This weekend was a blast! It’s not often that Eric and I have Memorial weekend of, heck this is the first time in many years. It was so nice to be able to spend the day together… but also not have a heck of a lot planned. I think life gets to crazy sometimes and it’s hard to stop and pause and enjoy things. I’ve honestly been thinking about that a lot lately and how important it is to be in the moment and live life. Today in fact, I was talking with my friend Natalie’s husband, also named Eric, about the very thing. How it’s important to “go into your cave” and just “be”. I know pretty out there for me to say but as I grow older I recognize how much we’re hit with things and just “going through the motions” of life and not really living. I mean, I’m guilty of it. You know, the go to work, come home, turn on the TV, make dinner, eat, watch more TV, go to bed.. get up and do the same thing the next day. Well this weekend was really to break that cycle and just live and do things that I wanted and not feel guilty that things around the house weren’t getting done.
Friday night we went to dinner at Jenny and Jessica’s house. Those two girls are somethings else. Both are the sweetest every and Jenny is a cooking rockstar. After I finished work we headed over for some visiting, good food, and of course dessert. I have to share a super funny story though.. hope you don’t mind Jess. Ok, so we’re hanging out in the kitchen while Jenny cooks dinner and Jessica says she’s going to make dessert but she can’t remember what the dessert is called. She knows that it’s Italian and these light, fluffy cookie like things that you top with cream. We came up with all manner of Italian things.. but none were right. Then, out of the blue, Jessica says, “I know eclairs!” Without hesitation Jenny, Eric and I all looked at Jessica with “that look” that says.. “what .. are you nuts?”. Yeah, OK. we told Jessica they’re French.. not Italian. We all had a great laugh at that and in the end.. decided to head to Pix for dessert. Yummy French macaroons.
Saturday found Eric and I in our PJs, sitting on the couch, drinking the great lattes he’d made and reading our books. Yeah, ALL DAY! It was so awesome. I loved just sitting there in my PJs all day without a care in the world and enjoying my book. I have to do that more. I remember being able to do that when I was younger but I think now I just think of so many things that need to be done around the house.. or garden.. and feel guilty taking that time for me. I wish I could do a better job of switching off the type A in me because I enjoy the break and it does recharge my batteries. Between reading my book, cat naps, and having the cat sleep on me.. the day was made and not an ounce of guilt was felt. Note to self… DO THIS MORE!!!
Sunday morning we got up and did much of nothing until about 2 in the afternoon. I
figured we really need to leave the house if for no other reason that to get some air and see the outside. We ended up hitting NW 23rd with our friend Stephanie. The three of us cruised through Pottery Barn and found some great glasses for Steph. While we were there we also checked out the various couches. I really want to sell our couches and get a four seater sectional so we looked at them. This one Steph is sitting in was one of my favorites because of the colors. Of course the cost was crazy and it’s not the top priority right now but it was fun to look. Later in the day we ended up at this great Peruvian restaurant for happy hour. Oh, wow was the food great. I wish I could remember the name of the place. It’s right across from Ben and Jerry’s and down the street from Cost Plus. Eric would know. In any case.. super good food and drinks.
Today found me hanging with my friend Natalie. We hit Fabric Depot for fabric so I can finish her quilt and then of course I needed fabric for a quilt I’m working on. As like any other time.. Natalie and I found a ton of fabric we loved and some great patterns so now I have her quilt to finish, a couple of shirts for myself, a couple for Natalie and a couple dressed for her too. I love having projects to do. After Fabric Depot we headed to NW 23rd and the Crepe place for coffee and crepes. Natalie finished the sweater she made me while we were there so now I have a new sweater. It is the MOST AWESOME sweater ever. I can’t wait to wear it to work tomorrow. I’ll take a picture in the morning and try to remember to post it so you can see it. It’s green.. of course.. but it’s not just one tone.. it’s several different strands. She made the yard.. just for me so it’s a one of a kind. How special do I feel.. SUPER SPECIAL! Now I need to finish her quilt and things.
It’s been a busy weekend and yet pretty quiet. I have to say I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m ready to get back to work tomorrow. I’ve learned a lot about how to relax.. now I just need to do it with more frequency. Perhaps I’ll blog more.. journal more.. and just be.
I guess it’s been a while. I posted that Eric and I started our own Biggest Looser but since then I’ve not posted how were doing. I’ve had a few people ask how we’re doing on it. Honestly, that surprised me. I didn’t think anyone REALLY read this blog. Maybe it helps that it’s posted on Facebook too. I don’t know.
