Princess Flora AKA Taneha

2012 Bucket List

2012-01-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

I've made resolutions or goals in the past. Some I have stuck to some I haven't. I think my resolution or goals for 2011 were to stop eating fast food and drinking soda. For the most part I accomplished that goal. :)

For 2012 it isn't going to be a resolution, it is going to be my running Bucket List.

On Monday I signed up for Foot Traffic U to train for a 1/2 marathon one of my 2012 bucket list items. I am nervous and excited all at the same time.

With all of that said the 2012 Bucket List.........

Bridge to Brews 8k or 10k
Bay to Breakers 12k
Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon

I have a few other race I am going to try add to the list. I want to do a second 1/2 marathon this year as well but think I should get through my first 1/2 first.

Here is to running through 2012.

Giving 2011 Credit Where Credit is Due

2011-12-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

For the past month I can successfully say I have not beendoing amazing. I find things that I let get me down and sad. On severaloccasions I have said to others, I cannot wait for 2011 to be over and 2012 tobegin.

The other night while talking to Erin after a meltdown, Isaid it again. "2012 cannot get here fast enough".

On the way home I thought about it again. You know if I lookback on 2011 it has not been all that bad. It has not been easy don't get mewrong but it has been a year of a lot of first for me.

Ran my first 5K with Erin and Kim.
Completed The Warrior Dash with Tara and Jessica.
Went to San Jose TWICE.
Went to San Diego TWICE, even met Chris Young.
Walk my second PTC with 11 other amazing women.
Ran my second 5K with Erin, Kim, Morgan, Tara and Lindsay.Which were Tara and Lindsay's first 5k.

The list goes on of all the great things I have actuallydone this year. After thinking about it the laughs, smiles, and adventures faroutweigh all the tears I've shed.

My family is amazing. I love spending time with every singleone of them. I love getting random Ilove you text message from them. They always seem to come just at the righttime.

I realized I have this amazing circle of girlfriends aroundme that I know will never go away. Some were old friends that became closer andsome were new friends that became good friends. They will even give upValentine’s Day with their husband to come sit and drink wine with you so youdon't have to be alone.

One of the best weekends of my life was this year. That ishard to say since I will be turning 36 in exactly 10 days. I walked in Portlandto Coast 2 years ago with some girlfriends and had a great time. We decided todo it again this year since everyone was done having babies and all. My expectationsweren't high because we had so much fun the first year. Clearly this year FARsurpassed 2009. I don't think I laughed that hard ever. Thank you girls, Eric,Morgan and Chad for a great weekend. Allday, all night long, right here.

One Sunday night Zach and Lex decided we all needed to playtelephone. After family dinner we all (except grandpa) got to played telephone.So imagine this, 6 adult and 2 kids playing telephone. It was what we wouldcall AWESOME!

In July I made a decision with Nikki on a Wednesday that Iwas going to lose weight. We went back to the basics. We started countingevery single calorie that went in and every single calorie that went out.Currently I have lost a total of 15lbs and 2 sizes. I love it!

Once PTC was over we applied for HTC. A few of us startedpicking up running but I decided I wanted to check off one of my bucket listitem which was HTC. I kept telling myself, "12 months, you have 12 monthsto get this done". Our team didn't end up getting a spot but I kept up withthe running. I found out that I can do it and I love it. I hope to run a 1/2marathon the summer of 2012. I have not been consistent but do love it and itgives me this amazing feeling. Plus I have all these awesome running shorts. :)

After all that, the greatest part, I started to find myselfand my happiness.

5 Running Winter Needs

2011-12-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

In the last 2 week I have realized there are 5 majors you need for winter running in Oregon. If you are lacking ideas of what to get me for Christmas or my birthday, please see below. :)

1) Nike Element Shield Max running jacket. (pictured above)
2) Long running pants
3) Gloves..I haven't been using them and I realized I need them.
4) More long sleeve shirts with thumb holes....yes these are key and awesome.
5) Sweat shirts for those days it isn't raining and I don't need my Nike Element Shield Max running jacket.

If you have any questions just ask. :)

Love this....

2011-12-09T15:44:00.001-08:00

This is a blog I found a month or so ago. I love one of today's posts.

http://marathonsweetheart.com/2011/12/08/conversations-of-a-marathon-freak/

Week Off....

2011-12-09T15:05:00.001-08:00

I took the last week off from blogging and running. Not by choice that is for sure. It has been one crazy week with work and what nots. I can't wait for this awesome weekend and to get back into a normal schedule.

What to do next?

2011-12-01T15:39:00.001-08:00

Shamrock Run - 3/18

Race for the Roses - 4/1

Bridge to Brews - 4/15

Bay to Breakers - 5/20

Starlight Run - 6/2

This Is My Life

2011-12-01T12:06:00.001-08:00

Winter Running

2011-11-30T08:10:00.001-08:00

After running Run Like Hell in Oct. I was having trouble getting back into the grove of things. Sure I would do a run here and there with Erin at night or early morning but I just wasn't feeling it. Last night I had a good run and it felt good. I did however realize it is FREAKING cold outside and I need new winter running gear. So if you feel the need to purchase me a few things for Christmas I would love any of the items below. :) If you can't do Christmas cause funds are tight don't worry my birthday is Jan. 2nd and I will take gifts any time in January.

Nike Vapor Flash Running Jacket....This jacket is Bas ASS. Ok so it is a little spendy but totally worth it if you are night running. It is one HUGE reflector when headlights shine on you.

http://insider.nike.com/us/clothing/vapor-flash-running-jacket-962/

Nike Element Shield Max Jacket........I love this jacket too but not as safe as the jacket above. It will keep the rain off. It won't keep my from dying though.

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-414700&cp=usns_soc_101511_cpylnkshare

I could use a few more Dri-FIT longsleeves so I don't have to wash the 2 I have each night. :)

Dri-FIT running pants I need a couple pair. I am not sure which I like best yet but when I find out I will let you know. Kind of like the shorts. I can always use another pair of running shorts. This girl can never have too many Nike running shorts. :)

God Gave Me You

2011-11-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

Every time I hear this song I think of a few amazing people in my life. You know who you are. I am so thankful to have you in my life to help me though "the days of doubt" and "for the ups and downs." You know just when to text me. You know just what to say to make me smile. I love you all so much!!!!

(OK ignore the beginning from his wife.)

Giving Thanks - Fail

2011-11-29T11:39:00.001-08:00

What I really wanted to do is give thanks everyday this month. I failed. If you were following, I am sorry. I can make up a bunch of lame excuses but I won't bother. I just didn't do it and it is just that.

