Merry Christmas to you!

May all your days be merry and bright!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

xo,

A Cooking Tale...

First, there was the great cooking fiasco of August 2011 when I roasted a chicken and it never got hot enough to eat after 2.5 hours of cooking.  Mark and I were starving so we said screw it.  We had pizza for dinner that night.

Then, there was the great cooking fiasco of December 2011 last week when I tried a recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers, Eat Live Run, and we were ready to eat when I took a glass out of the cupboard and it stuck another glass and tiny shards of glass flew all across the kitchen including the two pots on the stove, which were bubbling away.  A TOTAL AND COMPLETE WASTE of what I know was going to be a delicious meal.  We ate pizza that night for dinner!

I think I'll attempt my recipe again sometime this week. I won't let one fiasco stop me!

As much as I love to cook and I humbly think I'm a pretty darn cook, I sometimes make mistakes and have terribly funny kitchen fiascoes.  What's the funniest or worst cooking fiasco that you've had in your kitchen?

#Reverb11: Where Did You Spend Money?

2011 was a year of saving for the Landwehr's.  The year before was a big spending year for us - a wedding and honeymoon (!), a new (used) car, etc.  I wish we had a money tree!!

Source

 

Our largest expense was a vacation to Hawaii - an early one year anniversary trip for us.  It was fabulous and much needed and deserved.  We both love to travel and budget our dollars for trips more than anything else.

We're also saving up as we hope to find a home to buy in the next few months.  So, our financial priorities are a little different now than they might have been a year or two ago.  I put myself on a shopping moratorium last year and I've been sticking with it for the most part.

I miss shopping terribly but I've held off and only purchased books for my Kindle and a pair of jeans.  My mom took me shopping for my birthday but other than those few clothing items, I haven't made many other purchases.  It helps that I don't need to dress up for work and that most of my clothes are classic and timeless so they haven't gone out of style (or at least I pretend that they haven't)!

Where have you saved or spent money?  Do you think you'll change your ways in 2012?

#Reverb11: What Do You Hope to Remember?

When I was 17 or 18 years old, my dad and I were having one of our "dates" and he said something that stuck with me.  He said to enjoy the time because with age time speeds up.  He's so right.  Time flies by so quickly these days.  I can't believe it is already December 7!

With how quickly the days speed by, I want to remember not just the fun memories but also the little things.  The little things often add up to the big ones that matter.

I see this everyday with how quickly Winston is growing.  We got him at 9 weeks and he's already 15 weeks old!  He changes everyday in little ways - both physically and with his little personality.

Hopefully, Mark and I will have kids in our future and I think that our future kid(s) will grow just as quickly and in even more exciting and better ways to document - hee hee.  In the meantime, whether it is enjoying Winston as a puppy or remember the time that Mark and I are taking to get to know our new hometown of Seattle, I hope that I can remember the little things and not just the big, monumental ones.

I try and try to remember the little memories that some of my family and friends have no problem remembering from childhood and I can't - the little details, the memories.  It doesn't bother me but I hope now that I'm older that I can make a point of remembering the little things!

What do you hope to remember?

#Reverb11: What Did You Discover?

I'm a really strong woman!  Not necessarily physically strong but I'm emotionally strong.

The past year was amazing but there were some tough times that I never thought I would have to experience (again, sorry for the evasiveness but somethings remain private even on a public forum).  Those times nearly knocked me off my feet but I discovered that I'm stronger than I think.

Relying on my partner/my sweet husband, Mark, really helped.  But not just relying on him and my parents, I found that when I reach deep inside, I'm very capable of relying on myself.  I can be my best partner - that's kind of dumb, isn't it? - but it is true.

By staying true to myself, allowing myself to fully accept and feel the emotions that I experience when going through tough times, I'm making myself a better person.  The statement "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" is true.  The handful of events this year might have taken the breath away from me but didn't stop me.  I've discovered that on the other side, I'm a better, stronger woman in 2011!

