His
MineEvery day I mean to clean it.
Recognition vs. Accomplishment
9 years ago
Friday, May 8, 2009
Office Space
Damon got a desk for me last week from Craigslist and set up our office space. I told him, "now I feel like we are co-workers." The desk in our office has ALWAYS been a mess, and I always thought we co-created the mess. Now we know whose it really was.
His
Mine
Every day I mean to clean it.
His MineEvery day I mean to clean it.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Conversations around the house
Devin wanted to pry open the metal tab on a new box of Malt-o-Meal. When he accomplished this feat, he yelled, "I did it, I'm going to go tell Daddy I did it." jumped down from his stool, and ran to tell Damon, who was in the bathroom with the door closed, getting ready for work. From the kitchen I hear Devin yell, "Daddy, I did it." And then ran back into the kitchen and told me, "Daddy said, Yea!" Later Damon and I were laughing about it. Damon had said, "Oh, yea, what did you do?" To which Devin replied: "I did it!"
Brooklyn had a friend over this afternoon, and they were headed into the bathroom in their bathing suits to take a "swimsuit bath." Brooklyn yelled to her little friend, "Let me go first because I'm . . . . Brooklyn."
The kids are into potty talk lately. The other night Damon was reading to the kids. I came up the stairs to hear them talking about farting, and I hear Damon say to the kids, "We only talk about this with me, not with mommy, or other adults. Awesome (I know who he got this parenting tactic from!)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Mossy Moss
It's called thatching, my friends. Lawn care in the Northwest is way different than what I was used to in the lovely deseret. Instead of raking leaves in the autumn (because there are barely any deciduous trees here, only evergreens), we thatch moss in the spring. Moss grows everywhere. It grows on driveways, on rooftops, on decks. My sister has to restain her deck every year because it's too mossy and slippery otherwise. I would probably grow moss if I stood still outside too long. So we put a weed-n-feed on our grass, which kills the moss, and then we rake and rake the dead moss out of our lawn. Fun! The three piles in the picture below are all moss I have thatched out.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
R n R
Part of a cute little tourist town we visited
Cool indian Whale design
The boat next door at low tide
View from our deck
Love these lights, want them in my houseMy book club went on a nice, relaxing weekend trip. We stayed in a cute little house on Widbey Island. The second day I was there, the sun shone for us all day. It was beautiful to be on the beach waking up to such gorgeous sunshine. We stayed up late talking and playing games, and I spent a lot of daylight hours sleeping. It was great!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
25 Random Things
Remember when this was going around on Facebook? Well, I totally missed the boat. I kept thinking about what my 25 random things would be, and all I could think of was "Rachel's 25 Random work out tips and how I love it." Lame, I know, and if you already hate this entry, then just skip it now, because it's only going to get worse. Here goes:
1. The hardest thing about working out is actually going. Once you're there, you can do whatever you want, and feel good about it.
3. Buy cute workout clothes. You'll feel more confident, and will be more willing to go.
2. I started running when I was 20, mostly because it was free.
3. Turns out running isn't free, shoes are expensive, and I paid $145 to run my half marathon in June and tickets for Damon and I to attend the after party that evening. Hope it's not lame.
4. I've practiced yoga for at least 6 years now, and I love it. It is good for my soul.
5. After all these years, I still have to talk myself into going some of the time, and sometimes I can successfully talk myself out of going.
6. But I'm always glad when I go. But I don't feel guilty when I don't, because it usually means I get a little extra sleep.
7. Regular excercise releases the same amount of endorphines into your brain as taking an antidepressant.
8. One of the best recovery drinks after a hard workout, or long run is chocolate milk. Love that. They don't know why, but something in it really replenishes you.
9. Make sure you hydrate, before and after you work out. I've gotten migraines from not.
10. Find something you enjoy doing.
11. Find a buddy. They really do motivate you, and you're able to run longer. Here's to all my past running buddies: Chantal, Damon, Tamara, Laura, Heather, and Tara. I am currently without a running partner (or an MP3 player), so training sucks right now, but I'm planning on getting an MP3 player. Not as good as running with someone, but it will have to do.
12. I want to swim, but that costs money.
13. I want to compete (right!!!) in a triathalon, but the swimming is a problem, and I can't afford a trainer. But someday soon.
