Thoughts

The Commute

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So I am still looking for that perfect place to put down roots. I am planning on renting right now and in the future buying after I have had plenty of time to stake out ideal areas and the best price. In the meantime, I haven’t stumbled upon what I really want even for renting. It is okay except for the HORRIFIC COMMUTE.

On a good commute I can make it to my office in 1 hour. On a typical commute, 1 1/2 hours. On a bad commute 2 1/2 hours ++

SHOOT ME NOW!!!

I have to be up by 4:15 every morning and on a night like last night–I got home at 8. I actually quit my last job in the hopes of having some more “me” time only to now find that I am developing a very deep and personal relationship with my car. Don’t get me wrong, I love my car but I didn’t want to be married to it.

So I have decided to share my top 5 views along my commute. If you have a commute what beautiful thing do you get to look at?

  1. Mt. Hood 
  2. Columbia River 
  3. Willamette River 
  4. Downtown Portland 
  5. Fort Vancouver 

 

What It is That I Like

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Hello on the flip-side!!

I have officially made it to my new home (actually what I mean, is that I am living in the area of where I would like to start looking for a new home). So I have a dilemma . . . I have moved to the beautiful Northwest and now I need to find a home but I am having trouble with that.

For instance: do I want to live in Oregon or Washington? I have a list of pros and cons on both sides. Heaven help me figure this one out. 🙂 But my other problem is reconciling what I want with what is available (and I do mean literally and monetarily). Does everyone know how much this sucks?

So for my five favorites this week; here is my top five items on my list let’s see if any of you have the savviness of figuring this one out for me!! 🙂 (BTW–the cheaper the better)

  1. I would love to live on the beach in a setting like this one however I am 1.5-2 hours away from it so that commute into work wouldn’t work.
  1. I want an older home or at least a home with character that also has up to date plumbing, electricity, foundation, etc like this one.

  2.  I would like a small home but large enough to house all of my holiday decor including Halloween like this one. (Halloween Village anyone?) 🙂

  3. I want a house that is in the “country” but only a few miles outside of the city like this one. A girl has to have options!!

  4. I want a place that feels like home as soon as I walk in because I want all of my family and friends to be comfortable when they come over not to mention myself feeling cozy every time I walk through the door.

Wish me luck finding something!!!  🙂

 

Starting Fresh

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Here we are at another Friday. I am so glad because my body is achy and tired but I am also SUPER sad. If you live in one area for too long, guess what happens . . . you get attached. That’s right–you get attached. I have lived in Utah for 12 years now. That is 11 years longer then I originally thought that I would live here. All of these years later, I know that Utah was the right decision and staying here this long has been the right decision as well. I have wonderful friends, I live in a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful neighbors, I have favorite haunts I like to visit, I love all of the things to do outside, and most importantly–I love being close to my family especially the nieces and nephew. They really are the highlight to my life.  🙂

So now, that brings me to this week . . . I took a new job. I am excited for it and the new challenges that it will present. Mostly, I am just eager to have a schedule again. I get frustrated being busy but not knowing where all of my time is going during the day.

This new job means that I will be moving back to the Portland-Vancouver area. I am very excited about this since as most of you know, I love the Northwest A LOT!!! I get to be there also at my most favorite time of year: FALL. Awesome for me!! 🙂

So this brings us back to the music post for today. Enjoy my 5 picks for starting over and if you have any favorites; please share them!

  1. Rolling Stones: Start Me Up

  1. The Byrds: Turn! Turn! Turn!

  2. The Andrew Sister & Bing Crosby: Accentuate the Positive

  3. Bon Jovi: It’s My Life

  4. American Authors: Best Day of My Life

Driving the Southern Route

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We made it through another week . . . thank heavens! I am finishing up all of my efforts to acquire great outfits for my whole family for my sister’s upcoming wedding. I have learned some things along the way with number one being that you should really look at the return policies for things you order online. If it isn’t free returns or a store you can physically take it to; don’t order it unless you are sure. I spent $70 returning items yesterday and needless to say, I am a little ticked. However, if you need to order and are unsure then make sure you order up a storm from both Nordstrom and Macy. They are wonderful!!!

Now on to this particular Friday’s post on places I have been–I have decided to showcase San Diego and surrounding area. My littlest sister lives in San Diego and absolutely loves it. So she showed me a few of her favorite spots and I then showed her a few of my favorites.

What are some of your favorite hidden gems in San Diego?

 

  1. Everyone has to start their day with breakfast and Snooze is a great place to do it.

  2. Speaking of food my sister and I are always on the lookout for great sushi houses and Sushi Deli hit the spot.

  3. We spent a great day out in the water body surfing at Carlsbad  State Beach. And speaking of Carlsbad; if you have never been here you should go. It has a cute downtown area with shopping, restaurants and generally beach hanging out.

  4. We had the most peaceful time looking out at the ocean and the lights of San Diego when going out to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. There are great pictures to be had out here and a great place to grab seafood to take back home as well from Point Loma Seafood.

  5. Of course my lists could go on and on since one of my most favorite hotels in the world is in San Diego but I feel I should mention to everyone that you can’t call your trip to San Diego complete without visiting Old Town.

 

Get out there and explore everyone and have a great weekend!!