Thursday, November 5, 2009

New Home! Finally

So we are getting comfortable in our new home. Just had Chad and Alex over last night for our very first guests. I made meatloaf - and working from home makes this kind of dinner possible. We have a 1600 sq' home now - with a garage and yard(s).

Cody is able to walk to school and I can walk to Chad's house. He is about 3 blocks away. Will post some pics as soon as some of the boxes get unpacked. We are working on it. I have a goal - 5 - 10 boxes a day.

In addition to getting a new house, I am working from home now. That is proving to be a bit of a struggle as I want to unpack boxes all day. But I am focused and doing my work. Which is why I am here now actually. I have been reading resume's for a bit now and found a cool quote on the bottom of one of them. I will share it with you now:
"Peace requires us to surrender our illusions of control. We can love and care for
others but we cannot possess our children, lovers, family, or friends. We can
assist them, pray for them, and wish them well, yet in the end their happiness and
suffering depend on their thoughts and actions, not on our wishes."

Pretty cool eh?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

So Tired! - But my little Algae friend is on the way...

Detox is such a pain - sometimes literally. I know this mild headache is a result of the crap I have been eating - detoxing brings out all the stuff stored in our bodies and flushes it away. So, I am tired - a result of my body getting used to the new and improved food. Eating no salt (or very little) is harder then cutting out the sugar!
Last night I was very excited about eating the dinner that took me half an hour to prepare. I made turkey penne pasta.

The recipe?
1/2 cup of whole wheat penne pasta
3 0z. ground turkey breast - browned
1/4 cup broccoli - cut up
2 Crimini mushrooms - sliced
2 Tbls of Olive Oil - for saute' and meat
1 Tbls of Italian Cheese blend - shredded

So, I put the pasta on to boil and while it was steaming up my kitchen I saute'd the mushrooms (set them on a plate), then browned the meat - adding it to the mushroom plate, then saute'd the broccoli. All the while the pasta was going to town.
I then mixed the 'srhooms with the brocoli and turkey to flavor them - oh yeah I put Mrs. Dash, original, on the meat to season it - no calories! - and cooked them a bit to blend them.
drained the past - coated with a about 1/2 Tbls of garlic olive oil - added the turkey blend and sprinkled with a bit of the cheese.

I was so excited to eat it I could hardly wait~ this is for one portion. It was really, really good. Rally. Check out the recipes at Prevention's website - even if you don't go on the diet they have some really good recipes.

It was a good meal and am looking forward to salmon for Saturday!

algae info - but let me know if you want to order and I'll hook you up!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Vegan burgers - something wrong with Vegans!

Okay, so I can eat Veggie burgers, Tofu, leave out salt, sugar and soda. But VEGAN burgers su-uu--uuckkk! I don't know what is wrong with those people who made that - but it was not tasty. I had a portobella mushroom veggie burger Sunday (and I am NOT mad about shrooms) but it was really good - has a slice of reduced fat swiss cheese though. Even the over-grilled burger Chad made for me the other night was okay. Note: do not grill for very long unless you want shoe-leather.
So tonight I got to eat steamed carrots, roasted potatoes, and - very specifically - veggie VEGAN burger. Boca Burger here I come..... ick. It was okay if I ate it with the potatoes or carrots but yuck yuck yuck.
Made it through day 3 of this new way of eating and don't feel too bad. Still have a mild detox headache but anxious to see a positive weight loss. Walked for 20 minutes on my lunch break today also.
Keeping my fingers crossed!

Gotta Make a Necklace for Hannah


So Hannah is having a hard time missing Michael. She wanted to have this necklace that he wore all the time. It was white shells - like you would get in Hawaii. Well, I don't think chad is going to let this pass on to her (she requested it) so I figured I'd make a version for her. I found some initial beads and am going to make her a necklace like his but add the initials for her.

It is so tough on us all - but with her being so far away makes it - very sad. So, I will make this up for her and post a picture when it is done. Maybe I will convince her to take a photo of it on her and post it later.

Happy Beading!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Flat Belly Diet - Does it work?

Well, I started the Sassy water on Friday (you can find it at the link) and also printed a bunch of recipes off from the site. I ate mostly from the diet plan yesterday and since Friday have lost 2.5 lbs. Now I am also doing the WII Fit and having a blast. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get in shape but does not want to run to a gym or is just plain lazy enough not to get out and MOVE!
I have cut out salt for now - figure the food will begin to regain it's taste on my pallet soon enough. Going shopping today for my meals this week.
My poor kids will have to eat the new foods I am going to be making for them. Denver will be okay, mostly but Cody, poor baby will have to eat fish and veggies. He is not happy. Maybe when they get home cooked meals again they won't mind so much.
Which reminds me, I gotta clean off the dining room table from all of Hannahs stuff......(random thought)

So I give the Flat Belly Diet and the WII Fit both a thumbs up!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Gaea Creations

So I found this awesome place to get jewelry pieces the other day while perusing my most fav magazine.... Step By Step Wire Jewelry. Pg 39 showcases a necklace made by Gaea Cannaday - you can see her blog here.. http://gaeabeads.blogspot.com/
She has some really cool pieces! maybe this is what I need to get me out of the doldrums....

Anyway, she has some pretty amazing beads for sale. Gotta order some...

