Check, check, check

For years I've kept what I affectionately call the "Jenny Do List". It gets moved every month and I keep track of how long shit has been on the list. Just because I really like to see just HOW lazy I am.

Being that I now seem to have a permanent job in the unemployment line (song lyric...know from where?) I figured the least, very least, I could do was get that list done.

Today I cleaned out the garage. It was the last thing on my list of things to do. I've been patiently waiting for nice-ish weather so I can have the garage door open. Today was that day. I organized, repacked, reorganized, repacked and swept the garage. It's clean!

There are still a few things I need to figure out how to get rid of (Mrs. Landlord at one point decided to hack at a tree out front that's a pain in our collective arses. The branches are in a bag that needs to be disposed of somehow. I suppose I could cut them down and put them in the garbage.

There's also now some boxes that need to be recycled. Today is trash day so the recycled bin is FULL and now I have to wait until it's empty.

So now what?

I'm done with all my scrapbooking.

I've searched for a job all week.

I've cleaned out every single cabinet in the kitchen and all the bathrooms.

I've cleaned out and organized the laundry room.

I've cleaned and organized the closets.

Ugh...what else?

I need a job. I'm starting to feel very antsy and a bit discouraged.  I'm anxious too and I hate all those feelings.

I'm taking my anxious, antsy and discouraged butt out for a wog. That's what I'm going to do.

Flash cards from the edge

Back in the day, you know, elementary school, we used flash cards for everything. Math, spelling, definitions etc. Flash forward (hahah get it?) to 2005. I used flash cards to help me study for my PMP exam.  I find them useful and I'm very good at memorizing in that way.

Tonight I was telling my friend BeagleBabe that I think I'm too late to find an Italian class for our cruise in April. I've been wanting to take a super simple, tourist Italian class and just haven't gotten around to it.

And then I became unemployed and couldn't really defend spending $$ on an Italian class.

Tonight I got home and found this site. I went through ALL the phrases and was happy to find out that some, ok very little, of the Italian I learned while at TASIS came back.

Then I read through them again. And in the second round I realized, I need flash cards. I am, after all, unemployed and so have the time to make me some flash cards. 

I simply think learning a few phrases in the language of the country you're visiting is the polite thing to do.  And I love that it's something that comes to me relatively easy.  I won't, by any means, be able to carry on a conversation, but I will be able to order a beer and find the bathroom.

And that is, after all, all I really need to know.

Buona Sera!!
AKA - Good night

February Sunday Dinner...and a few other things

This month Sunday Dinner was hosted by the Braspirs.  You may know Mrs. Braspir by her other code name of Queen PopUp.  After much deliberation - and a vote between the kittens and me - I've determined that Queen PopUp will henceforth be known as Mrs. Braspir.  They are, after all, family - sorta. In fact, I ran into someone who knew Mrs. Braspir's daughter-in-law and without skipping a beat I told the person she was my niece. So you, see, I've said it, therefore it is.

Moving on ...

Sunday dinner was out in BFE...also known as Carnation.  And those of you not from around here, yes it's THE Carnation where Carnation Dairy once (and still may) exist. It has absolutely nothing to do with the flower though. I don't think.

Anyhow, back to BFE. It's a beautiful drive out there and such a lovely place to visit. I'm not country folk and so wouldn't really like to live out there - unless the price was right.  Still, the Braspir's have a beautiful home that always makes me feel so welcomed. 

We ate 7 layer dip (and by "we" I think I mean me and Mrs. Landlord - cuz I swear I ate almost the whole platter of it), fudge, brie/crackers...and wine. That was just the starters. Oh the wine.

So remember, maybe you don't, but recently I purchased 10 bottles of wine within 2 days because all my favorite wines went on sale, and well, you can't NOT purchase your favorite wines when they go on sale, right? 4 of the bottle's were, actually, not a "favorite" wine in as much as wine's I thought would be my favorite if I had a chance to try them. So they went on sale at Cost Plus and I purchased them. ONE of those bottles, we drank last night. After two sips I debated hiding the bottle and not letting anyone else have any. Mr. Braspir poured himself a glass and I almost whimpered when I realized it was almost the end of the bottle.  I did take a photo of the bottle, and will be driving my butt to Cost Plus sometime this week and purchasing another bottle, or 2, or 3.

After I gorged myself on appetizer, we were served Baked Ziti, salad, and garlic bread that may or may not have gotten slightly burnt. No fire alarms went off, but those of us not in the kitchen helping smelled burnt toast and heard a suspicious scraping sound going on in the other room. It still tasted spectacular and it didn't stop me from having two pieces.

Dessert was a layered cake that was white cake layered with raspberry jam and topped with frosting. OMG...so good. I may have to request that again.

By the end of the evening I was stuffed, as usual, and I didn't have to do dishes. It was, for me, a win win.

The Pantry Goat thought it'd be a great idea to reverse the photo from below. I cropped out my fat butt...

In other none Sunday dinner related news, the job search continues. I had another interview today and three "outstanding" interviews - meaning the recruiters have my resume in front of people who want to bring me in for an interview, but we just need to nail down availability. Ugh.

My screwdriver

So here I am in the 3rd week of unemployment. I'm bored. I've managed to get most everything on my list done. The things that remain require purchasing of some objects so I'm not going to do them now (read: not spending any $$).

