You are all (two of you? Or is it three?) probably wondering where I've been.
My life has been busy, mostly with travel. James and I made a week long visit to my parents in Cupertino in late June. We left Addie behind in California, where rumor has it she is greatly enjoying living with her grandparents again.
We arrived back in Portland on a Monday. That Tuesday was my first day as a "real" employee at the company where I'd been temping since May. It wasn't an easy decision, in many ways, to go back to work, and especially not at a job I wouldn't have looked twice at while trolling Monster or Craig's List. But it turned out to be the right decision. The job is fulfilling and challenging enough to keep me on my toes most days, but not so draining that I want to just drop into bed at the end of the day.
So, Tuesday at the new job. And Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday. And at 4:15 in the morning on Saturday, James and I headed for the airport and our flight to Albuquerque. It was my first time meeting his parents. And his brother, grandfather, aunt...We were there for ten days. It was hard mostly because of the heat and the altitude. Going from Portland (72 degrees, 150 feet above sea level) to New Mexico (95 degress, 6000 feet above sea level) and then to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado (85 degress, 7000 feet above sea level) meant we were tired and hot and, yes, ocassionally cranky. But it was a terrific visit, overall. James' family made me feel very welcome and learning about a different side of my sweetie was fun.
We received pictures in the mail today, so hopefully I can post those soon.
When we returned from New Mexico, I had a surprise waiting for me in the mail - health insurance cards! It is the first time in almost four years that I have benefits, and I wasted no time in taking advantage. Within short order, I had appointments with a doctor and a dentist. I'd forgotten how much paperwork there is to fill out! Mostly I am in good health. Amazingly, no cavities or gum problems. And I was able to get an MRI of the knee I injured snowboarding last February (that would be 2004, the trip to Tahoe with Maria, James Jackson, Dave Quinn, and Matt Authment). Results tomorrow, so expect another post soon.
The reason I haven't posted any of this sooner - aside from being swamped with a new job, home decorating, going to the gym, and spending time with James - is that I was having computer problems. Very spotty, no big deal, just restart the darn thing, right? Except last week it wouldn't restart. Now, Macs are fairly easy to troubleshoot, but I did everything I know how to do, and everything I read on the support web site. Luckily, Apple just opened a store in downtown Portland, so I took it to their Genius Bar. But the Genius had no luck either, and my poor baby had to go to Tennesee for some TLC. I just got it back tonight, and I'm pleased to say it's working great, thanks to a brand new hard drive.
That's all I've got time and energy for at the moment, but I promise to post more, especially with the wedding coming up.
Oh, except probably for next week, when we will be on a Toensfeldt family vacation to San Diego, and I will finally get to meet my neice, Irene Richelle, who was born on June 25th. I can't wait!