We could learn a lot from Oregon.

As a welcome back to blogging post, I thought I'd post a few pictures from my recent trip to Portland. Last month, I spent 6 days visiting family and enjoyed some gorgeous weather while I was at it!

Although I looked, I didn't spot any members of the Roloff clan. Driving through Hillsboro near the farm - so pretty!My favorite street in Hillsboro - It's beautiful in the summer, but AMAZING in the fall! If you've never been to Oregon, you really should make a trip up there! Besides being incredibly green, there's also no sales tax! A total plus.

Gorgeous Man, indeed.

Thanks for the link Laurie!

I guess we'll never know.

I love spontaneity! And last weekend was exactly that! I got a call from Jessica on Friday asking if I wanted to drive up just past Santa Barbara to go wine tasting. I would never pass up an offer like that and I happened to be free so before we knew it was Saturday morning and we were heading up the 101!

We decided to make a stop at the Camarillo Outlets to check out one store in particular. I've been wanting to buy a new purse for awhile and decided to splurge on a special one and I absolutely love it! The store itself was a madhouse...I've never seen that many people crammed into such a small space. You literally couldn't turn around without bumping into someone!

After braving the lines and making my first official Coach purchase we grabbed some lunch and kept driving north until we reached gorgeous Santa Ynez and the Gainey Vineyard.

We enjoyed a good wine, great conversation and absolutely beautiful weather!! After we were done at the vineyard, we drove just a few miles down the road to Solvang! I've have been wanting to go to Solvang for awhile now and didn't even realize how close it was. What a cute place!

Having been to Denmark, it was fun to see all the windmills and just how similar Solvang is to the real thing! We ended up grabbing dinner at a little Italian place and then made the drive back to L.A.. Overall, I had a wonderful day hanging out with Jessica, enjoying nature and the reminder that California really is a beautiful place! And no one but Jessica will get the title of this blog...but that's okay. Just know that little phrase somehow managed to produced lots of laughter throughout the day!

I totally recognize that guy.

My dear friend Mrs. Dr. Jack (who by the way provides amazing Lost reviews) recently told me about a website that is now one of my favorites. So naturally, I wanted to share it with all of you. It's Criggo.com and it's a compilation of odd or funny headlines or newspaper stories, such as...

Enjoy!

I don't think this counts.

I saw this truck over the weekend and immediately pulled out my phone and snapped this picture. Notice anything off? Anything missing? Anything that might be on the unofficial side? Let me zoom in for you....

Yep...a handmade license plate. How awesome is that!?!?

You have got to be kidding me.

What better way to start a Tuesday morning than with something that left me completely disgusted and shocked. Ladies and gentleman...what's worse than a bald baby girl?? Well according to these crazies...nothing. Which is why they created Baby Bangs. Please make sure to glance through the FAQ's and how to wear section - because as you'll see it's perfectly acceptable to use hairspray on a baby.

Bummer.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve truly been disappointed – but that’s where I am right now. I just heard from CSULB and I wasn’t admitted into the Counseling/Student Development Program. I had been thinking about this particular program for almost a year and really had my heart set on going back to school in the fall. I feel like the Lord just slammed this door shut – which ironically is what my friend prayed at our small group last week. Hmm…thanks Jessica :-)

Anyway…I’m totally bummed and I can’t hide that but I have faith that there is another opportunity somewhere out there. It’s only a matter of time before I find that open door.

On a more positive note, I had a very clear answer to prayer yesterday. Christopher had sent out an email letting me (and others) know that if we wanted to go back to New Orleans this summer, we'd have to let him know this week. I had been praying about it on and off and Wednesday after I got the email I was praying again and then on Thursday the coolest thing happened…God answered!

At work, I walked into a conversation some co-workers were having about what? New Orleans.

When I got home, I decided to watch a tivo’d episode of Little People, Big World and where were they? New Orleans.

And after I watched that, I started reading a book for small group tonight which was set where? New Orleans.

So I think I have my answer - New Orleans here I come!

Len-da Isa-ba.

My best friend has many talents. One of which is her ability to write extremely insightful reviews to Dancing with the Stars. She has been writing these reviews for a few seasons now but only emailing them to a select group of fans. However, I am pleased to announce that she has started a new blog and will be posting her reviews and other DWTS related news for all to read!


You can find the hilarity here.

We were like right here.

I can't believe we are already 3 1/2 months into 2009. Where does the time go? It's been about a month or so since I last blogged so here are some updates...

I have applied to the higher ed counseling program at Cal State Long Beach and am anxiously awaiting to hear whether or not I'll get accepted. Just being on a university campus to submit my application packet was fun - I've forgotten how much I love education so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one!

Last week I spent 3 fabulous days up in Lake Arrowhead on a Classified Staff Retreat and it was just gorgeous up there! We stayed at the beautiful UCLA Conference Center and had our own private little (actually not so little) cabins. It was fun getting to know co-workers on a different level and of course, it was great making some new friends. We did a lot of team building activities and had plenty of time after hours to socialize. What I loved the most is I now have enough stories to last a lifetime - like we were like right here...you know like right here. In Arrowhead?? No...like Colorado. Oh, right.

That is an inside joke that only a few people will get but it has to do with Ana and Vero. Of course, I'm happy to tell the story to anyone who will listen :-) Here are a few pics from the trip...

When I was at the retreat I received a phone from my dad saying he was out of the hospital. That is truly a miracle...I can't believe how well he has recovered from the heart attack. Thank you again to all who prayed for his receovery. I feel like the Lord has given me another opportunity to get to know him. It was really difficult visiting him in the hospital the first few days because I couldn't stop thinking about how might not make it through - it's hard to accurately explain how I was feeling so I won't try instead I'll just say that I'm glad that he's better. In fact, he invited me to a get together in the next month or two to meet some of my cousins. That's a weird thing too - I grew up with just 2 cousins who were much older than me - so this should be fun. One of them is having or about to have twins - which is what is prompting the get together. It'll be nice to finally meet them after all these years.

And last but not least, the Mud Run is just 89 days away!! Woo hoo!

Update.

Here’s a quick little update on my dad’s condition – I know I didn’t update like I said I would after my visit last Friday, but there really wasn’t much change. He was still completed sedated and although they had been trying to get him off the ventilator, it wasn’t quite working. But yesterday, they were finally successful and he is now off the ventilator! He’s still having some trouble breathing but has taken a dramatic leap forward in his progress. The doctors think he'll likely remain in the hospital for at least another 2 to 3 weeks but I feel so relieved – although I know he will die one day, it no longer seems imminent and that’s a huge relief. Thanks again for keeping him in your prayers!!