The end of 2009. The end of a decade.

It seems like many people are happy to say good-bye to 2009. I am sure there are a few years that I myself was happy to say good-bye to. Why are we happy to say good-bye to a year? We can’t take that year back we can’t recreate the memories. We always look back and wonder where the time goes but are happy when a year is over. I wouldn’t mind holding onto 2009 a little longer. I only have about 8 hours and 20 minutes left and I am going to cherish them. 2009 hasn’t been the best year nor has it been the worst year. I do have to say 2009 has been a growth year.

It started out as a rough year but this time it was different. I took what I had and I learned and grew from it. I have learned and figured out how to make it work when it seemed like nothing else will work. I can honestly say 2009 has not been a bad year. Don’t get me wrong it has had it’s moments but I think out of 10 years I have learned and done a lot of firsts this year.

I have had my ups and downs this year. I have had my laughs and cries this year. I have found friendships I thought were lost, I have gained new friends and I have lost friends. I have walked 13 + miles in less then 24 hours. I have slept on a gym floor for an hour in the middle of no where. I have sat in a mini van with 5 other girls for 32 + hours. I got to go to one of the places I have wanted to go in all of my 33 years with an amazing friend. I realized that if I am positive about a situation it will more than likely end better than if I am negative. I really have learned to live this year to make me happy and not anyone else. I don’t expect anything out of anyone and I get so much more in return. This year I realized that we can’t take any moment for granted. We could lose things or people we love in an instant and when you get a second chance take it, because there may not be a third. I have accomplished so many goals this year and I am so proud of those goals I have accomplished. I may have cried my way through but in the end I am so much happier about the decisions and places I am at in my life.

This year for me has been a good year.

In a decade I have had lived in 10 different houses, had 7 different roommates, 3 different cities, and 2 cars.

In the last 10 years I met, stalked and married my best friend. He alone brought so many amazing people into my life. 10 years ago today I didn’t know my amazing mother and father-in-law. I have found and gained some of the most amazing people in my life that weren’t there 10 years ago.

In 10 years I have discovered I love to read and quilt. In 10 years or even this year I realized how important family is and how much I love and cherish every moment with them, especially my wonderful Mother. These 10 years haven’t been easy and I can say some of the best things I learned she has taught me.

In 10 years I still can’t spell and my punctuations…Yeah it sucks worse than my spelling.

10 years ago I was 23 and doing anything and everything I wanted to do. Can I say that 10 years ago today I would have seen my life where it is today? Probably not. I think it is more than I could have imagined. I have a great life and I love it. I look forward to 2010 and the 9 years after that.

Just the right time...

This song always seems to come on at just the right time. It always seems to make me think and realize how lucky I actually am.

So damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me... I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well
I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
Now I'm alive and well
Yeah I'm alive and well

-Kenny Chesney
Featuring Dave Matthews

Up..Up..and Away

It has happened to us all when we were kids and has happened to our kids or will. We go out side with out new balloon in hand and without think let go. There it goes up..up..and away into the air.

You stand and watch as long as you can till you can't see it any more. Some kids scream till they get a new one and some don't even get a new one and just scream. It is one of the worst things that could ever happen to you as a kid. Right?

Did you ever wonder where that balloon would actually end up? When you were a kid did you ever participate in a contest where you tied your name onto the balloon and if the place holding the contest got a call about your balloon you won? Did you ever just put your name and phone # on a balloon anyway just to see where it would end up or if someone would find it? We did this several times. I am sure Thomas has no recollection of this but we did the contest at grandma's one year or maybe 2 years. I think it was a 2 because I was so excited about it the next year. We never won, nobody ever found my balloon or at least that I know of. I am sure we couldn't do that today with all the crazy people out there but it still would be fun to do.

Fast forward 20 + years.

Now that Chris is working most nights I am home alone the majority of the evenings. This used to bother me but it doesn't as much any more plus Kona is there too. 2 Sunday nights ago I was sitting on the couch watching Amazing Race. I was completely into it and all of the sudden Kona is looking out the back window growling. Not just a little, "hello, hello" she was hair standing growling. Now I knew she wasn't growling at the cats they were in the garage and when she see's the neighborhood raccoons she just barks at them. I actually freaked out and froze on the couch for a full minute not wanting to move wondering what to do. I slowly peaking around the corner thinking maybe it was a raccoon and she didn't like them being in the back. I didn't see anything. Looking a little closer I saw something move on the patio but it was low to the ground. I kind of figured being that little and low to the ground it wasn't a person. Since it wasn't a person I decided to get up a look.