Did you ever see Sleeping with the Enemy with Julia Roberts? In the film she's a kept woman abused by her OCD husband.  Controlled is putting it mildly.

Anyhow, there's a part in the beginning where they are sitting at the breakfast table. He asks her what she's going to do today and she replies "I'm going into town to buy a screwdriver."  He asks why and she responds, "Because we don't have one." Basically telling the viewer that she's bored and has nothing better to do but make up things to do.

I am going into town to buy a screwdriver. 

My "screwdriver" is wiping down all the light switches.

My "screwdriver" is wiping out all the cabinets.

My "screwdriver" is buying a plastic container (cheap) to organize the paint brushes.

My "screwdriver" is moving, rearranging, moving back my entire scrapbook room. (At least I got to vacuum under things.)

And the list goes on. 

I admit, I've enjoyed this time off. I've gotten to read a lot...a LOT and get caught up on all  my TV shows I've taped.  Now, well now I'm bored.

Yesterday I laced up the shoes and started the Couch to 5K process again - just for something to do (and well yes it's good for me). Today I would go out but I'm super sore so am resting a day.

Tomorrow I plan on doing some re-organizing of my recipes (they're all pretty organized already). Scrapbook stuff is organized. Receipts are organized (not too many cuz I'm not buying anything). Went through my file cabinet and tossed 7 year old taxes, old manuals, old stuff in general. 

Now I'm bored.

On the job front, I have a few irons in the fire, but nothing solid yet. I'm still trying to keep a positive feeling about one potential job, but as each day passes and I don't hear, I just assume it's a no. I've emailed them and have heard nothing. So moving on.

Project Life 2013 - Done!

I've been a scrapbooker since 1998. I have 47 scrapbooks to prove it and could easily have bought 2 houses with the amount of $$ I've put into this little hobby. But I love it. I go back and forth with wanting to quit at times, and soon realize that it is my creative outlet and I'm going to keep going. I really scrapbook for myself. No one really looks at them. Only on a rare occasion.

This last year I jumped in both feet first with this "newer" scrapbook craze called Project Life. Long time Queen of Scrapbook Becky Higgins developed this system. The basic concept is to get your daily life scrapped with minimal effort.

The "layouts" are pages with pre-defined slots for your photos. Thing very old school photo albums - minus the gross glue adhesive background.  My good friend BeagleBabe started it and is an expert at it. She's not a scrapbooker (she says) and so found Project Life to really fit her. The simplicity in just putting photos in slots (with some fun embellishments) was just for her.  So I thought I'd give it a try.

I've gotta say, it's not simple for me. You would think it would be, but I found it more difficult to be "limited" to a pre-defined slot for my photos. Still, I pushed on and completed the entire year.  I'm happy with the output but will probably not be doing this for 2014 - most likely not that is. I think I'll stick to traditional scrapbooking - which seems easier to me.

I chose to do this Project Life thing with the project 365 (one photo every day for a year) photos.  I, obviously, didn't use every photo.  One of the concepts with Project Life is to capture your daily lives - including journaling.  Because I used project 365 there wasn't much of a need to journal. So I made lists of the photos.


Here's my 2013 Project Life. 

Interviewing

So I'm in week two of the Great Unemployment Adventure 2.0. While I'm "enjoying" the time off, I'm ready to get back to work. The interviews are happening and are being scheduled, though I'm still waiting for that one job offer.

I have a couple of friends who are also looking for jobs. Some for over a year. It surprises to me that it takes so long to find a job, but I also realize that being willing to take contract jobs really ups the possibility.  I was having a conversation with an unemployed friend and was a bit surprised she really didn't know, or understand how to find a job.  Her "process", for lack of a better word, is to keep checking with some of the same companies sites over and over. She's very focused on wanting to work for these companies.  But doesn't look any further. She's also put her resume up on Monster and is "stunned" nothing is happening.

Here's the thing, looking for a job is a job. There are ways to make it easier, but at the end of the day, you have to be creative in your job hunting.  You need to know what type of job you want, what type of company you want, and be willing to say no to a job offer that you know in your heart isn't the right job.

There are a bunch of sites out there to help you find job posting. I use Indeed.com to help. Essentially Indeed does half the work. It goes out and searches job postings all  over the Internet with key words - in my case project manager.  I get a daily email with brand new job posting. I look through them ALL - this is important.  You have to read them all cuz you never know when the title of a job description isn't accurate and the job description might have more details. You just gotta take the time to read them.

I also think you have to keep your applications organized. I have a, wait for it, excel spreadsheet of my applications. I keep all the information there to remind me of the  job posting should I get a call. I not only keep the URL of the job description, but I also copy and paste the job description information into OneNote - because the URL has, and will, be useless once they take the job posting down.

Places I've found useful to look for jobs besides Indeed.com are LinkedIn and Craig's List. All are good places to start, but you really do need to make a job out of finding a job.

I've had some good interviews and feel after each on the same. I've done the best I can and now it's just a wait and see. So far nothing has worked out. I'm convinced the right job will come along and I'm ready to do what I need to find that job.