14. I'm having knee trouble right now, so I'm doing a lot of exploring to find out why.
15. My awesome sister, Hannah is flying up to run the half with me. She has already run the Provo half, rockstar that she is. So we're just considering june her second half, and then she can say she has run a full.
16. I work at a gym, so I get a free membership, and free tanning. I only use the tanning when I feel blue from constant gray skies.
17. I attend a weights class that is awesome. Lifting is so good for you. Good for your bones, and burning calories. If you lift, your muscles continue to burn calories for you for the rest of the day.
18. I think I'm stronger now than I ever have been. But I also weigh 10 lbs more than what my norm used to be.
19. Despite all my hard work, I still have (and probably always will) a mommy middle (muffin top).
20. My boobs have gotten really small. But that's the price I pay, I guess.
21. I work out at 5 and 6 in the morning. Even I think that is Crazy.
22. Running on a treadmill is boring.
23. Running outside is way more enjoyable, especially if you can run along a lake trail, or at dusk in Utah when there is a spectacular sunset.
24. I've never counted calories, it always seems like so much work to me. I feel I do OK I just try to listen to my body. If I eat Fast Food or sugar I feel sick, so I try not to eat it much. And I pay attention to the latest research, but take it with a grain of salt. 20 years ago, milk made me fat, now it has a slimming effect. Well, I've always liked milk, and have stuck with two percent through it all. I stopped eating butter for a while. But butter is yummy, and it doesn't make us fat in moderation.
25. Allow yourself treats, but only on the weekends. This one is HARD for me. I want a dessert EVERY night. So sometimes I try to go for every other night. Like I said, this one is hard for me.
1. The hardest thing about working out is actually going. Once you're there, you can do whatever you want, and feel good about it.
3. Buy cute workout clothes. You'll feel more confident, and will be more willing to go.
2. I started running when I was 20, mostly because it was free.
3. Turns out running isn't free, shoes are expensive, and I paid $145 to run my half marathon in June and tickets for Damon and I to attend the after party that evening. Hope it's not lame.
4. I've practiced yoga for at least 6 years now, and I love it. It is good for my soul.
5. After all these years, I still have to talk myself into going some of the time, and sometimes I can successfully talk myself out of going.
6. But I'm always glad when I go. But I don't feel guilty when I don't, because it usually means I get a little extra sleep.
7. Regular excercise releases the same amount of endorphines into your brain as taking an antidepressant.
8. One of the best recovery drinks after a hard workout, or long run is chocolate milk. Love that. They don't know why, but something in it really replenishes you.
9. Make sure you hydrate, before and after you work out. I've gotten migraines from not.
10. Find something you enjoy doing.
11. Find a buddy. They really do motivate you, and you're able to run longer. Here's to all my past running buddies: Chantal, Damon, Tamara, Laura, Heather, and Tara. I am currently without a running partner (or an MP3 player), so training sucks right now, but I'm planning on getting an MP3 player. Not as good as running with someone, but it will have to do.
12. I want to swim, but that costs money.
13. I want to compete (right!!!) in a triathalon, but the swimming is a problem, and I can't afford a trainer. But someday soon.
14. I'm having knee trouble right now, so I'm doing a lot of exploring to find out why.
15. My awesome sister, Hannah is flying up to run the half with me. She has already run the Provo half, rockstar that she is. So we're just considering june her second half, and then she can say she has run a full.
16. I work at a gym, so I get a free membership, and free tanning. I only use the tanning when I feel blue from constant gray skies.
17. I attend a weights class that is awesome. Lifting is so good for you. Good for your bones, and burning calories. If you lift, your muscles continue to burn calories for you for the rest of the day.
18. I think I'm stronger now than I ever have been. But I also weigh 10 lbs more than what my norm used to be.
19. Despite all my hard work, I still have (and probably always will) a mommy middle (muffin top).
20. My boobs have gotten really small. But that's the price I pay, I guess.
21. I work out at 5 and 6 in the morning. Even I think that is Crazy.
22. Running on a treadmill is boring.
23. Running outside is way more enjoyable, especially if you can run along a lake trail, or at dusk in Utah when there is a spectacular sunset.
24. I've never counted calories, it always seems like so much work to me. I feel I do OK I just try to listen to my body. If I eat Fast Food or sugar I feel sick, so I try not to eat it much. And I pay attention to the latest research, but take it with a grain of salt. 20 years ago, milk made me fat, now it has a slimming effect. Well, I've always liked milk, and have stuck with two percent through it all. I stopped eating butter for a while. But butter is yummy, and it doesn't make us fat in moderation.
