Long Lost Friend

Though I have neglected writing in my blog, I have not forgotten it. That's the sad part. I've had things to write, pictures to post, stories to tell. And yet, with all the time passed, I've forgotten so much of what I wanted to write.

Winter is here again. I love it. Oregon is amazing. I'm hoping for some snow soon. I know last year was an unusual fluke of the amount of snow fall in Eugene, but I wouldn't mind just a little.

Christmas is just around the corner. Next week, in fact. I still don't know how I'm celebrating. Or even if I'm celebrating. I am excited about making my first Christmas sugar cookies!!

Winnie was recently diagnosed with a hypothyroid problem. She is now taking medication and is doing amazing. There were so many side effects that I had no clue could even be caused by one thing! Since taking her meds, she has not had any more seizures, her hair has grown back, and she is playful again! It's like I got my dog back. All from a simple little, inexpensive pill and a great and thorough vet to figure it out!

I've met an amazing man. Jason Brady. Good guy. Good friend. Total nerd. <3

dress #4

i realize that my blogs lately have revolved around sewing...but then again, so has my life. ;)
here is the fourth dress i made. I made it to wear to Ali's 22nd birthday party, and i did. =)

sew what

my passion for sewing has grown. i've made one shirt, three dresses, a shrug jacket, and last night started a fourth dress. i'm really having fun. i am eager to get back to the ironing board and sewing machine. there is so much pride in wearing something you created yourself. i was even complimented on a dress i made and wore to church on sunday. =) the hardest part of it all is deciding what fabric i want to use to make what dresses! ;)

Oregon

I love Oregon. What more do I need to say, really?

blue dress

so, this whole sewing thing is actually pretty fun. yesterday, i went to Joanna Fabric store after church. i was delighted to find that they are having a HUGE sale. i bought a few pieces of material, thread, and such. i went home and spent 5 hours making a dress. i don't know when i bought the pattern. seems like i've had it forever. but i finally used it. and i'm quite pleased with the result. i think i found myself a new pass time. ;)

Purple Shirt

I recently bought a piece of just over a yard of purple material for 25 cents at a garage sale. I initially bought it with the intention of practicing my sewing. As the material sat around my apartment for two weeks, I began to imagine what I might make out of it instead of just using it for practice. I wrapped the cotton around myself, draped it over my body, picturing ideas of what I wanted to create. A dress? A skirt? A shirt? Yes, a shirt. I decided on a top and went to work. No pattern. No real experience. Just me, scissors, pins, and my sewing machine. I had no idea if it would work. I thought it might be quite the disaster, but I wanted to give it a try anyway. I’m glad I did. In just over three hours, I had a cute little purple halter top! Designed by me. Sewn by me. Created by me. It felt so good to finish. Such a sweet sense of accomplishment. And I felt a great surge of creativity bursting out of me. What a wonderful feeling. I’m so proud. I pictured it in my mind and created it with my hands. I’m eager to try more and see what other things I can create. =)

One Whole Year

Well, I can hardly believe it, but it’s been an entire year since I moved to Oregon! The past is so vivid in my mind; it doesn’t feel like a year ago. Twelve months in Oregon. One year in Eugene. Sometimes it still feels surreal.
It always surprises me how much can happen and change in a year. Circumstances that brought me here are not what keep me here. A different happiness drives me now. But I suppose the most important part is that I’m still happy. Oh and I AM!
I’ve never enjoyed any other place as much as I enjoy Eugene. Mind you, I haven’t lived in too many places, but this is still my favorite so far. And living alone with my dog has proven to be my best living situation yet.
Watching the seasons change for the first time in my life was more magical than I have words for. I only hope this next year will awe me as much as the last. I hope to never lose the joy I found in the beauty of this place. I’ve never appreciated or cared for nature the way Oregon has lead me to. I’ve never looked at the world with as much wonder as I have this past year. I hope to keep the pleasure I felt as I watched creation change, grow, and bloom.
I don’t know where life may lead me in the future. And by the advice of a friend I admire, I won’t worry too much about what lies ahead so as not to stifle the divine plans laid out for me. I’m taking life in shorter increments and enjoying every day.

