oregon is in the news...again

i don't know if you've noticed or paid attention, but lately oregon has been mentioned on the national news: whether it be weather-related (november was the wettest month on record here - ever) or tragedy-related (california family lost in the oregon wilderness or climbers lost on mount hood)...which has led my girlie to wonder aloud, ever-so-subtlely, "remind me again -- why did we move to portland?" and "are these events signs from the universe that maybe we weren't supposed to land in oregon?" of course, she's saying things we're both thinking - i'm just not as vocal as she. instead of focusing on the negative, though, it has caused us to reflect upon the positive.

in a narcissistic, self-centered way, we wonder if hearing something about oregon mentioned in the news causes you, our beloved family and friends, to think about us...not in a worried kind of way, but more of a "hmmm, oregon is in the news again -- wonder how lucky and minnesota are doing...."

as i said, it's quite narcissistic, yes, but, to turn the tables a bit, any time i hear anything about georgia, i immediately think of lucky's family and i smile. likewise, anytime i hear anything about minnesota, i immediately think of my family and i smile. wisconsin? my mind shifts to dear friends. similarly, when indiana is mentioned, other dear friends are remembered. you get the idea, yes?

certainly, that's not to negate or minimize the tragedies that have recently occurred in our new home state. our hearts go out to their loved ones. it's just that i try to find little reminders of love throughout my daily existence, regardless of their origin. call me crazy....

yes, we still do love it here, by the way. at times, our patience has been tested, like when it's been raining for the fifteenth straight day or when we've driven around our neighborhood for what seems like an eternity looking for a parking spot...any parking spot. but portland is a beautiful city in a beautiful state, and we're so lucky to live here.

in fact, ohmygosh, we've seen some of the most BEAUTIFUL sunrises since moving to p-town!!! below you'll see a couple of pictures of those spectacular sights, which of course, don't quite do the actual sunrise justice...but you get the idea.

so with that, i'll close. thanks for reading, thanks for thinking of us, and thanks for your love and support. as always sending love and hugs across the miles.

oh, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!





our homemade decorations :) cute, huh??