when things go *click*

Tim has been doing the same job for a long time. The work is boring. There hasn't been any growth for him. But he didn't know what else to do.

He was in school for a while, working to finish his degree in art history. Kept running into problems (I think there's a reason for that now!). He was still stuck. He couldn't find any other jobs that really fit his skill set. He knew he had knowledge about a lot of different things but didn't know enough to specialize in one, and most job listings he was finding wanted a focus in one area. He didn't know if he should take classes in one of those areas. But he stayed stuck, partly because he wasn't interested in any of these areas, particularly.

We were talking tonight, and we started out listing out possible jobs that he would be interested in. Things started going in a good direction and then all of a sudden we started talking about the Web and new Web-based technologies (blogs, podcasts, videopodcasts, wikis, etc). And how marketing is changing because consumers are changing. And how marketing needs to be more targeted, and needs to better match the consumers and how they are using technology.

And then *click* *click* *click* Things started to get really clear. We started talking about consulting. About T using all of his interests, and all of skills, that no job currently makes use of. Using those to help businesses make better Web sites. *click* *click* *click*. We immediately started coming up with a plan of attack. What would he need to do first, what classes would he need to take to boost up his knowledge base. And *click* HCPro, the company he works for, is starting to go in a new direction, with podcasts, with search engine optimization. *click* He can finally use his company, and use them to build up his knowledge and skills.

We are now thinking and planning for him to open up his own consulting business, and we know it will take at least a year before he is ready for it, but it is SOOO clear. The potential is awesome. This is the first time he has been truly excited about a career direction. And it is something that people aren't really doing yet.

I feel like the pieces have been hanging in the air for a long time but all of a sudden, something went *click* in a big way and the pieces finally came together to show the picture that has been there all along. It feels so right, and I know we can work to make this happen.

*click* Holy Shit. This is HUGE.

soo proud of us

our savings is looking so good. After moving in March, we have a really good cushion set aside. A nice healthy amount in short term savings, that can be used for emergencies, for trips, or for stuff we need. A really good amount in long term savings (saving toward a house!!). Just started an "extra" savings account for money that is left over at the end of the week. And now that our savings are both at good places, I can start buying some CDs for longer term savings. (Buy a six-month cd, then transfer that to a 9 or 12 month one with a higher interest rate and buy a new six month cd at the same time.)

My parents financial situation scares the hell out of me, because they weren't smart, they didn't save for the future and now they really don't have any money set aside. I am so glad we have learned how to change our relationship with money. I am so proud of us for all the work we did to get here!!

face is much better

I finally slept yesterday. I took some Benadryl, and I don't know if it made me tired (it usually doesn't) or if because I was finally not itchy, I could actually sleep. I slept for four hours when I got home, had some cereal for dinner, then went back to sleep. I feel well rested for the first time in days.

My face is a lot less puffy, my eyes are less red. My lips are still all messed up and don't seem to be getting better, not sure how to fix them at this point, nothing seems to be helping. But for now I'll settle for being less puffy and itchy.

hating my skin right now

Called out sick yesterday with sun poisoning, I haven't had it that bad in a long time. Last night I barely slept because I was so itchy, all over. And I have Franken-lips, they are so badly chapped, they just hurt.

Tim said I looked like a heroin addict when I got up yesterday. We took some pictures to show the dermatologist, and they look like mug shots. :(

Kelly was arrested yesterday afternoon....

elementary my dear!

We finally went to the Kennedy School last night, which is one of the converted McMenamin Pubs. They took an old elementary school and turned it into a theater, restaurant, and hotel. It's a really cool building, and you can definitely tell it is an old school. Apparently the detention room is a bar, the hotel rooms have chalkboards still in them. And they have a heated mineral sitting pool (too shallow and narrow to swim, you just sit and soak) outside, that is open all year. I know I will be making some trips there this winter!

The more I learn about Portland, the more I really love it. There are so many cool things to do here.

awwww!

My coworkers totally surprised me, in a really nice way.

They usually chip in and get a nice birthday present for whoever is having a birthday, and they didn't for me (or so I thought) and I was ok with that. They all wished me a happy birthday and that's all I really need anyway.

Then we were told to come down to our boss' office for an emergency meeting. Since boss had been complaining about some higher-ups, this made sense.

But I got down there, and my other coworkers were already there and they sang to me and got me pressies and cake. A really cool bracelet that came in an elephant puzzle box, a fabulously funky purse that I just love, and a cool little candle holder. And really yummy cake.

It was just so sweet :)

stolen from mik

1. Cigarettes: Never ever

2. Sex: With Tim, hell yeah!

3. Relationships: Worth the work and time

4. Your Last Ex: Shudder.

5. Power rangers: Very silly

6. Marijuana: Never ever

7. Crack: Never times 50

8. Food: Fresh vegetarian food, italian, fruit

9. This President: It can't be 2008 fast enough

10. War: Unnecessary and doesn't solve anything

11. Cars: I think there are too many of them

12. Gas Prices: Way too high.

13. Halloween: Eh. Take it or leave it.

14. Bon Jovi: Hell freakin yeah!!!

15. Religion: Not for me

16. MySpace: Too busy

17. Worst Fear: I have a few.

18. Marriage: Most likely

19. Fashion: Jeans and sandals

20. Brunettes: Rachel McAdams

21. redheads: Rule!!

22: Work: A good paycheck, not soul thrilling though

23: Pass the time: Reading, writing, being outside.

