Oh Oregon

Several things that make me angry/annoyed and just plain baffled by Oregon:

1. Gas station attendants: At first the idea of not having to pump my gas made me think, "YES! I get to sit on my butt while someone serves me!" And then you discover that the attendants are so slow that I could have pumped my gas and driven back home to California by the time it  is my turn to awkwardly hand them my credit card and lower my eyes in shame as I admit that yes, I only put regular gas in my car...why this embarrasses me, I do not know but I always assume they are judging me as the cheapskate that I really am. :)

2. The Library: Where do I love going most in the world? The library! It gives me butterflies to see and smell all those glorious books. Sadly, Oregon takes issuing library cards VERY seriously. I practically had to give them my next born child to be allowed to get a card. But I have one now suckers! Maybe I will check out all their books (there is no limit) and mail them all to California, muahahahahaha.

3. The Pig Lady at the library: There is this lady that sits in the same chair, in the same position every time we go to the library...oh yeah...and she looks like a pig. It reminds me of the Twilight Zone with the pig people. I think it is called The Beauty Within...check it out, it's super creepy. I know it's mean to call her a pig lady but she is always in the same chair,doing the same thing, I honestly don't think she is even real. I wish I knew what she was reading...

4. Homeless people/hitchhikers: They are EVERYWHERE! Why would so many homeless people migrate to a state that rains all the time? It makes no sense. I have never seen so many hitchhikers in my life. I am so worried that they are going to get picked up by a serial killer that I want to give them a lecture about riding with strangers and then I remember the homeless guy that was grunting at me the other day as I walked by and decide to keep my lectures to myself.

5. Homework: The girls NEVER have homework and yet they seem to be learning. Kailah knows so much about volcanoes and Oregon that she has decided she wants to be a vulcanologist (Larry is so happy) and Melanie is reading better than ever and she is excited about it, very strange. Also, the girls ride the bus...for free. It is nuts. We walk them to the corner and many hours later they are returned to me all in one piece. It amazes me every single day.

6.Grocery stores: everything is expensive here. We drive to Corvallis to shop at WinCo or 20 minutes to Walmart. Walmart is a lil bit creepy bet hey, that's how Walmarts always are, right?

7. One Way Streets: There are far too many one way streets in this town. Every time I go out I am pretty sure I am going to end up driving the wrong direction. Hasn't happened yet but someone told me everyone here has done it at some point...good to know, I guess.

8. The trees...there are trees everywhere and in the last few days they have started changing colors. It is so exciting. We can't wait to see what fall looks like here! I am anxious to decorate for Halloween! :)

I am sure I will add to this list in the near future!