really bothers me that I can't pump the fuel myself.  The attendants here always take FOREVER to do it for you!!  Ugh!  Honestly, I've been pumping my own gas since I was 16, and I think I can do it myself!!  It was so nice to go back to a normal state where I could do it on my own again.  Anyway, back to the trip......

These were all over Washington.  Ow.  Ha ha ha.

This is the bridge at Deception Pass

And some kayakers under the bridge at Deception Pass.

Sheldie's helmet for his job in the Navy.

A plane in Sheldie's squadron.  He fixes these planes called Prowlers.

This is the view from atop Mt. Eerie, the tallest point on Whidbey Island.

We ended my stay by going to a Everett Silvertips hockey game!

We also went on a motorcycle ride, and had dinner several nights with some of Sheldie's friends.  I had a great time and it was nice to actually meet all the people I have heard so much about! 

First Geocaching Adventure

Today Jake and I decided to go on our very first geocaching adventure!!  We went to the geocaching website (http://www.geocaching.com/), signed up, and picked five of the ones that were designated for "beginners".  Then we took our GPS and headed out to explore!!  Our first cache was hidden in a guard rail on the side of the road.  We didn't take anything from it, but we did add a plastic molar on a keychain!!  (Hey, you KNEW I was going to do something tooth related!)  The next one we found was in a very clever spot.  If we had visited this particular area and were not actively looking for something, we would have never seen this!!!  The third one was more difficult to find, but well worth the hunt.  There was a lady standing on her porch at a house nearby that looked like it should be on that TV show "Hoarders".  Seriously.  They had so much crap on the outside of their house that hadn't been touched in years.  And she called out to us, "Hey are you having a yard sale?" Apparently she thought we were placing yard sale signs and not looking for caches.  Trust me, this lady does not need to be going to yard sales.  The fourth cache we looked for was supposed to be very easy.  "Just drive by and grab the cache" said the website.  It was easy, but you still had to get out of the car and look for it.  It wasn't in plain sight like we were led to believe!  Still, a fun find!  The last one was very cleverly hidden.  We spent the most amount of time looking for it.  It was hidden under a moss-covered stump, off the road, and behind the trees.  Of course we are in Oregon, so there were lots of trees everywhere and lots of stumps everywhere.  And the clue we were given was "Don't get stumped".  Hmmm....super helpful.  We had a really great time and plan on doing more geocaching soon!! 

Our First Oregon Halloween

This is our first Halloween as Oregonians!!  We were invited to a fun party this last weekend and couldn't wait to get all dressed up!  Jake went as....um.....a very creepy dude.  So, not that far off from normal....just kidding!!!  And I went as Rainbow Brite!!!  Hmmm...maybe I should consider making the switch back to being a blonde........

 

The next day we decided to carve pumpkins!  How do you like our results??

Mine is on the left, and Jake's is on the right!

Earlier tonight we went to three different haunted houses here in Coos Bay/North Bend.  Don't get excited--they do NOT compare to what we have in southeast Idaho (shout-out to the Haunted Mansions of Albion and to Dr. Slaughters House of Terror in Idaho Falls)! Nontheless, it was still fun!!  Our favorite was the Little Theater on the Bay's haunted house.  They did the best with decorating, use of space, and making it freaky.  Second place went to the haunted house behind O'Reilly's.  They didn't have much space to work with, or many actors, but they had a lot of cool animatronic stuff and had put a lot of work into the setup.  Third place goes to the DARE/North Bend Police Department's haunted house.  It wasn't bad for a haunted house, but it didn't quite compare to the other two in town.  We had a good time at each, and the money we spent at each went to good causes, so we couldn't be disappointed.  Happy Halloween everyone!!

Hoarders

Have you ever seen the show on A&E called "Hoarders"?.  I seriously had trouble watching it tonight.  I always see something absolutely horrific on that show, but tonight's episode was over the top.  I had to cover my eyes once, and another time I might have thrown up a little in my mouth.  It was that bad. 

On a good more positive note, our house looks NOTHING like that!!  That show is a great motivational tool to remind me there is a reason I clean every week! And when I feel like I should be doing a better job because I have three pairs of shoes in the living room halfway through the week, I remember that at least I can still see the living room floor and I don't have to crawl over boxes and mounds of clothes to get to my bedroom.  :)

We are still adjusting to life here in Oregon.  This month I have realized the part of the season that everyone here has been waiting for and telling me about.  While all my friends in Idaho are complaining of the cold air and distinct change of fall in the air, I am sitting here in Coos Bay still in the 60's with overnight lows in the 40's.  I'm not freezing, and I love it!  I have also fallen in love with seeing the ocean every day.  I have the best view of it from work every day, and I also get to see deer right outside the office almost every day as well.  We are really lucky to live in such a beautiful area.

At the end of August I had the opportunity to go to Idaho for a quick visit, and I loved every part of it.  The smell of the potatoes and hay in the fields, the smell of grease and candy from the Eastern Idaho State Fair, the warmth of the sun on my skin (I could wear shorts and flip flops!), the sight of a blue sky with white fluffy clouds, and the sight of smiles on all my friends and parts of my family.  I had a fantastic time, and my trip was much too short.  It was very hard to leave.  I can't wait until I go again, hopefully for the holidays, but I can't let my heart get set on that.  Driving to Idaho from here is a dangerous trip once the snow falls in central Oregon, and it does cost quite a bit in gas every time we go.  Plus, we have our two dogs to consider!!  I therefore think you all should come to Oregon for Christmas.....Just saying......

Crabbing

Last weekend Jake's mom came to visit!!  She really wanted to go crabbing and clamming, so she bought us all shellfish licenses, and away we went to try our hand at crabbing!  We went down to the docks at Charleston (only 10 minutes away), dropped in our crab pots, waited 15 minutes, and pulled them up!!  Our first pot ever gave us 2 crabs that were big enough to keep!!  We only caught 3 that whole day that were keepers, and only 2 the next day, but it sure was a fun time, and made us feel like locals!!  :)  Here are some pics from our crabbing adventure!

Sunset Beach

Wait....is that.....

Yep, it's a skull!!  Where's the buried treasure??

Don't judge.  I have been going back to the gym!

Dirty Dash Continued!

Keep in mind these pics are from a disposable waterproof camera that we carried with us for the race!!  Some pics are blurrier than others because the camera was covered in mud and water!!

Jake and I at the end of the Dirty Dash!

The end is near!

Wait.  Is there something in my teeth?  This is my beautiful friend, Jayme, by the way....

Thanks, Jake, for capturing my fall on film.

Me and Jayme!

Jake on the top!

Jake and Jayme

One of the many obstacles!

Jake on the slide

My favorite part!