Monday, November 26, 2007

I left my heart in Portland, OR.

Well, I know its not quite the new year, but it should be. I'm ready for this one to be over with. So, I'll do what I can in the meantime and revamp the blog. I hope that you like it.

My Thanksgiving was perfect.
I cooked the Turkey, made homemade cranberry sauce, savory apple rosemary stuffing, ginger apricot glaze, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and much, much more. Linda and Reichle came over, my parents and sisters were there (of course) and a myriad of Candyce's YWAM friends. We played scrabble. We played Squabble. We toasted over the $15 champagne the man at Safeway recommended. All in all, it was glorious.

I braved the Clackamas Towne Center on black friday. I got two shirts and a necklace at Forever 21 and I got my bridesmaid's dress for Danielle's wedding at Macy's. While the mall is no place to be the day after Thanksgiving; really, it was much better than I expected. I didn't even have to kill anyone for a parking spot.

My mom got a kitten. Despite my protests, her name is Pilgrim. I wanted to name her Ludmilla. In any case, I just called her "kitten" a lot. And I didn't move for like three days straight because she would lay on my belly and purr and sleep and who can move when a kitten is purring on their belly?

And, now for the bad news.
I am back in Long Beach. And I am back at work.
I love Long Beach. I love work.
But today my heart was heavy.

I miss my family, I miss my house, I miss my cat, I miss the simple life.
I live in two places, and I'm not quite sure how to reconcile the two. I always promise that I will move back someday - but I dont know when and I dont know how. And I've been in southern california for 6 years.

And, as if the troubles of the day were not enough; I left my office at 5:30 to find that my new Schwinn road bike had been stolen. It was vintage and maroon and beautiful. I loved that bike. And some jackass cut my lock in broad daylight in front of the valet / parking attendant.

I know its just a bike, but it felt like being punched in the gut. Welcome back to California, eh? It was a long day; and walking outside my building to find nothing but a severed lock cable was sickening and depressing.

Thank the Lord for kittiens and Christmas and vacations and cruises and family and red wine and coffee and chocolate. These are my saving graces.

4 comments:

Bradley Ankrom said...

!

ms. tea said...

so sorry to hear about your bike. what happened to the pugeout?

i miss portland too and i have only ever seen it from inside an airplane/port.

shawnalyne said...

You've inspired me to revamp my blog. By the way, you should mention that pictures of the adorable pilgrim are on my blog.
love,
your mum

rosie said...

i hear ya on craving the simple life i just cried in the phone for about 1/2 an hour to amber about how much i hate this city. sorry about your bike linds.