“Has it really been almost a month since I’ve posted anything of value to the world? I know I’ve been living life and enjoying friends and the weekend, but really.. a WHOLE month. Not good.” That’s what I thought logging on tonight to my blog and considering writing a blog post. Blogging is an interesting thing. There are so many out there; some people share their life, some proliferate information, others share their thoughts about a specific topic. My blog, well this is a place for everything in my life.
When I started blogging I did so to capture what was happening in my life so I had my journaling all done when it came time to scrapbook an event. It have moved to all sorts of locations. It has been broken apart and brought back together I don’t know how many times. I’ve often felt that I “need” to write more on my blog, like I “owe” it to the few people I know that actually read it. I mean if I want more readers and more people commenting I need to post more, right? I was thinking about this the other day and realized this. I’m a lurker. I mean, when I’m on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I lurk and read more than I comment. I know, some of you reading this find that hard to believe because I do comment in Facebook and tweet in Twitter. In thinking about being a lurker, I realized this, “I like lurking. I prefer talking to someone in person than writing to a nebulous person(s) over the web.” That said, I have to wonder how many people are lurking on my blog. Since this discovery I have accepted the fact that this blog is well.. for me. If others want to know what I’m doing, etc. then they can see it here.. but I don’t need comments or readers to feel the value of the blog. The value comes, for me, when I’m talking with someone about say.. a recipe.. and I can tell them, “Go to my blog and select recipes, you’ll find a great recipe for gnocchi.” If they go great, if not that’s OK too.
So what does this all mean? Well, I honestly don’t know. What I DO know is that I don’t feel pressure to post to my blog. I don’t feel bad when no one comments. I feel good that I can share with others and they can read it when they see fit.. or maybe not at all. It’s liberating I have to say.
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.
I think I’ve told everyone I know that I’m working out, trying to get healthy, and yes…. loose some unwanted pounds. I’ve been walking with a couple people from work and attending WeightWatchers. Well I was doing really good before the trip to Victoria, BC. I haven’t been doing as well since I got back. I mean I haven’t gained, but I haven’t really been loosing much either. I know the month just started but I’m committed to getting back into the grove and back into the gym because, well, the more I work at it the more the weight will be removed.
Enter the cross-training elliptical machine at my gym.
I don’t know how many of you have seen this, I hadn’t until I joined my new gym. This elliptical kicks your tail. I mean between the walking and the arm thingy you’re never without something to do. I’ve been trying to get on this thing and just “rock it” and last night I did. I actually worked out on that machine for a full 60 minutes… at one time. By the time I was done it said I’ve burned 400 calories. Just think, if I do that for 10 days that’s a pound of loss.
So far I’ve lost a little over 15 pounds and I feel great! It’s so nice to be able to fit well into clothes. I’ve gotten lots of compliments from people too that I look good. That’s so nice and something I wouldn’t have expected with just a 15 pound loss so far. I’ve still got another 15 pounds or so left to go. I’m hoping I reach my goal weight before Thanksgiving and then maintain it so I make Lifetime member at WeightWatchers.
Today, after several days of procrastination I finally got back in the swing of things and went for a jog. I took the dogs because I have felt like a bad mom because I haven’t taken either dog for a walk for a while. For some that may not be a big deal but our back yard is small and no conducive to hosting dogs at play.
So today I took them with me. First let me say… MY DOGS are lazy. Well, Baylee is. After we’d gone about a mile she was pittering out and I had to slow down for her. Not really my idea of a workout but good bonding time with the dogs.
I’m feeling great that I took them with me and that I went almost three miles today. I’m trying to get back in the saddle with exercise. I was doing really well before I left on vacation to Victoria, BC with my mom. Since I’ve been back.. well… I’ve been a slacker to say the least.
In other news, my weight continues to come off. Ok, last week I was sick so that may have helped. In any case, I’ve lost a little over 15 pounds so far and well on my way to my next recognition at WeightWatchers. My goal is to loose another 20 or so pounds. I know, some may think I don’t need to but if you knew what my weight was you’d be fine with that. Let’s just say, I hide my weight well. I’d love to say my weight is muscle, but it’s not. So I continue on the journey hoping that I’ll reach goal before the end of the year. I would love it if I hit goal before the end of 2009 and never look back.
