tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80993656802343636592024-02-07T17:36:58.921-08:00My OutletBonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-16215438620897667742022-02-24T12:10:00.001-08:002022-02-24T12:10:11.246-08:00Error<p> I'm not able to load my blog right now, it just says error. </p><p><br /></p><p>"My blog." Back in the day, when everyone just had "a blog." Haha. Now I feel like most people have specific reasons to have a blog - cooking, crafts, etc. Otherwise, I think people share mundane personal news with social media. </p><p><br /></p><p>I am intrigued by way in which I want time to flow, and I have tried to be more mindful about it. I used to spend a lot of time at home worrying about going to work. I would start to think about it as soon as I was off from work. <i>Omg, the weekend is going to go really fast. It's gonna be over before I know it and I'll be back at work.</i> Then at work, I would just wish to be home and count down the days/hours till I was home again. But then I realized I was just bouncing between two states of discontent, and wishing for time to go faster, or making it go faster by worry. So I try to enjoy all of the time, even at work. When people at work say "I hope your shift goes by quickly," I smile to myself and think "I hope I get to live a lot of life. I hope it doesn't go <i>too</i> fast!"</p><p>I have tried to do this by noticing how it feels to know it is my last night of work. I feel joyous and happy that I'm about to go home, but I'm still working. On any given shift, though, being home is not far away. I can feel joyous and happy about being in a state of working and about to be home even on my first day of work.</p><p>Another illustration of this respect of time is that I have a party planned for Saturday. I am really looking forward to it. I realized with dismay that after the party comes Sunday, which is a workday for me. But then I remembered I have the weekend off, and it was OK to just look forward to Saturday because there is not work immediately following it. But how can I just be so focused on Saturday that I miss the rest of my days off preceding it? How can I appreciate them less, just because I have more of them after Saturday? How much more would I enjoy life if I just appreciated all of it? </p><p><br /></p>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-47875987138036469492021-11-18T11:45:00.003-08:002021-11-18T11:45:39.514-08:00Every Step Gets You Closer<p>I wrote this song on my way home from work. I frequently bike and I was riding through the cemetery and then a lot of this came out all at once. I am part of the code team at work, and there are a lot of old men who die. Every time I sing the verse "What makes you so different than that old man lying in his final dying bed? He breathes his last, he slips away, it's like he never was" I think of the last person I saw die. Their visage just pops into my mind. It replaces the last one I saw die.</p><p><span> </span>Sometimes family is there, sometimes not. Sometimes it's expected, sometimes not. The similarities are the grey color of their skin and empty eyes. It's creepy, yes, but not any more creepy than living with the knowledge this is coming up for you and me. One day, your eyes will not be able to see that you are just a skeleton. What is the answer? I don't know. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/orHxl7KoS74" width="320" youtube-src-id="orHxl7KoS74"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-31606310240243895852021-10-28T15:36:00.002-07:002021-10-28T15:36:04.843-07:00First Time<p>One time, when I had only been a nurse for a few months, I had a patient who put on his call button while I was washing my hands at the sink outside his door at the nurses station. As I was drying my hands, I looked up and saw the remote monitor alarming.</p><p>I quickly entered his room and he was already dead. </p><p><br /></p>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-67405729793649123222021-09-28T19:43:00.007-07:002021-09-29T09:44:15.846-07:00The Miracle <p> When I started nursing school, I had no car. When I finished nursing school I was on my second car and it broke shortly after I started working as a nurse, so I biked every day, rain or shine, for about a year. Then when I got together with my boyfriend Ethan, he fixed up an '95 Toyota Corolla that he had as a second car and gave it to me, and I started driving to work. It was light blue, covered with hippie bumper stickers that had all been peeled or fallen halfway off. There was a design flaw in the car that made all of the keys for '95 Corollas nearly interchangeable, especially when worn, so Ethan also gave it to me with a club, which I faithfully used. </p><p>After a particularly stressful night in the ICU as a new nurse, driving home around 8am, I decided to stop at the mini-Walmart on the way home. I was in the habit of wearing lipstick at the time, and buying the $8 lipstick instead of the $1 lipstick felt like a real indulgence after having been a poor student.</p><p>I decided to pull in and indulge myself. It was right on the way home, only a mile or two from the hospital. I heard a voice in my head say "No, just go home. You have to work tomorrow. You have plenty of lipstick." After pulling into a parking space, I stepped out of the car. Now, there was another flaw in the car. Whether it was a design flaw or just a result of being old, I don't know. The door tended to swing shut on its own. The next thought I had was "Shit!", as the door had closed, the door was locked, and my keys were inside. Additionally, the lights were on, and my phone was in the car. </p><p>Thankfully my wallet was in my pocket. I was inexperienced enough with cars that I'd never locked myself out, but familiar enough with pop culture portrayals of peril to have visions of easily unlocking the car with a wire. Target was next door, which had a better chance of having a metal clothing hanger. I ended up buying some sort of kitchen utensil which I was able unwind, and I spent at least a half-hour trying to unlock the door, knowing the battery was getting deader by the minute. Ethan was already sleeping and probably had the ringer off, so I decided against hunting down a cell phone. </p><p>Even though Eugene has a lot of buses, most only ran every 30 minutes, and to get home I needed to make multiple connections, so I spent several hours walking and riding buses to get home. When I woke up in the afternoon, I let Ethan know what had happened. He'd had a stressful day himself, but was understanding and we decided to just leave a little early in his car to unlock the car and do a jump start.