I'm ready to face any challenges that come my way in 2012.

What did you discover about yourself, your life?

#Reverb11: When Did You Struggle

Struggle.  Isn't life in general a struggle?  Making the right decisions to live one's best life?  Overcoming disappointment?  Being the best partner to my husband even when I'm mad or upset about something.

Source

I'm a happy person in general with a positive attitude but I fully admit that this year has been tough.  The first year of marriage was not a hard one - I thought it was going to be but there was no struggle there.  Struggle is not the right word to describe marriage but work is.  Marriage takes a lot of work, a lot of time and effort, and a lot of love.  It means a lot of compromise, which is an area where I struggle and continue to push myself to do better.  I like to have my way.  I always have and because I'm lucky I often get my way but in marriage it doesn't work that way.  I will keep growing and stretching myself in my area to be a better wife.

The second year of being an independent consultant was a struggle.  I had to fight to succeed.  It's hard work.  I knew if I was going to stick with it and make it succeed, I needed to work really hard.  I did and there are still areas where I need to continue to work really hard for my clients and for myself.  This struggle will keep up for as long as I want to keep consulting.

I struggle with friendships.  It is hard living across the country from my oldest and dearest friends.  I miss them.  It is hard with families and children to stay connected.  I know in our hearts and minds that we are still close but I miss the daily connections.  I struggle to make new friends as Mark and I focus on building a life together here in Seattle and on starting a family.  I know new friends will come.  It just takes time and patience.

2011 was a year of change for me.  When there is change, there is struggle.  I look forward to 2012 where the new beginnings start to blossom!

How did you struggle in 2011?

#Reverb11: What Books Did You Read?

This year was not a highlight of reading books for me.  I love to read but reading somehow took the back seat for me.  I hope that 2012 is a 180 degree turn for reading.

Source

Some books of note that I read in 2012 for me included:

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

One Day by David Nicholls

The Guernsey Potato Peel and Literary Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

I wish I had taken more time to read but other parts of life were a priority for me.  I'm definitely going to make an effort to read next year.

Any recommendations?

#Reverb11: Who Did You Meet?

I met and made some new friends in 2011 that I probably might not have if we hadn't moved to Seattle.  I also reconnected with a very special friend from my past who I might not have if it weren't for this move.  Isn't life funny like that sometimes?

Through a very good friend who lives in Philadelphia, I was connected with a friend of hers who moved to Seattle shortly before Mark and I.  Since we've been here, she and I have met for lunch a few times and are planning a double date with our husbands soon.  It's nice to have some commonality with her of our mutual friend but also to know that she and I really enjoy each others company.

A little more than ten years ago, I worked for a large global PR firm.  There I met and many friends with my colleagues, one of those women is a woman I was pretty friendly with at the time.  We spent time together socially and I was invited to her wedding though I was unable to attend for a reason I don't remember now.  She has since divorced from her husband and moved out West.  She and I have reconnected and spent some really good quality time together since my move.

There are others who I've met this year but these two stand out as they are a part of my new life here in Seattle.  It's hard to meet and make friends at this age - especially without kids - and it's nice to know that it is still possible!  I look forward to meeting more new friends in the coming years.

Who have you met in 2011?

Catching Up: #Reverb11: 1st Prompt: Where Did 2011 begin?

This is a tough one.  The start to 2011 was a very difficult one.  I won't go into the difficult details but I'll cover the top line ones.  I know that's unfair of me to not share but I've got to keep some secrets here :)

Mark and I were in Los Angeles for the New Year.  The Wisconsin Badgers were playing in the Rose Bowl - Mark went to U. of Wisconsin at Madison - and so we road tripped down from San Francisco to see friends and watch the game.  We didn't have tickets so we planned to tailgate and then go to a bar to watch the game.

