Cabin Fever

This is what happens when Portland has record snow and I can't get to work. I turn the myself, Ben, Jess, Akeke and Barack Obama into elves and we can get down too!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I hope everyone has a great holiday and a happy new year!

No on Prop H8 Rally

In support of Alex and Dani (and the entire LGBT community).

Seriously, who would want to deny hotties like this the right to marry? All babes deserve equal rights. If you disagree, watch out. The sign says it, their moms are not happy that their daughters rights are being taken away. I'd be afraid, they are some tough ladies.

It's been a while since we've had a sunny Saturday. We were thrilled we wouldn't have to attend the rally in the rain. Hmmm...maybe a sign from God. Looks like God might heart the gays after all. And damn, we're a good looking group.

A future activist in the making. K-man had a good time at the boy-boy/girl-girl rally, as he calls it.

My future sister in law.


This is quickly moving up my list of favorite pictures ever, so sweet. K-man loves his Lex.


I loved this cute little family. The kids were so excited to be there. I can't get over how concise and neatly lettered their signs are, they're so coordinated. That kind of thing makes me happy. Some day when I have kids, I hope we look this organized at our protests.


Just a little piece of the crowd. I have to admit I cried when I saw the woman holding the sign that said "I love my gay son" and the teenage girl with the "Let my brother marry" sign. I can't help it, I'm sensitive.


There are no words.

Our Trip to AZ (in pictures)...

BFF's
Ben and Phil mid Camelback hike.
Classic Jen, the insane bride.









Tesh & Tara












Carrie, Stacey and E enjoying a healthy meal at Culvers. Just like old times, some things never change.






Eskimo kisses with E.








Me & Stace.

Tara and I with Jen at the wedding. It was beautiful Jen and Paul, we're so glad we could be there!






The nieces and nephew love their Uncle Ben. Ben says Kaia (in pink and green) looks like Bill O'Reilly. I disagree.

The Axis Mortgage Crew...I miss you guys! Thanks so much for lunch and all my stuff. Even though it meant I had to take an extra suitcase home.




Can everyone please e-mail me pictures from the luncheon. Carrie send me any others you took as well. Tara, I need copies of any wedding pictures you took.

I miss you all already!

Barack Obama is my new President

A revolution...



I have to admit I'm a little teary. Granted I get teary at just about anything; politics, weddings, commercials but this is big.

I don't think I've ever been more proud of my country.

Now I just have to hope the gay marriage bans in California and Arizona don't pass. Lex said it today when she asked if getting Obama elected and nobody losing their civil rights was too much to ask for in one day.

I'm going to let it go and enjoy this victory. Donna Brazile said it best (as usual):

"Tuesday, November 4, 2008 will go down as the day America opened its history book, turned the page and started a new chapter of change.

This is truly an historic night — a moment many of us prayed for, marched for, organized for and some even died for. This is not the end of a journey, but the turning of a major page in American history.

If Dr Martin Luther King were alive, he would have cautioned us not to stop praying, not to stop marching, but to keep the dream alive.

As Senator Barack Obama has stated so long ago, change never comes easy. Tonight the people of America will tell the world that they are ready for change and they will back Obama in leading the change."

Happy Election Day!

Portland Represents

I'm finally getting around to blogging the Project Runway season finale (Erin H - what did you think? I know you loved Korto...)

The final collections were good. I like Korto, a lot. Her dresses are amazing, I can't even discuss Kenley. She annoys me and clearly ripped off other designers. Okay, I did love her feather wedding dress but mostly I love anything with feathers. It was clearly an Alexander McQueen look a like but I have to admit I did like her take on it better than his.

Leanne won, of course because she's freaking awesome but I'm also pretty excited that she's from Portland.

I sometimes think that Ben exiled me to Portland (the land of Clarks and North Face fleece) as punishment for my excessive shopping. I'm kidding of course, I absolutely love Portland, it would be home if I could just transplant my friends here but the fashion scene might be a little lacking.



As far as the season finale goes: I want to be married in this...








And I want to be buried in this:


Truly, I want this blog to serve as my living will. At the time of my demise I want my family to take the money they would have spent on a burial site, headstone, funeral services and instead purchase this outfit, dress me in it, dig a hole in the middle of nowhere, toss me in and cover me with Christian Louboutins (or knockoffs because hey, I'm dead, what do I care at that point), throw some dirt in and call it a day. Knowing that this will be accomplished; I'll be able to die happy. Is that wrong?

Speaking of happy, we leave for AZ in 3 days. It's a lot of visiting to pack into 5 days but we are so excited. I can't wait to see you all next week, I miss you!

Oh shit, I'm the antichrist?!

Yep, Erin the antichrist and yes I am once again upset by an e-mail received from my grandparents. So, here we go...


