The Princess + the Pirate

We will be on a trip this weekend visiting some of my family (many of whom Travis either hasn't met or only seen 1 time!). Seeing as we'll be out and away from the blogging world over the Halloween Holiday, we wanted to share Halloween fun from our furry ones.

August the Princess (so true for her)

Weger the Pirate.. Mrrrrrrroeewww!

Note: no cats were harmed in wearing their silly hats. But a long game of chase ensued soon after taking these photos.  Happy Halloween from the Waltzes!

Some Wine Taste, We Apple Taste

I think we can all agree this past weekend was an absolutely gorgeous Oregon fall weekend. Leave are falling in our neighborhood and I love to walk along the leafy path just to hear the crunchy sound. You know you do it too. Yesterday we checked out the Apple Tasting in southeast Portland. This was so cool! I had heard about it from a co-worker and we thought it could be a fun new fall time tradition to try out. 

Walking in the Portland Nursery area was full of hay bales (hay bills if you say it like moi), pumpkins, fresh cider and LOTS of apples. One of the first activities you came up to was a booth area of a few folks throwing apples into a big barrel machine to prep them to be squeezed for fresh cider. Like so...

 There was apple cider tasting going on with all different types of orchards represented.. given the choice though we opted to do the apple tasting (quicker to get through), bonus: it was free (the apples, not the cider).

I had zero idea what to expect for an "apple tasting" event. These folks take it seriously and make it a cool experience. You selected a line to go through (all the lines had the same apples).

And they also had directions of how to have proper apple tasting etiquette.

Watch as Travis will attempt to demonstrate the poke, pull and pop.. (their words not mine). :)

 

This was such a fun fall afternoon date. It is something that we would probably do again next year and probably go for the cider next time. Only downfall - I have been on the hunt for apple cider donuts. They are no where to be found in the Portland area. I would LOVE to know where some may be. They are so delicious and perfect with a cup of tea.
There were lots of bins of all the different apples that were available to have a taste and we came home with a good bag full of different types (my fav - the Honey Crisp). I am excited to make an apple pie again this Thanksgiving and may try out an apple crisp with a few of these guys.

Here we are with our favorites and heading home.

He's totally the apple of my eye.

4 Years Later

love this photo of him riding dolpins.

in my Dad's Sea World days. :)  look at him waaay up there!

my Dad built the huge fence that goes around my parents backyard.

I remember it like it happened yesterday. On Oct. 21st my Dad called me to ask how work was going and if I was watching the World Series. Dad and I loved watching baseball together - he taught me everything I know about baseball! After a great conversation and asking him how he was feeling - he just said "well I'm getting through it, but your mom is great at taking care of me." After "love you" and "g'bye" - I didn't realize that was the last time I would have a conversation with my Dad. After work on Oct. 22nd, I had an internal feeling that something was wrong at home (being Salem where my parents lived). I shook it off and made some dinner and started to relax watching tv. I got a phone call from a number I didn't know and it was the neighbors across the street from my parents saying that I needed to come home as soon as I could. Of course this sent a huge panic through my entire body. I gathered a bag very quickly and after another phone call from the neighbors and hearing my mom crying I knew something very bad had just happened. My boyfriend at the time was able to drive me home (the 45 minute drive felt like 20 minutes). Driving up to your house and seeing an ambulance and a car marked "chaplain" makes it incredibly hard to keep it together. As I tried to walk up the driveway past everyone to see what was going on, I was stopped by the chaplain saying that my Dad had passed away. That night was the most scary, sad and odd nights I've ever had.

my Dad is third from the right. He was on the tennis team in the '60s.

4 years ago, my Dad passed away. He was an amazing man. I'm still trying to figure out how to convert the slide show we did for his funeral to file that is able to upload to YouTube. It's a pretty awesome collaboration of photos and music revolving around him. Below is the letter I wrote and read aloud at my Dad's service and somehow through ugly crying and kleenex I made it and was able to get through it. (Not exactly an easy thing for anyone but especially at 22 in front of a church full of people.)

my Dad with my Mom early in their marriage. :)

"In thinking of my Dad the memories that quickly come to mind are my first tennis lessons, fun trips to the zoo as well as spending time at the beach. I remember the numerous episodes of Coach we would watch together, learning new silly jokes and listening to The Beach Boys music on repeat many afternoons when I was a kid. Not only is my father my inspiration for studying the health field, but my Dad is an admirable example of strength, courage and bravery. Unafraid to try new things and unexpected adventures he set forth goals and determination for himself. ~ And he did achieve those ambitions and dreams! Dad was always his best self – he was honest, true and always a first class man. No matter what obstacle would appear in his life, Dad always found a way to overcome it and be prepared for another challenge. My dad always faced these challenges and gave more of him to get through the hard times as it became more essential. He never gave up and I will always remember him presenting himself as a strong, protective and incredible father! 

