Justin kicked my butt at The Gym today, and I am glad for it.
Marshall has been sending Justin a lot of information about free-weight exercises and, given high school weight training was quite awhile ago, I needed to relearn everything. Justin helped teach me today, serving as a spot as needed, and being an overall great encouragement. It's a good thing he was there to spot me, as I got into a bit of trouble when I let the bar drop a little too far down onto my chest, but overall it was a good hour and a half well spent this morning.
I figured out my baseline today when it come to the free weights, and I hope to keep working with Justin and improving. I'm definitely going to be hurting tomorrow!
If you are interested (Marshall, I figure pretty much only you will care), here's the breakdown -
Bench Press: 3 sets of 10 reps at 45 pounds
Incline Bench Press: 3 sets of 10 reps at 45 pounds
Shoulder Shrugs: 3 sets of 10 reps at 8 pounds
Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 10 reps at 8 pounds
Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 10 reps at 8 pounds
Hammer Curls: 1 set of 10 reps at 8 pounds, 2 sets of 10 reps at 5 pounds
Tricep Extensions: 3 sets of 10 reps at 5 pounds
Close-Grip Bench: 1 set of 8 reps at 16 pounds
Decline Crunches: 25
Exercise Ball Crunches: 20
Exercise Ball Squats: 3 sets of 10
Tomorrow who knows? We'll give our muscles a break for a day, but there may be some sprints on the new track in our future.
If we keep going like this we are going to end up toned, slim, and sexy. Here's hoping!
Love!
~g
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Garden Update
It has now been 20 days since my and Carrie's day-o-gardening in the rain. The garden has since been weeded (although I can't seem to stay ahead of the crab grass), watered several times (we had a week solid of rain at one point - yayy for free water!), and the space between the plants and rows covered with grass clippings to help reduce weeds and retain moisture.
Carrots (Orange): Not as many of the starts took as I had hoped. Once the garden began getting watered regularly after the week of rain, the remaining starts settled and the tops have gotten taller and fluffier.
Cucumbers (Green): The foliage looks great. Haven't seen much evidence of the actual vegetable yet, but there's plenty of time.
Five-Blend Lettuce (Blue): Only one of the starts really took and looks like it may actually produce something. There are a few other starts that are hanging in there, but they are pretty pathetic.
Radishes (Red): Holy cow did the radishes go insane! They are about done and ready to be harvested. Crunchy, zingy salads, here we come!
Romaine (Pink): Of the two lettuce varieties we planted, I'm glad the Romaine is the one that really took. I prefer Romaine to all other types of lettuce. It was touch and go with these plants for awhile, but they seem to have settled in and are coming along nicely.
Corn (Yellow): What would an Iowa garden be without sweet corn? The corn plants are looking great and growing noticeably taller by the day.
Broccoli and Spinach (Not pictured): Both the broccoli and spinach plants are surviving, but beyond that I am not really sure how well they are doing. For both the broccoli and the spinach, very few actually started, so that already put the harvest potential at a great disadvantage. Very few of the people I have talked to have actually tried to grow either of these vegetables, so we are all watching to see what happens.
This weekend I think I will be trying (once again) to get the crab grass under control. We have some Miracle Grow food in the garage that I will most likely be utilizing as well.
Karen, I hope I have been descriptive enough that your vicarious gardening tendencies are satisfied.
Love!
~g
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Ventilation
Preface: I love you all and know you love and care about me.
No, I am not planning on becoming a bum.
Yes, I am looking for a job.
No, there are no serious leads yet.
Yes, I am planning on being employed by my birthday.
No, I still don't know what I want to do with my life.
Yes, I am keeping my options open and looking in a variety of locations and fields.
No, I am not going to wait for that "perfect job" to roll around.
Yes, I will take something temporary if I need to.
No, I am not planning on just settling and giving up on figuring out what it is I truly want to do.
Yes, I may end up with a short-term job that is "below" my level of education.
No, I am not forgetting I am a currently living on the kindness of my family.
Yes, I am making my job search a priority.
