Fall, I'm in love

I am in love with Fall this year! Fall is my favorite time of year but this year it is even better. It is more of an "Indian Summer" especially since it has only rained twice in the last week. I'm enjoying biking in the beautiful sunshine. If I had PTO I would totally use it! The colors have not really changed yet but the smell of Fall is intoxicating! Add to the Fall smell the smell of the ocean when the tide is coming in (via the river) It feels like home to be by the river and just be.

I think about everything and nothing while I'm biking. Like I said before my biking is very therapeutic on many levels. I see things clearer when I'm not in the heat of the moment or the answer to a problem I've been mulling over suddenly pops into my head.

Happy National Pharmacy Technician Day!

This is a photo I took on our last Urban hike. We mostly took pics of the cool building details on our way to the bank. The bank is not that far away but it took us over two hours to get there. We really had a lot of fun. I got some great photos that I really like. I'm going to get 5x7 prints and group them in my place. I have always loved the wonderful architecture of the neighborhood. Many of the apartment buildings have wonderful details. I grew up in an old Victorian in a neighborhood not far from here. They may not be photos to sell but mean something to me. I will post a few more. Let me know what you think.

Today is my day off and the only one this week. I picked up a sixth day to help out the same co-worker that I helped last week. She is going back to Seattle for the funeral. Saturday is a day shift. That will be all OT as it will be the sixth day. Sunday I am Stand By. I hope not to get called but I get paid $3.50 an hour for 24 hours. Time and a half does get addictive . . . . Only time and co-workers will tell.

Wil and I are off to do food shopping and whatnot.

I just got this e-card from the PTCB for National Pharmacy Technician Day

Click on the following link:

e-card

For your security, if you'd prefer not to click on links within this email:

1. Go to AmericanGreetings.com

2. Locate the eCard pickup link in the upper right-hand corner of the page

3. Enter the following code --> 4735446581379

Lost Fall photos!

"Stop and feel the
Fall in the
Evening"













"Blended"




"Bark
and
Flames"







These lovely pictures were in my camera from last fall! My printer was being bitchy so I could not upload photos! That was a delightful discovery yesterday when I was getting my camera ready for Octoberfest. I have many more but I want to get a bike ride in before work!

Enjoy the day!

Pretty Fall

fall

Texture

Texture

Scary Halloween

cool jack o lantern

Fall

Of the four seasons Fall has always been my favorite. The smells, intense colors, and the need for layers of clothing. Chilly mornings followed by warm afternoons that turn into cool evenings. Ahhh.

Sure I like all the seasons. They all have unique qualities but fall is so poignant. It's also the most romantic time to me. I love going to a football game and as it gets cooler snuggle up to that someone. Just watch out because I really get into a football game. I can turn from sweet lovable me to a rabid fan in a split second. :)

On a cold rainy fall night I like to sit in front of a roaring fire. Big Band music in the back round and maybe some red wine. We could be talking or each reading but we are together and content. Much like a football game and split second timing I may get a bit cuddly. (or a lot!)

A newer fall event I have enjoyed in recent years is hiking. At first Deeg took me out to hikes in the gorge to let me vent and dispense advice to my confused inner child. Soon it turned into Wise man/Grasshopper sessions as I grew stronger. He gave me advice on photography so I ended up taking some pictures I'm pretty proud of. (can someone PLEASE show me how to use hello to post pictures?) I really enjoy the exercise and getting into the beauty fall offers in the gorge. We should be getting out there anytime. (hint hint Deeg) I'm still gimp but can do short easy terrain hikes. If anyone wants to join us feel free. Deeg knows some great spots that usually end up at interesting waterfalls.

I know that fall is supposed to represent closer into winter when things are dormant until the awaking of spring. To me it's a beginning. School starts among other things. Sometimes it's hard for me to translate from Marta's World to yours. I guess what I'm trying to say is especially this year it's my chance to start over. I'm at the crossroads and need to choose where I go from here. It's obvious to me I need to choose differently on my job choices. I am embracing the twist of fate and the not so subtle hint I needed to pick a more permanent career choice. How's that for personal growth Wise Man? Grasshopper is catching on.

Flaming Leaves

Beautiful Fall!

