It is Almost Time: The Second Time Around

so excited about starting my new job tomorrow at PSU....unpacking and cleaning my new office sounds like fun....meeting new people; working with new faculty and interlacing with new admin....PLUS learning from new students....here i come ready or not....let's make it a great day, week, year and many more....hope i can sleep tonight. nite nite

Darn Ole Cold Anyway: Oh Well

my cold symptoms are getting worse...darn it. tomorrow is my big day and I don't want to feel under the weather....l called this am and it was nice hearing her voice. just had my first inr in portland...almost late cuz i used the wrong bridge to go across the river....so that was fun. the lady was very nice and they understood my situation so they took my GALLON (not really) of blood. hope the levels are ok so i don't have to do something different with my meds...enough information...i agree. so got my groceries at the closet Safeway on Hawthorne and now i am home...can't wait to take a nap....i feel like i am starting school all over again...and in away that is what i am doing...now i need to get some new shoes, oh, i already did! nap time. kinda like the little shelton pony from yesterday...just cute...it was actually sat. more from the aquamarine. the view from the condo..my picture of the bridge and a sailboat....yummy.

I Almost Forgot

Strawberries to die for.....miniature horse (it was only one week old)....and fish markets..(I have another pix of this one)....Oregon is so rich with so many new places, people, animals, plants, fruits...etc. etc....my goodness what a place this is and I have only been here less than one month. I left Flag on June 1. I will be sharing some of my photos later when I get them downloaded from my camera. I have a new quote now: "Sometimes our only available transportation is a leap of faith"...I guess that is what I did!

Newport Beach on the Oregon Coast

I was invited to spend the weekend at Newport Beach on the coast in the middle of Oregon...a new friend invited me to go with her and what a sweet person she was to ask me to begin with and then be able to accept my complaints re my feet and then getting a cold...I felt so badly about this but I still had a wonderful time..It was beautiful and the weather was outstanding....cool, breezy, fog, clear skies, and so peaceful. Lots of rest, reading, watching the tube, looking at the beach, seeing new places like the jellyfish at the aquarium and an exhibit which had hand blown glass representing fish, plants, and you could barely tell what was real or not. New food including outstanding crab soup, crab patties, halibut (so tender), new drinks, and wine tasting....and plus went to a craft store that is going out of business so that was great fun....oh I forgot, fresh berries, art galleries...what a treat this was, thank you so very much, r. The pictures are of the bridge at Newport Beach, art deco on top of all of it! A wonderful pre work vacation plus! thanks again. Even saw a famous photographer at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. Got back to my apartment and it was over 100 degrees inside so it took a long time to get it cool so I could even stand inside. Then a big thunder storm...sorry l re not going to the movie, I know you wanted to; just could not do it tonight. So sad of course to learn about the horrible accident in Flag; prayers for all those who died and have family who were impacted.

Good Morning, Good Morning

I was awake at 4:00 am this morning...had a dream about my mom and living in Window Rock. Some friends and I were rv camping in the mountains near Window Rock and there was smoke...we left to my parents home in WR and I was telling my friends about them. I saw matching pieces to the silver set I have now; old clothes of hers; living in poor conditions; feeling like I had to leave pretty soon with my friends to be safe somewhere else. Then I got up and looked at the peaceful quiet river outside my new apartment; twinkling lights; shimmering water; leaves blowing slightly. I was grateful when I woke up that I was not in any pain. So I was running to a safe zone but needing to leave right away with my friends. Amazing considering I left Flag about three and half weeks ago now. I left on June 1 and July 1st is next Tuesday. My entire life has been about coming and going different places physically, emotionally, spiritually, geographically, socially, culturally...I can see my female Buddha sitting on my desk on her red Navajo rug in a peaceful position. Reading meditations from my UU song book...let quiet come to me and let peace come to me; it is already within me already...just listen... Char (you have come along way and everything will be just fine).

Changing My E-Mail Address: The Shock Was Not That Bad

Yes, I changed my e-mail and it has actually been pretty harmless...I guess that is why they have the word "forward"....the picture is of d and i the other day....he is just a wonderful person!!!!!!!!!!! Must say i look really relaxed. I got up feeling pretty tired due to my deciding to walk at least 10 miles in downtown Portland...I really need to learn the words MODERATION AND BALANCE. Spent the am basically walking around my carpeted apartment and cleaning....then dear L1 called and we made plans to go to the mall with h and s. I bought a new leather purse...!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a HARD BACK BOOK. Yummy...went to wf and signed some papers....I think I will use the services near the mall, like Safeway, Pier Imports...banking...bookstore...and I can take my car to get there like other people do to get around and like I used to do in Flag....I don't know what I was trying to prove that I have to WALK everywhere or it does not count!...oh well...it is my learning curve with lots of hugs and smiles form L1. Off to the beach tomorrow with a new friend. Sure hope we like each other or I will have to take a bus home if it is not fun; I am not expecting that to happen but she is a new friend....very sweet of her to ask me to go with her...I am excited about seeing the ocean...it has been a long time. I don't have a laptop computer so I will not be ON MY COMPUTER for a few days....I hope I can survive. Wish me luck.....saw some jewelry today at Macy's named "Lucky"...cute.