Hopefully that answers everyone's questions and we can now have conversations about something other than my current employment status.
Love!
~g
No, I am not planning on becoming a bum.
Yes, I am looking for a job.
No, there are no serious leads yet.
Yes, I am planning on being employed by my birthday.
No, I still don't know what I want to do with my life.
Yes, I am keeping my options open and looking in a variety of locations and fields.
No, I am not going to wait for that "perfect job" to roll around.
Yes, I will take something temporary if I need to.
No, I am not planning on just settling and giving up on figuring out what it is I truly want to do.
Yes, I may end up with a short-term job that is "below" my level of education.
No, I am not forgetting I am a currently living on the kindness of my family.
Yes, I am making my job search a priority.
Hopefully that answers everyone's questions and we can now have conversations about something other than my current employment status.
Love!
~g
Friday, June 5, 2009
Goals
When Justin said he was making a list of 101 goals to be completed in 1001 days, I said to myself, "Self, that's just a darn-tootin' good idea. Maybe you should just go ahead and do the same."
Ok, maybe there was a bit less imagined Old West twang, but you get the idea.
I sat down and I pulled up a Word document and I started typing. Less than a day later there they were, 101 goals to be completed in 1001 days.
I have the same start and end dates as Justin (how could one not want to end on February 29?). Rather than another blog to share my goals and progress, I decided instead to create a website. Google has this handy little website creator feature that allows even the most technologically illiterate people (See Exhibit A) create and publish a simple website.
I am not finished adding content to the site, and I definitely think the formatting and colors will be changing, but the basic information is there. If you are interested, click here.
Love!
~g
Ok, maybe there was a bit less imagined Old West twang, but you get the idea.
I sat down and I pulled up a Word document and I started typing. Less than a day later there they were, 101 goals to be completed in 1001 days.
I have the same start and end dates as Justin (how could one not want to end on February 29?). Rather than another blog to share my goals and progress, I decided instead to create a website. Google has this handy little website creator feature that allows even the most technologically illiterate people (See Exhibit A) create and publish a simple website.
I am not finished adding content to the site, and I definitely think the formatting and colors will be changing, but the basic information is there. If you are interested, click here.
Love!
~g
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
3 posts in one day!
This is just getting ridiculous. If you by chance missed the first two June 2 posts, make sure to scroll down.
I baked today. I love baking. When I am happy I want to bake. When I am sad I want to bake. When I am angry I want to bake. Maybe I should have become a baker's apprentice rather than an MPA.
Today I made a new recipe, taken from one of the cookbooks Grandma Mabon gave me for my graduation. Although it was a bit of a long process (2 hours to chill the dough, another hour to let the dough rise once the coils had been made), it was well worth it. These delightful danish-esq treats came out beautifully light and airy and creamy.
Dad has already told me to write up the recipe and pass it along, so I guess you can look for that in the coming days. Karen, I'll send it to you for your Exchange page and anyone who is interested can get it from there.
Love!
~g
I baked today. I love baking. When I am happy I want to bake. When I am sad I want to bake. When I am angry I want to bake. Maybe I should have become a baker's apprentice rather than an MPA.
Today I made a new recipe, taken from one of the cookbooks Grandma Mabon gave me for my graduation. Although it was a bit of a long process (2 hours to chill the dough, another hour to let the dough rise once the coils had been made), it was well worth it. These delightful danish-esq treats came out beautifully light and airy and creamy.
Dad has already told me to write up the recipe and pass it along, so I guess you can look for that in the coming days. Karen, I'll send it to you for your Exchange page and anyone who is interested can get it from there.
Love!
~g
For These Times
I have always been a big fan of Martina McBride. I have had the opportunity to see her perform live twice - once when she was just breaking out as a solo artist and once after she had made it big. The difference in the venues alone was amazing. The first time I saw her she was playing McElroy Auditorium at Cattle Congress, capacity 7000. The second time I went to her concert she was playing the UNI Dome, capacity 24,196. Both concerts were amazing.
