Let's...

I know that someday we won't be able to wake up when we want to on the weekends - no alarm clock, nothing to do, just rise when our eyes open - and turn to each other to say "what should we do today?"  So, we savor these times and usually it sounds something like this:

"Let's get a cup of coffee somewhere new" or
"Let's find a winery to love" or
"Let's drive until we see something we've never seen before" or
"Let's find Ashley a new house!" or
"Let's curl up all day with books" or
"Let's find a house, a lot and a place for the Pentagon to retire!" or
"Let's go have a beer"

So, we pack up our "let's" and hit the road.  This past weekend it looked something like this:

New Views

Beer!



Pie!

Essential reading.

FINALLY!  A new house for Ashley!  Look at that beauty!

New Starts.

We welcomed more visitors this weekend.  This time from Missouri.  My Grandma, Aunt Jo and Uncle Tim touched down in the rainy city on Thursday evening and we kicked the weekend off at Deschutes Brewery with a great meal and a toast to the weekend ahead.  Then, because the beer (and wine) was so good, we decided to toast a second time; to my new start.

I closed up one computer on Thursday afternoon and set-up a new one.  I neatly placed the computer in a drawer and thought about what a new start means and how many I've had throughout the past few months.  The thing about any new start is that with each one, you bring with it, the old.  The old lessons, the old emotions and all the old paths that have lead you to this new one. 

My paths have been full of an amazing support system that, like this tree, branches in every which way.  Without even just one of its branches, the tree would take on a new shape.  Three of my branches were with me this weekend and it was nice to spend time with these people who have shaped my life and helped both of us get to the point that we are today.

So, with family that we love even more than this new city we have discovered, we soaked up all that Portland has to offer.


"Soaking" in Multnomah Falls - literally - it was wet down there!

Soaking up the sites of a roadside market. 

Come to find out that market had pie.



Soaking up local cheese and wine!



Enjoying new found "adventure buddies."

Soaking in the coast, even if it was from a window so we wouldn't get literally soaked!

Here's to new starts and enjoying the people who help get us to them!

CHEERS!

Oh, the places you'll go.

"Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!"

A few months prior to graduating college, I got in a car accident.  My ultra-safe Volvo caught on fire.  Who can say they have caught a VOLVO on fire?  This girl!  So, after sufficiently taking my Grandfather's kind gesture of letting me use his car to an extreme, I finally bought a car.  A white Nissan Altima.  I thought - this is a nice car - it will get me through the next few years.  I never knew the places it - or I - would see.

We know 35 between Ames and Des Moines like the back of our hand.  You want to talk about 380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City?  We'll take that trivia challenge and describe to you every mile marker in great detail.  We've seen the likes of Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, 35 South to KC, 80 from Iowa to Davenport, Wineries in Iowa, Wineries in Missouri, Wineries in Washington, Wineries in Oregon - ok, that girl (THE CAR) loves wine!

A release party at Dobbes Family Estate.

But I never could have guessed all that we could discover together.  80,000 miles later - we're still together and going strong.  Girl just got a new pair of shoes - check out those new tires - but where is her mirror you ask - that's a whole different post!

We off-roaded today to a great winery.

If I die tomorrow, please bury me in a wine cave!

We then caught some energy on a drive to the coast and prepared ourselves for a hike.  She gets energy from things like rainbows (and gas, I guess).  Me?  PB&J and Coffee!

And then on to a great hike on the coast.  And when I say great, I mean AWESOME.  We climbed Neahkahnie Mountain and it was amazing!

So, my point, today, with the car?  You never know where you'll end up.  And sometimes that fact blows my mind.  Or maybe just on days when I drink wine and climb to the top of a peak where all I can see and hear is the ocean. 

"Out there things can

happen and frequently do

to people as brainy and

footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,

don't worry. don't stew.

Just go right along.
You'll start happening too."

CHEERS (with a glass of red wine from those great wineries!)!

