Sweets, sports, and SLEEP!

Yaaaawwwnnn, I have not been sleeping well lately. So tired. It probably has something to do with how bare my neck is now that my hair is all gone (I kid…I am starting to get used to the shorter hair and almost liking it now). But yes, very tired…

My mom was in town on Friday! She was attending that mentoring conference that we go to every year- Guiding Lights (I’m bummed to not attend this year…I love that conference…it was just so expensive)…so we met up for Melting Pot happy hour after work on Friday! Yummm.

Speaking of yum…Lent is in full swing and this is the first time in, oh I don’t know how long, that I’m still eating sweets. I didn’t give up sweets. In fact, I didn’t give anything up, or add anything. I have even eaten meat on Fridays. I’ve NEVER not done anything for lent…in elementary school I used to give up going on the bars at recess on Thursdays (the bars were my jam…I was quite impressive on them…there was no way I could’ve completely given them up…so just on Thursdays- that was the day I had girl scouts and so would be wearing a dress…it seemed like the most appropriate day to give up swinging upside down). I feel like I should feel guilty about not doing anything, but I don’t (although I did spill to my mom almost immediately upon seeing her ‘I had chicken in my burrito today and I’m eating sweets!’). I have been feeling a little rebellious against religion lately…really not wanting to feel connected. Not in my faith- feeling great there, but just with religion. I am pretty sure it has to do with all the republican campaign stuff all over the place…I just don’t want to have any kind of connection with some of the things they are saying based on their religion.

Moving on…we went to the Sounders game on Wednesday…the CONCACAF game that I posted about in my last blog. That article I linked to helped me understand what a big game that was…I still struggle totally understanding the way soccer teams work because their schedule is so different than other American sports seasons. They have their regular MLS season, and then various other ongoing tournaments…like the Open Cup and CONCACAF…and they are all of equal importance…I always feel like the season should be most important and worry about players getting injured during the side tournaments, but really, all are important. Sounders won…which was huge- they have to go down to Mexico and play game two of the aggregate, and as long as they win or tie or stay within one goal with two goals scored, they will advance (advancement is the team with the most goals between the two games and if there is a tie, then away goals break the tie…so many rules!). I am really enjoying soccer more and more…though I wish the flopping wasn’t a part of the sport…it really takes away from how impressive those athletes are.

Ohhh, and March Madness is almost here! Can’t wait! Though I’m so sad the Huskies didn’t get in…but jeez louise- can’t believe they lost to Oregon St in the Pac 12 tourney. Uhhh! Such a disappointment. No excuse for missing free throws. Brian and I were sitting on the couch watching the tournament seeding on tv and waiting/hoping for Washington to be announced…never was. Go Gonzaga!

AND…we went to a Stealth game on Sunday. The Washington Stealth is our professional lacrosse team up in Everett. I love going to those games…they feel a little less structured than other professional sports games (not because it is unorganized…just has a different feel), there is loud music, I don’t really know the rules of the game…but it’s all very fun. Brian and I were on the Kiss Cam! We didn’t kiss when it landed on us…we made disgusted faces. Silly, silly.

And finally, despite not giving up sweets for lent, I have decided it’s time to get back to healthy habits. I have developed some bad habits over the last year…or more accurately, have quit most of my good habits. I haven’t been running as much as I should be (as evidenced by the 35 minute run I did this weekend that my legs are still sore from), and I haven’t been eating good-for-me foods for some time. Time to get creative with vegetables again. And not eat burgers on a regular basis- those should be a treat, not a standard. Desserts as well…a treat, not a norm. I need to get more sleep…I used to be a morning person! Now I wake up feeling awful….I have known this change needed to happen for a while, but then Friday night, in the middle of the night, I woke up to one of those unbelievably awful and paralyzingly painful calf cramps. I actually get these semi-often (I think more than most people?)…and I thought, okay…my body is letting me know it is missing something…whether it be regular exercise for those muscles, or necessary vitamins, I don’t know (apparently it could be that my blankets are too heavy, but whatever)…the nice thing about working on being healthy is that your body actually feels better. There is a noticeable difference just in the way you feel throughout the day. Looking forward to that. And sunshine.

Alright, that’s all for now.

Catch up!