First, I cannot believe that in this enlightened day and age someone would actually insinuate that Barack Obama is the antichrist. Secondly, the e-mail you forwarded below states that the Book of Revelations says that the antichrist will be a man, in his 40's of Muslim descent. Actually it is the Book of Revelation, not Revelations (let's at least get the name right). It also makes no reference to the antichrist being a man, in his 40's or of Muslim descent. The Book of Revelation was actually completed before the religion of Islam came into existence. It therefore would be quite difficult for it to reference a Muslim. Even if it did, it would be quite difficult to construe it as a reference to Barack Obama as he is not a Muslim but rather a Christian.

What the Book of Revelation does say is this: For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

So by this biblical definition; your own granddaughter (that's me!) is actually the antichrist as is her soon to be husband, one of your grandsons, my future sister and brother in law and many of my best friends. However based on the definition of antichrist from the Bible, who cannot be the antichrist? Barack Obama: because he has accepted Jesus Christ as his savior.

I am increasingly frightened by the irrationality of people. That aside one thing I absolutely will not tolerate is hate mail in my inbox. It will not go unresponded to and it will not be accepted by me. I won't just delete it without a reponse because it must be stopped. The e-mail below is racist, it's fear mongering. It's unresearched and a blatant lie and it was clearly written to incite hatred.

You would exploit your religion because you don't like a presidential candidate, here's some advice... Just vote for the other guy.

The e-mail author asks, Have the American people lost their minds? I second that but for me it's not a question, when Americans are sending this type of e-mail without first doing research I am terrified, I believe we are at the edge of reason. The author also asks us to reflect on actual historical events the first of which is the assassination of Bobby Kennedy by a Muslim extremist. I assure you if Bobby Kennedy were alive today he would find this e-mail deplorable, despicable.

So yes, let's reflect on the words of Bobby Kennedy, "A revolution is coming — a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough — But a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character; we cannot alter its inevitability."

If disagreeing with this e-mail lumps me in with stupid Federal Justices as the author of the e-mail states. Well then: I'm with stupid.

**Let me know if you want to see the actual e-mail I received, I couldn't bring myself to post it here, I'm sure it's been distributed enough as it is.

Humble Request

Let me just start by saying that I will be THRILLED when this election is over. My ballot is in the mail and soon Barack Obama will be President. Or not. Either way, I just want this election over with, it's stressing me out. I want my nights of peaceful sleep back. I want my mindless blogs about clothes and my weekend plans back. Just not quite yet...

A "humble request" from my friend and one of my favorite people in the world, Dani.

Please, please, please. Please. (Please?) do not vote for John McCain. If you like me, and especially if you love me, please think about me before you vote (or as you are voting). Sarah Palin (who could very well be the next president of the United States of America) recently told the Christian Broadcasting Network that she supports an amendment to the constitution that will ban same sex marriages. I understand that some of you may not support gay marriage, and some of you might go as far as to say that you are vehemently against gay marriage, but just know these few things that I consider to be absolute truths: 1) I am a human being, 2) I am a person with morals, 3) I am a lesbian, from birth, 4) I deserve the same rights as any other human being, 5) I deserve respect from all American citizens (and citizens of this world, for that matter) because I do nothing but offer respect to everyone, and 6) I eat, breathe, sleep, walk, talk, work, pay taxes, get my teeth cleaned, draw, play music, watch movies, and do many other things that every other person on earth does, in very similar ways. These are not all of my truths, but they are the most relevant to this election.
In conclusion, and in the most simple terms: I AM GAY, AND I AM A NORMAL PERSON.
John McCain and Sarah Palin would not be just another couple of normal politicians while in office. They would not offer the same governance that George W. Bush has offered over the last 8 years. They would be WORSE (I know, how could anything be worse?) for so many reasons. But, if you have failed to see the countless reasons brought to your attention prior to reading this note, please find reason in me.
Even if Sarah Palin's opinion wouldn't drastically affect the chances of a ban like this being passed, the mere prospect of gaining momentum it is absolutely frightening.
A ban on same sex marriages is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It is an abolition of rights. Please don't let people enter the white house who could take away my rights.

Letter to John McCain

Today I received an e-mail from my grandparents that has me a little (okay, a lot) fired up.

It was a poorly crafted letter written by a 50 something conservative white man (he makes sure to point this out while also stating race has nothing to do with his decision, right...) to Barack Obama listing seven reasons why Obama is "scary" and he can't vote for him.

So below is my own letter to McCain in response.

Dear Senator McCain,

Today is October 13th and we are just 22 days away from one of the most historic elections in history. I'd like to take this opportunity to outline seven reasons I will not be voting for you on November 4th.

1) You vote with George Bush's position 95% of the time (according to factcheck.org and Congressional Quarterly's Voting studies). Looks like 5% of the time, you're a maverick every time.

