the nerd herd

Okay so this weekend up in Seattle the Penny Arcade Expo is going on...aka PAX. Kev and a couple of friends left this morning (two went up yesterday). They're going to have a rip roaring time being their gamer selves.

We (myself and the other wives) are looking forward to a full weekend of quiet. Not that the guys are loud and raucous when home, but a house to myself sounds lovely. Tonight I don't have any major plans, other than doing a bit of picking up. Tomorrow the other ladies will be coming over for dinner and drinking and the option of staying over has been put out there (there will be no ladies driving home drunk on MY watch!). We did have one friend offer to come and video tape the pillow fights we are sure to have while wearing our...yeah, right.

Sunday I have a work BBQ to attend and then they are back that evening. I am sure the weekend will fly right by and before I know it the nerd herd will be back in town. And when that happens, I am sure I will realize how much I missed my nerd.

thank you

Thank you, Ree, for setting up your readers flickr account. Because of you, I found her.

If you haven't already been fortunate enough to have found Corey and her inspirational being, go now. GO!

Everyday she shares with us the ups and downs of her life, sending her love and life to us all. She's needed our love right back this summer and I know she felt it.

The words she writes and the photos she takes are like gems, precious and unique. Her voice is soft and inspirational. Her photography captures the exact mood. Her vision is amazing.

I believe in telling people you admire them, love them, appreciate them.

Corey, I do. You are one truly beautiful human. Thank you for sharing your kindness and spreading your amazing energy.

~xoxo

the green bean debacle

I currently have sitting in front of me a container of green beans. They were picked yesterday and steamed to perfection last night. Today, cold and pre-salted, they are tasty and crunchy and perfect. What is the problem, you ask?

I am supposed to be saving some for Thanksgiving with my family. Now, I know that the season has just begun for beans and my plants will be producing more, BUT I am feeling like I need to go ahead and save some (blanching and freezing) but am having a hard time doing so. They come off the plant and my belly hears them singing their siren song.

I will be saving some because they are just! that! good! and I want to share with my family the deliciousnesses of our bounty.

Perhaps instead of calling it a debacle, I should have called it a conundrum?

the duty of a jury

Well, I was at jury duty the first three days of this week. The trial is now over, we reached our decision (not unanimous), and I can now resume my week accordingly. Today I am biking into the office and playing the game of catch up before going to The Bhaktishop for yoga this evening. I'm hoping that going to yoga will help me feel that sense of normal again.

I am pretty proud that I was not one of the potential jurors who raised their hand to the question, "who would rather be having a root canal right now instead of being here?" Honestly? I mean, sure schedules get a bit goofy, but it is our civic duty. I wasn't the only juror who felt excited to be part of the process, but sometimes it felt like it.

It was actually a very fun and funny group. I'm not sure what the defendant thought, hearing us laughing behind the closed doors of the deliberation room.

This trial should not have lasted three days, however. Monday we had delivered our verdict and were all ready to be released from our duty. Then the judge told us she needed us back for sentence enhancement. So we all trouped back on Tuesday only to find that the dude had some kind of panic attack that they feared was a heart attack so they let us go after we had been there for a couple of hours. I went over to The Bhaktishop to do some data entry for them.

The coolest part of that was on my walk home, my neighbor Bret drove by and picked me up. It would have been a long walk and I was only 8 blocks into it.

Yesterday morning we got to be to court at 10:00 (Mon- 8:00, Tuesda0 9:00) and only had to wait about half an hour before going in to hear more testimonies from another victim and police officer. We were out close to 4:00.

So finally, on Thursday, my work week begins.

refelections

From where I sit in the store I see the oddest things. I think I see a woman walking down the street only to have her disappear. An arm looks like it is sticking out of a trunk. Cars seem to drive head on into one another.

The reflections of the differently angled windows makes for some interesting views.

sitting

I'm at work. I am on the floor today, all day, at one of our locations. It's normally a quiet store, but today it is sunny and beautiful out. I am hoping for tons of people and not much time to putz around on the internet.