In other exciting news, the Seahawks won the Superbowl.  If you live in Seattle you certainly couldn't have missed that.  I have never seen the city get so hyped up over a team. But man everywhere you look you see the number 12 for the12th man.

Celebrate

I've been meaning to write this blog for a week now, and I just haven't had it in me. I've come down with a nice little cold and for some reason it has wiped out all my energy. There are things I've wanted to do, and should have been doing, and I just haven't had the energy.

Even now as I sit here typing away I'm feeling a bit sleepy. I'm debating between continuing to write and taking a nap. I figure the nap is eventual, so might as way write my thoughts.

BigBro's Celebration of Life was something to marvel at. At least 300 people were there to tell stories and to celebrate a man that was so loved by so many people. It was a bit overwhelming to see so many people from all the different aspects of BigBro's life.

I got a chance to chat with his friends from Boeing. It put me to tears to listen to a woman who still swung by BigBro's desk every day to say hi, only to remember too late that he won't be back.

Another Boeing friend told me about how BigBro would answer his phone and would be all about helping whomever was calling and never really complained about it. I know for a fact he complained about his job, but I love that his co-workers see him as someone willing to help in any situation. He was, mostly like that after all.

I spoke with some high school friends who had stories about his "antics" - all innocent enough, but still he was a talker and never stopped telling a story or chatting someone up.

Then there were the friends from Demolay.  Demolay is a dying society it seems, but the brothers were all part of this in the 70's.  So many friends told me stories of BigBro's dedication to the fraternity (for lack of a better word for it). One gentlemen retold a story of the first time he met BigBro and how welcomed he felt into the fold.

Then there was the 3Day gang. I was not surprised to see so many of them there to celebrate his passion for the cause. The stories this group had were nothing short of tear jerkers. Each had a special story of when they first met BigBro and how big his hugs were. In fact, the big, all embracing hugs were a common theme throughout all the groups of friends.

A gathering of young women caught my attention too. I stopped and chatted with two of them and they told me that Coach Ric was one of their favorite coaches. Turns out these girls all were part of a soccer team and coached by BigBro. It was a mini reunion for these girls and each one seemed to have taken something from their days of being coached by BigBro with them in their current lives.

Family, of course, was there.  A Celebration of Life wouldn't be complete without the clan there.  Brothers, sisters, cousins, daughters, mothers, in-laws were all on hand to recount the man and his life.  BiggerBro (the oldest) said a few words to the crowd and I smiled when he said he could talk all day about BigBro and say anything - and for once not be interrupted.  I then broke down in tears with BiggerBro choked up a little in his closing. For some reason him, and my MiddleBro, crying just causes a gush of tears.

The Buckhorn crew was there too. One of the wives of one of the Buckhorn crew made ribbons for everyone to wear. The Buckhorn guys all got ribbons that had camo, pink, and orange ribbons. It was very special to me and I was so thrilled that these people who loved BigBro and his love for hunting were there to say goodbye and tell some stories I'm sure BigBro would have preferred to not be told.

The last group was of friends. People who wasn't part of any of the other groups of his life, but was fond of the big guy and knew him through me or through other avenues of his life. Neighbors who lived next to him for years. Teachers who knew him years ago.  Family friends who lived in the old neighborhood - so many stories and not enough time.

We had a beautiful photo movie playing non stop throughout. So many people stopped me to tell me how wonderful it was to see his life played out before them. And how really blessed his life was.  We had a bunch of stories people sent me that we displayed.  Every time I walked by it someone was standing there crying.  The stories all had a common theme...his love for life, his big hugs, and his passion for what he believed in.

It was a bittersweet day for me.  I was tired and overwhelmed just by the putting it all together, and then I was tired and overwhelmed by all the people there. When I got home I had a "moment" to reflect and I had a small melt down.  I spent the day hearing stories, seeing so many old friends/family, and by the end of the day I had to smile a bit. He was loved and he touched so many lives.  I'm proud to have called him brother.

Peculiar

Is that a hard word for you today? It is for me. I have to stop and think about it before I say it.

Tomorrow is BigBro's Celebration of Life. I'm not sure if I'm ready for it to happen, but it will take place whether or not I'm ready for it. It'll be a good chance to listen and hear stories of the big guy.  I'm hoping it won't be as emotional as I expect it to be.

I just finished the February book club book, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I choose this book for one simple reason it mixes fiction with photography. The author, Ranson Riggs, wrote this book using some interesting, antique photos he had found throughout the years.  He spun an interesting story while using the photos throughout the book.  I find that fascinating.  The book is good, and is definitely an easy read. In fact, I was just told it is a teeny bopper type book. Regardless, it was entertaining and a bit different from anything I've read.

The author has a second book, a sequel, that mixes photography and the story again. It fascinates me that an author can take unique photos and spin up a tale that is entertaining and interesting.  I highly recommend this book. It's a quick and easy read - just 246 pages.

Finishing this book is 5 books for me this year already. Is it peculiar that I read so much?

A Note to my BigBro

BigBro's Celebration of Life is upon us. This Saturday we'll all gather to remember the larger than life man he was. 

In prep for this event, we've been asking people to write stories about BigBro and send them to me. I plan on printing them, displaying them there and then putting them in a scrapbook for the girls.

