Catching up...

It has been quite awhile since my last post, so we have a lot to catch up on. Let's see here...
* I am no longer working for Servpro. Of no fault of my own we separated on December 17Th.  It was really sad to say good-bye to some of the people that I grew attached to, but I am still in contact with my favorites.  Needless to say, I am still unemployed, and looking for work again.  It has been a battle, but I feel like something is going to work out very soon.
* Since I didn't have a job over Christmas break, I made sure to enjoy every minute of it.  I went Cross-Country Skiing for the first time on Christmas day with Chase and his dad.  It killed me, but I made it almost 10 miles.  In the end, I am so glad I went. It was peaceful and beautiful up there, and of course, I got some great pictures! (will post at the end)
* Another good thing about not working is being able to go to almost all of Lori's basketball games.  She is a senior at Northwest Christian University and is a starter/leader of her team.  It has been a long, long career of basketball for her, but I am really proud of all of her accomplishments.  We just had "Senior" night last Saturday, and was able to bring in quite the crowd to cheer her one.  I know it will be bittersweet for her to end her career next Friday night, but I must say I am really excited! Mom figured out that she has been playing for 15 years!! YIKES that is a lot of women's basketball.  I am still and will forever be, her biggest fan.
*For Christmas this year, Chase bought me a new smaller camera.  My old "point and shoot" drowned in the McKenzie river two years ago and I was devastated!  My new one is a great Panasonic Lumix and has been performing wonderfully.  Ohh how I love these things!!
There is much more to tell, but I think I will update as things become relevant.  Much love, and pictures of course to follow!

 My tour guides

The trail we took while x-country skiing

Jack and I got to hang out for the day. He is getting to be such a big boy. He is the sweetest thing ever!

Look at those cheeks!

Chase and Lach watching the game

Hope Williams with me and the sign I made for her.

Camden and Lachlan with Lori and I for her senior night

My sign says "#15 is my Favorite"

 The family on Senior night

As I am standing on a log, that is over this stream, Dad says "haha hope you fall in." Thanks!



Jack's 1st Birthday party




Jack and Trask





Feature on the new camera







We got snow!!





My favorite work "partners" on my birthday







Updates

So as my first ever post revealed, I had gotten fired from my last job as a 9-1-1 call taker.  It truly was a difficult time, but I survived.  I am temping for Servpro as an Admin Assist and loving it.  It is a great up and coming franchise, that is growing fast!  I made it through my first week, and couldn't wait to start the second. 
You all might not know, but Chase and I had an agreement that he would grow a mustache (yuck) until I got a job.  Needless to say, we had a mustache shaving party in the bathroom the night before I started work.  It was awesome!

This picture was taken right before the big event.

                                                                                  





 Chase's dad, Arden and I canned all day the weekend before last. 

9 pints of Salsa, 7 quarts of  tomato sauce; all from our garden!

I am so glad he was around...it was my first attempt at canning.  All jars sealed!!







Having fun while prepping for the tomato sauce



Lori and I mini golfing with Camden last weekend.  I took 3rd which was to be expected, and Cam tried to pad his score the entire time.  It was a great afternoon in the fall weather we are experiencing.





Pictures with Jack and Sophie



There is nothing more powerful than a mother's love

I got to send the day recently taking picture of Jack (almost 8 months in these pictures) and Sophie (almost 2 years old).  It was extremely difficult to get just the right ones, but I think they turned out great.  Love these kids!





Mr. Jack- my favorite "nephew"



Is there anything cuter than Ms. Sohpie?



Cousins with their gigantic pumpkin



Oh but wait, Erin does other projects too!

 I got a call from my dad last week asking if I had any plans for the weekend. Of course I didn't being that I am unemployed and pinching every penny I have, so I was asked to help build a fence up at his condo.  Who knew that meant being up and ready at 8 am.  Oh...so early! 
This picture I find ridiculously funny.  Who smiles when ripping apart a wall?  It must have been some good coffee!

 So from where my dad is standing in the above picture, to where the end of the 2x4 is in this picture is the project we conquered on Saturday.  We all got to use a ton of power tools and successfully finished our mission. 

 Here is our finally product.  Not too bad, not too bad!  We all left with all of our fingers and toes, so can't complain too much.

This was the pattern that I came up with.  So proud! It lets light through and offers some privacy without completely enclosing the porch.

Latest projects...

 A couple of months ago, Chase was kicking around the idea of us acquiring a '76 Prowler trailer from one of his friends' relatives.  My first thought was great, some beat to sh#@ trailer that I am going to have to look at in our backyard forever.  Then about 3 weeks ago, this shows up...man I hate it when I am right. 

Needless to say the roof of this trailer had to be completely redone on the inside due to a leaking roof vent.  The water had reached the cabinets on the walls, so those too came down.  In the process of ripping apart the roof and cabinets, Chase and some of his buddies, who will remain nameless cut some of the electrical wires and didn't mark the intact ones.  Being the master electrician that I am have since fixed that problem, but there was defiantly some mumbling under the breath!

 This is the new non-leaking roof vent that we were able to install

 This is the vanity in the lovely bathroom.  I have a couple pictures of the toilet and shower (yes it has a shower) but this one seemed to bring out the '70's the best.

 Bishop (Chase's dad's dog) was hard at work with us

I was super bored waiting for the high expansion foam to dry, so I thought you all should see what poor Chase has to look at when I am in my "construction" mode.


So to date, the new ceiling has been installed.  I stained Birch 1/4" plywood and we were able to install that over the new insulation for a beautiful new ceiling.  The exterior roof has been coated with NASA approved coating and survived the two days of down pouring rain that followed.   The front left corner was completely redone due to some major water damage and is now good as new.  Chase recently ripped off the old counter tops and we are working on priming the lovely paneling so I can paint.  Not to bad for a "free" trailer.

~Did you notice the color of the stove? I love it!!!

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. I took this when Chase and I were up at Edgefield for our three year dating anniversary.

First time

Sitting here in the bedroom on a Sunday afternoon, I decided I needed a good place to post pictures and stories, that I find are worth telling and showing.  So, here we go.  Why not do a blog? It seems easy and pretty straight forward. Only time will tell how well this goes over...

The months has been interesting in our house.  I have found myself unemployed and searching for work.  That's right ladies and gentlemen...I got fired.  Worst day of my entire life, and yet a blessing in disguise.  I was getting ridiculously sick from the stress of my last job so I was unable to preform the normal duties I was hired for.  I get why they canned me, it still sucks though. 

I have been frantically looking for a new place of employment, and one that will suite me.  The big question everyday has been, what do I want to do?  I am jealous of those people out there that know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives.  I feel like it should be something that is easy to figure out, but I guess not since I am almost 27 (yikes!) and haven't come close to realizing my potential and love for something. Chase has been super supportive of my searching, but I am sure a little freaked out about the $$.  Who won't be?

My true passion has been photography for quite sometime now.   I have dabbled in wedding, pregnancy, engagement, wildlife, and of course scenery.  I love every moment I am with my camera.  I feel free and at ease with every click of the shutter.  If only I could make my living doing this.  Until then, on to the classifieds.