where it all began, day one

We took our anniversary trip at the beginning of the month.  Back to where it all began.  From that first night we met and the weeks and months following that we were inseparable.  We visited the location we met, our first "date", our first place together, our second place together, the church we were married in, the first job we shared. 

We walked miles, recollecting.  We were so young.  We have changed so much.  The places that were familiar to us 20 years ago have new faces or are not there at all.  The streets seemed a little smaller.  Just as time had changed the town, it had changed us to something maybe not recognizable from where we started, familiar but matured, experienced, a little wiser.

We stayed in a local hostel.  I had stayed there once before a couple years back.  It is the second story of a 100 year old building.  It has always served as a hotel but was renovated and refurbished by new owners. 

I love the creaky original wood floors.
I love the old windows with glass that is wavy and distorted.
I love the tiles in the shower. 
I love the glass door handles. 
I love the worn doorframes. 
I love the history in the air. 
I love the simplicity. 
I love the minimalism. 
I love the blue neon sign lit up at night. 
I love leaning out on the fire escape at night to catch a cool breeze.

 

 

 

The sign reflected in the window across the street:

For our first day in Astoria we mostly just went sightseeing.  We drove to all the places we knew.  We walked all over downtown.  We reminisced.

Our first place.  Really it was his first place and I was just always there.  I helped him furnish the kitchen with the things that were in my hope chest.  We bought cheap pans and Hamburger Helper. 

Now, 21 years later this is what is left....

The Liberty Theatre, downtown Astoria

 

The Pier 11 Restaurant.  I was a busser there back in the day.  My mom was a waitress.  The building still smells the EXACT same as 20 years ago but the restaurant is GONE.  In it's place is an internet café.

 

 The Flavel House, 1901

 

 

 

 

My family lived in this house for four years (from when I was 11 till I was 15).  It is a huge, old, odd house.  I'm quite certain it is haunted.  Beyond that, I have lots of memories here.  My dad used to feed crows out on the deck railing.  He'd leave them bread and they would come wake me up EVERY morning.

 

Please stay tuned for day two...

the view from up here

Celebrating our 20th anniversary has been pretty epic.  We feel that this is a great achievement, a discipline of wills and attitudes.  Like climbing to the top of a gigantic mountain and looking back at how far we've come, admiring the view from up here, breathing deeply of the fresh air.

It is at this point that I needed a little perspective I guess.  In to my little place of work walks an elderly couple.  I seated them at a table not too far from the door, he had a walker which makes navigating the small restaurant sometimes difficult.  As they settled themselves he began a conversation with me, as people often do. 

The first nugget of information he offered was that they had been married for over 60 years.  SIXTY!  YEARS!  He had been an admiral in the Navy and his ever faithful wife was always there to greet him when his ship pulled in to port.  This was a great source of pride for the man.  She brushed it aside as if it wasn't that big of a deal but it was to him.  It was everything.

And to me, looking at our 20 years of marriage and realizing that this couple has lived 20 years of marriage three times over, suddenly I am in awe.  How many memories must they have!  How many tears they must have shed together!  How often they've fallen asleep in each other's arms!  How deeply their souls must be entwined!

We have not arrived.  We have not reached the top of our mountain.  We are just at a nice little viewing platform.  We have a pretty view here but there is better up the mountain further.

...................................................................

We were married on a hot summer day in Astoria, Oregon.  Two kids in love, the pastor's first wedding ceremony.  Less than a year later we moved away and have only been back a handful of times.

It is the town I grew up in. The town we fell in love in.  It will always hold a piece of my heart and forever feel a bit like going home.

So we made this trek together, back to where it all began to celebrate how far we have come.

This is the place we first met.  There used to be a little house where now only tall grass stands.  That night, after work, I drove to his uncle's house where he was staying.  I knocked on the door, unsure if this was crazy or stupid.  He opened the door and we spent hours that first night just talking and laughing.

 

 

 

Continuing recollections of our anniversary trip to come.....

things unrelated

This post doesn't really make a lot of sense.  It is a smattering of things unrelated.  It is the words and pictures in between a summer trip and another summer trip.  I want to tell you all about my anniversary trip but there are some odds and ends that beg to be shared first.

 

So we begin with yoga.