I have to say that I am enjoying getting fit. I’m enjoying working out a bit and really liking all the cool, new recipes Eric has been trying. My goal this week is to exercise for five out of the seven days this week. It’s really the exercise part for me that’s the most difficult. OK, I LOVE sweets and that’s REALLY my weakness but exercise is too. I just find it so easy to just come home and park it on the couch and watch TV or reading.
In any case here’s the update on the weight.
I’ve lost, two weeks in a row! Weight? Yeah, a little bit. Seriously though, I’ve lost to Eric two weeks in a row.
Week 1: Eric wins by .2%
Week 2: Eric wins by .18%
I suppose to most that may sound bad and a bummer, not to me. Since starting this journey I’ve lost four pounds. Not bad considering one of the weeks was my birthday and I was up in Othello for my mom’s birthday for part of it to. Did I eat well! FYI.. I make a MEAN carrot cake with cream cheese frosting (mom’s birthday request). I’ve also been exercising more, OK… I’m exercising. I’m not sure it can be more when you stopped doing it entirely.
Driving to Othello today we passed this section of windmills. When I see these in the Columbia river Gorge it makes me sad. I can appreciate the need for clean wind energy but at the same time I find it man’s invasion into nature. I love the natural beauty of the Gorge and I feel that’s being lost. Make me remember that with every innovation comes consequences. The windmills as far as the eye can see is ours.
Just a quick post to let you know I’m still alive. This last weekend Eric and I were up in Port Angeles for a family thing. I’ll write more about it this week. I just wanted to drop a line and let you know I’m still here.
It’s a new year and so of course that means making resolutions for the year that for me, usually mean I’ll break. Actually, I like to think of them as goals more than resolutions. This year I have a lot of them and I’m hoping that I can reach most of them. I’ve broken the list into a few categories.
Warning: This is a long post.
Health & Wellness
Eat more vegetables and fish… less meat and chicken.
I have eaten way WAY too much junk over the holidays and have never been good about eating enough veggies each day. I’m hoping this year I’ll turn over a new leaf and eat more veggies and fish. I even ordered some new recipe books from Amazon to inspire me. Eric is up to the challenge as well. He loved using the Epicurious iPhone app to find new recipes to try. I’m hoping that at least once a week I can get a recipe posted that we’ve tried.
Exercise for 30-45 minutes at least three times a week.
Ahh… the elusive exercise. This spring and summer I did really well exercising and lost some weight. Of course with winter comes the rain and who wants to run in the rain? Not me and NOT my dogs. So exercise has been a bit elusive for me lately because of the weather and well, I’ve just been crazy busy at work. So this year I’m hoping to break that and get to getting. My mother-in-law, Julie bought me the Biggest Looser game for the Wii. It was on my Amazon wish list. In any case I now have the Wii set up in my studio and have committed to exercising and playing that game. I’ve just started and let me tell you, it kick my bootie. Here’s to removed those unwanted pounds for good.
Walk the dogs three times a week.
I’m a bad owner. I’m so terrible about taking my dogs for a walk and getting them outside it’s not even funny. Baylee is a little round and well, Kona will never be fat because she’s got the Jack (Crack) Russell in her. So I’m going to get them out and walk them three times a week. Maybe once a month or so I’ll take them to the winery to run. They love it there. I try to take them to the dog park but they get overwhelmed by the super big dogs and just won’t do much so, walking it is. I’m hoping I can get my lazy self up tomorrow and take them. Maybe Eric will join me?
Personal improvements
No more than 2 hours or TV or electrical entertainment a day.
I think I’m a certified couch potato. Most of the time Eric and I do the same thing every day when we each get home. Plop in front of the TV and watch whatever is on or what we’ve got on the DVR until it’s time to go to bed. Go to bed and in some cases watch TV until midnight for no other reason than because it’s there. I have a stack of books, both professional and fun, that I’d like to read but haven’t had the time because I’m parked in front of the TV. This year that changes. This year I’m only allowing myself two hours of TV or electronic entertainment a day. With any luck I’ll reduce even that. Tonight Eric is watching some football game so I’m upstairs reading and writing. I thought I’d be bored to tears but I have to say, I REALLY enjoy the quiet time. I like being able to collect my thoughts and write them down. I just like not having the blare of the TV. Tonight I only watched 30 minutes of TV and I have to say, that was enough for me. I’m feeling good about this one and hoping to continue it all year-long.
