Life in Stumptown

I figured he’d do it over Christmas.  He knew I figured this.  He just couldn’t have that…

Rob spent his Saturday afternoon on the phone with the United States Postal Service in December.  I’m sure you can imagine that was fun.  He missed his “parcel delivery,” and they wanted him to wait until Monday.  From hearing the story after the fact, I gather that he was just a bit too ancy to do that.  They agreed to meet him at the back door of the post office at 4:00 on Saturday, and even then, he had to beg for his “parcel.”  This part of the story is important in illustrating how utterly clueless I have been — I saw the “we missed you” tag, and thought nothing of it.

We had that photo shoot Saturday night and we were all dressed up.  Afterward, he suggested photographing the city at night.  I, of course, was up for it.  We went down to the pier on the east bank where I told him I loved him for the first time.  Little did I know he had his hand in his pocket holding the ring, when I declared, “You know, I really don’t think this is my favorite view of the city, can we go find another?”  He shrugged and we left.  Poor guy.  I later fell asleep in the car while he drove around the city.

You may be aware that Portland got a blizzard on Sunday.  One inch to be exact.  He could no longer pull off his surprise of taking me to see the Christmas ships (a fleet of 50 ships that sail into the Columbia and Wilammette Rivers each year completely decorated) because I suggested he come over and hang out with Bekah, Beth, and I all day.

Around dinner time, he was bursting when he hopped in the car with Bekah to run to the store.  Apparently he exclaimed, “I have to tell you something!” And Bekah immediately retorted, “I knew it!”  Rob said he was out of ideas and had to do it because he couldn’t carry a ring in his pocket another day.  Bekah suggested tea lights.

On Monday, Rob got off of work early.  He came over and tagged along while I went grocery shopping and to the post office.  I told him I was just working at the crisis line that day so I’m not putting on make-up or doing my hair.  He thought, “sure, that’s all you’re doing today.”  I left the house in a fleece and my Pumas and he dropped me off at work.  He had promised our photography client that he would get the pictures done and delivered by 2:30 and he dropped me off at 1:00.  When he picked me up at 5:00, I asked how the photos went, what all he did that day, why he didn’t email me back, etc.  I also told him I drank a whole Nalgene bottle and had already peed three times in the last four hours and had to pee again, badly.  The fact that he puts up with this just really tells me I made the right decision.  Anyhow, he was thinking he couldn’t have me have to pee during this, so the following chain of events ensued:

Rob: “Do you want to stop and get something to drink with dinner?”

Ali: “Like wine?”

Rob: “Like vitamin water.”

Ali: “Umm…sure…I don’t really want any, but we can do that.”

Rob: “Let’s go to Winco, they have bathrooms there.”

After I went to the bathroom at Winco, we went to get Vitamin Water, which he exclaimed was way overpriced (18 cents) to be exact and we shouldn’t get any.  I asked if I could pick up some hummus while we were there.  Turns out the hummus sample lady was there and I was talking with her about her three flavors of hummus when Rob grabbed pine nut and pulled me out of the deli section.  I couldn’t figure out why he was in such a hurry or why he kept saying we didn’t need to pick anything up for dinner, even though he didn’t know what he was making for dinner, but that he surely had dinner taken care of.  I just figured we should think about it while we were at the grocery store.  I also told him that I thought he might regret not getting Vitamin Water since he seemed to want it so badly, but assured me he would be fine.

In the car…

Rob: “Can I have some gum?”

Ali: “You don’t like gum.”

Rob: “But I just ate all the hummus.”

Ali: “Sure.” (hands him a piece of gum).

Rob: “Split it with me.”

Ali: “I don’t want gum.  I want more hummus.”

Rob: (tears off piece of gum and puts it in Ali’s mouth)

While pulling up to Rob’s house:

Ali: “Why are we parking in front?  You always park in back.  Isn’t that thing on the front door.”

Rob: “Not right now.”

Outside the car:

Ali (who is learning how to spit her gum like a man): “Can I practice my spitting?”

Rob: “Sure…”

So then we walk up the stairs and I see this:

My first thought is that his roommate is kind of dating someone and we may be interupting.  He told me to keep walking.  My next thought is, “what a fire hazard!”  And finally, “He probably just did this for dinner…there’s no way he has the ring.”

I followed the path of tea lights to this:

And started shaking.  My body started to realize that the moment little girls dream about was actually happening to me.  I had never been so surprised in my life. I noticed that “Shattered” by Remy Zero was playing (one of our songs) and then I got to this:

At that point, I turned around and said, “Are you serious?”  He told me to read the card.  Those are Gerber daisies by the way, my favorite   And honestly, who can read a card?  I tried, but all I got was the “I love you, Ali” in giant letters and on the back it says to turn around.