I do however want to try and post a blog everyday from now till the end of the year. Even if it is just a picture. Not going to make any guarantees but I am going to try.

Life

2011-11-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today was a different day. I don't want to say today totally sucked, it didn't. Today wasn't totally awesome either. Today I learned that I thought I found myself at one point. I got a little side tracked and now, I'm back on track.

My New Obsession

2011-11-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

I watch the very first Sons of Anarchy episodes a few weeks ago. I was kind of skeptical at first to be honest but after episode 1, 2, 3, 4 I was COMPLETELY hooked. Ok, I was hooked after the first one. It is honestly one of those shows I could keep watching and not know what time it is. Friday I finished season 1. I realized that I could watch it instantly on Netflix instead of waiting for the DVD's. Today I was lazy and have almost finished season 2.

If you haven't watched it you will not be disappointed. Now I just need to get season 3 from Stacy. I don't know what I will do when I finish season 4.

Review Mirror

2011-11-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

Stop looking at your life in the review mirror. Keeping our eyes on the past and we, ultimately, drive our life into a wall.

Thankful Day 8 - Hope

2011-11-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for hope....Today I am holding out hope.

Thankful Day 5, 6 & 7.....

2011-11-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

Thankful Day 5 - Old & New Traditions

Every year when I was little we went to the Verboort Sausage Festival. Then it was small (well compared to now.) and in the basement of a little school/church. Now it is HUGE, no longer in the basement and has a line for to go orders. For the last at least 8 years Mom and I have gone and gotten to go orders for us and whoever else wants them. Last year Juanita and JR at Plum Hill asked us to pick them up 2 dinners. This year we did it again then went to the tasting room and sat for a couple hours enjoying chatting, YUMMY wine and good company. It was a great day for old and new traditions.

Thankful Day 6 - Standard Time

I love the extra hour we get each year to sleep in. It is always nice to wake up, forgetting the time has changed then realize I am wide awake at 8am because technically it is 9am. LOVE IT!

Thankful Day 7 - Bears Won

YEP - That is what I came up with. The Bears won their 3rd game in a row. OK OK I am thankful for the job I have that I get up and go to 5 days a week. I know I complain about it but I am lucky enough to have one. I am very thankful for that.

Thankful Day 4 - For Fences

2011-11-04T15:27:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful for fences.

They help keeps things in and they help keep things out.

Thankful Day 3 - My Family

2011-11-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Thankful I have the most amazing family! I love you all more than you know.

They are what holds me together and has helped me become who I am. I can count on them know matter where I am or what I am doing. I love all of you in so many different ways.

I would post a bunch of pictures but there are too many. :) I love you!

Thankful Day 2 - My Best Friends

2011-11-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

I truly can say I am lucky. Some may laugh because they say I have too many BFF's. Honestly though, I have the BEST friends in the world. I don't think I would have made it through these last 9 months without them.

They let me text at any hour of the night.
Call any time I want.
Cry when I want.
Laugh when I want.
Send the most amazing text messages of encouragement when I need them.
Come over on Valentines so I am not alone.
Take trips with me.
Sing to me to make me laugh.
Run with me.
Walk with me.
Drink with me.....Yes we all need to drink sometimes.
Have Anniversary parties for me.

Today I am thankful for these women in my life. I love you girls SO much. I hope you know how thankful I am to have you in my life.

Thankful Day 1 - My Princess

2011-11-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

I decided I follow along and would post each day what I am thankful for in the month of November. I'll even go past Thanksgiving.

Today November 1st I am thankful I get 5 days and nights with Kona. It seems so small but right now so big. I miss her so much when I don't have her but appreciate the time get with her. She's just so snugly.

Love that my princess!

Let's do this!

2011-10-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

First things first......It's been a while. It is kind of hard to blog when there is so much going on in your head but couldn't really put it into words. Life has changed a bit since I started blogging 5 years ago, (Wow just read my first blog post.), my life is completely different. Maybe ond day I'll put it all in a blog, maybe not. The 3 or 4 people that read my blog probably already get the daily/nightly text messages so we'll leave it at that for now.

In 2009 I was on an all girls Portland to Coast team. I loved every minute of it. We counted shorts in our spare time, (Which I now own about 7 and LOVE.), we slept on hard grange floors with snoring men, we ate AMAZING ham and cheese sandwiches and I did something I never thought I would do. I spent the weekend in a van with 5 other women. It was awesome. It was emotional, tiring and amazing all at the same time. I was so motivated and felt good about myself. I was ready for PTC 2010 and I hadn't even got home yet. 2010 sign ups came and shortly after we cound out half the ream was pregnant, ok really only 3 but that is half a van. Needless to say I lost my motivation and only walked every now and then. Running wasn't even on the radar at that point. Well I thought about it a little.

When 2010 PTC ended a 2011 team was quickly put together and ready. A few had even taken up running and signed up for the Shamrock Run. I convinced myself I had enough time to train for a 5K and could do it. Mid-January I signed up and ready to train. January 27th I left for NY for one of my biggest trade shows. I ran probably 3 or 4 times that week. February 5th I came home from NY, February 6th life took a turn and changed a bit. Time got away from me and March 13th was here.

It was the day of the Shamrock Run I was up at 5am and just a bit nervous. Kim and I ran together most of the race, I did ok. I didn't do great, needless to say I almost puked. I was proud of myself for actually trying and finishing with an ok time. I did ok for not doing anything really leading up to the run.

Now it was time to train for PTC. I ran every now and then training for PTC but focused mainly on walking. About 8 weeks before PTC I realized I had the hardest ranked legs on our team. I was a little nervous but up for the challenge.

My fist leg was a flat, 7.13 miles, down hwy 30, mid day, in 92 degrees. I did it and I rocked it. My second leg was 6.11 miles, straight up hill, straight down hill, at 3am. To be honest I was a little bit, scratch that a lot a bit nervous. I was NOT looking forward to this walk at all. All said and done it was my absolute FAVORITE in the 2 years I have done PTC. Durning the walk is when runners started catching up to us. I kept thinking one of these years I am going to run Hood to Coast.

When I finished my last leg all I kept thinking was I wanted to keep going. Oh wait I did run up and down the shoulder of the road with Lindsay looking for Van 2. :) We hadn't finished PTC and I was ready for PTC 2012.

That weekend was by far one of the BEST weekends. I don't know what hurt more, the HUGE blister on my foot or my stomach muscles from laughing at all the AWESOMENESS. Maybe it was the side of the road stretching at 5am.

When we got home I stll had 2 weeks till Warrior Dash......NOW that I was nervous for. I was still a little tired from PTC weekend but got in a couple work outs.

