March 2008 - Posts
I have the very bad habit of living somewhere and not taking advantage of all the area has to offer and, before I know it, I've moved elsewhere! I promised myself that would not happen during my time in Eugene so here I go!
The sun peeked out for awhile this afternoon and so it was time to use this cute little book I picked up the first week I moved into town:
I strapped on my walking shoes and headed out to the starting point of the Emerald Hill walk. Check out the cute little map that highlights the best sights to see. This one was chosen because it was a shorter one to help ease my body into movement after being cooped up all winter. We did, though, take the longer version!
This was built in 1925 and used to be a Eugene social hot spot. It's still quite gorgey:
Spring is here!
Finding some sights of our own. Cute little wooden doggy:
And we just loved the tire swing we found. Here's Roger giving it a whirl:
Next stop: the oldest cemetery in Eugene:
Learned about the founders of my new home. First, the city's namesake, Eugene Skinner:
And the first lady of Eugene:
I just loved looking at all the old headstones. The artist in me is wondering where I can get my hands on some chalk and paper here:
And without us even knowing, the cemetery mausoleum, Hope Abbey, was actually open for viewing. A cute little old woman named Violet let us know a bit about its history. The building itself was beautiful:
And near the end of the walk we passed by a small replica of Stonehedge:
Being out in the sun for a few hours was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I had a smile on my face the entire time and love that I've begun seeing all the sights of my new city!
I ventured on my first little road trip last weekend and headed to Portland to meet up with friends I hadn't seen in way too long. Friday night was snacks, drinks and fun convo with my friend, Karen who I hadn't seen in nearly 2 years since she left the big city of Kanab, Utah. It was nice to snuggle with her furkids that night.
After leaving Karen's, I made my way to Robin, Phil, and Cassie's digs. It had also been close to 2 years since I'd seen them and we had a lot of catching up to do! Food, chatting, chocolate, more food, more chatting and wine was how Saturday was spent. Not a bad day, eh?
Sunday began lazily. I slept in and it was great! Cassie was expecting her Sunday walk and so she patiently waited:
I'm trying to do Cassie a favor and hurry Robin up off the phone by snapping photos:
Okay, here we go! Ready for the cold!
Since it was raining, we hit some spots in town I wanted to visit. Cassie was a sport and waited patiently in the car as we headed into Portland's very own vegan grocery store, Food Fight!
Then next door to Herbivore where they had cute clothes, books, wallets and all things vegan!
I was in awe:
And Philip showed off his new, very vegan belt. Oh the good influence I was!
We finished off the vegan festivities at Sweet Pea where the all you can eat vegan breakfast buffet was just ending! But the sweet treats were plentiful:
So although I missed the buffet, I certainly didn't mind the chai tea, sesame bagel with chipotle cream cheese and the blueberry muffin (that was for sharing!):
Until next time...
I’m in debt. Yep, I said
it. I’m in debt. What does this make me? Normal.
Most people have picked up
debt from one thing or another through the years. Some from years of education.
Some from unexpected medical procedures. Some from that purple sweater that was
on sale and was simply a “must have”. Whatever the reason, most of us are in it
– deep. My debt is of the “I’m divorced and here’s my share of all we had” variety.
Sadly, that’s what we had most of when it was all said and done.
So, I’m normal. I know this
and I’m finally facing just how normal I am. I am also in a place in my life
where I no longer want to be normal. I’m ready to be weird and that includes
getting out of the financial pit I helped dig over the past several years. I
know the exact moment and what the exact item was that I first charged that
didn’t get paid in full at the end of the month. I remember that item, which
was actually a sweatshirt I bought for my brother as a birthday present and is
probably a long time gone at this point. (Does anyone wear Guess? clothes anymore
anyway?) I was in college and bought into the myth that being in debt was just
a way of life so I may as well just have what I want and have it now. And let
me tell you, I wanted a lot and I sure got it and didn’t think twice about
it.
But I’m finally tired of
making those monthly payments. I’m finally tired of those ridiculous finance
charges. I’m finally ready to get weird and get out of debt. I’ve thought about
getting out of this situation before but now, especially now that I’m on my
own, I’m not just thinking, I’m doing. Those half-hearted Suze Orman drenched
attempts are behind me and I’m finally making some headway. I’ve got a small
shovel but things are changing in me and around me. I just know that shovel is
going to get bigger.
I’m performing a Total Money
Makeover (www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com) on myself. It’s not for the weak. It’s not for those who whine. It’s
not for who I used to be. But here I am and I know where I want to be and that,
my friends, is debt free.
Certainly you will hear more about his from me in the months to come because this will not be an easy endeavor. But I've recently learned that if you really want something bad enough, you work for it, and you work hard.
This was my best girlfriend ever:
And while I normally have a lot to say, I can't find any in this moment. She will be missed more than I can express in words. Charlotte, I love you.
Charlotte Mae Ross (March 1991 - March 2008)
Yesterday was a busy day. Yesterday was an exhausting day. Damn, yesterday was just a GOOD day!
To start my morning, the day of days when I celebrate one year of being vegan, Roger gave me the best Veganniversary present possible:
They were perfect little chocolate cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese icing. Can you say Mmmmmmmmmm? Why would anyone eat anything else when they could have 100% vegan, 100% organic, and 100% DELISH? Divine Cupcake just opened up here in Eugene and I'm certain I'll be ordering from them often. There were a dozen of them. Who would want roses when they could have chocolate??
This was the perfect food to give me energy for moving into my new place on a little piece of heaven just outside of town. (Pictures coming soon!)
After moving in, I had a yummy lunch of saucy shells and Tofurky Italian Sausage. So good! Then came a bit of thrifting about town. I love the thrift stores here; they aren't like the ones I'm used to where you have to dig and hunt for something nice because everything is nice! I am amazed at how professionally everything is laid out and looks like a department store. Why I'd ever shop retail again I don't know because thrifts have it all. I was on my way to Target to buy a new can opener but found a perfectly good one at the thrift for $1.50! I believe I've found another addiction.
Since the day was mainly about food, as it should be really, Roger and I headed to Cosmic Pizza to meet our friend, Meg. We wait:
And now we wait for our foods. I was starving! Roger loves his root beer:
And Meg is happy to take a break from school work:
The foods arrived! Before us sat three yummy pizzas: tomato and spinach, tempeh and mushroom, and my favorite, mushroom and capers! I washed mine down with a yummy New Belgium wheat beer, Mothership Wit.
Ooooo and dinner music. Apparently it as George Harrison's birthday so they had a bunch of tribute bands. We were dining to the melodies of his spiritual years:
Stuffed and happy!
