What I’m Doing – Bend

One of the very best parts of living in the Northwest is that there are so many awesome places to visit. Bend, Oregon has to be one of my very favorite. This past weekend we rented the same house we did a year ago and filled it with family and friends. The biggest bonus was having the Fry four (soon to be 5) all under the same roof. We all traveled from Battle Ground, Boise, Walla Walla to spend the weekend, hiking, eating, climbing and laughing. 

Bonus for me was being invited to go wedding dress shopping Friday evening! Jocelyn found her dress and it is GORGEOUS! Of course EVERY SINGLE dress she tried on looked AMAZING on her! She will be a stunning bride! 

While I have been to Smith Rocks a few times I had never hiked in the area. So while the big shot climbers were off doing their multi pitch Jeff, Ty, Kim, Lucy and I headed out for a long, gorgeous hike! We hiked UP the Burma Road had a picnic at the top and then looped all the way around the park. Our mileage once getting back to the car was 7 miles. 

We did eventually find Josh and gang and I was able to grab some pictures of them. It took them all day to finish their climb.

I was super thankful that we had some time Sunday to do a couple of routes at Smith. Josh was our guide because Jeff and I certainly don’t know what we are doing! It is such a different experience to climb outside and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do it again! 

What I’m Reading – 

 

                                                                                                   The Secrets We Kept – by Laura Prescott

I really enjoyed this book and regret not picking it for book club. The books is based during the Cold War.  It follows the lives of several women. Several who contribute to the CIA and the muse for Doctor Zhivago.  The stories jumped between the different individuals and how they contributed to the distribution of Doctor Zhivago in Russia where it was banned. 

It also followed Boris Pasternak’s life as he wrote the novel and what his personal life was. Which got me very curious about he novel. 

 

 

 

Doctor Zhivago – by Boris Pasternak Heaven help me! If I get through this book it will be a MIRACLE!!! I became naturally curious about Doctor Zhivago after reading about him in “The Secrets We Kept”. I checked my personal library and found a copy of it. The instant I started reading it I was overwhelmed! The names are impossible! Most characters go by first {and impossibly Russian} last names and then have various nick names to keep track of. Some only have a first name and all of them I have no idea how to pronounce.

So far I have no idea what is going on. My struggle with the names is so mightily that I lose the story line because I can’t keep track of who is who. If there is ever a book to listen to this may be the one for me.

I highly doubt I will finish it but I haven’t given up yet.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal Check-

It has been a huge challenge to keep up with all of my business goals lately. But it is so rewarding when I keep myself organized and moving forward. I would feel so overwhelmed and disappointed in myself right now if I hadn’t written and sent this month’s newsletter or missed a weekly blog post. My clients are getting their galleries sooner than promised and I’m still finding time to breathe (Bend Trip). I do tend to get distracted by time suckers and I know what they are in my life so I really have to make an effort to stay focused in order to stay on track. Most importantly, when I do get off track I don’t use it as an excuse to stay off track. I just get going again. 

What I’m Photographing –

I took last weekend off and used my camera only for a few scenery shoots during our hike.  

One of the best parts of my job (there are many) is the variety! I often find myself doing something for the first time. This week I took animal head shots for the first time and it was a blast!!!

Of course there was one trouble maker in the group. Kevin didn’t want nothing to do with me. He wouldn’t look at me and he wouldn’t perk up his ears. Don’t be a Kevin…

This weekend I’m looking forward to a morning family session in PDX and then my final Fall Senior in the afternoon also in PDX.

My {Current} Favorite{s} –

Candy Corn

Sweaters

Boots

Fires in the Fire place

Walks among the gorgeous Fall trees

Reading

Chocolate

Chai

Photography

People who comment on my blog or newsletter 🙂 

Have an Amazing day Friends,

Shelly