It is Official

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

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

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

Just checking in....

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

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

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

I found a new blog to read....

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

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

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

The Nightstand

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

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

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

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

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

Love Never Fails

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

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

Difficulties

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

New Tries

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

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

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

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

Soup of the Day

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

I found it!

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

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

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

Here is the recipe and a link.

Dill Pickle Soup
6-8 Servings

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

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

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

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

Salt, White Pepper & Good Quality Chicken Base to taste

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

Enjoy!!!!

On Being Happy....

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

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

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

January 2009...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They are so proud of her!Mommies little girl!

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

Expectations & Compassion

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

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

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

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

SNOW

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

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.....

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

► 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

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

•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!!!!

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

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

Last Letter.....

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.