It's kind of like the first day of school...

So Sunday night my boss called, and apparently Monday the state said no way jose, we're closing due to bad weather. That left me with my first day being today, Tuesday.

Last night, just like it was my first day of school, I packed my work bag, made a lunch, and most importantly set out my clothes for work.

I wore: Gray slacks, a black v-neck, and ballet flats. All was well except for the flats. They were great in Albany where there was no snow, but when I got to the park and ride and stepped out of my car, then realizing snow almost went up to my knee. The flats were not acceptable. I did soon dry out b/c of the heat on the bus, just to soak it up again walking from the bus stop to the building.

I bought rain boots with pink polka dots to wear until the weather clears up. I'm a little late on this.

I was really overwhelmed today, lots of new things to learn, didn't feel like I was there for a full day, I got bits and pieces of what I'll be doing, tomorrow, I'll be doing the work and have someone tell me how to do it so I'll get a little more hands on experience. Should be pretty quiet tomorrow, I may even get to go home early! Woot!!

I love my cube, I need to decorate it. I got really giddy today when I thought how great one of my wedding pictures will look framed next to my monitor=) Assuming I don't screw something up =). So far, I love it.

Tonight we're supposed to go pick Amy and Josiah up from the airport, hopefully their flight doesn't get delayed anymore, they've had a heck of a time trying to get here.

Christmas is soon! Meow!

Crazy weather = no work!?!?

I was supposed to start my new job tomorrow, Monday. The boss just called and I guess they're closing all the offices downtown, so I'm planning to start Tuesday instead!! I guess the weather in Salem is terrible, freezing rain. In Albany-rain. Only rain, not even snow or ice, nothing!!!

Chris said I should take a picture. I say I'm too lazy.

The only bummer is that it's another day unpaid, but the good news is, it's like a mini vacation, I've never had a break when changing jobs, so I'm liking this!

Silly Lilly!

Sometimes, I look at Lilly and I am overwhelmed with how much I love this stinkin' dog! She is always willing to cuddle, and she thinks naps are the best. She's pretty lazy. See exhibit 1.1


Exhibit 1.1-Lilly and Chris snugglin' on the couch!

But other times she just wants to play (not often.) She really enjoys a good tennis ball, Chris brought some home for her and she went hog wild!

(don't mind the stains, they were there before me =).)

A movie is to come soon, I just can't get it to upload yet!

Happy Birthday Gran!

Today would have been Granny's birthday! I felt her around today, I thought about her a lot. We did out first Christmas go-round at Christopher's Mothers' house, we made things and it was cute, I couldn't help but think Granny was laughing at me as I was secretly growling at my artwork.

I miss her a lot, but as today is her birthday, I can't help but to think what a wonderful life she had! So cheers to Gran, I know she's happy.

Michelle/Jack Ugly Sweater Party 2008

For Jack and Michelle's bday we did a little ugly sweater party! I made Chris, Lilly's and mine. They rocked



This is practically the last time Chris wore his =( Party pooper.


We went to dinner at Red Robin, I'll never go back. The discussion at the table was so inappropriate, 2 tables by us got up and moved. Then the manager started to take our plates away as to try and rush us out. Wow.

He never smiles with me...


But he does with Jack....


Not much different than the year before...




Well sometimes if Lily is there


Sisters!


Wii'in it up!


I think Kimberly wins...




I was going for serious!


Who knows=)

A little of this and that.

Chris and I set up Christmas, rearranged the house, had a photo shoot with Lilly and some games with Travis and Kristi. It's been a while since I've blogged.

Mom bought me these snowmen, I love snowmen!


Stockings, with a pipe in the middle! We're so cool


Our special little tree..


Travis and Kristi brought us Woodstock's pizza for dinner and we were going to go to the zoo lights for our Christmas gift! We have to wait though, b/c weather has been bad! We got Kristi a real pretty ring and Travis a Warren Buffet book!