Yep it was some kids Happy Birthday Mylar balloon.

That is where they end up. In some random persons backyard dancing around, while their dog is ready to attack and they are scared out of their mind.

Funny part when I brought it in to pop it she wouldn't stop growling at it. After I put it in the garbage can she kept staring at the garbage can like it was going to pop back out of the garbage. I love her!

Traditions

For the last 2 weeks I have been thinking I should blog more since it is the end of the year. I keep making a list of ideas and I am sure I have at least 60 days worth of blogs I just get busy and think of other things to do when I get home. I am going to try and do as many as I can in a row before I run out of topics. Today's topic, traditions.

I was talking to Mom today about a conversation she had with a friend. They were talking about Christmas traditions they used to have with their families when their kids were little and now it is time for those kids to move on and have their own Christmas traditions with their families. One of our family traditions was getting a Christmas tree. We would get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning go to McDonald's for breakfast and go get our tree. The sad part, I actually forgot about this tradition until Mom mentioned it. I hate to say it but over the years I have become a holiday I don't look forward to. Today I think I finally pin pointed what it was. Traditions.

As Mom and her friend we discussing all their children have gown up and have their own traditions now. They go and get their trees as families with their kids. Some may go to breakfast, some may make a day of it, some may go to the woods to get their tree. Some families make gingerbread houses with their kids and some will make cookies. On Christmas day they wake up with their kids and open presents and go about their day. I tried to think what Christmas tradition do Chris and I have...........We don't. Some years we get a tree some years we don't. Some years we decorate some years we don't. The only real tradition we have had is where we spend Christmas day. One year we spend it with my family and the next year we will spend it with Chris' family.

I think I need to come up with a Christmas tradition. I guess I am going to have to come up with one in 10 days.

Green Chile-Chicken Casserole

I haven't posted in a while cause much hasn't been going on. Well nothing exciting. I shouldn't say that we have been very busy lately. I found this new recipe and thought I would share.

I couldn't figure out the other night what to make for dinner. For some crazy reason I wanted to make a casserole so I started searching on MyRecipes.com through their casserole category and found this Green Chile-Chicken Casserole. This is going to one to keep that is for sure. We even thought the sauce would be good to use for enchiladas. if you try it I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.


Ingredients
1 1/3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup canned chopped green chiles, drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup fat-free sour cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 (10 1/2-ounce) cans condensed 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted (such as Campbell's) (We used cream of mushroom instead cause we have about 20 cans of it)
1 garlic clove, minced
Cooking spray
24 (6-inch) corn tortillas
4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 1 pound)
2 cups (8 ounces) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine the first 9 ingredients in a large saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Spread 1 cup soup mixture in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 6 tortillas over the soup mixture, and top with 1 cup chicken and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat layers, ending with the cheese. Spread remaining soup mixture over cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

My Secret.....

My secret to wearing pointy toed heels.

I love wearing heels mainly because I am short and the taller I am the skinnier I feel. Ok I know I am crazy but it is true.

I found a pair of cute pointed heels before I left for NY but the 7 were too big and the 6 1/2 seemed to just pinch my toes. I had a thought. What if I wore trouser socks.......Voila it worked. My feet didn't slip and they fit perfectly. I was so happy and my feet were happy too.

My little secret that I had to share. I am sure you have all already discovered this secret and if you have well just let me please keep thinking I have discovered something new. :)

26 Years Ago

Today is the first day of school for many kids. As I think about each kid going back to school I start to think where has time gone?

26 years ago I was just starting 2nd grade. Which turned out to be the year I met my Best Friend. You go through a lot in 26 years of friend ship but I have to say thank you for this last year. This last year has been a great year. I know it isn't over but I know it will end just as good as it has been. You have helped me get through some great accomplishments this year and in 26 years.

At the beginning of the year we joked when I said, "for real this is going to be the year." Thank you for helping me make this year "that" year.

Here is to 26 years ago and 26 more years. I love you Jenn!