The morning of Warrior Dash I thought I was going to puke. The thought of climbing over a 10 foot rope wall scared the crap out of me. Oh and there wasn't just 1 10 foot wall, there were at least 6. Truly the walls were not the problem. It was the hills we had to climb. I think at one point I thought I was close to death. We finished and we did AWESOME!!! "Thank you!"

I decided to try another 5k so I signed up for Run Like Hell on Oct. 23rd. I will let you know Monday how it goes. I ran my first full 5k last night, not bad I might add. I think I can actually say I can do this.

Oct. 12th was approaching and the 2012 PTC email came from Erin. Erin also mentioned they were putting together a 2012 HTC team if they could get enough people. I thought about it. I thought about it a little more. I've always wanted to do it but not sure I ready yet. I thought about is just a few more minutes as I made up excusses why I wasn't ready and I text Erin. I am going to do HTC......What the hell I have 11 months to train. Let's do this.

Now.....we wait. Fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed. Will we make it?

It's time.....

2011-08-02T21:28:00.001-07:00

Of all the things I believe in
I just want to get it over with
tears from behind my eyes
but I do not cry
Counting the days that past me by

I've been searching deep down in my soul
Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old
Looks like I'm starting all over again
The last three years were just pretend and I say

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I love
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems like I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes till you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light but it's not right

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

Ohhh yeah
It hurts to want everything & nothing at the same time
I want whats yours and I want whats mine
I want you but I'm not giving in this time

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

We the stars fall and I lie awake
Your my shooting star

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens

2011-04-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

This might just have to be a new one to try. It looks really yummy. It might be that I am starving but I love making noodles soups.

Healthy Dinner Recipes: Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens Healthy Dinner Recipes: Beef and Lamb - Cooking Light

103 Healthy Snack Recipe Ideas - Every Day with Rachael Ray

2011-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for snack ideas and came across these ideas this morning. I am going to have to try some of them.

Note when reading all 103 ideas, cereal sized bowl of goldfish are not on there. CRAP!

103 Healthy Snack Recipe Ideas - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Email From Japan

2011-03-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

Most of you know our parent company PLUS Corporation is in Tokyo, Japan. Many have asked about my fellow co-workers (friends) in Japan. They are all ok and business is going along as normal as they can. They have black-outs (power outages) every now and then, along with the changing bus schedule.

Last week we received an email from on of our contacts. It was so sweet I thought I would share it.

It really puts things into perspective and actually brought me to tears.

*The english is a little choppy but you get the idea.

-----Original Message-----
From: PLUS(JPN)/ K. Nakano
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:39 PM
Cc: PFC ?????; ?????? ?????
Subject: One of the US great support to the people in the disaster regions

Dear Joe-san and all friends at PCA,

How are you?

I am very glad to share this great great news with you and all friends at PCA.

After the earthquake, I watch TV news everyday and I was so impressed the one last night. USS Ronald Reagan is now off shore of the disaster region and they have been supporting relief efforts under the "Operation TOMODACHI (friend)". So the flight deck is like a distribution center of food and water company. The news introduced that one of the helicopters left the carrier to delivery food and water to the poeple. But the crew were not told any destinations, so they were looking for reasonable points from the upper air that seemed to be still isolated because of disconnection of roads. The helicoper delivered 17 places on the day and one of them was an elementary school which became an evacuation place. People there bowed so deeply and took hands of the crew with shedding tears. The young crew member smiled and looked so satisfied with his duty. Of course, I was moved to tears!　And I felt that it was my honor to work together with PCA people.

The accident of the nuclear power complex has not been resolved yet and there is also a huge problem in Libya. Under such circumstances, US military is giving us a lot of support. If you have any US military members among your family, relatives and friends, it would be greatly appreciated to send them our gratitude and best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Kiyonori Nakano of PLUS Furniture

Spicy Thai Noodle Soup

2011-03-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

I love Thai soups so I kind of just threw a bunch of stuff together.

Ingredients -

-2 quarts chicken broth
-2 stalks fresh lemongrass, sliced on a bias in 2-inch pieces
-1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
-1 garlic clove, chopped (I used a garlic press)
-1 bunch of straw mushrooms
-1 pound large shrimp, peeled with tails on or sliced cook chicken*
-2 limes, juiced
-2 green onions, sliced
-1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
-1-2 handfuls of bean sprouts
-Thin Rice Noodles (I used half a box of Thai Kitchen Thin Rice Noodles)

Directions -
Bring the stock to boil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add lemongrass,garlic, and chili garlic paste. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to let the spices infuse the broth.

Uncover and add mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss in the shrimp (or cooked chicken) and Rice Noodles, cook for about 8 minutes until noodles are soft and shrimp are pink. Remove from the heat and add the lime juice, green onions,cilantro, and bean sprouts. Taste for if you want more spice add more chili paste.

Tom Yum Goong

2011-03-08T05:07:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Thai soups. It is pretty easy and simple to make.

Ingredients -

-2 quarts chicken broth
-2 stalks fresh lemongrass, sliced on a bias in 2-inch pieces
-4 kaffir lime leaves (I haven't used them but can find them at the Asian market)
-1-inch piece fresh galangal or ginger (I used galangal which you can also find at the Asian market)
-2 red chilies, sliced (Jalapeno or Serrano chilies work too)
-2 tablespoons fish sauce
-1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
-1 bunch of straw mushrooms
-1 pound large shrimp, peeled with tails on
-2 limes, juiced
-2 green onions, sliced
-1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions -
Bring the stock to boil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chilies. (I also add about 1 tsp of chili garlic paste for a little more spice, we like spicy). Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to let the spices infuse the broth.

Uncover and add the fish sauce, sugar, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and cook for about 8 minutes until they turn pink. Remove from the heat and add the lime juice, green onions, and cilantro. Taste for salt and spices.

When eating don't eat the lemongrass and lime leaves they are for flavor only.

Little Miss

2011-02-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

Little Miss done on love
Little Miss I give up
Little Miss I'll get tough
Don't you worry 'bout me anymore

Little Miss checkered dress
Little Miss one big mess
Little Miss I'll take less
When I always give so much more

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss do your best
Little Miss never rest
Little Miss, be my guest
I'll make more anytime that it runs out

Little Miss you'll go far
Little Miss hide your scars
Little Miss who you are
Is so much more than you like to talk about

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
And it'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Hold on,
Hold on, and you are loved
Are loved

Little Miss brand new start
Little Miss do your part
Little Miss big ole heart beats wide open
She's ready now for love

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Well, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

It'll be alright again

I Never Told You

2011-02-14T15:05:00.000-08:00

I miss those blue eyes
How you kissed me at night
I miss the way we sleep
Like there's no sunrise
Like the taste of your smile
I miss the way we breathe

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
I can't believe I still want you
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you

I see your blue eyes
Every time I close mine
You make it hard to see
Where I belong to when I'm not
Around you
It's like I'm not with me

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
I can't believe I still want
You
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
(still you're gone)
Can't believe that I still want
You
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you

I almost did it......

