Camping at Cape Lookout

Chris and I just got back from camping at Cape Lookout near Tillamook, OR. We were there exactly two years ago with my whole family a few days before our wedding. It's a great campsite that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to camp on the beach.

This picture was from two years ago. We tried looking for the same tree we were sitting on, but couldn't find it and all the others were a challenge to climb, so we couldn't replicate the pic. This second picture is from this trip.

We stayed two nights because Chris wanted "to sleep in my own bed before I have to go to work the next day." Wa, wa, wa...what a baby! But I'm glad we came home a day early. We were so exhausted. I didn't sleep very well the first night, because our neighbors stayed up drinking and playing poker; and the second night the raccoons were out for about four hours and Bear was growling at them the whole time. He would have been barking, but I was clamping his mouth shut the whole time. Looking back on it, I should have just let him bark for a good 30 seconds to scare them away for good. Oh well. I took these pictures after the first night. All our food was safe with a nice snug lid. (Last time we went camping, the raccoons ate all my marshmallows and graham crackers. NOT cool!)

We went to the beach everyday. It was only about a three minute walk from our tent. You could hear the waves at night. Bear had so much fun! He would run to the water and take a big drink, then shake his head and snarl after the nasty taste. He loved digging in the sand for shells or rocks and would fetch anything Chris would toss. He is such a good dog. Whenever Bear was off-leash, he wouldn't run more than 500 feet in front of us. He was like, "Are you guys coming? Hurry up!" Unfortunately, there were no seagulls for him to chase. Weird!

Bear got some off-leash action even when he wasn't on the beach! One morning we were all in the tent just waking up or something and I left to go to the bathroom. Before I left, I was playing with Bear from outside the tent just teasing him a little. Then I walk down to the bathrooms. When I get there I see that the bathroom door is propped open with a wastebasket. No big deal. So I choose the first stall, sit down, and do my business. All the sudden I hear Bear's collar right outside the door. "Bear?" He comes running in at full speed, runs under my stall door and jumps onto my lap and kisses me excessfully. At first I didn't know what to think. He wasn't on a leash... I thought that maybe Chris had followed me to the bathroom and let Bear loose to go in and get me. "Chris? Hello?" No answer. About 15 seconds, later I hear Chris' shoes (cuz he doesn't pick up his darn feet when he walks). "Tiff? Tiff? Is Bear in there?" Bear jumps off my lap and runs back out to Chris. Chris told me that he escaped and hunted me down. Followed my scent all the way to the bathroom! I laugh hysterically. So this is what happend on Chris' end...too funny! As I leave for the bathroom, Chris is in bed all the way zipped up in his sleeping. Once I'm gone, Bear nudges his nose out the zipper door. Once his head is through, he bolts! Chris shimmies his way out of his sleeping bag, awkwardly walks off our queen air mattress and is only wearing his G's. Trying to find clothes to throw on while Bear is running around the whole tent because that was the last place he saw me while I was teasing him. After the tent, he runs through our neighbor's campsite, then to the street, around our car, runs through our other neighbor's campsite, then across the street and disappears. Chris manages to get out of the tent in just enough time to see Bear cross the street and run through another person's campsite. By the time Chris gets over there, Bear is gone. One guy helped Chris out and said, "He ran to the bathrooms....at lightning speed." lol Bear ran all the way around the bathrooms and since the girls' door was open, he just helped himself. Too funny! I couldn't beleive it. That's the Beagle in him I guess. I mean, of all the other smells at a campsite, in the woods, at the beach. C'mon, he deserves some sort of medal! I was pretty impressed. We would have been in big trouble if he just ran off. Luckily, he's a big momma's boy!

I've never had the type of popcorn where you pop it in a pan-type thing over the stove. So we got some to take camping and Chris took pictures. It was good. My arm got really tired after a while. I guess I was shaking it a little too vigorously. Great snack when camping!