Portland To Coast 2009

Running Shoes - check
2 sets of Walking Clothes warm and cool weather - check
Socks (at least 2 sets) - check
Underwear & jog bra - check
Running hat - check
Water carrier/water bottle - check
Energy Food - check
Energy Drink - check
Water - check
Sunglasses - check
2 changes of dry clothes - check
Flip Flops - check
Warm Socks - check
Jacket or Sweat Shirt for night - check
Warm hat - check
Sleeping bag - check
Pillow - check
Money - check
IBU - check
Camera - check
Cell phone - check
Zune - check
Chargers - check
Toothbrush and paste - check
Earplugs - check
Eye mask - nope but I got the warm hat to cover my eyes - check
Book - check
Zip Lock Bags - check
Band aides - check
Walkies - check
All fitting into one back pack - check

Thursday night I went over my checklist 3 maybe 4 times and even packed extra if there was room in the backpack. I wasn't going to have Tara yelling at me cause I didn't fit everything into one backpack. I wasn't going to be that person that over packed.

Friday morning Jenn shows up at 3:50ish and I am ready to go. Well everything is packed and I am ready to get this show started. Butterflies a little but I have hours till my first leg so I am ok. I drink down my first Monster of the morning to wake me up, it is 4am and I don't tend to be awake at 4am very often. Still downing water to hydrate I think I was on my 3rd bottle for the morning. I was for sure going to be hydrated. By the time we got to the start I think I went to the restroom 3 times. I decided I was going to be hydrated. Everyone in my van can vouch for me. I was VERY hydrated! There was not one exchange where I didn't use the restroom. I may have even had to go a few other places too. ;-)

After hours of waiting and anticipating it was time. I grab my newly purchased Zune to get it ready and WHAT, are you kidding me, it is dead. I was so upset but Erin to the rescue let me use her iPod. It was around 5pm as we approached the exchange my stomach started flip flopping. I was freaking out. The exchange point I remember was kind of crazy and I see walkers going up a path through the wood. Erin runs to the car and hears someone say, "we won't be able to meet up with them for about 4 mile." Erin quickly grabs me her water pack runs it to me and tells me the WONDERFUL news. At this point I am close to puking and about to jump back in the van. I just think to myself, "You are fine. You have done 8 miles without water and the girls ahead of you for at least 6 miles. 4 mile a piece of cake." But trying convincing yourself that?

I see Claire as she approaches I get ready in the exchange lane, we exchange and I am on my own straight up hill through the woods. There aren't many people around me so I just focus on the path ahead and making that 4 miles. As I walk up the path I see road. What are you kidding me I don't have to wait 4 miles? NOPE!!! All of that stress and anxiety for nothing. I take a deep breath and a sigh of relief. As I hit the road and pavement I get into a grove and just start walking and watching ahead to see who my first road kill will be. After a few minutes I hear a few honks, yelling and see The Pork Chop Express with my girls cheering me on. At that moment a wave of emotion hits and I get so excited. I am doing it, after all these months of waking up early and hill climbing I am doing it. I was so proud of myself. I didn't care who else was proud of me, I was proud of myself. I knew I could do it but there was a little bit of doubt in my mind that I couldn't. At that moment for the next hour and 6.81 miles nothing else mattered and I tried to take in every moment of each step I took. Focusing on going faster and pushing my body to catch the person ahead of me. At that moment my toes and toenails could have fallen off and I would have never known. Well I might have.

It was one of the best 31 hours of my life. Sleeping in a field, driving in a mini van for 31 hours, eating the best ham and cheese croissant, sleeping on a grange gym floor, bonding with amazing friends, laughing, joking and making up crazy games counting the the number of Nike shorts we saw was all worth it. We were tired by the end but at the end we were ready to do it all over again the following year. So much that now I have considered taking on the Hood to Coast in 2010. Just think there will be that much more time to count the # of Nike shorts.

Thank you Tara for creating an amazing team of girls that could work so well together. Thank you to the girls in The Pork Chop Express. You were so encouraging even when we were tired ourselves and ready to be done. Knowing that you guys would be at the end got me over that last little surprise hill.

Final short count 30.

Thank you to all of those who supported me and the American Cancer Society. I ended up raising $530. It was the second part of my challenge and I was very thankful to all of you that contributed and supported my efforts.

Pictures to come later.

July....

It kind of flew by honestly. I have feeling August is going to be the same way and it is only the 7th. We did have a busy but wonderful July and have been enjoying our summer with amazing family and friends.

July 4th weekend we went down to Salem and spent the weekend with my Tracie (my sister) and the family. We had a great weekend and were almost sad to come home.

The following week Chris went to Lewiston, ID to paint Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bob's house. He was gone a little over a week. While he was goneI want to Mom's Silpada kick off party....

Had dinner with friends...

Had a Bowl-A-Thon with my PTC team...

Had a sleep over with Penelope....

