Portland

It is official. We have moved to Portland. We packed everything up in a big truck and got it all unloaded on Sunday. We've since had some of the hottest weather on record in Oregon, and so it hasn't really felt like we moved only a couple hours away. It's felt a bit more like Phoenix or New Mexico. However, we did have sense enough to buy a little window unit on Saturday before the heat wave really hit, and we were so thankful that we did. I'm not sure how we would've survived without it (and there certainly weren't many left in stores after Monday). It was money well spent. The window unit is in the living room, and Ricky and I have slept on the couch or blow-up air mattress since we've been here. It's returning to normal (even though the high is still 92), and I've finally found the sheets for our bed and put them in the washer. Hopefully, we'll be sleeping back in the real bed pretty soon.

Our new house is starting to feel like home, and we both like the character and charm of it. It's only two bedrooms, but it's working out nicely. The guest bedroom/office is going to work double duty (we pushed the bed in a corner so it's like a daybed) and there's plenty of room. We've made a couple of trips to Ikea (worthy of a whole separate post...Laura, do you know what Ikea is?) and are getting organized. Ricky finally has his much coveted recliner.

We joined a gym, and it is literally across the street. It's a local place, Cascade Fitness, and I really like that. We checked out some other franchise gyms but I wasn't super impressed. I like that people know you when you come in and care about your well-being...not to mention I like that the employees look like normal people and not like they have been on steroids since they were toddlers.

The dogs seem to be settling in nicely, too. The house has a pretty large back yard with a deck and a privacy fence, so they've got new area to explore and sniff. Chip loves that there's carpet in the bedrooms, and his new favorite spot is under our bed. Cooper likes the daybed set up in the office and has made that his favorite napping spot. The front yard is almost fully fenced, and Ricky has a project in mind to make a little gate so that the dogs can have the run of the front or back yard.

So, I'm off to do more unpacking. It's amazing how it seems to be never-ending (but unpacking is way more fun than packing). I need to get the office organized soon or I'm never gonna finish my dissertation. I'll post pictures when we're a bit more settled.

Exercising

Well, it's been a while since I posted on my newfound interest in running, so I thought I'd give you a quick update. I'm hanging onto my routine for the most part. I send Laura my updates almost daily, which helps with accountability (and for celebrating accomplishments). I've been doing a good job of staying in the workout routine even with the busy summer. The nice thing about running is that you can do it anywhere. I've gone on a couple outdoor runs around the park in our area but for the most part I've been sticking to the gym. My regimen has typically consisted of 25-30 minutes on the treadmill, and I always go at least two miles. Even days like today when I didn't feel well, and I told myself I was only going to do one mile, I stayed on for the second. Some days I push myself to run more for endurance at a steady pace and other days I push myself in intervals. I've also added a bit of incline for interest. In addition to the time on the treadmill, I've also jumped back on the elliptical regularly. I find this to be easier on my body (I don't feel totally exhausted the next day) but still a good workout. Plus, it breaks up the monotony. So, I've been doing at least an additional 2 miles on the elliptical. I also like increasing the resistance and the incline on the elliptical to get a different workout from running. Since last Thursday, I've gone to the gym 5 times and logged about 25 miles total. I took two days off (one for a wedding and one for a haircut) and still got that in. I've also added back some weight lifting every other day or so. It feels good to be sore in my upper body again, too.

So, what's the goal? I'm not really sure. I know I've probably lost about 7 pounds from where I was before I started running (and I was not happy with my body at that time), and I'd like to lose about that much more. After that I think I'll be happy to maintain and keep toning. I can really tell my body is re-shaping itself, and that is keeping me that much more motivated to keep working out. Not to mention my hubby. He's been doing great and has lost about 20 lbs.

In addition to my physical motivation, I got new running shoes at the nike outlet store and it makes the biggest difference. So, if you are exercising, make sure you have running shoes that are less than 6 months worn or you're doing yourself extra harm and enduring undue hardship.

A quick shout-out to Laura who is back to the gym after some time in Florida. I'm proud of her and know she will meet her new short-term goal. ;-)

A bit more...

I can't believe it's already been almost a week since Chris & Susan went back to Arkansas and Ricky headed to Europe. I've been crazy busy. Here's the rundown of the last few weeks.

I spent the week after father's day in Arkansas. World Championships for taekwondo went well. I passed my fit test and am waiting to hear about the traditional testing (it was close either way). I got to visit with my parents quite a bit, work out with Ms. Danley (my amazing first taekwondo instructor), take my parents to their first opening ceremonies for ATA (and their first visit to Verizon arena), go with my parents car shopping (they bought a new honda accord in charcoal gray), see Ricky's parents and family a couple times, and squeeze in a half day of shopping with my mom.

I returned from Arkansas late on a Saturday, taught taekwondo all afternoon the following Monday, and then went to Portland on Wednesday (7/1) to sign the rental agreement on our Portland house and pick up Chris & Susan from the airport.