I did.  He got down on one knee.  He said, “Allison Michelle, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you from the first night we hung out.  I love you more than words can express.  Ali, will you marry me?”  I, immediately kissed him and said yes!  Then he put this on my finger:

It’s his grandmother’s diamond which was passed down to his mom.  It is absolutely beautiful.  There are places on the edge of the diamond that are worn from his grandmother’s and his mom’s wedding rings rubbing against it for all of those years.

I got on the phone quickly afterward.  Dad didn’t answer.  Bethany didn’t answer.  Jenn cried uncontrollably for about seven minutes and told me she needed some time to let it settle in.  My sister was cooking dinner and caught quite off guard, but excited nonetheless.  Mike slid a “Congrats ” across the table when I called Emily.  Rob’s reactions weren’t quite as good.  His brother yelled up the stairs that Rob proposed before handing the phone to their mom.  And everyone else kind of knew.

Bethany came home a few minutes later.  Turns out it wasn’t a fire hazard afterall.  Bethany lit the candles, turned on the song, and ran out the back door as we were pulling in.  She was so excited to be in on it.

Rob made chicken parmesean and garlic bread.  He was a little nervous and forgot to make the spaghetti and the salad.  We had Riesling too, which was a really good one from Washington.  There was pie too, but we really weren’t hungry anymore.

We headed home to show Bekah (Beth wasn’t home) and then to Elena’s.  Here’s a shot in front of the tree at my house:

I’ll tell y’all who is going to be in my bridal party after I get a hold of the last bridesmaid   But, sneak peak, the maid of honor has already looked up her duties online, discussed seasonal flowers, and purchased the same Brides magazine that I did so we can consult one another.  None other than Ms. Bethany Jeanne Lawson, of course.  What a cutie!

A few shots from that wedding we shot in October…

It’s been quite the Christmasy weekend.  Rob and I spent Friday afternoon baking cookies and watching Miracle on 34th Street.  Friday evening Elena and I went to a neighborhood Christmas party at Dragonfly, which is a coffee house my friend Shannon Hannon works at.  I have to say her whole name, always.  And that is her real name.  Dragonfly is one of my favorite coffee houses in Portland.  They hosted a Christmas party to which all were invited and had free wine and food.  Another girl in the social work program works there too and a professor is a regular customer.  So, needless to say, Elena grinned and beared it through social work conversation per usual.  We got drinks afterward at Bridgeport Ale House in the Pearl.

On Saturday, I was up bright and early to meet with a family at Imago about possibly being a nanny twice per week.  They have a 9 week old baby and she is going to go back to work part time in January.  They posted an add on Imago’s google groups asking for childcare advice and I suggested myself.  Ha.  They had never considered a nanny, but were excited about the possibility of one on one childcare in their own home with a Christian from their church.  They’re checking my references and a few other options, so I should know more by the end of the week.  It would be nice to have steady work since this has been a struggle for me lately.  And also to have a baby to hold!  I’m not stressed about it at all though.  It will either be a good thing for both sides if it works out or they’ll find another option and I’ll maintain the jobs I have.  The biggest benefit would be a Monday through Friday schedule.

After my interview, Elena, Sarah, and I went to the Columbia employee store.  Can I tell you about the deal on my winter coat?  $74.00 for a coat that was originally $230!  Waterproof and with a fleece that zips out!  Exactly what I wanted!  In green…my possible new favorite color…Portland’s had an influence on me.  We did a bit more shopping and had lunch.

Saturday night, Rob and I had that photo shoot for DeWitt Construction’s Christmas party.  Rob has all of the pictures of the couples by the Christmas tree, but here are some of the founders.  The son owns the company now, but his father is the founder.  It was his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary this December so they had a cake and dancing for them.  Here are a few pics:

This morning, it snowed.  It snowed one inch.  Church was cancelled.  One of the highways shut down because people abandoned their cars.  They showed an aerial view and they were not kidding…cars were everywhere just sitting there.  You had to have chains or snow tires to be allowed on the other highways.  Businesses closed early due to the winter storm.  School is cancelled tomorrow.  People may not have to go to work.  You can see the pavement and it’s not snowing anymore.  There’s still a little bit of snow on the grass.  It’s pure insanity!

Rob came over and we made breakfast with my roommates.  We edited pictures and watched a Welsh Christmas movie.  When we were done mocking them and their California/Portlandness, we went out to play in the snow.  We walked to a neighborhood pizza place and then a doughnut place.  We had snowball fights the entire way.  It was a blast, but I’m not sure if I’d call it an arctic blast like the news did.  Nor would I refer to it as “The White Wall of Death,” like certain anchormen.

