There's SUN in the PNW!

Something about the sunny, warm weather makes life feel so much more fun...like a vacation. Maybe it's eating dinner outside in the evenings. Or taking cuddle breaks outside, and reading books or magazines while the dog lounges and Sky plays. Sipping a cool crisp white wine in the warm afternoon sun with my babe...maybe it's all of it, but it just makes life feel more fun and relaxed. 

Evening adventures in the sun...looking out over the tracks in Steilacoom.

We are doing our best to enjoy this unseasonably nice sunny weather. I don't know that it will be this way year after year, so I'm/we are making the most of it! 

I planted the first of many (more to come!) portable square foot gardens. This one is all about the herbs. It's my first attempt so lets hope they grow!

I really thought Sky would be all about helping plant, but she wasn't. There's time though. Maybe vegetables will be more exciting for her. In the meantime her stuffed dog, Baby Bishop, is her constant companion. He goes everywhere with her, and if it's something she can't take him to he ends up riding in the car and keeping her company on the road. Bishop is still a daily conversation, and I'm thankful she has her stuffed Bishop look-a-like to help her through it.

 I totally benefit (or not depending on how snug the jeans are fitting) from Mark's food allergies. All the cheese and bread parings to myself! 

Give her some pretzels and let her smell the wine and she's good to go. 

The best part of all this sun is the spur of the moment walks that somehow turn into wine tasting! And, not just wine tasting, but chatting with the wine maker, who was in the tasting room that day, and tasting directly from the barrel. So good!

A wall of liquid goodness.

Sunglasses...adorable. And, she's decided she doesn't need the car seat any longer. Nice try Sky.

If I don't post much, ok I already don't post much so how about if I start posting even less, over the next few weeks it's because I'm traveling a bit, and the down time I do have is spent soaking up all that sun with my munchkin! 

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For Today:

-Not getting honked at and flipped off because of smoke billowing from my car.

-She has been taking naps a few times a week the last few weeks. I'd sort of forgotten how nice nap time is for me. I can get so much done, or ready almost half a book, when I'm not interrupted.

Did she fall off or did he push her? I have no idea but she slept through it.

-An unexpected morning in Seattle, in the sun, with frozen yogurt, and play time. She's a pretty fun sidekick. I could have gotten so much done around the house, but it felt good to skip out and visit one of my favorite stores in Seattle. Even if they didn't have what I wanted it was still fun.

-Cuddle time. I'm not kidding when I say we sit in that chair together for at least an hour a day. An hour of no tv, phones, or computers, just the two of us hanging out. It's the best part of my day. She has started making up stories to tell me, and we talk about Bishop a lot...how's he's doing in doggy heaven and if she can visit him..., we practice letters and counting, and spend time making silly faces at each other. And, sometimes we just sit, and don't say or do anything. Just hug each other and enjoy the silence. 

-Time in the sun reading some of my fave magazines. It's like a little 30 minute mini vacation in the middle of the day!

-The shoes in the above pic. For real I wear them EVERY day. They are so comfortable, and cute! It's really nice to have a supportive, comfortable shoe to wear the day(s) after a long run. My legs and feet are usually worn out, and the best shoe choice is not the most fashionable (older pair of running shoes so I'm getting the support I need while recovering). I don't like wearing running shoes with "outfits" unless I'm actually running. These shoes have fit the bill nicely...TY Dad! 

-Silas and Sky and how tolerant they are of each other. She pulls on his tail, jumps on him, chases him, grabs his leg as he walks past - and he jumps on her, knocks her over all the time, chews her toys, and smacks her with his tail. Despite all that they love each other.

 Lounging in the sun enjoying the warm rocks. Only a 3 year old would find this comfortable!

-Flowers in the planter boxes. 

-An herb garden that is ready to plant. I can't wait to cook with my own herbs that I've grown!

-Finding calm moments in the middle of the business of life. 

Santa Barbara Training

I sort of fell off my schedule the last few weeks with working out and running. Part of it is I have not loved this training plan from week 1. I got sick a few weeks into it and that derailed me as well. Add in that it just feels so much harder this time around and I have not been very enthusiastic about it.

Finding balance has been hard. How to fit in pilates/cross training, fitting in all the runs, what to do when the schedule falls apart and runs have to be shifted, balancing how many evenings I'm away from home for personal running, Jamberry, run group, board meetings. Factor in it just feels hard this time around. I'm doing it, but I do not like how I feel while I'm doing it...it all adds up to just feeling blah about the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm over the top excited about the opportunity to travel to SB, with Michelle, visit with my sister in law and her family, sneak away kiddo free, and run a race I've had my eye on for years. I  just wish I wasn't coming off a car accident, and that is wasn't taking so much recovery effort between runs to keep me running.