Oh man, so much going on…if I go into any detail about the recent happenings (I make it sound like there have been exciting happenings…nothing overly exciting, just busy), this could turn into a novel. I’ll be brief…

•  Last potluck we went to, I made almond croissants from scratch. From scratch, I said. I had blisters on my hands from the hundreds of hours rolling butter into dough. (okay, not hundreds of hours, but it felt like it)…they were delicious, but not as good at the ones in a bakery…and for the amount of work…won’t be doing that again. Croissants- from scratch!

Tanner up top




• My cousin Tanner won state for his weight class in wrestling! He won last year too, but then was injured during all of football season…still pulled off the victory. Last year in the finals, he pinned the guy in under a minute…this year we were on the edge of our seat the entire 3 rounds…felt like I got my money’s worth. What a stud!

•  I went on a trip last (long) weekend! I went to Berkeley/San Fran/Oakland for my long time pal Rachel’s 30^th birthday. What a treat of a weekend it was! A brief outline…there was wandering down cute college-y streets, window shopping, relaxing and reading (!), discovering that Oakland isn’t scary, making new friends, fancy dress up dinner at Chez Panisse (this gets its own bullet point), and just getting an extended visit with Rachel, who will be off on another exciting adventure soon

Chez Panisse

•   But back to Chez Panisse. Oh my- the food…the service…the ambiance…the company…everything was just unbelievably perfect. We thought we were going to have to sit at two tables (8 of us, small restaurant), but they figured it out and got us all into one. We shared a couple bottles of wine (accompanied by non-pretentious, but smart wine conversation), we shared oysters that were a little bit magical, I got an asparagus appetizer…and then a pork shoulder over some polenta sitting in this sauce/juice stuff that, as Rachel said about pretty much everything she ate, ‘made you believe in love’. We passed around the table one of each of the desserts…I mean, the whole thing was just everything you could have asked for.

• My 4^th/5^th grade basketball season has come to an end…we had our last game last Tuesday and then our banquet on Thursday. Wow, I feel like I learned a lot between the first season I coached and the second. I was/am so proud of the team…they improved so much throughout the season, and I actually think we were one of the top teams in our league. But even if we weren’t, their hustle and heart out on the court made it fun to watch every game. I’m REALLY going to miss coaching! Until next year…

• Sounders season is back! We went to the free game last Wednesday…in the fuh-reeeezing cold. Super fun…we won 2-0, and looked pretty good…definitely a little rusty playing with each other (plus new players), but they were going after everything. Just recently they traded two of my favorite players- Fucito and Neagle…which bummed me out. Big game this week (Wednesday) in the CONCACAF tournament (quarterfinals)…tickets are still available!

•  I got my hair cut this weekend. It is very short. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. And it will grow. But for now…it’s very short.

Okay, I’m going to stop there…

Happy Valentine's Day!

A special Valentine’s Day edition because, ohhhh, I love Valentine’s Day! I curled my hair, put on a skirt, pulled out the pink heart necklace my mom made for me…I didn’t do Valentine cards this year… the disappointment. I didn’t see any at the store that I liked…that’s not true- there was a great Bieber pack- but I didn’t get them. And then I was going to bake some kind of special treat to bring in to the office…but was distracted by The Voice last night on TV. So no valentines and no treats…boo. I did find a darling card with a frog on it that opened up to tell Brian what a special guy he is…I’m pretty sure it was meant for an 8-yr old to get from his grandparents…but I got him some new glow in the dark darts for his nerf gun…so I’m pretty sure it was appropriate.

Last night The Head and the Heart was on How I Met Your Mother! Not the actual band, but their song…so cool! Brian recognized it after about two strums. It wasn’t my favorite HIMYM- though usually the specials- this being a valentines episode- aren’t, I mean, even the return of Slutty Pumpkin wasn’t great. But, so cool to hear Rivers and Roads start playing…yay for them. 

And in other wonderful love related news…Governor Gregoire signed the equal marriage law for Washington! I am so proud of our state for doing the right thing and caring about equal rights. As of now, the law goes into effect June 7^th, though I think it will likely make its way to the November ballot…so there is still a bit of a journey. I know everyone has their particular issues that are important to them, and this one is definitely a huge one for me. I was surprised at the emotion I felt when it was signed…one of my co-workers said ‘To think that my kids will not ever know anything other than we are all the same’…still a long way to go, but important things take time. So great!

