Good and Bad

Sorry for the unexpected blog break. I have a feeling that as long as I work at the Capitol springtime blogging is going to be rare. Session is over. I survived another year, and this one was a crazy one. 12 of my bills passed, so that’s pretty exciting. It was a good session. The good news is I’m back.

Bad news is I’d been having some pretty bad heel pain. Went to the doctor and he told me I had a heel spur that would need to be surgically removed. I had than done today. I’m going to need crutches for the next 10 days, a real sexy black moon boot for at least 3 weeks, and the potential for limited daily activities for 3-6 weeks. Yuck!

But the garden is pretty much in and doing pretty good. The family is good. And I’m looking forward to a great interim this year. Regular updating will resume shortly. I have lots if updates for you.

 

Unplugged

So, I pretty much spent last week unplugged; therefore, no blog update.  I took some decent pictures, but since I was off work I didn’t have the motivation to sit behind the computer and edit pictures.  (Plus I think our monitor has blown a color tube, and I can’t tell which colors are which.  The computer is almost 10 years old and won’t die, but we’ve gone through two monitors now.) 

I cleaned house, cooked real food, played with Gaby, and worked in the garden.  It was a great and well-needed week off work.  Now the craziness at work ensues.  The final eight weeks of session will be grueling, starting with this week.  I just have to remember that the prize is time off this summer.  Eyes on the prize, Ang.  Eyes on the prize.

 

Oh My,

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted here.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had much time for recreational computer use, evidence by the 1000+ new posts on Google Reader.  One great thing about working for the state legislature is that I get spring break again.  In previous years, I’ve only taken a few days off.  This year, I’m taking off all next week!  I’m sending Gaby to the babysitter for two days so I can get some serious spring cleaning done.  I’m actually looking forward to this.  So, look for some updates as to what we’ve been up to lately.

 

Girls’ Weekend

St. Louis, here we come! Mom, Jess, Missy, and I leave in the morning for a short weekend trip to the Fox Theater for a play and wedding dress shopping for Missy. I think Mitch is looking forward to some time with his little girl. This should be a fun weekend! I’ll take lots of pictures.

 

We’re Doing It Again

Jessie, Kristina, and I are signing up for another half marathon. This one is March 28th in Olathe, KS. Since I had to walk the last one, I only have room to improve, right? Here’s to more running!

 

I’ve Been Cooking

Mitch and I have had many conversations recently about our household.  We agree that we need to simplify our home.  We eat out too much; which is not only unhealthy, but it also depletes the bank account.  So, one of our efforts has been cooking at home more.  We both love to cook and often we find that what we’ve made tastes better than anything we would have ordered carryout. 

Last weekend I made beef and noodles, with homemade egg noodles.  Here is a picture of the noodles drying.  The mixing, kneading, rolling, and slicing was so relaxing that I had to take a picture of the process. 

 

We also like to try new meals.  So when our Egyptian neighbor moved in, we’ve had the opportunity to share meals.  He has brought over kofta and I’ve made fried chicken with all the sides.  Since the kofta dinner, Mitch has wanted to try his hand at it.  I found a recipe for a pita-type bread (that is easy and very, very good).  Then we both looked for kofta and tahina(sauce) recipes.  Our neighbor did inform Mitch that this was more of a Turkish variety of kofta rather than Egyptian because it uses different spices.  Here are some pictures of the meal.  Now I can’t wait to make this in the summer with fresh vegetables.  Ah, only a few more months. 

 

I Can’t Wait

Those of you who know me well accept my addiction to fondness for fountain Diet Coke. However, when it’s 2 degrees in the morning I get strange looks walking into work with my bucket of soda. Don’t get me wrong I really like coffee too, but I don’t want to try 15 varieties to find one I like and the stuff from the store just doesn’t do it for me flavor-wise. Plus, I know what I like.

Just look at that green and white awning, I think I’m salivating right now.  So, this morning, I ordered two cans of the coffee with chicory because Mitch and I love it.  I think we went through the can I brought back from New Orleans in about 3 weeks, in August, and that was rationing it.  I am craving that dark nutty flavor, and even with shipping it was cheaper than two bags of Starbucks coffee.  Cafe Du Monde regular coffee with chicory, I can’t wait until you get here.

 

To Do:

I have a super busy weekend to get ready for Christmas. Here’s my list in no particular order. 