2) Roe v. Wade, Roe v. Wade, Roe v. Wade. Enough said? Probably; but John, you are, dare I say it? A flip flopper. In 1999 you said Roe v Wade should not be overturned? Tell us why not John..."hundreds of young woman all over this country would be lining up for illegal, dangerous abortions". True, legal or not abortions will happen. The difference is that if they're legal women won't be getting them in back alleys by guys with butcher knives. While I am pro-choice (vastly different from being anti-life) it's not because I think abortions are cool, I do think that the way to stop abortions is education. Educating young men and women, it just might work. Having an abortion is not a decision I can't ever imagine making for myself but I've also never been impregnated by a rapist; or a relative.

Can you say pandering? Way to get the religious right on board, John. Oh and if that doesn't work, just choose a nutjob who believes dinosaurs roamed the earth with humans a mere $6,000 years ago and spends her Sundays either speaking in tongues or at a hockey match. Yep, that oughta do it folks. You betcha!

Which takes me right to #3.

3) You're old. And while this in itself is not enough to disqualify you (hey, Joe Biden's old too, except he has a hotter wife who doesn't look like a femme bot. Is anyone else concerned Cindy McCain might be an alien?), you went out and chose the crazy running mate mentioned above. The woman just got a passport a year ago, she has been to Mexico, Canada and Iraq. She can see Russia from some land in Alaska. Well guess what...I was born in Anchorage, lived in Wasilla. I've had a passport for 4 years and have actually been to more than 2 foreign countries. Look out Vice Presidency, here I come. By Sarah standards I am a foreign policy prodigy.

4) Foreign Policy. You make up little ditties about bombing countries. Not good, really. Making light of bombing countries is kind of scary. I would think since it's possible you might someday have the nuclear codes you might want to take it a little more seriously. Just a thought, but hey I'm just a regular Jane six-pack maybe that's why I can't figure out what's so wrong with sitting down with leaders of other countries (yep, even those axis of evil countries) and trying to figure out a peaceful solution.

5) You're erratic. The fundamentals of the economy are strong. No wait, we're in crisis. I'm suspending my campaign and I'm not debating. No wait, I'm going to debate. In Iraq we will see "overwhelming victory in a fairly short period of time". No wait, I knew in the beginning it would be long and hard. Having a hard time deciding what the correct course of action is, do it John McCain style and try each course, switching back and forth as quickly as possible. Maybe if you're fast enough no one will notice.

6) We need to protect our environment and stop our dependence on foreign oil. Drill baby, drill? What good does that do us? We wouldn't see the benefits for years and we're still talking about a finite resource and infinite demand. There is no way it works out well. We have 3% of the worlds oil reserves and we use 25% of the world's oil and your solution is still just drill baby, drill?

7) My final point: your supporters. The Christian right, who you couldn't have cared less about in 2000 during your campaign now seem to be dictating your policy. Why? You realized that it's the only way you could get the nomination so you chose to pander to those who want to legislate their beliefs into everyone's life. I have nothing against religion but I have everything against intolerance. The radical Christian right is no different than radical Islam. It is unconstitutional to force religion on the people, to try to govern based on religion. On that our founding fathers were clear.

Those are my seven reasons, I have more, possibly even eight or nine or forty-two but it is late here and my long suffering fiancee is sleepy. The click clacking of the keyboard is keeping him awake and I have to be up in 5 hours to go to work.

So for now Senator McCain those are my reasons. I'm sure you want to hear more and don't worry, I'm happy to give you more reasons at a moment's notice should you request them.

Sincerely,

Erin Adams




**I just want to point out that in the letter sent to me today the author made it sure to point out in the first paragraph that he is white but not a racist. He then went on to list one of his reasons as: Being scared because Obama is an angry black man (actually he's mixed race but whatever, semantics.) and his wife is an angry black woman. Ooh, scary. Angry black people...

Live Blogging the Debate

I didn't actually live blog the debate but I wanted to, my intentions were good. We ended up instead heading over to L&D's for pizza, champagne (we're classy) and debate. We love their comfy, squishy, never want to get up couch and big screen TV.

I just need to mention here that we have the coolest dorky friends on the planet. Not only were they as excited to watch the debate as we were but L actually put together debate bingo cards. Sheer genius!

With little gems like - a candidate uses main street & wall street in the same sentence- or -McCain makes a joke that only he laughs at (happened twice just for the record). It was a ridiculous amount of fun.

With the debate winding down I found myself in need of only a POW reference from John McCain in order to get a double bingo. Two minutes left and I was beginning to lose hope, I should have known John wouldn't let me down. It was tense there for a while.

Debate season is my version of sports enthusiasm. I yell and throw things at the TV, it makes me happy and angry all at the same time.

Next week I have every intention of live blogging the VP debate which I'm so excited for I can barely sleep at night. Sarah Paling, debating? I literally get butterflies in my stomach and a tightness in my chest just thinking about it. It's feels like my birthday, a vacation and Christmas all rolled up into a little package.

Anyway, I'm aiming for live blogging but the temptation of VP debate drinking games, pizza & champagne, the comfy couch and the big screen may be too much for me to resist.

Anyone up for shots every time Sarah Palin says "small town values"?

I'm a feminist?