2010-12-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am so disappointed. I tried to blog for an entire month. I did make it all the way to Thanksgiving with my thankful blogs. Some of them were lacking a little but hey, I am thankful for weird things. :)

These next few weeks are going to be busy, busy and I am not going to know where all the time went. Before I know it my birthday will be here, I will be getting ready for NY and then it will be February. Time never went this fast when I was 10.

Tomorrow is the Civil War, I am excited and nervous all at the same time. In the mean time GO Ducks!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today we will be heading out to Uncle Charlie & Aunt Cathy's house.

I am so thankful that I will be spending today with Christopher, Mom, Jack, Grandma, Grandpa and the rest of the family.

I am thankful that Grandma is doing so well from where she was a year ago today.

Tomorrow morning we are heading to the beach to spend the weekend with Chris' family and go crabbing.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Wednesday...No wait Friday...No Wednesday

2010-11-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

I love the Wednesday (in my head I say Wed-nes-day) before Thanksgiving. I get so excited knowing I have a 4 day weekend and that it is a Friday in the middle of the week. I have always loved this particular Wed-nes-day since I was a kid.

When we were little I got so excited knowing Mom was going to be home for 4 full days and I thought that was awesome. No other holiday gives you 4 full days with Mom when you are a kid. I LOVED it. It was like a bonus weekend.

Now as an adult I love it for the same reason. I get a long weekend without taking any extra days of vacation. We usually do something fun with the family for the entire weekend.

I am thankful for today's Wed-nes-day!

DVR.....

2010-11-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

The things I am thankful for are starting to become a little silly.....I need to start digging deep and finding better things. They started out good now they are just plain lazy.

As I got home from work, changed, jumped into my bed to watch Days Of Our Lives on DVR, I realized I haven't done my thankful blog today.

I crawled in bed and pressed play. As I was laying there with Kona on one side and Shiver literally on my chest I thought man I love my DVR. I can come home relax for 40 minutes and watch the one show I have watch since I was in 4th grade.

Silly yes, but I am thankful for my DVR and the trash TV it has on it to help me decompress from my days at work.

Thanksgiving Week....

2010-11-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

I am thankful that today is the start of Thanksgiving week. When I got up I though arrrrrr Monday how I loath you, but this week I have a 3 day week so I can't hate you that much. Actually you aren't so bad today. I think I like you. :)

Ginger Ale & Saltines

2010-11-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't had to rely on Ginger Ale and Saltines in a long, long time. Today was one of those days though.

They are magical together. Almost close to amazing if you ask me. I am so thankful for the combination of the 2 and how awesome they are.

Friday Night

2010-11-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for a quiet Friday night at home full of reading, hat making and relaxing.

Dinner

2010-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am thankful Christopher is making dinner.

The Cutest Blog On The Block

2010-11-17T15:52:00.000-08:00

There is no deniying the fact that I love changing the layout of my blog. I tried to change it about 10 times yesterday and couldn't get it to change. I found a layout or background at The Cutest Blog on the Block and couldn't figure out how to get it to change. Today I figured it out.

Thank goodness!!! I am so thankful for a cute blog. <----- Now that was cheesey.

Chanterelle Mushrooms

2010-11-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

TSA

2010-11-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the TSA.

Personally, I love my life and value my life. If that means going through an x-ray scanner or getting a pat down when I fly to get where I am going safely, then so be it. If you don’t want to be scanned or pat down DON’T fly, that is your choice. Personally I am glad they care.

It is a right to fly and something we each chose to do. In doing that we agree to the terms put on us by the government and TSA, who are trying to protect us from getting blown up in the sky or flown into another building.

If people don't like one of the 2 options they have to x-ray or a pat down then take a train, drive, walk or hitch hike. Regardless you know this is your option when you buy the ticket. Unless you have been under a rock the last year or even 9 years for that matter.

With that said, thank you TSA for protecting me and getting me to my destination safely every time I fly. I will sacrifice a little just to be alive.

Costco

2010-11-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

Maybe I am grasping for things to be thankful for but they make for fun blogs. ;-) Considering Erin is probably the only one that reads them. If you get tired of them sorry....I'll try and make them more interesting. ;-)

I am SO thankful for Costco.

Friday I caught up on our bills did our budgeting and figured we could go and do major grocery shopping. Major grocery shopping, we did.

We went to WalMart on Saturday and picked up the basics and then went to Costco tonight. Our freezer is now fully stocked with Chicken, Salmon, bread, pork and steaks. I think we have enough meals to last us till February.

Thank you Costco!!!!

Mushrooming....

2010-11-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Every year Chris' parents go mushrooming. I never really knew what this meant. I just assumed they went and got mushrooms. Didn't know where they got them how they knew the right ones that were edible. I knew that such mushrooms existed and his Mom canned them every year. I have always been interested and going we just have never really found the time to go.

Last weekend Chris went fishing with his Dad while I went to the Verbort Sausage Festival with my Mom and a quick stop at Plum Hill (see we love this place). On their way home from fishing he stopped a picked a bunch of mushrooms at Brown's Camp. I loved them so much I wanted to go now so we could get some to can.

Saturday morning we got up kind of just laid around then decided we were going.

Once we got there, Chris showed me what they looked like, what I was looking for and where to look, then off we went. With in minutes we had a bunch and kept finding more. I kept getting excited yelling, "I found one, wait I found 5!"

It was like a mini treasure hunt for me without the map leading me to the treasure. After 3 or 4 hours we figured we had enough and were going to head home and get a few other errands done that we need to do.

We were relaxing talking about how much fun it was and all the sudden I was convincing Chris we should go back again today. So we got up early, cleaned all our mushrooms from yesterday, stopped at Mc Donald's in North Plains and off to Browns Camp we went.

After a couple hours and a few different stops we found about half of what we found yesterday but still enough end up with 12 1/2 pints canned and in the pantry for us to enjoy.

It was a great weekend just the 2 of us and Kona.

Today for Saturday and Sunday I am thankful for Oregon having amazing Chanterelle Mushrooms, the beauty of the Oregon Coast range and the good time Chris, Kona and I had the last 2 days experiencing all of it.