I like her as an artist for several reasons. First and foremost, I love that her music actually says something. Sure, she has a few of the typical country songs (especially in her earlier albums), but as she became an established artist her songs became more meaningful. She was one of the first to take on the issues of domestic violence and emotional abuse with her music ("Independence Day" and then again with "Broken Wing"). She does not sugarcoat life as we know it ("Love's the Only House"). Most importantly, many of her songs speak to finding the best that is within yourself and rising above whatever it is that stands in your way or holds you back ("From the Ashes", "Anyway", and "Beautiful Again"). I am in awe of her voice and of the musicality of her music. She truly has some of the most talent musicians playing behind her in every song.
I have lately become enamored with a particular song on Martina's 2007 CD, Waking Up Laughing.
To watch the music video of this song (in which you don't see Martina at all!) click here.
The lyrics are as follows:
In these times in which we live
Where the worst of what we live
Is laid out for all the world on the front page
And the sound of someone's heartbreak
Is a soundbite at the news break
With a close shot of the tears rollin' down their face
Blessed be the child who turns a loving eye
And stops to pray
For these times in which we live
In these most uncertain hours
Where the balance of power
Is a fight that is fought every day
And freedom is a word
Some cry out and some whisper
And some are just too quick to give away
Blessed be the one who stands by the one
On the battle line
For these times in which we live
Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide
For these times in which we live
Seems like the only answer is
Givin' up on findin' one at all
And we hide behind unsure
Pull the blinds and lock the doors
And hang a pleasant picture on the wall
Blessed is the believer who knows love is our redeemer
And the only breath of life
For these times in which we live
Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide
Yeah give me words full of loving kindness
And hands ready to hold up a light
For these times in which we live
For these times in which we live
Love!
~g
I like her as an artist for several reasons. First and foremost, I love that her music actually says something. Sure, she has a few of the typical country songs (especially in her earlier albums), but as she became an established artist her songs became more meaningful. She was one of the first to take on the issues of domestic violence and emotional abuse with her music ("Independence Day" and then again with "Broken Wing"). She does not sugarcoat life as we know it ("Love's the Only House"). Most importantly, many of her songs speak to finding the best that is within yourself and rising above whatever it is that stands in your way or holds you back ("From the Ashes", "Anyway", and "Beautiful Again"). I am in awe of her voice and of the musicality of her music. She truly has some of the most talent musicians playing behind her in every song.
I have lately become enamored with a particular song on Martina's 2007 CD, Waking Up Laughing.
To watch the music video of this song (in which you don't see Martina at all!) click here.
The lyrics are as follows:
In these times in which we live
Where the worst of what we live
Is laid out for all the world on the front page
And the sound of someone's heartbreak
Is a soundbite at the news break
With a close shot of the tears rollin' down their face
Blessed be the child who turns a loving eye
And stops to pray
For these times in which we live
In these most uncertain hours
Where the balance of power
Is a fight that is fought every day
And freedom is a word
Some cry out and some whisper
And some are just too quick to give away
Blessed be the one who stands by the one
On the battle line
For these times in which we live
Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide
For these times in which we live
Seems like the only answer is
Givin' up on findin' one at all
And we hide behind unsure
Pull the blinds and lock the doors
And hang a pleasant picture on the wall
Blessed is the believer who knows love is our redeemer
And the only breath of life
For these times in which we live
Well give me a heart full of tender mercy
And arms I will open wide
Yeah give me words full of loving kindness
And hands ready to hold up a light
For these times in which we live
For these times in which we live
Love!
~g
Preventative Care
I have spent several days in the last few weeks in various medical offices, catching up on some over-due appointments while I still have insurance. I have been to the dermatologist, my family doctor, the optometrist, the hospital for blood draws, and soon I'll be back at the dermatologist. I know it's much better to have all of these appointments before there is a problem, but I am awfully tired of forms.
