Simple things

       Not much new going on here lately. Matt, Jolley and I went up to Seattle to watch the Twins take on the Mariners. I was pleasantly surprised when Matt told me it was free Ichiro t-shirt day. Who doesn't love a free shirt? We got seats for the bleachers but ended up standing around the concourse at some bar type counter overlooking the game. It was actually pretty nice since we spent 3 hours driving up there. I was pretty excited the twins won and the weather was nice. Couldn't have asked for a better day at the ball park.
       I also applied for graduate school last week. I also have to register for 2 tests that I need to pass before I finish my 4th class. However I am a little annoyed because it is a test that people who already have their bachelors in education take to receive their license in Oregon or Washington. So that means I need to study really hard. AND the test is expensive to take.. ugh.. Oh well. I'm gonna go to the library to see if they have a study guide book or something.. I need to pass the first time I don't want to spend money retaking a test .

       Alright, on to my topic of the day.. I have spent a lot of time trying to think of a title for today, but nothing came to mind. I have however been thinking a lot about what has made me happy in my time out here in Washington and really, they are the simple things.
       It has been hard for me to be happy and positive while being out here. Here is where I go on about what makes me unhappy and frustrated: I am not working at a job I love. I don't have the co workers to make friends and my hours are long. Money is always a sore spot as I have a bachelors degree and am working as a teller.. its temporary I have to tell myself. It's also hard to hear about everything that is going on back home and I can't help or be able to join. My grandma was diagnosed with cancer and has had a few issues come up. I so want to be there for my mom (and grandma too)  I can tell she is struggling to wrap her mind around everything and me being gone, doesn't help her. I just really want to be there for them...
      I also have a lot of friends who have lots going on with new and coming babies, engagements, weddings, growing kids,  life and I want to to be able  to see them. I miss my friends. It sucks to not be able to see them. Everyone is busy and rarely gets together. But I still miss them. But then I have to take a step back and realize I have a lot of opportunities out here that I need to take advantage of an  that they don't get to be a part of it either.. Such is life.. Just gotta remember I can always call them, stalk them on facebook, send texts and emails and snail mail. I love getting mail ;)  And its great that when I come back everyone wants to get together and will!
        
               The simple things.  I've included a video of Dude and Jersey from Sunday night before we went to the dog park..  My camera work is not the best.. you need to adjust your head :)

  

They make me laugh..

            I also bought the dogs a new toy on Sunday.. It has since been demolished.

         So here goes my list:

I love seeing a Mountain everyday.

We are so close to the beach/river

The hikes out here are endless

Tax free shopping in Oregon. (only a 15 minute drive to Target)

The ocean is only a couple hours away

I love that Matt makes the dogs "talk" (or he talks for them) to me when I talk to them

Matt makes excellent dinners

Seeing and hearing the trains go by my house reminds me of being at my greatgrandmas house when I was little

I love my family of Jersey, Dude and Matt.. Rarely is there a dull moment. ( I just caught Dude digging. He was knee deep in dirt.. I should have taken a picture. He is now in time out and Jersey is playing with her toys on the stairs and making a racket)

So what I've figured out is that no matter how upset or sad I get, there are things out here that make me happy. I shouldn't dwell on what I can't do, it should be what I can do and have done..  

On a good end note, Matt and I will be home in less than 30 days! AND we have his mom and step dad coming in 10 days!  Can't wait for a mini vacation  

 

Seattle part 2

After work Friday, I drove up to Seattle to meet Matt and the Hawleys.
We had a few cocktails in the room with Katie and Scotty and walked down to a bar to meet Matts friend from Observer training a Tanner.

Saturday it was raining off and on the whole day. and we had a jam packed schedule. Kyle loves deals and getting the most for your buck, so we purchased a Go Seattle Carad for 45$ for 1 day. With the Go Seattle pass you can choose from about 45 different things to do and do as many as you can in 8 hours. So we started out with the Science Fiction Museum and the Experience Music Project. They had ET, Donitello from Teenage Mutan Ninja Turtles, Jimmy Hendrix memorabilia etc. It was pretty cool. We walked down to Elliot Bay and took an 1 1/2 cruise along the bay and puget sound. The highlight of the tour was either watching people whip out because it was so wet and slippery or when the blue angels flew over our boat...It was actually pretty cool to see the city from the water. I still am looking forward to going on a Duck tour next time we head up there.