Cuddled with my babies......

and Had a going home BBQ at Tracie and Mario's for Lacee...

Chris got back on 15 and we left EARLY Friday morning on the 17th to head down to Grants Pass for the weekend with Mom, Jack, Alex, Tracie, Mario and the family. We had a great time swimming, BBQ'ing and riding the Jet Boats. It was a great relaxing weekend except I was sick for a few days and Chris was sick on the way home.

The last weekend we went on a random camping with the Teshera family to the Wilson River. It was a quick last minute trip but it was great fun.

July went by fast but we had a GREAT July!!! Now on to August.

Facebook...Blog...Twitter..MySpace Follow-up

Working at the GAP brings up fun and interesting conversations when you close. Like how HOT Jeff is on Big Brother. Last night while a friend (I won't mention her name but rhymes with Oyce) and I were folding and we started talking about the differences between FB, MySpace, Twitter and Blogging!

Here is what we came up with.....

Blogging - A place to share thoughts, feelings, emotions and really anything you want.

MySpace - Seems to be more for fun crazy stuff. (I will leave out the description my unknown friend used.)

Facebook - Something fun to catch up with family, friends and people you haven't heard from in years.

Twitter - Updates every hour or minute. So if you feel the need to keep everyone updated each hour this is the place to do it.

So, if I keep changing my Facebook status today. It is purely for my friend who's name rhymes with Oyce who loves it when people update their status hourly when they should use Twitter and Tweet!!!

Happy Blogging, MySpacing, Facebooking and Twittering which ever you love to do.

Blog....Facebook....Twitter....Facebook....Facebook..Twitter....MySpace

How many does one person need? I realized the other day that it actually gets out of control. Do I blog? Do I FB? Do I Tweet? To myself I think "oh yeah, I still have a MySpace page that I haven't looked at in 2 weeks."

I feel like it is a little out of control at points. How many Social Networks does one need to keep in contact socially? OK I am guilty of having a Blog, FB, Twitter and MySpace. I conformed.

I never use my MySpace page. I have thought about deleting it, but there are people on there that aren't on Facebook. Then again the ones I love and care about have my phone number, they can text or call me.

I feel like I haven't blogged in a while because I just don't have time. I have all these Blog topics but why blog when I can just update my FB status. I like to be able to sit down and put thought into my blog not just a......Taneha Poulton Teshera is.....blah blah blah. There is more time and effort when blogging which I seem to not have lately. I do love blogging though. I have it connected to FB so it will automatically post on FB just in case someone doesn't want to go to another application. The added convenience to Social Networking.

Then there is Twitter. I get it but I don't get it. I get a million updates a day from people on Twitter and it is great getting news updates, star updates, company updates and friend updates. Thank goodness I have an unlimited text plan. I seem to only use this when I am out and about and take a picture of something and want to Tweet about it. It is also connected to my FB status so it will instantly update.

Which do I use? Which is more important? Which do more people use? Do I use different applications for different things? Is a blog more personal? Is Tweeting just for daily updates? Is Facebook a combination of both?

Now that I have posted a blog I better go Facebook and Tweet. :)

Cilantro-Lime Rice

As requested here is the recipe to the Cilantro-Lime Rice I make and the new Salmon recipe we tried. The original recipe for the rice was from a Cooking Light recipe from 2002, Cilantro Rice with Chicken. I tweaked it a little and came up with my own recipe which I enjoy much more. I hope you love it as much as we do.

Ingredients

Rice:
Rice 2 1/2 cups (this makes about 8 servings in our rice cooker)
3 Cups Chicken Broth (I cook the rice in chicken broth to add flavor)

Sauce:
1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
1 1/2 Large Limes
2-3 Garlic Cloves
Dash Salt
2 tbsp Green Onions
2 Cups Cilantro

Preparation:

Cook Rice either on stove top or in a rice cooker

To Prepare sauce, mix the sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Stir into rice mixture.

That is the recipe fairly simple. The Salmon recipe is pretty easy as well.

4tbl sweet chile sauce
1tbl fresh lime juice
1tbl fish sauce
3tbl soy sauce
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped green onion
3 cloves garlic minced
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cilantro

Marinate the Salmon most of the day bake or BBQ

They were great together - Enjoy!!!!

Princess Flora Van Esteban Menudo - Nicknames

A lot of people always wonder or ask what is or does Princess Flora Van Esteban Menudo mean. Really it doesn't have any meaning at all. I love nicknames. I think I myself have probably at least 10 different ones. I also love giving them.