Feminism: 1) the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes 2) organized activity on behalf of womens rights and interests.

I'm a feminist? I used to think that feminism was a bad word. It's only recently that I've come to accept that feminism is something different for every woman, it's not just angry women railing against men and burning their bras. (Though, what grown women hasn't wanted to at some point burn the bra). Someone pointed out to me recently that without the work of proud, courageous feminists I wouldn't have the right to vote, choose who I'm going to marry or have a job and support myself. I would be proud to be called a feminist.

The point is, I'm not quite sure how it happened but this week I found myself defending (DEFENDING?) Sara Palin.

I think part of the defense may be that I've received too many e-mails and heard too many people say lately that Sara Palin is from a hick town, where everyone hunts, eats moose burgers and want to deny women rights they are entitled too.

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska and my early childhood years were spent in Wasilla. I don't own a gun, never will. I have no desire to eat moose burgers or shoot wolves from an airplane. I don't want to deny a women who has been raped or the right to decide if she should carry and give birth to her rapists baby. I don't want to deny the young woman who is working her way through college the choice that may end all her hopes and dreams.

I want to stand in the middle of the street and scream at the men with our country's nuclear codes and their finger on the button just waiting for any small excuse to push it to go f**k themselves. I realize this would probably get me arrested or on the terrorist watch list which wouldn't do my cause any good but still, I think it would make me feel better. But I digress...back to Sarah Palin.


There are so many reasons Sarah Palin has no business being Vice President of this country, just a heartbeat a way from the Presidency. The McCain camp screams sexism anytime someone looks at Palin the wrong way. Tina Fey's portrayal of Palin on SNL was sexist? Come on, even they can be more original than that.

What is sexist are the snarky comments that a mother of five should not be running for office. She can't do a good job because she has kids at home? I realize the importance of children having their mother but I think that there are so many other family structures that can work. Their father can be a stay at home dad, grandparents can help out and in all those scenarios they will still have a mom. A mom who I'm sure will love her kids.

My defense of Sarah Palin ends there. Again, there are many, cogent yet terrifying reasons this woman should not be Vice President, none of them have to do with the fact that she is a mother of five.

But I'll give you a few...



-The mere thought of this woman taking questions from reporters send the McCain campaign into a panic (turns out from the clip above their panic is justified). This woman will be second in command and could possible run out country someday. She's going to have to talk to people a lot tougher than some Fox news reporters.
-She preaches abstinence only education with her 17-year old daughter standing next to her. Not only hypocritical but just plain dumb. Apparently when middle class white people have pregnant teenage daughters it's a reason to rejoice. Could you imagine if Barack Obama had a 17 year old pregnant daughter?
-She doesn't know what the Bush doctrine is. Granted, I don't either but I'm also not a Vice Presidential candidate. Ben happened to be out of town for that gem of an interview and when I mentioned it to him, he was able to give me a clear,concise explanation of the Bush doctrine.
-She sites the fact that you can see from Russia from parts of Alaska as foreign policy experience. Just for the record, by being born in Alaska this also means I have foreign policy experience. Maybe Obama should have picked me for his running mate. Never mind the fact that she acquired a passport only one year ago and has left the U.S approximately one time.

Sarah Palin is not a feminist, her rise is not to be compared to Hillary Clinton's. She is a pawn in a man's grand plan. She was chosen not because she's qualified but because she's attractive and can appeal to the Christian right. People who believe that dinosaurs walked the earth a mere 6,000 years ago. I for one know I don't want another 8 years of those people running our country.

I guess the point of all this is that I am embracing my new found feminism and while I know there are many more qualified than me to extol the virtues of feminism, I'll do my best. Oh yeah, and Sarah Palin's an idiot.

Ben and Brian serenading me in the backyard = my happy place.

Thought I'd post this even though it was recorded in Brian's bedroom, he looks like he just rolled out of bed (clearly hasn't brushed his hair) and Ben tells me he's not wearing any pants. Not sure how or why Ben knows that, I don't ask anymore.

Give it a listen. Brian's awesome (as is the rest of his band), you can also see him live and in person at the wedding if you're lucky enough to be invited. Need more Brian, just search Brian Chartrand on youtube . They're also on myspace (who isn't), under music - Ten Dollar Outfit.

We love you Brian.

Beautiful Things

I missed last weeks PR, I was to busy being menstrual and bickering with Ben for no good reason, however beautiful things make me happy and after watching the news I was pretty upset so I read the recap of the previous week (which I did see) and this made me happy.

An American Express card and $700 buys me this dress. For some reason I don't think my butt would look that good in it. Oh, if only I weighed 90 pounds.

I'm voting for Obama, here's why...

I have multiple posts in my drafts/deleted folder regarding politics. RNC week had me pretty keyed up and most of them are not very nice. They may find a place on my blog in the future, maybe when I get around to cleaning out the drafts but for now they'll remain hidden away, my secret shame. This one hopefully won't be quite as offensive. Here goes..