Read at least 2 books a month
Again, I haven’t had, or made, a lot of time to read. I enjoy reading but I’m not a fast reader so it takes me a while to read anything. This year I’m hoping to read 24 books over the year, that’s about 2 books a month. I’m really looking forward to this one as I have several books to read. My “To Read” pile is HUGE, like 40+ books and that doesn’t include the ones on my Kindle. I need to get reading!
Try to blog once a week
This one is here because I’m a bad blogger. I don’t feel the need to HAVE to blog but I want to blog. I often use my blogs to capture events that I later scrapbook. Some of my friends and family read my blog to keep up on things Eric and I are doing or have done. Note: I’m terrible about emailing people about what I’m up to. So I’m hoping to post a blog every week. They might be about thing I’ve read, things I’m doing, scrapbooky stuff, cooking, who knows.. but I’m going to try. If nothing else it will be a great way of me to improve my writing.
Home & Finance
Focus on one room a month to “super” clean and organize.
Ahh… the elusive organization. OK, I’m an organized person. My house is pretty organized too but there are pockets of “junk” and clutter that need to go. In the past I’ve tried spring cleaning but that has ended up in the “junk” moving from one location to another. So this year, with the help of a book bought, One Year to an Organized Life, I’m going to tackle one room a month and clean it from top to bottom and organize everything in it. I’ll Craig’s List what I can and then donate the rest. By the end of this year I want the house it tip-top shape. We’ve just got too much stuff that we don’t use or need around here. I’ve even wrangled Eric into this goal. If we meet the goal for the month, we get to treat ourselves to a nice dinner out. I’ve actually already started. This month is my studio/office. Over New Years I took up the carpet and padding, painted the floor with porch paint and as I started putting things back in the room I purged my stuff. Now there’s a big pile of stuff on the ping-pong table in the garage waiting for Craig’s List. I have to say it feels great to have that room almost done.
Stick to our budget
Eric and I are not good at budgeting. I mean we can plan a budget but it’s the sticking to it that we’re not good at. This year we’re going to really try to stick to it. Our goal is to be debt free, except the mortgage, student loan, and car payment, by the end of this year. That means some belt-tightening and sticking to a budget. We can do it I’m sure we’ve just been lazy.
Pay bills on time and together
This has been an interesting one for us. Paying bills I mean. When we were first married I paid all the bills and kept the finances going. Early last year I couldn’t take it any more and just dumped it all in Eric’s lap to deal with. He has a different style that I do, like keeping the balance in his head rather than using something like Quicken or something to do that. he also doesn’t reconcile the account each month. Those things started driving me crazy so we sat down and wrote up our budget and then I made an Excel sheet with a column for each pay check we’ll get for the year. I then identified what we will pay with which paycheck. Now when Eric gets paid he knows what bills he has to pay and when I get paid I know what bills I need to pay. We also moved from Quicken to iFinance because it’s a Mac application and has an iPhone app that allows you to sync with your Mac so we can always know how we’re doing.
Increase 401K
I’m getting older, hit 40 in 2009… that means retirement is closer. When I retire I want to be able to live the way I do now, maybe better so it’ time to throw more money in the 401K. I’m thinking whatever raise I get this year will go right into the 401K.
No credit card charges
To meet our debt free goal by the end of this year that means no more charges on the credit cards. When we have them paid off I’ll be so happy. This month we’ve gotten two paid off already. Now we just have a little more left to go. I’m going to SO do the happy dance when we get there.
So here’s to a new year, new goals, and a great future ahead. I hope your year is starting out well too.
Wow, I’m so excited to see so many people interested in the idea of a WineCamp here in Portland, Oregon! In little more than a week 23 people have entered their email to be notified of WineCampPDX news. That’s pretty impressive.
It’s obvious that there is a lot of interest in WineCampPDX. The next natural step is to get those interested in planning the event together.
Those that completed the subscription form on the September post should have an invitation to the planning meeting October 13th.
If you want to attend, but don’t have an invite, please email me, Jona Titus, at jonatitus@winecamppdx.com or tweet @winecamppdx /or @jltitus on Twitter.
Today was day one of WordCamp PDX and let me just say.. it was AWESOME! I attended last year and really enjoyed myself. This year was even better. I couldn’t believe all the people there. There were WAY more than last year.
Here’s a summary video.. or you can read below. Note that the video isn’t that great because I did it right into YouTube (Won’t be doing that again).