Last night we went to our friends house to make her dinner with another couple. Jess has major back issues and recently was laid up for many days. Jenn had suggested that the four of us (our husbands and ourselves) go over and cook her dinner. I came up with a menu and we shopped in our garden.

Jenn brought green beans (both from her garden and her weekly veggie box), onion, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce. I brought zucchini, carrots, green beans (we ended up not needing so they went back home and will be eaten tonight), and tomatoes (Jenn used ours for the salad as we've got an overabundance) as well as pasta and chicken.

We made a penne pasta with sautéed vegetables and chicken (we added to the top of our own plates) with a lovely side salad. We made sure it was vegan because Jess's husband has opted for a vegan diet to see if it helps his gut problems (and it has been). It was a tasty meal prepared with and for great friends.

I got a text message on the way home from Jess saying she would break more often if that was the kind of treatment she got (we cleaned her kitchen after cooking because it wouldn't have been fair to make Erik do it when he got home, nor leave it for Jess to have to look at). I told her she didn't have to break herself just to get that kind of treatment.

So tonight we will be having steamed green beans from our garden. The first crop. I'm quite excited about it! I have no doubt that we will be able to blanch and freeze some beans for Thanksgiving (that is, if we don't eat them all up beforehand!).

what to listen to

Every once in a while I get to bring new music into the house. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it feels wonderful.

A few weeks ago I went to see Aimee Mann with Blind Pilot opening. Blind Pilot is a local band who had amazing energy and life. Their music is soulful, energetic, and beautiful. Currently four of them hit the road for a tour. A West Coast tour. However, they did not go by van (well, except the first show) they are biking.

They set up a blog about it and I've been reading along.

I am lucky to have their album, Three Rounds and a Sound. It is beautiful.

I can hardly wait to see them in September when they are back in town (well, their back the 30th, but I've already got other plans).

the sound of cicadas

Every night since we've returned home as I lay in bed, wishing for a break from the heat so that I may sleep, I hear cicadas. I know that I'm not really hearing them, but in my heart I do. I didn't realize I missed that sound so much until we were in Arkansas where the night air was thick with their sound.

It's going to be another hot one (although they say cooler than yesterday's 100+ heat) and I think I see a slight breeze, finally. Nothing is worse than cooler air outside with no means of it making its way into your home because the air is just sitting there with no nudges into this furnace of a house.

I sit in our basement with the windows open (the only space in the house where two windows are situated across from each other is the basement) feeling the coolness against my neck as I type. I should go check on the upstairs, but I don't think I want to feel the warmth as I know it is still there.

I wish Kev was up so we could go on a bike ride, it's the perfect morning for it. Overcast with crisp air. I hate mornings like these on what will probably turn out to be the hottest day yet (I normally am an optimist, but hot makes me cranky in Portland). Their such teases.

Of course I sit with my latte that I've let cool to just shy of cold. If only I had ice...

back home

The trip was amazing. We ate much food, drank many margaritas (well, Kev drank beer), and listened to some amazing music (and made some fun music).

I think this picture sums up our trip nicely...

We enjoyed every single minute of this trip. I didn't turn on my phone unless I was going to use it to call someone. And then I only turned it on a couple of times. I felt so free!

I did check email, but I rarely responded to any.

Laundry has been started and a grocery list needs to be made. The animals all look good and don't seem to have been lonely without us here. Julia and John did a great job taking care of the trio.

So now I'm back and will be getting back to life as I know it tomorrow. I took today off so I could regroup and take care of getting things back in order. It's nice, though, I don't have much more than laundry to do today. :)

maybe, maybe not

Tomorrow morning we leave on a vacation. Ahhhh, vacation. Mine started last night at exactly 5:00, when I headed home from work. I was originally supposed to work today, but my coworker graciously said he'd work for me. After I complained about having worked who knows how many days prior to Vegas and then every single day after Vegas leading up to my trip. In my defense, he had just been gloating about getting the entire weekend off. I had to.