Spending a lot of time with my legs up the wall after runs.

The good news is I feel like I can run 13.1. I'll finish. I don't know that I will run the goal pace. A lot depends on the sun/heat race day. We did our 10 miler in the sun Friday afternoon and my old issues with overheating are still alive and well. I may have to adjust my goal for the race, and choose to run smart for myself. 

I think that's what's frustrating me the most. While I know I can finish.,.I can always walk if I need to...I also know that I don't have the reserves to push as much as I have in the past. Pushing through being sick to my stomach, dizzy, faint, cramps...I feel like I'm already at max just running normal, so if anything crazy comes up it's not going to be good. I'm running cautious for sure. If I'm being completely honest I'm running a little bit scared. I just don't know what each run will bring, how I'll react to any variation in conditions, and it has shaken my confidence. 

Mentally I keep revisiting my running goal for the year. Have fun, listen to my body, care less about the numbers. Michelle has a goal, and I'm going to try and stick with her. our long training run indicate I can do it (I know she can, she's running really strong right now!). But, I'm also super ok with pulling the plug on it and finish by myself rather than hold her back. My #1 concern is not setting myself back by pushing more than my body is ready for. I'd much rather slow down and enjoy it than push more than I should. I mean it's wine country in SB, the views will be amazing and worth slowing down for. 

Not that I'm throwing in the hat, I'm going to work and fight for it, but I'm also going to be smart about it, that's all. My last half I may have hit my PR goal, but I wasn't smart about it and I do not want to feel that way again. 

  

Weekend Fun

I'm already missing the sunny warmth we were blessed with over the weekend. Even though Sky had a lovely cold we managed to make the most of it, and got her out of the house for a bit of vitamin D.

Since we were both itching to take the new car for a little bit of a drive we opted for a trip down to Priest Point Park in Olympia. What a lovely place to visit and very few people around which was perfect, because we didn't want to share Sky's cold with anyone.

 They found a fiery house! 

 Just hanging out looking adorable. 

 Snack time. 

Selfie outtake...they are harder to take than you would think!  

 Squishy jelly fish. 

 She found all sorts of treasures on the beach! 

First family road trip in the Sub. I love Silas peaking over the back of the car seat! 

We took full advantage of the sun and played, cuddled, read books, and enjoyed good wine outside as much as possible. 

 I think she liked it!

 That Stew = amazing! I'll be sharing the recipe later this week! 

 Cuddling and playing on Daddy's new Kindle Fire. 

 I can't wait until summer and we can eat outside every evening! 

Chef Sky making the Seafood and Chorizo stew. I'm loving that she wants to help in the kitchen. Food adventures here we come! 

Looks like the sun has left us for a bit at least. So excited for hot summer months and long sunny days! 

Let's Go For A Drive

This post is a day late. I had a big old thank you for Thankful Thursday, but things happened, we ran late and by the time we got home from something pretty big, it was 8:30 and we still hadn't eaten dinner.

Well Sky ate, but it consisted of a half eaten kids meal hamburger, french fries, chocolate milk, and hot chocolate. It's an understatement to say she lost it by the end of the evening.

What kept us busy so late, and justified a horrid food option for the tot? Buying a new car!

2015 Subaru Forester...look how excited Sky is!

We said we would drive the Lexus until it wouldn't go...mission accomplished! It's been smoking and burning oil like crazy for weeks, and we have been test driving and negotiating for weeks. Wednesday I put the 3rd quart of oil in 4 days in the Lex, and that's when we decided it had to go. On my way to meet Mark at the dealership it was blowing smoke so bad I was getting honked at, flipped off, and yelled at, and it started sputtering. I'd step on the gas and it would lurch and not go. I was on the verge of tears as people were honking and my car wasn't going. All I wanted was to get to the dealership and be done with it. Thankfully I managed to get it there and rolled in smoking away, turned off the engine and gladly handed the keys over. 

They didn't have what we wanted on the lot so we had to wait until 5pm the next day (last night) to get the car. I'm not going to lie, I cried last night when I looked out and saw that car in our driveway. 

The very first new car I purchased for myself, senior year in HS, was a Subaru Justy. That car was a champ, and lasted much longer than it should have. Ummm...10 years on original spark plugs! I loved that car and loved Subaru, and really wanted my next car to be a Subaru. But, life happens and I had to buy something I didn't love, but could afford when the Justy gave up finally. To be back in a Subaru and have the opportunity to pick options, and make it what I want feels like coming home to my first car love, and it feels a little spoiled and a lot grown up. 

 Jumping for joy!

Now, all I want to do is drive! So thankful we were able to make this work, and that Jamberry is helping pay for this. Who knew selling pretty nails would help pay for a new car?! It feels really good to have a business that allows me to help contribute towards the car.

