I want to be a cat lady!

My parent's rescued a cat.  It has since replaced my brother and I.  Her name is Cabbie (short for Cabernet).  After three days of hiding behind the dryer, she is slowly come around to taking a liking to everyone... except me.  Instead she has decided to just use my old room as a litter box.  I admit though, I am jealous.  I have been desperately trying to win over her approval.  Nothing has worked.  These pictures below are the longest she has let me touch her.  Immediately after the camera took these shots she squirmed out of my arms.  

My new idea is to take the well-known saying "there are many fish in the sea" and apply it to cats.  Forget you Cabbie, I'm moving on.  I think I want my own cat.  But, could I handle it right now?  Probably not.  I'm going to keep prospecting the decision though.  As I peruse through the Humane Society websites I just want to safe all the kitties and bring them home to cuddle with me!  The new kittens are irrestiable, but sometimes the descriptions of the older or even ancient cats win me over.  

I know, I'm a sucker for everything:

Brooklynn

Outgoing I can be.The streets was no place for a elegent girl like me.I`m ready to help make your home complete.  - Just my style!  Except giiiirl, you need a hair cut!

Faber

Did I hear you call my name? What are we waiting for, I'm all set to go home. I'm a very social feline who is looking for a great family to bond with. I get along with other cats, but dogs can overwhelm me at times. I'm still young so I love to play, which is good if you've got kids. We can entertain each other. - Faber, your expression is perfect.  You could get out of any kind of trouble with that face!

Frisky Biscuit

Meet the ever-adorable, ultra-loveable Frisky Biscuit! He is a handsome, big boy with a ton of love to give. He gives awesome head-butts and really knows how to cuddle. This gentle giant cannot wait to find a new forever home and start being the love of your life. - Frisky Biscuit is the best name ever.  Besides I like fat cats!

Freesia

Hello, my name is "Freesia" like the sweet flower, I am a affectionate and loving girl who loves people and loves to just be loved. - Thats all I want too, to love and be loved! Freesia we were meant to be.

Rex

Hi there! I'm a sweet little boy named Rex. I'm super cute and I have a few extra toes. That just means theres more of me to love! - A few extra toes!  Hehe, I love it.

Malcolm

The orange one.  I love orange cats if they are fat and lazy.  Malcolm if I got ahold of you I would put you on a binge diet :)

Lila

I am a beautiful siamese mix cat named Lila. I am a sweet and loving indoor cat. I`m everything a cat should be - playful and outgoing and when I`m ready to settle down, I`ll sit in your lap.  - Yes, please do.  Kitty, your eyes are gorgeous.

I'll keep dreaming...

My Favorite Post Secret of the Week

So sweet.  I finger spell too.

Yeah! What is wrong with the world?

IN MY OPINION, WE DON'T DEVOTE NEARLY ENOUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO FINDING A CURE FOR JERKS. ~ CALVIN & HOBBES

The Grail

Continuing with my current love for wine reads, The Grail  by Brian Doyle was another satisfying tale.  In his book he sets out on discovering what a year at a Willamette Valley vineyard is like.  He selects the Lange Estate Winery & Vineyard who is owned by the Lange Family.  Doyle chronicles the chaotic and always creative effort of Jesse Lange, general manager and winemaker, in his attempt to make the best Pinot Noir on earth.  He does this by stringing together short essays that the natural history of the land and vineyard, the fussiness of the vines, the boom and recognition of the Dundee Hills around the world, the buying habits of tasting-room visitors, and the craft of winemaking.  I enjoyed reading this book and having Doyle be my tour guide through this operation.  There are small adjustments I would have made if I was the editor (namely, a typo towards the later half of the book) and a more smooth story.  

I do really like the book cover.  Wine stain.  I think I need to try photographing that.

I am always sad to finish a book because that means I have to go in search for another one.  This could take hours/days.  I was thinking about trying to overcome my fear of novels.  I have attempted to like novels in the past, but have never been successful.  I love non-fiction and novels are too much like a marathon.  

Memorial Day Weekend Wine Tasting

First stop- Zenith Vineyards where Chris was pouring.  St. Innocent wine was also available to taste.  

I saw this wall art and figured I could make one too.  But, I want to dye my corks and make it more colorful.  Guess I better start opening the bottles- darn!

Next stop, Cubanismo.  I have always been curious of this winery.  My parent's visit it frequently and rave.  I loved how fun the "party" was.  People were salsa dancing all over the place.  
Oh, and I would gladly live in the owner's house.  Just my style.
I thought it was funny he was drinking a Hef at a winery, but then he sported his purchase of the Pinot Rosada.
My dad and I out on the patio.
Then, my mom and I.
I even tried out the salsa lessons!  So fun, until they said I needed to fine a partner and I was dateless.
Wonderful band playing.
My favorite wine tasting guests.  These dogs made me smile.

