Began by celebrating Taylor's birth to Sondra and Robert; Wes, my Dad, and I were there Dec 26 (so it was last year, it was exciting!)
Francie and Andy visited me to announce their engagement (after trying to park in my old neighborhood for about 2 hours-ya know, parking is not an issue in Beaverton)
Decided to move to Oregon, retired from OLMC YAG Presidency, cashed out of investment club (to purchase furniture in OR)
Brief stint with Guitar lessons (gotta work on that someday)
FEBRUARY
Wes visited me in Chicago for Valentine's; had heart-shaped pizza and went to Second City, but too cold to wait for a carriage ride
Figured out workplan with Wes on how to make my move "Our Mission"
MARCH
Said good-byes to Chicago (had a great going away party with lotsa friends)
Steph and Tom, Julia, Mark and Jennifer all visited to say goodbye (only Julia helped me pack)
Moved to Beaverton March 25 (thanks to Dad and Wes but not UPS)
Got new apartment (complete with W/D), furniture, and office space (same job)
Fell in love with Cannon Beach, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt Hood and the trees of Oregon
APRIL
Joined Young Adult Group at St. Cecilia's; vball every week
Wes and I went to Hawaii to recover from my move (well, he worked, I recovered)
MAY
Wes and I began attending weekly RCIA meetings (his Confirmation is scheduled for Easter Vigil April 11, 1998)
Attended wedding of friends Tom and Lisa in Gross Pointe, MI
Joined Arthur Andersen softball team (the AC rebel that I am), not quite a winning record but Wes was a great pitcher and SS
JUNE
In Orlando for work and got to visit Kennedy Space Center (rode the simulator, still dizzy!)
Took some great hikes to Cape Mears and Eagle's Creek
Softball, vball, tennis. . . life outside
JULY
Spent the 4th Holiday at the Coast
Hosted first guest, college friend Jenn; got body wraps (her idea), drove from Newport Bay where we saw Keiko the whale to the Gorge for the waterfalls tour to Mt. Hood for a snowball fight in one day (Wes said never again, I must CHOOSE!)
July 27, celebrated my 10,000th day alive
Joined my Chicago buddies for annual camping trip in Wisconsin
My buddy Joe and his brother took me wave-runner riding at Fox Lake
AUGUST
Celebrated Dad's 50th Bday with entire family in Eville (how 'bout that Yard Barn)
Hosted visitors Jane from Chicago and her friend Nicole; gave the full tour including the 24 Hour Elvis Chapel (learned to take that off the Oregon tour)
Wes and I played in our first golf tourny, we both won "KP" closest to pin (though his was on the green and mine was the closest number between 1 and 10)
Celebrated Wes' parents' retirement with his family (19 years owning Coast to Coast Hardware store in Monmouth, OR)
SEPTEMBER
Spent Labor Day Weekend in Ashland, OR, going to Shakespeare Festival, whitewater rafting and gazing at Crator Lake (the deepest freshwater lake in the US ya know)
Got to spend a weekend in Baton Rouge, LA, catching up with Thuangchtu and her family (4 kids now!)
Purchased my first set of golf clubs
Attended wedding of friends Mary and John in Chicago
Took first carriage ride (finally warm enough in Chicago)
Started serving as a Youth Group Leader for 7th & 8th graders at St. Cecilia's Church
OCTOBER
Wes and I joined The Holy Rollers bowling league with another couple; our team is called "Beginner's Luck" though we haven't really had any yet
Long-time friend from Eville Julia visited me for a week; took her to Cannon Beach where it was even beautiful in the rain
Linda visited; took her to vball and to Jake's famous seafood restaurant
Got into Impossibles (Impossible puzzles), Wes and I completed first one with help from Linda while she visited
Hosted Ali and Mark; gave em full tour, kinda lost in the Gorge but not really, found a great Moroccan restaurant "Casablanca;" carved pumpkins while Ali watched/slept
Dressed up as Count and Countess for Halloween Carnival (Wes' bushy eyebrows scared the kids)
NOVEMBER
Went on "Immersion" retreat with Youth Group to learn about life on the streets; we had our eyes opened to issues of being Homeless in Portland; organized Hygiene Kit drive and our kids delivered 200+ kits
Visited Degas exhibit at Art Institute of Chicago with Linda
Spent Thanksgiving in Eville with family
DECEMBER
Stayed at Silcox Hut on Mt. Hood with Wes' coworkers for their office Christmas party (1st ride on a snowcat), beautiful views
My youngest sis, Stephanie visited and interviewed at several hospitals to find next year's OT Field work project; took her to see Blazers game in the AC suite (unfortunately they lost and Steph got a cold) and we celebrated Wes' ## Bday
Home to Eville for an early Christmas with my family; got to see Tommy and Jenny's new baby Libby and Wes got to help Dad paint the yard barn