Overall I have been decreed rather healthy, if a bit overweight. The optometrist was by far the worst appointment, but that was mainly due to the fact that I have a real issue with anything near or on my eyes. I have been having a problem with bright lights lately; too bright of light and my eyes kind of bug out and I end up losing my peripheral vision and see nothing but flashes of light. Turns out this is something called a silent migraine. Basically, my eyes are reacting to bright light like they would react if I was actually having a migraine. All the symptoms, none of the pain. I guess I prefer it that way, but it's still annoying. Given this increased sensitivity to bright light, prescription polarizing sunglasses are in my near future, as are new reading glasses. I am hoping I can take advantage of a few deals at local glasses stores and get what I need for relatively little money. There are a few places offering 2-fers, which I am hoping include sunglasses. Regardless, the expense must be made so I can see well. The optometrist informed me that I may not pass my next visual exam without my glasses when I go to renew my license, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I have also been cautioned against extensive night driving. Yayy for hereditary night-blindness! I know Dad is night-blind, and I believe Justin is as well.
Oh well. On to other things. The vegetable garden is doing so-so. The cucumbers, radishes, and corn are excellent. The lettuces, spinach, and carrots seem to be struggling. I may have to replant these, but there shouldn't be a problem with that. It is still cool here and we have had more than enough rain. Karen, I will post a picture of the garden as soon as my camera battery charges and I have a chance to pull a few weeds. :)
This week I am spending cleaning and organizing some of the stuff I brought home from Chicago. We are also in Week 1 of our meal plan, so there will be some cooking of new and familiar recipes going on. Tonight is enchiladas, made with the shredded beef of a slow-cooked chuck roast. The roast is currently in the slow cooker, and everything else is already on hand and ready. Maybe. Crap. I just realized that we may not have sour cream. Oh well. We can pick that up with a quick run to Bender's. Today's lunch consisted of tuna salad in a pita with a side of carrots and fresh-brewed iced tea.
I have decided one of my project this summer is going to be transcribing all of the hand-written recipes Mom has. I will, of course, keep the hand-written treasures, but I would also like to ensure the recipes do not get lost. By the time I am done I will most likely have a book of family recipes, as many of the cards attribute the recipe to Renee, Grandma Kole, and Grandma Mabon. Renee has already promised me more recipes, which I suggested she send to Karen to be put on the Exchange page. Karen, when I get done transcribing everything I will send you the document. Maybe you can PDF it and post it so everyone has access. Dad, I will probably be using your recipe template for this project, although for many of them I may not have back stories. We'll see. Cary, I tried your Sunday Night Breadsticks a few weeks ago. I added Italian seasoning to the dough and brushed the sticks with butter and sprinkled Parmesan on top before baking. We had them with spaghetti. They were good, but a bit dense. I know I probably had a bit too much flour in them, but I also think I did not roll the stick out enough. The next time you make them, could you please take a picture of what the breadsticks look like pre- and post-baking? I'd appreciate it!
Another project means picking up my crochet needles once again to complete Dad's long-overdue afghan. I crocheted an afghan for Jody for Christmas a few years ago, and Dad so liked it that he requested one of his own. We went shopping and he picked out his yarn. I had his afghan nearly finished when I decided it looked terrible, so I ripped the whole thing out and will be starting from scratch. I have a new pattern in mind for the three different yarns I am using, and when I am finished it will look nothing like Jody's afghan. Dad, you're going to have to trust me on this one.
As far as my job search goes, it really doesn't right now. I receive daily emails with job announcements for federal jobs, as well as positions within higher education. I look at them carefully but as of yet have not been moved to do more. Admittedly, I am a bit overwhelmed by the whole idea of searching for a full-time position and what that will mean for my life. I still feel very much like a student on a summer break. I will try to get my act together in the coming weeks but I also do not want to make the mistake of rushing this process and pushing myself into a place or position that does not feel right. I have always been very good at realizing what I should do or what the "smart" choice is, but more often than not this has put me in positions where I am not really that happy. I want to try to break that cycle and think instead for once about what I really want. This time around, I am not going to let others guilt or pressure me into something, nor will I be making decisions about my life based on making others happy. I guess this means I am growing up.