-If John McCain is elected President he will most likely appoint another supreme court justice. This in short means the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I think abortion is a personal choice, not a choice I would make for myself but a choice that women everywhere should be allowed to make for themselves. Old, rich, white men should not be making this decision for them.

The way to stop abortions and unwanted pregnancy is education. Abstinence only doesn't work. Thanks to Sara Palin for making that point with a sledgehammer.

Outlawing abortion would not stop abortions. John McCain himself actually said it rather eloquently in 1999 "I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force thousands of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."

But today, of course he would overturn it. He has to pander to the right. Can you say flip-flop?

-My favorite lesbians are just that, lesbians. They have the right to get married, be at each other's bedside if one is ill and get health benefits. When you can give me one valid way in which my lesbian/gay friends and family are harming the sanctity of your marriage, actually don't even bother, there is nothing valid in that argument.

-We are losing a war in Iraq while Bin Laden hides in a cave (maybe?). We are fighting a war agains a country that had nothing to do with 9/11, spending tens of billions of dollars a month with American and Iraqi casualties climbing every day. It's time to end the war we shouldn't be fighting in the first place.

-I have one of the most amazing nephews in the world. He has brown skin and white parents. I want him to be able to look at his President and be inspired, I want him to know that he can be anything he wants to be, President or if he has his way an actor.

These are a only a few of the reasons I will be proudly voting for Barack Obama in November. More to come (like a whole post on Sara Palin). Enough for tonight though, I'm already pretty fired up, politics does that to me, so I'm now going to have to run off some of the anger and my dinner.

Project Runway

I cannot believe this is my first Project Runway blog of the season. I am partly a slacker but also partly uninspired by this season. I had no clear favorite until this week. This jacket that turned this season around for me...



Aaaahhh! I want it, I want it, I want it! And it's made from seatbelts, are you kidding me? So gorgeous.

In the last few episodes Korto has definitely worked her way to the top of my favorites list along with Leanne (who won last nights challenge). Leanne's dress was definitely cool and she deserved the win but I love-love Korto's jacket.

Vacation

I spent a few days in Utah to attend the baptism of one of the most awesome nieces in the world. I haven't seen Erica's kids in a long time and was incredibly excited to see them, I just wish they were closer. Leaving them is too hard. I was so glad I got to be there to support Kailee on her big day. Below are some random pictures from the trip.

Reed eating pizza, the kid is only happy when eating or being held by his parents.


Watch out Hannah Montana! K-Bug rocking the Chanel sunglasses.


Contemplating her future pop stardom...


I took the girls to the park to play and was so glad when we left for home without any injuries. We didn't quite make it home though. Syd hit a bump in the sidewalk on the scooter, flew over the handle bars and face planted. I had to piggy back her home while carrying the scooter. Obviously she was pooped and needed a little nap. Note the black eye and scratched up face (mostly hidden by the hair).

Super Powers Anyone?

Ben and I went and saw Dark Knight over the weekend. I hoped the movie would be good but didn't have high expectations, mostly I just wanted to be entertained for a few hours. I was very entertained. And scared. Just a side note here, this movie is only rated PG-13 but in my opinion is not for kids. Heather Ledger is a genius as the joker and also terrifying. I was so scared I almost peed my pants. As my nephew Akeke would say, "too scary dada, too scary".


Anyway, this post was not meant to be a movie review but more about the fact that since seeing the movie I have been daydreaming about being a superhero. Not Batman exactly but definitely tight black leather is involved. I'm not even sure what my super powers would be, they don't figure into my daydreams as much as the outfits do. It's definitley more about the outfits. Tight black vinyl pants and Christian Louboutin spike heels. Heaven. The superhero Erin would definitely wear Christian Lou's. (Super Erin would also weight 115 pounds so as to be able to pull off black vinyl pants and spike heels). I would also be able to run as fast as the speed of light in them.

I think Batman would go for a girl in spike black heels and I would definitely be after Batman, I heart Christian Bale. A lot.

I wonder why the obsession with superheroes. I remember my youngest brother Sean and the obsession he had with Batman for about 2 years. The Batman sheets and the Batman cape that he wore everywhere, even to bed.

Ben once jumped off a picnic table in his superman underoos, sure they gave him the power to fly. He cracked his head open. This was of course when he was a kid, way before I knew him, obviously.

Myself, I was kind of a Pink Power Ranger kind of girl.

Just curious what super power do you wish you had?

It's that time again.

Considering my obsession last weekend I'm not sure how I managed to miss that this week was the Project Runway Season 5 premier. I apparently have been living in a vortex. It took a phone call from MFBD's to clue me in. Now I am anxiously awaiting Thursday so that I can watch both the 1st and 2nd episodes. I will have to avoid my favorite blog, Project Rungay, so that I'm not swayed by their opinions before seeing the first episode for myself.
I'm hoping for an awesome season but I'm not sure if you can top the drama from last season caused by the queen of ruffles and puffy sleeves. We shall see...opinions and pictures of amazing clothes to come soon.