I've been procrastinating writing my letter/story. I've started and stopped it a hundred times. Finally, last night after the Seahawks win I was able to write my letter/story.

Get the Kleenex if you're an emotional type. I put my heart into this and I think it's sitting on the desk next to me weeping.

To My BigBro -

I've started and stopped this  note a hundred times.  Unsure where to begin telling the world the person you were and, more importantly, the person you made me. I wish I had one more day with you to tell you just how important you were to me. I hope you knew. I think you knew. I'm sure you knew. 

I don't have a memory of actually meeting you. You were just there - in  my life - bigger than life itself. You always had a smile, a twinkle in your eye and a big, HUGE hug for me. Never letting go until I made the move first. I miss those hugs. 

You weren't a perfect man or brother, far from it. But who of us are perfect. You were perfect to me, and that's all that matters. In fact you used to pretend shock when I'd say, "you were right." You'd smile and say, "I don't know why you can't just accept that." 

I could spin a tale or two of how many times you made me smile. A tale about how many times you had mischievous in your eyes and tried to bring me along with you...I never said no. You were my big brother and I would have done anything to spend time with you.  I just wish I had one more chance to spend more time with you. Just one more day. 

You and Janet were always the family I did things with for holidays and birthdays. We never really hung out until we started training for the 3Day. I'll forever be grateful for the 3Day because that training gave me a brother, and a friend. You learned WAY more about me than you probably ever wanted to know during those countless training hours. But I learned something about you too brother. I learned that you were first and foremost a compassionate person who cared deeply. Who smiled in an instant and who would talk to anyone. In fact I used to joke that you'd even talk to a stump.  Your constant chatter and happy attitude kept my feet moving forward. 

And then during the event itself I saw how much people loved you. My god do people love you.  I lost count of the number of people who'd run up for a hug, or high five you, or stop and ask how it was going. Everyone knew you...everyone.  When I'd be chatting with someone on route and I'd mention you were my brother, they'd get a big grin and say, "I love that guy." And they did...they still do. 

Now you're gone. It kills me to write that. But you're gone from this world physically at least. Yet, I find comfort in seeing you in the smile of people we know, the smile of your girls, the love that people have for you and share with me, the countless stories that are told about you and, above all, I can see you in my heart anytime I want. Because brother, that's where you'll be forever. 

Love you,

Jenn -

PS - You used to say I was the sister you never wanted. You'd smile when you said it, and then pull me into a huge hug.

Immigrants

I've struggled internally with the recent "immigration" issue that has been thrown to the front page of all our major newspapers in Washington. Like many cities around the nation, we had a march here of immigrants.

Again, I find myself in a quandary of how I feel. But alas, a writer for the Seattle PI wrote a column on this and wrote what I was feeling:

"The truth is the 11 million people -- many from Mexico -- who are in this country without permission are here illegally. Period.

"Their reasons for coming are understandable, even a reason for empathy. They want to work to better themselves and their families.

"This, however, doesn't give them carte blanche to freely enjoy the benefits of American society, from public education to free medical care. They've bypassed means of legal entry that millions of immigrants from Asia, Africa and Europe line up just to apply for.

"Granting blanket amnesty to all illegal Latinos would be a slap in the face to immigrants who've followed the rules.

"The majority of Latinos who've come here without papers are no doubt good, hardworking folks. I do wonder about those who are not. Really, how do we know who is crossing the border? Do they have a criminal background? Or affiliation with terrorists or bloodthirsty gangs like Mara Salvatrucha?

"We don't know -- and that uncertainty should be a cause of national concern."

-Robert Jamieson
Whole article here

A Sunday with a Headache by any other name...is still a Sunday with a Headache

Whoa...and what a headache I have. I blame myself though. But nothing that a couple of Tylenol and water and a little bit of coffee can't fix. I get ahead of myself though. Let me back up as to why.

Thursday night I got a text from The Yank asking if I wanted to join him and PhotoGirl for some wine tasting on Saturday.  PhotoGirl is looking for wine for a birthday blowout she's having.  Ultimately I said yes I'd go, but let me walk you through the thought process for me.

Since I've been working from home, I've discovered that going out and doing things - where it used to be an immediate YES - has become a thought process.

Leave the house?
Oh man, I'm not sure about that.
But wine tasting could be fun.
Yah but you have to leave the house.
I enjoy The Yank and PhotoGirl.
Yah but you have to leave the house.

And so it goes.

I really am not sure where this thought / feeling comes from. I do realize I could become a hermit a little too easily.

Anyhow, I did ultimately say yes and I'm glad I did. The two of them are a bunch of fun and really know their wines.  I learned new ways to explain how wine tastes, "gripping tannins" was perhaps my favorite description.

We hit 4 wineries in Woodinville. Woodinville, for those of you who don't know, is our winery town. There are about a 120 wineries in Woodinville (this is not a full list BTW) and growing.  These are all mostly small wineries who produce some pretty damn good wine.

Our first stop was diStefano - they had a cat that lived in this winery.  The Yank and PhotoGirl had some wines to pick up there. We tasted I think 5 wines there. But see here's the thing, The Yank and PhotoGirl SPLIT their tasting. I drank mine all by myself.   I do realize that you can toss the wine after a taste. And I do realize that a real taster doesn't actually swallow it. But come on. It's wine. And in most cases really good wine.