We also made a quick trip to Tillamook Cheese Factory. That's always a fun place. We ran through the self-guided tour. Always fun to watch people. The line for free cheese samples was insanely long and Chris didn't want to wait. Shocker. We looked at buying a shot glass (we collect them, not use them) but the only one they had there was ugly. It was their 1ooth anniversary one. So we're going to wait for a better one next year I guess. We did ice cream of course. The best. I got a waffle cone with udderly chocolate and cookie dough! Yumm! Then we left. Perfect little trip. Except no cheese. :( (*A quick note: The cashier for my ice cream was wearing an orange button pin that said "I loaf you" or something witty like that. Chris leans over and was like, "Do they sell bread here, too, or what?" I asked why and he pointed out the pin. I was like, "Honey, the blocks of cheese they make are called "loafs/loaves." He was like, "Oh, I always thought that that was one of your dumb words or sayings that you made up." I just laughed!)


The rest of these pics are when we were waiting to leave to go camping, black feet at the end of camping, and waiting to go home pictures.

HELP!!!

So right now I'm filling in for the front desk at my new job today and I am FREAKING out! Rayne, the front desk lady, took the day off while I had the rest of the week off so Chris and I could go camping (more on that later). She trained me for one day and most of it went way over my head. Too much information in too little time. So I'm up here doing what I can. I know how to do like four or five things, luckily Rayne said that if I do those four or five things she'd be a happy camper and that I'd be helping her out tons. She's so sweet!

Jaye, the hygienist, is such a huge help, too. She's making all her appointments and not asking very much of me. And luckily Mark, Dr. Barnard, is hiking Mt. St. Helens with the scouts and he's not here. So I think I can handle one patient every 50 or 60 minutes.

I already had a patient try to make a payment today and I had to turn her down! I mean, who does that?? I'm sorry but I can't take your money. lol I explained what the situation was and she was very friendly. Besides, Rayne told me that if anyone tried to make a payment to tell them to come back when Rayne was here. I just don't want to screw up anyone's account. I mean, when it comes to money...that's a big deal. AND, I'm the NEW girl! What the heck am I doing up here? I didn't go to school for this!!!

I barely slept a wink last night. I've been having those stomach pains you get when you're really nervous. But actually, so far, it hasn't been that bad. I guess I'm just freaking out about the phone ringing. I'm afraid a new patient will call with a tooth ache and I'm going to have to say, "So sorry Miss Molly." I hate that. I don't want to be the one to turn down a new patient that is in pain! Ugh! Oh well. I'm "Tuff Tiff." Wish me luck...

(If anything else happens worth blogging about, I'll add it later.)

Celebrity Deaths :(

A lot of celebrities died this past week. Most things come in threes, but this week four icons left us. This is major part of pop culture history and I feel like I need to document my take on all this.

Ok, so I'll start from least significant to most devastating. First off:

Farrah Fawcett

Ok, so she was way hot back in the day. She was in Playboy and was one of Charlie's Angels. She will always be remembered for her iconic, wispy hair, known as "Farrah hair."

Ed McMahon

When I heard that he died during my morning radio show while getting for work, I frowned. He is definitely an icon. He was a part of everyone's life; always on the evening tv show Star Search or late night on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was always so serious no matter how funny Johnny was. His straight face made everyone else laugh. Everyone can recognize his opening line, "Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!"

And you of course can't forget him co-hosting with Dick Clark funny show TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes. A good guy that I hope my children will be able to look up and learn to love.

P.S. That morning my patient and I were talking about Ed, and Dr. Andrew was like, "Now who's Ed McMahon again?" My patient and I looked at eachother and were like, "Oh my gosh, are you serious?? Ed McMahon? Johnny Carson's sidekick." "Yeah, he's like an icon." "Oh, well, I never really watch tv." I was like, "Sounds like you've never owned a tv." IDIOT!

Michael Jackson

I had just gotten back from seeing Transformers 2 (awesome). Chris turns on our tv and it's on MTV. I walk by and I here Sway in a very serious tone, "Michael Jackson died today in his home at the age of 50." "WHAT???? Rewind that! The whole thing. I need to hear the whole thing."

For the next two days I'm glued to my couch watching tribute shows and music videos. He made such great music. His dance moves were groundbreaking and genius. How can you not like his stuff. Everyone can relate to trying to moonwalk in socks on their linoleum floor. Genius I tell you. He changed the dance world forever.

I know, I know, you're all thinking, "Ewww, he's a pedophile, and a weirdo. Jacko Wacko." Yes, and I agree with all those things. I do think he is a sicko, weirdo, crazy, everything in the book; but that doesn't mean he didn't make great hits. I love his music and his moves, that's it!