On that note, it's time for me to get busy with something. Heh. I am still adjusting to not having to rush from place to place and task to task. I should be loving the freedom, but honest to goodness I don't know what to do with myself!
Love!
~g
Overall I have been decreed rather healthy, if a bit overweight. The optometrist was by far the worst appointment, but that was mainly due to the fact that I have a real issue with anything near or on my eyes. I have been having a problem with bright lights lately; too bright of light and my eyes kind of bug out and I end up losing my peripheral vision and see nothing but flashes of light. Turns out this is something called a silent migraine. Basically, my eyes are reacting to bright light like they would react if I was actually having a migraine. All the symptoms, none of the pain. I guess I prefer it that way, but it's still annoying. Given this increased sensitivity to bright light, prescription polarizing sunglasses are in my near future, as are new reading glasses. I am hoping I can take advantage of a few deals at local glasses stores and get what I need for relatively little money. There are a few places offering 2-fers, which I am hoping include sunglasses. Regardless, the expense must be made so I can see well. The optometrist informed me that I may not pass my next visual exam without my glasses when I go to renew my license, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I have also been cautioned against extensive night driving. Yayy for hereditary night-blindness! I know Dad is night-blind, and I believe Justin is as well.
Oh well. On to other things. The vegetable garden is doing so-so. The cucumbers, radishes, and corn are excellent. The lettuces, spinach, and carrots seem to be struggling. I may have to replant these, but there shouldn't be a problem with that. It is still cool here and we have had more than enough rain. Karen, I will post a picture of the garden as soon as my camera battery charges and I have a chance to pull a few weeds. :)
This week I am spending cleaning and organizing some of the stuff I brought home from Chicago. We are also in Week 1 of our meal plan, so there will be some cooking of new and familiar recipes going on. Tonight is enchiladas, made with the shredded beef of a slow-cooked chuck roast. The roast is currently in the slow cooker, and everything else is already on hand and ready. Maybe. Crap. I just realized that we may not have sour cream. Oh well. We can pick that up with a quick run to Bender's. Today's lunch consisted of tuna salad in a pita with a side of carrots and fresh-brewed iced tea.
I have decided one of my project this summer is going to be transcribing all of the hand-written recipes Mom has. I will, of course, keep the hand-written treasures, but I would also like to ensure the recipes do not get lost. By the time I am done I will most likely have a book of family recipes, as many of the cards attribute the recipe to Renee, Grandma Kole, and Grandma Mabon. Renee has already promised me more recipes, which I suggested she send to Karen to be put on the Exchange page. Karen, when I get done transcribing everything I will send you the document. Maybe you can PDF it and post it so everyone has access. Dad, I will probably be using your recipe template for this project, although for many of them I may not have back stories. We'll see. Cary, I tried your Sunday Night Breadsticks a few weeks ago. I added Italian seasoning to the dough and brushed the sticks with butter and sprinkled Parmesan on top before baking. We had them with spaghetti. They were good, but a bit dense. I know I probably had a bit too much flour in them, but I also think I did not roll the stick out enough. The next time you make them, could you please take a picture of what the breadsticks look like pre- and post-baking? I'd appreciate it!
Another project means picking up my crochet needles once again to complete Dad's long-overdue afghan. I crocheted an afghan for Jody for Christmas a few years ago, and Dad so liked it that he requested one of his own. We went shopping and he picked out his yarn. I had his afghan nearly finished when I decided it looked terrible, so I ripped the whole thing out and will be starting from scratch. I have a new pattern in mind for the three different yarns I am using, and when I am finished it will look nothing like Jody's afghan. Dad, you're going to have to trust me on this one.
