Work day. I have a ton to do and no motivation. I can't find the charger cord for my mp3 player so I also have no music. I should probably just turn off the computer and get to work...except that I have to use the internet to do grades.
I hate being a procrastinator!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Jackopea, Jackopea, I love you
...yes, I do...You and your Jackopea eyes!
ok, so I'm totally dorky when it comes to my dog. Yes, I make up songs to sing to him, like that one to the tune of...well, whatever that song is. Or, to the tune of Macho Man, "Jacko Jacko Dog! I really love my Jacko dog!!" And lest you think I am the only dork in my house, I'll let you in on a secret - Ricky sings the songs too!
All this to tell you that Jacko got his stitches out yesterday and is doing much better. He is no longer on antibiotics or pain pills. he doesn't have to wear a plastic bag to go outside anymore (thank goodness, he really hated that thing!) and he can take short walks. He cannot run or jump or do anything that puts lots of weight and pressure on his paw for another 4 weeks, but at least we can work tricks and take some short walks again. I guess this will be a great time to work on his leash walking!
The best part of all is that he can have a bath again. Hallelujah!!
ok, so I'm totally dorky when it comes to my dog. Yes, I make up songs to sing to him, like that one to the tune of...well, whatever that song is. Or, to the tune of Macho Man, "Jacko Jacko Dog! I really love my Jacko dog!!" And lest you think I am the only dork in my house, I'll let you in on a secret - Ricky sings the songs too!
All this to tell you that Jacko got his stitches out yesterday and is doing much better. He is no longer on antibiotics or pain pills. he doesn't have to wear a plastic bag to go outside anymore (thank goodness, he really hated that thing!) and he can take short walks. He cannot run or jump or do anything that puts lots of weight and pressure on his paw for another 4 weeks, but at least we can work tricks and take some short walks again. I guess this will be a great time to work on his leash walking!
The best part of all is that he can have a bath again. Hallelujah!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Eat Less, Move More
In an effort to jumpstart our weight loss, my friends and I came up with the above phrase. Quite ingenious, isn't it? I know, not that original, but really losing weight is as simple as that. If only the act of following through were so simple.
So I'm babystepping. I feel too overwhelmed right now to jump right in and do it all, so I'll start with dipping a toe into the weight loss pool and go from there.
This week my eating goal is to not drink my calories, so no cokes, sugar syrups or sugar in my coffee, and no hot chocolate. My exercise goal is to get in at least two 15 minute exercise sessions before 6 pm Saturday.
Each week I'll add a new eating goal and up my exercise goal, in an attempt to get myself back on track with a healthy lifestyle.
So I'm babystepping. I feel too overwhelmed right now to jump right in and do it all, so I'll start with dipping a toe into the weight loss pool and go from there.
This week my eating goal is to not drink my calories, so no cokes, sugar syrups or sugar in my coffee, and no hot chocolate. My exercise goal is to get in at least two 15 minute exercise sessions before 6 pm Saturday.
Each week I'll add a new eating goal and up my exercise goal, in an attempt to get myself back on track with a healthy lifestyle.
There must be some...what?!
I have this strange affinity for teeny bopper movies. The ones that I should have liked as a 15 year old then grown out of. Well, I liked them then, and I like them now, and I'm only slightly ashamed to admit it.
One of the movies that I have watched multiple times is Bring It On about a cheerleading competition. The team does a cheer at the beginning of the movie that goes "Brrr! It's cold in here. There must be some toros in the atmosphere."
Last night, and I don't even remember what prompted it, Ricky was being a goof and singing this year. Except all of a sudden I had to burst out laughing when I heard:
Brrr! It's cold in here. There must be some churros in the atmosphere!
One of the movies that I have watched multiple times is Bring It On about a cheerleading competition. The team does a cheer at the beginning of the movie that goes "Brrr! It's cold in here. There must be some toros in the atmosphere."
Last night, and I don't even remember what prompted it, Ricky was being a goof and singing this year. Except all of a sudden I had to burst out laughing when I heard:
Brrr! It's cold in here. There must be some churros in the atmosphere!
