Passport fun!

Portland is known for being a bit unique so it only makes sense that we would have a chain of restaurants, taverns, pubs, cigar bars, concert venues, theaters, spas, micro-breweries, distilleries, soaking pools, wineries, golf courses, pool halls and hotels that are located in old schools, poor houses, masonic lodges, ballrooms, vintage theaters, churches, brothels, general stores, pioneer homesteads and funeral homes.  

Of course, anyone local to Oregon and parts of Washington knows I am referring to the McMenamins chain. Full of character, these unique places are owned by local brothers Mike & Brian McMenamin and have been key in revitalizing some of the Pacific Northwest's forgotten architectural and historical treasures making them into hip and trendy places to relax, be entertained, listen to great live music and enjoy some awesome food, beer, liquors and wines.

This year, McMenamins has released their Passport which is exactly what it sounds.  It is a little blue passport where you get stamps for visiting different locations, sometimes individual locations, like the local pubs scattered across town and other times large locations like Edgefield where you visit eight different bars/restaurants/tasting rooms, etc.  When you complete a location (or neighborhood), you receive a prize of some sort.  While most locations are local to the Portland area, some are in various other places in Oregon and Washington, which means fun trips and new places to visit!

Some awesome friends and I purchased the passports a couple of weeks ago and have been having a blast exploring new locations and collecting the spoils received from completing pages.  The passports themselves can be purchased at basically any McMenamins locations and cost just $20.  The best part is that you can earn that $20 back easily by completing four activities in the front adventures part of the passport (not required to complete the passport) doing things such as having a spa treatment at one of their Ruby Spas, taking a dip in the soaking pools, attending a concert, staying the night in one of their hotels, tasting a beer, wine or distillery flight, etc.

Seriously awesome marketing scheme on their part but for McMenamins enthusiasts it is a fun way to visit all their locations and earn some amazing prizes when your passport is complete.  Prizes include three free nights at historic hotels, free concert tickets, free food, invites to exclusive parties, etc.  Well worth it if you are a McMenamin's fan!

Here are some photos from our adventures so far!

The Passport - stamps and photo hunts at Edgefield

Pat's Corner - Grand Lodge

 

Ceiling at Pat's Corner - Grand Lodge (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Rock Creek Tavern (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Our freebies so far - McMenamins playing cards from completing Edgefield in 12/2013 and photo magnets from completing Grand Lodge in 12/2013 (prizes may change by month).

Crazy cat lady

It's been too long since I've last posted - things have been busy and, quite honestly, I haven't been really inspired to share anything.  But I saw a link to these videos today and they appeal to the crazy cat lady in me.  They are from an Ikea commercial shoot a few years ago, somehow I never saw them until now. 

It is beautifully done and so peaceful - I hope it brings you the joy it brought me.

And this shows how they made the ad!

High Fidelity - the bird and the bee

This indie pop duo has a great sound.  Plus they released a whole album of Hall & Oates covers.  That's kind of awesome.  Hope you enjoy some of my favorite the bird and the bee songs.

the bird and the bee

Gratitude Challange: Days 13 - 21 (more catch-up!)

Day 13 - Time

Day 14 - Creativity

I love creating outfits on Polyvore.com - this is part of a series where I took an image from Harper's Bazaar and recreated it for the everyday girl.

Day 15 - Family

I love my family.

Day 16 - Inspiration

I am totally inspired by the refashions created by this amazing blogger!  Check her out here.

Day 17 - Weather

Fall is here - should have thunderstorms tonight!  Yay!

Day 18 - Change

Change... get it?  Ha, I crack myself up.  If I didn't have in apt. laundry I would be VERY grateful for this kind of change.

Day 19 - Laughter

Lilith Fair 2010 - it was in the middle of July and it poured.  Typical Oregon.  There were lots of laughs as we tried to stay dry in our tarp tent and cheesy ponchos!

Day 20 - Food

Made fajitas the other night - one of my new favorites!

Day 21 - Home

I love Portland.

Gratitude Challenge: Days 9 - 12 (Catch up!)

So I fell behind... anyone who knows me personally won't be surprised by this.  Lol

Playing a little bit of catch-up...

Day 9 - Holidays

Me and Grammy on her birthday.  :)

Day 10 - Kindness

Love this quote about kindness

Day 11 - Friendship

The bestie and I over 13 years ago just before our senior year (sob - we're so old!)

Day 12 - Music

The Civil Wars - I LOVE this duo, can't stop listening to them!

Gratitude Challenge: Days 7 & 8 - Innovation and Sleep

Innovation - I'm thankful for the ability to get my ancient TV hooked up to Netflix thanks for my new Roku!

Sleep - my cat's ability to sleep anywhere, anyway. (Look at that baby fang, how cute is that?!)

Gratitude Challange: Days 5 & 6 - Knowledge & Memories

Books from the completion of my undergrad degree at George Fox University.

Ritchie cousins circa 1986 or so at Grandma & Grandad's house - amazing memories!