Chris doesn't understand this. He thinks that because "he's in hell and he deserved to die" I shouldn't be a fan of his. Sorry, but I have mixed feelings about that.

Going from back to white: I don't know. I don't get it. He obviously looked good and attractive when he was black. I think he had what's called body dismorphia. He bleached his skin and hacked at his face because he hated what he saw in the mirror (lol, automatically started humming Man in the Mirror.)

Pedophile: Do I think he's guilty?Yeah, he probably did touch boys. Should he have gone to jail, heck yes. But he's rich and he didn't. My theory on the Neverland Ranch: He was forced into an adult world at such a young age he never had a childhood. That's why he had slumber parties with boys. He was living his desired childhood through them. Giving them what he never had.

King of Pop: Yeah, he obviously had an obsession with Elvis. I think that that is why he married Lisa Marie, duh! You think they got married cos they loved eachother?? Publicity and money, people.

No matter what you think of him or what he did, I still like Michael. His music will live on forever and will always be a part of my music collection.

Billy Mays

OMG, I LOVE BILLY!!!! I was DEVISTATED when I heard that Billy died. It's been two days now and I still go to Chris, "OMG, I still can't believe that Billy Mays is dead." He's is really annoyed with me right now... lol

For those of you who don't know who Billy Mays is...GET A FREAKIN' LIFE! I'm sorry, but if you don't know who he is we can no longer be friends.

Chris and I were so freakin' excited when they first announced the new show on Discovery Channel called Pitchmen with Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan. It is sooooo funny. I love that show.

On the show you meet Billy's son, Billy Mays III, and Billy's beautiful wife and adorable 3 year old daughter. All the more reason why I am so so so sad about his passing.

His wife woke up in the morning and found Billy dead in bed. He passed sometime during the night. Everyone was speculating that some sort of head trauma was the cause, because the day before he had flown in from filming an Oxi Clean commercial, and when the plane landed the front two tires blew out and Billy had hit his head really hard. Come to find out later after the autopsy was performed, that the cause of death is likely a heart attack.

Well, I have another theory why I think he may have died....

On Saturday, I wanted to wash my car really well so I did it by hand for the first time since we've owned it. So I went to Wal-Mart to buy the wash, wax, tire shine, and sponge. Well.... I picked up a Sham Wow, too. I KNOW! That's terrible. Billy would say, "Sham Pow."

If you've seen Pitchmen, you'd know that Sham Wow was a very successful product that Billy did not endorse. In fact, he has (had) an on going feud with the Sham Wow guy. Whenever Sully would need to get Billy off his soap box, all he's have to mention was the Sham Wow guy. I feel awful. Really. And I feel so guilty that after I bought it, Billy is dead. I haven't told Chris. They are currently hidden in the trunk...

So don't forget to check out Pitchmen on Discovery Channel. Check your local listing. It's a great way for you to remember Billy. RIP!

I got the job!!!

So the working interview went well on Monday. I was under the impression that it was just going to be the morning half, but they wanted me to come back after lunch. I asked the assistant that was training me if she thought that the doctor liked me and she said that if he didn't like me he'd say, "Let's have Sarah sit in on this one." So that's good, because I assisted him all day. I could that it was going well, because he never had to correct me or give me any pointers about anything I did.



He is left-handed which is cool, because I'm right-handed and now I can use my dominant hand and side a whole lot more and easier. My neck and back are a little sore today though from sitting differently than I am used to.



So Dr. Barnard called me tonight offering me the job, "Hey Tiffany, so everyone seemed to really like you and we want you to be a part of our team." I accepted graciously. He offered my a dollar more than what I'm making now, so that's a plus. AND Chris and I both get full medical insurance in 30 days. Sweet!

So on Monday I have to go in and give my two weeks' notice. Goody. I wonder if Dr. Andrew will beg... I hope he, or Cassandra, get pissed and tell me not to come back. I told Dr. Barnard that and he was like, "Well, let's hope they say that." So wish me luck on that. I just hope I have the nerves to say what is really on my mind and tell them how I feel. We'll see....

