Don't Take Air Conditioning For Granted!

Before we moved out here, Brandt warned me that many places don't have air conditioning in Oregon because "it's not really needed." We were both a little worried and our fears came true this month. We had a two week streak with the weather constantly in the upper 90s. Now that's not terrible summer weather in Kansas but air conditioning exists. All of the apartments we looked at didn't have AC and the reps told us we wouldn't really need it. Wrong.

My parents' house is old and has two former sleeping porches. These always fascinated me because they're on the end of the house and have windows covering all the walls on three sides. My parents explained that people would sleep in there during the summer before air conditioning. I thought that would be terrible and was thankful for modern technology. I never thought I'd be wishing for a sleeping porch in 2014!

We have been sleeping at night with all of the windows open, the sliding porch door open, and even the porch door in the living room open. We bought two box fans and had all four of our fans going all night. We put up my blackout curtains and I closed those and the windows early in the morning to keep the cool night air trapped as long as possible. Afternoons were uncomfortable and evenings were unbearable.

We tried facing one box fan inside and another across the apartment facing outside a window, to create air flow. Brandt stopped cooking because of the heat it generated and switched to the crock pot and sandwiches. I bought Popsicles to keep us cool and froze treats in the dogs' Kongs. We even tried putting a bowl of frozen water in front of a fan to blow cool air. A few days we just had to leave the apartment. We used our gift cards and had dinner out. Another night, we loaded up the dogs and drove around in my car so we could all enjoy AC. I've also been taking the dogs to the park as the sun is setting so they can roll around in the cool grass.

We've been assured that this is "unusual" weather, even for the summer. Today it was in the 70s and absolutely wonderful. A little chilly for me, but much preferable to what we've been living through.

On a bright note, I have four interviews in the next week and a half! I have two more tentative interviews, one of which should be this week. I had a nanny interview this morning but since I'm looking for full time employment, I don't think they'll hire me. They were two cute little boys though! I'm hoping that these interviews coming up are more fruitful than the others I've had. I don't have my heart set on one in particular, they all have different perks. One pays better, one's closer, one has more writing that I'd like to do, one has better benefits, another I'd be able to take the TriMet into town and not worry about driving, etc. I'll learn more about them and hopefully one will be a perfect fit!

Cedric's Summer Haircut

Not much is happening with us, so I thought I'd share a post about Cedric. He's been hot and needed a shave. We decided to go short on his back and trim up his curls and beard, which we hadn't done before.

The boy did well most of the time and the girls sat and watched. I still need to go back and trim up his legs and belly but we were all hot and needed a break. Brandt did all the shaving and I cut his beard and ears with scissors.

He looks scrawny and you can see just how small his jaw is. He's a happy boy though!

Fourth of July

We decided to go to the dog park during the afternoon last Friday to celebrate Independence Day. We didn't stay for long because it was pretty warm. Even Cedric tired quickly. We have been visiting the Hondo Dog Park not too far from our place. It has a  small/timid dog side, a winter side, and the regular side with a walking path around a hill in the middle. There are trees, benches and, of course, a water fountain for fresh H20. Ellie has come out of her shell while at the park. She's been rolling around, running, and even approaching strangers! Oregon seems to have brought her out of her shell.

Conveniently located trashcans with nice art.

Brandt and the pups enjoying the shade
during the hot afternoon last Friday.

This picture is from this week,
but Sparrow's cuteness must be shared.

Ellie is also cute!

The girls are terrified of loud noises such as thunder and fireworks. July 4th and the weeks before and after are never fun at our house. People here were actually respectful and we didn't hear many fireworks before Friday. Then, there were just a few the few days after. However, Friday was as loud as we expected. We couldn't hide in the basement like last year so hunkered down and watched Netflix.

Guard dog Ellie on the lookout as fireworks began.

We'be been training them not to bark at sounds from the apartment complex and we took this as an opportunity for some intense training. We had tiny treats ready and rewarded the dogs as the stayed calm. A few fireworks even made me jump but I held onto Sparrow to keep her from running away. Overall, the evening was very successful as far as minimal barking. Sparrow was still terrified all night.