Date Night

2010-11-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight is Date Night at Plum Hill....What is Date Night? Plum Hill has become one of our all time FAVORITE Vineyards. Not just because the wine is amazing but the owners RJ and Juanita are amazing too. The tasting room is all decorated and it doesn't have that "snobby" vineyard feel when you get there. They are great and we love them. Every 2nd Friday of the month they have Date Night. We haven't been able to go to Date Night yet so we are going for the first time tonight and I am very excited and thankful that we finally get to go to one. :)

Co-Workers

2010-11-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

I am not usually appreciative of my co-workers much but this has been a trying week with one person gone and one day someone else had to leave earlier than normal.

It was stressful, but it all worked out. Today I am thankful that the co-worker who was out on business is back, well at least till next Tuesday. :)

My Artichoke

2010-11-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am thankful that I finally get my artichoke I have been craving for so many days.

Oh how I love artichokes.

4pm

2010-11-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for being able to get off work at 4pm. You don't realize how much different it is leaving work at 3:30 or 4 versus 5pm. It is dark out at 5pm these days and I don't like it much. :) So I am thankful for days I can leave before it is dark outside.

Suprises

2010-11-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for surprises....I don't get them very often but when I do they are special. Today Chris stopped by my work, took my car and filled it with gas then brought me a Dr. Pepper. I was having a stressful day and it made it all so much better.

Love you!!!

Day Light Savings

2010-11-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

I was going to be thankful today for an extra hour of sleep. Honestly though I have been dragging all day and don't feel any better than I did yesterday. Actually I feel worse today.

I am thankful though that tonight I will get an extra hour of sleep or at least thankful it will feel that way. :)

Verbort Sausage Dinner....

2010-11-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for that once a year tradition. Every first Saturday Mom and I head out to Verbort to enjoy their Sour Kraut and Sausage dinner. Today was just as great and I am thankful I got to spend it with my Mom.

We also made an extra stop at Plum Hill!!! Love that place.

Give and Get is Here!

2010-11-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for the GAP Friends & Family or Give & Get which ever you prefer. :)

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from November 11-14 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Nov 4th....

2010-11-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful I have a job. There are so many people out there looking for jobs and struggling to find a job that pays what they had before.

Me I am just thankful I have a job whether I like it, love it or hate it at times I have one.

Today....

2010-11-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for the amazing weather we are having in early November.

Voted...

2010-11-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today Nov. 2nd I am thankful I have the right to voted. As they said in the 90's I "Rocked the Vote"!

I'm Back & I am Thankful

2010-11-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

I kept thinking to myself.... "Self, you need to blog more. You like it so why do you keep putting it off?" I did come up with a few answers but I don't think I want to blog about those quite yet. :)

To come back from my mini blogging hiatus I decided I would post every day in Nov. what I am thankful for. I know everyone does it but I figured I am in the mood to blog and be thankful.

Today Nov. 1 I am most thankful for my trip to San Diego. It was amazing and I had a great time with my family.

OBGYN

2010-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am afraid of them. Why? I am not so sure. I haven't had insurance for about 2 years.

After 2 years (I know bad Taneha) I am going to the OBG this afternoon. I am so nervous I want to cry and cancel. No reason at all. Well, there is a reason or 2 to be honest. That is for another post, but really only Erin reads this and she already knows the honest part so I may not have to write another post. :)

Off to see the wizard.

Top 5 Books

2010-04-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me today what my top 5 favorite books were. First, no fair I don't think I can do this.

This is what I finally came up with.

Here is the run down. I don’t really have all time favorite books, well maybe one or ten. So I will break them down a little. FYI my orginal list has 20 books on the list.

If you love funny, comical, fast read, girly books Jenn and I LOVED these. All 5 good books, a good series. Wouldn’t say I would put any single book as a favorite but favorite series if that make sense.

Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties the Knott
Shopaholic & Sister
Shopaholic & Baby

Same author wrote The Undomestic Goddess – It is a quick good read too.

But I think my all time 5 favorites

- Water For Elephants – by Sara Gruen (Probably one of my all time favorites I started it 3 times on the 3rd time I couldn’t put it down. I think I read it in 3-4 days.)

- Shoot The Moon – by Billie Letts (She wrote Where the Heart Is which was one of Oprah’s first book club books.)

- The Lucky One – Nicolas Sparks (Some people don’t like him mainly all his books seem similar. Amy V LOVES him, Krissy not a fan. I have only read 4 of his books this one was one of my favorites. I did like all the 4 that I have read though.)

- Accidental Happiness – Jean Reynolds (I randomly received this book and loved it.)

- Sam’s Letter to Jennifer – James Patterson (Not anything like his mystery books at all. This was one of the first books I read in literally 2 days. LOVED it.)

I have many more but you said top 5. A few other favs though are

- Girl with a Pear Earring (probably would tie one of them for my top 5 fav. )
- Memoirs of Geisha
- The Choice
- At First Sight
- The Pilot’s Wife

So there is a run down of a few good ones. I have many more but it was only suppose to be 5. Depends on what you are also looking to read. Kite Runner is another one of my favs. I have started a list from authors that aren’t as popular as Nicolas Sparks or James Patterson, of books I want to read now.

Also most done with another I started last Saturday. On to the next one.

Dan Dan Noodles

2010-04-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to lose weight again, save money and eat better I love trying new recipes. This morning I got the PERFECT email from Cooking Light.

I receive emails from Cooking Light, MyRecipes.com and I get the Cooking Light magazines. I love new ideas and especially ones that help me watch my calories.

This morning I received an email from them, subject, Budget-Friendly Recipes. WHAT? SWEET! This is just what I am in need of right now. Especially since, we are doing our monthly grocery shopping tomorrow.

In the email, it says, "Budget Cooking: Feed 4 for $10". Again, SWEET! The picture of Peppery Pasta with Shrimp was enough to get me looking.

Recipe 6 however so far (because I have completely stopped to write this blog) has been the kicker.

Dan Dan Noodles, I LOVE Dan Dan Noodles. It is one of our favorite dishes at PF Chang's. Either Kirsten or Erin I cannot remember who either way they are wonderful introduced me to them.

Therefore, Thursday night, after grocery shopping, we will be loving some Dan Dan Noodles.

Here is a link to the recipe in case you want to attempt to make them. I will let you know how yummy Cooking Light Dan Dan Noodles are versus PF Chang's.

Dan Dan Noodles - Link

Quick Update

2010-04-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight I came home a little bit motivated after thinking I need to get out of this. I read a few chapters for a little bit then decided, ok time to work out.