After our boat tour, I think my jeans had soaked up water half way to my knees. I need to purchase a rain jacket and rain gear that doesnt make me look like a freak.

After the cruise, we went to K1 racing. And raced some go karts. It was a lot of fun and I am glad I didnt crash racing with 5 other guys! Go Kaylee!

After racing we headed back down to the bay to take a water taxi to dinner...

We saw the Seattle sky line  at night from the other side of the bay which was pretty sweet. We took a lot of photos.

After dinner we walked to the Space Needed to see the city from above. The view at night was 100% better than what we would have seen during the day with the clouds and  rain.  The needle made me feel a little like I had sea legs since it was movin a little bit.. scary, but an experience!

Sunday we ended up doing  a tour of the USS KIDD flight IIA Guided Missile Destroyer. I have no idea what that means, but it was holding a lot of powerful weapons.. like torepdo tubes, guns, and a vertical launching system... We didnt get to see the "personal" stuff of the ship, but we got to see the cafeteria which was pretty interesting. And when we were entering our tour we actually saw the Commanding Officer in his civilian clothing heading out for the day.. And of course Matt and Kyle had to make a sea man joke... they are very mature..

I can't remember what else we did. We walked a ton and saw a lot and definitally got our moneys worth.
I have today off and I am feeling kinda sick.. Like hungry throw up sick, but I ate and threw up.. We were gonna take a hike and I was gonna do laundry, but thats gonna wait for a while.. Happy Monday!

Oregon Coast

Our trip started out with a few road bumps, but overall it was a nice relaxing weekend.

Our friend Jolley was supposed to go with us with his dog Jones. However, Jones got really sick during the week and they had to cancel. (Jones is doing better btw). So Matt and I packed up 3 totes, a cooler, some bags, and the dogs and headed to Coyote Rock RV and Marina. I was pleasantly surprised. The people were really friendly. I liked our campsite. It was in the shade so our tent didn't heat up to 100 degrees by 6 am! I always hated that about camping.

We were supposed to go  whale watching Saturday afternoon. But, they called us and had to cancel due to high winds and waves. The closer we got to the coast, the cloudier anss windider it got... Not what I had imagined.

We ended up driving down 101. We made a few stops along the way to get out and take pictures and see the ocean. It was sooo windy. We stopped at Beverly Beach State Park which had a beach and we let the dogs run wild  as we walked the beach. The wind wasnt so bad, and it started to clear up so that was a  plus. Dude mistook ocean water for lake water and was uprised by the taste. Other than that, the dogs loved it and behaved pretty well.

We also went to Yaquina Head? Or something like that. It has the largest lighthouse on the Oregon coast I think.. We also got to see the tide pools there. They were amazing! We saw starfish, anemones,  some vegitation and other stuff I cant think of right now. AND harbor seals! They were hanging out in a huge group on a rock. It was crazy how many there were. We saw a lot of them take a dip too. We also saw a dead one on the beach. It was higher up on the rocks and had a orange cone infront of it. Not sure how it got there. .But that puppy was huge!


We also went to the devils punch bowl where you can look down into this bowl looking rock type thing. It was empty due to low tide, and I think during high tide, it actually fills up.


After seeing the tide pools, we drove through Newport, which is a very touristy spot and we did our part, by purchasing some salt water taffy and popcorn..mmm

We got back to the campground and make a cocktail. We walked don to the marina and played a game of ladder ball. They also had treehouses where you can stay too, but they were booked. How cool would it be to say you stayed in a tree house?

Anyways.. We sat around the fire, I had a couple chared marshellows and some 'smores and headed to bed pretty early.

We did get up at 2am because Jersey was doing the I'm gonna ralph get me outside noise.. And we failed miserably at getting the tent open in time, so there was a fresh pile of puke on our bed. What probably gave her a stomach ache were the chips and baked beans Matt had given her early.. Plus I decided to give them chewies to keep them busy while we sat around the fire. Lesson learned, nothing but food and treats for the next time. And hopefully stay on a grarss surface instead of dirt..