</p><p>When we arrived, the car was intact. Ethan unlocked the car with difficulty, as the lock was uncooperative with lock picking efforts. As expected, the battery was dead, but with a jump it started right up. I was so excited I got out of the car and hugged him. "What a relief! Thank you so much!" I heard the door shut behind me. Ethan had gotten back into his car and was ready to say goodbye, but when I tried the door, I found it had locked itself. I assume this was from our combined lock picking attempts. The engine was also running, and the lights were on. When I told Ethan, he said a quiet "Fuck," and held his head in his hands as he leaned on his steering wheel. I was just kind of stunned, and on the verge of tears of tiredness and frustration. I turned away and leaned my back on his car and tried to think of what we were going to do next.</p><p>Fifteen seconds later, before either of us formulated a plan, a car pulled into the space next to my car. A young hispanic woman got out, and started leading her 4 children into Walmart. I realized she had just parked an older Corolla. "Excuse me!" I said, "I know this is going to sound crazy, but could I just borrow your key for a minute?" and yammered something about a design flaw in the locking system of Corollas. She looked at me for a moment, appearing confused, but she held out her keys to me.</p><p>I slipped the key in my door, and turned it. The door unlocked, and I made it to work on time.</p><p>Ever since I have had a sort of healthy paranoia about the possibility of locking myself out of my car, and even though the car I have now doesn't lock itself, I always check my pocket for my keys twice before I shut the door behind me. </p>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-27479468093527774222021-09-28T08:49:00.003-07:002021-09-28T08:49:23.709-07:00Thoughts on my bike in the rain<p> Sometimes it's just hard to get past titling a post.</p><p><br /></p><p>On my rainy bike commute home this morning I thought of a story that always amuses me. And then I thought of another story, and another, and I thought I would like to write them down. I don't want to ask anyone to read them, but if anyone is still reading this, then perhaps you <i>would</i> like to read them anyway. I have had a long night of work, and my hands are about shot from charting, so they will have to continue to brew in my mind. But perhaps soon one will present itself here. </p>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-88432779671583551722021-02-09T01:52:00.003-08:002021-02-09T01:52:50.880-08:00Untitled Why did you keep me asleep so long? <div><br /></div><div>Why did you cover my eyes?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why did you impose your fears on me? </div><div> </div><div>Perhaps you are asleep yourself. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess the why is not so important as "what now?" </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-89499108515662552802020-04-24T10:39:00.000-07:002020-04-24T10:39:11.673-07:00Green Plants, Black Coffee, and We're All Going to DieIn the past that last little bit would have been followed up by "So believe in Jesus and repent so you can go to heaven!" but now it's not. You can draw your own conclusions from that. <div>
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Death, however, is the most assured thing we have going on, right? </div>
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I'm sitting in my living room surrounded by my plants, my kids are outside biking, and I'm sipping coffee. Ok I lied, it is not completely black. It has heavy cream in it. </div>
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In some ways, a blog is perfect for me. The way I can change topics in a sentence, the way I can expound on anything I wish, and the way I can say as much or as little as I wish. And I barely have to think of anyone listening, unlike facebook and instagram, both of which have grown to have such disappointing features. </div>
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Well this is cut short by children who I love more than anything else. Happily I can put the computer down and enjoy these moments, because what else does anyone have? I would be a fool to miss them. </div>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-65939633633567064732018-07-19T10:16:00.002-07:002018-07-19T10:16:41.308-07:00Hello old friendi think I started blogging in 2003. I remember getting an invitation to try Gmail in beta. I was 16. That's almost half my lifetime ago. <div>
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It's strange realizing that this is what life is. For some reason I have a vision of an on going, celebratory state of being in which we've lived life and then exist in a state of happiness and satisfaction, patting each other on the back and saying "yes, yes! We did it well. We had a good life. Evening is good." </div>
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But I've seen people die in front of my eyes, under my hands, and that is certainly not their state. And no one I can talk with knows what's beyond that. </div>
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I am turning back to a blog to serve as a pacifier for Instagram. I've quit Facebook so many times but I have been in a few times and been so disgusted that I deactivated almost immediately with no temptation to return permanently. But I discovered Instagram and I've spent so much time wishing for my life to be different and celebrating my own life in carefully selected photos. I can't do it right now. I have an account for my ongoing skin issues that I will keep going. It's just photos of my skin and discussing with other sufferers how we're all doing. </div>
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Maybe there will just be this isolated blog post. Maybe there will be more. But I'm going to cuddle now with my 1712-day old daughter before she is 1713 days old. </div>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-80779633990809586372017-02-07T15:24:00.001-08:002017-02-07T15:24:10.355-08:00Bye bye again<p dir="ltr">No more Facebook for me for a while. Too bad, because there is good on Facebook I believe, but there's too much going on in my life right now. </p>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-62136370706965714422016-12-08T01:44:00.001-08:002016-12-08T01:44:35.516-08:00Habitual time wasting<p dir="ltr">I'm just trying to get out of the habit of checking Facebook first thing when I wake up and last thing before I go to bed :/</p>
<p dir="ltr">On the plus side, I looked at my calendar to confirm an appointment for next week and I realized I have a different appointment tomorrow! </p>