Have a fantastic day…lots and lots of love!

basketball and pancakes

Oh my, longest week ever. I have been thinking ‘tomorrow’ is Friday for two days now. But, finally, tomorrow really is Friday. I have a basketball game tonight, but mostly I am looking forward to getting laundry done this evening. It is so overdue…and my room/bathroom are such disasters. The thing that is nice about having to spend time doing laundry, is there is all this down time in between loads…great for reading and not feeling guilty about not doing something else…because I actually AM being productive.

Last weekend Brian and I met up with his parents for a high school basketball game. Brian’s old high school is having a great season and it was their last game of the regular season AND they were playing an undefeated Mountlake Terrace. What a fantastic game!! It was so fun to watch. I don’t think there was ever more than a 4 point differentiation…it was just back and forth and back and forth…and then Shorewood came up with the upset! There was the school band playing the same high school basketball band songs, and the students in head to toe school colors. Sitting in the parent section reminded me of the years and years Mom and I went to the Federal Way Eagles boys games (my stepdad was the asst coach)…I idolized those guys…it was like they were in the NBA for me (and some of them actually did end up there). When I got to talk to them at practice, I was in awe. Makes me laugh to think about that they were just high school kids, but like celebrities to 8 yr old me.

Speaking of basketball and my nostalgia…could it actually be possible that Seattle will be getting an NBA team again? As early as next season?! Ohhhh, boy do I hope so! How I have missed the Sonics these past few years. I guess there have been some serious talks about building a new arena that will host the Sonics and an NHL team. I was listening to some news on the radio about it and how Gary Payton is doing his best to make it happen, etc, etc…so that his number can be retired here…always comes back to Gary.

In more basketball news…my team played the best team in our league earlier this week…and we were AWESOME. I think we ended up losing by a basket…my girls weren’t intimidated in the least…they were defensive monsters and rebounding fools. I just love watching them play…they are so aggressive.

Last weekend I helped out at the Jr Storm clinic the Boys & Girls Club held…I was in charge of the Rebounding station. There were SO many kids…they were expecting 50, and there ended up being over 80…which is great…but it sure was loud! I was definitely losing my voice in the 30 minutes the kids were rotating through my station.

The running plan hasn’t been so good this week…and the weather has been ideal for running…but, as previously mentioned, this week has just been going on and on and on and by the end of the day Brian and I just can’t find the motivation to put on the running shoes and get outside. We did manage to go for a quick run on Saturday…to Red Mill for burgers. Which cancelled the run out…but hey, a short run before a burger is better than no run before a burger, right?

Ohhh, quick side note…We started the 3^rd season of West Wing and guess who is on for a couple of episodes? Connie Britton…aka Tami Taylor…aka Mrs. Coach…from Friday Night Lights. That was exciting to discover. I love when my favorite characters in one favorite show appear in another favorite show.

Last night was movie night, and in honor of February- the love month- we watched Romeo and Juliet…the ‘97 version with Leo and Claire. I hadn’t seen that since high school, I think…and the soundtrack totally brought back memories…I loved that soundtrack and listened to it all the time. I made heart shaped pancakes (see pic), but the inspiration came from this…my version wasn’t quite as impressive…but still cute and pretty easy. I just used a frosting decorator tool that I got for Christmas from Target. Since there isn’t much batter in each pancake they cook super fast, so I kept the stove temp really low, like a 3…and then they were ready to be flipped in less than 30 seconds. Brian made his specialty- home made whipped cream. Cut up some strawberries, some chocolate syrup….mmmm.

I read an article yesterday about the top five things people regret as they are dying (a nurse starting keeping track of the conversations she had with dying patients)…interesting and always a good reminder.

1.      I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. I love this one, and try so hard to make sure I think about this with every decision I make. I think so many people get caught up in what they are supposed to be doing…keeping to some kind of ‘timeline’, how their kids are supposed to act, the amount of money they should be making, what their family looks like to others, etc…rather than just doing what works for them.

2.      I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3.      I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4.      I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5.      I wish that I had let myself be happier. It is a choice.