We are going to Arkansas to visit my mother in law (Mamasita) and her husband (Daddy Walter). We are going for almost a whole week! We'll spend many days with them and then go to Bentonville to visit with one of my closest friends from high school, Rob. It's been 8 years since we saw him last. Since our wedding and then it was only for a few minutes through the receiving line and a couple of minutes at the reception before they left. So really, it's been more like 11 years since we've spent any real time with each other. Needless to say, I'm so damn excited about this trip!! I get to see several of my favorite people.

So I might post while away, I might not. I could take some photos, I could not. You'll just have to wait and see.

forgotten

I told Kevin before I left that he'd have to keep an eye on the zucchini because there was one, for sure, that would need to be harvested before I got home, if not more.

Yeah, he forgot. I think we all know where this is headed...

The smaller is a regular sized zucchini. The other, is about the length of my forearm and about as big around. Needless to say, I am searching for a zucchini bread recipe. I think I have found one, it makes two loaves. All I need to do is go buy some sugar and we will be in business.

Speaking of business...Vegas was good. We had a successful show and saw a lot of great styles. We are starting to debate going every six months. We're thinking of just going to the fall/winter show because that is where we tend to do more business (people in Portland and the Pacific NW just don't seem to want to buy sandals...it really doesn't rain all the time here!).

So I am back and immediately am working the floor (we actually got back on Wednesday and I worked a half day yesterday). I am on the floor up until the day before we leave (it was going to be up until the day, but I convinced Chas that I didn't want to work every single day before I head on our trip to Arkansas and he offered to work Monday).

I got a cold while in Vegas and am hoping I have it knocked out of my system before my real vacation. We leave on Tuesday.

6

I fell up the stairs today. Just a few minutes ago, actually. Big toe on my left foot caught on the very top step. Right knee crashed into stair as I twisted my body around to try to not let it hit too hard. Didn't quite work, but at least I didn't fall down the stairs as a result.

it's a luxury

It is exactly 9:19 pm as I start writing this. I am already in bed. There is light still hanging on, over the trees. My mind flashes back to when I was a kid and my sister and I would be complaining of how unfair it was to have to go to bed when there was still light in the sky and the kids down the street got to stay out...blah blah blah.

The look on their faces as they told us to pack it in and head to bed.

I think they were looking for a time to connect, without us, as well as teaching us that it truly is a luxury to get to go to bed early. We didn't believe it then, but I believe it now.

How luxurious is it to be lying in bed while the sounds of pots and pans being washed in the kitchen ring through the air? Extremely.

How decadent is it to read at night, the breeze blowing in the window, and absolutely no animals on bed with me? Thoroughly.

the zucchinis begin

This is our first zucchini of the season. It was perfect. The right size, the right texture, the right amount of firmness to the meat. We paired it with some fresh garlic (also from the garden), some onion, and pasta. It's a recipe our friend told us, as it's a staple in their half Italian house. Her husband is Italian. So you saute' the veggies (I started with the onions, added the garlic, then added the zucchini, allowing each to have some time to cook before the next was added, sprinkle with salt and some white pepper). While that was happening Kev was grilling some chicken tenders to the perfect moistness and the pasta was on the stove boiling.

When pasta is done, drain. Add veggies to pasta pan, two eggs, a good sized handful of Parmesan cheese, return the pasta and stir like crazy (essentially cooking the eggs). We added the chicken to the top of our bowls of pasta.

After yoga Kev rode his bike down to the store and got a small baguette to share. It was an amazing dinner. It's pretty basic, but downright filling.

my boss's wife

I got an email this morning from Wendy (Ahmed's wife) asking about a work picnic/send off for their daughters (they now have two in college...damn, I feel old when I think about how old they were when I met them). The date was going to be while we were in Arkansas visiting Mamasita and Daddy Walter.

So, what does Wendy do? Figure out a date when I can be there. I adore her...

Vegas this weekend, so I may be out of the blogging loop for a little while (like I've not already been recently). Perhaps upon my arrival home fun things will have happened and I will feel like blogging about said fun things. Things right now, a bit boring (well, except that my dear friend is moving home this weekend and I'm extremely excited about her arrival home!!)