Instead, on NYE, I ended up in the ER.  Luckily, I was released about 5 minutes before midnight and so we kissed and welcomes the New Year in our car - so much better than being hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed.  The following day, I still wasn't feeling well, so we skipped tailgating and instead found a quiet bar to watch the game.  Sadly, the Badgers lost that game.

Overall, the beginning of 2011 wasn't a very good one.  Thankfully, the rest of the year has been MUCH better!

Here's hoping that 2012 is a much better start!

Growing Out My Bangs

For the past four years, I've had the same hairstyle (more or less the same).  One of the biggest components of it are my bangs.  A few months ago, I decided it was time for a change and I cut my hair a little shorter and started growing out my bangs.  Pretty much working towards a long, layered bob.

I like the length it is now though I need to get it cut again soon but I HATE growing out my bangs.  It is not fun.  I don't feel attractive as they grow out.  In order for me to keep the hair out of my eyes, I put barrettes and bobby pins to hold the hair back and those make me feel about 12 years old.

There are all kinds of articles about how to gracefully grow out bangs but I've pretty much tried all of the tricks and am tired of them.  So, I think this means I need a little retail therapy and find some more fun headbands and clips to help me out.

I love these!

Source

Any tips on growing out bangs?  How long will it take?

New Favorite Thing: My Blender

A few weeks ago, when my mom was in town, we went to Costco to get dog food for our new puppy and some other supplies like paper towels, etc.  I also went for a blender and some frozen strawberries and mixed berries.

Nearly every day since I got the blender, I've been making a berry smoothie with a handful (or two) of strawberries and mixed berries with vanilla bean yogurt and a splash of milk.  The smoothies are delicious!

Source

I've been thinking about trying a kale smoothie as that would help me get more of my dark green veggies into my body.  I'm scared though that I'll be totally yucked out by it.  Do you have a good green smoothie recipe to share?!

Any other smoothie suggestions?  What else can I make in my blender that's delicious and good for you?

What's For Dinner?!

It is not a bad day in Seattle - in fact, it was quite pleasant with the sun shining brightly!  Yesterday was pouring rain and so when I made my list of meals, I focused on comfort food.  I pulled a recipe from my "archive" of recipes that I haven't tried yet but seemed perfect for a Monday night.

This Vegetable-Parmesan Stew from Food & Wine is a healthy, comfort food option served with a loaf of warm, crusty bread.

Source

INGREDIENTS
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds (about 2 ounces each)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound small white button mushrooms, stemmed and caps quartered
1 pound small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 red bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 large leek, white and tender green parts only, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper 

2 pounds tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped 

3 ounces capellini, broken into 1/2-inch pieces 

2 tablespoons finely chopped basil 

Toasted peasant bread, for serving

DIRECTIONS
1.    In a large saucepan, combine the broth and Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat until the rinds are very soft and the broth is reduced to 4 cups, about 30 minutes.
2.    Meanwhile, in a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the mushrooms and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of the oil along with the zucchini, peppers and leek and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until slightly broken down, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and the Parmigiano rinds and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
3.    In a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the broken pasta and cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir the pasta into the stew and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes. Discard the rinds and stir in the basil. Serve the vegetable stew in deep bowls, passing toasted bread at the table.

On Being Thankful

This year was not necessarily an easy year but it was one full of reasons to be thankful on this day of Thanksgiving:

1. Mark and I made the decision to leave San Francisco to a city where the cost of living is not a sieve and we were fortunate to land in Seattle - another beautiful city - with Mark in a wonderful new position and a comfortable (temporary) roof over our heads

2. I put my mind to making my PR consulting career path actually happen since I launched it a little more than two years ago and with the support of friends and family and my own hard work, it has taken off

3. In spite of this tough economic time that many people in the United States and around the world are facing, Mark and I are financially stable

4. Our bodies are (more-or-less) healthy and our minds are clear

5. We brought a new addition into our family a little more than four weeks ago, Winston, and we can't imagine our lives without him (I can't imagine how spoiled an actual baby will be given how spoiled our little guy Winston is...)!

