Me and Chewie

Gabe and Katherine,

Look at who I met!
My niece and nephew recently discovered Star Wars. I ran into a few fans at the bookstore today.

Pumpkin Carving

Here's a quick post with a couple picks of the Jack-O-Lanterns we made this week. I(Wes) made the awesome one. Not my original idea, but it was still fun to make and I really like it. I actually ended up carving the skeleton and cat one too, because Sandy's wimpy wrists got too tired from cutting-what an amateur.HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

NEW CAR!!!

We finally got a new car!!! After a lot of comparisons, we decided on a Kia Forte. I emailed a few dealer, got some great price quotes online and set out on a Sunday morning to wheel-and-deal. Our first stop was a complete nightmare. The second dealer gave us a great price with no hassle so we drove it off the lot that day.

I've been driving it for a few days now and my 45 minute commute to work is becoming a lot more enjoyable thanks to the satellite radio and bluetooth. Now we just need to cross our fingers that Wes' car hangs in there for a few more months.

Weekend Adventures with Mom

Last weekend was such a blast with my Mom. First thing on our agenda, going to the NW Street of Dreams (aka Parade of Homes). This house just sold for 1.7 million dollars. It was ridiculously HUGE. As I was walking around I just kept thinking, who would live here? It's so excessive. It kind of makes you a little sick realizing that people can have that much money to spend on a house just because they can.
We also checked out two downtown Penthouses. They had floor to ceiling windows with great views of downtown. They rented for $5,500 per month...seriously!

Second on our list was going to the Food and Wine Festival. I ate mussels for the first time and they really weren't that bad but they sure do look gross.
Surprisingly the best thing I had at the festival was peanut butter and jelly sandwich but this was not an ordinary PB&J. This one was grilled on challah bread with marionberry jam, hazelnut butter and blue cheese (I absolutely love blue cheese!!!!) I know it sounds weird but even my Mom kind of liked it.

Smarter Than My Phone

I'm LOVING my new Droid X. I don't know how I survived with my old phone. This thing is amazing! Ever since I got it on Friday, its all I can do. I've pretty much spent my whole weekend messing around with it. So far my favorite app is Pandora Internet Radio and the voice search is extremely handy. I'm still trying the figure out a bunch of stuff but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Wes would be proud.
Speaking of Wes, he returns home August 12th and supposedly he is going to be home a bunch until the end of the year. That means Wes and I might actually have a normal life...at least for a little bit.

Highs and Lows

Here are the highs and lows of the week (in no specific order).

High: Wes and I took a little staycation where we enjoyed Portland's downtown nightlife and then camping at the coast.

Low: One our last day, I caught a horrible cold which I have been battling ever since! Don't worry, I'm feeling much better now. I just have a little cough and a runny nose to get rid of.

High: Took some much needed time off work

Low: Most of that time was unpaid sick leave

High: I'm getting an awesome new smart phone

Low: Can't get it until Friday and I have to deal with my old one that doesn't get any reception until then.

High: Wes cleaned the entire house

Low: That cleaning didn't include my messy car.

High: I spent an amazing 2 weeks with Wes.

Low: Wes leaves tomorrow morning :(

Sputnik

R.I.P.
12/26/2008-7/10/2010

It's a Miracle

A few miraculous things have been happening lately and I couldn't be more excited.

Miracle #1: I FINALLY got a good hair cut!!! Now, all you women may know what a big deal this really is. To get a haircut that you actually like if truly a miracle. Too bad Wes wasn't here to mark the occasion. He usually has to hear me wine and complain about my "bad" hair cuts for weeks.

(just thought this was funny)

Miracle #2: Sid spent a whole day home alone, without being trapped in him exercise pen and without tearing up the carpet. This is HUGE progress. Now I just hope that when Wes gets home, Sid doesn't revert back to him old ways.

Miracle #3: 6 posts in 1 month. Our new record!!!

A Year Already !?

I haven't been keeping up my end of the blog lately (after all, my name is first in the title and that brings with it certain responsibilities). Anyways, I've been thinking a lot lately about the past year. A few days ago I hit the one year mark working for Island Conservation. Things started a bit rough, and are still rough at times; but overall I really like my job. In the past year I've slept in my bed here on San Nicolas Island more than I've slept anywhere else. Its sad to say, but sometimes this feels more like home than home.