What A Day

I walked and walked and walked some more....oh my goodness...went to a workshop sponsored by Apple Store on ipod and itunes but now I can't get my computer at home to have any sound...help oh great one of the speakers! Have been invited to go to Newport Beach, Or with a new friend I made via UU social events...leaving Thursday am and returned on Sunday afternoon...so that will be really different...she has a place there so I will be helping her with gas and driving. Making new friends...I have to learn how to get around a bit better cuz my poor feet are hurting so much. Tender, red, swollen, and painful...help if anyone knows of some medicine to help me....beautiful weather today---sunny and warm---love my new desk at home...so professional looking and now I have lots of room....going to put my feet up and in a water bath to see if that will help...later

Lov The MAN....

L1 thanks for sharing your d with me today...we went to IKEA and I bought my desk, shelves, chair, etc....he was so patient with me...he also PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER AT MY PLACE .....I will be taking you guys out to dinner! Just swell to have spent most of the day/night with d re my stuff...it looks wonderful...so clean, polished, orderly, new, attractive...and for me! Again, give your d a big thank you hug, ok???!!!! Safe travels...see u soon. c

Hi Again..It is Monday!

After I left my office I decided to attend a UU film discussion sponsored by someone who actually lives pretty close to l,h,d...i was the newcomer...i thought we would be watching films then discussion would follow...NO. They had a potluck and then we all gathered outside in the back yard (about 30 or so)and discuss three films which we are suppose to see before we attend this discussion...so, I heard about a film called "Young At Heart" and met a new person who loved it and she invited me to see it tomorrow sometime...I went to You Tube and it looks really fun and it takes place in Northampton, Mass...so that will be familiar since that is where I got my MSW years ago...how funny...came home and watched tv for awhile; talked with c; miss her...then started to make folders for my new job....I am getting excited about it....it will be such a new adventure. So, nite nite---(I guess I have been a busy bee today..or yesterday or tonight or early morning; whatever).

My New PSU Office---Alarms Going Off

Went to UU by the streetcar and two women (who I had met earlier in the week) welcomed me and I sat with them at UU...then I walked downtown to THE MALL...somethings never change...then I decided to go to my new office start the UNPACKING OF THOUSANDS OF BOXES. (Actually not that many!). Got into the building and my new office and was happy that my new keys worked...started to look around and of course turn on my computer...not sure if this one is the one but probalbly so...anyway, basically minding my own business---or I thought...no one here. Then I heard a noise and quickly turned around...TWO PSU officers were standing at my door. Apparently, I had not turned off the social work alarm and motion indicators...so, ---they were very nice and I explained who I was and they saw all my boxes...they did ask to see my new PSU id....so...I am suppose to call them when I leave so they can turn the alarm back on...so...I was officially welcomed! It made me certainly feel safe and now I know what I am suppose to do even though I don't know how to do it... My new office has two windows, the ceiling has three holes in it with the pipes showing through...hopefully they will get this fixed before I actually start on July 1...so...I can see a tree on the left and a large multistory building off in the distance (it is round); variuos construction items on the street...see students below on the street; I am on the fourth floor. Also, I hurt my left foot pretty badly; sure hope I have not broken it by all the walking I have been doing...finding some boxes with home stuff in them...vcr...art books, bathroom rugs...ok...too much information...so, adios and back to unpacking....maybe---l1, your photos are making me home sick...for the sunny southwest...but I hear it is HOT. See you next week sometime.

Lost Again & Thank You HP for Taking Care of Me...again

Basically I spent the day trying to find stores with no luck in spite of my new gps and fancy laminated map....I was so confused..so I stopped at Safeway and asked for help (directions) and tried to follow them...I continued to be lost...oh well, the gas I was trying to save by my quick trip to get office supplies turned into a long, expensive trip without getting to the store I actually wanted....oh well...another learning experience. So finally I gave up and went to Fred Myers and got the stupid file folders! I think it is getting time for me to start my new job and spend less time in the car...I almost had a very serious accident which would have been my fault so I thank HP over and over again....it was really stupid what I did and I cannot go into it anymore....just really glad I did not hurt someone else or myself....be gentle with yourself c. (Does anyone know why I took this picture and where it is?)....good nite

Playing Again

Artistic stuff re my recent move and some cool paper....or how to really mess up some pictures--you decide. Or too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing or.....ok. time to go to bed and get some sleep. all right already I really like blue and pink.

