Thursday, May 27, 2010

Long Weekend

My weekend starts in just about 3 hours. I am leaving work early to meet Mark at home, hook up the trailer, meet Bob and Michelle and head to West Port for a long weekend of camping!

I love getting out of town, turning off the phone, the computer, the TV!, and enjoying time with good friends.

Bob, Michelle and I did all the grocery shopping last night and have all the meals planned so we know who is cooking what each day. Let's just say that just because we are camping does not mean we have simple meals...Sheppard's pie, BBQ shrimp, marinated steak, baked oatmeal, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and lots of cocktails are all on the menu!

I will have to take a lot of long walks with Bishop to work it all off!

Amongst all the fun this weekend we will take a moment to appreciate the freedom we have in this country and the price that was paid for that freedom. While I don't think war is ok, I can still appreciate the fact that through the years many, many people have given their lives so that we can enjoy ours!

I will be back on Monday and will post photos from the weekend.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

New Shoes

I got my first pair of shoes from ShoeDazzle! I love them. Yes they are pretty neutral, but I will be able to wear them with almost anything all summer long! Plus the shoe box and cute storage bag that comes with them are adorable!

Plus, the best part is Shoe Dazzle is going to start offering handbags as well! My weakness!

Check it out here: shoedazzle.com it is a service that for $39.95 a month a team of stylist send you 5 shoe choices each month based on a quiz you take. If you like one of the shoes they send it to you, if you don't like any of the shoes let them know and they will send you 5 different shoes to choose from. If you still don't like any of them you can skip that month and you won't be charged. Shipping is free and returns are free as well.

I can't wait to see what my choices are next month!



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Closed Doors

Some closed doors are important and some not so much in the grand scheme of things.

Two closed doors on back to back nights - Lost and 24.

Lost: I loved it! It was the perfect ending to a 6 year adventure that I still don't totally understand. I understand enough though and think I understand the import things that I wanted to. I smiled, I laughed, and I cried.

24: I have watched from the beginning. Yes, season after season got a little predictable and it was basically the same story over and over just with different bad guys every season. But I love Jack, and if I am ever in a jam I want him on my side. The final scene with him looking up and saying Thank You killed me.

I guess the upside is that every time one of the shows we watch ends we are very careful to not add another one to replace it. If we do add another show to watch we make sure it fits into our life and won't take us away from other more important things. (DVR makes it way too easy to record a ton of lets just say crap! I like being pretty selective in my TV viewing. Having said that Mark will be the first to tell you I have my guilty little secret show(s) that I watch.)

A literal closed door: For whatever reason I can't stand looking at the nursery right now. I love it, it is beautiful, but it depresses me to look in at an empty nursery every day. The nursery is the central bedroom in the house...I have to look at it every time I enter or leave the house, every time I walk from the kitchen to the living room, every time I need to go to the bathroom or the office...I have to walk by the nursery. So I closed the door. Yes I know what is behind the door, but right now I can't handle looking at it all the time.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Weekend Update

For the first weekend in a while, and the last for some time, we had zero plans! It was the perfect weekend to get to know our new washer and dryer, pictured below. Verdict is...so far I love them! The washer takes a bit longer, but spins the cloths so well that they are almost dry when they go into the dyer, which means it only takes about 30 minutes to dry a load of laundry. Plus, they make very little noise!


We spent some time Saturday running around getting a few things for the trailer and our camping trip this coming weekend.

Sunday I spent the whole day cooking chicken for African Chicken Peanut soup. It was all made from scratch...the only thing I didn't do was butcher the chicken myself. :) I loved using my own home-made chicken stock...made the soup taste so much better!

We watched the Lost Finale last night. Our whole day was geared towards being ready to sit down and watch starting at 7pm. We have watched every episode at least once, in some cases twice. What a great finale. Did it answer all the questions...no, did it answer enough of them...I think so. I love that they were all reunited at the end and that it leaves room for personal interpretation. I am sad it is over as it is one of the very few shows Mark and I watch together and I fell in love with some of the characters. I'm sort of glad all the wondering from week to week is over though. I have never spent so much time thinking about a TV show before!


