Living

     We've now been in the Vancouver/Portland area for nine months.  In that time we've eaten some amazing food, seen some unbelievable sights, and grown closer as a family.  I finally have a job, Avery turned 13, and my husband was gone for a month.  It never fails to make me wonder that we know as much about this place as those who've lived here their entire lives.  Why is that?  The only answer I can come up with is because we choose to live where we reside.

     I suppose moving every few years has the advantage of forcing you to soak in the surroundings that most "natives" take for granted.  They'll have time to go whale watching at the coast because they live here.  But how many people take the time?  Instead of rambling about the amazing and wonderful things we've done I thought it'd be easier to make a list.  I'm offering a service to those who are, have been or hope to be in this area.  Obviously this is limited as we've only been here a short time.  But stop and think about the places and sights to discover that surround you...are you taking advantage?  Are you living and not just merely doing the routine?

Food:
1. Voodoo Doughnuts-iconic Portland and Food Network famous
2. Salt and Straw-gormet ice cream like strawberry with balsamic vinegar, jam, and black pepper
3. Pok Pok-Thai food...the most delicious chicken wings I've ever eaten
4. Kenny and Zukes-a Jewish deli where you can order cheesy pastrami fries and have pickled cow tongue on a sandwich (quite tasty)
5. Big-Ass Sandwiches-one of the hundreds of food carts to choose from;  the name says it all
6. Pine State Biscuits-be prepared to wait 45 minutes to an hour but OH SO WORTH IT!  Can you say all things yummy and decadent on scratch made biscuits?
7. Pie Spot-food cart turned brick and mortar that serves pie holes...yummy
8. Por Que No-be prepared to stand in line for the best Mexican in town
9. Pacific Oyster-it's a fishery that has a restaurant; located north of Tillamook along the coast
10. Vinnie's Pizza-family owned by an awesome young couple.  They use his grandpa's sauce recipe and make dough every day.  One of our standbys
11. The Brickhouse-tater tots and beer...'nuf said

Outdoor/Recreation:
1. Mt. Hood-breathtaking and beautiful from afar and even more gorgeous once you're there.  Take the time to visit the Timberline Lodge.  The outside shots are in The Shining.
2. Mt. St. Helens-we can see this from afar on clear days.  Hiking here is a bit treacherous as there is rubble everywhere from the eruption.
3. Multnomah Falls-hike all the way to the top to see the falls but keep going it gets better
4. Eagle Creek/ the Punch Bowl/Tunnel Falls- an easy 2 mile hike to cool your body in the frigid water.  Just take the plunge from 8 ft. above the water for the quick shock to the system.  Continue on for 5 more miles to reach a water fall that you can walk behind; about 13 miles round trip
5. Mt. Hamilton-nearly 2300 ft to the top; what a view
6. Astoria-home of the Goonies house and some very boisterous sea lions

7. Cannon Beach-home of Haystack rock of Goonies fame; wait until low tide to see the creatures in the tide pool
8. Surfing-The Pacific is cold which is why you wear a wet suit!
9. Rock climbing/bouldering-we climb at an indoor gym in downtown Vancouver and are working towards climbing outside this summer
10. Farmer's Market-we can ride or walk here every Saturday or Sunday for our weekly supply of fresh fruits and veggies.
11. Biking-we live near a boardwalk and only a mile from downtown.  Portland is one of the bike friendliest cities in America
12. Stand Up Paddleboarding-we had free lessons on Vancouver lake.  From our vantage point we could see Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens
13. Sturgeon and salmon fishing

14. Mt. Defiance-a training hike for summiting Mt. Hood; we only made it 2 hours in because we were soaked and Avery and I were whining.
15. Forest Park-only 15 minutes from downtown Portland; a great place to take the dogs
16. Bagby Hot Springs-only a mile hike to soak in giant tubs of hot spring water that you must temper with freezing cold water; so relaxing
17. Hood River-a cute little town located on the Columbia River.  This is the birthplace of kiteboarding and will usually see kiteboarders honing their skills.  Be sure to visit the tasting room of the Naked Winery!
18. Seaside Beach-we took surfing lessons here and searched for sand dollars; it's a bit like the Gatlinburg of the PNW
19. Ape Caves-located at Mt. St. Helens; we hiked through a lava tube.  Very cool but bring your warm clothes as it's only 40 degrees and a good source of light; it's pitch black!
20.  Portland Zoo-a nice zoo especially because we hit it on a day when prices were reduced
21. Ecola State Park-the last week of the year is whale watching time and you can hike from Cannon Beach to Seaside beach.  We saw whales and made it 4 miles in before succumbing to light and mud.
22. Museum of Art-the last Friday of the month is free and every three months or so there are free family days with activities.  We attended The Body Beautiful and learned about Greek art and made Icarus wings, mythical monsters, and Greek pottery.