There are so many other reasons to be thankful that can go unspoken.  Many times people tell me that I'm lucky.  I tell myself that I'm lucky too.  But, is it luck?  Or is it just life?  I've worked hard to be where I am in life and I work hard to maintain it.  It takes a lot of work to make a marriage successful.  It takes a lot of work to keep financially healthy.  It takes a lot of work to take care of a puppy :)

I guess overall I'm trying to say that while I'm thankful for the things in my life, I also am grateful for the people in my life who support the hard work that I do to make my life the way that it is...my husband, my parents, my friends.

Source

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving Day?

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

xo,

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Thinking about what to make for dinner tonight made me sit down and review what we had earlier this week:

Sunday: Taco night with gluten-free corn tortillas

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs (I threw out the GF for the night)

Tuesday: Roasted chicken with brown rice and salad

Wednesday: Beef stew with tomatoes and green pepper with garlic roasted potatoes

Thursday: I went to dinner with a friend and Mark had an oven roasted chicken breast sandwich

This is not Winston but it looks kind of like him (Source)

So the question is what should I make for dinner tonight?  I've found a few yummy ideas on one of my favorite food bloggers Eat, Live, Run: 30 minute lemon brown sugar chicken and beef tenderloin with apricot and olives.  Both sound delicious but I'm not quite sure which I'll make tonight.  Maybe I'll buy the ingredients for both and make one tonight and the other a different night!

What are you making for dinner tonight?

Hilarious!

I want a camel for a pet!

A Good Cause: I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation

In addition to the clients I have who help me contribute financially to my household budget, I also do pro bono PR for a non-profit group that I've come to hold dear to my heart.  The I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation is in place to help young adults (15-39) facing a cancer diagnosis.  Started by Matthew Zachary in 2007, i[2]y helps young adult cancer survivors find resources that help them deal with issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis as well as connect them through social networks in person and online.

This coming March, i[2]y is holding their 5th annual OMG! Cancer Summit for young adults.  If you or someone you know is a young adult cancer survivor, patient or caregiver of a young adult with cancer than this summit is for you.  I encourage you to register and attend the summit either in person in Las Vegas or virtually.  You can register here.

You can also support i[2]y with a financial contribution that is 100% tax deductible and will help Matthew keep the organization running and keep all of the resources that i[2]y provides available for free or at limited cost to participants who are already facing significant financial challenges.  You can make a donation here after reading this appeal from Matthew.

If your corporation can sponsor i[2]y or the OMG! 2012 Cancer Summit, please leave a comment with your contact information and I will contact you.

Thanks in advance!  This is a wonderful organization making a difference.

xo,

Seriously can't wait: Hunger Games

March 23, 2012 could not come any faster.  I'm so excited for the Hunger Games movie to come out.  I'm a day late but better late than never; I just watched the trailer and it looks really good!

 I'll probably be one of those people who goes opening weekend.  I loved the books so much.  The series was the one and only "book club" that Mark and I have done together.  We're still looking for another book to read together ever since.

Are you looking forward to the movie too?

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sunday was my birthday.  Yikes!  The weekend was spent with Mark and Winston.  It was a low key weekend but much needed after time with my mom (not in a bad way but busy way) and then immediately off to Chicago for 36 hours.  It was also nice to start a new routine with our little guy.

Source

Mark took me to dinner on Saturday night to a place called Dahlia Lounge in Seattle.  It was really nice to relax over a romantic meal.  The food was pretty tasty and the wine was delicious.  I started with a glass of Prosecco and we shared a half bottle of wine over dinner.  The service was decent too.  We probably won't go back for some time but only because there are soooo many other places to try here first! 

I didn't get any presents because Winston was my early and very fun birthday present - even though we share him! Mark did give me a very lovely and special birthday card.  I love my husband so much!