1. Finish decorating the tree (nope it’s not done yet, blame my class this term)
2. Finish Christmas shopping
3. Dinner Friday night with Mitch’s family (his grandma is down for Christmas)
4. Start handmade Christmas gifts (yes, you read it right–start them)
5. Do some household and Christmas baking
6. Don’t go crazy in the meantime

Wish me luck!

 

30 When I’m 30 Update

Wow, it has been a long time since my last post.  Work is getting busy again and I started a 9-week class, so my time is again at a premium.  I figured it was time for an update on my 30 When I’m 30 list.  You know, keep myself accountable. 

Here goes: Thirty Things To Do When I’m Thirty

1. Grow a garden without killing everything I did it! 
2. Sew at least 3 items of clothing for myself that are wearable None yet
3. Sew at least 3 items of clothing for Gaby that are wearable None yet
4. Paint more (and I don’t mean our home) I’m working on this one
5. Catch up Gaby’s scrapbook Still behind
6. Give more handmade gifts This one’s going well, check back in after Christmas
7. Run 1/2 marathon Walked it, but done.  On the schedule for next year too 
8. Keep blog updated Clearly this one isn’t going so well
9. Send 3 items off for publication  (poems/stories/articles/etc) Nothing even written yet
10. Make time at least 4 times a week for something creative Does thinking about it count?
11. Read 10 books that aren’t work or school related I’ve got four done
12. Eat out less Small steps here, but we’re going in the right direction
13. Lose at least 15 pounds I’ve put on a couple pounds.  It’s time to get serious about losing weight
14. Organize and keep organized craft area Marginally improved
15. De-clutter house This is planned for Thanksgiving weekend
16. Teach myself to knit I’ve started
17. Make something that isn’t from a pattern by someone else Not yet, I only have some drawings
18. Put family favorite recipes into a book Still organizing them
19. Paint Christmas china I need to get going if I’m going to have it ready to use for Christmas.  Any good ideas where I can get pictures for the 12 Days of Christmas to work off of? 
20. Write business plan Still need to do this one
21. Create Etsy account and sell something Not yet
22. Get more active in the crafting community OK, I’m still lurking around other blogs.  I seriously need to make more comments on others’ blogs and post them in my blogroll
23. Sew another item for a contest After Christmas gifts are done
24. Entertain more We are doing this one.  Most recently, the annual Green Chicken and Dumplings Dinner
25. Try to figure out what I want to do when I grow up Nope
26. Then figure out how to make it happen Again, nope
27. Journal about 1/2 marathon training for writing later Since I failed to train, I’ll have to journal after the first of the year for the 2009 1/2 marathon
28. Keep a daily journal I really need to do this one
29. Take more pictures, not just of Gaby I’ve not been the greatest about this either
30. Realize I can do all of the above if I don’t get in my own way I know I can; I just need to do it

So, as you can see I’ve made some progress.  I just need to keep on myself about this stuff.  I’d like to have everything crossed off next July and a new list to work on.  Wish me luck!

 

A Tradition Begins

We’ve all agreed: same time, same place next year.  The weekend was a blast.  Jessie ran the half-marathon and finished in about 2 1/2 hours, Kristina ran/walked it in about 3 hours, I walked it in 3 1/2 hours, and Katie had to switch to the 5K but finished it in less than 23 minutes!  We all finished our events. 

Kristina and I got into KC around 3:00 Friday afternoon.  We met up with Jessie, ran some errands, picked up our race packets, and then went to Missy’s to make dinner.  I cooked pasta, red sauce, and some chicken for protein.  We also had salad and Jessie’s friend Julie brought some bread.  I love racing if I get to eat a bunch of carbs before hand. 

I am disappointed in myself for not being diligent with my training and that I had to walk the half marathon.  However, I am proud I finished the half (and ran across the finish line), and it only took me an hour longer than Jessie who ran the half.  I am going to really work next year and run the thing.  I was getting passed by people who, although didn’t look as fit, had clearly conditioned themselves better than me.  Talk about having to swallow your pride a little.  Regardless, I finished! 

This made me realize how much I miss the pain and satifaction that come with working out regularly.  I am going to get back into a regular routine.  I was a little envious of Jessie who had really trained for the event.  She was so prepared and educated about the process.  I want that to be me next year, and it will!  She and I will take this picture again next year but hopefully there will be two things different:  I will have finished in a time much closer to hers and Missy will be there with us as a participant not a spectator. 