The Wedding

My obsession with the wedding grows daily. I've finally got the wedding blog I promised many of you up and running. Check it out at my wedding blog .

What We've Been Up To...

As bloggers go, I'm horrible. I blame work, I've been working longer hours and since I lost my carpool buddy I've been MAXing to work. I like riding the MAX, it makes me feel environmentally responsible but the commute takes about and hour and 15 minutes one way. So basically I work 10 hours, commute for 3 and by the time I get home I have just enough time to pick up the house, take a walk or hit a yoga class with Ben, eat and go to bed. I have to be up at 4:30 in order to catch the train at 5:30. I know, a lame excuse but it's true. Though Ben would probably tell you it's because I spend all my spare time looking at wedding stuff. This is also true.

So, in order to update the friends and fam, here are some random pictures of what we've been doing lately...


Enjoying a visit from my BFF.









Trips to the Dancing Bare, just in case the name isn't clear enough the sign spells it out for you, a dancing bear, x'ed out and then a picture of a naked lady. This sign cracks me up. It's right around the corner from our house and is a great landmark when people ask where we live, everyone knows the Dancing Bare. Carrie couldn't leave without a t-shirt from this NoPo institution.

Finding the coolest apartment in Portland in the coolest house in Portland for MFBD's. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival on July 29th. We are so excited, it feels like Christmas!








Planning a wedding, at the Historic Kenton Firehouse, June 13th, 2009. Mark your calendars.







Ben and I after finishing the Portland Sunday Parkways bike ride last weekend. A six mile loop through many of NoPo's neighborhood parks. We went with the Thompkes and friends. I love that our neighborhood has a community bike ride on Sunday, this is my idea of church.

Meet Scooter Libby

No, not that Scooter Libby, I think he's in jail. If not he should be...

This is my new scooter, named Libby.

The name was suggested by one of the guys at work, at first I dismissed it but it's cleverness grew on me and so it shall be. He also suggested getting a personalized license plate that says LIBBY, that way I would literally be riding Scooter Libby around town. I'll just have to get an IMPEACH bumper sticker so people don't actually think I'm a supporter.

At around 70mpg I am pretty excited, I can scoot around town guilt free (mostly) plus I look beyond cool. Try not to be jealous of my new scoot, maybe if you try very hard you will one day be cool enough to join my scooter gang.

Small Miracles

I have some BIG news. This weekend I went camping. Yep, when I say small miracles, I am not kidding. I have been resisting a camping trip with Ben for a long time, for 4 years actually.

Prior to this weekend, I could not find anything redeeming about camping. Campfire smoke, disgusting. Bugs, disgusting. Sleeping on the ground, disgusting.

So needless to say I was not looking forward to our camping trip but the weather forecast was calling saying it was 95 degrees (which feels like 115) so I wanted to go to the coast where it was going to be more cool. Ben agreed; on the condition that we camp instead of staying in a hotel.

Camping with Ben turned out to be pretty awesome. First, he does EVERYTHING. He set up the tent, built the fire, made dinner. Whenever I asked if I could help he told me to just relax and read my book, which I happily did. Second, our campsite was about 100 feet from the beach and the weather was perfect. The picture above is the beach at sunset.

We only stayed one night but still, it's a start. Camping trips may be in my future, as long as I don't have to do any work.



On Saturday we decided to get a quick hike in at Munson Falls before heading home. It was absolutely beautiful and I once again am amazed at the forests within an hour drive from home. The hike runs alongside a stream and at the bottom of the trail is a great little picnic area by the stream.

After our hike Ben and I stopped at the picnic site to let the dogs run. It was there another another small (or not so small) miracle happened. Ben thanked me for going camping with him and not only going camping but also going along with my trademark positive attitude (kidding of course, I'm kind of a cynical pessimist). I did try to keep an open mind and positive attitude on our trip. So, he suggested that I think of something I wanted that he has always said he wouldn't do since he owed me one for the camping. Anything I wanted. I sat there, trying to think of something, mostly to do with some sort of shopping spree, when Ben got down on one knee and proposed. It was very sweet, romantic and very surprising. Ben had stepped up the anti-marriage rhetoric lately so I didn't see it coming at all and was in shock. Of course I said yes. Actually what I think I said was "Are you effing kidding me?", then I started crying. Classic. Leave it to me to ruin a moment.

We are very excited, I am so happy and so in love. I was in love before obviously but I am still feeling the proposal afterglow. I can't stop looking at my ring. The ring is beautiful and belonged to Ben's great grandfather. It was passed down through the family to his grandfather, his mom and then to him. We are going next week to have the diamond re-set and I will post the before and after pictures. It is beautiful now but the setting is old and unfortunately ready to be replaced.

We are looking at late spring or early summer for the wedding. It seems so far away but we definitely want a spring/summer wedding and this summer is too soon. We've decided that we will definitely be having the wedding and reception in Portland and I am already obsessed with wedding plans.

