I think the first update needs to be that I've scrapped the teaching idea. This is a bit embarrassing for me to admit, because I feel like I will never settle on anything. That tendency is frustrating. I hope it isn't permanent, but for now I wouldn't trust me about anything I think I'm planning on doing.
That said, I'm taking a mediation class and investigating being an Ombudsman. While we were on a trip recently I discovered my strength. I've had a hell of a time doing this because, though it may sound cocky, I'm pretty good at lots of things. Like most people, I like getting compliments. So, when I do things well and then get compliments I have the false feeling that I like doing those things. The truth of the matter is that I do a lot of things well that I can barely tolerate, say...event planning. And, though I do many things well, the things I most enjoy doing, are the things I enjoy doing best. So, what I enjoy most, and therefore do best, is listen to people with differing opinions, or people who aren't communicating effectively and help them see eye to eye, how they actually do agree but may be experiencing language/communication issues, and help people see options they hadn't considered before. Thus, perhaps a career as an ombudsman. We'll see though. I don't trust me, so you shouldn't.
So, now some summer catch up.
We headed up to Joe's parent's lake house for the 4th. The weather was perfect so we spent some time swimming and just basking in the sun. We did a few small fireworks on the back patio, but the lake neighbors had some serious stuff going on. I'm still amazed at the fireworks that are legal in Washington. It was great to sit on the deck and watch tons of fireworks fly into the air and know that we didn't pay anything for them. Free shows are great!
The next weekend was our local rodeo and our 4th anniversary. We got the wildcard weekend pass (woohoo!) and went to all four rodeos, the dance, and the parade. I have never seen so much candy in all my life than at that parade. Every entry had candy to throw. We spent the entire parade sucking on something, and the kids sitting next to us shoved candy in their faces until looked like the were tie-dyed with fruity tootsie rolls. The kids gathered up all the candy they could take, and still, there was candy left in the streets. The end of the parade was particularly fabulous....hilarious...whichever. Apparently there is a family in the area that owns a trucking company. Everyone in the family has a truck with their name on the door and everyone in the family drove their truck through town. It was a large family..very large..even bigger in trucks. I have a serious passion for the rodeo (God knows why), but it was particularly fun because we got to spend so much time with friends. Virginia and Marg came down for one of the rodeos and the parade. My mom came for a night of rodeo. We also had a bunch of friends over one night for a bbq before the rodeo. Joe set the mood with a new rodeo classic mix...Beer and Jesus. Good stuff.
A few weekends later we headed to Oceanside to spend time with the McLaughlins. My Aunt Beck and Uncle Herb were out from Montana, so it was nice to have most of the family together. We were just missing Brendan and Treg. We ate well, hit up the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream, and spent time walking and lounging on the beach.
August held a few adventures as well. We camped with my mom at the beach which was fabulous. She's the best camper and always a joy to hang out with. We taught her how to play Rummikube, an old game that's new to us. Soon afterward, we got the chance to see one of my oldest friends, Joel, when he came up from Louisiana to visit. At the end of August we headed back to the lake house one more time to spend a bit more time with the Evans folks.
In September we had a great adventure that deserves a post unto itself. We'll see if I can get to that before May....
Now we're hunkered down with the term. Joe's plugging away at class and really enjoying his job. We're embracing the fall, cooking good soups, walking and running on crunchy leaves, and we recently fired up our fireplace again. Pumpkin carving is coming right up!