Okay, I know…this has gotten very long. Hope your week was a little faster than mine…have a great weekend.

sweethearts and kisses

Oh my…January is gone and February has started! Can you believe it? I have a challenge going to really try and take the bus to/from work every day in the month of February (rather than being lazy and driving…and paying a fortune to park)…and I failed today. Day 1- FAIL. Drove. But Day 2- I feel good about Day 2.

 

I like February. As a kid, it made me feel smart because I knew about the hidden ‘R’ in the spelling. Plus, it’s a short month so it helps the winter move along…and it is the only month that sometimes has an extra day- like it does this year…that is pretty cool! And then, of course, Valentine’s Day. While I think it is a little bit silly in a romantic kind of way, I LOVE it in a friendship kind of way. I still buy valentines at the store and give them to my co-workers…usually with a pink candy kiss taped to the front…or maybe a special bookmark or sticker that comes with the pack. My mom still gives me a Valentine’s gift (well, the Valentine’s Day Elephant does)…which used to be something like a new pink shirt (one year in elementary school I got this outfit…red plaid leggings, a white shirt, and the same red plaid tie…ohhh, I LOVED that outfit…a tie! So cool.), and the gifts now usually include a bottle of wine or a new book, which is perfect, but in the back of my mind, I still always hope for another rad tie outfit…

 

Oh my gosh…I am only three months out now from my Disney World 30^th birthday trip! When I first decided on the plan, it seemed so far away, and now three months seems like hardly any time at all! I have tentative dates (depending on flight prices) of May 2-11. The Expedition Everest Challenge is May 5^th, which is kind of the center of the trip. In addition to the race, and Disney (duh), I’m suuuuper excited to go to Universal and see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter…can’t believe I haven’t been yet! Also pumped to visit with friends and meet a new little guy (soon to be born). Still have to work out the schedule…and which hotel to stay in! When we go in May, it will have been 2 years since my previous visit…can you imagine! Prior to that, it would have been weird for me to go longer than 8 months without a visit. My excitement can’t be contained.

 

Speaking of excitement not to be contained…I’m going to San Fran at the end of the month to celebrate another 30^th birthday. And I just got an email that involved plans of group dinners, wine tastings, and promises of lots of girl time! Somehow this trip seems harder to wait for than Disney (which, while getting closer, is still a good ways away).

 

My 4^th/5^th grade girls basketball team has had our first two games…still just REALLY enjoying coaching and working with the girls. They work so hard out on the court…rebounds and steals left and right…they go after every loose ball, and usually come up with it. The shooting could use some work. I think this season is going to go by really quickly, and then basketball is over for the year…wah wah wah.

 

This past weekend I went over to Whidbey Island to cabin lead at a high school camp…oh how I miss going to summer camps. And Friends Inc camp! This camp definitely reminded me of Friends Inc camp…too bad my mom doesn’t get to lead that anymore…those were always super fun weekends. I played some basketball with some of the kids and it was SO fun. I have loved coaching the little girls, but I do miss playing. We were playing 2 on 2 (and sometimes 2 on 3 or 2 on 4, depending on who came out to the court) full (smaller sized) court, so there was a lot of running back and forth and jumping and defending…ohhh, my knee was killing me after! I had to ice it the rest of the night. Initially I blamed it on being old…that I am just going to have to deal with these things…but really, I think it’s because I haven’t been playing…my knees aren’t in basketball shape. I need to do something about that. Oh, I also climbed the climbing wall at camp…I used to have a super strong upper body (did the bars in gymnastics…and o-so many pushups), so loooved climbing stuff…but was nervous about the wall because it had been a LONG time since I had tried. I didn’t go all the way to the top…pretty sure I could have, but my hands were freezing and hurt, so I stopped…but it was exciting!

 

Ohhh, and Brian and I have started running on a sort of regular basis (as in, we run each week…we are building up). We plan to dominate the Expedition Everest Challenge in May, so have started our training now. Brian hasn’t ever been a ‘runner’…like, he plays sports for fun and runs around in games, but not just a runner for the sake of running. Meanwhile I was a pretty serious runner for a little while there, and have tapered off a lot in the past year…so it drives me crazy that he is getting in running shape faster than I am. Stupid boys. Ugh. Only a little bit jealous and upset about that…mostly I’m just so happy we are running…I feel so much better about life when I’m running (not during the actual run…mostly when I’m done with the run).

