Being Happy

Today I started my day as I always do, alarm goes off, make coffee, turn on NPR and crawl back in bed with my hubby and cuddle for a bit. I love this part of my day it is my time to think about what is going on for the day. Today I woke up happy, thankful, content and very excited about nothing in particular.

J is home after spending 3 weeks in Columbia, South Carolina working on a collaboration with another microbiology lab. His trip went exceedingly well and he was offered a post-doc position if he would like it. I am not sure how we feel about moving to the south, we have some big decisions to make in the next 14 months.

I am happy, giddy, smiling all the time happy. This is due to living in a town that I love, finding my passion, and loving myself and my family and friends. Being this happy has been a new concept for me. This past month has been full of MAJOR life changes for me. I am starting to see the physical changes and I am thrilled. I also discovered in the past month that I have the best support group of friends and family a girl could ever ask for. I mean knock your socks off loving and caring people. I am SO lucky. Don't get me wrong I have been happy....but not to the point of wanting to scream at the top of my lungs that I love my life. Which is how I currently feel.

Life.is.good.....lots of smiles.

My New Adventure

After many years of working in the wedding and event industry with a local caterer I have decided to start my own business on the side. I am proud to present Raina Powell Events, based in Corvallis, Oregon and available for travel throughout the US. To keep up to date on all of my business events stop by our website for details!

A little help with hump day

I watched this video on the blog dooce that I frequently visit. By the way Heather's blog dooce is a fabulous dose of snarky humor and tales of being a parent. She is also a terrific author.

Food For Thought

Please think before you hate, and educate yourself. Each of us has our own unique values and beliefs, we should all learn to respect each others differences.

Current Book

I just finished my latest book called "The Weight of Silence" written by Heather Gudenkauf. I finished this book in FOUR days. Seriously, this is a must ready summer book...I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through the book.

Little Fockers

Ahhh the "Meet the Fockers" saga continues with Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro. I know that this movie will be at the top of my to-do list this holiday season...that is once my Christmas shopping and baking is done!

The New Addition To Our Family

I had you going there didn't I????...nope no small children are being added to our family.

J gave me the most amazing birthday gift yesterday. I have been looking and lusting after a new camera for a long time. While I like our simple point and shoot camera it lacks in aspects such as macro shots and the overall quality of the photos. I love to photograph my craft and wedding projects....as well as taking photos of events that I plan. J is always secretive about birthday gifts...but this year was one for the record books. He walked around the house like a cat that ate the canary for the past couple of weeks. When I woke up yesterday I asked about my gift....whether or not I would get to open it before leaving for work. Much to my disappointment I had to wait until I got home from work! WTF?...seriously I had to wait ALL DAY!

I am please to introduce you to our newest addition to our family, my Nikon d5000!!!!!!!


Isn't it pretty! I am so freaking excited to play around with our new addition! Of course we were crazy busy yesterday and we are leaving for a weekend away this weekend....don't worry it is coming with us!

I know this might be crazy weird....but I am looking for suggestions/ideas for names for our new addition....any ideas??