 

Many of my days begin this way...on my mat with my coffee nearby.  On special days I use this monstrous cup, you know, to really get the job done.  It says, "I believe there is not enough coffee in the world to make me a morning person."  Truth!

 

I got these fab sandals from Zulily.  I call them my "Fake-nstocks" but they are in fact made by Muk Luk.  They are uber comfortable and have become a go-to. 

 

 

I was playing around with different light in my house to do a headshot style selfie.  I need a good headshot for my business although I really don't want a selfie.  I will actually have my husband take a million shots of me to find a nice professional shot.  Anyways, I liked this one.  And to like a picture of myself is kind of a difficult feat.  This was natural light from the back door.  And my eyeliner was on point, so...

 

 

 

 

My new camera is pretty awesome.  I'm still reading the manual, it probably won't make any bestseller lists.  But the functions that can be performed make my head spin!  This was one of the first shots I took with one of the specialty lenses I had bought. 

 

 

You guys I saved for this camera...I saved my waitressing tips for weeks for this baby.  And knowing how hard I work for those tips makes this camera pretty valuable to me.

 

As far as my business goes, I need to order my business cards next.  I have a mock-up built on Vistaprint but just need to add my email and website information.  The website needs to be finished, the price list needs to be solidified.   But summer is happening and I've not accomplished much.  Don't tell anyone but my to-do list is longer than is comfortable and I'm happily just ignoring it as long as I can.

 

Until next time!

 

 

the big (HUGE) cabin

This summer is FLYING by.  Here it is August and there are posts on Facebook documenting first days back to school.  Stores are selling all the gear.  TV commercials are ready to remind.

But I'm not ready.  I deny the light is changing, the sun moving positions in the sky ever so subtly.  Those leaves aren't actually changing color, it's only August!  I will also not admit that I was looking over some spiced, caramel-ridden recipes on Pinterest.  Shh...it's still salad season.

Anyhoo...

Way back in July we took a little trip down to a family reunion.  We stayed in a big (HUGE) cabin just outside of the Rainer National Park with Aaron's mom, dad, sister, brother, sister-in-law, and a passel of nieces and nephews.

Only Aaron and I made the trek down and we took the long way, past Snoqualmie Falls.  Living in Washington for 11 years now and this was my first time to these falls.  I've seen them in pictures and on the news (they get very boisterous in the fall and winter).  While they were pretty I was slightly underwhelmed with all the publicity they get around here.  I know, d-i-v-a.  Right?

 

On to the big (HUGE) cabin... 

 

The main house had two bathrooms, laundry room, gigantic dining room, kitchen, living room, two regular bedrooms, and a giant fun room with bunk beds and games.  The guest house had two more bedrooms, a private bathroom, living area and pool table.  We got to stay in the guest house and shared a bathroom with our 25 year old niece.  Outside there was a deck, fire pit, hot tub, large yard, horseshoe pit, playground, and badminton net.

 

Here is the kitchen after we moved all the supplies for 16 people in:

 

The dining room on the sun porch:

 

 

The living room:

 

 

Brothers grilling:

 

 

Family:

 

 

I went hiking with my sweet mom-in-law and my awesome niece.  We hiked an indeterminate distance that I like to think was 6 miles but was probably more like 2.

 

 

Dusty horse trails will do this:

 

 

 

Family pictures time: 

 

Aaron with his parents and siblings (and one rogue great-niece).

 

Here's everybody:

 

 

 

I practiced a little yoga with my awesome niece in the morning sunshine.  My mats are getting some travel miles on them!

 

 

 

We took in Northwest Trek with the family.  Here is Mom, checking out the river otters.  I love this picture because it reminds me of how Austin looks at the otters. 

Hey big fella...

 

 

Elk herd...

 

It was a great trip.  We made good memories.  There was deep conversation and joking around.  There was too much food and lots of cuddles.  I really, really love my family.  Like most families we don't see each other very often.  My family is spread far and wide but it doesn't lessen how much I care about them.  I love that being married, I gained this whole other family but they are mine just as much as my own family is mine.  Yay family!

business licensing

A package came today.

I haven't opened it yet.

I've been busy with the Small Business Administration.  And the IRS.  And applying for a business license with the state.

You guys!!

The package is my camera and lenses and tripods.  And I'm really doing this.  I'm starting my own business.

It is all at once exhilarating and nauseating.  There is so much to do.  Contracts and sales tax and quarterlies.  A website and a portfolio.