dress up doll

What girl doesn’t like to dress up? To feel pretty? To prance around in a dress with hair, make-up, and nails done? Well, I didn’t.
I’ve always been a simple girl. A “plain Jane.” Almost homely. I’ve never been one to take a long time to get ready. Rarely even brush my hair (it lays nicely without). Hardly ever wear makeup; basically only on special occasions. Never wear dresses, ever. Part lazy, never wanting to take the time. Part overly secure, feeling so comfortable in my own skin, never feeling the need to dress it up. Partly insecure, feeling I couldn’t pull of a more put-together appearance.
I have recently had a change of heart. I never envied the SoCal girls with their fake orange tans, long bleach blonde hair, miniskirts, clear plastic spike heels, and caked on make-up faces. I do, however, admire the classy woman with her well groomed appearance, elegant walk, and cute pair of shoes!
In all my years of not wearing make up, fixing my hair, or wearing dresses, I seem to have lost a feminine quality. I look at the women I admire and I realize that I don’t carry myself the same way. I lack the poise they exude. They have a radiance which I do not shine.
I’ve always made the excuse that I’m comfortable. Comfortable in jeans. Comfortable without makeup. Comfortable being me. And while that is all very true, I failed to acknowledge the possibility that I can be my comfortable self in a dress, made up, with a proud stature. I can still be myself in heels. I don’t have to lose my personality when I change my clothes.
While I know I will not live my life in the polar extreme of fashion from where I stand now, I do plan to incorporate more feminine attributes into my appearance.

Stronger than strong

Can you imagine burying your child the day before Mother's Day?

Today, just one day before Mother's Day, a family from my sister's church buried their six year old son who died last week after a battle with leg cancer.

Last Sunday, a few days after the boy's passing, their pastor preached on Heaven. I cried through the entire sermon. Today after the memorial service, my sister and I shared stories about the little boy. I cried through that too.

I didn't know the boy. I knew of him. I saw him at the church on my visits. But I didn't not have any type of relationship with him or his family. And yet, I cry.

I cry because it is sad. The situation is sad. The death is sad. These are the moments we question God's plans.

I cry, as do others. But his mom...I have not seen her cry. I know she must, but she is so strong in public. Instead of shedding her tears and asking to be comforted, she keeps a smile on her face and counts the blessings that have come out of the tragedy; the lives who were touched by his story. SHE is the one comforting others as they grieve their share of the loss. She is stronger than strong.

The lower part of the boys leg was removed in hopes of stopping the spread of cancer. And though he spent the remainder of his days in a wheelchair, I can't help but picture him in Heaven, laughing and running, made whole with both legs.

blog blog blog

So often I find myself enjoying moments of life and saying out loud "I need to blog about this!" and yet...time goes by with no new blogs. And after this time passes, I've forgotten what was so great that I felt the need to document the moment. So very sad.

uh! ...boys

I officially got my first message on myspace from some random guy hitting on me since I changed my status to "single." Even with a profile set to "private," there are still plenty of pests. I was really hoping those days were gone and out of my life. I'm so over it.

breaking up is hard to do

David and I broke up.

It was the most respectful, kind, and loving breakup you could ever ask for. It was mutual and mature. Though we are both sad things didn't work out, we understand why.

After the initial decision was made and finally said out loud, we talked and cried together for a couple of hours. We said only nice things and thanked each other for what we had together. We recognize that even though we make each other happy in the now, we have different plans for the future. Plans which can not work together.

I am thankful for having him in my life for the past couple years. I am sad our romantic relationship had to end, but I am grateful for how it ended.

I have a lot of feelings of sadness to work through, but fortunately, I am not suffering with feelings of anger, pain, resentment, hate, or other such emotions which often come along with many breakups.

Also, I am glad I have such a wonderful, supportive, and loving family to help me cope with my loss. I also have a great network of friends who are offering their help as well. Thank you to all of you. I love you.

good morning to you

There is something so sweet about going to work in the morning. Being greeted by little preschoolers running up to me yelling "Miss Amy!" before wrapping their arms around me with a big strong hug creates such a great feeling.

self esteem

typically speaking...

changing the way i look doesn't boost my self esteem.
boosting my high self esteem changes the way i look.
;)

won't you be my neighbor?

