wow

Listening to John Mayer. Reading Bill Bryson. Driving through the Gorge. Watching my old 1996 Breeder's Cup video.

It's always like visiting an old friend. I can never remember why I stopped listening-reading-driving-watching. It's like emotional comfort food - and every once in a while, you find something you never heard-read-saw before and it feels brand new and totally familiar at the same time.

I discovered a new live version of an old Mayer favorite "In Your Atmosphere" and at the end there is the purest, most beautiful little song blurb I've ever heard...

wherever I go, whatever I do
I wonder where I am in my relationship to you
wherever you go, wherever you are
I watch your life play out in pictures from afar
wherever I go, whatever I do
I wonder where I am to my relationship to you
wherever you go, whatever you are
I watch that pretty life play out in pictures from afar

(and then he sings "oooooooooooooooo" a few times in a softer-than-Eddie-Veder-in-the-Into-the-Wild-soundtrack-but-just-as-moving kinda way)

PS: there's a cover of "Free Fallin'" that literally made my morning.

note to self:

download these songs tomorrow...just don't forget!

The Blower's Daughter
Cannonball
Brass Bed

there were more, I'm almost positive...

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25th Anniversary

About 24 years ago, in the fall of 1984, two things happened - well, two things that were of any importance. First, on November 4th, I was born. Then, on November 18th, the inaugural Breeder's Cup day took place. Almost a quarter of a decade later, the Breeder's Cup is going strong and I am still hanging on every detail.
BreedersCup.com has been celebrating the 25 year anniversary of Racing's Greatest Day by counting down the top 25 moments in its history, most of which I agree with. But, I have my own ideas about what constitutes a "greatest moment," and I can't let this weekend go by without mentioning my allegience to one of horse racing's greats, the "inconquerable, invincible, the unbeatable Cigar."
I won't bore you with the details of Cigar's life, racing career and serendipitous sterility that led he and I to share a few quiet moments one sweltering morning at the Kentucky Horse Park - I will just say that after all the horse races I have seen, the 1995 Classic is the only one that still moves me to tears. Beating knee surgery, an ulcer and hives, a bad track, an outside post and a controversy over his shoes, Cigar exploded at the half-mile pole, dragging Jerry Bailey to the lead and putting three lengths between him and the rest of the field. In the soft dirt of the Belmont gloom, he set a track record, capped off a perfect season, would go on to tie a generations-old winning streak record, win the very first Dubai World Cup and set an earnings record that would not be broken for twelve years. Watch it and tell me he's not something special.

http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=1995&divisionname=classic

new kitty pics!

I just wanted to post some pictures of my 6 month-old monster babies! They've gotten so big - at the vet last week, they both weighed in at almost 9 pounds! Simon is discovering the joys of playing fetch and peek-a-boo while Fisher is obsessed with hunting the beam from the laser pointer I bought them. They are both super people-oriented and friendly and just about demand attention. I can't believe 6 months ago, someone just tossed them in a dumpster. They're the best kitties ever!

still loving the newlywed life

So the last time I blogged, I talked about Nathan getting a job at Hollister and me looking to move on from A&F. Well, things didn't exactly work out the way we thought they would. Nathan didn't get the job, and I'm actually very happy that it worked out that way - he needs to be focused on getting through school and I don't think he'd have the time to study, work, sleep AND be a husband. At first, I was bummed out, but the more I thought about it, we'd been praying fervently that things would happen as they needed to happen and that we'd receive revelation as far as what we should do for our jobs. And things are definitely working out in an interesting, yet totally fulfilling way.

Not long after Nathan didn't get the Hco. job, he registered for three classes at Lane Community College and arranged to work on the days he doesn't go to school. Around the same time, my store manager, Brenda, gave her two weeks at work, meaning the SM position was open. I figured they'd transfer someone in to take her place - I never dreamed that our district manager would be calling me and telling me there was a possibility I could get the job. But sure enough, at a conference in Seattle, I found out that I was being promoted to store manager at Valley River Center's A&F. I'm really excited to have the opportunity - it's a huge responsibility and I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like all I have learned these past 6 months and all the hard work I've put in have paid off. It's nice to have a solid job and be the breadwinner while Nathan finishes school...there will be a time, I know, when I will want to spend time at home with our kids when they're young, but now, it feels good to be able to provide for my husband!

PS: here are a couple of my favorite candids from the wedding day - the professional pics can be seen at AdamsandFaith.com.

it's 9 days later...

I've been Mrs. Shaw for over a week and I am LOVING it! It's such a wonderful feeling to know that when I get home from work, my husband will be there. When I wake up in the morning, my husband will be beside me. At the end of the night, he doesn't have to leave me. And everything is OURS. To be honest, not much has really changed since we were already such an old married couple :) - just him living with me and, you know, the sex ;). I think I'll feel much more like we're married after next week when we've moved into our new apartment. We did end up deciding on Parkside after all and I just can't WAIT to be in a newer, nicer place with an extra room and a washer and dryer.
In other news, Nathan is interviewing with Hollister's District Manager on Wednesday for a position as their Stock Lead. Full-time, flexible with school and comes with benefits. It's pretty much a done deal that he'll get it and I am so excited for him. Bottom line, it means I can start looking for another job - with a photography studio - that has comparable pay but no necessarily benefits. Not that I'm leaving A&F right this second but I'll want to move on eventually.
Well, I have today off and so I'll be at home, packing and doing chores. Hooray.