 

It’s that Time

Well, the half marathon weekend is here.  I’m waiting for my friend Kristina to pick me up and we’re driving to Kansas City.  I’m excited, nervous, and disappointed.  I’m excited for obvious reasons; nervous for obvious reasons (13.1 miles!!!); and disappointed because I didn’t follow through with my training and will be walking the half marathon.  However, this will still be a huge accomplishment and I hope will be motivation to get my butt in gear and really train for next year.  Pictures and details of the race to follow.  Wish me luck!

 

Blessing in Disguise

This picture has no relevance to the post, I just find it peaceful.  This was taken on our recent trip to the Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. 

Two nights ago the ancient TV in our bedroom went out.  Those who know Mitch and I know that this TV has been a bone of contention in the bedroom since our marriage.  Mitch prefers to go to sleep to silence, but I got in the, admittedly, bad habit of needing to go to sleep with the TV on.  I enjoyed going to bed to shows on channels like History, Discovery, National Geographic, etc.  The noise drove Mitch crazy. 

Imagine my dismay when two nights ago the screen started rolling and to turn off the TV I had to unplug it.  My stomach sunk.  We tried it again last night, but couldn’t even get the set to turn on.  The funny thing is that a lamp doesn’t bother Mitch when going to sleep.  So I read a couple of chapters in my book, and easily went to sleep. 

This morning I woke up rested and said to Mitch, “Hey, why don’t we try no TV in the bedroom for a while.”  He was more than willing to entertain the idea.  We’ll see how tonight goes.  This will certainly help me reach my goal to read 10 books for the year.  Like I said in the title, blessing in disguise.

 

What Else I’ve Been Up To

I’ve been pretty absent around here lately.  This has simply been one of the busiest summers we’ve had (I’m sure they’ll only get more and more packed). One of the highlights of the summer was my work trip to New Orleans in July.  I’d never been there, and I had a blast.  

It was hot!  I know Missouri in July is hot and humid, but the air was so close it was difficult to breath at times.  However, this didn’t slow us down too much.  The crew that went on the trip were great to travel with.  We stayed just off Bourbon Street and walked almost everywhere.  We stayed up way too late and had way too much fun.  Here are some of my favorite pictures.  Oh and if you’re wondering,the close up is of beignetsfrom Cafe Du Monde at 10:00 on Friday evening before we left.  They were fabulous and of course I had to buy a package of beignet mix and coffee with chicory. 

             

 

I’m Thirty

So this post comes just over a week late, since my birthday was July 2.  I took a few days off work and just didn’t want to get on the computer at home.  I’m thirty, just got a new haircut, and am excited for what the next phase of my life will bring.  One of my coworkers was really upset last year when he hit 30, but I can’t say I feel the same.  I’m looking forward to this next decade.  Here’s the new haircut, I really like it.  I wanted a fresh cut for the new year.

We didn’t do a lot on my birthday, but we did have a shrimp boil with some friends on the 3rd.  Of course, I was too busy having fun to snap any pictures. 

I’ve seen other bloggers post similar lists, and since I am very much a list person I wanted to give it a go.  I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but a list that I can mark items off of as I complete them is certainly more my speed. 

Here goes: Thirty Things To Do When I’m Thirty

1. Grow a garden without killing everything
2. Sew at least 3 items of clothing for myself that are wearable
3. Sew at least 3 items of clothing for Gaby that are wearable
4. Paint more (and I don’t mean our home)
5. Catch up Gaby’s scrapbook
6. Give more handmade gifts
7. Run 1/2 marathon
8. Keep blog updated
9. Send 3 items off for publication  (poems/stories/articles/etc)
10. Make time at least 4 times a week for something creative
11. Read 10 books that aren’t work or school related
12. Eat out less
13. Lose at least 15 pounds
14. Organize and keep organized craft area
15. De-clutter house
16. Teach myself to knit
17. Make something that isn’t from a pattern by someone else
18. Put family favorite recipes into a book
19. Paint Christmas china
20. Write business plan
21. Create Etsy account and sell something
22. Get more active in the crafting community
23. Sew another item for a contest
24. Entertain more
25. Try to figure out what I want to do when I grow up
26. Then figure out how to make it happen
27. Journal about 1/2 marathon training for writing later
28. Keep a daily journal
29. Take more pictures, not just of Gaby
30. Realize I can do all of the above if I don’t get in my own way