     I'm sure there is more to add that I'm not thinking of but this is just a sampling.  It's amazing what you can accomplish in one weekend when you plan to have fun and be together.  Don't overschedule your kids or yourself; enjoy the people you chose and the place you're planted.

Lesson of a Life on the Move

     I consider myself a spiritual person.  I believe that God has a plan for my life and that all of the experiences over the past 14 years are to make me into the person I'm intended to be.  This move, however, has been by the far the most rewarding and frustrating.  I'm ready already to find out what the plan is!  Not many people take the time to make sense of the decisions you make, the people you meet, or where you happen to lay your head.  That's all I've done in seven moves over  the 14 years I've been married to "the military."
     I always knew Indiana was not the place I wanted to spend my life.  So fortunately I met my husband and he quickly proceeded to move me 14 hours away to Fayetteville, NC home of Ft. Bragg.  What a change for a small town girl from Indiana!  I remember very clearly walking on post for the first time and just staring, without trying to be obvious, at all of the people in uniform.  I'd never seen so much camo in my life!  Of course over time I grew accustomed to living in a military town and actually grew to enjoy the benefits of living close to post: commissary (grocery), PX (Walmart), and all the free activities.
     Ft. Bragg turned out to be the place where KC and I learned to be a married couple.  That may sound odd to say but many newlyweds never have that chance.  We were far away from family and friends and therefore we had nowhere to run if something went awry.  We learned to depend on each other, communicate openly and honestly, and always place the other's need first.  Ft. Bragg is also the place we learned to be parents.  We had Avery and all of our family was hundreds of miles away.  We learned to share the parenting responsibility.  We didn't leave Avery with a sitter until she was nearly two.  That's not exclusively because we were overprotective; we didn't know anyone well enough.  I'm not saying any of this was easy; it most definitely wasn't.  We were in debt to our eyeballs and barely making ends meet.  We learned to be frugal, to prioritize, and to spend time together without spending money.
     Knoxville, TN is the place we learned to just be still and let God do his thing.   This is where we found our wonderful church and second family.  Knoxville is the place where my kidney disease ultimately acquired a name and where I was given a second chance at life thanks to my unbelievable husband!  Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to live there again but I truly miss my "family" and the connections we made.  It's hard as a military spouse to constantly change.  Friends, jobs, doctors, hairdressers the list is endless.  This is the first place I was willing to open myself to friendship other than those I'd left in Indiana.  I finally learned that making new friends didn't mean forgetting my oldest ones.  Avery made one of her dearest "boyfriends" and plans are in the works for an arranged wedding:)  Whenever we go to Knoxville it's like going home.
     Living in Kentucky was quite an experience and I miss it everyday.  Kentucky taught me what it meant to be a mommy, a wife, and a woman without feeling guilty that they weren't intertwined.  I was able to take time for myself and hang out with my awesome group of girls and do things for myself.  I'd forgotten over the past 10 years to take time for me and it was refreshing and beneficial for my entire family.  We lived in a great neighborhood, the kind you see in sappy movies, with great neighbors.  I learned to relax, enjoy the moment, and the people who were in my life.  I got to experience one of my secret wishes which was hosting a house full of kids!  It sounds corny but I always wanted to be "THAT" mom: open door policy, snacks on the counter, and doors slamming.  I learned that being only three hours from your family was a perfect distance and was able to enjoy many events I'd missed out on previously.  As a family we learned that saving has its benefits as we were able to take trips to Colorado and Disney.
     Now here I sit in Vancouver, WA and I can't help but wonder what I'm supposed to learn.  What is the plan for this place?  I already know it's for me to become healthy and enjoy the benefits of fitness.  I believe that this place is supposed to make us appreciate each other and the beauty around us.  There is no way someone can come here and not awe at the natural beauty.  I, however, can't help but feel a bit lost.  I'm unemployed and having a difficult time even getting an interview.  I don't know who I'm supposed to be or what I'm supposed to do if I'm not working.  So I guess for now I'll just do what I've been doing: exercising, errands, cooking, cleaning, parenting, and spousing.  I know there is a personal lesson to learn I just may not be ready to learn it.
   

Surf's Up!

