The BIG Move.

So in an effort to catch everyone 'quickly' up to speed I am going to do summarize a lot, but get most of the action all in one blog.

I last left off where we returned from the wedding to start packing. Brett

and I got back on Sunday night and started finishing the packing. I had spent the previous week packing our entire house so it was just loose

ends at this p

oint. We got up early Monday morning and drove down to Budget (early note: never again.) at 9:30 am and 2 destinations and 2 hours later we finally got a rental truck. We were already pressed for time and this just added that not so friendly moving stress onto our backs. Regardless, it all worked out and Brett and I alone packed

up the entire 16' Moving Truck and two cars and headed out. We spent the first night in Grants

Pass with my parents. It was a short visit, because the wedding weekend was the last hoorah before leaving Oregon. We attempted to leave early the next day, however we had a few technical difficulties

with the car hitch on the moving truck and our cat Creep. An hour later we hit the

road.

Day One: Our destination was to make it all the way to L.A. in one day and we nearly did it. I believe we left Grants Pass around 9:30 am and got to our hotel by midnight I want to say. It was a long, Long, LONG drive but we made it! All four of us in one piece.

Day Two: A small detail is that we had yet to find a place to actually live. We stayed conveniently in a pet friendly hotel and spend Day 2 house hunting. As if we did not already have enough stress, we were officially

homeless. Brett a

nd I got us really early and hit the road looking for apartments. We knew this: we wanted at least 1 bed and 1 bathroom, it needed to be near the ocean, and less than our mortgage payment. Thankfully by 5 pm we had found a place that was AMAZING. We

settled for 2 out of the three, but is worth it! We put in the paperwork by 5:30 and got it by 5 pm the following day. Not too shabby, right?! It's almost like we planned it out that way. Almost. It is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex in which we have the upper half that has an ocean view of Hermosa Beach!

Score, right?

Day Three: We got the keys late in the day so it was a mad dash to get at least the bed into our new place! What an adventure already this has been, but it was nothing to what was about to happen. So Brett and I are racing against the sun going down moving furniture and boxes

into our upper story apartment when all of a sudden this jeep (keep in mind we live on a slight hill and it is near a four way stop) comes hauling ass around the corner nearly about to hit us or the moving truck. We see this other car turn the

corner and is following this jeep. I quickly think to myself maybe this neighborhood is not the best, however it turns out that the jeep was a drunk driver and this other car followed it and pinned it into a corner and called the police. Within minutes 4 cop cars and a bike cop and I swear 8 cops in total were all there! The entire neighborhood came out in the process so we thankfully were reassured of how safe it was there and met the entire neighborhood. Killed two birds with one stone... or I guess, unfortunately, one drunk driver.

Day Four - Eight: Unpacking, and all the glory that goes with it. It took a few days, but Brett and I spent the week unpacking and adjusting to the new neighborhood and community of Hermosa Beach. Brett had to start work the following Monday so we really took it easy throughout the week. We got up early and would go to coffee on the pier and go for runs along the inner city trails or on the strand and then walk the dog at night throughout our community. So far life was turning out to be really nice and easy going in So Cal....

Merry Christmas from So. Cal!!

Well I have been horrible about blogging since we have moved, however I am taking an early new years resolution to be better at it! However, I will warn you that I am horrible about upholding my new years resolutions. Haha!

Anyway, I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to you, your families and all those around you. I hope everyone is healthy, happy and surrounded with love this season. It is a time to be thankful and everyone needs a reminder of just that.

This year has been a giant realization that anything is possible. We have uprooted our lives, changed careers, hometowns and lifestyles and it is something I thought I could never do. Well, I did and while it was difficult and challenging for me, loved ones and all those around me it has truly changed my life forever and for that I am grateful. Tis the season to celebrate the past, present and future! Thank you to all those who have supported Brett and I on this journey that we had - we are forever grateful!

Merry Christmas!

- Addy & Brett

p.s. much to come! I will write a nice long update blog soon! :) hopefully.

The Last Days

So it has almost been three weeks since we left Portland and embarked on this new adventure to California. It has been such a whirlwind trip, but after now two weeks here it has truly been an amazing change for the better, well mostly. We very much miss our friends and family and some of the aspects that make Portland and Oregon so charming and beautiful. Here is a not so short update on what has taken place in the last few weeks.