Gratitude Challange: Day Four - Clothing

Shoes count as clothing, right?  I am thankful to a.) have shoes and b.) have small enough feet to fit into youth sized Keens.  :D

Gratitude Challenge: Day Three - Nature

Photo taken at the Wildwood Recreation Area, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon.  I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, how could I not be grateful for having places like this as part of my life?

Gratitude Challenge: Day Two - Technology

I am thankful every day for the convenience and security of having a smart phone!

Gratitude Challange: Day One - Words

Gratitude challenge

These past few weeks I've had a lot to be thankful for.  

Developing relationships with new friends, treasured time with old friends, outdoor adventures, good times with family, signs of love, thoughtful and generous gifts and a new found sense of hope for the future.  

I feel inspired to share a little of my gratitude with the world around me. I found this 30 day Gratitude challenge and I love what it could become.  I will be doing the challenge via Instagram (SaraAnnR81) but will share them here as well.  

Stay tuned...

High Fidelity - The 1975

I am currently enthralled with this band. They are a Manchester, England based alternative rock band and are relatively new to the US charts (heck, they only hit the UK charts starting in 2012).  You might be familiar with the song "Chocolate" if you scored the free download that was available a couple of weeks ago on iTunes. 

I hope the US market embraces them like how they latched on, almost overnight, to the Imagine Dragons (see High Fidelity post about them before they hit it big here).  

The 1975's debut album is scheduled to drop on September 2, 2013 - I can't wait to hear it. 

 

Chocolate (Music For Cars EP)

The City (IV EP)

You (Sex EP)

 

Me (Music For Cars EP)

The 1975

Parenting - you're doing it right

Love this!  All the kids are awesome, but there is something about the little freckled girl in the turquoise dress that I just love.  

To the parents of these awesome kids - kudos for raising such conscientious, caring and open-minded children.  Nice to see a bit of positivity after the past few days!

Moments

30 Photos That Capture the Best Moment's of People's Lives (clicky)


These are wonderful.  Joy in picture form. And I love how so many of them aren't necessarily all about them (meaning the person who tweeted them) but about the people they love.  

If I were choosing my top moments (so far) they would be meeting my precious niece seven years ago and the day this past December when I (FINALLY) graduated from college.  

Isn't she adorable?

 

 

Finally got that B.A.!

Here's hoping there are more moments like those people posted.  Proposal, marriage, babies, graduating kids, time spent with grandchildren...


What would be your best moment?

High Fidelity - Ray LaMontagne

This man's voice is pure magic. No more words necessary, his music speaks for itself.

Let It Be Me

I Still Care For You

If I ever get married, I would be a very, very tempted to use this next song for our first dance.  

You Are The Best Thing

And this one just touches my soul. No other way to describe it really, other than in typical Sara-speak... it makes me *squishy*.

Be Here Now (Live)

Ray LaMontagne

The Burning Man project

So last night I found myself wasting a couple of hours fascinated by the Burning Man website and watching subsequent videos on YouTube of the event.  Why?  I don't know, cause it was there and interesting?  But really, when I think about it, I recognize that it intrigues me so much because it represents the epitome of an 'adventure' to me.  It's mysterious, overwhelming, awe-inspiring and a bit uncomfortable - all things that I think are necessary for an experience to be an adventure.

Fire dancer in Black Rock City

Now, I'm not even contemplating going to Burning Man.  The thought of me at Burning Man is ludicrous - I mean really, I never go outside the house without at least mascara on, I hate being hot and the festival is in the Nevada desert in August, I don't do well with not being able to take a shower at the very least every other day, I hate porta-potties, I have an intense phobia of drunk puking (well, other people barfing in general) and I certainly wouldn't have the physical stamina to walk and ride a bike around a vehicle less town (well, except for the DMV - Department of Mutant Vehicles roaming the grounds - google image search them for entertainment, seriously).  And yes, I realize that last sentence was the stuff grammar police have nightmares about.

Duck mutant vehicle, revelers at night

But all that aside, reading about Burning Man has awoken a burning need in me for change.  For the need to add more excitement to my life and explore the world and people around me.  Hauling a weeks worth of water, supplies, food, bikes, tents, etc. across an arid desert to indulge in 6 days of uninhibited craziness and community may not be the best choice for me but that doesn't mean that I can't be inspired by the spirit of the festival.

Black Rock City at night - amazing that all of this is brought in and created on the site and when it is broken down at the end of the festival they leave no trace behind. 50,000 people leave no trace.  At all. 

My version of Burning Man will be exploring more of this fabulous city (and state) I call home.  There are so many things to do here in Portland and I've done approximately three of them in my past 31 years.  Boring. So while I may not be up for a crazy adventure, I look forward to the new things I will experience right here in my awesome hometown. Stay tuned for posts as I experience new things!

Burning Man!

High Fidelity - Daft Punk

I'm one of the millions who LOVE the new French electronic duo Daft Punk's song "Get Lucky."  I just think it's so darn catchy and obviously I'm not alone as the popularity of this song has majorly jumped over the past few weeks (it was just released mid-April) and it is now #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 List.  Pretty awesome! 

