It was 6 months ago today, Oct 1st 2007.

On this date 6 months ago, I quit the cancer stick. Here's my story: My first attempt was in 2005. I tried cold turkey. I was smoke-free for 4 months. Then I went on vacation to Scotland and spent too much time in smoky pubs. I was weak. My 2nd attempt was in 2006. That time I used an Rx called Wellbutrin. Again, I lasted about 4 months again. I think turning 31 and moving across the country stressed me back into smoking again. THIS time I did it with a ton of patches stuck to my body, nic-gum shoved in my cheeks and a LOT more determination. So it's been 6 months. I haven't poisoned myself in 6 months. It feels really great to say that. This picture is no longer me. I have made it this far, and I won't go back. I definately wouldn't be caught in purple shorts, either!

Couldn't you just kick yourself sometimes?

It was a perfect day for some spring snow conditions at the gorgeous Sugarbowl resort, 8000 ft up in the Sierra Nevadas. Eric and I had flown with our boards from Oregon to Northern California. It was a really amazing day. At the end of the day, we snapped this photo and zipped off in our cute little rental car...so full of happiness and exhilaration! We celebrated the drive back to the foothills with our traditional cups of coffee. Discussing the day and what we should make for dinner.

Perhaps the photo should have clued us in. Or perhaps it was the distraction of the cellphone calls that came in just moments before we packed the gear. What's my point, you ask? Well, this photo is the last time you or we will see our snowboards ever again. Just seconds after this picture was taken; I closed my car door, Eric closed the trunk, and he slid into the drivers' seat. We clicked our seatbelts, backed up the car and drove off.......without the snowboards. Yes, that's right people. We left the boards exactly as they are in this photo. Laying on the pavement, next to the car.

It wasn't until the next day, when it was time to catch our flight home, did we realize that we were missing something.

"Honey?...Where are our snowboards?"

"Oh.......crap."

Eric and I spent Valentine's Day in San Francisco

Gone West. Love, Isolde.

More evidence that shows Oregon is a great destination.

Looks like even turtles are willing to travel great lengths to see this place.

"A leatherback turtle has been tracked swimming from the coast of the Papua province in Indonesia to Oregon, researchers said, in what may be the longest trip for marine vertebrae between breeding and feeding sites.

The longest distance of nine turtles tagged was the leatherback that reached Oregon and then headed to Hawaii before the battery on the satellite transmitter gave out. The 12,774-mile journey took 647 days."
Gone west. Love, Isolde.