Busy Busy Bee!!

This past weekend was another busy one!! The weather was amazing so we took advantage of it to get some more work done around the house.

The list includes, building stuff, mowing the lawn, running at the gym, eating out, gardening and watching movies!!!

Emma worked on the garden some more as well as spreading the leftover compost on the plants in the front of the house and I worked on the cabinet that will be installed in the laundry room. The new washer and dryer are flat on top so we figured we could install something to take advantage of the space above it. Will be good to have right when we walk in the house from the driveway.

We of course managed to get a meal on Saturday at Halibuts. Emma was craving some fish and chips and it sounded good to me!! I forgot my camera...I know shame on me....but I would have taken a picture of our wonderful meal in the sun!!!

Here are some pictures of the cabinet with one coat of finish on it. The wood is from when I helped Pete install their new maple floors. Its a bunch of end cuts which was a little time consuming but it worked out.

My trusty Shop Dog

Bellevue Weekend Trip

This past weekend Emma and I and Puma went to deliver our sectional that we couldn't sell to John up in Bellevue. We knew it was going to rain and to be safe we covered the sectional with 2 tarps since we didn't have one that could cover the entire thing. Of course traveling with tarps is always fun since all it takes is one corner to get a little loose and the whole thing turns into a sail. After a few stops and a trip to get a few more bungy cords we managed to secure it nice and tight for the rest of the trip.

The weather wasn't all that great but we managed to get around and check out the area. John showed us around and gave us a tour of his workplace. He was kind enough to let Puma get in and out and in and out at each place we visited. It was a great weekend and we will for sure be planning on going back when its a little more sunny.

Here are some pictures of some places we visited.

Genies Restaurant

Recently Emma and I ventured again from our normal breakfast joints to try out a new place. I forget how Emma came across the idea of going here but it turned out to be a great one!! I of course ordered the hash and of course forgot to see what Emma ordered...I was a bit too interested in my own meal. It was wonderful!! Everything was perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of Yumminess!!

The staff were great as well which always helps us in our decision to return.

www.geniescafepdx.com
1101 SE Division
Open 8am - 3pm

Podnahs Pit

Emma and I went to Podnahs Pit this morning for breakfast. It was awesome! Hands down some of the best breakfast that we have had eating out!! I ordered some brisket with eggs potatoes and a biscuit. Wow.

The eggs were cooked just right. The brisket was juicy and ver flavorful. The potatoes reminded me of breakfast my dad always made when camping. And the biscuit was the perfect blend of all the goodness that makes up an unhealthy treat.

It was our first trip there and will for sure not be our last.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Valentine's Day to anyone who my be reading this. I also wanted to show you a picture of some Wonderful Crepes that Emma made this morning. I was going to have her teach me some about how to make them but ended up cooking the bacon and drinking coffee while she whipped them up. Wow were they goooooood!!! The blackberries were some that we picked last summer/fall. I am a lucky boy and I know it!!!

Anyway have a great day and love to all!!

I Have A Job!!

Nothing too exciting to report but I thought I would write about my past week or so at work.

The week started like normal, it was slow at times and busy during other times. I was getting used to my new schedule of working 9-6 which gave me much less time in the morning or evenings to get much done. But who can really complain when I have a job right now when every day you hear the many lists of people losing their jobs. I was actually thinking this on Thursday afternoon when I heard a co-worker start to cry.

I thought someone was in trouble for what she had either said to a customer or what someone may have been complaining to her about. But I couldn't have been more wrong.

She was being let go!

She managed to figure out on her own by checking her paycheck online and noticed an early week of pay had shown up. She confronted management about it and sure enough after some probing she was told that after 17 years of loyal work she was getting let go the next day (Friday).

We all had an idea that people might be let go soon with the way the economy was going and the lack of "busy" work with the contacts that we have. They also had talked about hiring more "offshore" people to save some money. Turns out the jobs were needed but since they make a 1/4 of what we get its the easiest way to save money.