Totally random tip of the day: Use dry shampoo to create texture and volume!

I read in Allure that you can use dry shampoo to create that beachy bed-head texture and/or to add volume to your every day style.
Directions:
Style as usual then flip head upside down and spray on roots. This obviously only works if you are using an aerosol dry shampoo (the one I use is shown below). If you are using a powder dry shampoo I recommend putting some on your finger and then rubbing into the roots of your hair. (Just be careful as dry shampoo can look like dandruff if you use too much).

I have only been using dry shampoo while camping, but I tried it this morning and it really does work! Love it!




Friday, May 21, 2010

New Washer and Dryer!

I'm not sure if being excited about a new washer and dryer makes me old, or very adult, but I am excited.

Mark worked from home today so he could be there for the delivery and he has been emailing telling me how nice they look, and how quick the dryer was. I can't wait to get home so I can check them out for myself.

Our old dyer took to drying cycles to completely dry a load and the washer had started skipping the spin cycle, so we had to play with it to get it to work, or on one occasion hand-wring the cloths so I could put them in the dyer.

It was time for new ones!

Meat Loaf Follow Up

I completely forgot to mention not to fill the muffin tins all the way to the top with the meat loaf. I did that the first time and ended up with overflowing tins dripping grease all over the oven, and then having to clean the oven.

Two ways to fix that problem...don't fill to the top, cook with leaner meat, put a cookie sheet under the muffin tins or on the rack below the muffin tins while cooking. Ok...that is three options. :)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Meat Loaf

I don't have a recipe I follow. I sort of put in whatever I have in the fridge or whatever is left over from other recipes. A lot of people use stews as a way to use stuff up, I use meat loaf.

My secret trick is that I cook it in muffin tins rather than a loaf pan. Talk about great portion control, and it only takes about 20 minutes to cook which is so much quicker than a loaf!

Here is what I tossed into the Meat Loaf last night:
(I don't measure anything, just toss in what I have and guess on the Worcestershire Sauce, Oregano, and Parmesan cheese.)
-Ground Beef
-Carrot finely chopped
-Celery finely chopped
-Green Bell Pepper finely chopped
-Sweet Onion finely chopped
-Garlic
-Worcestershire Sauce
-Oregano
-Parmesan cheese (in place of bread crumbs so Mark can eat it)
-1 or 2 eggs depending on how much meat is being used

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Once mixed together scoop into muffin tin. Top each meat loaf muffin (that sounds really wrong!) with catchup (yes just like you are frosting a cup cake, sometimes I'm silly and draw faces with the catchup). Bake in oven for about 20 minutes depending on the size of muffin tin being used.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Some of my Fave Things-In no order

-My husband!
-My family!
-My friends!
-My new hair cut and color! I have been wanting a bob for a long time, but had to work my way into it so as not to shock Mark too much. When I told her I wanted to stay dark I had no idea that would translate in to so much red, but I love it! The best part was going to Bob and Michelle's Saturday night for a BBQ and the first thing Grace says, "Jen, you have the same hair cut as me!" Yes that means I have a bob just like a 3 year old, but I would like to think mine has a lot more edge to it than hers does. :)
-Mark finding gluten free beer that is good! Ask him and he will tell you that the number 1 thing he misses the most about having to follow a gluten free diet is beer. We have tried others and there were pretty bad, but the Pipe and Tobacco shop on 56th and S. Tacoma way has a great selection of good beer that he can drink. No I'm not thrilled about supporting a tobacco shop, but I'm also not going to tell Mark he can't enjoy something he has been missing for 3 + years.