Most of all – Dad you are my hero and I love you so much!"

Enjoy the day today and always always always tell those you care about how much you love them. I think of my Dad everyday and so wish that Travis could have met him, that my Dad could have walked me down the aisle, and that my Dad could see the day (far in the future) that I am a mom and hold his grandchild. But I hold on to what my Dad did see me do. He saw me graduate college, he taught me how to drive, he taught me how to hit a softball, he taught me how to speak in front of people, he taught (tried to at least) me how to swim and he taught me how I should be loved by a husband through his actions to my mom. What an incredible guy. Miss you Dad and love you oh-so-mucho.

DIY: Gettin Twiggy

Gettin twiggy wit' it.. yeah yeah yeah yeah.. : )

So I have another Pinterest inspiration for you! It's super simple - if I can do this in less than 10 minutes, anyone can! I was looking around for fun ideas to decorate our home for the fall/winter time and came across this image..

 

This was a way easy and cute way to get our place in the spirit for the gorgeous fall time that is all around us. When I asked Travis "you want to go gather sticks and twigs with me?" I am pretty sure he had a look of "you want to what??" combined with "why not!" Behind our apartment area there is a huge forest like area and Lake Salish also has LOTS of trees with tons of branches just waiting to be cut for my decorating ambition. So we went on a gorgeous walk, clipping shears in hand and cut several branches off a few trees (that were not associated with the property of our apartment area) and ended up with this..

August checking it out for good measure. 

Once I found the candle jar I wanted to add the branch pieces to, it was time to begin chopping with my shears. (The clipping shears are nothing fancy - Trav picked them up at Fred Meyer for less than $10.)

I measured roughly how much length I was looking for in the sticks and cut about 2 dozen and lined them up to see how they were fitting.

I purposely cut a few shorter and longer than the actual height of the candle holder. After more cutting and August checking in on my work, I had all my pieces. Then little sweet girl of mine tried to eat them. 

I grabbed the sticks (moved to higher ground), heated up my favorite toy (hot glue gun! I secretly want a bright pink one so it's a little more obnoxious) ;-)

I got to work hot gluing on the stick/twig before placing it on the glass. It held on very well and I was able to move around the candle holder very quickly (like I said earlier, about 10 minutes).

When all was said and done here is the finished product..

Pretty cute right? It looks super autumn inspired and can carry very well into winter time. I plan on making about 2 more to go with this twiggy guy for our dining table and a couple others for our coffee table.

Have you done any special DIY fun for the seasons? Feeling Pinterested lately? Let me know what you have made or what you'd like to see me tackle next!

I Am From..

I am from David & Cynthia, before that Harold & Catherine and Gregory & Amelia.

 I am from my sister Summer. 

I am from games of Chutes and Ladders, Candyland and Checkers with my Dad.

I am from leggings, saltwater sandals and side ponytails.

I am from baseball, tennis and surfing.

I am from riding bikes, slides and swings until 9pm in the summer time.

I am from taco nights, barbecues and pancakes for dinner for fun.

I am from amazing Thanksgivings with the family and memorable Christmas mornings with my parents and sister.

I am from practice, practice and more practice until you feel satisfied with your efforts.

I am from the love of Jesus.

I am from braces, awkward moments and sun bleached hair.

I am from N SYNC songs on repeat, trying to get my crush to notice me and girl pow wows after school.

I am from sleep overs, truth or dare and prank phone calls.

I am from seeing a husband love a wife the way any man should who has daughters.

I am from first boyfriends, first kisses and broken hearts.

I am from study hard.

I am from laugh and love life with all your heart.

I am from Homecoming dances, late nights and early mornings with my favorite girls.

I am from tennis matches, tennis skirts and (my fav) tennis hoodies.

I am from soft blankets, peppermint hot chocolate and long talks with Mom.

I am from learning how to do things myself.

I am from dreaming of success and waking up to work hard at it.

I am from the looks of my Mom but character of my Dad.

I am from a hard earned education and am quite proud of every ounce of it.

I am from 345 N. Monmouth Avenue for 4 years, before that 18 years in the same house growing up!

I am from personal challenge, personal strength and personal growth.

I am from "American Girl" (Tom Petty), "The Middle" (Jimmy Eat World) and Beach Boy songs on repeat (because of Dad.)  :)

I am from birthday parties, graduations and weddings.