     This past weekend we splurged and took surfing lessons as a family.  Whew!  I had no idea how physically demanding this sport could be.  Needless to say, I am not your "hang loose" surfer girl.  My daughter, however, has some potential:)
     First of all, if you've never worn a wet suit that is an experience in itself.  I imagine it's how food feels when being shrink wrapped.  It took my husband and me both pulling and tugging to get the sucker on.  Once on I had to commence to put on gloves, booties, and a hood: the only part of the getup that didn't constrict my body to a size 4.  This effort was merely at the surf shop to "fit" my suit.  I then had to struggle to get out of the suit.  Peeling it off, with the help of Avery, proved to be much easier.  Once at the beach the process began again this time without the privacy of a dressing room.  Avery and I opted to change next to the car; Avery wearing a black bikini and myself in leopard panties and a black sports bra!  I'm sure I got lots of stares but who cares, let 'em look;)
     Once I was sealed in my suit we had to lug our boards to the beach.  We had an educational lesson from our instructor on the Recipe for the Perfect Wave.  Quite interesting information.  After that wrapped up we practiced skills on the board.  I was killing it; paddling quick to get ahead of the wave, sitting in my "whoa Nelly" position, covering my head after falling, and popping up into my surfer girl stance.  I was confident about my ability to transfer my skills to the water, so we picked up our boards and headed to the ocean!
     Let me begin by saying that I have been in the ocean before.  I've played in the surf and been hammered by waves.  None of my previous experience prepared me for tackling the surf and waves while trying to control a surf board.  Luckily the board was attached to my leg so I didn't have to chase it.  Anyway, I paddled out the instructor, "up dogged" over some waves, and assumed the "whoa Nelly" position.  I'll explain: sit toward the back of your board, hang on to the side (rails), and ride out the waves.  It's a way to stay out in the water while waiting to catch the perfect wave.
     Well,  the first wave hit and I flipped sideways and ended up completely under the water.   Little did I know this was a precursor of what was to come.  A good wave came and my instructor had me assume the take off position.  I paddled ahead of the wave, felt the wave take my board into a glide and knew it was time to pop up.  Unfortunately my pop up ended up being a fall off the side.  I continued to try and "catch" a wave but ended up prematurely in the water each time.  I managed to stay on my board for approximately .7 seconds which I consider a success.  In comparison to Avery's successfully riding two separate waves my effort was pitiful.  I don't know what it is about my daughter, be it her youth, her athleticism, or her fearlessness, it seems that she's good at whatever endeavor she tries.  She made her daddy and I look like hack tennis players.   I spent more time off my board than on it.  I pretty sure my sinuses are clear for the next month.

     After two hours of playing in the water and attempting to surf our lesson was over.  I was told taking off the wet suit once it served its purpose would be more difficult than getting into it but I had my doubts.  I am a believer!  That sucker was attached to my skin like a stuck jar lid.  We peeled off our suits, showered, dressed, and bit adieu to the beach.
      I can honestly say that I will probably never surf again.  I'm glad I had to opportunity to try and will always cherish the memory of surfing with my husband and daughter.  There's nothing quite like trying new things as a family.  If you want to find a way to bring something exciting in your weekend and bring your family closer try something new together.  Laughing, failing, cheering each other on, and succeeding are priceless and much more valuable than things.

The Power of Positive

     You know the old saying "The power of positive thinking."  I have found this to be incredibly true on my journey to become healthy.  I have also chosen to live by the verse "This is the the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it."  Combining these two into my philosophy for living has given me a new vigor for living.
     As I'm not working yet I begin every day with some form of physical activity.  I've recently become quite attached to a Jillian Michael's yoga video.  I love yoga because it is low impact with high intensity.  I sweat as much doing this as I do running.  I have found the important thing with exercise is that 1) I must enjoy what I'm doing and 2) I don't put pressure on myself to be a badass.  I understand my limits and try to surprise myself with each work out.  For example, Monday I exercised for 45 minutes and went 4.48 miles.  Of that distance I ran approximately 2.5 miles!  That's pretty kick ass for me!  I was so proud of myself.  It's important to be happy with your progress and celebrate your accomplishments no matter how small.
     Too many times we as women forget to celebrate what makes us fantastic.  We can carry another human in our bodies, we have kicking curves worthy of song, and we can bring a man to his knees with a simple look.  Women play so many different roles that few people realize how difficult it can be to wear so many hats.  Think about the woman who works and has a family; it's not easy, I do it.   So why are we so tough on ourselves?  When did it become ok to dis ourselves and try and live up to an unrealistic ideal?  Since when did a size 0 become the norm?
     I for one am standing up against these contrived Hollywood images of "perfection."  Perfection is a myth...unattainable and unrealistic.  I refuse to believe that I'm not beautiful or sexy just because I'm not a size 4.  I'm a size 12.  I'm not unhealthy or disgusting to look at or unhappy with myself.  It's time for American women to take pride in themselves and work hard to feel good about themselves.  Sweat every day whether it's on a walk, in the gym, in your living room, or in your bedroom!  It's incredible what sweating and being active does for your confidence.  Eat the foods you love but eat them in moderation.  Don't starve yourself.  Food is energy and meant to be enjoyed.  Lastly, look at yourself in the mirror and celebrate your success.  Don't measure yourself on a scale...numbers mean nothing but fit means everything.
     Try this beginning tomorrow: Say one positive thing about yourself every day and that will turn into something phenomenal. You'll find confidence you didn't know you had and change your outlook on your life.  It's done wonders for me!  I'm sexy and I know it:)

