A communtin' I will go

So, yes, all has been quiet on the Leslie-career front. In fact, no doubt it's been quiet in general and many of you haven't heard from me much. 

Quick update: In April I was offered a job with Pamplin Media (owners of the Portland Tribune and what feels like 100 suburban weeklies); I started in May. I am editor of two of the weeklies, West Linn Tidings and Wilsonville Spokesman. The hub office for both papers is in Lake Oswego, so that's where I drive every day.

In many ways this new job is much like my old job, but x2, with two communities to cover and they are both similar in size to the one I was covering before. 

As things worked out I had little time to train with my predecessor and one reporter slot was empty when I started. Then another gave notice (I don't THINK it was me), so both papers have a new editor and are short a reporter. 

As a result, I've been putting in a lot of 10-12 hour days. It being summer, we've been booked with home maintenance projects, family obligations or something else. Not a lot of free time, to say the least, so I apologize for not keeping up with folks more. 

But, it can't last forever (can it?) and I expect one day to be able to take a breath and relax. Some. 

Momentous May

Important happenings in May. Travis had his official demobilization from the Army service and we traveled to C.O. to attend. Kristin came as well and Melodie and Jess from southern Oregon. It was a short trip but great. We stayed with our friend Kris, who was so sweet and generous.

THEN, we did our first major yard project, building Kodiak a dog kennel. Turned out quite nice and his hopefully Kodiak-proof. Wish us luck.

Pomp and Circumstance

Shiori  opening gifts

 June was graduation Hell Month for us. Not that it was awful, just so many dang graduations! We had two daughters of C.O. friends graduate, then Kristin from her masters program. Then in one weekend came two nieces, Christina and Shiori. B's parents actually had three graduations to attend in one day. We had fun though. Kristin was so excited to finish after working so hard this year. We traveled to Washington and spent the weekend visiting family while attending niece ceremonies. Jess was able to leave college in time and even Josh came.

We also saw Leah and Michael's new house, which will be amazing when it is complete!

Bug with Montessori pals

Christina with Nana's quilt

Teens and just post-teens in a gathering

Hangin' around the 'hood

How are we faring in Portland, you ask? Well, the good news is there are a huge number of amazing places to get great food and drinks -- and the bad news is there are  a huge number of amazing places to get great food and drinks. Neither our waistline or budget will sustain how much we'd like to do that. Bug took us to this South American place with an elevated dining deck that resembled Jabba the Hut's flying ship/barge. It was very cool. 

 We volunteered this spring with a group of neighbors who are helping the city's Urban Forestry department survey Montavilla's public tree inventory. We've been trained and now we're trying to recruit helpers because our 'hood is super-large and will take a while. But we're having fun so far. 



Our neighborhood farmer's market has opened and it's great. So much better than we were used to in Central Oregon. A short walk or bike from the house and we can stock up on produce, fruit or local honey etc... It's only here for  a few months so we make the most of it.