So, it was a long story about camping to get to the good stuff, thanks for sticking with it.

That's all the news for now! Oh and... Barack wins Oregon. Obama in '08!!!

Touristy Me

That's right people, two posts in one day, soak it in.

This weekend I got to spend some time being a tourist. Things have been pretty busy and we unfortunately have not been able to get out and see much of Portland.

This weekend though, Ben is on his annual Cinco De Mayo trip to Rocky Point with the boys and in a totally sweet twist of fate I had my first visitors. My good friend Stacey rolled into town the day Ben left with her hubby and beyond adorable baby in tow. I was so excited to have visitors; mostly because I miss my friends so much it hurts but also because I hate to be home alone at night. Not only did their visit provide me with some much needed company, a taste of home and a lot of laughter with good friends but it also meant I didn't have to stay alone the whole time Ben was gone (and I got to do some sightseeing). Yeah! Well, yeah for me anyway. I think Stacey's husband Kris may have regretted inviting me along. Anyone who knows Stacey and I know that when together we are unstoppable. We find ourselves to be quite hilarious but for some reason that we cannot begin to fathom, no one else finds us particularly funny. It's very strange. The only thing that could have made our jokes even funnier would have been if Cupcake (a.k.a. Carrie) had been along. She completes us and our jokes in a way no one else can.



We took a scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge and stopped to wander around whenever something looked interesting (and thankfully Kris refrained from leaving us behind on any of those stops). We hit Multnomah Falls (the picture above) and I cannot believe that such a gorgeous place is only a 30-40 minute drive from me and that I don't go there all the time. (Again, my photography is pretty crappy). Along the scenic route are a few different falls and I can't wait to get out there with Ben and the dogs and go exploring.

We also made a stop at what is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Portland, The Pittock Mansion , surrounded by Forest Park , with gorgeous views of Portland I am looking forward to another nice weekend so I can hike up there with lunch and my book. I can't wait to lay on the grass in the sun and read all day. If you are looking for me on the next sunny Saturday, the Pittock Mansion lawn is where you will find me.

A few of my favorite things.

Ben and I moved into our place about 2 1/2 weeks ago. After much searching we found the perfect place for us but it has been a lot of work, hence the lack of new posts.

I spent most of my day today up to my elbows in dirt planting flowers and the rest painting old frames that will eventually hang on our back patio. The back patio is a huge project but I am hoping that by next weekend it will be photo ready. When finished it will be gorgeous (it is in my head anyway). I hope it turns out at least somewhat close to the vision I have for it. Look for pictures soon.

Anyway, I told my mom I would get pictures up so here are a few of the things I am loving about the house.



1. The house numbers. Hello, are they perfect or what? They were hand made by our friend Megan, she uses reclaimed glass, and she did an awesome job. We love how they turned out and think they add something very special to the house. Megan has also made a few other things for the house that are among my favorites, some will be making an appearance in the patio photos when posted. She is incredible, check her out at tadahpdx . I see one of her marble garden balls in my future, maybe for Christmas. Ben has banned me from her house (joking of course) because I can't stop buying her stuff. I just can't help myself; everything she makes is so awesome.



2. The lilac (and my front porch flowers). The lilac is quickly becoming my favorite plant ever. It smells amazing and I find myself sitting in the living room just staring at it, it's so pretty. Today I walked around it in circles for 10 minutes just looking at it from all angles and sniffing it. My neighbors must think I'm crazy. My photography does not do it justice. It has a couple of bare spots, possibly because both Jess and I have been cutting flowers for our houses. I guess that will have to stop. They look so pretty in a vase though.

3. My new dining room table. Ben found the table in the free section on craigslist . I hate craigs list only because Ben is obsessed with it. He is constantly running around picking up cheap or free stuff but this table was a find and makes his obsession a little more bearable. It's a project (of course), we are going to be refinishing it but I just think it's so pretty even in the kind of crappy shape it's currently in. I thought I had a picture of it but I can't find it so I will post one when it's done.

I think that is all I have on the house for now. Hopefully as projects get completed I will be a more regular blogger.

Once upon a time I wanted to be a writer. (Or a world traveler)

I have been missing in action I know, I am sure people are checking my blog every day in anxious anticipaton of my next posting.

Work (yes I have a job) has been insanely busy but I love it. Ben and I finally found a house and move this weekend. That is the short version of what I've been up to. So, on to the good stuff...

I just started a new book, I'm on page 40 and every time I pick it up and read a few paragraphs I want to throw myself off a cliff but I can't stop reading it. I think the idea behind the story is great, but the book not so great. I love to read and can typically find good in any book, I couldn't figure out what I found so annoying but I've decided I hate the writer's voice. She's so annoying and self-centered, it's all about her. This should be okay since it is essentially her life that's the story but I still find her cloying.

It does have me thinking about a few things however.