Julia Michael's 30 day Shred kicked my ass. It didn't end there. I did 2 loads of laundry, dishes, dinner, a few rounds of Bejeweled and now I am getting ready to read a few more chapters before bed.

All in a couple hours and I feel good.

What Happened?

2010-04-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, it wasn't a pretty sight, hair that hasn't been cut since August, a body that is in desperate need of a walk, a run a workout, or anything physical. Last summer I was working towards a goal and probably worked out almost 2-3 times a week. This year NOTHING, ZIP, ZERO, ZILCH.

What happened? Where are the days when I could go out after work and meet a few friends for drinks? Now I would rather go home, read or go to bed.

My back, my legs, my neck and my head ache from being so tired and the stress. My brain is dead half the time. I used to pride myself on remembering EVERYTHING (which my husband and Thomas HATE). I can't remember CRAP to save my life lately. I go to working early in the morning and lately have been so busy I don't know where the day has gone. At times I have a stack of papers to work on at home. If I get to them it is another story.

When I get home the dishes are usually waiting, the vacuum cleaner is yelling, "please, please, please use and abuse me" and clutter well it is in every corner. Sometimes I feel like I hate the place we live in so much I don't care, therefor that is my excuse for the way it looks. I think it is a good one myself.

What it boils down to. I need to get up off my ASS and do something. I need to clean my house and start caring again. Once I do it I will be less tired and everything will be done. I just can't get myself to the point of starting. I find other things to do with my time. Like end up at Lost Lake or play 50 rounds of Bejeweled Blitz. Which btw I see nothing wrong with.

I have to do it. What am I going to do if we have a baby? Really, can I live like this if we have a baby? I think not.

Goal for the next 30 days.....Clean my house, work out at least 2 times a week (just a start) and eat better. I will let you know on May 13th how it is going.

Here is to going home and working out tonight. :)

Lost Lake

2010-04-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

The weather report for Saturday at one point was off and on showers. Mainly in the afternoon or evening. I figured I would get up, clean the upstairs and do laundry all day.

When I got up and looked outside, to my amazement (why since it is Oregon) it was beautiful. Poor Kona had been cooped up in the house and was getting the nervous, "I need out of this effing house" whine. I was trying to think of what we could do that would be fun but close since Chris had to leave by 4 or 5 to go to work. I decided to make noise and wake him up about 10ish. He went and got coffee for us, finally. When he got back I suggest going to this lake towards the beach where he went fishing recently, Lost Lake.

View Larger Map

I changed quickly and he loaded the truck. An hour later we were there. I was reading a book, Kona was running playing with sticks and Chris was fishing. With in 2 minutes of casting he had a fish on.

It ended up being a beautiful day and we had a great time. It was nice to get away I needed it after the emotional week I had.

Can't wait to go back again and can't wait to go back to go camping this summer.

Hard Boiled Eggs

2010-03-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

To be honest I have really never paid attention on how to cook hard boiled eggs. My Mom always did it or now Chris. He LOVES hard boiled eggs so they seem to always be around and I never have to do it.

Do you put them in before the water starts boiling? Do you start with cold or hot water? Do you put the eggs in after they start boiling? How long do you boil them? Seriously I don't know the right answer.

I decided I wanted to make a Chicken Caesar Salad tonight with hard boiled eggs. So I guess since Chris is working I have to figure it out.

Here is where we are thankful for the World Wide Web. http://www.google.com/ How do you cook hard boiled eggs? Wah Lah 1,760,000 result. I think I found my answer, well kind of.

Do you put them in cold water and bring to a boil? You can.
Do you wait for the water to start boiling and then add eggs? You can. Good thing cause by the time I start to look up instructions water was boiling and eggs were sitting next to the boiling water.
Now how long do I cook them? 15-20 minutes.
How long do I let cool? 10-15 minutes...Now I wait.

Not bad...Now on to the Caesar Salad and *dressing.

*To the web I went again, man I love the internet. Below is the recipe for dressing I am going to try. We will see how yummy it is, I have everything and it looks REALLY easy.

Caesar Dressing

1 Cup Mayonnaise
ont>1 Tsbp lemon juice
1 Tsp Worcestershire
1 Clove Garlic Minced
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/8 Tsp pepper
1/2 Cup Parmesean Cheese
1 Tbsp of Milk or Half & Half

Mix all together shake or whisk

I'll let you know how good it is.

**Update Caesar Dressing suprisingly YUMMY! I was impressed with it, why I am not sure but who knew it would be so good. Oh wait it had a cup of Mayo of course it was good. ;-)

Also last minute I decided to make blacken chicken to throw in the salad.

1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp dried tyme
1/8 tsp ground white pepper
1/8 tsp onion powder (I didn't have this so I just left it out)
2 Skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is smoking hot.

2. Mix together the paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin, thyme, white pepper, and onion powder. Oil the chicken breasts with cooking spray on both sides, then coat the chicken breasts evenly with the spice mixture. (I put it in a sandwich bag and shook it together.)

3. Place the chicken in the hot pan, and cook for 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on other side. Place the breasts on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes.

Thai Chicken with Baby Corn

2010-03-10T22:05:00.000-08:00

OK I want to blog more. I love it and have been so busy lately but should have at least 30 mintues to blog something about life, my life, Chris' life, Kona's life or the grass outside. ;-)

For tonight I tried something new for dinner. I LOVE Thai food. Ok I LOVE Asian food and I love to try new things. I love chicken with baby corn and found a recipe similar to something I usually get when we get Thai.

Oil -- 3 tablespoons
Chicken breast or thighs, boneless, skinless and thinly sliced -- 1 pound
Onion, thinly sliced -- 1/2
Garlic, minced -- 3-4 cloves
Baby corn, cut into rounds -- 1 cup
Straw mushrooms -- 1 cup
Oyster sauce --3 tablespoons
Fish sauce -- 3 tablespoons
Sugar -- 3 tablespoons
Pepper -- 2 teaspoons

Method
1. Heat the oil in a wok or large pot over medium-high flame. Add the chicken and stir fry until halfway cooked through, 2-3 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and continue stir frying until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are lightly translucent, another 2-3 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to low and add the corn, mushrooms, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes to cook through and serve with rice.

Variations
Add some julienned red peppers along with the onions if you like.
One half bunch of chopped scallions can be substituted for the onion.

Now I am going to go watch The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion. Don't judge you know you watch too.

Can't explain it.....