Anyway at this point none of us besides her knew who was next or what was going to happen. One by one people were called into the office to be told whether or not you were going to still continue to work for the company. Turns out 6 out of the 13 employees were let go the next day. What a crazy feeling!! Sad to see people that I have seen on a daily basis for over 6 years just leave and be gone and probably never hear from again. And then the crazy feeling of why me!!! The first person to get let go said the same exact thing...out loud! I was happy to still have my job for now, but then feel somewhat guilty for being chosen to stay. Who knows...it may not last but for now....I Have A Job!

Another Snowy Day

Well it looks like winter is hanging on today. I hadn't paid attention to the weather lately but sometimes it really doesn't matter since they never seem to get it right.

Sunday morning we woke to more snow on the ground which was a nice surprise and then again today after Emma got home from the gym it once again started to snow.

The road that I drive goes over a mountain and changes as much as 1000 ft. in elevation so I had expected some more snow. Turns out either people REALLY didn't pay attention to the weather it was was not expected. The truck did a wonderful job as usual and made it with no problem but others were not as fortunate.

I passed a dozen cars that were stuck on the hills and couldn't go any further. Also passed a garbage truck that slide off the road and ended up against the mountain. Then another truck slide into the side of the dump truck. Luckily I think it happened just before I arrived and the people in front of me pulled over.

I managed to snap a few pictures of other vehicles along my route that were not having a good day.

Snowshoeing Mount St. Helens

On Thursday evening Emma's mom Suzan came to visit us for a few days. We had planned ahead and reserved some snowshoes from REI for the weekend and head out to find some snow. We didn't have a good idea where to go or if where we were going had much snow or open roads to travel on.

We found a few Sno-parks on a road up to Mount St. Helens and so we headed out to see what we could find.

The road was a little tore up from the recent cold weather we had but we found a spot at the end of a road that they pretty much decided to stop plowing. It wasn't much of a trail and really just a road that was being used by snowplows and cross country skiers. We took our time, stopped and had lunch part way through the hike and headed back the way we came. It was a good workout and the weather couldn't have been any better. We ended up peeling off layers that we thought we needed since it was 28 when we left the house in the morning.

Here are some pictures below and more can be found here.

Patton Update

I am a few days late on this update but I thought I should put this out there.

Patton was ADOPTED!!! My friend Jen told me last week that he was going to be at work one last time before he was going to his new home.

It took a while for him to find a home but I think he was worth it. Great job Jen!!!

Here was his original post and below are the last pictures..:(

Updates and Happy New Year!!!

So its been a while since I have taken the time to create a post. Not that we get too many readers but I thought I should since we have been back from our vacation for a while now.

After my last post about how I was at work for 7 straight days working day and night during the Arctic Blast of '08, Emma and I went to Bend for 5 days to play in the snow, relax and celebrate the New Year and our wedding anniversary a few days earlier.

Of course not realizing that we would be getting 16 inches of snow here in Portland the week before, we might have done something else. Anyway, it was worth the trip since the weather was great and the snow finally stopped falling. It was never really an issue for us to get around town during the many days of snow and Bend turned out to not get any snow other then in the higher elevations near Mt Bachelor.

One of the days, we decided to head up to the mountain near by and see what it was like. We had no idea how much snow was actually on the mountain and put off renting snow shoes for the day. Turns out they had about 4 feet or so where we went to play. We realized that we didn't plan ahead very well with out gear and clothing but ended up playing a little in the snow. We did however plan a little ahead for Puma. I found a few articles online that talked about how when dogs are in the snow they can get snow packed between their toes and it can cause problems. So we went to REI and bought him some outdoor booties to wear. It was sort of crazy at first when we put them on. He wasn't a fan but then got into wearing them a bit. He galloped around like a horse and ran like mad to try and get them off. He threw himself on the snow and wiggled all about. Only one of them came off but the others seem to work great. The next day was a different story.

The next day we set out with more clothing and gear and also rented some snowshoes for the day. We headed back to the same location we went the day before and started our "hike". we got Puma's booties on and this time he managed to fling them off within minutes. Probably planning in his sleep how he was going to accomplish this task. Turns out he was fine and we checked his paws once in a while for snow.