Jason Grigsby – Speed Up WordPress. Make Readers Happy and Your Site Green
The talk was very interesting and really made me think. Jason pointed out that since 2003 web page size has tripled and the number of objects on the page has doubled. Now that may not sound like that big o a deal but what I also learned was that this increase means more servers and more servers means more energy usage. I can’t remember the exact numbers but I remember Jason saying something like the amount of power used by the increase of servers can power all of Mississippi for a day. I’m sure I got that wrong, but it was something like that. I have to say I was blown away. I mean I just never made that connections. Jason went on to show us how to optimize a site and reduce the energy load that it’s using. Basically how to minimize the server drain and optimize the site. It was so neat! After seeing this presentation I’m going to optimize my site in the next couple of weeks and share the information with other bloggers in hopes that they too can help decrease the footprint on the environment.
Cami Kaos / Dr. Normal – Bondage: How to be your podcast’s Dom, not its Sub
The next presentation was by Cami Kaos and Dr. Normal. They share with us all about podcasting and things to consider when starting your own podcast. I think the biggest challenge for me would be to be consistent with it. They do such an amazing job of bringing great guests on the show. I love it.
Matt Mullenweg – WordPress Q&A
Matt Mullenweg was the next presenter. His session was more of a Q&A session with people asking hims all sorts of questions. It was interesting to hear the questions but also to hear his thoughts on WordPress. I also learned that you can post a blog posting from MS Word. Interesting stuff!
Shayne Sanderson – WPMU and Ecommerce
Shayne talked about WPMU and ecommerce and how to monitize your blog and start selling things. He did a great job discussing ecommerce and the plugin for WP that helps with that. I think the bummer was that the wifi wasn’t cooperating and so that made it hard but he was a trooper.
Unconference topic – Using WordPress as a CMS
I have to say this was interesting too. Not just because it was a non-conference topic but what began as a “how do you use WP as a CMS” really turned into what plugins do you us that help make WP a CMS. I loved the conversation and the recommendation of plugins I now have a TON of plugins to research and see if they could help in my blog(s). Thanks for the great conversation and ideas!
Tyler Sticka – WordPress-Powered Portfolios
Tyler was the last presentation of the day. I think it couldn’t have been better timed. I loved the topic of using WP for Portfolios. I really liked the fact that Tyler didn’t use bullet points in a presentation but used sketches to convey what he wanted to say. It was so nice and refreshing. He got me thinking about reposting my portfolio of ISD work and other things that I do. I really like Tyler’s website and how he has it arranged. I think I’m going to have to look at it more closely and see what I want to do with mine.
Now that I’ve attended the first day I have a HUGE list of things to look at. I thoughts I’d get them down here in case I lose my notes or someone has more to add.
List of things to check out now
Gzip
Sprite Me
PHP Speedy plugin
Podcaster iPhone app
Podpress
blip.tv
intensedebate plugin
sitepoint.com
wordpress.org/showcase
wordcamped
wordpressme.org
wordpress.tv
bluelimemedia
exclude pages plugin
page mash plugin
flexi page
custom post templates
wiki plugin?
more fields plugin
flutter
pods plugin
customize post listing plugin
multilevel navigation plugin
breadcrumbs plugin
roles and responsibilities plugin
advanced category excluder plugin
Final Thoughts
Today ROCKED! I can’t wait for tomorrow. I also got spurred on by the conversations and things. I’m now thinking about working with those that are interested to start blog/site for corp training, informal learning etc. I think it could be really cool. Bring together “training” people and “techie” people. If you’re reading this and interested, DM me on Twitter (@jltitus) and let me know.
For the last three years I’ve been taking about a week off the end of July and heading to Othello, Washington (my home town). I go and hang out with my mom, visit with friends, and just enjoy being there for a time. This time was no exception.
I got to visit my friend Cyndee and her family. She and I had a great girls day in Tri-Cities while Ryan and Daniel went to the Puz’s so Daniel could play with his friend. Cyndee and I went to Tri-Cities and got a pedicures. It was so much fun. It’s not often that I get pedicures so it was a nice treat.
I think after that we ran around to a few other places and then headed back to Connell to work on dinner. Once we got back to Connell Cyndee and I chilled and chatted about everything from what’s she’s doing now, to old teachers we’ve worked with, and more. I miss being closer and visiting her more. I’m so glad she’s lovig her job and working in Connell. It’s great too that Ryan is working there iin town too, so much better than the trips to Walla Walla.
We ended up BBQing for the night. It was so much fun! Cyndee was running the grill while Daniel and I were playing on his swing set, trampoline and soccer. Daniel is such a cutie pie and so full of energy. After dinner we headed to the pool so Daniel could go swimming. I decided I wasn’t going to goo swimming so no suit for me. I was so surprised with Dainel. He’s walk up the four flights of stairs to the top of the slide. He’d then slide down. I couldn’t believe it. he’s only 5 years old and he just does it by himself. I would be totally freaked out if that were me. He’s just fearless! It was an awesome visit! Now I just need to convince Cyndee to bring Daniel down here for a visit. I think he’d love the Children’s Museum, the Zoo, and OMSI.