Over the past year I've come to sort of love a crappy, ugly rock in the Pacific. I've come in tune with the little rhythms of the island. I've come to appreciate the beauties that aren't so obvious.

Also, I got a chance to go to Desecheo Island in the Caribbean. That trip was a test of my mental and physical endurance. I'll never forget hiking back to camp in a torrential rain, with the wind blowing, walking along the top of a steep ridge with nothing but a quick and painful trip to the ocean awaiting me if I slipped. Only a few times in my life have I felt like such a badass.

Also, this job let me and Sandy move to Portland, which we both love. I was gonna post some pictures but just realized they aren't on this computer. So, instead as a late Fathers Day tribute I'll post a picture of me and my dad.

Good Food

Here is a recipe that I really enjoy. It's quick, easy, and delicious. You should give it a try.

Soda Noodle Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

6 oz. soda noodles
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 Tbs. agave nectar or maple syrup
1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. fresh lime zest
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced (1 1/2 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, sliced (1/2 cup)
1 large carrot, grated (1/2 cup)
2 Tbs. peanuts, chopped (optional)

-Cook noodles in boiling salted water according to packages directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
-Puree peanut butter, vinegar, agave nectar, ginger, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, and 1/4 cup cilantro in blender or food processor until smooth and creamy, adding 2-3 Tbs. warm water to thin, if necessary.
-Toss together noodles, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and peanut butter mixture. Garnish with remaining cilantro and chopped peanuts.

Am I Right?

After moving in to our new place, I noticed that I had misplaced a few things. One of these items was a very cute picture of Gabe and Katherine (one of Wes' prize possessions). I felt TROUBLE!!! You think Wes would cut me a little slack since I had to move everything myself (wrong). Anyway, I looked a few placed and given our small apartment, there were only a few places to look. Finally the picture turned up. HOORAY!!! Now it may appear that I would be the one to blame for misplacing the picture, but wait, hear me out, I think Wes may be the one at fault.

Since I did ALL the grunt work with the move, I started a small list of chores for Wes. One chore included hanging the living room curtains. The bag that contained the curtains was the exact location of the lost picture. So now if you think of it my way, Wes is to blame. Had he completed the chore months ago when he got home from Puerto Rico, the picture would have been found before it was even lost. In that case Wes if the culprit for the lost (but now found) picture. Am I right???

Now matter who's fault it is; we are both glad to have the picture back!!!

Pics from Utah Trip

Just thought I would share a few pictures from the Utah trip.

Gabe and Katherine at the Jolley Family BBQ

Is that a wink? ;)

Who knew an Easter basket could easily be turned into a helmet

Dana and me with the twins, 2 1/2 weeks old. Aren't they cute?

I hope I get this right. I'm pretty sure this one is Tess (they look so darn alike!)

...and cutey Claire!

Sid has really outdone himself since my last post. I took care of the problem of his last escape and now he has learned how to hoist up the panels and crawl underneath. What I am going to do with him?!?

i don't know how he did it

As some of you may know, Sid does not do that great being home alone. To minimize destruction and give me some piece of mind, we bought this exercise pen to add to his crate.

To Wes' surprise, this is what he found when he got home from work today. Sid was not in his crate as he should have been. Instead, he had jumped over his crate and escaped. Now, let me put this in perspective, the silver paneling is 3 feet high and the black crate + my purse (which at the time I thought would be a good enough deterrent) measures 27 inches. You would think that would keep him in! Now I have to think of some way to jimmy-rig this thing to keep him from escaping.

Exciting or Not, Here's a Post

I know it's been a few weeks since my last post and I was anxious to publish something. After much deliberation, this was the best I could come up with...picture of my new couches.
















Sorry, it was either this or another picture of Sid. What the heck, here is one of Sid anyway.







I've been trying to get Wes to post some pictures of his latest island adventure. I'm sure his pictures are much more exciting than my couches :)

Shopping Spree

Wes and I have been on a little shopping spree. It all started with a new vacuum and then we just couldn't stop. We now have a new computer, a new couch, and a new love seat; and we are not about to quit. Next on our list, a new desk.

All Moved In

Finally, Everything is put away and organized...everything expect for our spare bedroom which is serving as a dressing/storage room for now. Surprisingly this move was pretty smooth. I was a little worried that it was going to be a big pain without Wes but since I didn't have to have everything out of the old place at once, I was able to bring over a few small loads at a time. Don't worry, Wes isn't going to get off that easy. I've been making a list of chores for him to do when he gets back and we have to do some shopping which is torture for Wes but so much fun for me.