Sunday we ended up driving back North and did a hike along the Pacific Ocean. We walked through a rain forest, so it got pretty wet, but the views along the way were amazing. 

That pretty much sums up our trip to the Pacific Ocean. I'm hoping we get back soon and we can see some whales!

Cheese ball or Chocolate chip

As I sit down (well standing up at work) to write my blog I am full.... Full of chocolate and cheese. I wouldnt be suprised if Matt woke up next to a cheese ball or chocolate chip tomorrow morning. I'll fill (no pun intended) you in on my food intake today.  This morning I munched on dry cocoa puffs, for lunch I had a small easy sponge bob mac and cheese and some cheeto cheese puffs and a chocolate chip cookie. And as I type there is a mini nestle chocolate bar staring at me.. however I have said no. hmmm I am one healthy person :) Tonight I'll make up for it..

 

So as of lately the Hunter - Hennen household has been busy.

  Last week I had Thursday off. I went to an interview at 8am for them to tell me that they just had a recruiting thing and  won't be looking to hire again until January.. wtf glad I got to sleep in.. NOT.  That afternoon Matt, Dude, Jersey and I then headed up to Horsetail and Ponytail trail in Oregon for a hike. The hike wasnt to hard but the waterfalls were prettty cool and you got to walk behind one of them. Definitally worth doing if you come out. We also drove past the famous Maltnomah Falls. Unlike other tourist attractions like the Badlands or Mt Rushmore there was no physical activity involved to see this waterfall. You can see it from the road. With the billions of people parked and staring at the waterfall, I felt I didnt miss anything..

 

Friday night we went to BWW (suprise) and then to Smeads.  I had 3. Not 5 or 7 but 3 beers and felt unsteady on Saturday AM while getting ready for work. But nothing a Starbucks frappe and old cake donut couldnt handle. :) And yes, I am stuck working Saturdays again.  And I drink coffee sometimes. However unlike my co-workers and the rest of the State of Washington I am not a coffee snob... donut snob maybe..

 

I am going to join an indoor Saturday co-ed soccer league. I played Saturday. I havnt played in forever and was a little sore a few days following. But its fun and it did make me miss my CSS team. The people are all older than me and I am one of the better girls (doesnt say much) but it was a good feeling knowing I wasnt holding the team down. 

 

Matt also took me to play tennis. I am no Serena Williams (thank god, she is big and thick) I had fun and did alright. But towards the end I started to crumble and could tell Matt was getting frustrated to we switched to soccer. After, we walked to Los Dos Compadres for some chips and salza and fajitas mmmmmmm good.

 

On a side note, just for sharing. Last night unaware at the time, Matt and I made a compromise. He wanted Pita Pit and I wanted garlic mashed potatoes for dinner. We got Pita Pit. I wanted to go to the dogpark and Matt hates the dog park, and we went to the park... Gotta love love :)

 

We are going to the  West Coast Saturday. Camping and Whale wataching for sure. Since work has been slow I have been able to map out different tourist places and hikes and beaches. So I am so excited! 

 

An afternoon in the life of Jersey- The under-sized and over-loved dog

The sun is starting to shine through the windows, it is time to start my morning routine. Today was different though since Dad was gone, Mom let us sleep on the bed... We only jump on the bed when he is not home. I do miss him very much, but there is nothing like sleeping on that comfy fluffy bed with my momma, and brother.

Anyways 5:37 AM I  carefully crawl to lay on mom and stare at her till she opens her eyes. I give her a morning lick and am told "go lay down" I wonder what that means, so I go and find a new place to lay for a few minutes till I get bored... This continues until the morning music maker goes off.  I couldn't be happier. I move up to lay on her head and whine with joy and lick my momma's face till she's up. Finally, breakfast!

After I eat my undersized meal, I clean Dude's bowl, the area around his bowl and the area around our food bags, hoping I missed something from last nights dinner just to get an extra kernel. Today, I tried licking the carpet to get a trail to the kernels with no success. After breakfast it's time to  play with my brother. Dude is not a morning person. This leaves me napping till the door with the big water bowl opens. JOY! I love licking the lotion and water off moms legs and even get extra water from the big water bowl (she means the shower)
Mom says its time to go and I know that means a treat for me! I rush into my house and nap for what seems like hours.

