Where in the world is Carmen Santiago?

I’m not even sure when the last time I blogged was.  I have pictures to add, and stories to tell.  Bottom line is the last couple months have been really touch and go for my anxiety.  So much going on Frank was in jail half a month for violation of restraining order, and his parenting time arrangements are in the air until he contacts the necessary people and sets up visitation.  Those of you who know me and haven’t heard the details can contact me for them, but It’s really not something I want to describe in a blog intended to be a work of memory for Lexie.

 

As tensions have eased, we have been having more summer fun.  I set up the big inflatable pool with slide out back, broke down and bought a battery powered inflator thingy.  Otherwise, I don’t think I would have ever set that pool up again.

 

We’ve been making bi-monthly trips to downtown Hillsboro, which has been really enjoyable.  We usually hit the marvelous toy store they have.

 

Sunday we went to Cannon Beach with Grammy and Griffen.  We spent four or five hours just playing in the surf and the river.

 

Tuesday evening we went out to Aunt Christine’s to visit and have dinner with Fred and Barbara down from Alaska.  We’re planning to see them again at Justin’s wedding in Temecula next month.

 

The Portland to Coast is less than a month away.  Things are starting to gel together, and it’s getting exciting.

 

Yesterday Ryan and I attended an OSCON conference at the Convention Center.  It was great.  Free stuff, party invites, great information on neat software.

 

Does anyone know if online IQ tests are accurate, like IQResearchlab.com?  I’ve taken two this week, the first one was 139 and the second was 137.  I don’t know if they’re just trying to fluff my ego, or what?

 

Well, wanted to check in. 

 

Pictures to come.

 

 

Check out time: 11:00AM

I'm fried beyond my belief. So much has been going on that I'm almost daily in a tailspin. Lexie, Mom, Dad, Tracy, my friends at work, my cats, and Griffen have been my point of sanity. I now have pepper spray attached to my key chain, and I worry about the sanity and the possibility for retaliation from FDK. When Lex finally is old enough to read this chronicle, she will still love him, but probably understand my point of view at least a little. I've been trying to keep this part of our lives out of this out of respect for her love of her Dad, but it slips in there, inevitably since it's such a large part of our lives right now.

We had a great Fourth. We spent the morning driving around, Lexie napping in the car, me driving. We had a five hour barbeque at Tracy's parents. Zoe and Steve are not only kind but also extremely funny! It was fun. I was having a constant mild panic attack, I think I might have even been annoying at times. Lex and I walked to some neighbors a block away and spent two hours watching fire works with them, including illegals people up the street were firing off. We went home a couple times, once to get cookies for Beth and Kate, once to get a bucket with water to help clean up expended explosives. It was a fun evening.

Last Thursday evening, Lexie and I went to Ms. Amy's graduation. It was awesome. She is truly a great person. After the graduation, we all went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream, then to Shute Park. The kids had a good time and I sooooo much enjoyed getting to know Amy and Tim better. I hope we can all become good friends. I miss talking to Tonya when we were "work related" and I want to get to know her better too. Taylor's mom seems really nice and smart too. It was a good time and I hope we all can get together occasionally at least.

Now, Lex and I are heading off to Hillsboro Main Street to play in the toy store for a while.

I miss journaling in this blog as much as I used to, and I hope in the near future I can get back to it.