This new apartment is so much bigger than our old place. I now have a large storage closet on the balcony, full-size washer and dryer, and two closets, one for me and one for Wes. I really don't know how I lived life before!

Now I have to start working on the decorating. I have a few ideas in mind so we'll see if I can pull it off. Once I get things done, I'll post some pictures and give you a peek at our new place.

Silver Falls

Here is just a little something to temp all of you Utahns to come visit. This is one waterfall at Silver Falls State Parks. The park is about 15 miles southeast of Silverton. It is really a cool place. There is camping and tons of trail were you can see more than ten different water falls including this one. You can't really see it from this picture but the trail actually goes behind the waterfall.

So I guess I'll be seeing you all real soon :)

Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes! I'm so lucky to have so many people who love and care for me. Thank you for all the love!

Random Stuff

We finally settled on a new place, Canyon Creek Apartments and I (yes, just me) will be moving April 19th. Lucky Wes gets to miss out on yet another move! Don't worry, we are getting movers.

If anyone wants to see a decent movie, Shutter Island was actually pretty good. I was so caught up in to movie that I didn't even lay my head down once during the entire thing and that is saying something since I have been known to fall asleep on Wes' shoulder a time or two.

Sid will soon be a new and improved pooch. He will be starting obedience training next week. I am SO excited. I have wanted to train him since the day we adopted him and now I finally found an affordable place that fits my schedule. I can't wait!

For my birthday, we decided to do my something a little different. Usually we go to a nice dinner but this year, Wes and I decided to go to brunch. There is this cute little place downtown, Mother's Bistro. It was awesome! After brunch, we spent some time at the Saturday Market. We had such a nice morning. We even hit up our favorite booth, Ja Das Dessert. The sweet potato cupcakes are THE best cupcakes I have ever had!

Wes is leaving tomorrow. I will miss him a bunch but I think he will really have some great stories to tell when he gets back!

Great Hiking

Last week Wes and I enjoyed this beautiful hike along the Columbia River. The picture below is the view from the top. It was amazing.
Next on our list--Crater Lake.

Just another update

Just thought I would let you know how the new job is going. So far, I am loving it. I am working with a great crew of RDs in a great facility. It doesn't hurt that I get free lunches too! The commute is a bugger but that shouldn't last long. We are thinking of moving to Wilsonville early May. That will cut my commute down to 30 minutes instead of an hour. After looking at apartments and finding some good ones within our price range, Wes and I are both excited for the move. We're upgrading to a 2 bedroom so visitors are welcome!

Not sure if you know where Wes is headed to next so here is the 411. March 29th he will be leaving for 5 weeks to Desecheo. It's a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico. He will be working to protect seabirds. Sorry, that's really all I know. I kind of keep my nose out of the details. Pretty much I just make sure I know when he is coming and going and if I need to pick him up from the airport.

Just another FYI, this weekend I'm running a 5K with Kari. Wish me luck!

Finally! A Real Job

I just accepted my first real job offer! I will be working at Silverton Hospital as an inpatient/outpatient RD. I will be doing a lot of diabetes counseling and educating which is a little intimidating based on my experience but I am up for the challenge and I have already started to take some online workshops to brush up on my skills.

Silverton Hospital is in Silverton, OR which is about 40 miles south of Portland. This means yet ANOTHER move. The hospital is small, about 48 beds. So far, I have been so impressed with everything and everyone. I really can't wait to get started!

http://www.silvertonhospital.org/index.php

HI!

First of all, thanks to everyone for making Christmas so special this year. We loved being able to spend time with our family and friends. It was a blast and we hope to see you all real soon!


Now, let me share with you our most recent adventure. Before Wes left, we took a drive to Cannon Beach. It's only about 1.25 hours away (for some reason I can only uploads this one picture of me. Doesn't Sid look SO cute!?!) It was nice; It's crazy to think that we live that close to the Pacific!

Wes left on Wednesday and will be back Jan. 29th. This is his last stint on San Nicholas Island for the next little while. After that he will be home for awhile for some training and then off to Chile. That is about as much as I know. He has such an irregular schedule; it's hard to keep up. So as long as I know when he is coming home, I'm good.

As for me, I've been trying think more positive about work and doing my best to hang in there and be patient. Hopefully, if I stick with it, I can actually make a living and prepare myself for bigger and better things:)