Well wait, before I start talking about the adventure south I must give proper detailing to the week leading up to the departure. Before taking off we celebrated the the last days of Portland with our dearest friends, favorite food and of course family. Brett and I KNEW we would miss Portland's food and so we were happy to meet friends all week for meals and drinks. The last weekend before leaving we took a very short trip down to Southern Oregon to spend time with my family and closest relatives for my cousins wedding. In my last blog we celebrated Amanda's bachelorette party so I was incredibly excited to be with more relatives that I do not get to often see to celebrate her wedding.

On Friday we left Portland right after Brett left work... a.k.a. his very last day at Target. I honestly thought this day would never come. It was a weird day I think for both of us, because I knew it made our new transition choices a reality. He has worked for Target for six years which is crazy, but from this picture you can tell how excited and anxious he is about doing something new after such a long time at a company. Target was, of course, very sad and disappointed to see him leave but he left on a great note and always has an open door to come back.

So we made the drive down and got into town to start the celebration. We met up with my folks for dinner at the local pizza place for dinner. It was fun to catch up and talk about the crazy week of work, packing, and of course the next adventure to Cali! We crashed pretty early that night and woke up the next day to my sister bringing home breakfast. She just got into town from Vegas so she drove down from Portland that morning and brought yummy food with her. We spent the morning as we usually do in the Dutton household - in our jammies and with coffee in hand discussing this and that. My brother even graced us with his presence for awhile! It wasn't long before we had to start getting ready for the wedding so we 1) broke out the booze and 2) started to get glamourous. Booze of choice for the weekend was Sweet Tea Vodka w/ Iced Tea for the women (which is AMAZING!) and classic margaritas for the men. Of course my mother, sister and I took over an hour to get ready while it takes my dad and Brett approximately 8 minutes. Grrr! Hey, we all looked great and that is what matters. So great that my sister and I actually brought the same color dress to wear. I guess we're related! We were running late so took off in a hurry because the wedding was 30 minutes away in Central Point.

We arrived nearly late, but just in time because it was so humid and it was an outside wedding. We made our fashionably late entrance and then no joke minutes later the wedding started. It was short, sweet and very emotional for the family. Too cute! Amanda and her husband Shawn were the center of attention and it was an amazing celebration. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend their wedding and for

Brett and I to see all my relatives before leaving. Most of my family has met Brett, but not all and it was great again for everyone to get some time to engage with both of us because we rarely get to see family, especially him since his family is scattered all over the US, but most in Indiana.

C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E! Vows were shared and then it was time to party, which might I add us Duttons know how to do! We drank, danced and ate the night away. We had a great time and then it was time

to go. The next day we spent the morning again over coffee and family chatting. It wasn't too long before we all had to take off, but it wouldn't be too long before we would be back. It was Brett's and I's plan to go back to Portland go to bed, wake up Monday go get the rental truck, pack up the house, walk through with the new tenants and leave all within a day. It was craziness! I will share this in the next blog.... you'll just have to wait!

What a weekend!

It is now Monday and I can say now that I am fully recovered from the weekend. What a weekend it was, considering it was our last weekend in Portland (sad!). Brett and I got up late on Saturday and spent the morning drinking coffee and discussing our 'big move'. Later we ventured out to run errands and get some "goods" for our separate evening plans. I had plans to spend the night with my cousin Amanda and her friends and family for her bachelorette party. She is getting married next weekend in Southern Oregon which is why this was our last weekend in Portland. Brett had plans to spend the afternoon and evening with his BF, Brad. A time of drinking, bonding and music sharing, I guess. This there idea of a good time, while I was out drinking, flirting and causing a scene - way better! haha. jk!

Us girls met at Jake's Grill and had some great wine, good and girl talk before the special events. It was fun to catch up with my cousins, sister and aunt because we do not get to see each other hardly enough. After dinner we moved onto a sky bar called Departure, which I had never heard of, but was awesome. I highly recommend! Most of the girls ordered a nice well balanced fruity alcoholic drink -

not me! I had some amazingly messed up version of a manhattan but made with rice liquor. Clearly I did not read that before ordering because it was ridiculously strong and 'did the trick' as some would say.