Princess Flora Van Esteban Menudo originated a few years ago at work from a co-worker. I love the show Friends one favorite episode is when Phoebe realizes she can have any name she wants and wants Princess Consuela Bananahammock. I decided I wanted to change my name too and Princess Flora Van Esteban Menudo is what a co-worker came up with. So if I were ever to change my name that is what it would be.

As far as my other nicknames here is a list and where they came from.

Neha - The most common one. Given by my family members so much easier to say than Taneha for little kids.
TJ - When I was little my Bap (Grandfather) called me TJ. It is now my nickname for Chris' family
T-Jo - Given by Jack when he would leave Thomas and I notes. Our initials are both TJ so I got T-Jo
T - Honestly no clue who started it but the other most common one.
Moon - I went to stay with my sister when she lived in California and the twins were just learning to talk. I showed them the moon one night and the next morning they ran around the house yelling Moon at me. From then on they called me Moon.
T-T - Mer started calling me TT when we lived together and funny enough when I got married it was now appropriate.
Tancha - I got a piece of mail long ago with my name miss spelled. Thomas thought it was so funny he started calling me Tancha. He decided to share the nickname with Chris when we met. Chris decided to share it with a few friends and his family so for a few I am Tancha.
Tanera - Tricia's husband Warren likes combining first and last names. Chris now thinks it is the best nickname ever so now he calls me Tanera and so do the Petrov children. (Maybe I have gotten rid of Tancha for a bit.)
Teeny Ha Ha - Almost forgot, how I don't know. Given by Scott Mauck at Raft Rally.

I am sure I am forgetting a few but I am sure someone will remind me. Some I have left off on purpose. My brother and husband have given me too many and I chose to leave them out.

Here is a list of nicknames I have given others.

Frank - Jenn, ha ha the latest addition to the nickname list. Frank came about when she miss spelled drank in a text to Denise.
Georgina - Kelsey, a few years ago I thought she needed another nickname and Georgina is what she got. :)
Krissy Bugger - Kristen, I can't take credit for it
Pretty Princess - Erin Walsh, I have always called her a Pretty so I added Princess to it one day. Now she is and will forever be Pretty Princess.
Penelope Princess Lou Lou Bear - Lexi, also Penelope or Lou Lou.
Sissy - Tracie my Sissy
Sikoni - Lindsey, this one originated one night when Zach was a little delirious. He was doing and saying weird things and he named the Kool Aid spoon his Sikoni. It was funny to us so then from there on Lindsey's name was Sikoni.

I am sure I am forgetting names I have given if I do I will add them. Oh yeah our animals have nicknames too.

Bean - Kona for Kona Coffee Bean or Boo Boo
DoDo- Jack
Little Boy Boy - Shiver, the funny part is he is not little.

Hoisin Pork and Snow Pea Stir-Fry - Quick and Easy Asian Recipes - Photos - CookingLight.com

I love trying new recipies. This might just have to be the next one we try.

Hoisin Pork and Snow Pea Stir-Fry - Quick and Easy Asian Recipes - Photos - CookingLight.com

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Garlic Thai Chicken

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I have a million blog subjects to blog about just a lot going on. I did however find a new recipe I tried last night that I will do again. I am always looking for new ways to cook chicken and looked up a few Thai recipes last night. So if you like spicy and want to try something new here you go. I found the recipe on cooks.com, Garlic Thai Chicken. I decided to change the recipe up a little.

1/2 cup chicken broth
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp garlic (I used about 4 cloves)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp corn starch
8 green onions
mushrooms
babycorn
12 oz boneless chicken (used 3 chicken breasts)
1 1/2 cup rice

In mixing bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, garlic, sesame, cayenne pepper and corn starch. Set aside. Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes cook chicken for about 2-3 minutes then add mushrooms, babycorn and onions. Put in saucey mixture; toss lightly. Stir fry chicken, mushrooms, babycorn and onions until chicken isn't pink. Serve hot on rice.

Back to Expectations & Compasion

At the end of January I touched on trying to work on my expectations with people and having compassion to what is going on in their life.

I failed miserably last week. I have always struggled with this when it comes to my Dad. My biological father. He is my Dad so I "expect" him to be a the "Dad". As I grew up my Mom has always told me never expect anything from anyone and you will rarely be disappointed. I try so hard to live that but it is hard. It has always been hard and that is where it comes from.