Pride cometh before the fall...
So I won't say that I'm proud. Even though I am.
For the past 2 days - that's right, two whole days, it must be a streak! - I've come home from practice and made dinner. On top of that, Ricky and I managed to sit down at the table together to eat!
We so rarely eat at the table it's disgusting. I so rarely cook a "real" meal that it's ridiculous. I fixed side dishes and everything!
We're shooting for 3 nights in a row with spaghetti tonight. Wish me luck!
For the past 2 days - that's right, two whole days, it must be a streak! - I've come home from practice and made dinner. On top of that, Ricky and I managed to sit down at the table together to eat!
We so rarely eat at the table it's disgusting. I so rarely cook a "real" meal that it's ridiculous. I fixed side dishes and everything!
We're shooting for 3 nights in a row with spaghetti tonight. Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
They done got hitched!
Ricky's sister got married last night. Right now I am too tired to do the whole recap, but I will say it was a lovely wedding with one major mishap - the groom's father never made it. We're not really sure why; it sounds like he's fine, but I have no idea why he wasn't there. Other than that, though, it was a beautiful, special, perfect night. I played photographer. Some of the pictures turned out well. Here are a few:
Siblings being goofy
Siblings being goofy
Lighting the unity candle
Reception
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Need to kill some time?
See how many countries you can name in 5 minutes. I got 71, can you beat my score?!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Meal Plan, 1/20-26
Sunday - Chili dogs
Monday - Asian Chicken from Dream Dinners
Tuesday - Gnocchi
Wednesday - Buttermilk Chicken from Dream Dinners
Thursday - Chipotle soup
Friday - wedding reception, I'm making shrimp puffs
Saturday - Seafood Diavolo (Costco)
Monday - Asian Chicken from Dream Dinners
Tuesday - Gnocchi
Wednesday - Buttermilk Chicken from Dream Dinners
Thursday - Chipotle soup
Friday - wedding reception, I'm making shrimp puffs
Saturday - Seafood Diavolo (Costco)
Wedding Bells!
My sister in law is getting married on Friday. For the past couple of weeks, this wedding has consumed us all. Family and friends have joined together to plan a beautiful, intimate home ceremony and reception for the bride and groom. It is a very small wedding, and it's a good thing, since there were only 3 weeks to plan! Only immediate family and Janelle's best friend are attending, and that's the way Janelle and Joe wanted it. We began decorating a week or so ago and it's looking really good. My mother in law is making the cake and doing the flowers. Looks like I'll be playing wedding photographer and I made the invitations. Janelle is doing her own hair and makeup and many people are pitching in to provide food for the reception. My other sister in law, Tawnya, is the sole bridesmaid and Joe's dad will be the best man. It should be absolutely beautiful, and I'm very happy for the two. They originally planned on going to the courthouse, but when we all realized we could make a "real" wedding a reality, both Joe and Janelle perked up and seem much more excited about this new phase in their lives.The photo used for the invitation (I'll post a picture of it later)
The photo used for their guest book
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Jacko Update
Well, J is recovering. He is in pain, and he hates wearing his cone. He also hates that he can't do anything, and that he has to wear a plastic bag on his foot and be on a leash anytime he goes outside to potty. He has figured out how to get into his kennel, turn around and lay down, and we have figured out that he needs help getting out of it because the cone has to be squished together a little bit to fit back through the door. We do a lot of sitting around, watch a lot of tv, and reassure pup that everything is going to be ok.
I found some wire on our fence that looks like it could be the culprit. Directly below the wire, which is broken, is a bloody paw print. About 2 feet due north of the bloody paw print is a very large puddle of blood. It is the only thing in our yard with lots of blood around it that looks like it could have done that kind of damage. There is no other puddle of blood as large as that. It's about 9 inches long and and 3 or so inches wide, and in spots is about 1/8 inch thick. Neither of us put the wire on the fence, so I can only assume that our neighbors did it to hold their bamboo privacy screen up.
As soon as the vet opens I'm going to go get J some pain pills and a sedative to help keep him calm. He's starting to think he can move around quickly, and he just can't. He wants to, you can tell he wants to do anything but lay on the living room floor, but we just can't allow him to.