What is even more awesome is my discovery today of this gem.  While I love the song by itself, it is infinitely better when paired with the dance stylings of classic Soul Train clips.  

The dancing, the clothes - epic awesomeness.

Where following the yellow brick road gets you... pre-teen angst anyone?

You know when you stumble upon a song (or album/soundtrack) that immediatly takes you back to a specific age or event in your life?  I had one of those moments today.  I was grooving to my Boy Band goodness playlist on Spotify (don't judge) and while adding a song by 3T (anyone else remember them?) I saw that one of their songs was from the "Free Willy" soundtrack.  I, naturally, had to follow the yellow brick road and ended up on the "Free Willy" soundtrack page.  Yes, I realize how ridiculous this sounds.

It turns out I must have had the soundtrack because upon clicking on the first song my eyes immediately welled up and it was once again 1993 and I was an angsty pre-teen.  

Will You Be There (Theme from Free Willy) - Michael Jackson

Keep On Smilin - NKOTB (yes, that stands for New Kids on The Block)  ;)

Right Here (Human Nature Re-Mix feat. Michael Jackson)  - SWV (Sisters With Voices)

And because I couldn't find a video of the 3T song that lead me on this wild goose chase (called Didn't Mean to Hurt You) that wasn't unbelievably cheesy with crappy heart graphics and creepy obsessive photo montages of the 3T guys, I have included the video for 3T's biggest hit circa 1995 called Anything which is the reason why I stumbled across the Free Willy song in the first place.  

May your early 90's inner child rejoice.

Rest in Peace Keiko (1976 - 2003)

High Fidelity - Florence + The Machine

While I loved the British indie rock group Florence + The Machine's first album Lungs, it is their most recent album Ceremonials that really speaks to me.  Florence Welch has an amazing voice and I love how their sound ranges from the somewhat 60's style retro "Dog Days Are Over" to mysterious and haunting in "Seven Devils."   It always seems to tap into some emotion I am feeling at the moment and is awesome music to blare when on a random weekend drive with the windows down and the wind in your hair...

And we can't forget about the new Calvin Harris collaboration "Spectrum (Say My Name)" that totally speaks to my recent obsession with house/dance music (that's another post!).

"Dog Days Are Over"

"Shake It Off"

"Seven Devils"

"No Light, No Light"

Original version of "Spectrum"

Calvin Harris remix of "Spectrum (Say My Name)"

Florence Welch

Answers! :)

It's not just all in my head!  Such a relief to finally have found a doctor who listened to me and cared enough to keep on looking beyond just the surface.  


Living in the Pacific Northwest means it is common for almost all of us to lack somewhat in Vitamin D but for some of us levels can get extremely low... like "dirt low" as my doctor referred to my levels.  

Turns out Vitamin D deficiency can lead to numerous health problems like osteoporosis, heart disease, increased risk of cancers, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, PMS and infertility issues, etc.  

Frequent symptoms that effect those of us with very low levels include: obesity (and subsequent difficulty in loosing weight), depression and other mood/anxiety disorders, excessive fatigue, muscle, bone and joint pain, restless sleep, poor concentration and headaches.

Wow. Seriously.  I'm relieved that there is a reason for so many of the symptoms I've had over the years.  The obesity, clinical depression, headaches, fatigue and daily pain - it's not all in my head. 

 

For more information about Vitamin D deficiency, please visit the 501(c)(3) non-profit Vitamin D Council website here.



An official diagnosis of PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome) was also in the cards.  About time.

 

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women but because there are no specific tests that can resolutely end in diagnosis, physicians have to rely on a combination of tests and symptoms to diagnose women effected with the condition.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder which can result in irregular menstrual cycles, cysts on the ovaries, infertility, acne, hair growth issues (excessive growth and thinning), pelvic pain, anxiety and depression, sleep issues, obesity (excessive weight gain and difficulty loosing it) and increased risk of diabetes.  Yikes.

There is no cure for PCOS however there are some things that can be done to help with the symptoms. 

• Lifestyle modification - weight loss specifically in order to keep insulin and glucose levels under control which have been found to directly correlate with PCOS symptoms.
• Birth control pills - the steady hormone levels can help control menstrual cycle issues, lessen acne issues and reduce male hormone levels (androgens) which are a key factor in the development of PCOS issues.
• Diabetes medication - if patient is suffering from insulin related issues in correlation with PCOS.
• Fertility medications
• Topical medicines for acne, hair growth issues. 

For additional information about PCOS, please visit the womenshealth.gov page about the disorder here and the 501(c)(3) non profit called the PCOS Foundation here.



I am sharing my health concerns here as I know I am not alone - there are many other women who are suffering from issues like I am, many probably thinking that the symptoms they are experiencing are "all in their head" and may not feel like they are being heard by their doctors.  

All I can say to you is keep searching, there is a doctor out there who will listen and help and you are most definitely not alone.