2010-02-15T15:25:00.000-08:00

I am happy - I am not happy
I am happy for you - I am jealous of you
I am happy we are health (well for the most part minus Chris' back) - I am sad you struggle
I am happy my husband loves me so much - I hope all husbands love that much
I am happy my husband has a job - I am sad I never see him
I am happy I have a job - Sometimes I hate this job
I miss you so much - I don't want to miss you
I wonder, I pray, I think, I pray, I cry and I pray some more.

I have so many things I am happy for but sometimes feel empty. I sometimes feel a lone and yet I know I have so many people that love me.

I really can't explain it. I know there are so many other things in this world far worse than how I feel or what is going on in my life.

I want to blog but I don't want to. I don't want to seem selfish and emotional. I don't want everyone to think I am letting the "world" know what is going on.

I am happy and have GREAT things in my life. There is just this empty part that comes up every now and then.

The end of 2009. The end of a decade.

2009-12-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-12-19T22:39:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-16T11:19:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

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.....

2009-09-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-08-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-23T11:03:00.001-07:00

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

Shared via AddThis

Garlic Thai Chicken

2009-06-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-03-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-03-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-06T10:10:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

"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

2009-02-25T15:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-18T08:58:00.000-08:00

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....

2009-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

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

SNOW

2008-12-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love, snow days. I prefer them on the weekend because I actually get to enjoy them. This morning I got a phone call from Mom about 9am, thinking she was calling to see where I was for breakfast. Walked down stairs and saw a blanket of snow outside.

I was going to let him sleep till 11 since he had a few rough days. Kona had a different idea. She woke him up at 10 and from barking and playing in the snow. Once he got up I suggested we go to breakfast. Chris and I LOVE snow days, he lived in Michigan for 5-6 years so I know he can drive in the snow.

We went to breakfast, Macy's and Costco. Once we got home we decided to take our snow loving dog to the park to play. She loved every moment of it and so did we.

After the park we came home and made Hot Buttered Rum drinks. I can't wait to see what it does tomorrow and the rest of the week. I hope everyone had as much fun as we did.

Here are some pictures of our fun day.

No Bake Cookies

2008-12-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Before my aunt moved to Idaho we used to do a Christmas cookie bake every year. Mom had her favorites, Aunt Jenny had her favorites, Aunt Tina had hers and so did Marissa. My favorite were No Bake Cookies. I am going to try and make them this weekend. I don't know what it is about them but I love them.

2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons peanut butter
3 cups quick oats

In large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, cocoa and salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and peanut butter; stirring until peanut butter is melted. Add oats and mix well.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.

I don't remember there being peanut butter but something has to keep them together. We will see how they turn out I will let you know. :-)

Why.....

2008-11-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

Do I let it bother me?
Do I let the things you do hurt my feelings?
Do I care?

I tell myself it is ok, it doesn't affect me any more but it does.

10 Things About Friday

2008-09-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

► At lunch today I went to Washington Sq. for the first time in MONTHS. It is weird going there now since for 2-3 years I worked there everyday saw people I knew at each place as I walked through the mall. It was familiar to me. Now it is just another mall with more store and people who I don’t know at all.

► While at Washington Sq. I went to Forever 21. I forgot how much I LOVE that store. You can get so much stuff for almost nothing and it is good stuff too. I love that the store there is HUGE!!!!

► Also had a Gyro while I was there that I hadn’t in forever. I think I need to go to Washington Sq. more.

► Nothing when I go out drives me crazier than people that can’t park in just one parking spot. Why can’t you back up and re-park? Are you in that much of a hurry that you can’t respect other people that could or will be parking next to you? It almost gives people or kids a right to put a door ding in your car. Is there not enough room in 1 single parking spot for your car?

► Tonight I am going to Marrakesh for dinner with my friend Tricia for her birthday. I have to say this will be my 4th time and I really haven’t been there in 5 years. This is probably one of my most favorite places to eat and I can’t wait.

► After lunch got a call from on of my vendors who returned product without an RMA. Who in this business doesn’t know what an RMA is? RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION…..Don’t think it could be much clearer. Still didn’t understand if her customer didn’t want the product why she needed that. HELLO lady I already charged you for it I need a way to put it back in my system. I spent 45 minutes explaining this to her then she asked me who she need to talk to in her company to get one. HELLO again you work for a company with about 4000 employees….I DON’T KNOW I DON’T WORK THERE!

► Chris bought me/us a Wii for our anniversary that was the 20th. I don’t like video games really, but we have played the Wii a few times and I think it is fun to do with friends and when you just want to hang out. Now we come, home change and challenge each other to a Tennis match or Bowling. Currently I am beating Christopher at bowling…ha ha that NEVER happens to I am the Wii Bowling record holder in our house. We also got well rented Mario Galaxy which fits into the “video” game category. I am hooked. I have to take it back today. Can’t I just buy it?

► Hip Hip Hurray I think my car will be fixed by the 15th of Oct. What you say Taneha will have a car again that is crazy yep I will be rolling in the Jetta again.

► Friends – Friends to me are little angles/gifts from God. Each and everyone are very special and play a different part in your life. Each friend gives you a something different and each friendship is different. Some friends I talk to every day. Some I talk to once a week some I talk to once a month or once a year. But that friend is still a BIG part of my life. I talk to Jennie maybe once a month on the phone if not less because we are both busy people. Does that mean she means less to me than someone that lives here or I that I talk to everyday? As I get old I have come to realize your friends may become fewer but become closer and more special, new and old. I love my girls!

► To that I wish my girls Tricia, Jenny and Tara a WONDERFUL and HAPPY birthday weekend I love you!

September

2008-09-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

I don't want to say YAY September is almost over but, "YAY September is almost over."

I love when Fall approaches and all the leaves start changing colors. That is one of the best things about Oregon among many. I don't really have a favorite season. I LOVE Fall, Spring and Summer each for different reasons. I don't mind the rain in winter but I wish we got more snow.

Besides Fall approaching September is such a busy month that I never know where it goes. Besides our Anniversary we know 19 people with a birthday in September 1 being Chris, 1 being Kelle (his mom), 1 being Mom (today), 4 other family birthdays and 4 really good friends birthdays. I love them all so much that it makes September really CRAZY but I wouldn't change it.

I am excited because my weekend will be filled with birthdays with 2 of my best friends. Tomorrow night Tricia's bday and Saturday Tara's birthday. In 2 weeks we will be going on a wine tour for Jenny's birthday which is on Sunday. As much as I complain about how busy we are I love spending the time with my friends.