For Christmas this year it is the first time in my almost 33 years I did not see my Dad. For my birthday on the 2nd no phone call. (Which I come to expect, ironically but still get disappointed when I don't get one.) Still as of today I have yet to see him.

Thomas and I talked about the fact that we hadn't talked or heard from Dad in a few weeks so I thought I would try and get a hold of him see how he was doing. 1 VM nothing, 2 VM nothing, call work not there, 3 VM nothing, call work again not there, call work the 3rd day there. After giving him a huge lecture about not hearing from him and me being worried he explained what has been going. I was then compassionate after talking to him and felt bad. I was also reminded by a friend he is an adult and if he chooses to not answer the phone or return calls that is his prerogative. I can't expect him to call me back.

I just wonder though am I wrong in expecting these things from him or not? I guess I just can't and should know that. Do I have complete compassion? I am trying very hard to. So I will keep working on it. :)

I Try

I try to be happy and excited. It is suppose to be one of the happiest days of your life. I should be excited for you and I am. But deep down I am sad, angry, mad and jealous. Am I mad at you, no. Is it your fault, no. Is it hard, yes. You think after a while it would start getting easier but it doesn't, just harder. I try to hold back the tears but I can't.

I know for some it is just as hard for you to tell me as it is for me to hear. I remember a phone call I got from one of my best friends about 3 years ago. I was working a lot that weekend and she so bad wanted to come meet me for lunch. It didn't work out. I knew, I knew what she was going to tell me. When we finally talked on Sunday before she could say anything I just said, "it is ok I am happy for you." She started crying which made me cry. Because I was, I was truly happy for her.

Do we know what's wrong, do we have the answers yet? No. I don't know when we will.

About 10 weeks ago something was brought to Chris and I. We were approached and asked if we would think about adopting a baby. Not your typical adoption through an agency just the paper work. Without going into details because I don't have many (so please don't ask) we have been waiting to find out if the mother is going to go ahead with the adoption or keep the baby. She has been really sick for the last 2 months. She still has not decided if she will keep the baby or not. This has also been really hard on me. I was so excited at first but then was brought back to reality. I didn't want to be excited because what if she decides not to go through with the adoption. I want her to be sure this is what she wants. So we will wait.

Addictions

I have come to realize I have 2 addictions. 1 I've had for a while and the 2nd one I have recently discovered. It is worse than than FB itself.

Addiction 1 - Reading, I can't stop. When I am at work or doing something all I can think about is what is going to happen next and figuring out where I can fit reading into laundry, working, dishes, working, PTC training, working, cleaning, working out and sleep. :)

Addiction 2 - My BlackBerry. Seriously I completely understand why it is called the CrackBerry. Are you kidding me? I never need a computer again. I have access to every email address I have (including work), IM, BlackBerry messanger, text, Internet, BrickBreaker, FB the list is endless. I get so excited when I find an new application I can download that is free. What am I doing to my brain. I think I need to read more. :)

I guess there could be worse things to be addicted to.

It is Official

AS of 3/23 it was official. I am now signed up for the Portland to Coast Relay Walk on August 28th and 29th. I have always wanted to participate in the Hood to Coast Relay race but knew I wasn't ready for the challenge completely. So I am starting with the walk and I am VERY excited.

I am on a team with 5 of my closest friends and I am very excited to share this accomplishment with them. Jenn and I have done a few training walks together and I have done a few on my own. We keep trying to come up with new and more challenging places we can walk in the evenings and hopefully some really challenging ones on the weekends. It looks like we have a few tough legs in store for us.

I am really excited and looking forward to this experience and sharing it with Jenn, Tara, Jenny, LindsAy and Erin. PTC here we come!!!!

Just checking in....

I have been meaning to blog this last week since I have been back from Vegas. However Tuesday my laptop took a crap so I haven't been taking it home at night, therefore no blog.

While I was in Vegas it gave me a plethora of ideas for blog topics. As I would see stuff or think of stuff I would add them in to my notes on my Blackberry (which I think is an entire post of it's own). Hopefully this weekend I will get some time to blog and will attach some of the blog topics. (Since I am just posting this on Monday I didn't get a chance to write this weekend.)

On the book update I took Erin's advice and I read Girl With A Pearl Earring. I loved it! It wasn't anything I expected it to be. I have now decided to read The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. Reading has consumed my time lately. It makes me feel like I have an entirely different set of friends that nobody knows about. It is weird I know. I do love talking to other people though about different books and giving them suggestions. I especially love it when I suggest a book and they love it as much as I did. Recently I suggested Confessions of a Shopaholic to Jenn and Water for Elephants to Erin. I was so excited that they liked the books. It was like they now know my new friends. :)

I found a new blog to read....