As far as my job search goes, it really doesn't right now. I receive daily emails with job announcements for federal jobs, as well as positions within higher education. I look at them carefully but as of yet have not been moved to do more. Admittedly, I am a bit overwhelmed by the whole idea of searching for a full-time position and what that will mean for my life. I still feel very much like a student on a summer break. I will try to get my act together in the coming weeks but I also do not want to make the mistake of rushing this process and pushing myself into a place or position that does not feel right. I have always been very good at realizing what I should do or what the "smart" choice is, but more often than not this has put me in positions where I am not really that happy. I want to try to break that cycle and think instead for once about what I really want. This time around, I am not going to let others guilt or pressure me into something, nor will I be making decisions about my life based on making others happy. I guess this means I am growing up.
On that note, it's time for me to get busy with something. Heh. I am still adjusting to not having to rush from place to place and task to task. I should be loving the freedom, but honest to goodness I don't know what to do with myself!
Love!
~g
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Planting in the rain/ Just planting in the rain!
Well, the vegetable garden, such as it is, is officially done and now only needs watering and weeding until harvest time. Carrie helped me put up the chicken wire fence and plant the starts on Saturday. I had been planning on getting it all done on Saturday, but when Carrie announced it was raining I figured my plans were shot. That is, until Carrie said, "If you want to get it done today, I'll help." So we donned our t-shirts and shorts and gloves and headed out into the rain. We were out there for a good 1.5 hours, getting rained on the entire time. Our sneakers kept getting caked with mud, especially around the heels. Every once in a while we would have to stop working to scrape a good 3 or 4 inches of mud off of our shoes. I must say, though, they were the most comfortable high heels I've ever worn! By the time we finished and came inside we were soaked through and dripping, but everything was done and we didn't have to water immediately. Bonus! It was actually a lot of fun and makes a great story about my first vegetable garden. I shouldn't say 'my' vegetable garden. Justin and Carrie were a big help that I am incredibly grateful for.
Sunday was Gregory's (my cousin) graduation from Denver High. Mom volunteered my services to my aunt for the day, so bright and early we headed out to Shere's house to help with the final party preparations. My job was to drive to Waterloo and Waverly to pick up various food and decoration orders. Once those were dropped off at the house, I became florist and lemonade-mixer extraordinaire. Mom was meanwhile finishing up some landscaping outside. Once our jobs were done we headed home to change and get up to the school for the ceremony. Except for a new score board and a few more banners, nothing in that gym has changed from when I sat there 6 years ago getting my high school degree. The ceremony did not take too long, and then it was back out to the farm. Last minute set up and rushing around, and then it was time to party! Shere handed me her digital camera and told me my job was to take as many pictures of the party, the guests, and Gregory with his guests as possible, so I spent the next 4 hours roaming with the camera and taking A LOT of pictures. I don't know how many total, but there has to be somewhere between 200 and 300 photos of that party. During lulls in my photo duties, I chatted with family and old school teachers and helped out Grandma in the kitchen. By 8 pm the party was over and most everything cleaned up, so Mom and I headed home to crash. It was a long day!
Memorial Day was fairly quiet around here. Just some grilling later in the day. Justin is quite the grill master, and my teriyaki chicken and burger came out great. A few movies with friends last night, and bam, the holiday weekend is over.
That's about it. My life is pretty quite and slow right now. That being said, I do have some laundry to be getting to.
Love!
~g
Sunday was Gregory's (my cousin) graduation from Denver High. Mom volunteered my services to my aunt for the day, so bright and early we headed out to Shere's house to help with the final party preparations. My job was to drive to Waterloo and Waverly to pick up various food and decoration orders. Once those were dropped off at the house, I became florist and lemonade-mixer extraordinaire. Mom was meanwhile finishing up some landscaping outside. Once our jobs were done we headed home to change and get up to the school for the ceremony. Except for a new score board and a few more banners, nothing in that gym has changed from when I sat there 6 years ago getting my high school degree. The ceremony did not take too long, and then it was back out to the farm. Last minute set up and rushing around, and then it was time to party! Shere handed me her digital camera and told me my job was to take as many pictures of the party, the guests, and Gregory with his guests as possible, so I spent the next 4 hours roaming with the camera and taking A LOT of pictures. I don't know how many total, but there has to be somewhere between 200 and 300 photos of that party. During lulls in my photo duties, I chatted with family and old school teachers and helped out Grandma in the kitchen. By 8 pm the party was over and most everything cleaned up, so Mom and I headed home to crash. It was a long day!