First, that I once wanted to be a writer. This poorly written book has shown me that maybe those dreams weren't so far fetched. If Elizbeth Gilbert can write a best seller, so can I damnit.

Obviously, I never thought I would grow up to be a Project Assistant but I now realize that we all have our thing: organization is my thing. Give me an Excel spreadsheet or a checklist and I go to my happy place. Still, somewhere deep down I want to be a writer. As kids we all aspire to be rockstars or in my case a marine biologist (if you had asked me when I was 10), but I always knew in my heart that I wanted to be a writer. I used to go in my room and get all set up with a notebook and pens convinced I was going to write the next Pulitzer Prize winning novel. All I ended up with were a bunch of mostly empty notebooks with a few pages of melodramatic teenage drama. Those pages were usually written not because I was terribly angst ridden but because I couldn't think of anything to say so I would write in order to practice my penmanship. If I couldn't write a great story at least what I did write would look pretty. I have exquisite penmanship. (If I ever have to write a personal ad, I think that might be my heading).
SWF with excellent penmanship seeking SM who loves books, jeopardy, wine and appreciates a well crafted handwritten letter.

I still have this problem with words though, I've just never been a communicator. I have so many ideas (and opinions) but can't actually turn them into anything tangible. Such is life.

Second, it has me thinking about things I love. I am early in the book, (Eat, Pray, Love) and while I find the author to be a pretty mediocre writer I came upon a paragraph that I found strangely moving.

"Traveling is the great true love of my life. I have always felt...that to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice. I am loyal and constant in my love for travel, as I have not always been loyal and constant in my other loves. I feel about travel the way a happy new mother feels about her impossible, colicky, restless newborn baby-I just don't care what it puts me through. Because I adore it. Because it's mine. Because it looks exactly like me. It can barf all over me if it wants to-I just don't care."

There are two things in life that make me feel this way, travel (or the idea of traveling) and words. I love to read and to write as evidenced by the diatribe a few paragrahps up.

I love traveling or the idea of traveling, since I haven't done much of it. I do however plan to one day be independently wealthy and see the world. In the meantime I guess I will settle for an overseas trip every few years.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Today is Ben's 32nd birthday. We celebrated this weekend so we aren't doing anything exciting tonight. I don't have any pictures to post of the celebration because I'm a slacker and didn't take any. We had a good time though, Ben got a North Face fleece from the commune and an iPod shuffle from me. The shuffle is his 3rd shuffle in about a year. The first two I destroyed, Ben never takes them out of his pockets and I am notorious for not checking pockets when I do laundry. They went through the washer and dryer. I am going to try not to wash this one, what I should have purchased along with his shuffle is some stock in Apple (if I could afford it) since between the two of us we have owned about 10 iPod devices.

Today was also my first day of work and I am pooped. I haven't worked in 3 months and on my first day I had to be there at 6:30 am which meant getting up at 4:30am in order to leave by 5:45. Ugh. At least my normal hours will be 7-4, with half days on Fridays so I have that to look forward to. I am not looking forward to taking the Max (light rail) to work tomorrow but I'm going to give it a try since Ben needs the car.

I have never been so tired in my life. I'm ready for some Thai food, a walk with the dogs and bed by 9:00.

Portland Erin Hearts Trees

SUBTITLED: PORTLAND ME.
For some reason everyone in the house (except Chris who calls me FGOTS but that's a whole other story) has taken to calling me Portland Erin; same goes for Ben, he is now Portland Ben. We even call each other by this nickname. This especially applies when one of us does something different or out of the ordinary, some examples...

"Portland Erin smells like rosemary."

This one from Jess while we were weeding the area around the overgrown rosemary bush in the garden. Arizona Erin doesn't weed.

The Garden



"Portland Erin is a slug lover."

This little nugget was also from Jess after I touched a slug on the same weeding adventure mentioned above. As if touching a slug wasn't disgusting enough on it's own Jess than picked it up with a leaf and chased me around the yard with it. It feels a little like living with my brothers all over again.

Slugs are not a common occurence in Arizona, I saw only one when I was little and was absolutely repulsed by it. This has not changed. As kids we poured salt on the slug and watched it shrivel and die (kids are mean). The first thing I said to Jess once she had dropped the slug was, "go get the salt." I resisted the urge though because hey, slugs have feelings too.


"Portland Erin gets all the jobs."
Yep, that's right. Three job offers in 2 days. Just in case anyone doubted my awesomeness, Portland Erin rocks! I think I have made a final decision on which I am accepting so I should be joining the ranks of the employed on Monday. Woo hoo!


There was going to be a point to this whole blog but Portland Erin has the stomach flu, is tired and can't remember why she started this blog. Plus it's cold (it snowed here today) and I'm going to take a nap.

**The above picture was photographed by Portland Erin on a hike in Forest Park last week. Portland Erin hearts trees. And now this post is at its end, I promise to no longer refer to my self as Portland erin (or in the 3rd person).