I learned today that my next door neighbor is moving out tomorrow. (This is a good thing.)
However, I should be careful what I wish for. These neighbors have been less than perfect. They've been awful, actually. But I suppose, neighbors do come worse.

Even though I know it might be a while until someone moves in (there are a lot of damages that need to be repaired in the apartment due to the teenage couple's many physical fights). Plus, renting is low with the failing economy.

However, when someone does move in, I'm hoping it's a single female in her mid-twenties who enjoys playing board games, watching musicals, and owns a cat who loves playing with small dogs. But I don't want to be too particular. ;)

not so novel

Eventually, I want to be a stay-at-home mom and run my own in-home child care center.

This is a goal for the far future. I don't even have a husband, much less kids. And I rent an apartment...so no home, no in-home child care.

With our economy failing and more and more people out of work, the idea of staying home with the kids and making money from watching other peoples children in your home is no longer a novel idea.

Craigslist is flooded with postings from moms offering to watch your kids from her home. it's all the rage. though, if everyone is being laid off and staying home with their kids, there aren't many children left needing care.

This is the dilemma we are facing at my work. No jobs, no need for childcare. Our enrollment is low. This is the same for just about every other preschool around. My class is small and I look forward to having more children in my class. However, until people can go back to work and need someone else to take care of the kids, I don't have much hope in getting a full roster.

blame the dog

My dog, Winnie, and I are spending the weekend in Salem with my sister and her family. I love my niece and nephew! They are so cute. And two-year-old Kayla is so very smart. The more time I spend around the kids her age at my work, the more obvious it is that she is quite advanced. And I love bragging about her.

Anyway...
Yesterday, Makayla filled her diaper with a, uh...gift. And boy did this gift smell! I walked in the room and said, "Someone smells stinky!" And Makayla replied, "Winnie pooped! Winnie's stinky!" Haha. That little booger tried to blame it on my dog!

Assistant TO THE Director

As you may know, I recently started a new job as a preschool teacher. I LOVE IT. Seriously, it's great.

Though I interviewed for a teacher position, I was offered (and I accepted) to also be hired as the center's Assistant Director.

My sister, Valerie, recently asked me about my work as the Assistant Director. I started to explain my position when she interrupted with, "Wait, are you the Assistant Director? Or the Assistant to the Director?" Haha. Who doesn't love a good "The Office" reference? ....That's what she said.

Basically I am being trained on the duties of the director so that I can serve as her substitute for when she is out or on vacation. It's difficult to be trained right now since we just opened a little over a month ago, and there is still so much to be worked out before there will be smooth sailing, or smoother at least. I am in the classroom all day with the kids (since I am the ONLY preschool teacher until our enrollment increases). So, that doesn't leave much time to be sitting with the director, learning all her wonderful ways of running the place. But I'm picking up a few things here and there.

So I guess right now I'm more like the Assistant to the Director. But one of these days I'll know enough to truly feel like the Assistant Director. ;)

Cookies

I have recently discovered a passion I have for baking cookies. It all started because of my friend Kim; she loves to bake. After sitting in on a couple of her baking projects, I ventured out to make a cookie batch of my own. I found recipies online, on flour packages, butter boxes, and I also asked my mom for hers.

My first cookies were oatmeal rasin. I'm not a big fan of oatmeal cookies, but my dad had left a box of oatmeal from when he visited, and I most definitely do not like to eat oatmeal. I decided to put it to good use. The cookies turned out great! They were a big hit at work.

I then went on to make chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I started buying better bakeware and more baking accessories. I was making investments in my cookie adventures.

I asked my mom to send me the cookie recipie she uses for the sugar cookies I so fondly remember from my childhood. I tweaked the recipie a little, but I still tell people it's the recipie my mom used when I was little.