-It rained today...that means I don't have to water the flowers!
-Realizing that just because closure does not come in the form I think it should does not mean that it is not closure all the same.
-Relay For Life of Lakewood!
-I was able to buy clothing one size smaller this weekend and it fits...it is not a stretch at all!
-Feeling like my workouts are really paying off. I feel stronger and the workouts are getting a little easier, still not easy, but I'm able to get through them. Gotta love Tracy Anderson work out DVD's! Doing moves I have never heard of or seen!
-This is my last full week of work for 3 weeks! Camping, Relay, River Rafting in that order!
-Making reservations for our September camping trip with my Aunt and Uncle, their friends, and Bob and Michelle. We are all going to the Leavenworth area to camp.
-Having so many options for dinner that I can't decide what new recipe I'm going to try first!
-Turning the heat off in the house (summer is almost hear!).
-Knowing we have a new washer and dryer arriving on Friday. No more trying to get the washing machine to go through the spin cycle so I don't have to hand wring our cloths. (plus the washer has a kids clothing setting...not sure what makes that setting different, but can't wait for the day I get to start using it!)
-Feeling pretty good about my kickball skills. Not that I'm great, but I'm not as bad as others. :)
-Mint.com...love it!
-shoedazzle.com....really love it!
-Breaking my no alcohol during the week rule...sometimes it just has to be broken!
-This may be TMI, but wearing pretty new underwear. No one else sees it, but I know it looks great and that makes me smile.
-The nursery. It looks so cute and organized. The only good thing about waiting for the baby...the nursery stays cute and organized with zero clean-up.
-Having a fully stocked nursery so that friends with babies have an easier time when they come over. Love it that our stuff is getting used!
-Amazon's wish list! I love it that I can add anything I wan to the list. Stuff for me, for the baby, for the house, for the yard...love it!
-Chips and green salsa from El Toro.
-Tequila!
-Our camping trailer.
-Talking to Grace on the phone. I love having conversations with my favorite almost 4 year old.
-Kiera's smile!
-Hanging out with Bob and Michelle.
-Watching movies with Mark.
-Listening to Satellite Radio!
-Getting lost in a really good book.
-Don't want to jinx it, but my hip is feeling a lot better!
-Finding premium denim shorts marked down over $100 off!
-Posting on the blog while at work...time to get busy...I could keep going all day.




Monday, May 17, 2010

Weekend Update

What a wonderful weekend! It was so nice to have sun!

Friday: We had a Team Schulte wine tasting fundraiser. We came home with a couple bottles of wine and the team raised about $400 in 2 hours.

Saturday: Had my car worked on in the morning, hair cut and color (I know, I know...pictures are needed) and then BBQ at Bob and Michelle's which included home made version of the Minute To Win It game show...so much fun!

Sunday: Had lunch with Shelley and was able to catch up and re-connect and I truly hope we are able to stay connected this time! I am thankful she is a gracious and forgiving person!

Sunday Night: Watched the 4th Kind about alien abduction...wow!

Sunday Bed Time: Fell asleep with a smile because I realized that this is my last full week of work for almost a month because Mark and I have so many fun, long weekends planned!

Friday, May 14, 2010

German-Style Chicken Thighs

Every time I try a new recipe I end up saying it is our new favorite...let's just say we have a lot of favorites!

I know some people shy away from the strong flavor of sauerkraut, but rinsing thoroughly is the key...you don't even realize it is sauerkraut in this recipe!

1 27 to 28 oz can sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
2 10.75 oz cans condensed cream of potato soup (I found a gluten free potato leek soup that works great!)
1/2 cup water
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
Hot cooked spaetzle or wide noodles
Snipped fresh parsley (optional)

In a 6 quart slow cooker, combine sauerkraut, soup, the water, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, stirring to coat.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken from slow cooker. Remove chicken from bones; discard bones. Using two forks, shred chicken; return shredded chicken to cooker.

Serve chicken and sauce over hot cooked spaetzle or noodles. If desired, sprinkle each serving with parsley.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Kickball

Son's of Pitches lost last night...bummer. The team we played this week was much better than the team we played last week, and this was only our second game, so we were not too upset, but still I hate to lose!

I know it is about having fun with friends and doing something different, but I have so much more fun when we win!

I was pretty excited that I had an RBI (or should I call it a KBI since it is kickball?) and due to some smart base running I made it home!