Today Julie and I headed across the mountains to the annual Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention in Bellevue, Washington. Usually when we go we get up at the crack of dawn to get over the mountain in time for out first class. This year we decided to start our first class a little later so we didn’t need to leave until about 9:30, which was a nice change. Julie and I talked about all sorts of things all the way over to the convention. It’s funny because some people wonder, OK Eric wonders, how you can talk to someone for that long but I guess it’s just one of those things that comes easy to me and Julie.
This year we did a little different at the convention. In years past we’ve taken the same classes so we could sit together and take the same classes but this year I signed up early and Julie wasn’t able to so we only got into one of the same classes. Originally I thought it wouldn’t be as fun taking classes separately, that I wouldn’t like it as much but it was really fun. We each took difference classes for our first class, then our second class was together and the third class we took two different ones. It was pretty cool. So cool, in fact that we might have to do that again next year. It was great to meet other people that share the same hobby. In my first class I met this great woman from Canada. We talked the whole time during the class while we were listening to the teacher. I ended up running into her later in the day too. After our first class we hit the vendor fair again and did a little shopping.
The vendor fair was OK but nothing exceptional. I don’t know if it’s because I have a lot of “stuff” or if I’m stingy with money because I know another place I can get it with a discount. Anyhow we did a little shopping and I found some things that I wanted. I think the best thing was the Sizzix Sidekick. What’s great about it is I can use my QuicKuts on it and spare my had the squishing required using the QuicKuts machine.
We didn’t get lunch there at the convention this year. Julie was thinking and we brought our lunch, just something small, a Lunchable or something. It was another smart move because the food at the convention isn’t that great and the cost is pretty high for the sub-standard food. I was so glad Julie has thought about bringing it, it made the lunch time so much better.
After lunch we headed to the class we had together. It’s so funny for Julie and I to sit in the same class. This year I really realized how different our learning styles are. We get into class and get our kits and the first thing we both do is take out all our pieces but that’s where we stop being the same. I’m the activist, I’m the one that starts looking at the same, reading the directions and start working on the pages while the teach is talking. Julie on the other hand sits and waits for direction. She doesn’t start until she’s supposed to and when she does she pays attention to the details, very reflective. It does work well for us because the teachers go so fast that I can get mine done and help Julie at the same time so we both get done.
The last class was crazy for both of us. Although we didn’t have the class together both our classes were quick and messy. It was nuts since the class didn’t start until about 4:30 and by then Julie and I were both sort of tuckered out and just about ready to head home. After our last classes we jumped in the car and headed home knowing “the guys”, OK Eric, was making us dinner. Again, the whole way home we talked and talked.
Once home we had the best dinner ever. Eric is such an awesome cook. He made the best beef tips in wonderful red wine, asparagus and potatoes. It was yummy. After dinner Julie and I both pulled out all our booty and showed it to the guys. Oh yeah, they were excited… Not really!
This is the most coolest picture ever. Eric and I went to Pittock Mansion today for an outing. The actual mansion is pretty cool, but the views are much cooler. I think we’re going to have to picnic up there sometime soon. We had decided to go in and take a tour of the place s well. We started with the “official” tour but the lady went on and on about who made everything that Eric and I just went off ourselves. It was more fun that way anyway. I think one of the most interesting things there was the phone/intercom. Basically, servants and delivery people would intercom into a room to let the occupants know either they were there for a delivery, or that the meal was ready. I could believe all the wonderful views in the place. Man, how cool would it be to live there.
After the mansion we headed to the rose gardens for some great photos and a look at some of the most amazing roses. I’d never been there before today. it was so cool to see all the different roses. I can’t even imagine how many different ones there were. We walked all over that place and then some. Some of the pictures we took turned out really cool, like the close ups on many of the flowers. I still have a lot to learn with my camera because we tried to get this great close up shot of a rose with a few drops of dew and it didn’t come out as well as we’d have liked. Guess that’s a reason for even more of a zoom lens
All in all the day was pretty wonderful. It was nice to enjoy somethings we’d not been to and just have fun with each other and the camera. After the rose garden we headed to southeast Portland to the best tapas place we’ve found i Portland, Bar Pastiche. The food there is great! What’s cool too is their desserts are brought in from Pix, another great place to eat and for desserts. YUM! So now we’re home, Eric’s watching World cup, and I’m blogging… again
Today was all about Eric and I. We had such a FABULOUS DAY! Several weeks ago I had asked Eric to pick a restaurant for tonight that we could go to and spend some quality time because I am leaving for Boston and by then time I get back it will be two weeks that will go by since we’ll see each other. Note the fact that I don’t think Eric and I have gone more than about 5 days without seeing each other since we’ve been together. SO I really wanted to spend some quality time together, go enjoy some great food and have a great night.