So that's where we're at. J is doing well and recovering, but he is hating life right now since he can't run, jump, wrestle or do anything he normally does in a day. I'm sure he loves all the extra attention he's getting and just hope we aren't creating a monster!
I found some wire on our fence that looks like it could be the culprit. Directly below the wire, which is broken, is a bloody paw print. About 2 feet due north of the bloody paw print is a very large puddle of blood. It is the only thing in our yard with lots of blood around it that looks like it could have done that kind of damage. There is no other puddle of blood as large as that. It's about 9 inches long and and 3 or so inches wide, and in spots is about 1/8 inch thick. Neither of us put the wire on the fence, so I can only assume that our neighbors did it to hold their bamboo privacy screen up.
As soon as the vet opens I'm going to go get J some pain pills and a sedative to help keep him calm. He's starting to think he can move around quickly, and he just can't. He wants to, you can tell he wants to do anything but lay on the living room floor, but we just can't allow him to.
So that's where we're at. J is doing well and recovering, but he is hating life right now since he can't run, jump, wrestle or do anything he normally does in a day. I'm sure he loves all the extra attention he's getting and just hope we aren't creating a monster!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Emergency Room
Ricky was home, and Jacko was outside. I got home and saw him leaning against the side of the house, looking somewhat dazed and confused. It's really cold today, so I figured he was just cold and wanted to come inside, so as soon as I went in the house I went to the back door to let him in. And that's when I saw it.
Blood. Everywhere.
I was actually on the phone with my college roommate when I walked in the door and immediately said "Amy, I gotta go." Then I hollered for Ricky. He had no idea there was anything wrong with Jacko. J hadn't whimpered or barked or given any indication whatsoever that there was something wrong.
Thank goodness our kitchen is tile! We pulled him in the house, Ricky got a rag wrapped tightly around the paw that we'd determined to be bleeding (there was so much blood that the only way we knew which one hurt was that it was the one he was licking) and I called the vet (is it strange that I have them on speed dial?). They told us that, judging by the tone of my voice and my description, we needed to go to the emergency vet hospital.
By this point Jacko was starting to freak out, and Ricky and I were too. There was so much blood, and it wouldn't stop. Ricky picked up J, I grabbed my purse and we headed out the door. Ricky held Jacko while I drove, both of us reassuring him the whole way, Ricky cuddling him and trying to keep him calm.
The bleeding hadn't slowed at all when we got to the hospital. The vet tech came to the car to help us bring him inside - he seemed to be starting to go into shock - and they took him directly back to an operating room. The doctor came to talk to us a while later. Don't ask how long, it could have been an hour or 20 minutes (I think it was closer to the 20 minutes though). She had us authorize them to work on him and put him under general anesthesia. For a total of 2 hours, Ricky and I sat in that waiting room and waited. It was scary, especially since we didn't know what was going on, and at that point we had no idea what had caused his injuries and were blaming ourselves.
When all was said and done, he had 3 major lacerations with a severed tendon. Not good, at all, but he's going to be ok. I'm fairly certain at this point that I know what caused it (and I will tell you I saw red when I realized it was neither Ricky's nor my fault). It's too dark right now to be sure, but Ricky will poke around in the daylight tomorrow to verify that my theory is right. Jacko lost a lot of blood, including a large puddle outside that helped guide me to what I think was the cause of his injuries.
So the good news is that, after 2 hours (and a tidy sum) he is ok. Whiny and in pain, but ok. Now if only I knew how to keep him from being active for the next 6-8 weeks!
Blood. Everywhere.
I was actually on the phone with my college roommate when I walked in the door and immediately said "Amy, I gotta go." Then I hollered for Ricky. He had no idea there was anything wrong with Jacko. J hadn't whimpered or barked or given any indication whatsoever that there was something wrong.
Thank goodness our kitchen is tile! We pulled him in the house, Ricky got a rag wrapped tightly around the paw that we'd determined to be bleeding (there was so much blood that the only way we knew which one hurt was that it was the one he was licking) and I called the vet (is it strange that I have them on speed dial?). They told us that, judging by the tone of my voice and my description, we needed to go to the emergency vet hospital.