<p dir="ltr">A smartphone is useful for so many things, but also a time waster in so many ways. Same with Facebook. I have friends from afar who I definitely would not have the time to keep up with at all in person, but I keep up with them on Facebook and enjoy seeing them in person when I am able. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I think the best solution is just to be mindful. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I can't wait to wake up and have good times with my children tomorrow. I am sooo lucky! As frustrated as parenting can be, we have such great times together. This evening we put together a gingerbread house which was a kit from Trader Joe's. Pictures are on Ethan's phone because my phone camera is broken :/</p>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-59443394703487464622016-10-18T09:39:00.001-07:002016-10-18T09:39:42.920-07:00Biking<p dir="ltr">I've biked 32 miles in the last two work days, which is 32 miles more than I've biked in over six months! It's about 3 miles longer round trip to get to work from my new house. And there's a huge hill on the way home. I already feel better, though. I really have noticed the effects from going from 60 miles a week to buying a car and biking zero miles a week. Unfortunately 7 of my gears (the lowest ones! ) are broken, so I am getting an unecessarily killer workout. Soon to be fixed...</p>
<p dir="ltr">I love commuting to work. It takes about 17 minutes longer to bike and there's no possible way that I'd get a decent workout in that time otherwise! And it's free, and I'm less flabby when I bike! The pounds haven't really crept up but everything is becoming fat instead of muscle. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I also like starting things when they're least likely to work out. I used to start new workout plans and weight loss goals in November, because I figured if I could lose weight during the holidays and not wait till New Year rolled around, I'd be more likely to succeed. In the same way, it feels kind of good to be starting biking while it's pouring rain. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv6MkGd488YusnzgdYgBTAmuQjiMgjGmkh-02A6B0UJn9ijdTG1po9LPU1p_Ks1vOTYWFGCy5hwY6bd1lH_cw_KPeafClic9Vw71GSxVfP7HD6iWxI3pGojo1HUg00r6tjIz6SBo94vE/s1600/20161017_073641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv6MkGd488YusnzgdYgBTAmuQjiMgjGmkh-02A6B0UJn9ijdTG1po9LPU1p_Ks1vOTYWFGCy5hwY6bd1lH_cw_KPeafClic9Vw71GSxVfP7HD6iWxI3pGojo1HUg00r6tjIz6SBo94vE/s640/20161017_073641.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo77vsx5Dhcjy0gp2N-YcsNwxn6rGg8l81zaM6fCfZXrnTaZ5r0f_x8zX8MHmDDQgWvZPJ4Ntlr_6IItEdaOq6-r2E2UbHDVCiwWkUOxP8-2Msa_o0HqLanXGrrrNipJOYiULvB9opyyU/s1600/20161017_073646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo77vsx5Dhcjy0gp2N-YcsNwxn6rGg8l81zaM6fCfZXrnTaZ5r0f_x8zX8MHmDDQgWvZPJ4Ntlr_6IItEdaOq6-r2E2UbHDVCiwWkUOxP8-2Msa_o0HqLanXGrrrNipJOYiULvB9opyyU/s640/20161017_073646.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE8D-26_BR5x_MhIOYiGqPJFwTSYe0cr2LTbw8g5arASMaeLdmozCcXSujNl78ascpJFiF01nZ9aUbpsxJUMoOmq60BL9Fkwt31izUJXysvpVwOtfYa5_wzagAIT4wkaqt6wmMHe1sbg/s1600/20161017_073243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE8D-26_BR5x_MhIOYiGqPJFwTSYe0cr2LTbw8g5arASMaeLdmozCcXSujNl78ascpJFiF01nZ9aUbpsxJUMoOmq60BL9Fkwt31izUJXysvpVwOtfYa5_wzagAIT4wkaqt6wmMHe1sbg/s640/20161017_073243.jpg"> </a> </div>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-88981588369404034432016-10-15T20:47:00.001-07:002016-10-15T20:48:48.405-07:00Official<p dir="ltr">"Do you agree to all of these terms?" "I do."</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's official, I'm divorced. So anticlimactic, since in any real sense of the word we divorced long ago. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My kids are amazing hikers. Just want to boast that they climbed a butte around here (just over a mile one-way) in 2 hours, including all the time we spent at the top. No complaining, no having to prod them up. Millie did say a few times on the way down that she was tired. I haven't really hiked with them because neither Porter nor myself could really carry Millie without musculoskeletal pain of various sorts, and she couldn't go very far. It was very nice :)</p>
<p dir="ltr">I went shopping for clothes the other day and made some fantastic finds. Tights of all kinds were on clearance at Forever21 and to my surprise when I got them home they seemed very good quality and thick. I'll have to post pictures of some winter outfits. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I am not happy about the way things wear out. It just happens. My favorite pair of black heels lost the bottom of the heel, and the leather itself is very worn. And I noticed some of my favourite clothes having sweat discoloration, holes, etc, when I went through some clothes today. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But at least there's more! Thrift store shopping makes replacing items in my wardrobe (save a few special things that would be very difficult to replace) fairly inexpensive, and I do like the fact that I have actually worn out clothes, and not just gotten rid of them because they're out of style or something. And my shoes are very easily found, and I know exactly which model/size fits me well. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I went out for my birthday and asked E to take pictures of my dress. I'm not getting blogger to put the pictures where I want then. That is the off-the-shoulder dress. I keep thinking I turned 30! It was $7 at the thrift store with one my normal black pumps. I went out without any makeup purposely. It's not that I never go out bare faced, I just didn't want to have anyone see "red lipstick" in their mind when they saw me. I just wanted them to see me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Also I wore jeans out at night the other day, which I never do! I tried to make it interesting. I think it worked? Didn't really like it but it was better than a tee. The buckle is a real scorpion in acrylic.  The jacket is a free pile find from long ago, which I rarely wear, but can't make myself get rid of. Jeans $6 LL Bean from a thrift store. Hat belongs to E :) Belt was from my sister probably 15 years ago. Oops. You can see we haven't unpacked everything yet. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn4-iaIuFP1mBUNn2sp3QjVnmnDdjKxsVhvJBCwTkLWr9J3rhHS2aiAoh2GVrh2wUn3Am_1fPAeUp4d4yyKUeAmiFqhiU9UEaAzFG1uv3_6UZZKT8R62EfRra9YnPQxtj8S9ymtCuz5g/s1600/20161006_184357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn4-iaIuFP1mBUNn2sp3QjVnmnDdjKxsVhvJBCwTkLWr9J3rhHS2aiAoh2GVrh2wUn3Am_1fPAeUp4d4yyKUeAmiFqhiU9UEaAzFG1uv3_6UZZKT8R62EfRra9YnPQxtj8S9ymtCuz5g/s640/20161006_184357.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1V3vGUucKZRDwlj5bEvoxedypDZzkUSeJ6zrRxTCfzXLNGxhOpviRt0L5ml2Lk7JSpKirGUXoaG-Yw-rQryMcim46_L2la3zEahx5HPYogoHcWQ9fSPlCxjfi4zU6471viBCgvXB7Yg/s1600/20161010_202536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1V3vGUucKZRDwlj5bEvoxedypDZzkUSeJ6zrRxTCfzXLNGxhOpviRt0L5ml2Lk7JSpKirGUXoaG-Yw-rQryMcim46_L2la3zEahx5HPYogoHcWQ9fSPlCxjfi4zU6471viBCgvXB7Yg/s640/20161010_202536.