Eat Happy. Be Well.

We've had our first round of visitors these past few days and we've had a blast.  For the most part, we stuck to our itinerary and experienced Portland to the fullest.  We laughed hard, experienced good food and drinks, soaked up scenery and enjoyed quality time that is too sporadic these days.

In short, we followed some wise Portland advice; Eat happy.  Be well.

First stop?  Downtown Portland, an art museum and a dinner party to celebrate another year in the life of Andrew Forsyth. 

Day 2?  The Columbia River Gorge!

Day 3?  The Shamrock Run.  My arms must have been too tired for additional pictures this day but trust me when I say that we were well.  We were well with beers in our hands at the finish line and laughter surrounding us at brunch following the race.

Day 4 found us heading to the coast and soaking in more scenery (and cheese?).

And so a flight will head out of Portland tomorrow with our visitors in tow.  Our hope is that the laughter stays locked in our house, the memories in our hearts and the message of Portland in theirs. 

Eat Happy.  Be Well.

March 6

There is a reminder of how I became who I am every year on March 6.  It's my sister's bday and anyone who knows me knows that I am the most "me" because of my sister.  It's been a tough but unforgettable year for us.  I've never been so far from her and it's forced us to work on our halves even knowing that the whole is so much better.  I miss her everyday and my phone bill reinforces this.  But, I ramble.  Happy Birthday, Shay!

I'll let Dave do the talking now. 

Sister

Dave Matthews

Passing time with you in mind

It’s another quiet night

Feel the ground against my back

Counting stars against the black

Think about another day

Wishing I wasn't far away

Wherever I dreamed I was

You were there with me

Sister, I hear you laugh

My heart fills full up

Keep me please

Sister, when you cry

I feel your tears

Running down my face

Sister, sister, keep me

I hope you always know it’s true

I would never make it through

You could make the sun go dark

Just by walking away

Playing like we used to play

Like it would never go away

I feel you beating in my chest

I’d be dead without

Sister, I hear you laugh

My heart fills full up

Keep me please

Sister, when you cry

I feel your tears

Running down my face

Sister, sister, you keep me

I hope you always know it’s true

I would never make it through

You could make the heavens fall

Just by walking away

Sister, I hear you laugh

My heart fills full up

Keep me please

Sister, when you cry

I feel your tears

Running down my face
Sister, sister, you keep me

A New Path.

After a lot of thought and consideration, I've accepted a new job as a Director of Marketing at Bergan Paulsen in Cedar Rapids.  It's always exciting to stare down a trailhead not knowing what will be around the next corner but it's scary too.  It's the fear that drives us though and the thrill of a new challenge that rewards us.  I'm excited for this next chapter in my career and thrilled to help impact a new company. 

Here goes nothing!

Hiking.

I had what my good friend, Oprah, would call an "aha moment" this weekend.  While hiking with my husband, I said aloud to him, "Isn't hiking kind of dumb?"

Andy's response; "Amanda, are you being serious right now?"

Amanda; "Well, we're just walking around.  Wouldn't it be nice if there was some gold at the end?  Or a giant cheesecake?"

Andy; "Amanda, I think it's more about the journey, not the destination.  Take in your surroundings and clear your mind."

Ok.  So, I tried.  But there was a nagging feeling inside me that it would be a lot more productive if we could just run this course.  And then it came.  The "aha moment."  This is a little how I live my life.  I tend to jump to the destination.  I'd much prefer running quickly to get where I'm going even when I'm not experienced enough on the terrain.  And finally, I prefer to imagine a giant cheesecake at all my destinations. 

But, there was no cheesecake at the end - there was the highest point in Portland and awesome views - but no cheesecake.  We "discovered" Council Crest at the end of our excursion this weekend (among other things).  Take a look for yourself.  I think it was worth it.  And I think I could be convinced to like hiking if I keep experiencing these Oprah moments!  But a little cheesecake (or gold) would never hurt!

CHEERS!