Then we stopped at Isenhower Cellars. I'd been here before. Seattle SIL got donated wine from this winery for her wine tasting parties.  Their wines are good to me and reasonably priced.  They had two vendors there sharing some food too - which was good cuz I needed something to soak up the wine.  They had a baker there who had cheesy bread that was - ZOMG so good - and bacon bread that was - you guessed it - ZOMG so good. There was also a cheese maker there who had some fantastic cheese.

We tasted I think 4 there. I bought a bottle of The Last Straw wine they had. Just loved it. The Yank and PhotoGirl bought a case of The Last Straw for her birthday.  Glad I could introduce them to a new winery.

After that we headed to Novelty Hill / Januik winery. This place was PACKED. "Rick" behind the counter was quite the character and while we paid for 5 tastings, we got two extra from him.  One was one of their reserved wines and it was delicious. It was $65 a bottle sadly, so I did not purchase one. It was like drinking a buttery goodness though.

Finally we ended our drinking binge (well my drinking binge) at Patterson Cellars. They had super friendly pourers (I'm sure they have a technical name) and kept the wine flowing. We tasted 4 or 5 there too. Good but not great wine in my opinion. The first taste was of a white wine that tasted like what I imagine sweat socks to taste like. Needless to say, I dumped it.

After we headed across the street for some much needed food and had a great dinner at The Commons.

By the time I got home I was so glad I went and can't wait to go taste some wine with these two again.  I was super tired when I got home and managed to stay awake until it was bed time.  Since I was gone all day I had to entertain the demons a bit - they weren't all that happy I had been gone all day.

And so that's why I have a headache this morning. Aside from all the wine, I did mix reds and whites and that is a big no-no for me. I'm not a white wine fan at all, but feel obligated to at least taste them once in awhile. I do have to admit there were a couple yesterday that I could drink if I had to.

The day started great yesterday too. I got to have breakfast with some of my favorite ladies.  I've known these ladies for 8 or 9 years now (since about 2005) and while we only get to have breakfast/lunch/dinner a couple of times a year, I treasure those times like crazy. These ladies are so grounded and often offer up some good advice, a great listening ear, and unconditional love.  I just adore them.  I can't wait until we get to spend time together again.  I don't have nicknames for them yet, but I'll work on it. KA and J - you know who you are and I love ya both.

Escape

This month was the one year anniversary of a book club I started last January. It's a select group of women (not really but it sounds good) and the taste in reading material differs greatly.  The book club has been fun and a bit of a reading adventure for me. So many books chosen last year I never would have taken off the shelf and given any of my precious reading time. Now I look back and just smile at the wonderful stories I got to be a part of because of women I adore.

This year we started off with a book by Carolyn Jessop called Escape.  The book is a biography

written by Carolyn as she recounts living in a polygamist family in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).  She was married to a man quite a bit older than her and she recounts all the abuse and issues that plague the FLDS.  She ultimately escapes with her 8 children and tells her story of how she got to the day she knew she had to get out.

If you aren't familiar with the FLDS, you may know the name Warren Jeffs. He's their leader and is currently in prison for having sex with under age children - he married a 12 year old.

The general consensus of book club is that these extremeist sects are nothing more than cults. And when your born and raised believing one thing, you never have any reason to question if life could be any different. In this world Carolyn was essentially owned by her husband. He controlled everything she did, her money, her children, every single aspect of her life.  He dictated when they'd have sex - and sex was only for procreation by the way, and if she refused she and her children would be punished and mistreated by the other wives and older children. She learned that sex kept her kids safe and ultimately became her currency.

Could you imagine living like that?

The book really opened my eyes to how these communities exist and are not that different from prison camps.  These guys, religious fanatics, who rule and claim to have a direct connection to God just baffles me. Their whims - or sorry visions - change the daily lives of hundreds, if not thousands, and they all fall into line with whatever the new rule is. Subservient doesn't even begin to describe them.

The book is a good read and really does shed some light into a religious group that, in my opinion, really has some issues. Aside from the polygamy - I don't really care if a man marries multiple wives - but to treat women as nothing more than property really gets my dander flaking.

Our next book is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. It's my pick and I can't wait to read it.

Sunday Dinner for January

Sunday dinner this month came up too quickly for me. It seems like we just had a Sunday dinner and BAM there it is again. I'm not complaining, quite the contrary, it makes me happy to see all these people whom I love so frequently.

Okay, I'm going to talk about the elephant in the middle of the room. Sunday dinner just isn't the same without BigBro.  The December Sunday dinner I was able to delude myself that he was just not there. Like he was traveling, or hunting, or doing something ... this Sunday dinner it felt all to real.

I felt off yesterday. Like nothing seemed to be snapping correctly. I still think I pulled off a great meal and good times.  It just felt wrong.  I miss that damn guy so much.

I think the Sunday dinner stuff was triggered by pulling together all the photos for the photo show for his Celebration of Life. I should have taken a break while scanning the hundreds and hundreds of photos. Instead I pushed through and realized when I was done that I was numb with sadness. I think Sunday dinner was a causality of that.