Favorite

     Admittedly I toss this word around frequently.  I have favorite shoes, a favorite flavor of frozen yogurt, and favorite work out pants.  It drives my husband crazy that I have numerous favorites or "loves" especially when it comes to music.  Music is one of those things that I find  hard to  nail down just one song as my favorite.  I mean come on, that would be like choosing your favorite jewelry or color of nail polish.  Mood dictates favorite and for that reason I have concocted the follow list of my favorites songs.

1. Favorite Zumba song: "Apple Bottom Jeans" by T-Pain because I like the part of the dance where I get to smack my booty!
2. Favorite Feel Good Song: "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats because it is a ridiculous song with a great beat and it makes me smile.  I also remember the video and think the actual safety dance is hysterical!
3. Favorite Song for harmonizing with a friend: "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young.  Are you kidding me?  Just listen to it!!!  Kelle Gibbs and two empty bottle of wine...nothing better:)
4. Favorite best friend song: "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin.  My bestie Audrey and I would go see a band (Real Eyes) and they did an amazing cover of this song!  Takes me right back to my 20's in the Bluebird when I hear this one.
5. Favorite song to turn loud and sing at the top of your lungs while in your car: "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down.  I love the beat to this song and the fact that it's fast.  And who doesn't love Superman?
6. Favorite song to sing when playing Sing Star: "Just Like a Pill" by Pink.  It's just a kick ass song and I love to try and mimic her energy.
7. Favorite song I'm embarrassed to admit I love: "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. My cousins and I used to sing this all the time when we were kids.  I can remember giving "concerts" for our parents.  Admit it...it's a great song!
8. Favorite slow song: "Sea of Love" by Robert Plant and the Honeydrippers.  My hubby and I danced to this at our wedding.  It's not too emotional/sappy with great lyrics.  The video is awful but that doesn't count.
9. Favorite song which could be loosely based on a poem: "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure.  First of all this is an amazing song.  I've loved it since I first heard it in high school.  Second of all, I can't prove this, but I believe this song to be based on Edgar Allen Poe's poem "Annabel Lee."  The lyrics and the poem are strikingly similar.  "In this kingdom by the sea...killing and chilling my Annabel Lee...In her tomb by the sounding sea."  Quite similar to the heroine of the song?  I don't know Robert Smith...am I right?
10. Favorite song to dance to when I play Just Dance 3: "Hit me Baby One More Time" by Brittany Spears. If you haven't played this version of JD then you need to.  There are few things as fun in this world than dancing to that song with three of your best buddies!  Right Shauna, Leslie, and Katherine?!
11. Favorite song that reminds me of my brother Jason: "Runnin' Down a Dream" by Tom Petty.  I came home one night to find my brother had thrown a party.  Anyway, when the guitar part plays "Yeah runnin' down a dream (da na na na na na) that never would come to me (da na na na na na)" Jas was playing the guitar on his thigh with such enthusiasm it's ingrained in my memory forever!

     I could probably continue on but don't want to cause boredom.  I've listed enough to get my point across.  I'm not the same person I was in my 20's or my 30's but that doesn't mean those memories still aren't precious.   I love that I can hear a song and go back to a place I haven't visited in a while or think of someone I haven't thought of recently.  I'm not sure about some of the tunes playing today which is why most of mine are from the 80's...I was a Junior in college before I realized "Little Red Corvette" wasn't about a car!  Anyway, I love music and will continue to throw around the word favorite.   It's about having a catalogue of memories and experiences.  Songs are my own little time warp!

When I Grow Up...