After 45 minutes, mom is back and asks if I want to go to the park. Again, I whine and wiggle with excitement. The ride to the park is always long. At the park we made new friends. Eddy the red dog, and his brother and sister puggle. Eddy's human had a ball chucker. Bonus! I love to chase my brother and our friends, while they run after the ball. Somehow, I get the ball. And I always try to get Dude to chase me and he never does. I drop the ball with disappointment and Mom says. "She'll fetch it, but has some problems bringing it all the way back." After playing king of the hill with Dude,  I am exhausted and slowly make my way to the car...

Mom left us in the back yard after our walk. I found some sticks, chewed them up, chased Dude, drank water, layed next to Dude in the sun, "get the birds" as mom says, drank water, layed next to Dude in the shade, watch some ants and eat some more wood.

When we finally are let back inside mom is laying on that brown bed with the tv on. I hear her talk to someone and look at her hoping the words park, walk or car come out. They didn't and I lay next to Dude with disappointment. After my afternoon cat nap I decide momma should wake up to. I quietly crawl up on the brown bed and give her a lick. I'm told "get down" So I give her a look and wag my tail and bury my head under her chin. I hope that's what that means.  It seems to work.

Now that I woke mom up, I am exhausted and find a place to sleep next to the brown bed. But wait I just heard something. I go from Dude to mom and back. YES! It's what I thought. "wanna go in the car"  This means I get to go for a ride and on a new adventure. I don't know what it will bring, but I will whine, lick and wiggle with excitement the whole time. 

GUTS! Do you have it?

Everything you do that's out of your comfort zone takes guts... 

I got to thinking about guts at the dog park. I can for the most part, talk to anyone who crosses my path. But its also a place where I have no guts when it comes to sticking up for my dogs. There have been several times where people have pushed/hit my dog or said something about him being mean or feisty. He's not mean he loves tennis balls and the ball chucker and doesnt like dogs humpy him... (That was my defense for Dude, I play the puppy card with Josie)
Last night, Dude was meeting another dog when the dog got in Dude's zone a little to much. Dude jumped around and growled. There were no whimpers or out of the ordinary fighting/biting noises. As the lady was walking away she noticed her dogs nose was bleeding. Not like a cut on the nose. But actually blood inside the nostril. She asked her dog if he got nipped. While I waiting for the dog to reply back to her, in my head I was thinking 'lady, if Dude bit your dog, im pretty sure he would have bit back and there would have been some sort of altercation. But it was a nose bleed, not a bite bleed.' Riddle me that. Why didn't I have the guts to say to her, "Dude did not bite your dog"


Getting back to my original thought. There are times in my life where I have thoughts in my head and really wish I would  have the guts to say something. But,  I move 2,000 miles from home, that takes guts. So yes, I do have guts, in some circumstances.

The reason I thought about guts is because lately, I need them. I need the guts to make friends. When I go out I am friendly an willing to talk to anyone. Well, not anyone. I shy away from talking to the bums on the corner and the angry old people I run into.  It takes guts to try something new and on your own.
 I also need guts to stick up for myself when it comes to co-workers and the members at work. I know what I am doing, I just need to be confident and not let their petty remarks bother me. (I'll explain later). You also need guts to talk to your significant other. To share your thoughts, concerns and just your day. For the most part I have the guts to bring up any topic. However I am still scared of rejection 2 years later.  Like last night for example Matt came home from work and mentioned something about his company is looking into getting a grant to track tar balls in the gulf. Good for company/Matt= bad for Kaylee. I was open for the idea until he said 'it would suck I'd be gone for like a month at a time'. I immediatley wanted to start a conversation on how this would not be good for us.. well me actually. I  know its his job. But, I can't be here for a month alone. I didnt have the guts to say something then because he had a 16 hour day at work and I knew he wanted to sleep. But now, I wanna talk about it and he's not here. Why do I get my guts now?  And  I know nothing is set in stone or even granted with this new project  but... ughh..


But here are some examples where I do show guts. I have guts moving 2000 miles away to a city and state i've never been to. I go to lunch and shop on my own. I drive to new places not knowing where exatly I'm going. I can talk to random people at the store/work. I can tell Matt what im thinking 95% of the time. The other 5% im pretty sure he'll end up laughing at me so I save myself the embarassment and keep my thought to myself.