After our drinks there wetook off to Envy Lounge and Club. This was not a first for me, but it had definitely been awhile since I have been out dancing. I think it was my cousin Kari's idea to order a bottle for our table which I thought was a GREAT idea at the time. Needless to say my stomach did not like that idea, or maybe it was just th

e fact that it tasted like the cheap ass vodka I drank when I was a freshman in college. lol! Anyway, it was a great time (or at least I thought so) got to dust off my dance moves and shake a little bum for the singlehood.... if only those fools knew I am just a big flirt and I am dating the love of my life! Oh good times! Later Brett came and got me and the night turned for the worse when again... my stomach was not my bff.

Sunday came way too fast and we had plans to have our last "friend's b-fast". It has been our thing for awhile to get together for breakfasts on the weekend, especially after party nights. Too bad it was just Brad and I who were labeled 'hungover'. =) Love it. We went to a new place that Brett researched and found online called Stanborns - apparently they are known for their BAM cake. What is that? you ask. It is a pancake with bacon, apple and maple in it. And Yes, it was amazing! I made Brett get it and it was delicious. Breakfast overall: Some of it was good, some of it was bad. I would not suggest anything but the BAM cake. Even our service was weird and sloppy. Our waitress had leg hair longer than one should. I wish I had a picture. To me that is just really unappetizing, hungover or not.

After breakfast we said our goodbyes and made our way home for another worthless day, well at least I was worthless. I took a nap. Brett went on a 10 mile run. Haha. Later I actually got up and we went and got a movie and pizza. I love American Dream pizza, but more so their salads. I got my Dream Salad and it was perfect. Brett got his pizza, beer from belmont station and movie "Wolverine" and celebrated the night on the couch. That was pretty much our weekend! Some of my favorite Portland memories all captured in two days. Even the weather.. Saturday was raining and nasty. Sunday was amazing and sunny. Fall is here in Oregon!

Here we go!

So it became official last Friday, September 11th, 2009! Brett was offered the position that he had interviewed and applied for in Los Angeles at Toys 'R' Us. Well, technically his beginning interests with the company was due to a friend and past Target Mentor recruiting him to the position. Thanks Lee! Anyway, Brett accepted the position and gave his two weeks... therefore... WE ARE MOVING TO L.A. in two weeks!

We are both very excited and now in the process of downsizing our home and lifestyle to go live beachside. We have been working on this for awhile (pretty much since we got back from our Cali vaca in July). We have the house leased out, started selling off furniture, the last stages are just trying to squeeze time together to see all our friends and family before leaving the state.

The good thing there is we just both celebrated birthdays and has a great vacation so we got to see a lot of people that way and also my cousin, Amanda, is getting married in a week+ some and so that will be a great last hoorah for my family. This weekend we are planning on having some good times out Saturday and then our favorite which is Sunday breakfast with friends Portland style!

This week has been a little crazy for me because of the downsizing and getting this GIANT house packed and cleaned. We are also not 100% sure where we are living yet, so that could be really interesting (a.k.a. super stressful for me since I am so much like my mother and a compulsive planner). However, I did find an A-mazing property in Manhattan Beach that both B + I love. I have talked to the leasing agent like everyday and I am 70% confident we will get it, but each day I panic a little. I will have to include pictures when I get down there, but it is small, cute and has a ocean view. Literally steps to the ocean. Clearly prime real estate! It will be mine! haha. We'll see! All is well here though. Just wanted to share the fun and excitement that is going on in our lives.

Oh! and I sold my car. Super sad day, but it was for the best. Goodbye Panthera (2009 Black Acura TSX). hello, Ruby! (2007 Ruby Toyota Corolla). There is going to be an adjustment period for sure.

The Big 3-0.

This past weekend was Brett's 30th Birthday and because 30 is so grand and grande I wanted to make it really special. And then this always happens... I get a good idea, I plan it out for weeks, I send out invites - then plans fail, it rains and people don't show. Oh well - that's life! It was truly great though to celebrate the entire weekend with him and friends.

It started out Friday night with dinner at The Original Roadhouse and drinks af

ter work at the one and only Clinton Street Pub with me and Brad (Brett's BF). So Clinton Street Pub or the CSP is 1) owned by a friend of Brett's and 2) one of dive bars that Brett nearly lived at the first 9 months after he moved to Portland. It is a perfect mix to me of classic bar and crap dive. Regardless, it has the best bartender in town - our friend Phillip. So it was Phillip mixing up and Brett, Brad and I drinking it down - Pabst and Whiskey that is. They call that the local around here. Clearly before meeting these gentlemen - the local for me would have been a cocktail served in a stem glass with sugared rim, but hey, I can adapt.

