I Love Life!

It's Fall, and the colors are out of this world! Seasons changing and so is my life...once again. 

First things first.. we have another Shugart to carry on the family name... Paden Anthony! Moms and grandma and I am an aunt and can't wait to meet him.  Stinks that we are all so far from one another, but will be seeing them all soon. 

What a riot! He looks just like Ash!

Headed south next mo! Go 30! Lots coming up in Dec, am finally using the insurance lic I got back in Feb, and it's taking me to Eugene!  I am stoked.  The town is a lot like Austin and it is beautiful down there.  I've been in training this month two times a week down in Eugene and working the other days here in Salem still.  I will be full time down there Dec 1, and am so excited for the new career.  It is something I actually believe in, and know that I will be very happy helping others out for a living.  Its an opportunity of a lifetime that I couldn't pass up.  I love how life works out, all the turns and unexpected doors that open every day.  I think by this time next year both mommy and I will be out of Salem and enjoying our new towns and homes (all very exciting, this town is lame... we call it 'solame' 

I hope everyone is wonderful, I miss you all! Happy Holidays and I will see everyone soon!

The 'Ol Swtich-A-Roo

It took me about a year to convince my boss here at Centurion to let me work 4 days a week, and always have my Monday's off.  I've been in heaven, sheer bliss is what that little extra day does for me and my soul.  I began working here and there at Chateau Bianca filling in during tours and helping in the tasting room, which has been a nice breath of fresh air with everyone coming in just to have a good time, learn about our wines, and spend money! Last Thursday, my boss at the winery called to offer me the full time tasting room position starting at the end of this month.  My initial "gut" reaction was no way am I giving up my 3 day weekend... so not a responsible answer! After talking to those I love and care about and weighing the options I decided it was a step forward I am willing to take.  Opportunities! Opportunities! Opportunities!  BUT the coolest thing about all of this madness is my boss here is letting me stay on part time.  My jobs just flip flopped and I don't have to burn any bridges, and am welcome back anytime.  There is a running joke up here with the girls and myself about how I will be back here full time in 6 mos... at least it's good to know I will always have a job here :)

I'm still a bit peeved that life continues to go on, even though I am missing my daddy every single day, but know that these are the lessons we will all eventually learn and every one's journey is a little different.  I just want to remember him, and talk about him, and laugh about him as much as I possibly can.  His birthday is this coming Sat, the 16th, and he would have been 53.  Mom and I are headed to the coast for some sun and relaxation.  I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and spending their time with loved ones and doing what makes them sublimely happy.  That is what is important.  Much LOVE from Oregon! Still...come see us!

Colors of the Season

Clover fields next to the farm...

For all of those who wonder where Christmas trees are born...

Oregon Coast... Wallace Family Coastal Home

Wallace Enterprises... Blueberry Farm...Heaven

Duane's babies... Blueberries in the Fall

My meditation tree on the coast...

Settling In

One must first purchase bookshelves prior to moving an entire library into a new space...this is where I failed, and now I have stacks and stacks of books all over my new home with no place to go.  Now that I have been living there for a week, I am starting to wonder if I am subconsciously recreating my old Austin home here in Salem.  I moved to a small one bedroom home with no carpet, a tiny kitchen, and on a alley with a convenient store right down on the corner.  The only thing that is missing is the swimming pool.  And this go round I have Rupert, who is growing a food belly at an alarming rate.  It takes 7 minutes to jog to my mommy's house and have made nightly appearances around dinner time, coincidence...I think not.  The woman can cook all of a sudden!

It's still in the low 70's here, but sunny finally and should stay rain free for the duration of summer.  This time of year is why we live up here, the colors and the trees and the mountains and the glorious weather.

Off to the coast on Sunday for Father's Day, hope everyone has a great weekend! Love on some dads!

My humble abode...

Vineyard Adventure

Happy memorial day everyone! I hope someone got some sun, and some boating in this weekend.  It is still in the low 60's here in OR.  Unbelievable. 

So this is how I know I am growing up... we will just pretend I have several other options for ways to spend the holiday weekend... but alas I began my new 2nd job at a winery, Chateau Bianca.  The position is such a good fit for me, chatting up passerbyers, serving wines that our vineyard produces right there on property, and all around just enjoying the new scene and new co-workers.  It should only be for a couple days each week, but hopefully I will get in on the wine and food festivals that are in OR all summer.  I have some amazing photos of the wineries between the farm and Salem, and will get those posted soon. 

Summer has officially kicked off! Looking forward to the dry season up here, and the very very long days that are ahead.  I hope everyone at least entertains the idea of a visit this year to come see us! Mountains, and coast, and forests OH MY! 

LOTS OF LOVE

Will not bow down to the facebook gods!

I dedicate this blog to my very loving and nurturing meme, who has been riding me since I moved to OR to get on Facebook.  Something in my soul just will not let me sign up for it.  I hope this is sufficient for you meme, and all the lovely people I am lucky to call my friends.

It's been a little over a year since mom and I made our big journey to Oregon, and the change has been exciting and extremely spiritual for me.  I've had so much more free time to read, write, and be one with nature.  I mean, how could I not, it's the most amazing landscape I've ever seen, and I feel lucky to be here.  I've been able to pull my head out of my but and get a full time job, paid off debt, and enjoyed the freedom my mind now has that it is not consumed with the all mighty dollar.  The Wallace clan opened their home and their hearts to me from the moment I got here, and I have enjoyed being part of such a big boisterous family with so many wonderful and unique personalities.  I just hope I can return the generosity one day.  They remind me so much of my own family, and that has been so crucial to making a home here in Oregon for myself and my mommy.     

We've all had such a big 2010 and 2011... Ash and Tammy are now in DC, living their own glorious dream with a babyshug on the way.  Yes that's right I am going to be an aunt! And Mom is going to be a grandmother.  Feel free to email suggestions for what we should call her as her new role in the family. 

Rupert (my new crazy kitty) will be moving to our own home next month, and could not be more excited to unpack all my stuff again and have a place to call my own.  There's also a place for a garden, and let's face it, if you live here and don't have one, well you're just not doing OR right.