In other news

In other news next Friday will be my first day volunteering with the Oregon Environmental Council. One of the things I hoped to do by going part-time was gaining first hand experience in environmental health. Over the past year I have found that environmental health is the direction I want my career to go in. I applied for a handful of jobs in the area but with no direct environmental experience and the job market being so competitive I didn't stand a chance. Best way to get my hands dirty in environmental health is to volunteer. I will start with 4hrs a week and add time if needed or desired. The Oregon Environmental Council has three main focuses, stop global warming, healthy kids, and clean water. I will be working on the healthy kids campaign that wishes to make the environment safer for kids. They work with childcare, schools, parents, health professionals and the legislators to bring about change. I am nervous, I don't want to disappoint them and I want to be useful. I am excited to be involved with OEC they have been around for 40 years. If you would like to learn more about OEC and what they do please visit www.oeconlie.org

Congratulations Corey!

If you remember three months ago in October Corey was studying hard for his Professional Engineer exam. It was an 8hr test that only 60% of 1st timers past. He got his letter in the mail yesterday and it came with his PE card. He is now officially a professional engineer and is able to sign off on blue prints. I am so proud of him and think it is a true test of how talented and dedicated he is. Congrats Corey!!!!

Melvin the Meany Head

Today I caught part of an educational program on house cats on OBP and Melvin had a melt down. I think he thought we were bringing in another cat for him. He jumped off my lap when he heard the tv cats crying and got up close to the tv. When the cat went off the screen he looked under the tv stand and around the corner. Even after the show was over he was still glued to the tv waiting for the cat to come back. The program mentioned that cats are territorial but I think we already knew that. The score at our house is other animals 0 and Melvin 2, poor Blake (greyhound) and Margo (cat my parents took).

Happy New Year!

As you can tell, I haven't figured out totally the picture posting part of this blog. Anyways Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a good time bringing in the new year with friends and loved ones. I always feel stressed about new years mostly about trying to figure out what to do. This year Corey and I took it upon ourselves to organize something. We booked a package at the Mcmenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. It was our Christmas present to each other. We have decided against Christmas gifts for one another instead a fun trip or tickets or special event. The package included one night stay, dinner and breakfast, three drink tickets, a bottle sparkling wine, champagne toast and attending the live performance of Big Mama and her boys. We were joined by Alan and Rhea (Corey's old roommate from college and bestman) and Natalie and John (friends we meet through Heidi and Tyler). Alan and Rhea also invited two other couples. I believe everyone had a good time. There were a few bumps in the evening, including poor musical taste by the bartender, disagreement on the new smoking band and a shower issue to name a few. We ended our stay with a quick dip in the soaking pool before heading back home to our new year resolutions. Mine are to be more physically active (don't want to be the "traditional" house wife) and to find a career direction that I am happy with. I don't know why I make them, I never stick to them see last years resolution 1. to remember and send birthday cards. Happy Belated Birthday everyone :) Happy New year and good luck with those resolutions!

Christmas Time

As mentioned previously, we spent Christmas in Jefferson. Christmas eve we spent at my aunt Janet and uncle Jim's house in Jefferson. It has almost become a new tradition to eat with the Lee cousins and Grandma Lee on Christmas eve. This year, Karen and Steve Lee-Dunlap were missing in action having come up from California during Thanksgiving. None the less, we caught up with the anti-social Jeff and secured an invite to the infamous Jimmy Fest 2009. What is Jimmy Fest you ask, having yet to go to one myself, I can only tell you the stories I have heard. My cousin Jimmy on his farm roasts a whole pig, has live music, a bon-fire, beer and games going on into the wee hours of a September Saturday. Last year he gave out T-shirts! Looking forward to getting to see it all for myself next year. My aunt Janet Lee cooked a fabulous meal and we stocked up on our jams for the year. If you haven't ever tasted Janet Lee's homemade jam you are missing out. After dinner and dessert we traveled to Corvallis to open gifts with my parents. Bailey was already fast asleep by then; luckily she opened our gift earlier. We gave her a variety of musical instruments to annoy her parents with. Corey and I both got spoiled by my parents, we were drowning in wrapping paper by the end. I was sad our stocking presents were not actually in our stockings. I am a stickler for tradition, just as my dad and his sherbet and fruit fiascoes of the past years. Ending Christmas eve night back in Jefferson with the McManus family. We must of been really good this year because we opened more presents there. Another new tradition for me at least is the McManus/Goin Christmas day breakfast and white elephant gift exchange. This year the popular items were a tailgating barbecue, tackle box and a box knife. Other surprising items a Stud Calendar, and a box filled with used gift cards, wrapping paper and oranges. Next year baby items are going to be a big hit since the McManus/Goin family will be adding 4 new babies in 2009 (no Corey and I are not one of them). The day after Christmas was spent in Corvallis with my dad and his family. More presents again but the big hit was of course Miss. Bailey. She is just to adorable. We didn't get to chat much with my Chickie Grandma, Dick or auntie Pam but hopefully 2009 brings more time with them. And what Christmas isn't complete without after Christmas shopping. I added two new pairs of knee high boots to my wardrobe. Blame Heidi for leaving me cute dresses and my sister Lauren for telling me "This is as good as it gets, enjoy it" (referring to my insecurity about my knees thanks to Hunter Dugget from High School). We left to picture taking up to others and therefore have no pictures to share except of us getting our tree. This year Melvin seemed more interested in the tree and the ornaments. I have a feeling some ornaments may go missing.