I have to say a huge thank you to Mark for keeping us on track while making the single income/stay home thing work. It's been challenging at times, but we have been careful and saving as much as we could because we knew 5 years is a long time to go without a big expense of some sort. Be it car, house, heath related. And, a big thank you to the parents for giving us the Lexus which got us another year without care payments so we could save, and to my dad for helping keep the Lexus running when we first got it.

It really does take a village!

P.S. We finally did eat dinner after Sky was in bed. We celebrated the new car with Sushi and Champagne!

Relay For Life Fundraiser!

Some of you may know that I volunteer with Relay For Life for 19 years...that's actually my longest standing relationship. ;-)

Relay 2014. 

When I started volunteering with Relay I didn't have a personal connection with cancer, I just wanted to do something good, and put my energy towards raising money to find a cure. Sadly, over the years, I have had multiple co-workers, family members, friends, and friends of friends do battle with cancer. Now I want to make sure Sky never hears "You have cancer".

It's part of why I sit on the Institutional Review Board for MultiCare Health System. Raising money, organizing teams, and chairing the Relay event was no longer enough for me. I wanted to play a more active roll in the research side of things. Because...that's where it's at folks. Research is going to cure cancer, and I want to be part of that. I'm no Dr. or scientist though, so the best fit for me was to help review research protocols, and assure the safety of human test subject, and monitor the validity of the research.

It all takes money though. There has to be funding to make the research happen! The American Cancer Society, via thousands of Relay For Life events around the world, is a huge fundraising machine that feeds the research that is finding cures (HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer = ACS funded research!), better treatment options (better results with less side effects), and services that support those going through cancer and those caring for them.

I'm still part of a Relay For Life team...Team Schulte. Aaron was a young (20's) man who was friends with our friends (Bob & Michelle). Sadly I never had the opportunity to meet Aaron because colon cancer took his life way, way too early. But, I know he was an amazing person because I have seen first had the impact he has made to those that knew him, and were lucky enough to call him friend.

Team Schulte participates in Relay in Aaron's memory and I'm proud to be part of the team. April 30th we are holding a fundraising event with Stella & Dot and Jamberry Nails (full disclosure I'm the consultant for Jamberry Nails).

A portion of every sale from both Stella & Dot (50%) and Jamberry Nails (10% from Jamberry directly and 40% of my commission) will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lakewood through Team Schulte.

If you are local to the Tacoma area let me know if you would like to attend, there will be wine and snacks! If not please consider supporting our efforts by shopping these links: Stella & Dot or Jamberry Nails

Now is the time to shop for yourself, for mothers day, think ahead to anniversary/birthday/Christmas gifts and get your shopping done early!

Here are a few of my favorite things from each line!

I love the Silver Sutton and was happy to earn it when I hosted a party last month! I wear it all the time and love all the different ways to style it. Check out the link to see how many different ways you can wear it! The majority of Stella & Dot pieces can be worn in multiple ways, it's so versatile!

I also earned the Bianca Earrings and love how I can make them a simple little hoop if I want to. Makes them perfect for every day!

A few of my Jamanicures the last few months...if nails are not your thing they make great gifts for others, and there is Lacquer, hand care items (scrub, lotion etc), polish remover etc.

Upper East Side

Country Club this one is my favorite by far. LOVE it! 

Butterfly Effect & Edgy

Sheets of wraps are $15 each and are buy 1 get 1 fee. If you would like more info or help shopping to support the fundraising let me know, I'm happy to help! 

---------------------

Anyone else have fundraising efforts they participate in?

Travel Ready

Sky received an early Birthday gift over the weekend...a membership to Little Passports! I have had my eye on this since she was a baby, and finally it's time. She's starting to talk about places she wants to travel to, and is fascinated by maps and globes.

She has a passport, and has been to several countries already. Now we will have a new country to learn about every month, and will be cooking food from each country we receive in the mail.

She was so excited Grandpa!

She spent a lot of time going over the map and picked out Africa as the place she'd like to visit first. It may be a few years, but we will get her there some day!

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For Today:

-Things Sky says. She is funny, really funny, and totally random, and makes me laugh when I probably shouldn't be laughing. "Give me some funk mommy", "My name is Shannon Kailey Yeatman,  you can call me Shannon", "I'm glad I'm your Sky mommy", "Not tomorrow mommy, today is today", and my favorite "I'm ready for my adventure today".

-My running goal this year was to get back into it (after the accident) and enjoy it. Pick fun races without setting any crazy PR goals. So far so good. I have two races on the schedule, both of which are bucket list races, and both of which will be fun experiences. I'm not going to lie, running still isn't feeling super awesome, but I'm doing it, and I hope if I'm smart it will get back to feeling less difficult. 

-Time in the sun to enjoy cheers with my munchkin. I can't wait for warm summer days lounging on the wine patio and basically living outside!