That aside, I think everyone had a fantastic time. I made a 7-bone pot roast - even though I followed a recipe for a brisket. You gotta try this recipe by the way.

The cooking started at / around 1:30 and it didn't take long for the house to smell so delicious.  Someday technology is going to allow us to collect smells and share them on the blog.  Wait? I wonder if that's a good idea...never mind. Use your imagination.

That's a lot of beef. I had to call the MomUnit to find out if a 5lb 7-bone would feed 10 people. She suggested cooking them both and using the leftovers in tacos. Um, great idea ... I think I might. I sent some leftovers home with a couple of guests. I have enough for me and maybe some for the Pantry Goat.

So, the table looks bare to me, but the food that's on there was delicious!  We had a BBQ chicken salad, minus the chicken.  Another deli type salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies and bread. 

We had a good time last night.  Lucy got a little annoyed because Zoe the Dog was here. In fact, she got so annoyed she lashed out and drew blood from Zoe. Poor Zoe .. she's such a sweet dog and all she did was look more pathetic. She got a couple of good treats for her pain though. Lucy got a tongue lashing that she ignored.

Then there's the gang.  The amusing thing about this photo is Mr. Hotlanta is almost a ghost in this photo.  He at the last minute decided to put the bag over Blueberry. Hilarious if you ask me...

The job hunt continues. I had another good phone interview today and will be brought in for an in person interview later this week. As for the outcome of the interview last week...well we are in the "wait and see" phase. I'm feeling ok about both and am just letting whatever is going to happen just happen.

A Few More Goals

I think you all are aware that I'm a big fan of organization. I figure I spend more time organizing and then reorganizing than I do actually doing anything. Case in point, my scrapbook room. Just when  I think I have it organized enough to actually work, I find something else to organize.  Rinse, lather, repeat.

Along with this organization quirk (I call it a quirk but I'm so glad I can and do organize) I tend to get rid of stuff in the house on a regular basis. 

And on top of that, as organized as I am, there are still things that don't have a place to live.

You won't be too overly surprised that I read a blog called Everyday Organizing. She just posted a blog post that I have to talk about and comment on because I'm going to revise a couple of goals and update a couple of items on my task list. I'm going to be opening hood on some habits that I'm not proud of here, but hopefully it'll help someone, anyone, with organizing and being an organized person.

First her blog post is about her 2014 goals. And I am going to adopt them to some extent.

Her first goal is to get rid of everything that doesn't belong in the house.  She calls herself an "over-purger" and I think I'm going to adopt that new nickname. I too tend to get rid of stuff really quickly and then at times need whatever it is I got rid of.  The majority of time though, the things I'm tossing on a regular basis I don't really ever miss.

I've slowly become somewhat of a minimalist - in every room by the scrapbook room apparently.  I work through rooms and start plucking stuff to "get rid of." The problem is, some of this stuff never makes it to the garage, then to the garage sale pile or the good will.  Upstairs in the "den" I have a pile of items that have been up there for over a year that needs to go down into the garage.  A YEAR.... It has everything to do with pure laziness and nothing to do with the organization bug.

So I'm adding this to my goals. Not only am I going to make sure nothing is in the house that should be, but I'm going the extra step and getting that stuff to the garage.  Some will go to the annual garage sale, some will just go to the goodwill. That extra step is critical to me.  I need to get it out of the garage too in order to consider it "out of the house."

Kristin's second goal is a place for everything and everything in its place. My problem with this is the kitchen counter.  That counter collects piles like nothing I've ever seen. And many times I just keep piling stuff and not putting it away. Then one day it bugs me enough to clean off the counter (usually the night before the cleaning lady comes).

I'm adding a task/goal to put things away within a day. And if there isn't a place for it, find one.

On top of all of this, I got a new notebook to start my 2014 notes, tasks, grocery lists etc. This book goes just about everywhere with me. I've not yet been able to get rid of the hard type of notebook and put all this stuff in my iPhone. I like having that book handy for whatever reason.

Anyhow, I started transferring the "Jenny Do List" and noticed that there are 4 items on this list that were put on the list in February 2013.  Are you kidding me? Tasks that are almost a year old and haven't been done? Ugh. They are easy tasks, but again, the lazy wins. This year I've added a column if you will to my task list that I do every month, I am adding a note as to when it was put on the list. I'm curious just how lazy I can be. I think I know, but now that I'm aware of this, I wonder if by putting the date when it was added will help trigger the "get it done".

So there you go, a peak under the hood of Chez Jenn's and how it is to live here.  What about you, do you have things on your task list that just don't get done? What stops you?

And have you done your goals yet?

Ringing in 2015

No that's not a typo, its a thought.  I had an idea this morning that I'm excited about and want to share with you all, because I know you care.

Here's the back story. I have a friend who was telling me one day about letters she's written to her loved one's to be read upon her death.  I think this gift is incredible and one thing I'd like to consider doing someday.  Naturally, I'm thinking that anything I put in that letter should be said to the loved one before my last day on this planet, but I still think the gift of giving that after your gone is one that is incredible.

That idea coupled with a clip from Back to the Future I saw yesterday, you all know that movie right, gave me another idea. A gift, if you will, to myself.  I'm going to write a letter to my future self. I was thinking about what was going on right now in my life, how I feel about it, how I felt about 2013, what I think will happen in 2014, etc.  Wouldn't it be interesting to read on New Year's Eve this year, what I thought would happen this year?