Check out the lantern that got me all excited:...


Here is a clip from her blog re: her sale..
Please join me in celebrating "Back to School" with a sale! Send in an order form with your bead order, email or phone in your order to us and take 20% off of your retail order or 10% off of your wholesale order! This sale is on pendant and bead orders placed from August 18th, 2009 to September 1st 2009!

Hurry and order -

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Camping at Big Lake, Oregon


Well we got up there Friday afternoon - played hooky from work for the afternoon! It was overcast and very crowded. We were able to park by Bruce/Sheila McNaughten (Chad's neighbors) and sleep in the Tahoe. The "boys" went out for a ride that afternoon and the rest of us just chilled at camp.

Chad's brother Jessie and his two kids also were there. Sara spent time with the dogs and us girls. She went out in her grandfather's canoe. (Arnie & Judy - Chad's dad and step-mom- were there) She also went out on a ride with the group Sunday morning on the 80 dirt bike. Way to go Sara!

We took the boat out Saturday afternoon but it was still a bit chilly and only David (Jessie's boy) got in the water. He rode the knee board for so long we finally just had to make him stop. The boat was docked and all piled out to head back to camp for dinner.

We had hot dogs and a frosty beverage. My fav! A nice fire going so we all sat around and talked about stuff. It was a bit weird without my kids and Michael. Not the typical camping experience we are used to. That night a big party of people were really kickin' it up at their camp on the other side of the road from us. I was concerned I might have to ask the camp host to talk to them. Chad & I went to bed (did I say we slept in the Tahoe?) and found out how little cushion those camping mats provide. It was cold and uncomfortable - we got up around 3:00 to, uh, water the trees and then went back to bed. I finally slept then.

Saturday morning Chad spent most of his time trying to fix Jessie's quad - but was not successful. Prior to this we had scrambled eggs and pancakes. Check out the photo album for the shots of this. He and I went on a ride together later in the afternoon. It was nice to be out together. Then we came back to camp and took a ride on the boat together. Again, nice to be out alone - on a lake - alone - nobody around..... alone, did I mention that?

Night 2 brought a bigger camp fire as we wanted to burn as much of the wood as we could. Was very mellow - marshmallows came out and the kids roasted them. Alex made a comment about Michael and I was very glad it came from him. I had wanted to say something about Mike so many times but did not feel it was good timing.
Slept warmer on night 2 as i had an extra blanket, my beach towel and my sweat jacket (thanks Cody) on top of me. Slept right on til morning.

Sunday we had a quick breakfast and then I went out on a long ride with the group. A few stayed behind. We went into some pretty gnarley areas (they forget I ride a quad - not a dirt bike!. Made it back though, albeit dusty and hot.

Got back to camp in time to finish packing and cleaning while Chad and a few boys went on a short ride. I didn't get to go because Josh had to ride my quad. :-( bummer for me. Anyway, it was a fun time, nice weather and I enjoyed spending the time with Chad. So, it was a good relax.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Hannah's New Home


A few snapshots she took of her new house. She has her own room that looks like it is in the attic - kinda. See the slanted wall? At least it is a finished room!










A very pretty kitchen. Love the color of the walls. I think the white cabinets make it very airy and open looking. Fun to see what is on the table and counters.













A quick pic of the yummy living room. Again with the white accenting the colored walls. I love the warm inviting melon color of the front room. The curtains are also lovely. She has a nice place to stay. Don't notice carpet on the floors, but do see a pretty area rug...











Looking out at the backyard you can see it is not large, but very nice and green. They white unit on the left of the picture is an outdoor grill. Nalan gardens, but I have not see it yet. Maybe Hannah will put up some pics of this soon.
She starts school tomorrow!
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Friday, July 31, 2009

Hannah Flies out - PDX


There she goes! off on her big adventure. We waited at the airport for a few hours and then finally we just had to say goodbye. It was teary and sad - but at the same time we were very happy and excited for her. Who wouldn'd be? This is an adventure of a lifetime.

It finally became real yesterday. I know we have been involved with the Rotary for almost 8 months now, but it never is really real until the final "Good Bye" I am so happy, envious, anxious, and overjoyed for my lovely daughter!

She will meet so many new people, eat different foods, wear different clothes and take all new classes in school. Ha Ha - school starts on August 6th for her. Her little brother, Tolga, said he would help her in school. Lets just hope the 3 months she is with this family goes well and they do not tire of each other.

Maybey the is why they only stay 3 months - so that they don't all get sick of each other..... hmm will have to test the theory. Anyhoo - good luck my lovely Hannah and I will hear from you in a few months.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Shopping on Thursday

Gotta go shopping for gifts for the families in Germany. Hannah still thinks she needs new clothes as well. We are gonna trek to Powells downtown Portland. Maybe hit VooDoo donuts as well. Yum!
Wish us luck and later I will let you know what we bought!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

hannah to germany

So I just found out that I have to pay over $700 more for her plane ticket. Ouch! not much grocery shopping for the next few weeks. While I am very excited for her it is such a financial drain.
Her dad said he would help out with her trip, but true to form he backed out (again) and left her high and dry. No help from her paternal side of the fam at all. Not that I am surprised. This has always been a typical occurrence.
I still gotta find $500 for her to take as well. Ah, the joys of kids. They get bigger and so do their toys~