I really have no idea what shoes I wore before I got these ones...wear them every. single. day.

-Old Navy's Kiddo clothing. I don't know what happened, she went to bed a 3/4T and woke up a 5T and nothing fit. The quality & cuteness is great for the price.

-Taco night with Margarita's and Penzeys taco seasoning. Not bragging at all, but I've always made pretty great tacos, but now that I've discovered Penzeys taco seasoning they are so much better. It's like pitching the perfect game, and hitting a grand slam every 4th at bat! My nod to baseball season right there! :)

-Plans, things we are working on, possibilities. Not being vague on purpose...the thing is even if some of the plans don't work out, it's still fun to contemplate exciting things and see if we can make them work/happen.

What are you thankful for today?

Hello 40 - My Birthday In The City

Traditionally 40 is a big deal. I've never really understood why. Because there is a midlife crisis waiting to happen? Because it's all down hill after 40? Because there is an idea that life is half over? Yikes! I have no intention of being done when I'm 80, and life is getting better and better every single year.

It's just a number, that's all. And, being any number is better than not being. While Birthdays are special, I don't feel like 40 is any more or less special than any other birthday. I was torn this year because all I really wanted was a date day with my man. A day to explore Seattle and have a nice dinner. But, I didn't want to leave out friends, and was feeling a little pressure bucking the norm of a big 40th bash.

Since I have some amazing friends, family and husband I was able to have fun with friends, have time to myself Friday (my actual birthday), and have a Sky free date day in Seattle with Mark!

After lamenting to Michelle about not knowing what to do for my birthday she jumped into action and made all the arrangements for the two of us to have girls night out Thursday night at The Knee High Stocking Company, a speakeasy in Seattle. She even arranged for babysitting so I would be able to sleep in Friday morning, and Mark would be able to work from home without juggling Sky's needs.

The table in the upper right picture was our table! Photo - The Knee High's web page.

 In true Speak Easy fashion no signs, and a locked door I was doubting we'd even be let in. Thankfully we were, and we were able to enjoy some very unique beverages and really amazing small plates. So much fun, totally felt like we were in the roaring 20's!

 Cake pops make the perfect portion controlled & portable birthday cake! Nice finger Ben.

 Thankfully Ben and Alicia were able to join us, and we headed to The Pine Box after Knee High.

Friday was sort of perfect since I was able to sleep in, have a fun lunch with Sky, just the two of us, and get a massage that afternoon. I love sitting down with Sky and enjoying a treat or meal. We tend to be busy and running all over the place, but the conversations we have when we actually sit down without the distractions and to do list that's at home are pretty great. She was so excited to tell everyone it was my birthday.

Outfit for hanging out in Seattle with Mark. It was sunny, but cold so opted for long sleeves and boots to stay warm. (Can you spot the mini Olaf)? Thank you for the boots dad!

Saturday morning Sky went to the parent's house and Mark and I headed to Seattle to visit Penzeys Spices (so much fun picking out new spices and seasonings and being able to smell them in person first), see a play: Jacques Brel is Alive and Well & Living in Paris at the ACT Theater in Seattle, and have drinks, dinner, and more drinks at the The Saint. Then we came home and stayed up silly late watching a movie and slept in silly late the next morning before picking Sky up.

 Lunch/wine stop at Pike Place Market for lunch before the play.

Our seats for the play, thank you Jan and Gentry for the tickets. I LOVED it! Very unique because it wasn't really a play. 5 actors sung Jacques Brel's music, but they put every ounce of their heart and soul into each and every song. It was sad, funny, politically incorrect, moved me to tears at points, and utterly perfect! Jacques Brel  was a real person who influenced some well known artists such as Frank Sinatra and David Bowie to name a few.

 I guess it's only fitting that with a blog named Broken Tequila that a tequila bar in Seattle is one of my favorite restaurants in WA! Hermano - tequila, cointreau, lime, and serrano pepper = amazing!

Top: Alambres De Bistec - Grilled arrachera steak, salted cured pork belly, onion, poblano, slasa raja

Bottom: Suadero - Braised beef belly (the bacon of the cow), roasted tomatillo salsa, cilantro, red onion

Best of all The Saint made is special by bringing out free birthday dessert and providing awesome service. Totally worth the drive for the custom cocktails and delicious food!

Sunday afternoon was Easter dinner with the family and was the perfect way to end the weekend really. I'm so thankful I got to enjoy food, drink, and experiences with people I love. Mostly it was nice to have time with Mark that was about us, not focused on Sky. We got to talk, and set goals and make plans, and just be. It was perfect.

 Easter on the lake!

Very intent on her Easter Egg's!

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making my birthday the most perfect birthday! It was exactly what I hoped it would be!