My friend Cori Megan has a new blog I have enjoyed reading for about a week now. I have to admit if there are links on blogs to other blogs I will check them out. On Cori's I started reading this blog she had titled matt, liz and madeline. I clicked on it just to see if I may know them. I didn't but I got sucked in. So for the last 2 days I will log in, do my regular morning checks then when I get my emails caught up I start my reading. I don't know if Cori knows them personally or if she heard about the blog from someone else regardless if you haven't heard the story or read the blog it is worth the read but be prepared for the tears.

If you haven't heard the story check out their blog. When you get there before you read ANYTHING go to the links on the right side of the page and you will see one titled, if you haven't been here before. It gives you a background of what Matt is blogging about. Once you have read that part of his blog dive in. There is seriously reading for days. I have now added the blog to my blog reader and am looking forward to updates. I look forward to updates on others blogs as well.

This blog just makes you put life into perspective. It makes you realize how EVERYTHING can change in literally a minute. It makes you realize there are far more important things in life than a new pair of jeans or who is going to do the dishes that night. Chris and I have so much going on right now which really makes me crazy but we have each other.

The Nightstand

Thursday night I got an IM from Jenn wondering if I had any girly girl books she could read. Nothing that was romantic or anything deep. Just something simple and girly pretty much. I started thinking about a few books I had. I suggested Confessions of a Shopaholic. I have bought and read the entire series. I love that they are quick, simple, smart, funny and most importantly girly.

As I was looking through my box of books I stumbled upon about 6 or 7 books I have started but haven't finished yet. Usually I will have 1 book I am reading and a few I have started reading but not finished sitting on my nightstand. Now sitting on my nightstand are 6 or 7 books I have started but not finished. I have now made it my new goal to finish them before I buy another book. Which will be hard since I love to buy new books that I think I will love.

Last night I finished Water for Elephants, loved it. (Which BTW is an entirely new blog.) Now I have to decided which of the 7 books on my nightstand I will restart and finish.

Can You Keep A Secret, Sophie Kinsella
River Cross My Heart, Breena Clarke
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
Girl With A Pearl Earling, Tracy Chevalier
Big Stone Gap, Adriana Trigiani
Sunday At Tiffany's, James Patterson
We Were The Mulvaney's, Joyce Carol Oates

I think it might be The Alchemist since I have read most of it and just stopped because I fell asleep on the plane and lost my spot.

Love Never Fails

From my daily emails....I got this January 15 saved it as a draft but never posted it. I thought I would post it today for things to ponder........

Anybody can return evil for evil... The real victory is being kind to people who mistreat you... USUALLY people that are hurting, end up hurting others... My rule of thumb to remember is this.... Hurt people, hurt people.... God wants his mature, faith-filled people to help heal wounded hearts... It's the goodness of God that leads people to repentance...Be a light in darkness... If you will be extra kind, before long, God's goodness expressed through you will overcome any evil...LOVE NEVER FAILS.

Difficulties

"When difficulties occur, I always ask, "Is this a blip or a catastrophe? Is it a minor annoyance or a serious problem? The answer helps me to focus and find the best way to proceed"...
-Donald J. Trump

New Tries

I would defiantly say Chris is a better cook between the 2 of us. We usually cook together but since he hasn't been home much in the evenings the nights he has been home I decided I would try a few new recipes. Both I got from Every Day with Rachel Ray. Well one I actually got from Aunt Debbie but she got it from Rachel. Yes we are on a first name basis in our house.

Friday night I decided to attempt at making Eggplant Roll-Ups, the recipe I got from Aunt Debbie. Much to my surprise, Chris LOVED them. He isn't much of a "red sauce" person so he didn't add red sauce to his but we both agreed it was something we will be trying again very soon.

Another recipe which I got from the March issue of Every Day with Rachel Ray from her 30 minute meals was Spinach-Artichoke French Bread Pizza. Instead of making an entire meal out of it I made it as an appetizer. I just cut them up so everyone could have a slice of pizza. :-) I decided next time I am going to add mushrooms to the recipe.

We loved both of the recipes and I plan on making both of them again in the near future. Thanks Rachel. :)

Soup of the Day

Trianon used to be located on the the corner of Allen Rd. and 92nd Ave. If you have ever been you probably tried their Dill Pickle soup. Since the resturant closed almost 5 years ago or so I have not had the soup since. In October when I went to Lewiston we were looking up soup recipies and I thought I would try searching for the Dill Pickle Soup Recipe.