By this point Jacko was starting to freak out, and Ricky and I were too. There was so much blood, and it wouldn't stop. Ricky picked up J, I grabbed my purse and we headed out the door. Ricky held Jacko while I drove, both of us reassuring him the whole way, Ricky cuddling him and trying to keep him calm.
The bleeding hadn't slowed at all when we got to the hospital. The vet tech came to the car to help us bring him inside - he seemed to be starting to go into shock - and they took him directly back to an operating room. The doctor came to talk to us a while later. Don't ask how long, it could have been an hour or 20 minutes (I think it was closer to the 20 minutes though). She had us authorize them to work on him and put him under general anesthesia. For a total of 2 hours, Ricky and I sat in that waiting room and waited. It was scary, especially since we didn't know what was going on, and at that point we had no idea what had caused his injuries and were blaming ourselves.
When all was said and done, he had 3 major lacerations with a severed tendon. Not good, at all, but he's going to be ok. I'm fairly certain at this point that I know what caused it (and I will tell you I saw red when I realized it was neither Ricky's nor my fault). It's too dark right now to be sure, but Ricky will poke around in the daylight tomorrow to verify that my theory is right. Jacko lost a lot of blood, including a large puddle outside that helped guide me to what I think was the cause of his injuries.
So the good news is that, after 2 hours (and a tidy sum) he is ok. Whiny and in pain, but ok. Now if only I knew how to keep him from being active for the next 6-8 weeks!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
What's up with the pigs?
This past weekend, my friend "C" was here to interview for a position with a high tech company in or around Portland. We hung out on Saturday and I showed her around town so she could start to get a feel for whether or not she wants to move here (she does!). As we wandered around, we stumbled upon The Pigs.
Now, I've seen the pigs before. They reside directly in front of our favorite gelato shop on NW 23rd. There are 4 of them, and someone has taken the liberty of giving collars and ID tags to the big ones. The 4th is a tiny baby, and as you can see from the picture, he or she is about to be squashed by the pig who is name, appropriately, "Porklandia." The other two are Petunia and Porky. I suppose Baby doesn't have a name since he/she isn't long for this world anyway.
But what's with the pigs? There is no plaque or explanation that I can find near the pigs. Googling turned up nothing. Does anyone know the story behind these statues?
For your entertainment...
Monday, January 14, 2008
Broken Truck
Seems like we just got the truck back...oh wait, we did, in November. Well, then it broke again.
Before I start the story, I'm going to ruin it for you all and tell you the ending - all is well, the truck is fine.
Last Tuesday, I was at Fred Meyer (visiting my sister in law's soon-to-be-husband - what does that make him to me? Brother in law? My sister in law's husband? Ricky's brother in law? Huh). When I was ready to live I was supposed to go pick up Janelle and we were going to dinner. However, the key would not turn in the ignition. I don't mean that I turned it and it wouldn't start, but it literally would not turn.
I called AAA, who sent a locksmith. She determined that my key was too worn down to do any good, so she tried to make me a new one. However, mine was so worn down that she ended up having to take the door panel off to get the lock code (this is an important part of the story). She made a new key from that and voila! worked great in the doors...but not in the ignition.
At this point she says our only option is to take it into their shop and they can fix it, for $170. So AAA towed it home so that we could decide what to do.
Ricky ended up tearing it apart and getting the ignition out. He called around to get a new part - $102. Better than he $170 to take it to the locksmith, but still not great. So Ricky asked the Toyota dealership is there was anyway to fix the old ignition. He said, "no, we can't. Only a locksmith can do that." So Ricky took it to a locksmith, who fixed it for $35. Much, much better than our original quote of $170!
The ignition is back in the truck, and the truck runs fine now that the key will turn. I am happy to once again have my truck back, and I'm really happy to have a handy husband who knows how to take things apart and put them back together again.