After a few drinks and a few games of pool (which I schooled them at!) it was off to

homeward bound to prepare for tomorrow's true celebration. Saturday came oh too

soon, but that what I say nearly every morning. If there is one thing I love it's sleep, but it's not my day so I did what the master said "coffee?" We stumbled out of bed and after coffee was on I started the gift sharing surprises... wait.. let me back it up!

I wanted to share my original ideas because they were great and grand before being destroyed slowly by salesmen, rain and selling items too soon. So my plan for Brett's B-day was to send him on an adventure scavenger gift hunt around nw and downtown portland. I made up a crossword that had clues and answers corresponding to places to meet me and friends to receive presents and to celebrate memories. Great idea right? Well after finding out some restaurants couldn't agree to participate, Apple wouldn't sell me the new iPhone because I wasn't the owner and then the small fact that I forgot we sold our bikes, but I knew he could still drive however then it turned to a pourfest of rain outside I decided to cave. There was still a crossword, but I just had to give him presents and no adventure. Not as fun, but he still thought it was sweet. I guess I still get points for that, right?

So in partnership with his Brother, Zane, we got him the new Nike+ running system. It is great because Brett has recently become a BIG fan of running - much, much more than me, but regardless I am supportive. He is not a scientist and doesn't do well with documentation (hence why he is a decade behind on his blog) so the Nike+ system automatically tracks your miles, pace, calories, etc and sends it your computer system to record and analyze your progress. Genius! However, with the system you have to have the shoes and a compatible iPod which Brett has neither. Great reason to get him the new iPhone which he always talks about and new shoes... well he just got new running shoes, but they were awesome and the last piece of the puzzle. So he is set! He loved it. Oh and I got him an armband running thing for his iPhone, not necessary but it almost is when he's running and sweats like he does.

So we spent the day just hanging out and went to ATT to hook up the new phone. Then we

went and tried a new cocktail bar in SE Portland called the Vintage Cocktail Lounge

(www.vintagepdx.com) and met up with Brad to try out some really well made cocktails. It is always

nice to try something new and in a different area then where we typically hang out. If there is one to note about Brett is that if he is not drinking beer, then he is drinking whiskey. They made up some well crafted cocktails for us as we enjoyed so

me casual conversations. Not quite the scene we typically enjoy, but some

good drinks. After we headed over to HUB: Hopworks Urban Brewery. A local favorite of Brett

and I's - it's great and it's green! Best

brewpub I think in Portland for sure! Our friend Faith met up with us there and so all four of us enjoyed pizza and beer. Later I purchased a brownie fudge sundae for Brett too because he isn't a real big fan of cake, and nearly everytime he gets a dessert it is this... so there it is! He enjoyed it.

After we decided to take an adventure and experience a few more scenes along the SE side and conduct a mini pub crawl. We hit up a few classics as Brad would say and then ended the night at Acropolis. For those who know what this is - it was interesting and definitely a good place to end the night and call it good. Luck? Call it what you will, but we had the same taxi driver all night who dropped us all off at the house safe and sound. Sunday morning, again came too soon, but since it was 10 am we decided it would be a good time to roll out of bed and hit up a little thing we call "Portland Style Breakfast". Today's cafe of choice was: Cricket. Some would say they serve some of the best and I would agree. I think I have gotten the same breakfast there every time and I think I could say the same for Brett. He gets the Saints Hash and I get the Potato Crisp. Regardless we had ourselves, Brad, Faith and even Phillip there all reliving moments of last night and the past few years and it was perfect. Nothing beats a hangover like a portland breakfast with a side of Portland coffee. It was bliss. The rest of the day was spent in our newly constructed stadium style seating in our living room in front of the TV trying to finish up our Hollywood Video rental movie points. We have I believe 5 movies to watch in the next seven days? And we watched 3 just on Sunday. Movie Madness and Muchas Gracias, yes please!

Oh so typical

So this is SO like me to start something like a blog 9 months into the year. Just like our newest decision to pack and move out of state - not always can things be and go as planned. Anyway! So in celebration of recent birthdays, holidays, vacations and moving I wanted to create a journal to celebrate and bring 'life' to those moments when my dearest of friends and family will be.... not so near anymore.

So here is to "the times" because I am sure we are going to have our taste of them all - but let us be living it so we can have these memories and stories to celebrate.