Eric did one better, he planned the whole day and it turned out AWESOME! We started out the day like any other with some coffee and breakfast but then we headed out and did a little wine touring. We started at Ponsi, which isn’t that great of a place. A little too pretentious for me. Then we headed to Cooper Mountain and had a blast. The wine pour person was wonderful and we were able to try all their wines without the fee since Eric gets the industry discount. Ahh the joys of working at Oak Knoll. After that we headed to the Sake place in Forest Grove. It was OK but I’m not a Sake lover. Eric loved it and had a wonderful time tasting all the different kinds. We ended up taking to the pour staff for a while and enjoyed the time there. What a great place to go, even if you don’t like Sake. Next stop…. downtown Portland…. Whole Foods. Eric and I were both a little hungry and our dinner reservation wasn’t until 6pm so we got a little snack at Whole Foods and headed to Vault. Vault is a martini bar and let me tell you, what a great bar it is. I loved. I mean LOVED the martinis there. we had a blast sitting by the fire sipping martinis and having appetizers. I loved the dates with Gorgonzola in them wrapped in bacon. yum….After a few drinks we headed to dinner at the Park Kitchen. Man, you want to talk about great food and wonder service. It was super, we’re going to have to take family there some time. We started with an appetizer of anchovies, fennel and Meyer lemons. It was SUPER!. Dinner was even better, I had the salmon with chestnuts and Eric had the lamb. The whole meal was so good and flavorful and the textures were amazing. For me I loved the softness of the salmon with the crunchiness of the chestnuts… YUM. Dessert was a cappuccino and a chocolate dessert that was fantastic. I loved tonight. It really was a fantastic time and really made me realize that Eric and I love great food and that’s something we can share. Tonight also reminded me that we need to do a better job of making time for each other and spending quality time together. I think too often we’re caught up in the actions of life that we forget. Tonight was a call to attention to make Date night a priority and spend that time together. I love this man and want to spend the rest of my entire life with this man. I LOVE YOU ERIC….
I am so super excited. Eric and I have been talking about finishing the painting in the house but neither of us were excited about it because of the taping off, the use of primer and just the general chaos of it all. So I thought I’d just check a few painting companies to see what they would bid us. Well, we had three guys check on our project and we finally made a decision on one yesterday. What’s super cool is that the guy is going to come and paint for us in trade for me building his business web site. How super, uber cool is there? I mean we’re going to get the painting done, I get the opportunity to design another website, which I love, help out another business and pay no green backs. I’m so excited about it all. I’m really looking forward to not only working with this guy and getting the painting done but designing a website for him that’s totally different from the sites I’ve been doing lately.
Oh, here are the rooms we’re doing too… and their colors. Keep in mind on the computer they look different than in real life:
Well, Eric and I did it. We bought bikes today so we can go riding on the road or on trails. They’re hybrid bikes. We ended up going to this great place in Beaverton to check them out. The sales guy was great and super helpful. We even got to take our bikes out for a spin to see if we really liked them. I LOVED mine. Eric and I have been talking for a while about getting bikes and today we did it. I’m hoping that I’ll really get in the habit of riding to work and stuff during the week. Hopefully we’ll get in shape and do STP this year too. Who knows. Oh, here’s a picture of my bike.
I think I’ve told everyone I know that I’m working out, trying to get healthy, and yes…. loose some unwanted pounds. I’ve been walking with a couple people from work and attending WeightWatchers. Well I was doing really good before the trip to Victoria, BC. I haven’t been doing as well since I got back. I mean I haven’t gained, but I haven’t really been loosing much either. I know the month just started but I’m committed to getting back into the grove and back into the gym because, well, the more I work at it the more the weight will be removed.