24. One night stands: Not for me

25. cellphones: Irritating but necessary sometimes

26: Pet Peeves: Stupid people (no common sense people).

27: Pixie Stixx: Wayy too much sugar

28: Vanilla Ice Cream: Sure, a little soupy please

29: Porta Potties: Ugh. I'd rather hold it for a few hours.

30: High school: So very insecure

31: Pajamas: Purr. Comfy.

32. Wood: ?

33. Surfers: Totally righteous duude

34. Pictures: Love taking pics

35. First True Love: Sweet

did it!

First week done -- we ran/walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday, just like we planned. Even when we didn't want to (this morning). Even when we weren't feeling good (Tim this morning, me on Wednesday). But we did it and this week will probably be the hardest, just because we hadn't done it in such a long time.

I feel great. I certainly feel more awake on the mornings we go to the track. I know it will help me feel better physically, and it will help me lose some weight, which is always good.

I'm proud of us.

what a difference!

I went to a chiropractor for the first time yesterday, since my neck and shoulders were still sore, and I was still having a hard time sleeping. One of the first things he did was to have me stand in front of a mirror and he put a finger on each of my clavicles, and there was a good inch or two difference.

He did some cracking of my neck, shoulder, breast bone and back. It didn't really hurt, but the noise made it sound like it did.

Last night I was able to sleep without pain, get up or change positions without pain. And today I have almost full motion again. It's nice to not wake up in pain.

butterflies and snowboarders

We went up to Mt. Hood for the first time yesterday, and it was really cool, even if the hiking wasn't exactly what we wanted.

It is a lot different than going to mountains back east. We were driving up through big green mountains and foothills and then you turn the corner and MOUNTAIN! Snow covered, bigger than everything around, impresssive.

When we pulled into the parking lot at the lodge, we were surprised to see tons of people with skis and snowboards gearing up. Yup, there is skiing on the fourth of july out here. We had brought jackets and such thinking it was going to be a lot cooler up there, and NOPE. It was high 70s easily and just tons of sun, no shade.

We ended up walking up a trail right up by one of the ski slopes, it was weird to see people skiing in shorts lol. The trail we walked on wasn't at all what we wanted, no trees, didn't really go anywhere, no fields of wildflowers, but it was still pretty cool.

We left there and we were going to go hiking down at the bottom of the mountain, but you need day passes to park at any of the trail heads, so we just headed home (and promptly fell asleep with the pup). But we know what we need to now. There are tons of trails around the base of the mountain, and they are only about an hour away from us. Next time we are going to get a daypass and hike out to Mirror Lake.

It was a neat way to spend the fourth.

cool!

A faerie festival, featuring Brian Froud. HUUUUUUGE vendor section. Potential for lots of hippy earthy 'fairy' people, but I think it will be really cool. Yay!!

http://faerieworlds.com/index.html

did my first run/walk today

Didn't push it, didn't try to do too much or go too fast, and my legs felt good, no pain. I am taking a very different approach to running this time. I'm not going to think about mileage. I'm not going to try to train for anything, I don't even want to think about running a certain amount of time. I want to do this three days a week and gradually build up how much I can run. I am going to be ok with running a lap, walking a lap. Because every time I've tried to be running a certain distance, thinking oh I have to do blah blah miles per week to be a runner, I've gotten hurt or injured. So I'm going to go a lot slower and just enjoy feeling better, because I feel really good right now.

m-w-f

Tim and I are both unhappy with the way we look and feel, and even though I've been doing total gym pretty regularly and now doing my workout tape pretty regularly, it's not enough.

Since Myra wakes us up early anyways, we are both planning to get up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and go to the track and run or run/walk. For me, it is the only way I will really lose weight, and when Tim was running before, weight was just melting off him.

This is when it is the hardest, taking the first step to start and making it part of a routine. But once it is part of our routine, it becomes a lot easier. So the next few weeks I am going to have to keep looking back at this and remembering to just get up and go to the track on those three days. If we do it for a month, it will become habit.

shopping trip!

Since yesterday was pretty much a wasted day because of my neck pain, we decided to go shopping this afternoon when my neck felt better.

Went to DSW and I got four new pairs of shoes, teva sandals that I will wear all summer, cute black and brown sandals I will wear to work, and these really cute purple flower ones that I only bought because they were 70% off and only paid about $20 for them.

Then we went to REI, and I bought a pair of hiking boots. I only have my trail running shoes, which don't provide enough traction to really go hiking, and they don't provide any ankle support, which I need when I am hiking. Since we want to go to Mt. Hood on Tuesday, and since I want to start hiking on Sundays when Myra is in daycare, I needed a pair of boots for that.

I haven't gone on a shopping trip in a while, other than just small stuff. Tim's been the one shopping for stuff, his guitar, camera, stuff for his guitar, etc. It was fun to buy stuff for me :)

ouchers

Woke up Saturday with such bad neck pain, I could barely figure out how to get out of bed. I managed to sit on the couch and was just crying because it hurt so much, I could barely move. Kept trying to go to sleep but it hurt to lay down. Tim was so great through all of it, I felt so bad because he was so frustrated he couldn't help me.

Today was better. I had more range of motion although I woke up with my neck and right shoulder at a weird angle and I couldn't make them go right for a while because it hurt too much. I later had to take a nap sitting up on the couch because it hurt to lie down still.

By tonight, I was mostly normal, pretty much had most of my range of motion back. I'm guessing I pulled some muscles exercising then made it a lot worse by jerking awake from the stupid fireworks people were firing off behind the house on Friday night.