It's that time again...time for another week of Confessional Thursday with Jessica at The Newly.

Hometown Special: Gresham Oregon

It's Show And Tell Tuesday and I'll be linking up with Momfessionals today.
And today's topic - hometowns!

That's right folks, I live in the great city of Gresham, Oregon. That's about 15-20 minutes East of downtown Portland on a good day without traffic.

I was born here, grew up here until 10th grade, moved to Oregon City, Oregon (about 30 minutes South) where I graduated, moved around the Portland area a bit until last year, where I ended up back in Gresham.

[What's up with the music notes you ask? Gresham is known for their Gresham Jazz Festival. Nope, I've never been, but this sign sure welcomes you right off I-84.]

It's a cute little [big] quaint town.  On a good day you can see Mt. Hood clear as day - it's gorgeous!

The one thing I like about Gresham is that it's just a hop, jump and a skip away from downtown Portland, about an hour from the mountain and 2 hours the other direction to the beach.  

I must say, it's not too bad.

This is just one of the block corners in Downtown Gresham.  Super cute, good food, pretty scenery.  

And during the Spring/Summer/Fall months, we have our own Saturday Famers Market (I think just about every city in the Portland Metro area has their own farmers markets due to the vast amount of farming and growing we have in the suburbs.

Don't those look divine?!  We are pretty blessed to live in a city that has and has access to other city's fruits and vegetables.

Of course we have shopping available....

Gresham Station is probably our 'biggest' shopping area within the Gresham city limits.  Fred Meyer (a Kroger chain) is a huge one-stop shopping store in the area.  We do have Targets (no super stores though #boo), Kohls, and a ton of small clothing boutiques within the area.

Our lovely, local Fred Meyer's store in Gresham.  One stop shopping - groceries, clothing, shoes, prescriptions, hardware, outdoor, gardening...you name it, they've got it!

And of course, our city would not be complete with all the outdoor activities we have available.  I mean, we are in the Pacific NW, green, lush landscapes, and lots of rain.  But we don't care out here...we just throw on some rain boots (if that even) and a rain jacket [umbrella optional].

The one 'famous' park in our area.  There have been a few movies that have been filmed her.

The Springwater Corridor which extends from Boring, Oregon to Gresham to Portland, Oregon.  It's a gorgeous scenic pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists.

And of course...about 3 mins from the Gresham border, in the small town of Troutdale, there lives McMenamins Edgefield.  Brewery, winery, bars, restaurants, hotels, spas...and outdoor concerts.

And to top it off....it's a short drive to downtown Portland.  Gresham is just a 'small' extension of Portland.

There you have it - my home town!

Oh and of course, our city [or state] would not be complete without Starbucks. On ever street corner [some even have drive thru's].

Confessional Thursday...For I Have Sinned {Maybe}

Logged in this morning and my old coworker/friend linked up with an awesome blog for Confessional Thursdays.
[Thanks Jess at Jessica's Little Bits of Joy]



Jess at The Newly is putting on a fab link party - come join!
Sounds interesting huh?!
I thought so too.

Here goes.

I Confess...

[] This morning I went to Starbucks again (shocker). Not because I had to, but because I enjoy pulling up to a window and having my coffee made for me.  I could very well come straight home from dropping the little one off at daycare and make my own...but seriously, it's not as good. Thankfully, I still have a ton of $$ left only gift cards.  Just hope it doesn't run out anytime soon....

[] While ordering my drink at Starbucks...I ordered an old-fashioned donut too. Best guilty pleasure on the ride home after a loooooong night with the little one last night! All alone. No child. No dogs. No phones. [This could be the culprit of the Michelin tire I've been carrying around] #momlife

[] While working at home this week...I've had old re-runs of Laguna Beach and Teen Mom running in the background.  Hey...back in the day, those shows rocked! [and still kinda do]

[]  I haven't styled my hair all week this week.  Ponytails it is. Wet hair and all.  That's how bad it's been this week feeling run down. #sicknessbegone

[] With that being said...I haven't put any makeup on either since Saturday. Eek.

[] Stopped by the store yesterday morning for some EmergenC. Ended up in the beauty aisle...just browsing.  You never know what you'll find.

[] I love Valentine's day. I just think red roses are so cliche.

There you have it.
Some of my week's confessions.
Boy...do I feel better.