At one point, when most of the fireworks had died down, Ellie scratched at the door to go out. I warned her that she didn't want to do that but she stared me in the eyes and scratched again. I leashed up all three and took them out. Of course, there was an explosion and Sparrow insisted I hold her. She climbed as far up my chest as she could and neither Ellie nor Cedric were doing anything productive. I took them back in and it took Sparrow 30 minutes to calm down.

When she's upset, Sparrow pants and overheats herself. She already has a short snout so the panting does nothing to help her. By the end of the evening so was completely exhausted, as you can see in the last picture. Ellie barley reacted to the fireworks, which was an amazing surprise. The boy was a little jumpy but really enjoyed the treats.

Staying safe from fireworks in my lap.

Sparrow was DONE with the 4th of July.

The Pods Arrived Early!

I've been delayed on my posts lately but that's because while we were on our way to the coast, Brandt got a call that our U-Boxes had arrived! We were told it would probably be on the 7th so we were thrilled they arrived almost a week early. We picked them up first thing Wednesday morning and unloaded all three pods in about six hours. That flight of stairs really slowed us down.

Once I set up the papasan, I sat down to rest. Ellie immediately jumped in "her spot" on my left and refused to move the rest of the night. She was thrilled to have her seat back!

Brandt set up the bed frame and headboard so we could sleep in a real bed again that night. We spent most of Thursday unpacking and Friday we finished and hung pictures. Brandt was getting down from his step ladder after hanging a picture above the fire place and the bottom step broke and sent him flying backward. Fortunately, I had failed to recycle a huge box of bubble wrap and paper on the floor behind him. He landed softly on top of it. His only injury is a scrape on his shin.

Now, here are pictures of our new home!

Entrance and Kitchen

Welcome to apartment H!

We have guard dogs.

To the right is the kitchen.

Fridge is decorated and Brandt's been cooking already.

Clean dishes and Craigslist microwave.

Space for leashes, dog towel, and my purse by the door.

Hallway and Man Cave

The hallway has doors to the Man Cave/Fun Room
and half bath.

When we finished decorating the Man Cave
Brandt said, "This room is fun!"

We'll hang our puppy pictures left of the Italian mask
once I make Cedric's collage. We already have ones for
the girls and Sandy.

My crafts still don't have a permanent home.
Brandt has been nice and hasn't complained yet. :)

Half Bath

This is my bathroom because it had
the most room.

Decor was from Brandt's bathroom but
I've made it my nautical room now.

The fishing net was his idea. I love it! (Shells from FL)

Living Room

Looking toward the bedroom and laundry closet.

Slightly different angle, shows door to porch and fireplace.

Living room and kitchen. Stools from Craigslist!

Wet bar and kitchen.

Living room and porch (and Ellie lounging on the couch).

Porch! My hammock will go out here after the apartment
complex is done painting the buildings.

Bedroom & Master Bath

View when you walk in the bedroom.

View from opposite corner
(sliding doors to the porch on the left not pictured).

Looking into the master bath.

Looking out of the master bath into the bedroom.

Our First Trip to the Coast

To celebrate one month in Oregon on Tuesday, we decided to drive to the coast since neither of us have seen the Pacific. We'd only been in our apartment a few days and didn't feel comfortable leaving the dogs alone yet. I had reservations about bringing the three monsters with us but thought it would be worth doing at least once.

"So, you say we're going to the beach?!"

Cedric was ready for this new adventure.

Ellie always waits patiently during drives.

One amazing thing about Oregon is all of the beaches are public access! There are two highways that lead from Portland to the Oregon coast. One leads further south and is a longer drive. We chose ighway 26 because it was shorter and seemed like the main route to the coast. We thought it would be a large highway and we'd zip right through. As it turns out, the highway is just two lanes and since Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far in Oregon, many other people were making the drive too. The temperature was only in the 90s but the coast was in the 80s and it seemed like perfect beach weather.

The drive should have taken about an hour and fifteen minutes. However, our public workers were out in force and cutting tree limbs. That means they had one lane (of the two lane highway) closed. Traffic going West was backed up and it added at least 30 minutes to the drive.