Memorial Day was fairly quiet around here. Just some grilling later in the day. Justin is quite the grill master, and my teriyaki chicken and burger came out great. A few movies with friends last night, and bam, the holiday weekend is over.
That's about it. My life is pretty quite and slow right now. That being said, I do have some laundry to be getting to.
Love!
~g
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Blisters with Blisters
Blisters can get blisters. I found that out today.
We're going to have a vegetable garden! My starts are doing well and need to be planted soon. Yesterday and today Justin and I worked on turning over ground in the back yard. Tomorrow we will work on fencing and smoothing out the turned ground. Hopefully the starts can be transplanted later this week. Turning ground full of weeds and grass is hard work, and I've got several impressively ugly blisters on my thumbs at the moment, despite wearing gloves. They developed and burst yesterday. Today I used lots of Bandaids and went back out. When Justin came out to relieve me, I took off the gloves and the bandages and more skin went with. No pain, no gain, I guess.
Today when I absolutely had to take a break from the shovel, while still wanting to be useful, I got behind a lawn mower for the first time in 12 years and mowed our lawn. Justin had to show me how to get the mower going (it's old and cantankerous) but I did all the mowing myself. I am sure it took me longer than it takes Justin and Mom, but our yard has a lot of weird angles and obstacles, and it took me some time to figure out the best way to maneuver the mower. In the end, it doesn't matter how long it takes, but that the finished product is a job well done.
And if all of that wasn't enough, today marks the first "official" day of summer - I got my first sunburn of the year. Overall it's not too bad, although the color has been developing throughout the day and my shoulders and arms are now the color of watered-down cranberry juice. It is nowhere near the sunburn I got last year while on vacation in Arizona. That sunburn was vomit-inducing painful. I'll try to not get to that stage ever again.
The job search continues to be rather nonexistent. My final grades and GPA were released last Friday, so I can now update my resume and start deciding what I really want to apply for. I have no fear of becoming complacent and unmotivated while I am here in Denver, but I am also keeping in mind that finding a job is a process that may take some time and that I need to be mentally ready for. Right now, I am not ready, so I will give it a bit more time.
This past weekend Mom and I joined Carrie on a trip to southern Iowa to see Carrie's mom be installed as the pastor with the First United Church. It was a fun time and I am glad we were able to support Carrie and her family.
This coming Monday, May 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the giant tornado that ripped apart Parkersburg. Over the weekend and Memorial Day Parkersburg is holding a town celebration of sorts, including a street dance on Saturday night. Carrie's co-worker has invited Carrie et al. over for a barbecue prior to the dance. I will most likely be accompanying Carrie and Justin to this event.
My subtenant for my apartment in Chicago arrived as scheduled and, from what I hear, is a hit with my old roommates. I should be receiving a check in the mail soon that includes my security deposit and a refund for 1/2 of May's rent, prorated of course. Once I get and deposit that check, all business I had left in Chicago will be taken care of. Yayy!
This Sunday my cousin will graduate high school from Denver. All family available that day, including myself, will be in attendance. I can't believe how quickly time has flow and how fast my cousins are growing up. Time certainly flies.
That's about it. There is not much to tell now that my life has dramatically slowed down. This is not necessarily a bad thing!
Love!
~g
We're going to have a vegetable garden! My starts are doing well and need to be planted soon. Yesterday and today Justin and I worked on turning over ground in the back yard. Tomorrow we will work on fencing and smoothing out the turned ground. Hopefully the starts can be transplanted later this week. Turning ground full of weeds and grass is hard work, and I've got several impressively ugly blisters on my thumbs at the moment, despite wearing gloves. They developed and burst yesterday. Today I used lots of Bandaids and went back out. When Justin came out to relieve me, I took off the gloves and the bandages and more skin went with. No pain, no gain, I guess.
