Yesterday I went to an impromptu birthday party at Chris Ritchey's apartment. I had a really fun time. Thank you Chris, and everyone who was there. It made my birthday very special. Also, I did a little dancing with Peter at CC's. I haven't done that for a long time, and it was good to get out. I'm so very thankful for the people I have in my life.

So, now that my 40th year is about to begin, my birthday being on Wednesday, just to put it out there, I feel like I'm finally coming into my own. I have a lovely man that I love very dearly, a house that we love to share, and wonderful friends to help us celebrate life. I'm looking forward to the next 40 years of life's journey. It is new chapter that makes me very excited. I guess that's all I have to say for now, except let us all go forth and celebrate life with as much happiness as we can.

This weekend Peter, Coco, and I went for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge, just a little bit west of Cascade Locks.. It was a little windy, but overall a beautiful day. We packed a lunch and ate on an outcrop of rock overlooking the river. Peter took our camera and took a number of pictures. We haven't yet shared them, I will soon. I have to say that it was a wonderful time. On a funny note, on one of the trails we went down, as we came around a corner, there was a man that was just pulling up his shorts and an officer writing him a ticket. I guess it was the wrong day to nude sunbath. He should have just gone a little further west to Rooster Rock. He could have been nakid there for a lot less money. Always fun to bump into nude people. It seems like I have been doing a lot of that lately.

Today we organized the house and cleaned a little. It felt good to get a few things done. The house is taking shape little by little. Not much more to say. It was just busy work today.

Today Peter and I went to several used and reclaimed furniture stores. Once we have a little more money I think we will be able to put together an eclectic but very nice set of furniture. I'm looking forward to buying more quality pieces. When we moved back to Portland we weren't able to keep all the furniture we had in Chicago. So, we are in the process of replacing several key pieces to hold all of our niknaks that we have collected over the years and mean a great deal to us. To see those thing desplayed again we be wonderful. We haven't been able to do so for over two years. Also we still have a storage unit in Chicago that contains things that I'm itching to get and see again, and I'm getting very tired of paying for that unit. Anyway, today helped to get me thinking about this new chapter of our lives. This whole process has been very long and trying but the tunnel is getting brighter every day. I feeling much more comfortable.

In a couple more weeks we are planning on getting the paint for our house. It is needing a paint job in a very huge way. I'm very excited to up the curb appeal of our house. I hope we will be able to get this done before the winter rain comes. If not we will have to play it by ear. After the house is painted we are going to get the roof replaced. It is going to like a whole new house almost. Love it!

Garden update. Looks like we will be able to harvest our first ear of corn soon. If things go well it we will be able to harvest about ten ears this year. I hope they taste good. Also, I have been able to make fresh vegetable juice for the last couple of week with most of the produce coming from the garden. It has been wonderful!

Going home from work today on the train I saw a topless woman standing waiting for the train. I had to look a couple of times to make sure of what I saw. I guess that just makes my commute just more interesting. I have to say that it was a lovely black leather skirt though. She was just missing her top. A few more peices and she would be ready to go out on the town. Wow!

Anyway, good first day back to work after the long weekend. I'm learning a lot at work, and I think I will be on my regular schedule next week.

This long weekend has been very nice. Peter and I have been able to sleep in every day. We have had nothing planned. This weekend that was perfect. I think this is just what we needed. We did do a little window shopping though, and today we bought a nice glazed pot and converted it into a fountain. I love it! Next year we will be able to add to it with planting and maybe make the area into a cluster of water features. I can't wait to draw out our plans. I just love that we have the space to do these things.

The next project we have on our agenda is to get the house painted, and to get the roof replaced. I'm hoping to get the paint on the house before the winter comes. We are a little behind our original schedule, but we are making progress. as long as we are doing that I'm OK with that. We plan on being in this house for a very long time, so we can take as much time as we want to, and finally all of the improvements we be for us and not to get it ready to sell.