It doesn't snow here.

After we warmed up, we headed to Rob’s and made dinner and watched Christmas Vacation with Bethany.  Bekah had never seen it!  It was exactly what Sundays should be made of.

God shared this Psalm with me and it really spoke to my heart.  I thought I’d share it with you.

Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

I finished two of my classes for the quarter last Wednesday and it was fantastic! I don’t have finals, but I turned in two papers and did one presentation. One of the papers was challenging. We received a case study and had to pair a theory with it. I chose Narrative Therapy. I probably put 15 hours of work into that paper. Glad it’s over, but it was really useful for learning purposes. I have one more presentation this Wednesday and then I’m done. It’s a group project for my DSM class on Borderline Personality Disorder.

Funny story: I was browsing at the PSU bookstore between classes the other day and checked out some t-shirts for 60% off. I realized I don’t have a PSU t-shirt (which is a stark change from my abundance of OSU apparel) and considered buying one. There were two that caught my eye. One was red and gray (our colors are green and white) and the other said Portland State Football. It was really cute, but seriously…I didn’t even know we had a football team. I’m sure it’s Division III. I just couldn’t make my PSU t-shirt scarlet and gray and I certainly couldn’t have it advertising a football team when I know what a real football team is So, no t-shirt for me yet and I guess I know where my allegiance remains.

We put our Christmas tree up last week. I took some pictures. I’ll post them at some point. We didn’t get to have a Christmas movie this weekend, but there were still some highlights On Friday, Elena hung out at my house for a bit. I started knitting and she gave me a haircut. Saturday morning, Bekah, Elena, and I Waffle Windowed! Bekah was a first timer if you can believe that! Rob and I took the Max downtown and wandered about the city for a bit. We hung out in Powell’s (a really large bookstore) and then went to Elena’s friend Trent’s apartment for a BBQ. He has a rooftop terrace he wanted to make use of before moving out, so we braved the elements (really just low 40s) and dined outside at sunset. Pictures to come soon. Then we went to Bekah’s Christmas party at her old house. What social butterflies we were!

Exciting news of the day: Rob got us a photography gig. He was talking with a lady at Costco this morning who was camera shopping. She learned that he was a photographer and booked us for her company event this Saturday. We’re hoping this will be a good networking opportunity! Yay, Rob!!

Beth, Sarah, Rob, and I went to the Over the Rhine concert a while ago.  It was a fantastic show!  We got to sit in the fourth row!  For those of you not familiar with the group, it’s a husband and wife pair out of Cincinnati, Ohio who partner up with different musicians throughout their career.  They’ve been around since the 90s when they started with a studio in Over the Rhine (a Cincinnati neighborhood).  Their music ranges from throaty, cocktail lounge like sounds from circa 1920 to folky bluegrass to really mellow Norah Jones-esque style (and a lot of variety in between).  There are touches of gospel or The Gospel in some songs and others are more of the love/broken heart variety.

Anyhow, they were tremendous performers — the kind where you feel like you get the stories behind the songs and a sense of their personalities.  It was an cozy show too in the Aladdin Theater, an old, architectural beauty which has the audience closely situated to the band.

Plus, it felt just like home to Rob and I because they definitely carry a bit of Midwestern charm.  From a touch of a southern drawl in Karin’s voice to the mention of farmhouses in the Ohio Valley, there was something that called “home” in the show.

I’ll post a few pictures when I get a chance.  If you feel like downloading something good, here are my favorites:

• “Let’s Spend the Day in Bed,” from The Trumpet Child
• “Don’t Wait for Tom,” from The Trumpet Child
• “If a Song Could be President,” from The Trumpet Child
• “New Redemption Song,” from Snow Angels
• “Here it Is,” from Snow Angels
• “I Want You to be my Love,” from Drunkard’s Prayer
• “Born,” from Drunkard’s Prayer
• “Drunkard’s Prayer,” from Drunkard’s Prayer
• “Hush Now (Stella’s Tarantella),” from Drunkard’s Prayer
• “What I’ll Remember Most,” from Ohio
• “Jesus in New Orleans,” from Ohio
• “Ohio,” from Ohio
• “Suitcase,” from Ohio
• “Professional Daydreamer,” from Ohio
• “Lifelong Fling,” from Ohio
• “Long Lost Brother,” from Ohio
• “She,” from Ohio
• “Cruel and Pretty,” from Ohio
• “When You Say Love,” from Ohio
• “Fool,” from Ohio
• “When I Go,” from Films for Radio

“Hello, Ohio; the backroads.  I know Ohio, like the back of my hand.  Alone Ohio, where the river bends.  And it’s strange to see your story end.”