=)

I got it!

After months of trying, the state decided they wanted me! Ha! I just got a call a little bit ago with a job offer as an accounting assistant! I can't even believe it! I start no later than the 22nd, and there is a possibility the owner here may not keep me that long.

I got in on wed. to see the office and get info and take my official acceptance letter. Yikes! Only if I pass the background check...dun dun dun!

I feel so blessed and so lucky! What an amazing gift! I'll be changing to a monthly salary, that will be interesting, making it all stretch ha!

What a year this had been:

Jack and Patty got married
I went from the bank>to abiqua>to the state eep!
Michelle is Prego!
Chris proposed!

God is good. So many blessings this year!!!

Thanks for all the support everyone!

A change...would do you good...

A change,
[A Change Would Do You Good]
would do you good,
[A Change Would Do You Good]
I think a change,
[A Change Would Do You Good]
would do you good.
[A Change Would Do You Good]

If I gave Chris two options like cleaning the whole house, and changing the oil in my car, I think he'd take the house cleaning. Normally when I ask him to change my oil there is quite the argument involved. I think it's his manly duty to save me money and change my oil and not let the jerks at jiffy lube take advantage of my girlyness. He believes this is not a manly duty.

So, I win, Buddy and I went and got the stuff, and changed my oil! It took all of 10 minutes. Woot!


Here is my happy that I don't have to complain anymore

Ladies and Gents, meet the inside of my car


You expect me to go down there?



The bottom of my car.


My car Peeing

Now I'm not a car expert. Clearly. But I my car was only a little past due for an oil change, so not bad at all...but I know my oil is NOT supposed to look like this. Yuck


All in all I'm very happy my car is healthy again.

She's gone country folks.

She's gone country, look at them boots
She's gone country, back to her roots
She's gone country, a new kind of suit
She's gone country, here she comes

You know how in frats and sororities they have initiations? Well, I think I had that with the Ropp farm today. Ugh. I've been asking Buddy to change my oil for a few weeks, and today was they day. I put on some sweats so I wouldn't get my jeans dirty, Buddy said I'd be too cold, so I put on a pair of his carhartt's. Apparently they're slightly to big and even Chris would be embarrassed if I wore them to town. So Chris decided I needed my own pair of Carhartt's.....

We went to Coastal, and I tried some on. I told Chris I wasn't paying $45 for a pair of ugly pants....so he did. Ugh.



I feel like I've been initiated into being a farmer or something. My next plan is I really really want a pair of pink cowgirl boots. Desperately want a pair.

I feel like I caved in. Hm. If you would have told me 4 years ago that I'd be buying Carhartt's today, I'd laugh in your face. Guess the jokes on me.

I will get a pair of wranglers when I'm skinny, b/c really, only skinny girls look good in them. For now, I'll sport my Carhartt's!

The key to his heart.

Every year when mom puts up the stockings I remember when I first met Christopher:

(I'm not as bad of a person as this makes me seem)

He had come up to see me, and I was on the phone with my boyfriend at the time-breaking up with (we dated 2 weeks, not as bad as it seems!), Chris was snooping around my house looking in all the stockings.

After he left, he called and said he put something in my stocking and I should go look.

What I pulled out was a key, and I asked him what it was. He very gently replied,

"It's the key to my heart." I snorted with laughter-most terrible line EVER.

He then said the real reason why he left it was so that I would have to see him again so I could return his key-now that is sneaky.

So for the past two years when mom puts up the stockings I can't help but giggle. Not to mention, I never returned the key, still on my key ring!

As Chris calls it this was his "A game" he had to bring so I would date him. He's seemed to lost it, if anyone finds it please return it. TIA.

This could be on Jerry Springer...

So let me take you back to December 25, 2007. Christopher and I were on our way to Zach's house, where I believe he flat out told me "your sister is a hottie." Now, it's a good thing Michelle is married, and not into nerdy gamers, or else I might have something to worry about.