Arctic Blast 2008!

I think about writing often and updating on what Corey and I are doing but thinking doesn't actually accomplish much. Sorry for those who read our blog that we have been slacking. You are in for a real treat today, 3 new posts! We survived the Arctic blast of 2008 with no damage to our house, car or ourselves. I started working part-time the first week of the snow and really got to relax and enjoy it. Saturday and Sunday of first week Corey and I baked cookies and English Toffee for our neighbors and took walks in the snow. Monday I got to bake cookies and stew with Heidi. She is our friend who moved to England over Christmas. I was really lucky to have her staying so close and be part-time before she left. Wednesday I walked over 4 miles in the snow to deliver Christmas presents to foster kids in our area. My mom and I each year drawl names of kids to buy gifts for. We needed to turn in the presents by Thursday and I didn't want to chance driving. I felt like Santa almost. By Friday the snow was melted and I finished up last minute Christmas shopping. On Sunday another 6inches of snow fell. We walked over to Heidi and Kelly's place and learned a new game. Personally, I felt Heidi was making up rules. Monday I drove to Tigard with chains on for work only to discover the county didn't plow the parking lot or shovel the walk way. 4hrs later I left without seeing any clients and went home. Tuesday night we helped Heidi and Lucy pack for England and said our good byes. Christmas eve we left for Jefferson and when we returned most of the snow was gone. Some of you might shoot me for saying this but I wouldn't mind having a touch of snow every year to play in. One down side of all the snow is I am almost back to full time for January to make up for all the days we missed. Our clients didn't show but we had to and now need to fit them back into an already tight schedule. Forgot one thing, the icicle pictured Corey actually tried to save by putting it in our deep freezer. Sadly, it broke during the moving process.

Thanksgiving

Corey and I are stuffed with turkey. The weekend before Thanksgiving we spent with Corey's family. Saturday was Kinsey and Mikes baby shower (Corey's sister). It was my first couples shower and really enjoyed the different baby shower games. Ready to copy them for the next one I throw. On the way down to Salem we stopped to see my Uncle Bill and Aunt Janet. It was the first time at their new house. Their house was very pretty and loved the kitchen. We all watched the exciting OSU vs. Arizona game. I was pacing at the end. Sunday we went to his aunts house for a big family Thanksgiving. We all just fit next year might be harder as there will be three new babies in attendance(Corey's sister and two cousins). On Thanksgiving we brought appetizers over to my moms house. We wanted to play games but we were all to stuffed after dinner and desserts. As you can see Bailey already loves the phone and Corey is already a bad influence on her (he calls her Irish cream after Baileys the drink). My dad and Karen came over to see Bailey. I am glad my family is able to spend time together. Back to work for me on Friday while Corey went to Fred Meyer for new socks. Saturday night we drove to Vancouver to see my dad and Karen. We taught them how to play Run, Run, Set, Set or if your a Brock/McIlroy Shanghai Rummy. Karen went all out with tons of food and a yummy smoked Turkey. After dinner we were suppose to watch the OSU Beavers cream U of O but the Beavers forgot to show up. Okay we still get to go to a bowl game. Ending our Thanksgiving feast with Navy bean and Turkey soup and a bike ride on Sunday. Hope everyone else had a good Thanksgiving.
What I am Thankful for Corey he is an amazing person, friend and husband. I can't image someone else getting me so well. My family especially my cutie pie niece Bailey. Having a job and being lucky enough to go part-time for awhile. My health, happiness and future.