On Sunday we took a drive to the suburbs north of Seattle and found that while nice they just weren't really us.  There is one town just outside of Seattle that we didn't see so we'll have to do some more exploring.

Getting to know Seattle is a lot of fun and I know in the coming months we'll start to narrow in on which neighborhood we'll want to settle - either in the city or out.

Overall, I had a wonderful birthday with lots of lovely birthday wishes from friends and family around the globe.

When I turned 30 (several years ago), I was so excited because I knew that many of the "big" things in life would happen in my 30s - marriage, kids, etc.  I've knocked off marriage from that list...I can't wait to see what this next year of life brings me.

xo,

Gluten-Free Update

Life with a puppy is a challenge.  Not having a baby or child, I can't compare but...I change newspapers when they get dirty - sometimes right after I've changed them...I make sure he eats on a schedule...I can't leave him for too long at a time.  It's a lot of fun too.  We play games together and we snuggle together.  He is very consuming right now.  That's my long way of saying that his attention is not giving me much time to blog.  All of my spare time is spent on client work and getting other things done around the house.

 Last week, I was in Chicago very briefly for a client meeting.  I stayed with Mark's sister and her family.  It was lucky because it was Halloween and I got to go along with the trick-or-treaters.  It was a blast.  However, it is hard to travel and eat gluten-free.  It's unfair to impose dietary restrictions on others and it is really hard to eat on the road without encountering gluten.

My two weeks of gluten-free were up last Monday, the day that I left for Chicago.  I tried my best to avoid it but it was inevitable and I'm 99% certain that I ate gluten in my first meal at the airport - a salad.  I picked off the bread crumbs but...then for dinner after trick-or-treating, we ordered in Chinese food and the chicken that I ate had breading on it :(

Now, my reaction was not one that I thought I would have but I'm fairly certain that I do have a gluten intolerance - maybe not though an allergy.  My stomach had some problems that I won't describe but the hives did not show up as I thought they would as that was the symptom that I was trying to eliminate and did successfully once going off gluten.

So, the result?!  I probably have an intolerance.  My plan is to continue to avoid gluten when possible but I won't get too upset if I eat anything with it by accident when out or on the road.  I do feel better when I avoid it and it can't hurt anything by avoiding it!

Eating gluten-free (for the most part) for a little more than three weeks has been a lot easier than I thought and I'm getting the hang of it!  I even bought a blender so I can start to make smoothies for breakfast and snacks.  I'll add kale for my greens :)

Have you been inspired to try a gluten-free diet?  Any good recipes to share?

Winston Update

My mom was in town - yay!  Then I was off to Chicago for a quick business trip.

The first week with Winston has been incredible and exhausting.  I'm in love and having a little puppy is so wonderful.  I'm catching up on life but thought I'd post some photos for the time being!

All photos taken by me on my iPhone.

24 hours to go...

In just about 24 hours, we will have a new family member joining us...Winston.  I can't wait!  Tomorrow, our lives will change forever in a good way and the feeling is so good.

Not Winston but a 9-week old Westie (Source)

 Today is day 5 of being gluten-free.  One of the big reasons for going gluten-free were hives that I was getting daily.  Since I've cut gluten from my diet, I've noticed that the hives have slowly disappeared.  I'm shocked at how quickly things have improved.  I'm happy and sad.  Happy because my hives are gone.  Sad because this might mean my thoughts around food may have to change forever.  It'll be interesting to see what happens in 9 days when I eat a big bowl of gluten-filled pasta! :)

Last night, day 4 of gluten-free eating, I had:

Breakfast: same boring breakfast of rice cakes with peanut butter and honey and a yogurt

Lunch: roasted chicken with salad, raspberries, yucky gluten-free crackers (still have a whole box left that I'll have to finish)

Dinner: sauteed chicken breasts (in butter, I know, I know) with sauteed spinach with garlic (in olive oil, a little healthier!)