I found it!

The chef has opened his own resturant, Otto and Anita's Bavarian Restaurant located in Multnomah Village.

Last night I decided to take a shot at making the soup. If it didn't turn out well at least I tried.

It was amazing. If you like pickles and you like soup you will love it. It sounds crazy but trust me it is one of the best soups ever.

Here is the recipe and a link.

Dill Pickle Soup
6-8 Servings

3 Tbls. Butter
3 oz. Onion (cut julienne)

1/2 c. Flour
4 Lg. Dill Pickles (cut julienne)

1 1/2 c. pickle marinade
4 c. Water

2 Tbls. Dill Weed (fresh or dried)
1/2 c. Whipping Cream

Salt, White Pepper & Good Quality Chicken Base to taste

Melt Butter in a large pot over medium heat, add onion & saute until soft. Reduce heat, stir in flour DO NOT BROWN. In a separate pot combine water and pickle marinade, bring to a boil, whisk into the first pot at once. Increase heat and bring to a boil stirring constantly, until soup thickens. Season with chicken base, salt and pepper. Add pickles and dill, stir in cream for desired texture.

Enjoy!!!!

On Being Happy....

I get emails each morning and this one hit me today....

Do you desire to be happy? (Remember this!) The proof of desire is pursuit.... You must go to happy places. Pursue happy people. Create happy days. If you reeeally desire happiness in your life, you must be willing to reach for it! Never blame anyone or anything for your unhappiness. Life rewards reachers.... Happiness is NEVER placed in your life, happiness is simply placed within your reach! Now go out there and have a happy day.... :-) :-)

Instead of complaining about how much I dislike my job, I need to be happy I have one. :-)

January 2009...

January 2009 is quickly coming to an end. We have been so busy already that it is hard to believe it is almost over.

We started the year with my birthday which was spent with my amazing friends and family. We went to dinner at Merrakesh which I love...wait loved. I have been there several times and would like to go back but might have to wait a few more years since we had such horrible service, we undercharged then after they caught it 2 days later charged Joe and Kelle's credit card, without authorization because they realized they undercharged. Kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth. Later went to Broadway to spend the rest of the evening with my amazing friends and family.

I spend a great night with Kelsey, Leslie and Mer which we try to do at least once a month. We had great laughs and fun times and probably kept Mer up way past her bed time.

Met up with Heather, which I haven't seen since she got married and Jamie who I haven't seen for over a year. We hung out at Broadway for a couple hours catching up and laughing about crazy things.

Spent an evening at Ian and Nikki's with friends and kids for Ian's birthday. Chris loved singing a little CCR for all of us to enjoy the entire evening.

I took another work trip to Vegas once again, this time it was just overnight so I didn't go too crazy.

Yesterday Nichole gave birth to Baby Pickle. Sophia Jean was born at 12:27pm, 7.3lbs and 18.75". Her big brothers LOVE LOVE LOVE HER! She is just the cutest little Pickle you have ever seen.

After her bath!
Parker just wishes Colby would let him hold his baby sister!

They are so proud of her!Mommies little girl!

Tomorrow night Zach, Lexi, Colby and Parker will all be staying the night with Aunt Neha for a sleep over. We will be making breakfast for dinner. Their favorite! I am sure I will have plenty to blog about after that. Especially if Parker continues to stick small objects in his ear. Oh that is an entire blog all by itself. :)

Expectations & Compassion

I know every year people do resolutions. I don’t necessarily have resolutions but things I want to get done or work on.

Sometimes I expect more out of people than they can give but I also feel like the expectations are not out of reach. But these are my expectations and nobody can read my mind to know what the expectations I have are. What I have to understand and am working on is compassion towards others. I am really sensitive and take things a little too personal sometimes. What I need to realize is that EVERYONE not just myself, has their own things going on in their life. Some people are preparing for new additions to their family, some are trying to hold their family together, some are working on building their family, some are looking for jobs or some are recovering from a sickness. Whatever it may be almost everyone around me/you has something going on in their life that is just as important and maybe more as what is going on in ours.

A really good friend told me last week, “Your sensitivity makes your heart soft. That is a very special trait in you. That is why you can love so much, but that also leaves you open to hurt much… don’t let that deter you though. It’s a gift. Embrace it. Allow yourself to be hurt, but try to not let it sit for too long and be too personal.”

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” --Helen Keller