PS - the part about the door being important? Well, when she put the door panel back on she didn't connect the handle right so you can't currently open the passenger door from the inside. Last night when Janelle and I were running around town, I had to open her door for her so she could get out every. single. time. I felt very chivalrous :-P Don't worry, the locksmith knows it's wrong and they are going to fix it, I'm just not sure when yet.
Before I start the story, I'm going to ruin it for you all and tell you the ending - all is well, the truck is fine.
Last Tuesday, I was at Fred Meyer (visiting my sister in law's soon-to-be-husband - what does that make him to me? Brother in law? My sister in law's husband? Ricky's brother in law? Huh). When I was ready to live I was supposed to go pick up Janelle and we were going to dinner. However, the key would not turn in the ignition. I don't mean that I turned it and it wouldn't start, but it literally would not turn.
I called AAA, who sent a locksmith. She determined that my key was too worn down to do any good, so she tried to make me a new one. However, mine was so worn down that she ended up having to take the door panel off to get the lock code (this is an important part of the story). She made a new key from that and voila! worked great in the doors...but not in the ignition.
At this point she says our only option is to take it into their shop and they can fix it, for $170. So AAA towed it home so that we could decide what to do.
Ricky ended up tearing it apart and getting the ignition out. He called around to get a new part - $102. Better than he $170 to take it to the locksmith, but still not great. So Ricky asked the Toyota dealership is there was anyway to fix the old ignition. He said, "no, we can't. Only a locksmith can do that." So Ricky took it to a locksmith, who fixed it for $35. Much, much better than our original quote of $170!
The ignition is back in the truck, and the truck runs fine now that the key will turn. I am happy to once again have my truck back, and I'm really happy to have a handy husband who knows how to take things apart and put them back together again.
PS - the part about the door being important? Well, when she put the door panel back on she didn't connect the handle right so you can't currently open the passenger door from the inside. Last night when Janelle and I were running around town, I had to open her door for her so she could get out every. single. time. I felt very chivalrous :-P Don't worry, the locksmith knows it's wrong and they are going to fix it, I'm just not sure when yet.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Oh Meatloaf, where ARE you?!
My meatloaf recipe has run away. I know it calls for 1.5 pounds of meat, 3-4 slices of bread, some evaporated milk (5 oz??), ketchup (1/4c, I think), worcestershire sauce, and a packet of onion soup mix. But I need that darn recipe to double check amounts and what not.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Spicy Lasagna
Your lesson for the day: Read labels carefully!
Before I went to the store yesterday to get last minute ingredients for my lasagna, I double checked to be sure Mozzarella was all I needed. Yup, I have everything else, in the right quantities.
Then I got down to making the lasagna, and when I pulled out a can of diced tomatoes, it said "with diced green chilies." Oops, wrong can. So I got another one...and another one...and sadly, every can of diced tomatoes in my cupboard was "with diced green chilies" rather than "with oregano and basil." At this point, the lasagna was all but done, so I forged ahead anyway.
It didn't taste too bad, but I've made better, and boy was it spicy!
So learn from my mistake - read the label closely!
Before I went to the store yesterday to get last minute ingredients for my lasagna, I double checked to be sure Mozzarella was all I needed. Yup, I have everything else, in the right quantities.
Then I got down to making the lasagna, and when I pulled out a can of diced tomatoes, it said "with diced green chilies." Oops, wrong can. So I got another one...and another one...and sadly, every can of diced tomatoes in my cupboard was "with diced green chilies" rather than "with oregano and basil." At this point, the lasagna was all but done, so I forged ahead anyway.
It didn't taste too bad, but I've made better, and boy was it spicy!
So learn from my mistake - read the label closely!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Fifteen minutes really is all it takes
I always hear people talk about how just 15 minutes a day of __________ can make a difference. In my world, it's usually 15 minutes of cleaning.
So last night I set the timer for 15 minutes and got to work on my kitchen. The kitchen was about the worst it's ever been. There was no counter space anywhere, the stove was caked in grime from baking and cooking, there were no clean bowls to be found in the house (and glasses were sparse as well).