The hike that we went on was more like a stroll through a well packed tunnel of sorts. The trail was easy to follow and the snow was about 2 feet high on either side. The snowshoes worked great and it was a little more tough to get around then a normal hike but it was a blast. We were both surprised at how well the shoes worked and kept you above the snow and kept you from sliding down the hills. I would highly recommend trying it out if you are ok with playing in the snow!!

Our actual anniversary was yesterday. Emma has a post that should be coming soon. We both had to work so it was pretty uneventful but we did most of the celebrating in Bend.

Here are some pictures from our trip. Others can been seen here and some Christmas photos are here.

Snow Days!!!

So today marks the 7th day that I have worked in a row. Not that big a deal but when you consider that I have been at work since Wednesday at noon....and haven't left....well then you can wonder what the heck am I up to? Well, it turns out that global warming has taken a vacation and decided to hit us with some on and off again crazy weather!

The managers at work decided that since the weather was supposed to be pretty crazy and a majority of people who I work with have a hard time getting to work when roads are icy, they had some of us volunteer to work straight through. 4 of us said yes and have been "camping" here since Wednesday. Its been slow which is nice but its been a bit long. I don't mind too much since they are paying us 24 hours a day to be here. Sleeping in the conference rooms isn't much like camping but we have been entertaining ourselves with movies and games.

I was again messing around and decided to get a picture of the truck a little after I went for a drive in the snow.



73.5 hours down....and hopefully 57 to go!!!

Snow Day 2008

So of course on a day that it snows I would volunteer to work. It was supposed to come in last night but ended up starting to snow when I left for work. Wasn't bad at all either. I few slippery spots. The drive home was another story. It was 25 degrees out when I left and all the snow was blowing around like mad!!! The truck of course did a great job in 4 wheel drive and the new tires I had bought before our camping trip this past summer was money well spent.

I of course had my camera with me and snapped a few shots while and work and on the way home.






Should be an interesting week since the highest its supposed to get for a day temp it around the freezing point. Good times. 5 days of work still to go!!

Christmas Tree

On Sunday Emma, Puma and I went to our favorite tree farm in Hillsboro near my work. Its Andy's Tree Farm. Its just an older gentleman with his dog Rosie selling some trees that he has on his property.

I was messing around taking pictures of the tree after I put the lights on. Turned out to look pretty interesting.

Coco & Co. Truffle

First example from a recent photo shoot for a chocolate truffle company that is starting up and needed some shots for her new website.

Emma came with me to help with the set up and placement of the truffle's. It was a really great time.

More to come later when her website is complete.

Patton

Last Friday I contacted Jen at work about her pup that she is currently fostering. I had seen him a few times since she has brought him with her to work once in a while and I wanted to see if I could get some pictures of him to add to my portfolio. He is just so cute and a really great boy.

He never stopped but for a few seconds since he is so full of energy being a puppy and all. Here are some pictures if you hadn't seen them in my photo stream.




And if you happen to live in Portland and are in need of a cute pup, you can go here for more info!

Election Day!!

No long lines or finding your polling place to go vote here in Oregon but I am not complaining! I will enjoy the day and take advantage of some free coffee!!

Angel's Rest

So yesterday we headed on out to take in the wonderful weather that we have been having. Yes its been cool but its been sunny and dry which can be wonderful this time of year. We decided on going to Angels Rest east of Portland.

On the drive out along highway 84, the wind really started to pick up. Leaves and all sorts of debris on the road was flying around like mad! The car was pushing back and forth with the wind blowing like crazy. The wind can really get going through the Gorge but it was a bit much. We both laughed when Emma said "well we picked a good day for a hike."

After getting to the trail head we decided what the heck. The trail wasn't too windy since some of the places were shielded by the trees and canyons. A few places once we got higher were a little nuts and we had to keep an eye on Puma so he didn't get blown off the trail.

All in all the weather was nice....when the wind calmed down and the hike was really nice and had some great views.

Afterward we headed to Fire On The Mountain for some delectable fried chicken wings, sweet potato fries, and some lovely beer!

Here are some pics from our day!