 

Hope your February is full of candy hearts and Toy Story bookmarkers.

Back to work...

Well, the snow sure did happen. It was all I hoped it would be (minus the quick melt)- enough to make everything pretty and magical, but not so much that it got old (as far as I was concerned anyway...I know some people were getting tired of it, but c'mon- it was only a couple of days- though if you are/were without power, I get that...one day of that is more than enough...)

- Some snow highs and lows. *High- as previously mentioned (many times), the jeep is a champ in the snow. Sometimes she can be tough on a regular basis with her occasional stalling, but I just get so proud of her in the snow. *High- we had a late start at work one day, and when B and  got into the office, we were nearly the only ones. We were sure to send emails out so people would know what dedicated employees we are. Then we had Thursday off...that was a major high.
*High- having time in the mornings to make delicious breakfasts. Yum. *High- finally giving the nee Phinney Market restaurant a try (I NEEDED coffee). *High- bringing a football along for a walk to meet a pal and playing catch along the way. A walk with a ball always feels more productive and fun than just a regular walk. *High- not feeling bad about lounging on the couch in sweats for the better part of the day, catching up on old shows, checking out new shows...all while watching delightful little flakes make their way to the ground. *Low- having to go into work at regular time on Friday...the roads were not cleared yet...a late start would have been very appropriate. Boo. *Low- the jeep was broken into late Thursday night. My doors were unlocked, so nothing was broken, and they only took some CD's (which is a bummer, but not devastating)...but they went through everything, so there is paper and whatnot everywhere. Mostly I just feel sad for the jeep...I feel like it was violated...and after being such a sport in the snow.


- Brian and I decided to make the trek downtown Thursday afternoon to see Beauty and the Beast in theaters (we planned to go to Northgate, but couldn't think of a route that didn't involve having to drive down a hill). Beauty and the Beast is my FAVORITE movie...not just fav Disney movie...favorite movie. I had to see it while it was back in theaters...despite it being in 3-D (ugh). It makes me mad that Disney is bringing back the old movies in 3-D...not just because it gives me a headache, but because I think every kid should have a chance to see these classic movies in the theater, but with the addition of 3-D, they are so expensive. It would cost a family of four $60, not including any popcorn or treats. That's crazy. But...I still went...because I just love that movie.

- Ever since I moved out of my old apartment, I haven't been able to keep up with any of my TV shows (other than HIMYM)...which, honestly, is probably a good thing....but I do miss having cable and especially DVR. Anyway...since Brian received a couple of video games for Christmas, I've decided to catch myself up on Parenthood on my computer. I LOVE this show! I remembered liking it, though I was thinking it was more a nostalgia thing since the show has actors from several of my old favorite shows (Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls, Michael B Jordan from Friday Night Lights, etc)...but as I've been catching up on this season, I think it is actually a great show...I regularly find myself laughing out loud or tearing up a bit...great characters and a realistic family storyline (it isn't overly dramatic). I'm almost all caught up, which is disappointing...I'll have to wait in real time for the new episodes soon.

- I recently joined Pinterest (if you don't know, it's a website that allows you to 'pin' different websites or ideas onto different boards that you create- I have a board for recipes, craft ideas, home decorating, trips, etc- and then you follow other's boards to get ideas to pin on your own), and even more recently have actually started using some of the things I've pinned. I've made a couple of recipes. Last weekend I made breakfast for a few people at Brian's...this Martha Stewart recipe turned out better than I anticipated. I figured it would be tasty, but it was actually pretty delicious, and totally easy. Lots of variations to it also.

- Wednesday I decided to pull out the ol crock pot and another Pinterest recipe (since we had the day off...and it was snowing...crock pot is the obvious choice). Another success. I made a chicken taco chili...again, totally easy. I've never done pulled chicken before, and was a little nervous about it...but after sitting in the crockpot for 8 hours, the chicken just FELL apart...so easy. I did use the modifications the blogger used in the link above. We made some cornbread muffins from a mix from Trader Joe's. Maybe one of these days I'll attempt a craft project from my Pinterest board...maybe.

