today is the first day of spring.
a beautiful time for growth.
it's been an interesting month and a half, to say the least. a LOT has happened. and if i'm being honest, it certainly hasn't been the highlight of my time here in portland. but the time has had quite a significant impact on recent decisions and i wouldn't have it any other way.
january 24th - moma arrived in portland for her first visit. i hadn't seen her in two months and thirteen days. it was the longest we had been apart since she had moved back to san diego from georgia. we had so much planned for her visit...
a fabulous photo walk through hawthorne...
and our first visit to san diego taco company.
january 26th - i had been dealing with some pretty intense stomach issues off-and-on for months, but when the pain woke me out of my sleep this time, i knew something wasn't right. i thank my lucky stars every day that moma was here to take me to the emergency room. it was there that i received the best medical care i had ever received. a physical exam led to an ultrasound which led to the discovery of large gall stones that were causing my pain. i was just relieved to have answers.
note: i have zero regrets about stuffing my face with that san diego taco company california burrito. so what if it caused me to have a gall bladder attack? it was the best burrito i have ever eaten. and, joking aside, it led to answers about my health that i'd had for months.
january 27th - moma flew back home to san diego.
february 5th - i was sent home from work after less than two hours because my stomach pain had become almost intolerable without pain meds (which i refused to take while i was working). i would not work again for 18 days.
february 9th - "nurse moma" arrived back in portland to care for me post-surgery. did i already mention that i thank my lucky stars for her every day?
february 10th - admitted to the local hospital for a scheduled cholecystectomy (aka gall bladder removal), again receiving absolutely world-class medical care from beginning to end. trust me, i can say that. i have 30 years of experience in and out of hospitals and medical facilities, more than most "healthy" folks my age can imagine.
february 13th - moma flew back home to san diego.
february 16th - less than a week after surgery, i flew down to san diego for some much needed hometown healing and to see two of my dear friends tie the knot. it was an absolutely beautiful six days.
spent a whole day with my favorite four-year-old and her momma.
a time for reflection. at swamis on my last night in san diego.
february 22nd - i returned to portland with a very full and heavy heart. this was really the beginning of the end.
february 23rd - my first day back at work. "light duty" for four days.
february 24th - woke up to my first snowy morning. real snow. like, i had to drive to work in it. and i survived!
march 2nd - three of my favorite girls arrive in portland for a long weekend of good eats and adventure! and maybe we got a little more adventure than we had planned for.
wahkeena falls.
portland rose gardens.
it was there the "it won't happen to me" happened. while we were frolicking through the rose gardens, taking pictures of each other and the beauty around us, molly's car window was busted and three of our purses were stolen. and the rest of the afternoon was spent dealing with police reports, filing claims, trips to the bank, getting the car window repaired, and a LOT of time on the phone. day two of vacation wasted because we made a silly decision to leave our purses in the car. lesson learned.
the weekend brought happier times in medford...
...for molly's baby shower!
...and maggie's third birthday party!
march 8th - back to reality. friends are back home. i get back to work full-time. and the thought process really starts moving.
march 10th - my sister turned 22, and 22 years later i still wish things were different between us.
march 11th - after news the night before of the earthquake and tsunami in japan, word arrived that my buddy drew and his family are safe.
march 13th - a final decision is made. i'm going home. and not just for another visit. for good.
march 14th - the process of becoming a minimalist begins.
march 18th - i gave notice to my current managers. and i turned in my 30-day notice on my apartment. this is when it really sets in.
i'm going home.