Take a moment to think about that. 

I don't think writing the letter will guide me to do anything. In truth, I'll likely forget about the letter by next week anyhow.  Which means I have to put a reminder somewhere to remind me to read it on NYE. 

When I think about all the personal stuff that's floating around in my head, that I don't dare put in this blog because, well it's persona, and I wonder how I'll work through those thoughts, I can't help but wonder if on Dec 31, 2014 if any of them will be resolved. Will I even remember I had these thoughts?

What would you tell your future self?

So long 2013....hello 2014

Who's ready to say goodbye to 2013? This girl, that's who.
 
I've been working on my goals for 2014 and am ready to reveal them. The  new year always seems like a clean slate to me.  Starting fresh. All the old goals are out the door whether I completed them or not (I do know, but am not going to bother sharing at this point).  
 
Here's what I'll be working on in 2014!

Courtesy of eCoast

Personal
These are all things that help develop me as a person, enhance my already quirky personality, and/or are my every day activities that make up who I am.
 
Read:
1. Read a total of 50 books by Dec 31st
2. Read all 12 books in book club.
3. Include in the 50 books all those books taking up space on your night stand.
 
Blog:
1. Write a minimum of 3 times a week. 
2. Focus your writing beyond just daily activates. Start writing thoughtful blogs that trigger emotions. Use the blog topics already collected.
 
Cultivate Relationships:
There any number of friends who live here in the Pacific NW - almost in my own backyard - that I want to work on seeing more than once a year.  I have a list.  You've been warned.
1. Reach out to friends you haven't seen in years
2. Work on how you deal and react to some folks.  Don't break any spirits this year.
 
Scrapbooking:
This one is an every year goal.
1. Cease purchasing randomly.  Purchase only items that are specific and have a project.
2. Stay caught up. Scrap photos within the same quarter they are taken.
3. Work on getting heritage photos scrapped.
 
Photography:
1. Up to 6 photo strolls with themes
2. Try to spell Wraspir in photos
3. Continue with Project365; scrap them as project life
 
Finances:
The never ending finance goal. 
1. Do the 52 weeks of saving challenge (you basically put away in savings the amount of $$ that equals the number of the week. So for example, the first week I'll put away $1, the second week $2, the third week $3 and so on. And no this isn't the ONLY form of saving, but I thought it would be fun to do - and physically do it by putting it in my money jar.
2. Through March, track every single receipt. Keep all receipts and track what is purchased. Note anything that wasn't on the "list" when going shopping. This should help me understand where some of the money goes.  Sad that one can go into Walgreen's for a toothbrush and $60 later not know what you purchased.
3. Get 3 months of salary saved (this is in progress already - and will need true up once I find a job)
 
Health:
1. Work out 3X a week minimum.
2. Focus on good healthy food choices.
3. Lost 3-4 lbs a month
 
Professional:
This is a new category this year. My PMP certification is up in August and I'm 15 credits away. 
1. Get 15 PDUs by August
2. Read 3 PM or career focused books

I have some other more personal goals that I'm electing to not share with you all...they are a bit too personal for this medium. What about you? Got any goals?

Birthday Bash!

I think I'm still recovering from the birthday bash. I didn't drink too much, but man I was exhausted from all the standing and jabbering that took place. Don't get me wrong, I loved that I got to stand and jabber with most of my favorite people.

Chez Jenn's was at capacity. We had 18 people here - expected 21 - and we were packed to the gills.  Everyone brought their favorite appetizer and we had so much food here we could have fed a small village.  Everything was delicious and most were not low-cal.  Notable appetizers: homemade goat cheese, Olive yummies, meatballs and little smokies, dips, dips and more dips.

I think for Sunday dinners moving forward I will not bother taking a "normal" photo. I never post them or use them in the scrapbook, so why bother.

Just one more day in 2013. I am not ashamed to admit I'm READY for this year to be gone. As I reflect over the year I can see many, many happy things that happened.  I'd like to focus on those, but sadly, I had quite a bit of loss this year.  I'm ready to put it behind me. 2014 comes rushing in with a clean slate. I've got my goals done and I'm ready to start working on them. Do you have your goals done yet?

Merry Ho Ho

Merry Ho Ho everyone.  And with that another Christmas season is wrapped up and decorated with a bow.  Phew. I'm done with Christmas this year. December has turned out to be a long month, and one I'm ready to say "so long" to.  Let's start 2014.  Clean slate.

But before we get into 2014 so much, let's review Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  What a splendid couple of days it was too.

The original plan for Christmas Eve was for the MomUnit and I to head off to a fancy pants dinner at the Salish Lodge. My gift to the MomUnit.  Once I found out I'd be out of work on the 24th of January I quickly reviewed my calendar for things I could not do and save $$.  The MomUnit was fine with us tossing the Salish, figuring we'd do our traditional meal instead. 

Instead we were invited out to the Braspir's for prime rib.  Who passes up prime rib for a stinking tradition? Not this kid. And not the mother of this kid.  So off we went.