Mark had a great game as well. Anything that got kicked in his direction he caught for outs!

We just had one bad inning, but we learned a few things and are going to try a new strategy next week.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Generic Product

Sometimes it just does not pay to save money. A few generic items that I have found are not worth the savings:
Kleenex
TP
Ketchup
Mayo
Maple Syrup
Vanilla
Coffee
Mac & Cheese
Cheddar Cheese

I will never try and save money by buying generic versions of these items!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Helicopter Landing

I am up at the hospital all day today working and I heard the helicopter land.

That means we are the trauma center today (we share trauma duty with another hospital in town, it rotates every other day) and that someone is in a lot of pain.

I always feel bad when I hear the helicopter because it means someones life is hanging in the balance, and that their friends and family are being notified that something horrible has happened. It means hours of waiting to hear if the loved one is going to make it, it means someone is in tremendous physical pain and others are experiencing emotional pain that I can only try to imagine. I feel bad for whoever is in that helicopter and for their friends and family.

It reminds me that life is so fragile and to cherish every moment because you never know what is going to happen next.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Weekend Update

Friday Night - Relay night at the ball park. Went to the Rainier's game with Bob, Michelle and the girls and had a blast. There will be photos...have to wait for Mark to do his thing with them first. He had a pass to get down on the field and take photos of the first pitch etc. Great fun for him!

Saturday - Watched all the Indiana Jones movies at Joeys house...was way too nice to be inside all day, but had made the date long ago so stuck with it. We did take breaks between the movies to sit in the sun and visit.

Sunday - Mother's Day BBQ at our place. Made home made sweet potato fries...so, so good!

Now it is time to relax after taking Bishop to the park for a long walk.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Baby Update

This baby is not going to be the baby for us.

It has nothing to do with the ultrasound results, but rather unrealistic expectation on the birth moms part and her not being willing to do the basic steps she needs to in order for Mark and I to know if she is truly a match for us or not.

While it is disappointing I still firmly believe that the right baby will come along at the right time! Until then it is an exercise in patients.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Fighting Cancer

This is my 14th year participating in Relay For Life and the first year in a long time that I get to enjoy "just" being a team member. I forgot how much fun it is to be on a team, participate in team fundraisers, plan activities for our tent site, and brainstorm tent site decorations, all without the distraction of being on the Leadership Team.

I am truly enjoying this year and getting back to the basics of being involved with Relay.

The number one basic - Raising Money to fund a cure!

That is where I need help. Please visit this link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jyeatman and donate to help find a cure. Even $5 makes a big difference, every dollar is a dollar more than we had before.

I really want there to be a cure so that my child does not have to hear the words "you have cancer", or "your Mom/Dad has cancer". And, I don't want any of my friends or family to hear those words either!

Relay is one month away and we are in the home stretch of raising money for our Team and in turn for Relay. Please help if you are able. All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Kickball

That's right...Mark and I are playing on a kickball team for the next 2 months. We have a meeting tonight to get our shirts, meet the other teams, and go over the rules.

We have had a couple of practices and they have gone well and bonus...I have not been too sore after. Our first game is tomorrow night. I can't wait to see how we play as a team in an actual game and how the other teams look.

It should be a lot of fun!

Monday, May 3, 2010

More Waiting

One thing about adoption...it will test your patients or teach you patients!

Finally heard from the birth mom and she was not able to have the ultrasound on Friday due to a family emergency with her grandma.

So she has rescheduled for this Thursday the 6th. We should have our answer then...I hope!

The good news she is still 100% committed to adoption, still 100% wants Mark and I to be the family, we just need to know the gender!

I feel much better...it is hard not to assume the worst when there is a lack of information.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Yet another Update

Still nothing. Birth mom has not responded to email and her cell phone is not working now. Oh the ups and downs of the adoption process!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Update

We still have not heard anything...at this point just hoping birth mom and baby are ok! Carol was going to call the birth mom today and try and get answers for us.

Will update as soon as we know anything.