25. Allow yourself treats, but only on the weekends. This one is HARD for me. I want a dessert EVERY night. So sometimes I try to go for every other night. Like I said, this one is hard for me.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Eggs 2009
I love to dye Easter eggs. The past couple of years I have dyed eggs with silk ties and onion skins, both of which are awesome. This year my sister and I tried to transfer a lace pattern onto the eggs, (see the Martha Stewart web site for what I am talking about). The lace didn't work so we ended up stamping our eggs with regular stamps and leaves. I must they they turned out great, I love the leaf patterns the best, so you get repeat pictures, the first because the picture is better, and the second because I included the eggs with the gold leaf on them. The kids had a blast too.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Have you Ever . . .
Instructions: Take the following list and star the items you have completed or experienced. (I decided to modify this and share the story.)
1. Started your own blog - obviously
2. Slept under the stars - of course, on more than one continent
3. Played in a band - Nope
4. Visited Hawaii - Twice, thanks both times to Damon's mom
5. Watched a meteor shower - I son't think so, just a falling star or two
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - sometimes
7. Been to Disneyland /world - neither, but looking forward to it someday with the kiddos
8. Climbed a mountain - of course.
9. Held a praying mantis - yes, they're cute
10. Sung a solo - hell no, have you heard me sing, no thanks
11. Bungee jumped - no, I can't decide if I really want to or not
12. Visited Paris - yes, loved it and want to go back, the whole world should learn to people watch the way Parisiens do.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - I think this would be fun, but no.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does water painting count?
15. Adopted a child - yes, I highly recommend it over labor, delivery and recovery.
16. Had food poisoning - couldn't leave my apartment in Mongolia for three days.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - no, it was closed when I went
18. Grown your own vegetables - yes, I love gardening, but it is a whole new animal here in the NW, and I haven't figured it out.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yes, but I liked other art at the Louvre better
20. Slept on an overnight train - yes, Mongolia and Germany to Italy
21. Had a pillow fight - yes, I'm giggling at the memories
22. Hitch hiked - no, but I remember my dad picking up folks along the freeway.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - yes, but it is really hard for me to do, I'm a terrible liar.
24. Built a snow fort - yes, look for pictures in my December blogs
25. Held a lamb - I don't think so, but I did feed a lamb with a bottle when I was a kid, if I'm remembering it right.
26. Gone skinny dipping - no, we talked about it alot in highschool, but never got around to it.
27. Run a Marathon - no, but I'm running a half in june, Yeah me!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - no, just a taxi, the gondolas are way too expensive
29. Seen a total eclipse - in high school. Someone gave me a welding hat to look through to get a glimpse of it. Pretty cool.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Of course, I grew up down by the lake in Provo, we had great sunsets.
31. Hit a home run - I doubt it.
32. Been on a cruise - for our honeymoon. It was cool, but not my favorite way to travel.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - no, but I want to.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - no.
35. Seen an Amish community - no, but I'm very interested in the Amish lifestyle and beliefs
36. Taught yourself a new language - kind of, I have studied French and Spanish on my own, but I don't speak either language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I don't think so, we need to be a little smarter with our money, and work harder to not stress about money.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - yes, and then we missed the train out and were stuck in Pisa for the rest of the day, and there's not much else there. But the ice cream is good, of course.
39. Gone rock climbing - of course, love it.
40. Seen Michelangelos David - yes, it is really amazing.
41. Sung karaoke - yeah, I love the goofiness
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - nope, want to
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - nope
44. Visited Africa - no
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - yes, with Damon on our honeymoon, very romantic.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - no, my sister called one when I broke my collarbone in junior high because she couldn't get ahold of my mom. But my mom got home and sent the ambulance away and took me to the hospital herself.
47. Had your portrait painted - no
48. Gone deep sea fishing - nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - yes, bring a mirror
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - you bet
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - yes, I was really scared, water is not my friend, but Damon talked me into it, and I loved it, the big fins really help.
52. Kissed in the rain - You bet.
53. Played in the mud - I have pictures of mud wrestling.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - of course.
55. Been in a movie - yes, when I was a kid, but I didn't make the final cut
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - yes, on my way home from the miss.
57. Started a business - I sold candy out of my kitchen when I was a kid to raise money for fifth grade camp. I'm a natural businesswoman.
