the end of the story.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this space over the past few years and the connections it has brought into my life.
But for now, I think it's time to say goodbye.
It has served its purpose.
I have nothing left to say.
It's the end of the story.
Thank you to those who have visited and left comments.
You are near and dear to my heart.
Perhaps someday the story might continue in a different time and place.
Thank you.
A

lately...

Autumn is here. It's my favorite season. I anxiously begin anticipating it's arrival about the end of July when I'm just tired of the long, sunny, hot days. And let me tell you, we got a really great long and hot summer here in the Pacific Northwest this year. But yes, I was ready for fall and cool days and sweater weather and shorter days way back in July.

It's funny. Now that I think about it the only change I really love and eagerly anticipate is the change of seasons. If I had to rank the seasons I look forward to most - autumn, winter, spring and lastly, summer. But I really do look forward to them all. I get tired of the hot sunny days in the summer, and the rain and cold in the winter, and spring - well, I don't seem to tire of spring.

Today is the second day of fall quarter at Clark College. I signed-up for one, two credit online only class. Times have changed, I know, but I'm really not so sure about this online learning thing. I am certain there are benefits to it (I don't have to find a sitter and drive all the way into downtown Vancouver for class, I can do my work whenever I please and in my PJs...) But I went to college in the early mid 90s. We sat in class. We tried like hell to stay awake in early morning classes. We ran into friends on campus. We met new friends in new classes. And we actually got to interact and learn from one another, not just a textbook and a professor. Does that make me sound old?...Maybe I am old. Forty and going to college...

And on this second day of the quarter I'm already questioning whether I really should be taking a class. I'm the queen bee of second guessing. Will I be able to do the work? (Yes. Yes you will, Andrea.) Do I want to do the work? (Umm...today - no, not really. This week - no, not really.) I guess lazy has gotten the best of me as of late. That's what being home and not working or going to school for almost seven years will do to you. But I have three assignments due by Sunday...

I've been in a photography slump. Again. What's new, right?... But an idea came to me today. A little project for October. I'll tell you more about it soon enough. ;)

Our hardwood floors are installed!! yahoo!! Eric and a friend of his from work worked their butts off and got it done in just three weekends. We have some work to do on the trim now, but the floors are in! And that nasty, gross carpet. GONE. We are using scraps of it as area rugs for now - don't want to scratch those new floors. The floor is defintely colder than the carpet! And we've had a few good laughs watching Sammy negotiate the new floors when she gets all excited when dad gets home. She's a slip-sliding mess. But it's funny.

Have you heard this song by Avicii?... Kinda catchy, I think.

Oh and this one. I love The Barenaked Ladies. Glad to hear them on the radio again!

I suppose that's all for now. Enjoy the week, friends!

a.

a moment in the sun.

We are in the long process of installing our own hardwood floors.
Well, let me say Eric and a friend of his from work are in the long process. But they are both engineers, so best leave it to the pros, right?...
Anyway, I've dreamed of new hardwoods for years now. Years. And they are finally here in boxes all over the house. Strand bamboo. A lovely shade that's not too dark and not too light. Just perfect.
We've been in this house ten years now. The white carpet hasn't been "white" for years...after eight years of Maggie, and almost two years of Sammy, and the pets the previous owners had, and two messy adults and one messy child... No, the carpets are a lovely shade of dirty now.
And let me tell you - it's glorious to see it go. I can almost hear the choirs singing...
Sammy is pretty happy about this new flooring as well.
She gave it a good "test drive" yesterday when the sun was streaming in the front door windows, and that new hardwood flooring got nice and toasty...
I think she's just as pleased with it as the rest of us.
And I think you'll be seeing plenty more photos of Sammy and Max in the sun. :)

slice of life: newport, oregon.

just a photo-dump few snapshots of our Labor Day weekend

in Newport, Oregon with some really great friends.

the weather was amazing...

our friends who did most of the cooking are amazing cooks!...

the kids had a blast...

Sammy was just plain worn-out...

it was a good end to the summer.

* * *

newport: a preview

more to come once I figure out this beach/shooting into the sun/hazy skies editing thing...

first day of first grade.

He had a good day.
And that's all this mom was hoping for, really.
He didn't really want his picture taken but I told him he wouldn't get to play with my ipad if he didn't let me take a few pics. That seemed to work, but the fake "cheese" smile is evident.
Notice those two missing upper teeth. :)
We still have the issue of actually eating the lunch he brings to school to work on, but I think he'll figure that one out fairly quickly. ;)
I remember holding him as a baby and toddler and thinking I that "all day, everyday" school days were SO far away...and they'd never get here soon enough for this exhausted mom who day-dreamed of a reprieve from the non-stopness that is motherhood. But now here they are...
And just like that I'm back to days alone with the dog and no job - just like when I left work and went on bedrest five weeks before having Maxwell.
Different dog, but we'll keep each other company just the same.
I'm just happy this dude above is back in school and getting to see his friends on a regular basis.
And unlike last year, this mom did not shed a tear.
He's a happy kiddo - no need for tears.