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXEAHP5XuOkkFJ7BfBpZfLg4-1FMjlHhJlfjmXeBgcvvNFKtwKc_SCCh9D3uFNqK1DA-TM38ulm1dDmnPTnoPTN2fttWYFuIcI1UXOEFxQCrISTtDIr0PeshooU06tU-Ac2TahxnxJ2s/s1600/20161012_165535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXEAHP5XuOkkFJ7BfBpZfLg4-1FMjlHhJlfjmXeBgcvvNFKtwKc_SCCh9D3uFNqK1DA-TM38ulm1dDmnPTnoPTN2fttWYFuIcI1UXOEFxQCrISTtDIr0PeshooU06tU-Ac2TahxnxJ2s/s640/20161012_165535.jpg"> </a> </div>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-32622468172006575762016-09-21T19:03:00.001-07:002016-09-26T05:59:09.142-07:00Omg, what life change!<p dir="ltr">So much to say. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The short of it is that I Porter and I separated, are in the process of divorcing, and I have moved in with my boyfriend E. This has taken the course of about a year. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I guess I don't have to divulge any more details than I wish. It's been a good life change for me. I feel more like myself than I have in years. I've had flashbacks to old feelings I haven't felt for years. I feel positive feelings often. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm trying to get rid of the guilt that plagues me. I've felt guilty single, guilt married and partnered. Guilty mostly for any happiness. I often feel like every moment of happiness, no matter how "innocent" or "good" is something I'm going to pay for with suffering. As a result it's been difficult for me to feel happy - certainly difficult to actually search it out for myself. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It's nice to just sit back and enjoy it when I feel happy. It's nice to try to figure out what makes me happy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Maybe I'll blog more often. Though I do enjoy real life so much more than I used to, and sometimes public writing about it just doesn't do it. Call me. Let's talk and hang out :) <br>
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BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-84036038558860695922016-09-21T17:37:00.000-07:002016-09-21T17:37:08.698-07:00Out with kiddos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Strangely unable to edit text the way I wantand too frustrated with my phone to fix it. I'll just leave you with these pictures. And I have deactivated my Facebook account. I saw one too many idiotic, meaningless ads. Maybe I'll go back. But in the meantime it'll be nice to focus on people I know in person and do a little blogging :)</div>
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<br />BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-25233854899905657272016-04-02T03:33:00.001-07:002016-04-07T00:32:19.218-07:00More clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qW8wB5brL5qYJ-_tQ_lZ036hoPD7QZrJPNpswhZR8Nh_9DCWubAXuXrgLQioqiBpOJZeUV-a9z-pvjKGDAteSPCaw5-eSZw_90mqbs7lusomPqMoe-0GCZxhNWekwUdmrzkWLBUZG80/s1600/2016-04-01%25252023.19.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qW8wB5brL5qYJ-_tQ_lZ036hoPD7QZrJPNpswhZR8Nh_9DCWubAXuXrgLQioqiBpOJZeUV-a9z-pvjKGDAteSPCaw5-eSZw_90mqbs7lusomPqMoe-0GCZxhNWekwUdmrzkWLBUZG80/s640/2016-04-01%25252023.19.49.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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My latest work outfit. I used to wear all scrubs that work supplied, but I have started wearing my old school pants and a sweater that I found at Ross with a work-supplied scrub top underneath. Pardon the expression on my face :) Pants, from school days. Sweater, $16 from Ross. Shoes, $60, eBay. The shoes are from Alegria and are the most comfortable shoes ever! They only last about a year, however, before the sole splits where it flexes, and since the straps secure with Velcro, they sometimes come loose. </div>
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I don't know how to reorder pictures on my phone, but this is supposed to go second. I got my belly button pierced a few weeks ago, and while I was wearing cropped tops before, I like them even more now! Top, bought too long ago to remember. Pants, from a friend. </div>
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The cargo pants I wear frequently that I mentioned in my last post. </div>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-30879901140462851462016-04-01T14:54:00.000-07:002016-04-01T14:55:16.051-07:00ClothesI recently visited one of the bigger thrift stores in Eugene and made some great finds. I took pictures of one of the finds and it inspired me to take pictures of one other outfit that I really love. Maybe more pictures of my wardrobe to come! I've been kind of routine with what I wear, and I'm ready to bust out of that for summer. A while ago I pretty much stopped wearing jeans, but now I have a pair of hip hugger cargo pants that I've gotten in the habit of wearing. They're very practical (I don't have to carry a purse with all the pockets!) but I miss feeling elegant, which sometimes happens when I put more thought into my clothes :)<br />
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This is a vintage designer suit from Samuel Winston, by Roxane from the 1950s of 1960s. I found other suits by the same designer in the 1950s with an ORIGINAL price tag of $459! It's all wool and feels very light and soft, perfect for spring. This was literally the third or fourth piece of clothing I looked at on the rack and I knew immediately that I should buy it, and I had a feeling it fit me (though I tried it on, of course!). It has a third tag that says "Nicholas Ungar," which is the name of a retail store in Portland, Oregon, that Nordstrom bought and renamed in 1966. </div>
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With the jacket on. </div>
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Jacket, $4 yardsale (first vintage thing I bought). Hat, $2, thrift store.</div>
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Shoes $40, eBay. Leather purse, $6, thrift store. </div>
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One of my absolute favorite dresses. I want to learn how to </div>
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copy this so I can make more in other colors and fabrics! It is</div>
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vintage but I don't know how old it is. </div>
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Dress, $7, thrift store. Shoes, $40, eBay. </div>
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I <i>love </i>the buttons! There's a button on the belt, too. </div>