Vegas, Temples, Job

So I've been yelled at by many friends, "You need to update your blog..." It's really annoying, so I decided to finally update it so people will get off my back.

So Chris and I were going to go on a Disney cruise in September with Jana and Dave, but that fell through, but I already had the time off work, we decided to go on vacation anyways. Chris has never been to Vegas, and I've wanted to go back for a long time now, so now we're going DRIVE to Vegas!!! Road trip! I am so excited.

We're going to drive to Idaho, down through Utah, Vegas, then up California back to Oregon. We'll be gone 9 days. I can't wait!

One of my many goals is to go and see all the temples in the world, or USA. :) Well, on our trip we'll be stopping at 15! (16, if we stop in Portland on our way out of town.) [Portland, Boise, Twin Falls, Logan, Ogdan, Bountiful, SLC, Jordan River, Oquirrh, Draper, Mt. Timpanogos, Provo, Manti, St. George, Las Veags, and Reno.] I know, I know, all of you are thinking, "Yeah, right. good luck." But I really want to do this. Chris on the other hand.... well, he's along for the ride. This is my goal, and I'd love to make a Temple Book of all the places we've been. I think that'd be pretty sweet.

Let's see, I have another interview on Monday. This is a working interview for a doctor who interviewed me last week. He's LDS and seems very nice. Looks like he treats his employess well. He offers me and my husband full insurance, which is a real biggy (especially after reading Amy's blog). It's in Newberg, which is about 20-25 minutes away. I'm really happy I get to work there first, before accepting the job (if they offer), because I'll be able to see if it's a good fit for me. And we all know that anything is better than where I'm at now. So wish me luck on that.

How I Met Chris!

1.Where did you meet?
Unofficially, on the internet from myspace. Officially, at the hotel that I was working at at the time.

2.What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
"Scrumpy!"

3.Do you remember what he/she was wearing?
Jeans, skater tee, and skater shoes.

4.Where was the first time you kissed this person?
In the hotel parking lot!

5.Where did you go for your first date?
Olive Garden and a movie. Can't remember the movie, but I bawled. Shocker.

6.How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
That night!

7.How did he/she ask you out?
Well I saw his profile on myspace and wrote, "I think you're cute. Let's chat."

8.Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yes.

9.Do you and this person have kids together?
No.

10.Have you ever broken the law with this person?
What matters is that we've never been caught!

11.When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?
When I read his myspace page.

12.Do you get along with his/her family?
Yeah.

13.Do you trust this person?
With certain things.

14.Do you see her/him as your partner in your future?
Yes.

15.What is the best gift she/he gave you?
My Tiffany & Co. ring.

16.What is one thing He/She does that gets on your nerves?
He claims he doesn't know where the laundry basket is; his driving; his rambling on and on and on; his forgetfulness.

17.Where do you see each other 15 years from now?
He's a dentist. We have about three kids. Live in a great house somewhere in Oregon, but away from both families!

18.What causes the most arguments?
My spending habits!!!

19.How long have you been together?
Started dating in September of 2006.

20.Are you Married?
Since August of 2007.

21. Who Do you Tag?
Jana, Amy, & Jessica

Swimming With Snakes

Yesterday Chris, Bear, and I went swimming up at Chris' parent's house. Shadow (Black Lab) and Toby II (Jack Russell) were out running around. It was fun to see Bear interact with them. First we were holding Bear to make sure they would accept him, but Bear thought he was the big kid in town and was barking up a storm at them. (Shadow is like fifty times the size of Bear!) Then we put him down and he learned his place with record time. It was so funny to see his ego shatter. It was so much fun to watch them run and play together.

So then we got the pool ready to start swimming. But Chris was like, "Tiff!!!! Come quick! Toby has something dead in his mouth and it doesn't have legs!!!" I immediately think, 'An animal carcass with it's legs ripped off?' So I run out and see what the heck is going on. And this is what I saw....





It was the biggest snake I have ever seen up at their house. Toby loved that snake! He ran all over the place with it. Bear would go and try to grab it, but all he could get his teeth on was its head! I screamed and screamed. It took Chris forever to get him to drop it.















It was still alive. Playing dead or something. We finally put it over in the bushes. We checked later and it was gone. Then we finally got to swim and enjoy the sun.