58. Taken a martial arts class - no
59. Visited Russia - no, but I want to.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - no
62. Gone whale watching - yes, wow, it is cool, how do they get those huge bodies out of the water like that?
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - Yup.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - tried once in highschool, but it didn't work out. Now I can't give blood because I've lived in Mongolia and have tested slighlty positive for TB (but I'm safe, no worries).
65. Gone sky diving - for my 25th birthday. And I have the video to prove it. Thanks girls. BTW - Damon was going to buy a pass so I could hang glide this year for my birthday, and I can't do it. I'm afraid I might die and leave my children motherless. Silly, really.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No
67. Bounced a check - I'm pretty sure I have once or twice.
68. Flown in a helicopter - yes, In Hawaii, Damon got sick, poor guy.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - yes, Brooklyn plays with them now.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - no
71. Eaten Caviar - no
72. Pieced a quilt - yes, with my lovely sister, Deborah
73. Stood in Times Square - Yes, although probobly not wise, I loved walking the streets of New York at night. I wasn't alone, but it still wasn't that smart.
74. Toured the Everglades - No.
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - Saw the guards, I don't know if I saw them change, so probably not.
77. Broken a bone - my collarbone. Still sticks up a little.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - yes, they scare me.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - stood on the edge.
80. Published a book - oh, how I wish.
81. Visited the Vatican - yes, I recommend taking a tour on this one, there is sooo much cool stuff, and history.
82. Bought a brand new car - no.
83. Walked in Jerusalem - not yet.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - not that I know of.
85. Read the entire Bible - yes, and I think everyone should, whether or not they are religious, it has so much relevance to our culture, it's pretty amazing.
86. Visited the White House - no, want to.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - no, I do remember going with my dad to kill out Thanksgiving Turkey one year, and that crazy bird flying around the cage after it's head had been chopped off.
88. Had chickenpox - Yup, still have the scars
89. Saved someone's life - I don't think so.
90. Sat on a jury - No.
91. Met someone famous - met - Vanilla Ice, and saw Steve Young in a grocery store.
92. Joined a book club - yes, I do enjoy them.
93. Lost a loved one - Yes
94. Had a baby - yes, and I am forever grateful for the whole experience. It was really great to be pregnant after trying so long to have a baby. I think I laughed more freely when I was pregnant than I had in years.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - yes
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - ew, dead fish, no. But I've seen a great picture of a bunch of oldies swimming in there in it's glory days.
97. Been involved in a law suit - no
98. Owned a cell phone - Yes, got my first one in college.
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes, bee stings hurt super bad for a few minutes, and then the stinging stops.
100. Read an entire book in one day - Many.
1. Started your own blog - obviously
2. Slept under the stars - of course, on more than one continent
3. Played in a band - Nope
4. Visited Hawaii - Twice, thanks both times to Damon's mom
5. Watched a meteor shower - I son't think so, just a falling star or two
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - sometimes
7. Been to Disneyland /world - neither, but looking forward to it someday with the kiddos
8. Climbed a mountain - of course.
9. Held a praying mantis - yes, they're cute
10. Sung a solo - hell no, have you heard me sing, no thanks
11. Bungee jumped - no, I can't decide if I really want to or not
12. Visited Paris - yes, loved it and want to go back, the whole world should learn to people watch the way Parisiens do.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - I think this would be fun, but no.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does water painting count?
15. Adopted a child - yes, I highly recommend it over labor, delivery and recovery.
16. Had food poisoning - couldn't leave my apartment in Mongolia for three days.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - no, it was closed when I went
18. Grown your own vegetables - yes, I love gardening, but it is a whole new animal here in the NW, and I haven't figured it out.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yes, but I liked other art at the Louvre better
20. Slept on an overnight train - yes, Mongolia and Germany to Italy
21. Had a pillow fight - yes, I'm giggling at the memories
22. Hitch hiked - no, but I remember my dad picking up folks along the freeway.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - yes, but it is really hard for me to do, I'm a terrible liar.
24. Built a snow fort - yes, look for pictures in my December blogs
25. Held a lamb - I don't think so, but I did feed a lamb with a bottle when I was a kid, if I'm remembering it right.
26. Gone skinny dipping - no, we talked about it alot in highschool, but never got around to it.
27. Run a Marathon - no, but I'm running a half in june, Yeah me!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - no, just a taxi, the gondolas are way too expensive
29. Seen a total eclipse - in high school. Someone gave me a welding hat to look through to get a glimpse of it. Pretty cool.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Of course, I grew up down by the lake in Provo, we had great sunsets.