In 15 minutes (actually, 20, since I went to work for 5 minutes before I remembered to start the timer) I was able to load and run the dishwasher, scrub (and I do mean scrub) the stove clean, get everything on the counters put away, corral the leftover dirty dishes to one corner by the sink, and wipe down about 1/2 of the counter surface. Wow! 20 minutes did that?? In the next 20 minutes I finished wiping down the counterspace and started handwashing those leftover dishes.
It was nice to get up this morning to a mostly clean kitchen. I need to unload the dishwasher and put away the handwashed dishes and then reload the dishes with the remaining leftovers, but all in all the kitchen is looking good and I am proud of myself for finally getting to it.
Who'd have guessed that the huge mess - the one that tooks days to create - really could be mostly cleaned up in 15 minutes?!
So last night I set the timer for 15 minutes and got to work on my kitchen. The kitchen was about the worst it's ever been. There was no counter space anywhere, the stove was caked in grime from baking and cooking, there were no clean bowls to be found in the house (and glasses were sparse as well).
In 15 minutes (actually, 20, since I went to work for 5 minutes before I remembered to start the timer) I was able to load and run the dishwasher, scrub (and I do mean scrub) the stove clean, get everything on the counters put away, corral the leftover dirty dishes to one corner by the sink, and wipe down about 1/2 of the counter surface. Wow! 20 minutes did that?? In the next 20 minutes I finished wiping down the counterspace and started handwashing those leftover dishes.
It was nice to get up this morning to a mostly clean kitchen. I need to unload the dishwasher and put away the handwashed dishes and then reload the dishes with the remaining leftovers, but all in all the kitchen is looking good and I am proud of myself for finally getting to it.
Who'd have guessed that the huge mess - the one that tooks days to create - really could be mostly cleaned up in 15 minutes?!
2007: A Year in Review
As the first day of 2008 drew to a close, I was cleaning and rocking out to Rent (more on that later) and I started thinking about how much happened in 2007:
January:
Was hired at The High School Which Shall Remain Nameless to teach .2 drama and .2 English
February:
Found out that I'd be an Auntie later in 2007
Met the boyfriend of my sister in law - the first boyfriend!
March:
Cast my play, A Company of Wayward Saints
April:
(I can't think of anything remarkable that happened in April!)
May:
Went to regionals for the 2nd time in as many years (Softball)
Beat Simon-Frasier for the first time (Softball)
Found out The High School Which Shall Remain Nameless had hired someone else
Had a smash hit with A Company of Wayward Saints
June:
The end of the road at my job
The Starlight Parade
July:
My exchange students were here
Lindsey came to visit
Ricky went to summer school
I played softball
New computer
Got a Job!!
August:
Ricky graduated from PSU
I started a new job
September:
Got my first set of middle school students
Found out we could start looking to buy a new house
October:
First major car accident
Ricky's accident - 14 hours later
Surprised Grandma for her birthday
Started really looking for a new house
November:
Got the truck back, all fixed and shiny and ready to go
December:
7 plays at my middle school - exhausted but it went great!
Found out I'm getting a second nephew sometime in March of 08
January:
Was hired at The High School Which Shall Remain Nameless to teach .2 drama and .2 English
February:
Found out that I'd be an Auntie later in 2007
Met the boyfriend of my sister in law - the first boyfriend!
March:
Cast my play, A Company of Wayward Saints
April:
(I can't think of anything remarkable that happened in April!)
May:
Went to regionals for the 2nd time in as many years (Softball)
Beat Simon-Frasier for the first time (Softball)
Found out The High School Which Shall Remain Nameless had hired someone else
Had a smash hit with A Company of Wayward Saints
June:
The end of the road at my job
The Starlight Parade
July:
My exchange students were here
Lindsey came to visit
Ricky went to summer school
I played softball
New computer
Got a Job!!
August:
Ricky graduated from PSU
I started a new job
September:
Got my first set of middle school students
Found out we could start looking to buy a new house
October:
First major car accident
Ricky's accident - 14 hours later
Surprised Grandma for her birthday
Started really looking for a new house
November:
Got the truck back, all fixed and shiny and ready to go
December:
7 plays at my middle school - exhausted but it went great!
Found out I'm getting a second nephew sometime in March of 08
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