I overwhelm easily so to protect myself I am attempting baby steps.  Manageable chunks of information, little bits at a time.  I'm not going from step one to major corporation overnight.

But all the details aside, the emotional aspect of it is this:  I'M EXCITED!  This is me, my heart, my strength, my ability and maybe, just maybe I can earn some money doing something I really like.

This past year I had an epiphany that if it is at all possible, a person should do what electrifies their soul.  So much time is spent in just surviving that it is easy to forget to LIVE.  So I made myself a list (I love lists!) of the things that electrify me and I began to craft a plan.

Perhaps I will succeed.  Perhaps I will not.  But I'm going to give this a go.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an important box to open.

our story

We don't have a fairytale love story.

We didn't have a Shakespearean romance.

Our adventure began in the quietest way but changed us both completely.

I was 18, fresh out of high school, trying out my new freedoms, making bad choices for myself, heading down a destructive path.

He was just 19, staying with relatives a state away from his friends, hometown, and everything familiar.

His uncle and my brother were friends and they arranged for us to meet.

I met him the day after his birthday, after work I drove to where he was staying, knocked on the door, and we said hello for the first time.

We fell into an instant friendship that grew deeper with each passing day.  We were inseparable and married 9 months later.

There were naysayers.  People had their doubts.  We didn't do everything right.  We were just kids.

But we saved each other.  He rescued me from the dangerous path I was on, he made me want to be a better person, he helped me to grow up, grow past, move on.  He was patient with me, gentle, loving.  And he has never given up on me even through the darkest of valleys.

It is our 20th anniversary on August 3rd.

It's not really possible to describe the depth of our relationship.  We started out as two young saplings, planted side by side.  Over time we've grown together into one strong tree, roots entwined, branches entwined so that there is no division, there is no separating what we've become.

Recently we listened to our wedding song.

Twenty years ago, no way of knowing what our life together would hold, we chose these words, this song to represent our love.  And now, with all the experience we've gained, these words could not be truer.

There's so much breaking up
Folks who won't fall in love
Put up shells, guard themselves, build walls
And it makes me cry sometimes
'Cause people live lonely lives
They don't want to try
They don't want to live at all

 But I'm not gonna be afraid
To give up my heart that way
'Cause I need you, I need you by my side
And I'm not gonna say I'm strong
Out here in this world alone
Cause I need you, I need you by my side

And when you find someone
Someone you really love
It makes life easier to bear
But some folks live on their own
Shut themselves in at home
They never find out
What love's all about
'Cause they're scared.

 But I'm not gonna be afraid
To give up my heart that way
'Cause I need you, I need you by my side
And I'm not gonna say I'm strong
Out here in this world alone
Cause I need you, I need you by my side

We are taking a road trip for our anniversary back to the town where our story began.  I'm super excited.  We road trip like nobody's business.  He's usually driving, sunglasses on, one hand on the wheel, the other hand in mine.  I'm sitting shotgun, barefoot, legs crossed.  We play all our songs and sing along.  It's the best.

Who knew that two kids like us could be so stinkin' in love after 20 years?!  Who knew that we would still get giddy around each other, smiling through love eyes, and laughing at corny inside jokes?  Who knew that we could communicate without words, almost sensing the thoughts of the other?

There's still the messiness.  There's still me being selfish.  There's morning breath and bedhead.  There are hard decisions and hurt feelings.  We fail to communicate.  We fail each other.

But there is such a value to what we have, what we have built over these years, what we have nurtured and grown.  It is irreplaceable.  It is priceless.  It is true.

Happy two decades sweet man!

 

 

the eve of independence

It is the eve of our nation's birthday.  The stars and stripes are displayed beside our front door.  We will be grilling later.  Tomorrow our town holds a big parade, a carnival, and a fireworks show.  We'll spend the afternoon with friends around their bonfire.

 

For now, I just need to catch up with this here blog.

 

Every Thursday there is a farmers market here in town.  It isn't big but I make the best of it.  A couple weeks ago I bought these golden beets, some sugar snap peas, and radishes.  The beets are lovely.  The radishes are a bit too hot.  The snap peas were gone almost immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

On a Saturday morning not too long ago, Aaron and I went to the beach for a little stroll.  The weather was perfect, the sun just right and I captured a picture of these delicate flowers.  I love the way the light falls on the driftwood in the background.