Tonight, we go out for dinner and I'll do my best to find something on the menu for a gluten-free meal.  I might turn into Sally from the movie When Harry Met Sally and order something on the menu and then turn it into my own creation :)

In other news, my mom is coming for a visit!  I can't wait to see her.

Stay tuned for new photos of Winston - I'm sure before the weekend is over!

Day Two of Being Gluten-Free

So far, so good.  Either I'm doing something wrong or being gluten-free isn't as hard as it appears.  Yes, it takes me longer to grocery shop and it takes a while to think of a menu for the week but that's it!  I kind of actually started over the weekend - making a conscientious effort to avoid wheat and other things I knew contained gluten.  Yesterday was the first official day of two weeks of gluten-free.  One of the driving reasons and purposes for this is to see if the hives that I've been suffering from for the past few months would go away.  While they haven't completely disappeared, they have gone away - there's one or two that pops up and bugs me but for the most part are gone.  Yay!

Day One (yesterday)
Breakfast: two rice cakes with peanut butter and honey, yogurt
Lunch: chicken breast cut up on top of butter lettuce with chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese (not sure that’s Gluten-free but oh well), dried cranberries, balsamic dressing and a handful of salt and vinegar chips (gf, of course).
Dinner: curried whole chicken legs with carrots, rice and lime
Snack: popcorn, sliced apple with peanut butter

Day Two (today)
Breakfast: two rice cakes with peanut butter and honey
Lunch: chicken breast cut up on top of butter lettuce with chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese (not sure that’s Gluten-free but oh well), balsamic dressing
Dinner: Pad Thai from Eat, Live, Run
Snack: Salt & Vinegar Kettle Chips, sliced apple with peanut butter

I've Fallen In Love with Another...

...A new little puppy.  His name is Winston and he will be nine weeks old when we pick him up this coming Saturday, October 22.  We are thrilled to have him join our family.  Winston is a West Highland White Terrier also known as a Westie.

Fuzzy iPhone photo taken on the day we chose him

Before I met Mark, I created a vision board and on it was a photo of a West Highland White Terrier.  I've always thought they were super cute dogs.  I've wanted a dog for the better part of my life but never had one because when I was younger as a family we traveled extensively for long periods of time and it didn't make sense.  As I got older it was too overwhelming to think about raising a puppy on my own especially as I was on the road often for work.  Putting a Westie on my vision board was important as I knew bringing a dog into my life was a goal.

Shortly after Mark and I met, we were talking about dogs.  I learned that he had a Westie when he was growing up - her name was Dooby (because when she was little, she looked like a little rolled up joint).  When I learned about Dooby, I knew that we had a special connection.  It wasn't until we started to talk about a future with each other that I shared my vision board with him...we were meant to be together (you can roll your eyes, I know that I'm so sappy)!!

We are both so excited to bring this little guy into our life.  I know that he will be spoiled!  And, yes, I'm sure that I'll blog so much about him that you'll soon tire of hearing about him :)

xoxo,

Trying Out Gluten-Free

Starting Monday, I'm trying a new healthy routine.  For two weeks, I'm going to attempt to go completely gluten-free.  For the past few months, I've been struggling with some strange things with my body.  I've gotten hives on a regular basis.  They're terribly itchy and uncomfortable.  In doing some research (because of course, I haven't gone to the doctor for it), I've learned that it could be a symptom of a gluten allergy.

My acupuncturist says that I should go completely gluten-free for two weeks and then enjoy a large piece of wheat bread.  I should know almost immediately if there's a problem.

Mark has been pretty adamant that I'm being ridiculous but he isn't the one who is itchy almost every day.  We finally had a conversation about it and it turns out that he's completely supportive as long as I don't make him go gluten-free! :)

Source

The bad news is that there a LOT of things that have gluten in them. The good news is that there are a LOT of things that don't have gluten in them.  I just have to be VERY careful to read labels.  Luckily, here in Seattle there is a fantastic grocery store introduced to me by a friend called PCC.  They label their gluten-free products with an orange tag, so it makes it easier to identify the GF products.  I think that I'll shop there a lot during the next two weeks!