     Beginning in elementary school, kids all over the world begin deciding what they want to be when they grow up.  It's fun to play dress up when you're a kid and "pretend."  My brother and I used to pretend we were business people and walk around with a "briefcase" and we'd play school on the last day of school.  As I sit on the verge of 40 I wonder why we have to choose just one job.  Wouldn't we all be much happier if we got to try different careers every so often?  I believe in one true love but I don't necessarily believe in one perfect job.
     I was one of those kids who never knew what she wanted to be when I got older.  Even as I prepared for college and thought about a future career I couldn't decide.  I knew what I liked to do and was good at but could I make that into a career?  I knew I wanted to major in English but what to do with a degree in English?  Law school?  Education?  Graduate school?  So, I did what any moderately motivated college student would do...I went the path of least resistance: Education.   I was too burned out after four years of studying and partying to continue on with grad school, so on May 5, 1996 I received my degree in English Education.
     I find myself in an awkward and unfamiliar situation:  not being an English teacher for the 2012-2013 school year.  The thing is I don't find myself all that sad about it.  I'm excited about the prospect of  starting a job that doesn't have to do with punctuation, children, bells, grading papers, parents, I could go on.   The only issue seems to be what do I want to do?  I made a list that included what I don't want to do but that hasn't exactly helped me narrow it down to a job.  I feel like I'm back Sophomore year in college when I had to declare a major....FREAKED OUT!   Luckily I have a husband who always has a plan and who is supportive of any decision I make.  So I've come up with a plan.
     Fitness.  I've been looking to get my foot in the door at a gym so I can work toward becoming a fitness instructor.  My hook is that I don't look like your average fitness guru: I'm 5'1", 169 lbs.  I work out everyday and love it!  I figure I can share that enthusiasm and be a motivation for other women who, like me, feel insecure about their bodies.  I want to share my newfound excitement for being fit and how it has helped my self-esteem and self-confidence.  I know I have a job as a substitue teacher so I can make money while I work toward my next job.  Maybe figuring out what you want to be when you grow up should be a wish list instead.
   

A Change to Tradition

     I used to dread those words as it also meant a return to the classroom and an end the careless days of summer, long nights in the cul-de-sac, and sleeping in.  This year, however, has been quite the change at Casa de Honaker.  For the first time in 14 years I will not be returning to a classroom; I live in a condo near a park instead of a cul-de-sac, and it's August and Avery is still home.  Schools in this area start after Labor Day which means we have three more weeks of fun, sleeping late, and living a life of leisure.  Today we embarked on the yearly tradition of back to school shopping for clothes.  I normally dread this day as it means big bucks and a potential for contentious attitude from my near teen daughter.    This day proved to be quite a refreshing break from the expected.

     I remember the days of back to school shopping with my mom and Jason.  We had a tradition.  Every year we would head out early, relatively for those of you who know my mom:), to Indianapolis where we would lunch at Benihana and shop at Castleton Mall until we literally couldn't stand.  There is no denying that Jason and I were much spoiled as my mother is, and probably always will be, a shopaholic!  I don't recall her ever saying "no" to many of our requests no matter how ridiculous.  I hate to guess the financial damage at the end of the day!  At the time our yearly back to school shopping day was an expected tradition and I know I never truly appreciated that time until it ended.  I realize now it wasn't just a day to buy, buy, buy but a way for us to spend time together as a family.  It was always just the three of us on those trips, and it's a tradition I've carried on with Avery.

       Our back to school shopping day has taken on a decidedly different approach.  I enjoy spending money on my daughter but I also want her to realize the value of a dollar.  A very wise friend of mine clued me in to the method she used for teaching her teenage daughter just that lesson.  Rather than me pulling out the debit card for every purchase I give Avery all the cash I would spend on clothing during our trip.  I've found that this way she's beginning to understand how much clothing costs and that she has to decide what she really wants.  For example, last school year she was convinced she wanted a pair of Sperrys.  The cost was $75!  After much deep thought and math she didn't buy the shoes because she wouldn't have much money left; she'd only be able to buy a few items of clothes.   Lesson learned.  (On that same note she came back from Spring Break at Nana's with two pair of Sperrys; I guess that's what Nana's are for!)  She also has discovered shopping at Plato's Closet (a consignment store).  She has no interest, at this point, in name brands is just happy to find clothes and create outfits.  I truly hope her attitude doesn't change.  She's going to be the new kid in the halls and wants to make a good first impression.  Thanks to Plato's Closet and her savvy consumer skills she'll be able to do just that.

     Final total on today's shopping trip:  Plato's Closet $93.22 (2 pair of jeans, 2 skirts, a jean jacket, a sweater, tank top, and a belt), lunch at Subway...$15.18.  Not too bad!