 

Our little town has a beautiful waterfront park.  On any given evening there are handfuls of people there, walking their dogs, jogging, playing basketball.  We took our Charlie one evening and came across this large tree trunk that had drifted in on a high tide.  We walked out to the end of it, the water underneath is only maybe 3 feet deep.

We had to travel to the nearest "big town" to go to the Cash & Carry to get all the things for our church picnic.  It wasn't a chore so much as a good reason to go to Five Guys for lunch.  And who wouldn't want to get a coffee from a coffee shop that has a wall of plants?

A wall. 

Of plants. 

 

Thank you Whidbey Coffee for being beautiful.

 

 

 

Last farmers market day I walked there from home (it's only about a mile).  Stopped at Starbucks for an iced Americano and sat in the sun and soaked up some summer.  I cut these old jeans and was immediately transported back to the early 90's.  Cut-offs are every summer of my teenaged life.

The bounty from that market didn't disappoint.  Organic golden raspberries, strawberry jam, sweet carrots, fresh arugula, cheese rolls, and warm kettle corn (warm!).  So here's the thing, fresh arugula sounds really great but it is so peppery that I wouldn't recommend just popping a leaf into your mouth to try the freshness.  Why is it so peppery?!

Here's how I manage to eat my fresh arugula:

• Chop up a fresh beet and fry in a little butter till softened.
• Add a little chopped bell pepper.
• Crack two fresh eggs over the beets and bell pepper.  Let cook for a couple minutes.
• Put a large handful of arugula on top of eggs, toss in a handful of cherry tomatoes, and flip the whole mess over so the arugula and tomatoes are now on the bottom.
• Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and cook till arugula is wilted and eggs are to desired doneness.

This is my go-to for a warm breakfast or easy lunch.

Another evening, another walk with Aaron and the dog.  We found ourselves in a field with some pretty purple thistle and the setting sun.

Same evening.  Same sun.  Different location.

My Charlie dog thinks that I practice yoga just for him.  I give him his own blanket or rug to sit on but he almost always finds his way onto my mat. 

Downward dog becomes a time for him to rub his wet nose on my chin.  Savasana becomes the best time for him to lay next to my head or to nose my relaxed hand.

I don't take any of it too seriously.  If my dog wants some attention I incorporate it into the motions. Yoga is accepting each moment, recognizing it, being fully present in it. 

Even if your dog sneezes on your mat.

The Independence Day picnic that our church held went really well.  Some of the ladies that are good at decorating had the pavilion looking very patriotic.  We welcomed some visitors, listened to some great preaching, ate burgers, sang patriotic songs, and enjoyed a sunny day.

Just today I spent most of the morning in the back yard.  The cherries are just ripening (two weeks later than last year!) so I picked a bowlful to make ice cream.

The lilies that someone before us planted are blooming.  This is the only yellow one.

 

The rest are orange.

 



Mintie was curious what I was doing.  My presence usually means there are treats nearby. (P.S. Look how brown our grass is while the dandelions continue to thrive.)

 

 

 

Big, beautiful pink poppy in the garden.  Their petals are like crepe paper.

 

 

 

 

A rare photo of the photographer in her natural habitat.

 

Squash blossom.

 

 

 

Itty bitty baby summer squash.

 

 

Viola growing in the garden.  I didn't plant this but I'm glad it's there!

 

 

Green bean blossom.

 

 

 

Today's harvest:  sweet peas and cherries. 

 

 

I ate all the sweet peas immediately.  The cherries were turned into Cherry Garcia ice cream.

 

 

 

In other news,

 

Blake got his first real job.  He begins training at a local supermarket this week.  Of course, as most 16 year olds, he's saving for a car.  This kid impresses me with his energy and motivation.

 

I'm working on starting up a freelance photography business.  That's all I'm going to say about it for now.  I'm in the baby stages, the business planning stage, but I'll share more as I have more to share.

 

One month from today we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  He's planning something.  I can't dig details out of him.  If it's like our first date we'll head over to Burger King.  What can I say, we know romance (wink, wink).

 

Time to close.  We're grilling ribs and chicken this evening to go alongside leftover potato salad and baked beans from the church picnic.

 

Happy birthday to this great country.  Here's to celebrating freedom!  Here's to celebrating liberty!  Here's to independence!