I made sugar cookies for the superbowl, shaped like little footballs and frosted in the colors of the teams playing. It was my first batch of sugar cookies. I was discovering how thick or thin to roll the dough and how smooth to make the frosting. I still made it too runny and it dripped down the sides of the cookies.

For Valentine's Day, I made six batches of sugar cookies! I cut out 5 different sized hearts, made 5 different colored frostings, used 4 types of sprinkles, and delivered 9 plates of cookies to friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Also, I made thicker than usual cookies and slightly runnyer frosting so that the kids in my class could enjoy decorating cookies as a class project this past week! It was so fun. The kids loved it, I was proud of it, and we all enjoyed eating the cookies!

I think I really got this sugar cookie thing down now. I have mastered the frosting to make it smooth on top without running off the edges. But I still need to work on my decorating frosting. You know, the kind you squeeze out to draw designs. Guess I'll just have to make more cookies!

I really enjoy the whole process of baking cookies. I especially like eating them. But you know what, I LOVE giving them to people! Cookies make people happy. And it's fun to show off my edible art. I get to be creative with sugar cookie decorating. It's passion you can taste!

Death and Taxes

I started my taxes as soon as I got my W2 forms. I was disappointed by the smaller than expected federal refund (though thankful I didn't owe), frustrated to find out California isn't paying out its returns (because they are broke!), and mad that I owe so much to Oregon (though it's less than what I saved this year in would-be sales tax).

After all was said and done, I will get back (less what I owe), about enough for one month's car payment. Look on the bright side, Amy...at least you don't owe money on all three returns!

Sisterly Love

My two sisters who live in California are coming up later this week to stay with my sister who lives in Oregon, like me. =) They are coming to meet baby Daniel, our nephew (Valerie's son).

Since I now have weekends off, I will be spending this one with all of my three sisters, my niece, and my two nephews!

This will be my sister Becky's first time in Oregon ever. Both of my California sisters are packing to bundle up! With daily weather in the 40's and 50's, they're going to need those extra layers of clothes.

I remember how shocked I was when I visited last November and found myself out in 47 degree weather. I didn't think it was possible to ever get used to. But I surprised myself after moving here. I adjusted quite quickly, actually. Now I will get to tease my bundled up sisters as my Oregon sister teased me last year.

It will be so nice to have us all together. I love my sisters.

Meet Miss Amy

I started my new job as a preschool teacher. It is amazing.

There is no doubt about it, it is hard work. But, at the end of my work days, I've felt good. Tired, but happy. We are, of course, still adjusting. It is a new center and we are working out the kinks. But things are still running fairly smoothly, and I can tell they will only get better.

Once the center starts growing and I get more students, we'll have to hire an aide which will be a big help. I'm looking forward to everything that lays ahead.

I'm already enjoying the 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday schedule. =)

Health Insurance

I'm searching for the right health insurance. Ugh! I knew this would be a difficult process, but I had no idea it would be this obnoxious! There are so many variables: deductibles, office visit copay, prescription copay, coinsurance, annual out of pocket limit, lifetime maximum, optional coverage (vision and dental). And no two plans are identical!

Insurance is a strange thing to begin with. I mean, I'm trying to pick how much money I want to give to someone, while hoping the money is wasted. Basically. My dad called it "betting against myself." I'm placing bets hoping to lose! Paying money for services I hope to never need. All the while trying to keep my deductible low enough to manage if something does happen. Weird concept.

Anyway, after literately looking for weeks, I think I found the plan for me! Medical, dental, and vision. Good, trustworthy name company. Lots of doctors. Manageable payments (I hope).

With fingers crossed and prayers said...here we go!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Sunday is for church. I'm going to church with some friends tomorrow morning. It's been a while. But I'm glad I'll have friends with me. =)

Farewell old friend

Today was my last day at Starbucks. Nothing special happened. It was just another day. Only, this time I turned in my keys. I'm so glad to be done with that chapter in my life, but it hasn't fully sunken in yet.

I know I'm going to love not waking up at 3:30am for work. I'll be free to go to movies in the evening. I'll have weekends off every week! (Can we say lots of trips to Salem?) Oh, and I can paint my fingernails!