Summer in Portland: A Wonder to Behold

I still can't believe I actually live here now....truly amazing if I do say so myself. Had a sweet lunch with d and l at a nearby restaurant; (across the street!) overlooking the RIVER. Like l said...it is like a live in a resort! and that is true. I took a short nap on my new bed this afternoon---cool breeze and kayaks in the view. Getting closer to being unpacked at home; just need to start thinking of my new office at psu...I walked way too much yesterday so I am staying close to home today....my right leg is hurting. Well, off to do something or not! Later, L1 have a wonderful time in your travels to ARIZONA and dc. A big hug to d for putting in my new shower head with instructions for the future...I actually had some "plumbers tape"--he was pretty impressed by that...so z rubbed off on me a bit plus the class I took last year on "women and home repairs". ...and don't get too wet in the river....

More Pictures from Char

More pictures from cg...

Walking and More Walking

Mainly stayed home this am then went to the Pearl district for lunch then "the hunt" for a new place that I saw a couple of weeks ago that sold furniture...well, I took the streetcar and basically was lost but eventually found it with the help of some kind person; leather chairs and more leather chairs...too much for my small apartment so the hunt continues. Spent most of the day with h yesterday and we went to t and i....she is fun person to be around. L1 made me dinner at her house then I went home. I am getting most of my stuff put away....OH my new queen size bed arrived. It is wonderful and to actually sleep in it is great too; it is very high so I have to jump to get into it...not that bad but kinda high. Just trying to figure out what kind of headboard I really want. so I have been piling up the steps that's for sure....so that will help me with sleeping better and more balance in my life re other issues I am dealing with...I mainly need a desk first then a chair...had an all day orientation at psu re my benefits on Monday...need more time to decide which is the best plan. so that is it for right now. happy trip to l with her dad in Az. a may be moving to here or up north...will be nice to have her closer. The pix are from my trip to Portland and walking around....funny

The Real Reason I Can Play Today

Gracias to L1 and H for helping me put away my stuff yesterday and the day before....h was so much fun; sometime I will download a picture of her reading a book in a big box that she unpacked for me...thanks you two wonderful people.

Nirvana with Sun (and rain sometimes)

I have been a busy bee today....Portland Farmer's Market this morning then Gay Pride this afternoon.....on a specular day, bright blue skies, Mt. Hood, and dykes. I am so close to Tom McCall Waterfront Parkway, where the majority of summer events are located...about 15 minutes walking....it is like living downtown in Flag and walking to hertiage square....what a place this is; I just hope I don't forget to go to work on July 1....

good morning portland

This is the streetcar I will be using to get to work....just up the hill to psu.....Just happy to be here! so many choices...i feel like i am in a candy store and can't decide what to do (if that has ever been a problem)...be patient it will all be wonderful; my new job is going require me to be very active and visible so this will be a change; just be patient with yourself charchar...my new Internet is so much faster---it goes! new keyboard---to help me with my hands and give me some ease...getting already for my new life at psu. used my new microwave and had a good bkfts...coffee was wonderful too. So, off to do more unpacking at home then my new office....what fun this is! I wanted a new life and now I am getting into my new life....thank you to everyone who has helped me get here...lov u all....

Getting Really Connected

yes, today is the day I had my cable/Internet installed; he even set up my computer with the help of h. it is sunny today and i can see the moon and Mt. Hood; I mainly see the base because the top is obscured by the bridge...clear blue sky; how these days will be treasured in the coming years/months. l took me shopping at target for home stuff; it was fun being with her; she is so supportive and loving...accepts me totally. my computer is set up on the wall facing the north and on my right is the east doorway out to the balcony. can see all types of activity from this view point. little kids playing in the pond with gold fish; walking dogs; aroma of steak from a restaurant downstairs; lots of people out for a walk. I walked 9453 steps yesterday so my feet are really hurting today; i need to take care of my feet because I will be doing a lot of walking here; the positive side effect is that i slept really good last night until 8:00 am....h helped my unpack today and we got all the drawers lined with fancy paper; she was a big help then l joined us later and we went to her house for some late afternoon treats (cheese, crackers, apple and lemonade); i would generally agree i live in a paradise outside of my apartment and the inside is beautiful too; got a lot unpacked last night and today with help of h. what a treat to come home to every night...I can't believe it. and target was very happy i came by today! i feel like i am living next to a "movie" "on the river front"---watching all the changes each minute; each time i look it is different; light, river colors, shades of green, temperature....what a treat.....thank hp.

I Guess U Have to Be Here!

This is an insider story....ok, ok, ok, I got it. signed "the kitty cats of 44th Ave".