I think that we'll be eating a lot of meat, potatoes veggies and fruit.  I want to buy myself a blender so I can make a smoothies.  I'll find some tasty GF pasta and make some for me and some for Mark.  I'm hopeful that it won't be too challenging and that the transition is smooth.

My understanding is that I'll crave gluten after a few days of being GF but after a while like anything I'll get over it.

There's a website that I came across that nicely lays out which products are GF, which will help make my life easier: http://www.glutenfreeinfo.com/

Are you gluten-free?  If you have any tips or favorite recipes that you can direct me to, I would really appreciate it.

NaBloPoMo: If Your LIfe Flashed In Front of Your Eyes: What Five Moments from Life Are Included

Even though I'm not participating in the October National Blog Posting Month, I like the prompt for today: If my life flashed before my eyes, what five moments would be included?

1. I don't remember a single thing from it but the moment when I was adopted by my mom and Dad from Thailand - my life would be incredibly different if I weren't adopted.

2.  The day that I received my "doggie" when I was a very little girl.  I've loved my stuffed dog ever since and on occasion I still sleep with him tucked under my arm at night.

3.  Walking up the aisle with my new husband next to me and starting a new life, adventure and journey.

4.  Even though it didn't directly affect me it has had an impact on my life, September 11, 2001 is a day that I will never forget.

5. The day that I got on an airplane on August 4, 2007 and moved myself across the country from DC to San Francisco.  I was on my own and making a major life change.  It was one of the best decisions that I made for myself and I'm so glad that I did.  If I hadn't, I wouldn't be married to Mark and I wouldn't have the amazing and on its way to being very successful PR consulting business.

What are your five moments?

Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain!

One of the worst things about Seattle is also the best things about Seattle!  I have the chance to buy some new rain boots!  And, I have the chance to buy a new rain jacket!  (Wow - that's three exclamation points in a row).

I wish I weren't on a budget right now.  If I wasn't, I would run to Burberry and get myself this trench coat.

Source

Those of you in Seattle: is a trench coat realistic?  Or should I just get myself to Patagonia for one of these? 

Source

It's a Lasagna Kind Of Night!

We are slowly getting used to the rainy weather.  I actually don't mind it so much.  It may be because I'm such a homebody that it makes it feel all cozy to me.  I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune come February!

To get into the fall mood, I'm making one of Mark's favorite meals of all: lasagna.  I am going to make a modified version of the one I made him for his birthday.  It'll be delicious nonetheless!

We're getting more and more settled with only a handful of boxes left.  We may leave those packed too since we hope to be out of this apartment sooner rather than later...

This past weekend was the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show.  I read all about it on my friends' Facebook postings.  It made me a little sad and miss San Francisco.  But, I'm adjusting otherwise.

It helps to have friends and acquaintances already here in our new home town.  On Thursday, I'll have dinner with a colleague and friend from my days of DC.  She's been here for a while now.  I haven't seen her in years and I'm super excited.  We also have dinner plans with one of Mark's college friends on the weekend.

One of my best friends, who lives in Philadelphia, introduced me to one of her friends who is also new to Seattle.  We met for lunch when I was here a few weeks ago and I'm hoping to get a lunch scheduled with her again soon!

I found a dance studio that offers beginning ballet classes.  They have drop in classes, so I'm going to start going once a week.  I took ballet when I was a wee little one and then again a few years ago for a bit.  I can't wait.  I think it'll be tons of fun to go again.  Hopefully, I won't make a fool out of myself :)  And, maybe I'll even meet a nice person or two!

And so getting settled continues...