Jennie flies in tonight too so hopefully I will get to see her this weekend since I haven't seen her since April. :)

Saturday was our 6 year anniversary we didn't do anything on Saturday cause Chris had to work. Sunday though we tried a new sushi restaurant that was pretty good and cheap to add. That night Chris stopped by game crazy and surprised me and bought me a Wii with money he had been saving. I was so excited cause I have been wanting one for so long. Yes it is a for you for me gift but what the heck I LOVE IT! Monday night we had to take Shiver to the vet so since we were in Sherwood we decided to go to our favorite sushi place Fujis for dinner. It was amazing as always.

5 more days left in September and 3 of the best Birthdays! Pictures from Chris' birthday are on my ms page or fb if you want to see them. I am sure I will add more from this week and the wine tour soon.

Happy Birthday Mom, Kelle and my Girls!!!! I love you!

I Found

2008-08-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

•Wishbone Salad Spritzers – It has 1 calorie per spray.
•If you are about to be pushed in the pool it is easier to just fall in than to fight it.
•My Jessica Simpson CD – wondering what happened to her I love the old Jessica.
•The new phone that I want – Verizon LG Dare.
•A new favorite recipe.
•Spinach makes your teeth feel weird.
•A new handle for our bathroom toilet.
•I have some of the most amazing family and friends.
•If I stick to it I can actually lose weight
•I miss you more than I thought I did.
•That play PackRat makes me crazy sometimes.
•I am kind of excited for the new 90210.
•I am addicted to Tori and Dean in Hollywood.
•Every time I call Kelle her ring back tone is playing on the radio.
•Looking for a new book to read – suggestions.
•I need a new camera.
•So many new wines that I love.
•Summer comes and goes way too fast!

It's that time of year again!!!!

2008-08-21T13:51:00.001-07:00

There has been so much going on lately and so many things I want to do. I can't believe summer is almost to an end. It has been a good few months though. It seems like we haven't done much but we got a couple camping trips in and hopefully one more. Would love to have more but with our schedules and everything it is hard to camp as much as we would like to.

As the summer comes to an end there is one thing I do every year that I look forward to. I didn't do it last year and I payed all year for it. So this year I will do plenty for everyone. I haven't decided what weekend I will be doing them but I am for sure looking forward to it.

It is PICKLE TIME!!!!!!

I didn't mean that

2008-08-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever said something or done something without even thinking about what you were saying or doing?

Last Letter.....

2008-08-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

I am not one to drown people with my political views, what or how I feel about the war. We all have our own opinions mine are close to my heart as they are with most of my family members. For those reason I don't like talking about them with other people for fear I may not like what others have to say and I take it more personal than I should.

Most people who know me know I have 2 brothers and a sister. I love all 3 of them so much and they are a huge part of my life and sometimes I don't know what I would do without them. As some people know my older brother Bryan is a Navy Seal. This morning when I got to work I got an email from my sister-in-law, Fina. It is a letter she forwarded to me from a soldier Bryan was in Iraq with in 2006. In stead of forwarding it on I thought I would just post it in a blog. It brought tears to my eyes and made me think of a things I take for granted every day.

No matter what you think of feel please remember that our men and women are still there and need our thoughts and prayers every day!

It is a long email but worth the read.......

I just wanted to share this with my friends and family. August 2nd is the 2 yr. anniversary of this soldiers death. He was with Bryan in Iraq in 2006. he was killed by an enemy sniper. Please don't forget that our men are still there and need your thoughts and support. I know it seems like a lot to read.....it's worth your time.

Always,
Fina

Marc's last letter home Glory is something that some men chase and others find themselves stumbling upon, not expecting it to find them. Either way it is a noble gesture that one finds bestowed upon them. My question is, when does glory fade away and become a wrongful crusade, or an unjustified means which consumes one completely?
I have seen war. I have seen death, the sorrow that encompasses your entire being as a man breathes his last. I can only pray and hope that none of you will ever have to experience some of these things I have seen and felt here.
I have felt fear and have felt adrenaline pump through my veins making me seem invincible. I will be honest and say that some of the things I have seen here are unjustified and uncalled for. However for the most part we are helping this country. It will take more years than most expect, but we will get Iraq to stand on its own feet. Most of what I have seen here I will never really mention or speak of, only due to the nature of those involved. I have seen a man give his food to a hungry child and family. Today I saw a hospital that most of us would refuse to receive treatment from. The filth and smell would allow most of us to not be able to stand to enter, let alone get medicine from. However, you will be relieved to know that coalition forces have started to provide security for and supply medicine and equipment to help aid in the cause. I have seen amazing things happen here; however I have seen the sad part of war, too. I have seen the morals of a man who cares nothing of human life. . . . I have seen hate towards a nation's people who has never committed a wrong, except being born of a third world, ill-educated and ignorant to western civilization. It is not everybody who feels this way, only a select few, but it brings questions to mind. Is it ok for one to consider themselves superior to another race? Surprisingly, we are not a stranger to this sort of attitude. Meaning that in our own country, we discriminate against someone for what nationality they are, their education level, their social status. We distinguish our role models as multi-million-dollar sports heroes or talented actors and actresses who complain about not getting millions of dollars more then they are currently getting paid. Our country is a great country, don't get me wrong on this, otherwise none of us would be living there. My point of this is how can we come over here and help a less than fortunate country without holding contempt or hate towards them, if we can't do it in our country. I try to do my part over here, but the truth is over there, in the United States, I do nothing but take. Ask yourself, when was the last time you donated clothes that you hadn't worn out. When was the last time you paid for a random stranger's cup of coffee, meal or maybe even a tank of gas? When was the last time you helped a person with the groceries into or out of their car? Think to yourself and wonder what it would feel like if when the bill for the meal came and you were told it was already paid for. More random acts of kindness like this would change our country and our reputation as a country. It is not unknown to most of us that the rest of the world looks at us with doubt towards our humanity and morals. I am not here to preach or to say 'look at me,' because I am just as at fault as the next person. I find that being here makes me realize the great country we have and the obligation we have to keep it that way. The 4th has just come and gone and I received many e-mails thanking me for helping keep America great and free. I take no credit for the career path I have chosen; I can only give it to those of you who are reading this, because each one of you has contributed to me and who I am. However, what I do over here is only a small percent of what keeps our country great. I think the truth to our greatness is each other. Purity, morals and kindness, passed down to each generation through example. So to all my family and friends, do me a favor and pass on the kindness, the love, the precious gift of human life to each other so that when your children come into contact with a great conflict like that we are now faced with here in Iraq, that they are people of humanity, of pure motives, of compassion. This is our real part to keep America free! HAPPY 4th! Love Ya, Marc Lee P.S. Half-way through the deployment -- can't wait to see all of your faces.