<br />BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-21044517651305465082015-08-27T14:25:00.001-07:002015-08-27T14:25:49.213-07:00Shoes<div><br></div>I used to have a ton of shoes. As a teenager I had perhaps 45-50 pairs. I found a photo of them recently and realized I hardly wore any of them. It was mostly just a collection! Since I worked at a second -hand store I had easy access to used shoes. I thought for fun I'd catalogue my current collection. I wear every shoe I own regularly. A few are seasonal. I bought three of them new. One pair not pictured are slippers, which are new with tags from the thrift store for $5. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5yJ4KRuQ9w_-X8pra0W_VBkxjD4ROgGeQ2fuMl4aCVR21Vc-nOyWhnfC-aw2FyhlV_Pl1G03NAk2ufeR365nIwIhjxgussBRarMQ1sBXnaPRJpmhGiXPyXSh2ll76kGe5uFn2szMkmE/s640/blogger-image-812067140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5yJ4KRuQ9w_-X8pra0W_VBkxjD4ROgGeQ2fuMl4aCVR21Vc-nOyWhnfC-aw2FyhlV_Pl1G03NAk2ufeR365nIwIhjxgussBRarMQ1sBXnaPRJpmhGiXPyXSh2ll76kGe5uFn2szMkmE/s640/blogger-image-812067140.jpg"></a></div><br><div>Boots. These are LL Bean and I've worn them almost daily in the winter for two years. They have slight leaks now, unfortunately, but I wear them mostly when biking to work, as it drizzles constantly in the winter. $89 new. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDd9KTNd1J-XREYYmQuUCUVimtg607vNCVKfpeGWPXHXjRWXvz-b2xfzibWVcdvdFKKmOlK1M35ZfO-BC0zQ1tc4np5K_T7DC6mfJJDqL6LuzdRC1p3cVsEBo31xtOjKsSUdcdUYlKQE/s640/blogger-image--421337583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDd9KTNd1J-XREYYmQuUCUVimtg607vNCVKfpeGWPXHXjRWXvz-b2xfzibWVcdvdFKKmOlK1M35ZfO-BC0zQ1tc4np5K_T7DC6mfJJDqL6LuzdRC1p3cVsEBo31xtOjKsSUdcdUYlKQE/s640/blogger-image--421337583.jpg"></a></div>My starting -to -look-ratty flats. These are New Balance and are great every day shoes. They are getting old though. They look a little better in person than in the photo! This is my old casual winter shoe. I'm going to keep them as backups to my new pair of casual winter shoes, which are pictured next. Thift store, well worn in already, $3. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwq3KZP0oZRaL2EulPPMFCUH-ZzUcFoTpMdqy57USvBbboT9FgM36CBj3Lvit3qgUXPLhWQUcy4FNUDHYQp9XU6iXNQgMaFFWMRDbzvF_AgqTwtLCCf6eT5mJW6ANdz3g0r6b390SS_o/s640/blogger-image-1681953875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwq3KZP0oZRaL2EulPPMFCUH-ZzUcFoTpMdqy57USvBbboT9FgM36CBj3Lvit3qgUXPLhWQUcy4FNUDHYQp9XU6iXNQgMaFFWMRDbzvF_AgqTwtLCCf6eT5mJW6ANdz3g0r6b390SS_o/s640/blogger-image-1681953875.jpg"></a></div><br></div>These are the same exact model as my work shoes and they are going to be my winter shoes. Super psyched because they'll go great with a dress and tights and they are very comfortable. They are Alegria's Paloma. $120, new. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuViHRtFT1DWQWDxGnrBWLAllR8WB7SVGNlJAFxy9EAmsKcP0OFH8MU7UAJaZARZnWsh3NRTGxs1sibumas_UMhA-JJ-dQfdEudlROkdVODikNVngC9T7rNpFmvSXiYhiGGRI5TVGKSb8/s640/blogger-image-1766887509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuViHRtFT1DWQWDxGnrBWLAllR8WB7SVGNlJAFxy9EAmsKcP0OFH8MU7UAJaZARZnWsh3NRTGxs1sibumas_UMhA-JJ-dQfdEudlROkdVODikNVngC9T7rNpFmvSXiYhiGGRI5TVGKSb8/s640/blogger-image-1766887509.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>These were in my neighbor's free pile on the spring and I've worn them all summer, unless I was wearing clothes that clashed. It's amazing how many red or things I own! (Although the shoes look pink, they're actually a true red.) The only shoe on my wishlist is a classier looking, neutral colored summer shoe for next year, as these will probably be too worn to go another summer. $0. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpapDpgNQkEwrQN7P9SUkPpvQ-KlnypMqn4un8wzOyxOlG4RZ8Wzk-rrcE0ufHKN82J_HWGUhkpBsF8al619-T7aMA1eG21AHT3NObasWqIwmpDw8JtZZ3T9KOoeIRXuR2lXDQrSGmOjs/s640/blogger-image--680957357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpapDpgNQkEwrQN7P9SUkPpvQ-KlnypMqn4un8wzOyxOlG4RZ8Wzk-rrcE0ufHKN82J_HWGUhkpBsF8al619-T7aMA1eG21AHT3NObasWqIwmpDw8JtZZ3T9KOoeIRXuR2lXDQrSGmOjs/s640/blogger-image--680957357.jpg"></a></div>My other go-to summer shoes. This is my third summer wearing these, and I wore them daily for the first two summers. They were on sale from LL Bean for $20 - worth every penny! I've never gotten Walmart flip flops to last that long.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld0N8FvHAglQk_hyphenhyphenNhkCKwrXht1C5bL9j27JSAbRnV6W9tJbqBtSsEJjEPHEwayGynme4lS30YsZSMH-Wx3OCgnlsVyyRyzeaeWpkR4SzhyphenhyphenPtVmjV-6Y_E8PFVax3wqmvDVk-vw69dec/s640/blogger-image-1342590137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld0N8FvHAglQk_hyphenhyphenNhkCKwrXht1C5bL9j27JSAbRnV6W9tJbqBtSsEJjEPHEwayGynme4lS30YsZSMH-Wx3OCgnlsVyyRyzeaeWpkR4SzhyphenhyphenPtVmjV-6Y_E8PFVax3wqmvDVk-vw69dec/s640/blogger-image-1342590137.jpg"></a></div> My old work sneakers (soaked in bleach!). I use these only for biking in the summer time, and I wear them as often as I go to work. Thrift store, like -New for $12. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO32zwC4GKfssR-kT_-tHY_8zDn1o7veyVghDaBIVQ_mXvgOEvEo2DYTItpqrkVSKuREH0oWwDXqMtj1QpjfBRjeAf2BsJWEFwfORK8A9ESbYurbPn3cz5rgD8ChseFXZ8v2UX-kL72E/s640/blogger-image--1843542285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFO32zwC4GKfssR-kT_-tHY_8zDn1o7veyVghDaBIVQ_mXvgOEvEo2DYTItpqrkVSKuREH0oWwDXqMtj1QpjfBRjeAf2BsJWEFwfORK8A9ESbYurbPn3cz5rgD8ChseFXZ8v2UX-kL72E/s640/blogger-image--1843542285.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>These were my first pair of heels that I ever have found that actually fit me. I had seen a pair of shoes in this brand that I really liked but couldn't find in stores anywhere. Then these popped up in a thrift store. Vey exciting day. I wear these with any kind of outfit that these don't clash with and have been my dress shoes for about a year. Trotters, $12, thrift store. </div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZIsNoeTsDyykFX4Q6tbguS1tDvMpgC3RNGqTEI1wzBzJbTVqO0tcjejUODtWbo531I5yIgu3a9EYRwW1m0uwf-PUPqbLG-V7nuCl1Iy3mXtEflkZu89s2G89s6pjaW_ZJwA6KyYv0c/s640/blogger-image--335101887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZIsNoeTsDyykFX4Q6tbguS1tDvMpgC3RNGqTEI1wzBzJbTVqO0tcjejUODtWbo531I5yIgu3a9EYRwW1m0uwf-PUPqbLG-V7nuCl1Iy3mXtEflkZu89s2G89s6pjaW_ZJwA6KyYv0c/s640/blogger-image--335101887.jpg"></a></div>Black pumps! I just got these on eBay, which are also Trotters and the same size as the previous pair, but unfortunately this toe shape is bit tight. It would be impossible to get such an elegant line if they were super wide, though, so I'm more or less happy with them..they are my go-to dress shoe now. $40 delivered, eBay. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess I have one more shoe wish which is a pair of wider Trotters in nude for next summer, and with a fairly low heel so I can wear it with all of my dresses as an every day shoe.