Learning the Ropes

We've been in Seattle for exactly one week, as of yesterday.  In that short amount of time, I've learned some new rules of the "road"/life here in Seattle:

1) Do not jaywalk - they give out tickets - so I need to learn to be patient and wait for the walk sign to illuminate and I need to find the crosswalk

2) Do not use an umbrella - I guess true Seattleites don't use umbrellas.  I picked up the dry cleaning down the street from us and I used an umbrella.  I don't care.  I'm not going to let the rain ruin my fresh shirts!

3) People are exceptionally friendly on the road here - they slow down and let you merge, they don't honk their horns, they don't drive through yellow/red lights - it is actually quite lovely!

I wonder what else I'll learn in the coming weeks.  So far, so good!!

It's kind of fun to be back in a state where we can experience Autumn and the change of seasons.  I'm loving it!!!

If you live in the Seattle area, are there any really amazing restaurants we should try?!

The Family Jewels

Gene Simmons' Family Jewels season premiere on A&E was last night.  For some odd reason, I love this show.  I've watched every single season - usually on demand.  For those of you who don't watch it, the last season was short and very intense.  But let me back up.

Gene Simmons is the front man for the band KISS and his long time girlfriend Shannon Tweed and their two college-aged kids are the focus of the show.  The two of them have been together for a VERY long time and are not married.  Gene has a history of cheating on Shannon.  In the last season, Shannon realized that she didn't want to put up with this behavior.  In a very raw and intimate look into their lives, we see them all go to family therapy and experience how infidelity can affect a home.  At the very end of the last show, Gene proposes to Shannon.

Source

I don't know why I love this show.  I am not a particular fan of KISS but I love to watch it.  Last night's episode was hard to watch.  Shannon accepted Gene's marriage proposal.  When I first started to watch this show a couple of years ago, I loved their relationship.  I loved how easy the two moved together in a dance of love and marriage (even though they weren't married).  But then the "image" shattered of Gene and their relationship as it was revealed earlier this summer that Gene was cheating on Shannon almost constantly.  Whether his relationships with these other women were purely sexual or just "for company" I can't be for sure but it made me angry at him (which is so dumb because I don't know him, clearly).  I also got mad at her.  How could she tolerate this behavior for so many years?  Why didn't she leave him?  Part of me hopes that it is made up for TV but I don't think it is made up.  I think it is very real.

I know why this show upsets me not.  It's because it makes me uncomfortable.  As a relatively newly married woman, I can't imagine my husband cheating on me but I know that it is possible - just as possible that I could one day cheat on him.  I don't want to think about it.  But, there are times even in our early marriage that I get jealous of a female friend or other friends who are in Mark's life.  It isn't often but occasionally it does happen.  I realize that it happens when there are things going on in my life that are making me feel insecure and/or not as connected to my husband as I usually feel.

It doesn't help that two close friends recently got divorced and another friend is "the other woman."  It upsets me that friends of mine are divorced but I understand and support them.  The friend who is the "other woman" is a friendship that I struggle with and am sadly letting go, quietly.  I can't support her life choice.

Luckily, I can talk with Mark and those feelings of insecurity and jealousy quickly passes.  Marriage is hard work.  It takes time, energy and a commitment to each other to stay connected and remind each other how much we love each other.

I also realize that it is my own emotions that causes the jealousy.  In Shannon Tweed's case, it is clear that it is Gene's fault and not her own insecurities.  I hope never to be in her shoes.  I don't know what I would do especially after a long history of shared love and life that those two have and I don't blame her for not turning her back on him.  It is clear that she truly loves him.  I can see that he loves her but I don't know if he is possible to turn his back on his old ways.  I hope so.

I'll probably continue to watch to the end of the season.  I want to know that there will be a happy ending but I also acknowledge that this is reality TV and a happy ending may not be in the cards.  At least for now, there is a happy ending.  Shannon and Gene were married on October 1.

Do you watch the show?  What would you do?