I got bored. I moved -- Big Whoop!

Things that are getting me through Super Slow Tuesday:

1. Getting to see Anne Lamott next week at The Bagdad, a local theater pub. Good beer, good company, and one awesome, awesome woman.
2. Heading to Houston in 2 weeks for my cousin's wedding. I am so stinkin' excited to see my family. I don't think I'm going to let my sister out of my sight. Or my mom. Or dad. Or brother bear.
3. A wonderful vacation with the husband in 4 weeks. 5 nights in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, kicking it off with my birthday. Lots of sunshine and no work. Sounds just right.

I think it's time to listen to the beach mix. Happy Tuesday!

Let me tell you how perfect this weekend was: sunny and 70. Matt and I worked in the backyard, and I actually wore shorts. Yes,I only wore the shorts in the backyard and only Matt saw my shiny white legs, but nonetheless! It was warm and sunny and I could wear shorts. So we spent Saturday digging in the dirt and planting flowers and playing with Taylor and planning out the summer. Because summers in Oregon are THE BEST. And we have the best backyard of all our friends. Which means we're the official hosts of this summer's BBQ, Beer, and Boche Tournament. Everyone should hope to get an invitation. 

We planted a cherry tree, some raspberry bushes, and a grape vine. Add our apple tree to it, and we've got our very own garden of Eden. We're stoked. We certainly hope the trees and bushes will be fruitful and multiply. And we also hope Taylor will not mistake the raspberry bush for a twig and pull it out of the ground today.

My dad is quite the yard man. He gets really excited when his rose bushes bloom or his home-grown oranges taste delicious. One time he showed me a bright pink flower and said, "Can't you just see God?" I like that. And now, when I work in the yard and hope for fruit or admire the scent from a bush or sprinkle the petals of a fallen flower on the ground (which Matt hates, by the way), I see God, too.

So it was a good weekend. And I am now trusting God to take care of my silly fruit tree. Among other, greater things.

I came in to work an hour late today because I overslept. But I told myself to oversleep. Basically, between the hours of 6 and 7:30, I can talk myself into anything. Especially when I'm having a good dream. I woke up for work, but I was in the middle of a dream, so I told myself to just be late and finish up the dream. It was awesome. I was in The Office, and the hostess of last night's party and I became good friends. She might have seemed stuffy on the show last night, but she sure knew how to party in my dream. At one point, she asked me what was wrong with Michael. My response to her was: " I have no idea. I'm just the secretary." So apparently I was playing Pam.

I'm still really tired today, though. We're going to a basketball game tonight with some friends, and I'm afraid I might fall asleep at the game. I'm not excited about the game itself, but I am super stoked for the food. I love professional sports food. If only we were in Texas, I would order one bbq beef baked potato with a big 'ol coke. Last year, we went to a game with the same group of friends and I was really looking forward to my bbq baked potato -- that's when I learned it's a Texas thing. Or a Houston thing. I still have high hopes for the food tonight, though.

Also, our demand for meat is having a devastating impact on others. Did you know if Americans reduced their meat consumption by 10%, enough grain would be saved to feed 60 million people? So, you know, let's cut back.

I've become the sustainable design training & education assistant (among other things), which basically means I get to plan lessons and assessments for grown-ups. I am just tickled pink to be creating quizzes again. It's a breath of fresh air for me. Although, since I don't have a background in sustainability, I'm basically teaching myself first. So sometimes I'm also gulping for air.

Life just feels like spring is right around the corner, and it's a good feeling.

 My favorite cookies were delivered today for a meeting near me. I went in to steal one, but I couldn't get the lid off. This basically shatters my afternoon and instead of focusing on my work, I can only focus on the cookies that are so close yet so far away from me. I need this cookie. My candy drawer is nearly empty, and if I don't finish my lunch with something sweet then, well, it's not finished. So I will take an extended lunch break until the meeting is over and I can swipe the remaining cookies. Surely someone can get the damn lid off.

Last time I wrote on here, Matt and I were vedging in our living room thanks to the snow. It was an awesome day. We took Taylor on a nice long walk to the park by our house. Kids were sledding everywhere and grown-ups were strolling around the pond. Taylor was especially happy in the snow and was her energetic self. One couple commented on what a cute puppy she was and were shocked to learn that no, actually our dog is 3 years old. She's just nuts. Or immature. And we're just silly parents who can't calm her down.

The best part of the snow was playing catch with Taylor. She loved catching snowballs and we loved throwing them at her.

We also built a massive snowman, mainly because we wanted to beat our neighbors, but my batteries ran out before I could take a picture. When we came home from work the next day, somebody knocked it over.

And for good measure, here's our pretty little home.

So after the snow day, the next week I traveled to Omaha on a business trip. It was a great experience as it was all for sustainability-related issues, but it was still a bit odd. I kept asking myself, "How the hell did I get here?" It's crazy how off-track I seem to be from where I thought my life was supposed to go. Just gotta roll with it for now. And for now I'm happy enough.

This weekend was delightful. Good meals with good friends, lots of rest and sunshine, new pants and a clean house. Matt and I watched an excellent documentary: Who Killed the Electric Car? We recommend it, but it will most likely leave you very angry. Who doesn't like being angry at big corporations and the goverment, though?? It's a terrifying conspiracy that's fascinating and scary. Enjoy.

I just heard the lid pop off. Hope is nearby.