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>There you have it, a working collection of 8 shoes. I feel like just about all of my needs are met. I have lived with this many shoes or less for 6 years now and I don't have any regrets. It's a lot easier to take care of the shoes I have and I can invest in a good shoe that will last me a good number of years. If I get my shoe wishes taken care of for next year I will get rid of one pair and gain two, and then I will have 9 pairs. </div><div><br></div><div>If only I could do this for my clothes! This does make me have hope that I could minimalize my clothes and be happy with the result. Not that 8 pairs of shoes is really minimalistic, but it's a lot closer than I used to live. </div>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-936682229203239762015-07-22T21:39:00.001-07:002015-07-22T21:39:47.116-07:00Summer updateLife has been marching onward! We went to the county fair today and had a lot of fun. The evening ended for myself and Tassie with part of a Joan Jett performance. Since we live just blocks from the fairgrounds we had gone home for supper, and we'd left Porter and Millie at home so Millie could go to sleep. Halfway through the concert Tassie and I went home so Porter could go back to the fairgrounds to listen to the second half of the concert. It was pretty impressive, to see Jett play. I was also proud of my daughter, as she and I were some of the only people in the crowd dancing! Couldn't believe it. <div><br></div><div>In September I leave my "extended training" in the intermediate care unit and move back to the ICU. It's a welcome change, although I am a little more educated about just how stressful it could be. I'm not worried, though. I've always been comfortable in the intermediate care unit and it is basically just a progression from there. Not that I don't have a healthy respect for the differences and difficulties specific to the ICU :)</div><div><br></div><div>Tassie turned four this summer; Millie turns two this November! I had to check myself that it's really two that she's turning. It had gone by so fast. Also, I've been working as an RN for a year now! That's crazy </div><div><br></div><div>As a friend recently told me, "life is good but the daily grind is hard!" Life is generally good but occasionally it's a struggle just to keep up washing distress, wiping dirty faces and putting the kiddos to sleep. Alright, more than occasionally :p </div><div><br></div><div>We still primarily use our bikes and trailer for transportation. I have been keeping track with Strava, a phone app and I average about 55 miles a week. It is amazingly satisfying. I don't have to make time for regular exercise because it's built into my life. My quads are rocks, too :) I feel mostly for Porter because while I sometimes haul the girls in the trailer, he almost always has to cart them around, and the girls by themselves weigh well over 60 pounds. He also, admirably, does the grocery shopping and whatnot without a car. </div>BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-14870855687580914772015-07-20T03:04:00.001-07:002015-07-20T03:04:04.879-07:00On lunchThe title says all! Lunch at 3am. Life is going well. Seems like I'm working all of the time but I do get a fair amount of time off. The weeks just go by so fast! My two week cycle goes by so fast. Also, in news, I'm moving to the ICU in September. I've been working on the intermediate care unit for about 8 months now and I feel pretty comfortable most of the time. I've always felt pretty comfortable here, though. :) Alright. Done with lunch. BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-65581317107648532752015-06-04T09:16:00.003-07:002015-06-04T09:16:25.231-07:00Coffee and ChainsawsThis morning I am stealing a few minutes by myself (with coffee :) ) at the kitchen table. The girls are on the porch eating their breakfast watching the tree maintenance guys trim the tree from the power lines out front. Um, spoke too soon! I was halfway through the sentence before this one and Tassie called out "Millie spilled all of my food!" Tassie was almost done, but now the girls are calling out "Nooo, nooo, nooo!" in unison because they want to come inside.<br />
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So that's probably why I don't blog a lot anymore. :)<br />
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Work is going very well. I even oriented a new RN the other day! I've now been licensed for just over a year, and soon will have been at my job for a year. Time flies, life is busy, my perpetual life theme.<br />
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I planted hops in the little strip of soil next to our house! Tassie and I have been putting a little twig in the twine at the top of one day's growth and noting how far it grows every day. It sometimes grows 2 inches. I think they can grow up to a foot a day in the summer! I am intending for them to be multipurpose. They are growing on twine that goes over one of our windows, so it'll allow for some shade in the heat of summer. They also will provide hops for brewing, and supposedly they make good tea. Malt, hops, and yeast are the major (and usually only) components of beer, and if I can grow my own hops that will be a good cost savings. I haven't brewed in well over a year, sadly enough, but I have all of my equipment and I'm hoping to start again in the fall when I don't have to worry about high temperatures for the fermenting period. Brewing in summer heat without any heat control results in off-flavors. I do want to get a propane burner for brewing, because it's very hard on the stove to heat 5 gallons of water and boil it for an hour.<br />
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I need to blog more regularly because I can always just put up some pictures and call it a blog post. It would certainly be a window into my life that some of you can't see from so far away.<br />
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Last night I was looking out our back kitchen window and I saw a beautiful, bright sunset, and what looked like firework sparks moving sideways, in an erratic pattern. It was moths lit up so brightly they looked like fire. I thought about walking along the block to see them up close. But it wouldn't have been so magical, would it?<br />
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I learned today that a group of moths is called an "<a href="http://joebartok.blogspot.com/2012/07/an-eclipse-of-moths.html">eclipse</a>" :)BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-73388419748108259292015-02-14T07:37:00.000-08:002015-02-14T07:37:01.844-08:00Spring, Sweet SpringI'm up at 6am, after 18 hours of sleep in the last 24 (after being up for a few nights in a row!) with a fresh pot of coffee and pancakes I made for myself. I haven't done this in forever! Normally I would not be functioning at 6am. Porter signed me up for a bike repair/maintenance class, so I'm going to get out away from the house (but not at work!) for a few hours. <div>
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Trader Joes is right on the way home, and thus this last ride home I've brought home flowers, port, some beer, and some snacks for work. It's a danger zone for me. :) </div>