Friday July 24th was the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I’ve been going every year for the last three years. Our team is a bunch of teachers, friends, and family. I love the relay it’s such a great community event. Othello is a small town, about 6K, with a lot of heart. There are so many people that come out for this event every year. I’m always surprised at how many come out. I think we started out about 7pm with a few words from people that have survived cancer. One of those that talked this year was my mom’s friend, Kristi Spohr. She was actually my French teacher in high school. She did such a great job talking about her experience in finding out she had cancer. I stood there listening to her tearing up and thinking I should really go and get my mammogram done soon. After the talks those that have survived cancer did the survivor walk. It’s the first round around the track and done by those that have survived cancer. It’s really cool because you see a sea of purple shirts walk the track. It’s neat, and yet bitter-sweet to see all those survivors. I know so many of them too. Some are even people I’ve gone to high school with. I’m so glad they’re survivors.
Every year we raise money and every year we try to do better than the last year. This year we raised $1,700 from our team, the Studs and Duds. I was so happy we’d done so well. I’m always happy if we make more than 1K, maybe next year we’ll make 2K. This year was a ton of fun too because “the kids” (Alex, Cade, Drake, and Gabriella) got to spend the night with us. I think they had a great time! I was proud of myself too because I walked 13 miles straight in the relay. I could have walked farther but I got a blister on my foot so the last 3 miles were hard.
Once the relay was over mom and I headed home. Saturday was a day of sleeping and relaxing since we’d not slept the night before. It was so nice not to do anything. Saturday night we went out to Penny and Israel’s place to have dinner and visit with the kids. I love hanging out there with them. The kids are so full of energy and just fun to play with. Cade had recently gotten a new goat so we went out to the pasture to see his new goat and everyone else’s goat too. We also got to see the new chickens.
Monday I headed to Ellensburg to visit with Eric’s parents. I think it’s so great that we have such a great relationship. I love my in-laws, they’re the best. Tuesday I got to go with Julie to her book club luncheon. It was so much fun. I love Julie’s friends. We all enjoyed a great potluck luncheon and chatted about all things from books, to movies, to computers, to potatoes. I can’t remember everyone’s names but here’s a picture of everyone in attendance at the lunch. A bunch of great ladies.
Later Tuesday night Greg, Hollie, Miles, and Beth came over to Bob and Jullie’s to visit and play for a while before we headed to dinner. I can’t believe Mile’s is going into 2nd grade this year. I think Beth has one more year before she starts school. I just can’t believe how much time has flown by. It seems like just a bit ago when they lived up the street from us and we saw them more often. I really wish we saw everyone more often but that darn work just gets in the way of it all.
I had an amazing vacation! I actually extended it to include Thursday and Friday so I could spend time with Eric. I was go glad I took the time off.
Friday night we went to dinner at Jenny and Jessica’s house. Those two girls are somethings else. Both are the sweetest every and Jenny is a cooking rockstar. After I finished work we headed over for some visiting, good food, and of course dessert. I have to share a super funny story though.. hope you don’t mind Jess. Ok, so we’re hanging out in the kitchen while Jenny cooks dinner and Jessica says she’s going to make dessert but she can’t remember what the dessert is called. She knows that it’s Italian and these light, fluffy cookie like things that you top with cream. We came up with all manner of Italian things.. but none were right. Then, out of the blue, Jessica says, “I know eclairs!” Without hesitation Jenny, Eric and I all looked at Jessica with “that look” that says.. “what .. are you nuts?”. Yeah, OK. we told Jessica they’re French.. not Italian. We all had a great laugh at that and in the end.. decided to head to Pix for dessert. Yummy French macaroons.
Saturday found Eric and I in our PJs, sitting on the couch, drinking the great lattes he’d made and reading our books. Yeah, ALL DAY! It was so awesome. I loved just sitting there in my PJs all day without a care in the world and enjoying my book. I have to do that more. I remember being able to do that when I was younger but I think now I just think of so many things that need to be done around the house.. or garden.. and feel guilty taking that time for me. I wish I could do a better job of switching off the type A in me because I enjoy the break and it does recharge my batteries. Between reading my book, cat naps, and having the cat sleep on me.. the day was made and not an ounce of guilt was felt. Note to self… DO THIS MORE!!!