Now, must get myself dressed and ready for going downtown to pick up the permit for that friend so she can block off a parking spot for unloading her truck on Sunday (rats, I'll be in Vegas and unable to help with the unloading...but my representative [aka Kev] will be here).

as promised

The muffins were met with great gusto from all involved. So, as promised... here is the recipe.

One of the reviewers at that site suggested using brown sugar for the topping and I did. I would do so again and again and again. :)

the awesome power?

One would think that if the scent of freshly baked *blueberry muffins was wafting through the house that it would wake all that were still sleeping with its siren call.

One might even think if that scent was sent via text message that the recipients would text back immediately saying, 'yes! Yes! YES! Please I would love some.'

However, none of the three men whom were accosted by the scent or offering up of these amazing blueberry muffins (still haven't taken a bite, but they smell damn good) have stirred or responded. I suppose they are all lazy and still in bed? It is Sunday.

It's okay, really. I plan on taking the boys across the street some anyway. I just figured Ian's drapes were open and Bret should be waking soon. Kevin's sleeping through the actual scent though, it's a little mind boggling. Although he did get home rather late last night. He played Halo 3 with a friend while the girls all went to see Aimee Mann. What a great show. What a great night. Thanks, girls!

Blind Pilot opened for Aimee. They are a local band here in Portland and this makes me happy. Because I will have more opportunities to see them again. And they make me happy. I love finding new music. I don't seek it out often, but when I stumble upon someone, it makes me...well, happy.

Hope everyone has been having a lovely weekend. I know we have. We're going to be heading to Jill and Mark's in a few hours for a late lunch.

*if they turn out as good as they smell, i will direct you all to the link where i found the recipe.

they promise me it's not a weed

I asked my fabulous neighbors, as this thing was just a wee sprout, if they thought it was a weed. They said it was not, so I left it alone to grow and become huge. Part of me felt that they were just messing with me. Until I investigated a bit further this evening.

How appropriate is it that a girl who grew up in Kansas has a sunflower growing in her front yard? Bret is trying to get me to plant a ton along the parking strip so it almost creates a wall when they are grown in. I'm content with having a single one come up.

The front needs some attention. We're hoping to get some work done on it this weekend. We've got a few ugly things growing that I know are weeds and we need to get them before they get us.

8 mile ride

Yesterday I worked at the second furthest store from our house. It's about 8 miles, round trip. In an effort to not spend money and not be wasteful of the gas we'd just put in our tank, I decided to ride my bike into work. I had butterflies in my stomach before leaving in the morning and my guts were twisted all day in anticipation of the ride home.

The ride there was pretty tame. Down some hills, up some inclines. Nothing too hard or strenuous, although I did arrive to the store sucking wind. It took me 21 minutes to get there. The ride home was a bit more daunting. There were hills (one of which I had already given myself permission to hop off the bike and walk up) and there was heat. My face was flushed for quite some time after getting home. That ride took just under 30 minutes. Not too bad, if you ask me.

Kev was pretty proud of me. I was, too.

So today I am getting picked up by my coworker and we are going to look at Spring/Summer 2009 styles at our reps house. He will cook us lunch and it will be wonderful. After that we head back to the office where we are meeting another rep. All in all, it will be a fun day...although maybe Kev and I will have to go on a bike ride tonight when I get home. I did lose .8 pounds yesterday. :)

so warm, but must blog

It's 90 F outside right now. For here, that's warm. In fact, that's downright hot. There is a breeze so I suppose that I shouldn't complain. However, our house isn't arranged so we can get a lovely cross breeze across the house. No two rooms have doors adjacent to one another except our room and the guest Chloe's room. And the front three windows in our bedroom do not open. Those are the windows that face the door, and consequently the other room.

We're thinking that next summer may just have to be the summer of window replacement. I love the architecture of the windows. So I will keep them and perhaps do something amazing in our backyard with them...oh the ideas that swirl in my head.

With that being said, I must adjourn to the basement now. It's lovely down there (as long as Kev isn't playing drums).