The Colors of NW Portland

Fall in NW Portland 2003 This is one of my favorite fall photos I have taken. It is my neighborhood.

Just enjoying

I started watching a VHS tape that was made for me. It's T.V. shows I don't get to see (off cable) anymore. It was like seeing an old dear friend again. I even enjoyed the commercials. I am simple.

Waking up to an over cast day this morning was fun. I was sure it was going to rain only because my ankle didn't want to flex when I tried to walk. It's going a bit better now. I'm sure you'all are getting tired of hearing it from me but I LOVE FALL! (I still haven't heard from many of you. I feel your presence out there!)

I'm hoping this weekend goes better than the last kid one. Nick internalizes his feelings then they come out usually in an uncomfortable manner. I wish he could be more like me. He is very uncomfortable in his world and doesn't know what to do about it. Wil tried to talk to his father about it. John's answer was " Your mom should take care of it." WTF?? I have them four hours on Tuesdays and every other weekend. It seems to me (I could be wrong) he has an advantage over me time wise to "take care of it." There I go thinking again. :)

I don't know about you but I always get nervous and alarms go off when people who are normally unkind to me are suddenly nice. I got a "two for one" special yesterday. Both ex's are contacting me and were nice. Did I miss a memo or one of those made up days on the calendar that most of us ignore? I'm just saying if you kick me enough times every time I see you after that I'm going to be ready to block that kick!

No worries. I'm looking forward to several things this weekend.

1) I've got my boys

2) I'm playing Saturday and Sunday (CSz)

3) Driving with Deeg

4) It's fall!

5) The PS2 is back! Nick said we can even watch DVD's on it!

I'm me. I have a goofy grin on my face just enjoying. I'll get on with my puttering now then happily get in my car and hit 205 hoping some more great tunes will make my day. Be happy!

A good feeling

Today was a beautiful fall day! The colors are starting to change and look even better on a sunny day. The sky was so blue I was happy to be out in it. I am so grateful to be done with the heat of summer.

I hit 205 for the 4 mile drive to Wil's school. Turning on the radio to 94.7 KNRK I was thrilled to hear some songs I haven't heard in awhile. First song to play was "Rain on my face" by The Alarm. It was awesome to turn it up and sing along. The sun shining , not much traffic and great tunes just filled me with a happy glow. The next song to play was Fat Boy Slim singing "Praise you". More songs I enjoyed followed but I was in such a zone I don't remember them. :)

What up Today?

I'm in a holding pattern today. I'm waiting until tonight to pick up Nick from soccer practice. I get him until Friday afternoon since he doesn't have school.

I don't yet know my weekend plans as I'm waiting for lines. I don't have the kids so the possibilities are endless. there are things I should do, things I want to do and then what really happens.

With all the stuff I need to get done in my life it sure involves a lot of waiting. I guess I never really noticed it as much before. I don't think I have less patience. it must be I don't like the interim phase. I want to know where I'm actually going not just trying to head that way.

Don't see this post as negative just pondering. i always say nick doesn't handle change well. I like to think I do. I just don't usually have so much at once. I really haven't had the time to process it all. maybe that's what I'll do while I'm waiting.

Here, do something for me please. Let me know you read this by answering this question. "My favorite thing about fall is... " or a favorite memory. you can use the comments or g-mail me. I'd like to know who reads my blog. (and why?!?) I'm waiting.....

I love the rain!

The last couple of days have been heaven! I was so tired of the hellish heat. My apartment gets so hot I leave my door open with a fan blowing in cooler air from the hall. I don't like to be hot. In Marta's World to be too hot or too cold is icky. :{

The cooler weather reminds me of my favorite time of the year - Fall. The smell, cooler evenings, the colors and football games. I love to curl up with a special someone or book in front of a roaring fire.Better still is if Big Band music playing and a great bottle of red wine to enjoy. Even with the music you can still hear the pattering of the rain and the sound of car tires splashing through the puddles. It's soothing to wake up in the night and hear the steady sound of rain.

I started the draft of this post last night. Who knew we would have near "white out" conditions today. If you were out trying to drive in this today you know what I'm talking about. I have never experienced any conditions like this before. Here's the way I described it to someone who didn't see it. it was like driving in a swimming pool with a water pic shower on high. I must say it was scary but fascinating. Wow.