I am from hard times, losing my Dad and understanding how those moments build character.

I am from treating everyone how you want to be treated.

I am from my husband Travis, unconditional love and Friday night couch snuggles with our 4 legged kiddos.

I am from knowing that I will make a difference in someone's life and the world someday.

I am from the dream that one day I will be a Mom and encourage my children just as my parents did.

I am from the wind through my hair and the sunshine on my face.

I am from me and learning how to continue to grow and love the person I am.

Only Kindess Matters

 

 This particular post has been writing itself for a while, but I felt it really kick start itself last week in my mind and with the events described below you will see why I am starting a Kindness Campaign.

I am a supreme fan of these words that Jesus spoke: "Love your neighbor as yourself" - Matthew 23:39. I think we can all agree that it basically means treat others how you would want to be treated and as well as you would want to be treated too. Growing up I believe my parents did an excellent job showing my sister and I how to love not only one another, but everyone in our community by words and actions. It goes beyond the usual 'please' and 'thank you' in public and expands to being a good citizen to one another. Let me explain through a few events that occured recently..

Event 1: Last Sunday Travis and I were out running errands in the on and off again rain. We were not in any particular hurry but were looking to make the day productive. We pulled into a parking lot (to hit up the Old Navy sale!) in the sprinkle-like weather to be approached by 2 parents and their car hood propped up. They asked us if we could help them 'jump' their car. Now in the moment I am completely unaware of what type of car help/tools I can provide as we took my car out that day. (Little did I know that my car came with jumper cables - and that they spark when they touch..) I looked at Travis and said "well we can try, I'm not sure if we have cables." We pop open the trunk, lift up the interior lining where the spare tire is kept and low and behold there were jumper cables in their 6 years of dusty glory. We let them know we could help and they were relieved as were their 2 young sons sitting so patiently in the back seat of their car. Afterward the woman and her husband thanked us over and over and said they'd asked about 10 other people/couples before and most "gave them a dirty look and said no." She let us know they are new to Portland and had heard that everyone out here was really nice. I can't help but wonder if they feel slightly indifferent after that situation. Grateful for our help - yes, but here is a wonderful new family to our "neighborhood" and they had an interpretation of what the Portland area was like only to be let down.

Event 2: So, I work in a company that serves individuals who experience different developmental disabilities. One day in my work week I get the opportunity to work at one of our day programs and participate in art, games and community activities with the participants. Today we went on an outing in the community to buy fun goodies and snacks. It was a normal outing - nothing super different or special about it, my 2 other co-workers and I were working with the persons we paired/assigned ourselves up with and went on about our activity in a store. After going through the check out line and practicing how to pay for things, interact with the cashier (community skills) we went to go to the door and a man (I'm thinking he was a manager) stopped me and a couple of the individuals I was with and said "it is so wonderful to see you and the others doing this. It is such a blessing for them (the individuals with developmental disabilities), and it is great to see you guys doing this and taking them out to do things." I politely said thank you and we all went on about our day. I was wondering on the ride back to the site - Isn't that what we do all the time? To me and my other co-workers we were just helping with skill building. Our "job" isn't to just be nice and work with our clients and call it a day; our "job" is to be advocates for those who may not be heard as well and to help promote independence while helping them build their community and interpersonal skills.

Being nice to each other should not be something we "have" to do or something we have to "work on". It should just be a simple regularity in our culture. I'm not saying we have to be Steve/Susie Sunshine all the time and everyday, but just treat everyone with respect and be courteous. When people are having a bad day, those people need our kindness the most. We do not know what someone is going through. Cue Plato: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. So true. You never know what others are going through, and sometimes those folks who are just amazing and have the most zest for life are the people who may be fighting the hardest struggles but want to be a 'light' for others.

Lets form a personal kindness campaign. Of course you can buy someone a cup of coffee who is behind you at Starbucks or give a shout out on Facebook - that's cool. But just let people know you care and offer help and encouragement to those who you feel deserve it or maybe do not hear it enough! If being bold isn't your take, pray for people, let your actions speak kindness and just be a wonderful person. It needs to come from within though, it could take some time and could even be an adjustment for some - that's okay. But one word or action could be just what someone needs to hear and see to feel the love and kindness from another who is trying their best among the zillions of us in this world.  <3

DIY: Pinterest Inspired Wreath - Video!

Pinterest is my new and favorite hobby (of the moment).. I found some great inspirations for a beautiful wreath to hang on our door. And once I figured out how to make the wreath I thought I'd share with YOU how to create your own pretty door decor as well!! Enjoy! =]