People, I feel bad that some of you have never met the Braspir's.  They are family.  I combined their last name with ours so that it can show just how close they are to us. And they were thrilled. (On a side not, if I had reversed the order and put our name first we would have been the Wraschs - pronounced "rashes"). Anyhow, we were greeted with open arms and hugs all around. 

They live out in what I call the "country" here.  I swear you have to pack a lunch just to get to their house.  They have a charming house that was all decorated.  The savory smell of prime rib wafting from inside greeted us at the door.  After much merriment, and many drinks, we got down to business of eating. The prime rib was spectacular.  A bit too rare for me - it moo'd when you stabbed your fork into it - so Mrs. Braspir and I nuked ours just a tad. The rest of the fam was happy as anything to eat such a lovely piece of meat.

The night progressed and we got goofier...Mr. Braspir, in particular was in rare form. God that man makes me laugh. 

Their tree was beautiful and made me feel like Christmas was finally here.  I missed my tree this year. Maybe next year.

The Braspir Christmas Tree.  So merry and bright

The "Bras" half of the Braspir family. I love these people so much.

The MomUnit and I ...we have so few photos of us together. I'm going to remedy that.

After coming home and declaring we were never going to eat again, we got up on Christmas morning and began prepping for Christmas Dinner.

Mr. and Mrs. Hotlanta were bringing the prime rib.  How I managed to be surrounded by people who love their prime rib and who love to feed me their prime rib is beyond me. I swear it's not an interview question.

They showed up sometime around 1 and Mr. Hotlanta promptly started getting the prime rib together for cooking. It smelled so good in this house that my mouth was watering.

We got out our appetizers and waited for Seattle SIL and Seattle Niece to get here.  Once they arrived, the real merriment started.  I was unsure how it would be to not have BigBro here with them, but it turned out I only missed him about a hundred times instead of the thousand times.

Mr. Hotlanta set off the fire alarms a couple of times during the cooking process, but when he was done, oh man....that prime rib was so delicious.  I made twiced baked potatoes and my favorite green bean recipe to go along with the before mentioned slab of meat. 

Just look at that! Take a moment and just imagine how incredible good that tasted.  You'd be right. Once he sliced into it we all let out a collective "ahhhh".

Its funny to see this photo and all the slabs of meat on our plates and nothing else. Darn Mrs. Hotlanta for closing her eyes.  I think she was just blinded by the beauty that was the prime rib.

Finally, the sides were passed and we were ready to eat.  After eating everything on my plate, and then maybe a brownie or two after, I swore I'd never eat again.

Which reminds me...it's dinner time. BRB

Merry Christmas Eve

Last year when the DadUnit died, I tried for hours to find a photo I KNEW I had taken of he and I going out on our annual Christmas Eve shopping trip. I couldn't find it. I looked through every scrapbook I had and still couldn't find it.

Fast forward to the last couple of months where I've been taking photos of all my scrapbook pages for safe keeping....I found it!

I'm sad that we only have one photo of us doing this, but one photo will have to be enough.

In case you don't recall, the story goes like this.

One year many moons ago, the DadUnit whispered to me that he hadn't shopped for the MomUnit yet and would I go with him.  I pointed out it was Christmas Eve, at which time he said, "And?"

From there it became our special time. He'd always buy me a special gift that was from just him. Over the years I tried to come up with things that he'd know about - to make him feel useful.  We'd have lunch, go shopping, the MomUnit would get EVERY THING on her list, we'd come home and I'd wrap gifts for three hours. 

It's something I'll never forget. And as I sit here this Christmas Eve and ponder traditions that are now gone, I can't help but think about how to make new traditions. It's sad to me that we've lost so much this last year, and yet I find strength in knowing that we will over come the loss and move on. New traditions are to be made.

And let's not forget all the old traditions that still exist? Frito Lollies on Christmas Eve, the MomUnit eating 12 grapes on New Year's Eve, Sunday dinners, my themed birthday parties, decorating the day after Thanksgiving, undecorating the day after Christmas, clam dip for an appetizer, and so on.  There is so much we still have to be thankful for.  I'm going to choose to look at those moments now and not linger on the sad ones.

Who's with me?

Christmas Eve Eve - Or as Patron Saint calls it...Christmas Adam

Merry Christmas Eve Eve everyone. 

This season hasn't been the merriest, though admittedly it hasn't been a bummer either. I haven't been in the normal Christmas spirit that I usually find myself in. The house is only half decorated, so I guess my spirit is only half into it. (As I type this Linus is pestering the fake poinsettias....again.) And considering all that has gone on in the last month or so, I think I've earned a "bah humbug" or two.

The MomUnit is still here. We made our traditional Frito Lollies tonight that we normally make on Christmas Eve.  Why tonight? Well because Mrs. Braspir (aka Queen PopUp) and her hubby invited the MomUnit and I to their house for prime rib. Yum.

Originally I had made reservations at the Salish Lodge for the MomUnit and I. It's a relative hoity toy-tee place that was fancy and I figured it would be a nice thing for us to do. Once I heard I'd be out of a job in January, we cancelled those reservations fast.  Next time maybe.

On the job front, I spoke with three recruiters today and have informational interviews all set up for Thursday and Friday. I love how fast this is moving and really hope that something comes out of any of these. We shall see.