What a wonderful weekend.  Once Chris was off work for the day we took our cameras out.  The results of my meager efforts are the ones below.

Memorial Day Outing

Tomorrow is going to be a rough day

On Saturday my work got a call I hope no one ever has to experience.  It was one I am glad I didn't reach to answer.  A fun-loving, goofy, and amazing talent of a golfer, Ashley O'Sullivan, was killed in a tragic car accident.  I had worked with her that night closing up the golf shop and she was so excited to get off work and spend the night camping with her friends.  Driving back home her car plummeted into the river.  She was a baby.  Only 18.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  I know her family well and I know this will kill a piece of them.  The thought of parents burying their own children is the most sickening thing.  

I have always been an obituary reader.  I love to read about people who led full and interesting lives- where they were born, went to school, their careers, family, travels and interests.  But, never in this case.  Ashley had her life ahead of her and it wasn't ready to be written out with a conclusion.  

Ashley was one of the most talented female golfers to come out of Salem.  She was named All-Region Player of the Year twice.  The night before she died we were talking about her aspirations of being a class A golf professional.  She would have been great teaching others.  She taught me a lot just watching her swing.

Tomorrow is the Memorial Service at Creekside Golf Club (where we worked and where her family are members).  It is going to be so hard to make it through.  These are the times when the saying 'Everything happens for a reason,' does not make sense.  Nothing makes sense.  I hope she is spending eternity on the golf course and playing her heart out.  I just wish she was back down here, so that we all could still be watching her.

Here is my favorite picture of her.  I think this truly wraps up the essence of her if you could bundle a life into a photograph. 

Rest in peace Ashley, you will be severely missed.  

What Happens After a Glass (or 4) of Wine...

We also made a video that I'm considering putting up.  It would take thick skin though, but I'm willing!

Life -Updated-

It seems like so much has been going on, but when I think back to write about it, it seems like nothing has been going on in life. I guess work and school have just been sucking the life out of me. When the weather gets nice my free time has to take a back seat. But, thats what you get when you work at two golf courses! I shouldn't complain though, my jobs are pretty desirable. Being the beverage cart girl does allow me to be the most popular person at the club :) And working in the restaurant at the other country club is pretty nice too. Plus I get all the free golf I want, although I never seem to take advantage of it. But, it is my goal to teach the boyfriend how to play better so that we can get in some rounds this summer.

I did get to go to Chris' Open House for the Northwest Viticulture Center last Tuesday. It was a pretty cool event. They had about two handfuls of vineyards there tasting and also a barrel opening of the student's projects. I could have lived without the student's projects... hehe. They needed a little bit more aging- at least.

This weekend Chris is pouring at Zenith Vineyards. Go visit him if you are in the Salem, OR area!! Zenith is connected with St. Innocent Winery out in West Salem. It is a very beautiful winery and they are holding the tastings in the barrel cellar from 11-4 for Memorial Day Weekend.


Right after my finals I am taking my first trip to my boyfriend's hometown. I am so excited. It will be a nice little break before the chaos of summer begins. We are planning on doing some hiking (the picture below is one place), playing in the river and I get to meet the friends and fam.


I am also planning on taking a photography class the summer (granted the professor lets me in due to my sweet talking). I am on the Waitlist currently. It will force me to make the time to learn. Cross your fingers for me...

Well, that concludes my life summary and my down time as I sit here in the Pro-Shop waiting for time to pass.

Umbrella- ella- ella

Beautiful picture by Phillip Newton.  I came acrossed it on Max Wagner's page and had to spread it.  

Venturing Around in my Small Town

Beautiful spring day in Corvallis.  

I'm looking forward to the photography class I'm taking this summer.

Lua

The original Lua was performed by Bright Eyes, but I am really liking this rendition by Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch found on the album Dark was the Night, which is a benefit album (actually two) full of various artists.  This is another one of my "I end up in full tears before the song is over," song.  

I think the collections are great.  Check it out here.

So much to L-O-V-E

Yesterday was a great day. Oh so great. I took the day off and went shopping with my mom, which is our favorite bonding activity! After our retail therapy we stopped by my cousin's house for a little "play time" with her jewelry line. It was the best showing of jewelry she has made yet. I was the luckiest girl ever to get these pieces!  Her etsy site has been rated as one of the top sites and has been selected for the main page twice already.

Yellow, my favorite color.

I showed this piece on a earlier posting and had to have it!

I got the matching emerald earrings too!  A picture wasn't available.

This rose was calling me. 

"These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of." - George Eliot