Something exciting may be in the works...

My husband and I have been discussing "something big" lately. At first, I thought it was silly. Part of me still doesn't understand the entire theory behind this, but.... after exploring yesterday, I'm sure excited about it!!!

We are thinking of buying a condo in downtown Portland!!!!!!!!
And no, we will not be selling our Vancouver home.......

The deal is this: We LOVE to hang out in Portland. We go to art galleries, dinner, events (games/music/festivals), etc....
David takes classes at Portland State University, and I hope to be working in Portland after I graduate from nursing school....

When we hang out in Portland, one of us always has to be a non-drinker so that we can get home safely. We're pretty majorly big on not drinking & driving! This way, we can avoid "rush hour traffic," have a drink if we want (etc.), and walk home or take local transit!

There is a specific building we're thinking about. I think it's called "The Lexus." It's one of the smaller condo unit buildings in The Pearl and is only 4 years old. It's fully secure and has underground parking (similar to our second place in Seattle).




























It's nice because all modes of transportation are right nearby - and I mean CLOSE!! So, even though I AM still getting my new car after graduation, it could stay parked at times while we ride the street car around. Sooo cool!
Here are some examples of what is available to us:

We have the typical cab.....














the typical bus......












the not-so-typical street car.....















and the not-so-typical train (for David's ride to Seattle to work, or whatever)...










There are also all sorts of retail around the area. Now, I'm only showing a small sample of what was right there, and after I put my camera away, I didn't take it back out (so there is a LOT more... like the little Italian place we ate lunch at - on the sidewalk like what is often found in Italy, France.... Europe in general...)

The tattoo parlor.....










the tanning salon...









the salon......











the coffee shop..... Oh, excuse me... The coffee "lounge!" Sa-WEET!









and last but not least... in fact - maybe the MOST important..... one of the 2 BEST SUSHI PLACES IN PORTLAND!!!!!











Ok, and there is also a very large assortment of "art" in the area. Not only are there a ton of art galleries, but there is what I call "street art." I love this! Here are a few examples:

The "fence" along side the East side of the park that is directly across the street from The Lexus. Oh - half of that park looks... well "parky." The other half looks like a nature preserve and is very cool. Reminds me of this place in Louisiana where there was a boardwalk around the entire place and if you saw an alligator, you were SOL because there might not be a place for you to go besides in the water! LOL. But seriously, this "fence thing" is really really neat - and artsy!










Then there are the modern totem-poles (I am only including a photo of 1 of them here)




















and the modern bike rack - not that I can "see" how to use the darn thing... where does the tire go? Hmmm... This is a mini version of the big double-decker 405-bridge.















So, yeah. I have no idea what will become of this idea of ours. But I DO know that it is a very serious thought - serious enough for us to go in and see one of the units that is currently for sale (were going to see two, but they couldn't find the key for the other one)... It's something new and exciting and it's sure fun to talk about and plan!!

:-)


PS - here are some of the "neighbors" .......

I did not realize I still had it in me.....

70 words

Speedtest

Auntie...

I drove down to Southern Oregon yesterday to visit my Aunt and her husband.  I haven't seen this one particular Aunt in well over a decade, and I had never met her new husband.

Boy did I have a great time!!!  

We went to an Auction that evening, which was both fun and amusing - and they had great burgers.  Then, today they took me on a tour around their property.  I got to meet the chickens, and the horses and pig from down the road.  Got to see all the old cars, and all of the amazing fruit trees.....  

We talked about family, about quilting, about knitting (she's big on knitting and has quite a few knitting "machines" - WOW!), about nursing school, our pets (aka: children) and so many other things!  I gave her a big back of yarn, and she gave me a few big stacks (and I mean BIG!) of quilting books, 2 dozen wonderfully fresh eggs, a beautiful knitted scarf and some pot-holders that are going to come in VERY handy around here!  

It was a fun visit - not only because it had just been SO long, but because this Aunt is the one who first told me about "quilting" and first got me excited about making a quilt.  Now?  Now she might have gotten me excited about knitting machines.... haha!

So anyway, I am so glad I made that drive.  I had a fabulous time and hope to do it again - well before another 11-12 years rolls around!

A long-past-due visit

I'm going to go down to visit my Aunt tomorrow. I'll be spending the night.

I'm excited. I haven't seen this Aunt (my Dad's sister) in many, too many, years! I think it's safe to guess it's been about 11 years - it was well before I left California, and that was in 1999.

So anyway, my Aunt is really into knitting and growing veggies. She is as into knitting as I am into quilting and photography (when I have time). I'm excited to see some of the things she has made!

We had lost contact for a long time, but over the past couple of years have been e-mailing more and more. I've really enjoyed it - and I am looking forward to seeing her and meeting her husband!

:-)

Hugs

Have you ever noticed how there are as many types of hugs as there are people in this world?

I generally only hug people I know, and whom I like. That means that I also only give a hug that has meaning and substance. Or, that's what I call it anyway. You know, the kind where you make a little "grrr" grunty-noise and give a tight, but not suffocating, "squeeze."

I feel really weird when I am the recipient of a "wimpy hug!" You know, the kind where the person smiles at you, puts their arms behind you, and then gives you this little pat like they would rather be on another continent....? Or, that they don't really add meaning to the hug they are giving you?

I've been the recipient of a couple of these lately, and I don't like it.

If you don't want to give me a meaningful hug, then don't give me a hug at all!