- Awards season has begun...People's Choice (which is a silly one) and Golden Globes have happened. Looking forward to the next couple of months and having to watch all of the movies/actors nominated. Going off of the Golden Globes nominations for Best Picture, I have seen The Help, Hugo, Ides of March Moneyball, 50/50, The Artist, and Midnight In Paris...still need to see My Week With Marilyn, Bridesmaids, War Horse, and The Descendants (featuring George Clooney in Tommy Bahama gear...keep an eye out for the marlin). Probably my personal favorite of those was Midnight In Paris....but not necessarily for best picture.


And that's all for this week- hope you are warm and with power!

Snowpocolypse!

Ohhh, I feel like this week has been incredibly long. Possibly because it is the first full week of work I’ve had in a few weeks…don’t know, but I am TIRED and very much looking forward to the weekend. Not only to sleep, but also because of the possibility of…SNOWPOCOLYPSE. We’ll see….

      1. Okay, seriously…Seattle is THE most gorgeous city…I won’t say in the world, but certainly in the US. I am not going to add the disclaimer that ‘I might be biased’…because whether I am or not, the statement is still true. We have had the most amazing sunrises the last few days…I mean, the mountains are crystal clear- and completely surround the city…whichever direction you look, there are snowy and jagged STUNNING mountains. And then you add the vibrant oranges and purples from the sun…and it just demands that you pause in your rush to get to work and appreciate it. Pic on the left was taken right outside my house…those trees are the border of the Zoo. And then the other pic is one that has been floating around. 

      2. Ohhh, last week we had a Feng Shui master come in to our office (this is something that has been happening since the beginning of TB), and since I am covering facilities for the time being, I got to be a part of it. Meaning, I followed him around to the various offices and took notes about what changes needed to be made. Then, since I was new to the Feng Shui experience, he did my ‘reading’…using my birth date, year, and time…fascinating. Apparently I am VERY lucky…born the year of the dog and the day of the rabbit (those two get along very well), he assured me that I will be very happy my WHOLE life, into old age. Which, I mean really- minus the old age part, I already knew. Being happy doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen, it just means you handle those things in a certain way. He did say that this next year will be fine…nothing special, but then the four years following will be VERY good years, particularly 2016. So, you know, that’s always good to hear. He also told me to avoid oily foods, to which I made an incredibly oily soup for dinner that night and got a terrible stomachache. Great. 

    
     3. Tuesday evening I had basketball practice (still, completely LOVING coaching this group/age) and Brian was planning to cut Doug (the Christmas tree) up and clean up around his house. Pretty low key evening. We were trying to find something to watch…and decided on…Never Say Never- the Justin Bieber movie. Yep. And it was good. I like that kid. He is actually talented and he seems to have a good sense of humor…I’m sure he has his teenage boy moments, and his heartthrob star moments…but for the most part, he seems like a nice kid that works hard. I hope he gets out of the pop scene eventually…I think he is capable of some cool stuff. Purple is his color....

4.      Meanwhile, while we were enjoying some Baby, Baby, Baby whoa…we were missing the January Round. We weren’t planning to go, but it was still there in the back of my mind, as it always is when I don’t go (what if I’m missing some great local musician that I don’t know about…like a Bryan John Appleby)…Brian’s roommate went. AND, he came home with one of the paintings! I have always wanted to buy one of the paintings that is created right there and then auctioned off, but I’ve never really looked into it…never had any idea how much they go for, etc. So first off, I thought it was cool that he went and bought one…and then I saw who the artist was…Henry! Who has murals all over Ballard and Wallingford. I LOVE Henry. I want to have a Henry mural painted in a kids room. SOOO bummed to have missed him. BUT, Jared bought one, which is pretty exciting. 

5.      Wednesday night was the first movie night of 2012…and it was a hit. The theme was Summer Blockbuster, and we had popcorn and classic movie candy (hot tamales, junior mints, whoppers, milk duds, licorice, etc) and watched Super 8! Love that movie. There are definitely things about it that I thought could have been done different (I just didn’t like the ‘monster’…it needed to be something that was easier to have compassion for), but it was cast so well…those kids are each so perfect for their roles. So fun. And as always, love having people over and chatting and laughing.

There you go. Here’s hoping for some epic snow this weekend into next week…or really, any snow at all, it doesn’t need to be epic. But my jeep would love something epic.