living on the edge, continued.

I told you I'd finish highlighting the months. So here I am. And here are the remaining 4 months. So maybe it has only been seven months since I updated. I like that number better. But it is still too long and I am still really really really sorry. I hope I haven't lost you. I hate losing people.

July: On the 4th, I went to the best fireworks display I've ever seen. It was at Shannon's brother's house in Washington, and since they don't have as many firework restrictions as Oregon, we got to watch them set off some pretty spectacular ones. It was AWESOME. The fireworks went off right above our heads. With ash and stuff falling on us. FANTASTIC! Seriously.
On the 11th, I attended a small memorial gathering for Dad's best friend, Tom Callender. Tom passed away suddenly in April from a heart attack. Totally unexpected, and still to this day it is hard for me to believe he's really gone. I really feel for his wife, Robin. Tom was such a fantastic guy. Always making jokes and giving me all sorts of advice, whether I asked for it or not. I really miss that man. And I miss his presence in Dad's life. He and Dad always had such a great time together.
Cheryl visited on the 19th-28th. I think it was the best visit we've had in awhile. She and I got along really well, and so did she and Dad, which was REALLY amazing. I organized a 50th birthday party for her at Mom & Dad's house. It was SO much fun! Bryan and I wrote & sang a song for her. She loved it. Some people we haven't seen in YEARS were there. What a wonderful day!
I went to CRC from the 22nd-26th. I was exhausted most of the time, but it was a great vacation from work and roommates. CRC is definitely my haven. Mmmhhhhmmmmm.

August: On the 1st, I went to Astoria to visit Nikki, Tom & Zion (cousins from Oklahoma). Zion is so freaking cute. Seriously, one of the cutest babies I've seen in awhile. And so animated. He really likes his voice and he really likes making funny faces. Got to see Nikki's mom too, been a few years since I saw her. She really is a nice person. And her new husband's nice too. I'm so happy for them.
I attended my good friend Michelle's wedding on the 8th. I've known her since I was five or so. The wedding was simple and beautiful. I really like simple weddings, to be honest. There were a lot of people there that I hadn't seen in a LONG time, that I had grown up with. It was really nice to see them and catch up. But it was also kinda sad, because the whole time I was wishing my parents hadn't switched churches so I could continue growing up with those wonderful people. And have that wonderful community. I'm not really regretting the way things went though, I learned a lot this way too. But I think maybe I'd be a little more stable if I'd stayed at that church, with those people. Maybe.
I attended my high school bud Bonni's wedding on the 15th. It was a good wedding. I only knew like 2 people there. But it was small and still fun. And in a beautiful location, the Beazell Forest Education Center, near Philomath. I've never ever been there. It was gorgeous. I drove around the area for awhile after the wedding. Gorgeous!
Alison came back from Maine on the 23rd! WAHOOO!!! I am SO happy she's back!
Bill came to Portland on the 28th. He invited me to see Diana Krall at the Schnitzer! It was fantastic! I've never seen her perform, much less ever been to the Schnitzer! Afterwards, we went to McMenamins for happy hour and caught up. I love that guy! I wish Ashland wasn't so far away....

September: Corrine and I drove down to Corvallis on the 4th to spend the night at Hollie & Darrel's. So much fun! Hollie & Darrel are moving to Portland in about 8 months! I cannot wait! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Champagne will be reunited once again! Corrine and I left on the 5th to continue our journey to Ashland. What a GREAT weekend! The weather was amazing. Emigrant Lake was much more gorgeous than I remember. I stayed with Nancy for part of the weekend, which was so so lovely. We talked a lot and listened and took silly pictures....gosh, I miss that lady. I got to see Bill again, too....and Penny as well. Just for a short time, but it was still grand. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.
I went to my first PMPA (Portland Metropolitan Photographer's Association) meeting on the 10th. I do their bookkeeping and Julia's noticed that I love photography, so she asked me to join. I officially became a member on September 25. I love it! I'm not professional or have my own photography business, but I am aspiring....so perhaps I may become some sort of a professional in the near future. We shall see....
I went to Jenn & David's wedding on the 12. It was nice. I loved the reception, held outside by strings of lights. Beautiful. I'm so happy for Jenn. :-)

October: I got really overwhelmed by going places every weekend over the summer, so I stopped planning out my weekends after September 12. It was nice.
Mom, Dad, & Grandma did come up on the 10th though, so Grandma could finally see my house. She was really glad we arranged to bring her up, which made me really happy. I'd bend over backwards for that lady....well, as long as it's logical. :-)
I got to see my good friend Laurie from Mexico on the 18th. She and her husband and daughter, Priscila, were up in Newberg for a few days. It's been about 2 or 3 years since I've seen her. I've known her for most of my life. It was a fantastic afternoon. Priscila is adorable, of course.

That about catches us up. I hope to post more regularly. Should be easier, now that it's pretty much winter and I won't be spending countless hours in my fabulous backyard soaking up the rays....'cause there won't be any rays to soak up. :-( Oh, if only I could flip a switch and turn on the sun....what a wonderful world that'd be.

So yeah.......feel free to comment on my posts.....if you read them. It'd be nice to know if anyone actually reads this anymore. :-)