Dad and I Beachside in Lincoln City

My dad and I took day trip to the Oregon Coast on the 24th of April. We stopped and saw the new Tillamook Foresty Center, wow. It was beautiful. I don't often get my Daddy just to myself. We were supposed to take pictures of all the damage to the timber the winter storms caused this year, but there wasn't any damage on Road 6. Disappointing and relieving all at once. We are planning on a real photo shoot adventure or 5 in the coming year. My dad gave me this POS (piece of !@#$) Holga camera that makes the weirdest spooky pictures. I can't wait to develop the film and see what happened! Yes, some of us still shoot real film! I love spending time with my POPS!

Life Update

Things are moving along out here in wine country. Forrest has one more term of Diesel classes and he is an official certified Diesel Mechanic. He has to take some classes to complete the requirements for his AAS degree and will work on them while returning to work soon. I am so proud of him. He really worked hard. Though I wish we had more time together, I can't complain. He does it all so we can have the life we have dream of.

I am currently taking strides in earning my Landscape Design Certificate. It has been a struggle to return to college, but I am doing what I love which helps to lift the burden from my shoulders, mostly. I am working closely with Students with Disabilities, my instructors, and the head of my department. Everyone at Portland Community College wants me to succeed, and has been extremely helpful and understanding. It has been interesting continuing to teach others about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, most people look at me and could never tell there was an issue. I don't want to have to be on disability my whole life. I would like to contribute as long as I can and hope that by finishing this program I can handle doing contract work from home. This will allow me to hopefully work at my own pace, take breaks as needed, and leave beautiful gardens as my legacy to the world when I am gone. I would really love to have a small rare plant nursery. That all depends on when we buy a chunk of land to homestead on.

My dad's illness has been hard to deal with. Multiple myeloma is a stupid, stupid cancer. He had blood tests this past week and the chemo and radiation are working. We just hope that he stays in remission when this round is over, as usually but not always, multiple myeloma is not cureable. I have never been so scared for either of my parents. My dad is doing most he can to eat better and get lots of exercise. It is a little rough when he has to take Dex, which is a potent steroid that happens on Fridays. Buzz Buzz. We are going to the coast this Thursday to take photo's of the damage caused to the coast mountain range during the strong wind storms this winter.

My mom has been making really cool silver clay jewelry and playing with her new kiln. The pieces she has made are really cool. I have been trying to make her do more. She really knows how to design nice things and has been collecting things from nature for inspiration. My momma has so many ideas.............................so little time!

Love to all.

IRIS

My Jewelry!!

Now that we are stable in our living situation I have the time and space to create again.... Woo Hoo!!!

The Chickens Are at the UGLY Stage!

Chickens are flying the coop to their new coop this weekend.

Oh.... SO CUTE!!!! Anyone Want A Kitten?

The kittens are a month old and will be ready for adoption in about a month. We are keeping the Gray and Black tabby. The others are all orange tabby.. One long haired and two short to medium haired. All are great hunters with sweet personalities.

Forrest N Iris @ Someplace Else?

Someplace Else, huh?? It is actually the name of our local tavern down the road. I get the strangest looks when i tell people I am at Someplace Else.

Cassidy Television

WE FINALLY BROKE GROUND!!!!

Forrest, Gary, and I got motivated and began to prepare the soil for our vegetable garden!!! I am so freakin' excited!!!! I can feel the my spine tingling! We have so much space..... need to plant anything? Gary moved the earth.... so much easier with Tractors. We are still working on the chicken coop which will be adjacent to the garage and garden.

When Family Visits..............................

You learn their hidden talents.... Forrest's cousin Dustin demonstrates the ability to push a Q-Tip horizontally into his nasal passage!! We all can do it, if you really, really, needed to ever know that......

The Chickens are GROWING!!

So Forrest built the girls and maybe boy a new habitat that glows all night long.

Rosie the Dog

Princess Rosie & Forrest Snuggling.

We have Chickens!!

Spring Has Sprung!!

My good friend Maggie made me move farther into the technological world today. May I present............ My blog!!! She pointed out that I have been pretty busy and that I am somewhat removed from my family & friends since heading to the hills. What better way to keep in touch and present the comings and goings, the fixings and breaking's', the makings and takings 'round here?

Now that Forrest, Rosie, and I are officially 'Country', it became necessary that we collect some barnyard animals......................We've talked of getting chickens for months. The time arrived. 12 in all. 4 each Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, and Barred Rocks. I have never shared my living quarters with actual livestock. Forrest and I think we may have a mis-sexed bird. In other words a Rooster. If so, we may be eating chicken earlier than we planned.