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Spring is right around the corner. Daffodils are out and there are many green shoots coming up. However, this is kind of unusual in that it's been dry and warmish. 50s in the day. It's going to be a horrible drought this summer if we don't get more rain now.</div>
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Porter bought a bike for himself a few weeks ago and discovered it was too small. I think this might have been halfway purposeful, though, because it happened to be the perfect size for me and in much better shape than my own bike. So Porter has given it to me, and he has gotten a newish one for himself that is the right size. It is SO exciting to be be biking around as a family. We finally got the car towed away from the driveway and it's kind of peaceful. I cried a little when it left, because of the memories, but I know we made the right decision not to sink a bunch of money into it. It was actually hard to get even the junkyard interested in it :( I feel optimistic about the biking because we are starting in the winter and have been rained on, cold, etc., and we are still doing it. We have discovered that it's not terribly expensive to rent a car for the weekend (although it's considerably more expensive now that I don't have insurance of my own) and there aren't too many places we go that are too far to bike to. </div>
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The other day I decided to walk away from my bike a bit with the light on so I could see my front light (I'm still so obsessed!). I was shocked. No wonder a guy on the other side of the street said he wanted to smack it off my bike. It is very bright. Bright enough that I realize I need to turn it to the low position when I'm on the pedestrian paths. </div>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-16293017791252229772015-01-27T23:33:00.002-08:002015-01-27T23:33:58.692-08:00Work, Sleep, Eat, Take Care of Children, Try to Clean, RepeatOur days are full. Sometimes not full of anything that feels particularly productive, but full. A 1- and 3-year old combined are a full-time job, no joking, and with one of us working full-time and the other home with the kids, that pretty much takes up our time! I can't imagine what it would be like with both of us working full-time, as many parents do.<br />
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I have settled in the IMCU (intermediate care unit, a step down from the ICU but still more critical than the general medical/surgical floors), where I will do an extended period of "internship." I work with my own team of patients and am a staff nurse in that unit in every sense of the word. The goal is technically still the ICU, and it is expected that after a few months I'll be better prepared for the rigors of the ICU. The ICU is certainly very, very intense and very invasive. I'm not sure what I feel about that. The loss of dignity any patient suffers when they are splayed naked on a table with needles poking into them, electric shocks permeating their body, and literally bone crunching calisthenics practiced by a medical professional bothers me. Especially when the survival rates of people undergoing such practices are extremely low, and even if "surviving," a patient may just barely get back to "alive." People usually suffer death or permanent damage following such an episode. Do you know anyone who has "survived a code" in the hospital? Is it worth trying at ANY cost to restart a heart beat in an essentially dead body? I am quite certain I wish to be a DNR but I'm still thinking about any exceptions there might be so I haven't made it official. It's scary to think of not being "resuscitated" but it's a scary thing to be dead to begin with, and so being a DNR is really just a way of avoiding all of the suffering that will go along with death if resuscitation should be necessary. Resuscitation does not return life to normal. Limited intubation might be OK for me, though, so I'm still on the fence about what I will specify. <br />
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I'd love to hear any thoughts on the ethics of intensive medicine as we practice it in the USofA.<br />
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On the other hand, I really do love the job I'm doing right now and I'm happy to be there :) I have been on my own for a few months now and usually I feel good about my work nights. Occasionally things are pretty overwhelming, but nurses who have been doing this for a long time say there are always those nights where everything seems to go haywire and there isn't enough time to do everything.<br />
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The girls are well, though Tass has a cold, and Porter is busy doing home improvement projects and getting the girls here and there to classes, parks, and the library. Life just keeps rolling on...<br />
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<br />BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-5621728317326465322015-01-07T20:37:00.001-08:002015-01-07T20:37:56.593-08:00I joined the iPhone party! I got an older model on eBay and now I can take pictures on the girls, which I love 😊 Best feature, in my opinion. Not going to be a very thorough update but it'll be better than silence.<br />
I have been biking to work every day. The other day if was about 22 degrees out and I felt pretty legit.<br />
Tassie went to school for the first time today! So exciting. She is going two mornings a week. She didn't want to leave when it s time to go home. They have all the children between 2.5 and 5 years old together. They make their own bread ( yes,the children!)) and on Fridays she'll be bringing two vegetables for soup.BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-63435059562857918472014-10-04T12:07:00.004-07:002014-10-04T12:07:59.223-07:00Halfway ThroughI can't believe it but I'm about halfway through the training program. I have learned a lot, although I still feel like I know nothing most of the time! Every time I make progress in one area it seems like I am lacking in another. The biggest challenge is putting everything together. Fits and starts.<br />
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I dream nearly constantly of nursing. Last night Omilie kept waking up. I remembered somewhere in the back of my head that Porter said I should give her Tylenol tonight because she's teething. I then concluded that I had already started her on 25 mcg of fentanyl (a painkiller) via IV and I didn't need to give her oral medication. I thought this every time I woke up, except toward the end of the night I though "But I'm not on shift right now, which means I'm not authorized to practice as a nurse and I can't give her IV medication." I was too tired to get up and give her any :(<br />