31. Hit a home run - I doubt it.
32. Been on a cruise - for our honeymoon. It was cool, but not my favorite way to travel.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - no, but I want to.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - no.
35. Seen an Amish community - no, but I'm very interested in the Amish lifestyle and beliefs
36. Taught yourself a new language - kind of, I have studied French and Spanish on my own, but I don't speak either language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I don't think so, we need to be a little smarter with our money, and work harder to not stress about money.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - yes, and then we missed the train out and were stuck in Pisa for the rest of the day, and there's not much else there. But the ice cream is good, of course.
39. Gone rock climbing - of course, love it.
40. Seen Michelangelos David - yes, it is really amazing.
41. Sung karaoke - yeah, I love the goofiness
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - nope, want to
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - nope
44. Visited Africa - no
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - yes, with Damon on our honeymoon, very romantic.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - no, my sister called one when I broke my collarbone in junior high because she couldn't get ahold of my mom. But my mom got home and sent the ambulance away and took me to the hospital herself.
47. Had your portrait painted - no
48. Gone deep sea fishing - nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - yes, bring a mirror
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - you bet
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - yes, I was really scared, water is not my friend, but Damon talked me into it, and I loved it, the big fins really help.
52. Kissed in the rain - You bet.
53. Played in the mud - I have pictures of mud wrestling.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - of course.
55. Been in a movie - yes, when I was a kid, but I didn't make the final cut
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - yes, on my way home from the miss.
57. Started a business - I sold candy out of my kitchen when I was a kid to raise money for fifth grade camp. I'm a natural businesswoman.
58. Taken a martial arts class - no
59. Visited Russia - no, but I want to.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - no
62. Gone whale watching - yes, wow, it is cool, how do they get those huge bodies out of the water like that?
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - Yup.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - tried once in highschool, but it didn't work out. Now I can't give blood because I've lived in Mongolia and have tested slighlty positive for TB (but I'm safe, no worries).
65. Gone sky diving - for my 25th birthday. And I have the video to prove it. Thanks girls. BTW - Damon was going to buy a pass so I could hang glide this year for my birthday, and I can't do it. I'm afraid I might die and leave my children motherless. Silly, really.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No
67. Bounced a check - I'm pretty sure I have once or twice.
68. Flown in a helicopter - yes, In Hawaii, Damon got sick, poor guy.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - yes, Brooklyn plays with them now.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - no
71. Eaten Caviar - no
72. Pieced a quilt - yes, with my lovely sister, Deborah
73. Stood in Times Square - Yes, although probobly not wise, I loved walking the streets of New York at night. I wasn't alone, but it still wasn't that smart.
74. Toured the Everglades - No.
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - Saw the guards, I don't know if I saw them change, so probably not.
77. Broken a bone - my collarbone. Still sticks up a little.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - yes, they scare me.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - stood on the edge.
80. Published a book - oh, how I wish.
81. Visited the Vatican - yes, I recommend taking a tour on this one, there is sooo much cool stuff, and history.
82. Bought a brand new car - no.
83. Walked in Jerusalem - not yet.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - not that I know of.
85. Read the entire Bible - yes, and I think everyone should, whether or not they are religious, it has so much relevance to our culture, it's pretty amazing.
86. Visited the White House - no, want to.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - no, I do remember going with my dad to kill out Thanksgiving Turkey one year, and that crazy bird flying around the cage after it's head had been chopped off.
88. Had chickenpox - Yup, still have the scars
89. Saved someone's life - I don't think so.
90. Sat on a jury - No.
91. Met someone famous - met - Vanilla Ice, and saw Steve Young in a grocery store.
92. Joined a book club - yes, I do enjoy them.
93. Lost a loved one - Yes
94. Had a baby - yes, and I am forever grateful for the whole experience. It was really great to be pregnant after trying so long to have a baby. I think I laughed more freely when I was pregnant than I had in years.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - yes
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - ew, dead fish, no. But I've seen a great picture of a bunch of oldies swimming in there in it's glory days.
97. Been involved in a law suit - no
98. Owned a cell phone - Yes, got my first one in college.
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes, bee stings hurt super bad for a few minutes, and then the stinging stops.
100. Read an entire book in one day - Many.
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