What are some of your confessions?

Share below!

Wednesday....What's Up?

What I'm excited for:

Last week I was asked if I wanted to attend some trade shows for work...which meant travel. Um...yes!  Count me in! I'm super excited about the (very soon) upcoming work travel scheduled.

Tacoma, WA.

Long Beach, CA.

Eugene, OR.

All West coast travels.

What I'm wearing:

Jeans. Maternity tank with built in bra. Sweatshirt. White crew socks. Latte in hand.

No makeup. Although I did straighten my hair #score

I'm a hot mess right now.  

Don't judge.

Woke up not feeling too hot, took the child to the babysitters, and am now working from home.

Amen for working from home.

I feel like death warmed over.

#HotCoffeePlease

What I'm watching:

As of now, I've been catching up on The Bachelor, Younger, Teen Mom OG.

I just love this show!

Catelynn and Tyler in Hawaii?  #jealous

And how are their kids now turning 7!?  I mean, 7!  Gees.

Oh...and Reba.

Does anyone else watch Re

ba?  

That show cracks me up!

Barbara Jean is the best.

If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest watching an episode or 3.

What I'm reading:

I hate to admit this, but I'm still reading the same book I've been reading for a few months now.

With my little one, it's hard to find "quiet" time around here.

So, occasionally, I'll flip through Pinterest late at night or read some of my favorite blogs.

That's the extent of my reading right now...since that's what time allows.

What I'm dreading:

I'm really, really dreading this cold I feel coming on.  

Woke up this morning with a sore throat.

Picked up some more EmergenC.

I feel super exhausted.

Hopefully, I'll be able to shake this tiredness and sore throat square in the butt soon! 

This is my favorite flavor in EmergenC. I mix with about 3-4 ounces of water, stir with a spoon, let fizz for about 30 seconds...and then chug.

Tastes way better than with 8 ounces of water.

Just saying...

What we're eating:

Lately, a lot of roasted veggies.

Brussel sprouts.

Carrots.

Butternut squash.

Tossed with a little olive oil, sprinkled with salt/pepper (or any other kind of seasoning).

Bake in oven.

BAM. Healthy side dish!

What I'm listening to:

As I type this right this very second...I am listening to "When I Come Around" by Green Day.

Taking it back to the 90's - yo!

I usually put iHeart radio on during the work day...either to my Sum41, Kesha, or Weezer station.

What we've been up to:

Birthdays. Birthdays. & Crafts.

Seriously, my sister, mine and my daughter's birthdays all fall within a 30 day span after the holidays.

And, lately, my aunt has been coming over to have me help her assemble 100+ invitations for an event she's part of. 

(the crafty side lives!)

What I'm annoyed by:

The fact that my child still doesn't sleep through the night.

That's a tough one for me, especially because I require about 8-10 hours of sleep a night.

Which, does not and has not happened in several years.

It's a slow adjustment, but man...it's tough!

#patience

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Friday Favorites [Jan 22] Edition

Happy Friday!

Show of hands of people who are thrilled it's the weekend?!  (me*me*me*me)

Not that I have anything fun planned, however I do plan on just sitting back and relaxing.

This week has sure been a roller coaster of ups and downs...and I'm sure glad it's over.

Here's my list of favorites this week:

COFFEE.

Need I say more?  Coffee has been my savior this last week. (There is a slight chance that I may or may not have had more than 1 coffee trip this week.  Shh...our little secret).
This week it's been: A medium, non-fat, x-hot, light foam, sugar-free vanilla latte.

Isn't this the truth sometimes?  Thank goodness I work from home these days...so no one has to deal with this crabby lady in the AM.

YOUNGER.

TVLand's show 'Younger'.  Recently, I caught up on last season up to the current week...and I must say - I love this show! If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest it. I find myself getting lost in this light, fun "non-reality" TV show. #myguiltypleasure

'

I found these online and thought...how inspiring!  I mean...at least this isn't another reality TV show. #AMEN

SUPPORT SYSTEM

This week (and a few weeks back) has been difficult for me.  However, do have 3 of the best support system people a girl could ever ask for - my sister, grandma and mom.  

My sister and I. Best. Sister. Ever. And she's clllll mine.

This sums up my Friday Favorites this week!  

Cheers to a wonderful weekend and a much better week next week!

What were some of your favorite this week?  Share below!