Clearly this was to funny to let go, so I made sure I called the whole family to let them know that Michelle was a hottie!

So fast forward a year to now, and trust me, at every oppertunity Christopher was teased about thinking a Michelle is a hottie, we draw names to see what kid will buy who a gift.

What do you know-Chris picked Michelle's name. What a lucky dog.

Here is the conversation we had recently:

Me: I'm really excited how we decided to do Christmas this year.
Chris: Me too, are we going to do it the same way every year?
Me: Probably, unless it doesn't work out or something.
Chris: Really?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! (excited)
Me: Uh-yeah, why?
Chris: I get to buy your sister Christmas gifts every year-amazing.
Me: No you idoit, we'll draw different names, get over it she's preggo.
Chris: ohhh baby mama.

Now, I for a while figured maybe Chris was teasing about Michelle being a hottie-but I now fully believe it. Michelle and I may have to brawl for Christopher's love. Look for us on the next episode of Jerry Springer.

New Hair!

I said I wasn't going to dye or cut my hair until the wedding. Problem being, the ends of my hair were so fried. I cut it, it's shorter than I wanted, but it's REALLY healthy now so that's good!





Ha, my eyes look so much bigger..going for that surprised look hehe.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Chris and I got up at 4 AM headed to Jack and Patty's, the boys left for hunting and Patty and I snuggled.

Patty got up and made cupcakes then we went to mom and dad's.

By about noon Patty wanted Taco Bell and Chris and I agreed. Mom somehow caught on, but we sneaked away anyway. Taco Bell was closed, boo. So we hit up the Thriftway deli. We felt like bad kids doing drugs before a dinner, had to do it (eat) quick before we got home so mom wouldn't know!

We got jo-jo's, a corn dog, and 2 big huge doughnuts!



Jack was a little "sick"






^Dad and Jack were a little tired

There is a baby in that belly!



^Casey, Michele Gordon, and Patty

Mom made another amazing dinner, then we went to Zach's and the boys played xbox for hours, it's tradition!

Man, I love Salem

So yesterday evening, about 4:00 a guy pulls in to the yard. I stand up and expect him to come into the office, but he didn't, so I went and sat back down in my office.

While looking out my winodow, I have a clear view of our bubbler rocks. Bubbles are big tall rocks with holes drilled in them fountains. Anyway, this guy is squatted down, with his arms wrapped around a rock that weighs about 1,000 lbs, he also had a dog loose, which is not allowed on our property, b/c insurance won't cover it. Afraid he was trying to lift the rock and would hurt himself, I called Dave (my manager) up to deal with this guy and his dog.

Dave goes out there and is keeping a pretty big distance between this guy (who is still wrapped around this rock) and himself. Dave comes in the office and asks me how much it is, then heads back out.

Dave: It's 275.

Guy: Two dollars and seventy-five cents?

Dave: No, Two hundred and seventy-frive dollars.

Guy: Well that's not what you're going to give it to me for, right?

Dave: No, I'll give it to you if you pay me $275

Guy: How did you get this rock?

Dave: On a truck

Guy: No, I mean how did you get it here?

Dave: Well, a truck brought it here from the quarry, I took a tractor, picked it up off the
truck and put it on the ground

Guy (very frustrated): No how? I've been with this rock before, in the Columbia River Gorge

Dave: No you haven't, this didn't come from the Gorge.

Guy: No, I have, I've been with this rock before. You must not know what's going on in
America , all you care about is money. I have the money to come get this rock and the
equipment too!

Dave (backing to the door): Okay sir, have a good day.

Guy: Oh is that how it's going to end?

Dave (walks in the door and locks it): fruit cake.

Come to find out when the guy was trying to pick up the rock, he was actually hugging it.

Only in Salem Folks. Only in Salem.

Days like this...