On Thursday, Susan and I had a great girls day. We had lunch, got pedicures, and went and saw My Sister's Keeper at the movies. It was fun. We met up with the boys for a trip to Autzen stadium (where the UO Ducks play football) and some dinner.

Friday we went to Portland to have lunch with Kris Allen. It was a blast. We laughed so. very. much. First, Ricky was navigating us (on foot) in the total wrong direction of the restaurant, then we had a waitress who talked out of the side of her mouth funny (which became quite amusing), Kris Allen got asked to sign an autograph and spelled "Thanks" like "Tanks." On the way back from lunch, both Chris and Kris needed to pee. But suddenly, Kris Allen was no longer just Kris. Four grown men ran out of a restaurant to ask him for a picture (he obliged and then had them take a picture of the five of us), then a lady with a baby in a stroller wanted one (but she realized her memory card was full so she needed another on her phone), then another couple. We kept stopping in shops and banks to look for restrooms but no one had public ones. We kept heading toward the hotel and only had to pause for a few more autographs. Once we made it back to the hotel, we enjoyed really yummy fruit popsicles that the hotel gave out. It was a good time. In all the hustle of picking up Kris and deciding on a restaurant for lunch, we forgot which floor we parked on in the parking garage. Subsequently, we had to stop at every floor in the elevator until we found our car. (I think it was like floor 7).

On the way back, we stopped at an apple store so Chris could purchase an iphone. And that evening we went to a fireworks show. I love love love fireworks. It was nice.

Saturday was July fourth. We went to the Saturday market (so Chris and Susan could have the true Eugene experience), had bbq for lunch, and we grilled out (chicken, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, etc) for dinner. Cooper went crazy barking at all the fireworks, which stressed me out. But we all survived.

Sunday was the AI concert. We stopped at the outlet malls on the way up, and I got a new pair of running shoes from the nike store. They make running so much more pleasant! The AI concert was amazing. Our seats were far away, but we had a good view. The show sounded awesome live (and it was the first one). Kris got us backstage passes, and we were able to meet all ten idols. It was fun. Sunday night we stayed at the Portland house.

Monday was a BUSY day. We got up and grabbed Kris from his hotel again and headed to the Original Pancake House BUT the silly restaurant was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. So, we had to find somewhere else to go. We ended up at a diner that had a crowd waiting outside. It was featured on "Man vs. Food" so we knew it must be good. We had to wait for---ever.... But the food was great. I had banana bread french toast, Chris had a "mancake" so huge he ate less than half of it, and the others also had good food. The service was not good but the company was. ;-)

After dropping Kris off, we headed to Seattle. We arrived in the afternoon, checked into the hotel, and headed across the street to Cheesecake Factory for an early dinner (Chris & Susan's first experience). It was yummy. Susan and I sent the boys to a Mariner's game, and we hit the stores. I found a new bag/purse that I love and a few inexpensive tops. I learned that WA doesn't charge sales tax to OR residents...Yay!!

Tuesday we hit up Pike Street Market. It was wonderful. Vendors of all types from fish to flowers to jewelry to purses to artwork to baseball cards and candy.

Ricky also found this cool hat store that had been in the location and owned by the same family for 75 years.

Indiana Jones times two.

The perfect one.

We saw the original starbucks and ate lunch at the crab pot--another "Man Vs. Food" feature. The crab pot was fun. You order steamed pots with variations of seafood and just eat with your fingers.

Tuesday evening we all went to a Mariner's game (got to see Griffey leg out a double) and then drove back to Portland.

On Wednesday, I took Ricky to the airport at 6:30 am, dropped Chris & Susan back off at 11:30 am, and headed to a research meeting from noon-2pm. After that, I headed back to Eugene and went to a bachelorette dinner for Miranda that evening. I had the coolest drink--a lava flow that was a berry flavored margarita but get this...with Pop Rocks on the rim. It was kinda weird but good. ;-)

Friday was the wedding rehearsal and dinner, and Saturday was the wedding at King Estates Vineyard. It was cool and windy but a beautiful wedding. I didn't get home until after 1am. Sunday was the "picnic" taekwondo testing that had to be moved in doors because it was cold and storming all day.

Today was my first day to start packing and preparing for the yard sale. I made good progress on the office and will tackle the rest of it tomorrow. I should also mention that it is Kyle and Laura's second anniversary (well, here it still is anyway). Happy Anniversary!! Phew! What a summer so far. I need a vacation!!

Preview

Hi,

I'm running on fumes and am off to a bachelorette dinner for my friend Miranda, but I wanted to give you a taste of what's to come. I have LOTS of updating to do. We had an amazing visit with Chris and Susan (and even quite a bit of KA, too). :-) Enjoy the preview. I'll be back with lots more pictures and details soon.

Enjoying a warm afternoon in Portland.

The girls and Kris.

Waiting to go backstage after the idol concert.

Girls with Allison.

Adam poses for a picture post show.

Kris and the Arkansas friends after the first show.

Seattle Mariners game.

Pike's Market, Seattle