Parking at the beaches we came to was a little difficult. The parking lots are small but we were able to find a spot at the first one we pulled in to. Brandt pointed out that by having small lots, it keeps that section of the beach from becoming to crowded. The dogs were anxious and ready to go since we'd spent 30 minutes idling. We made it down to the beach and the sand didn't phase them. Ellie wanted to eat the seagulls, Cedric needed to defend the entire beach from all other dogs, and Sparrow was just a terror like she normally is.

Wet puppies!

We decided to walk out into the surf and see what the dogs thought. They didn't mind it until we realized that the tide was coming back and we'd gone out too far. A "huge" wave, from dog perspective, came crashing in and covered all three dogs up to their necks. Ellie's reflected pure terror but fortunately I had turned the girls around and none of the water got in their faces. Brandt hadn't gotten Cedric turned around and the poor boy was completely soaked, beard and all. Sparrow kept trying to dry her face on the sand like she does on the carpet at home. It didn't work and resulted in her face covered in sand. We walked up and down the beach, enjoying the cool breeze and lovely weather.

Sparrow just making herself more sandy.

We were able to snap a few pictures but spent most of the time playing in the tide or lounging on a blanket. The dogs were confused and becoming more anxious the longer we stayed. We decided to call it quits and head back inland.

Tiny horseshoe crab hanging out next to us.
He was the size of my thumb.

I loved the way these grew on the rock outcropping.

Looking up from the beach.

I took the dogs for a quick run when we got there,
to help them work off some energy,

Brandt took them for a run after they got soaked to
help them calm down a bit.

We packed up and headed back toward the stairs and my car. That was when we realized the tide had sneaked up on us. The state website warned to keep an eye on the tide but we dumb Kansans didn't head those wise words. The tiny walkway we'd come to our part of the beach through, was now filled with water a few feet deep. It was shallow enough that the dogs' heads would be above it but they had just spent the last half hour drying in the sun and I didn't want soaking wet dogs in my back seat. They had also determined that the ocean was evil and didn't want to be near it.

Picture of our walkway when we first got to the beach.
When we left the water was around the large rock and the small one on the right.

I had Sparrow and Brandt had Ellie and Cedric. Sparrow was flipping out so I hoisted her up and on my hip. I was able to carry her across safely. Brandt didn't have as easy of a time. Ellie wanted to be with me so she forged through without a second thought. She did the same thing when I wandered out into the ocean and Brandt had the leashes. She went as deep as she could without swimming. Cedric was not too keen on experiencing the cold water again. He climbed up on the rock on the right and wouldn't move.

I didn't notice any of this until Brandt yelled my name. I turned around and saw Cedric perched on the rock about four feet up looking like a soaked, scrawny, mountain goat and acting just as stubborn. Ellie was as far as her leash would allow but still stuck in the tide pool. The water was up to her chin and she was struggling to get to me. I put Sparrow down and dragged her back with me into the water. I had Brandt throw Ellie's leash and she made it the rest of the way. Nothing Brandt said could coax Cedric down from his perch. He had to climb over some smaller rocks to get to the boy.

We made it to the car and I was done with that day. We dried the dogs the best we could and tried to rub out the sand too. I had my backseat covered with a blanket, which I was very thankful for at that moment. I noticed the side of Brandt's foot was bleeding when we got in the car. He'd cut it on the rough rocks when fording the tide to save the boy. Ellie passed out the second we pulled away from the beach. Cedric was fairly calm and even Sparrow was laying down in the back (usually unheard of).

We got home and Brandt bathed the dogs and I used my hair dryer to partially dry them. Brandt had to use my shampoo and conditioner because our belonging were still in transit. The dogs are still fluffy and smell nice though!

I mocked the Oregonians for flipping out about how "hot" it was going to be, since the high was maybe 95 degrees. Turns out, that's a really big deal here since air conditioning hasn't been invented yet. Our apartment was unpleasant and there was no breeze to cool us or the dogs. I used cold air when I dried the dogs but we were all still pretty hot. Once it was dark out and the dogs were dry, we took a ride to DQ for ice cream. I blasted the AC and the five of us enjoyed modern technology during the drive.

Brandt and I loved the coast and we'll definitely go back. We will not be taking the dogs with us again. They didn't enjoy it and we didn't enjoy dealing with them. Now, here's a picture of Cedric passed out in my arm because we was so tired from our adventure!