Days like this, where it's rainy and windy, it makes me wish I could run longer distances than I can. I love, love, love, love running in the rain. I guess Oregon is the right place for me.

I have been stuck on Week 3 of my running schedule for about three weeks now. The first week I ran the three days just fine, I was going to repeat it, because I didn't feel quite ready for week 4. Well, then Granny's death came and I should have taken the time to use the workouts as my outlet...instead I ate. A lot. Like 4 lbs almost a lot =). So this week I am back to running. I ran (and by running I mean doing a granny shuffle. It'd be like a 12 minute mile if I was running). Anyway, I ran Monday, and today I am going to run again. I'd like to "run" everyday this week.

We'll see.

Anyway, just a little update!

In Loving Memory of Gran!

First off, let me say how incredible my whole family is. Granny's funeral was on Saturday, of course my mom's whole side was there, completely supporting each other. For some reason death seems to unite people, it's a strange thought to think of, but so very true.

But not only was the whole Ellis side there, nearly all of my dad's side showed up to give their support, as well as Michelle's in-laws. How amazing is that. It is such a reminder of how important family is there, and the fact they are always there when you call out to them. I'm so blessed to have the family I do. I have no doubt in my mind Granny was watching and completely overwhelmed with the compassion that was being shown.

Since Granny was such a sassy cat, we decided to honor her. All of the women wore one of her MANY, and I do mean MANY dress hats! I think it was such a neat idea to do that and I know she would have been so happy to see us all wearing them!

Pictures will be posted later tonight!

Granted I am not Catholic, but the service was probably one of the best services I have been too. I realized maybe I need to be in a church that is a little bit more formal in style. The priest made an interesting point. He said something along the lines of, when we're presented with death, it's one of the best opportunities to evaluate where we are in our own faith. That was so true-I've been thinking non-stop about Granny and how she was so committed to her faith, and how I could try and be more like that.

Granny

On Monday my Granny passed away from a severe stroke. She was one of my most favorite people and I resent the fact I didn't share that with her more. I don't think there is a person in this world who could say a negative thing about. I have never met a more poised, strong woman. I love her dearly and know she'll be with us from Heaven. She'll rest with her husband who she had been separated from for nearly 30 years and of course God. Please say some prayers for the family, it's a tough time, but we're strong.

My inner runner, and the trainer,

In my attempts to loose weight, I have tried running again. I would call it running, but I don't want to be negative.

This website http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml has a training program that should get you running a 5k in about 9 weeks. I haven't ran since the beginning of my senior year, so about 3 years or so and I am way out of shape! I'm on week 4, I did week 1 and week 3 twice because I wasn't quite ready to move on. I'm loving it! My knees aren't hurting and I can really tell in my legs that they're starting to tone up. I'm going to run a road race in January if I can find a local one.

Anyway, every time I get home from running and begin to stretch inside Lilly just happens to think it's time to play. Tonight I was stretching on the ground and she jumped into my chest and started biting my ponytail trying to play.



You can't tell here, but she is sitting right on top of my legs.


She's the best trainer ever, she tells me I did good on my run (she for sure does NOT come with haha) and she totally understands if I'd rather eat pizza than go running, I love my pup!


Then she inspects my shoes for me!

Good-bye Beau!

My best friend, Kellie, has a brother who is a pearl farmer in Fiji. Well he was back fighting forest fires for the summer and now he's headed back to Fiji to farm some pearls...I think.

Well anyway, their mom is WELL known for her amazing tacos, so as Beau's going away party it was a taco feed! Most importantly, there was a HUGE bowl of olives!


I was impressed.

Randoms!

I tend to take a lot of pictures of Chris and I when we're not doing anything of importance. On this particualar day he was glued to his computer and not paying any attention to Lilly or me =(





Lilly was VERY concerned that Dad wasn't paying any attention to her.


Still ignored


I was about to give up


He gave in...you can tell it's forced. Important thing is, I won =)