Alright, back to my normal blog :)

My weekend started out with my crying. Matt sent me a text saying that the secratry at work couldnt get him a hotel for Saturday. All week, I was looking forward to a mini vacation. I got in the car to come home and lost it. It was the second time that his work schedule had ruined our weekend plans. I know it's dramatic, but I couldn't help it. I think this is something I'll have to get used to when he is in season for the field work. He did offer to make it up by saying in 2 weeks I'm off and he's off and we could go anywhere for the night that I wanted. So I'm gonna do some research on some touristy places I wanna see.

About the lady from work. She is mom age and is divorced with 2 kids in their 20's. and her hair is always a mess (all of this is irrelavent really, but helps me feel better about myself.. petty, yes) She is always talking to herself. Having problems with trying to use the computer. And she's been working at LCCU for over 4 years so shes stuck in her ways. Anyways, there have been 2 occasions where I have mentioned Walgreens. Friday was my second and will be my last. I said that in Minnesota you can get souviner like items at Walgreens and asked if the same was here too. She said man you really love walgreens dont you. Um no lady I don't I was just trying to make conversation.. And before that since she always talks to herself I get half the statement or think she might have a question for me/us and may reply with a  "what" or "huh" and she commented on that too.. And something about my Minnesota accent. Now, I will never pay attention to what your saying or talk to you unless it is work related. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. I think your just jealous.

We had a slight heatwave last week with temps in the high 90's. I couldnt convince Matt to get an air conditioner so he slept with 3 fans on his side of the bed and I got the warm after air...that's love....
Nothing else new or exciting. I have an interview on Thursday and am trying to not get my hopes up. I'll let you know how it went.

Some of my friends got together yesterday. They had smores, a fire, and floated on the lake, im sure good conversation and fun.. I was so jealous and sad I was missing it. I sat in the back yard on a towel occasionally putting water on myself and had Quiznos for dinner.. The dogs were here, but they don't talk back...There is no comparison, I miss Duluth.

The neighbor is playing with a bb gun, im off to play spy  :)

Fireworks!

There was no big party, no lake, no BBQ, and no family.. but I had fireworks, my boyfriend, "our" family, a few friends and stoli vanilla. So yes, I had a good holiday weekend.
   On Saturday I was up early to work and then after work, I took a nice nap and Matt and I made dinner. We played soccer, and then went to his friends for a beer and fire.  (I did look into an adult soccer league, but have yet to hear back)

Sunday, I did laundry, read and took the dogs to the dog park so they could celebrate their independence. There was an idiot couple who had their 2 dogs and 2 chuckers and wanted to work on hand commands and training their dogs. But the Hunter - Hennen dogs made it a little hard, but come on, don't train your dogs at the dog park.  We grilled out and watched an episode of the Sopranos. After, we went to his friends house and watched the neighbors light their  fireworks off. I couldn't believe all the fireworks going on. I think they are a waste of money, however if they want to spend their money on them, I have no problem watching :) We walked down to the Bi-Mart parking lot for the Camas Washougal fireworks. We saw them as well as Troutdale Oregon's and there was a group lighting off awesome fireworks in the parking lot! I loved it.  What I didnt love was waking up this morning with a small headache and forgetting that I drank. It had been so long since I drank, I woke up and was stumped... Then I pounded water and went back to bed.

Today I had the day off. Went to Oregon for dog food, took the dogs to the park, cleaned, picked up dog poo, mowed the lawn. The vacumm feel on me while I was clenaing the stairs.. I'm an idiot. It didnt fall totally on me, my lower jaw took the grunt of it. I can't tell if its bruised because noones here to look, but its tender..  Anways, I was able to drowned out the neighbors yard sale and music this afternoon for about 2 hours and read my book outside soaking up some vitamin d. It wasn't super warm, but the clouds broke every now and then and it felt so nice.

It feels like Sunday which is great because Matt and I have plans to stay in the Dalles this weekend and Saturday will come sooner!

Alright, the bachelorett is on and Matt's gone for the next two nights, so I have to enjoy my quiet tv time while I can.... night!