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Another thing is that I dream about missed pieces of charting, or getting to the end of the day and having missed an assessment entirely.<br />
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They tell me it gets less and less as time goes on...BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099365680234363659.post-47079368978871354962014-09-16T17:14:00.002-07:002014-09-17T09:21:54.337-07:00Wardrobe<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
A friend of mine who has a blog, <a href="http://resurrectedthreads.blogspot.com/">Resurrected Threads</a> (and an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/201199227/cropped-sweater-100-wool-maroon?ref=listing-shop-header-2">Etsy Shop</a>!) has been running a really cool series, <a href="http://www.resurrectedthreads.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-slow-wardrobe-part-1.html">The Slow Wardrobe.</a> I haven't ever considered myself anyone with much fashion sense. I used to wear a uniform of baggy Ts and almost equally baggy jeans, paired (neverfailingly) with sneakers and in the cold weather, a sweatshirt. So, more or less, similiar to your typical American teenage male.</div>
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Fast-forward 10 years and I still wear jeans (though less frequently), still wear tee-shirts (but almost never shapeless) and never wear sneakers except for running and hospital shifts. My style is still not well-defined, however. I have been the lucky recipient of a well-dressed friend's handmedowns, which has helped me a lot, but a lot of what I wear is just happenstance.</div>
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I have recognized a few things about myself that I think are my fashion sense beginning to come through. I feel that some of my decisions concerning clothes are actually quite snooty. I even hesitate to post, lest I offend some of my friends. But these are my standards for myself, not for you. Also, as you will probably notice, they concepts that are more prohibitive than prescriptive -- that is, they are mostly don'ts rather that do's.</div>
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1. No fakes. Jewelry is an exception, and some types of cloth (I wear polyester sometimes, for instance). I don't wear fake leather or fake fur. I do wear glass gems, because I like glittery things but I would never trust myself to run around with jewelry worth thousands of dollars. But I don't wear plastic gems, and rarely wear rhinestones or glittery fabric. Same goes for vinyl. This pretty much also includes my face. I wear cover up most of the time when I work because my acne is distracting, but I don't wear eye makeup.</div>
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2. Nothing ugly. Now this is in the eye of the beholder, for sure, but I don't wear things that I feel are jarring or ugly. Yes, I do wear colors that make my husband cringe but it's not because it's a modern juxtaposition that I feel is a statement, it's just because it's pleasing to my eye.</div>
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3. Nothing slutty. I have only really recently discovered this one. I grew up in a very conservative household where I couldn't have an armhole that was bigger than my arm, literally (I cried about a chunky sleeveless sweater I wasn't allowed to wear for this reason!). After I left, I had a period of disorientation. What should I wear? I wore literally anything, including nothing! (Short story, but I'm not telling it now :) Now I've come around in a fairly wide circle and returned to a more-or-less conservative approach. I try to stay away from things that make me cringe when I see them on other people. For instance, I've developed an aversion to spaghetti strap shirts this summer. They may look OK on some people but on me I think it just screams of uncouth, poor, and negligent dress. Especially if it's so thin and tight that bra lines are showing. A big no-no. Maybe on the beach, but I'd rather wear something more attractive. I've also discovered I like v-neck shirts that aren't too exposing. Elegant cut, but not rude exposure. I've also realized I just don't like my skirts to be very short. If I have to double-check that butt-cheeks are not coming out, it's too short. If I can't sit down on the floor, it's generally too short (although there are certainly exceptions). If the skin or body parts exposed are really distracting, and/or there's more than one exposed, it's too much.</div>
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I think the biggest fashion revelation I've had is simply for clothing to be appropriate to the task, be well-made, fit well, and be clean. This is a very tall order for me, and I think I'm still working on this. I have realized this about my nails, too. So about a year ago I stopped biting at my skin and starting shaping my nails in an attractive shape. It makes so much more of a difference than nailpolish ever could.</div>
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Oh, by the way, a book I found very engaging and informative and would like to recommend if anyone is interested in dressing well is called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Elegance-Properly-Dressed-Occasions/dp/0060757345">A Guide to Elegance.</a> I found it at the library here in Eugene a few years ago, and then I found my own copy at a thrift store. A lot of the advice is "vintage" but not outdated. For instance, I'm not going to start dressing in suits of the 1940s all of the time because I would stand out as a vintage fashionista, not an elegantly dressed woman (though the suits certainly are elegant in their own time). Likewise, I will probably never wear gloves because it would make me stand out, not make me stick in your mind as elegant.</div>
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Well, while I'm on a roll, I will also mention that I have been wearing high heels lately. Not very high, mind you. But they're really heels! A few years ago I never would have thought I'd be able to walk in them, let alone feel comfortable in them. I would only ever wear platforms as a teenager and usually wore flats (and sneakers!). I have a blue pair and need to collect, at some point, a pair in black and a pair in nude. I found a perfectly fitting pair of black nordstrom pumps at the thrift store that were comfortable as could be. The first time I wore them out of the house they distintegrated. Literally. Pieces of the shoes were left in the driveway (before I realized they were falling apart), in the car and out and about. The whole sole came off in pieces and then the heel fell off. I don't know what happened to them! Too old, proably. Anyway. Boring you all to bits now. No one read to the end! :)</div>
BonnieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08589988810592345416noreply@blogger.com2