Today when I absolutely had to take a break from the shovel, while still wanting to be useful, I got behind a lawn mower for the first time in 12 years and mowed our lawn. Justin had to show me how to get the mower going (it's old and cantankerous) but I did all the mowing myself. I am sure it took me longer than it takes Justin and Mom, but our yard has a lot of weird angles and obstacles, and it took me some time to figure out the best way to maneuver the mower. In the end, it doesn't matter how long it takes, but that the finished product is a job well done.
And if all of that wasn't enough, today marks the first "official" day of summer - I got my first sunburn of the year. Overall it's not too bad, although the color has been developing throughout the day and my shoulders and arms are now the color of watered-down cranberry juice. It is nowhere near the sunburn I got last year while on vacation in Arizona. That sunburn was vomit-inducing painful. I'll try to not get to that stage ever again.
The job search continues to be rather nonexistent. My final grades and GPA were released last Friday, so I can now update my resume and start deciding what I really want to apply for. I have no fear of becoming complacent and unmotivated while I am here in Denver, but I am also keeping in mind that finding a job is a process that may take some time and that I need to be mentally ready for. Right now, I am not ready, so I will give it a bit more time.
This past weekend Mom and I joined Carrie on a trip to southern Iowa to see Carrie's mom be installed as the pastor with the First United Church. It was a fun time and I am glad we were able to support Carrie and her family.
This coming Monday, May 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the giant tornado that ripped apart Parkersburg. Over the weekend and Memorial Day Parkersburg is holding a town celebration of sorts, including a street dance on Saturday night. Carrie's co-worker has invited Carrie et al. over for a barbecue prior to the dance. I will most likely be accompanying Carrie and Justin to this event.
My subtenant for my apartment in Chicago arrived as scheduled and, from what I hear, is a hit with my old roommates. I should be receiving a check in the mail soon that includes my security deposit and a refund for 1/2 of May's rent, prorated of course. Once I get and deposit that check, all business I had left in Chicago will be taken care of. Yayy!
This Sunday my cousin will graduate high school from Denver. All family available that day, including myself, will be in attendance. I can't believe how quickly time has flow and how fast my cousins are growing up. Time certainly flies.
That's about it. There is not much to tell now that my life has dramatically slowed down. This is not necessarily a bad thing!
Love!
~g
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Conquered
I suppose I am long over-due for another post. I was just telling Dallas and Renee the other day that I like the blog because it forces me to feel guilty and therefore update my family and friends on my latest goings-on. Really, when it comes down to it, a blog is kind of a vain thing. "Look at what I've been up to! Read all about me!" but for those who actually care about what I am up to, it is a great way for me to keep them updated.
Lets see... anything of note happen in my life lately? Well, in very quick succession, spanning only one week in time, I:
1. Took my last final ever
2. Earned a Master's degree
3. Finished a job
4. Packed up my apartment
5. Became an aunt
6. Walked the stage at Commencement
7. Walked downtown Chicago in its entirety in one afternoon
8. Moved out of my apartment
9. Rearranged my room in Denver
10. Slept for 13 hours
There have been a lot of emotions running through me this past week. At this point, I am a bit numb, mostly feeling very tired and very out-of-place. My Denver home, while still feeling of home, is also different and unfamiliar. I do not fit in the life of the people at home, but have no life of my own right now. I am in limbo, and I am terrified and overwhelmed. Slowly I will start to create a place here, but in the meantime I am spending a good part of my days making my room my own space and nuzzling Tucker whenever he needs it (like right now, as he has climbed into my lap and I am typing without being able to see the keyboard or the screen).
Graduation was a blast. I enjoyed seeing family and friends and spending time talking with everyone. Pictures to come as I get around to getting them off my camera. Thanks to everyone who made the trip! Dallas and Renee especially, what a welcome surprise addition! It was wonderful to see you and have a chance to talk a bit! And thank you again for lunch at Jak's!
The afternoon and evening of graduation Justin, Carrie, Mom, and I spent all day in downtown Chicago. We must have walked somewhere between 5 and 7 miles of downtown, seeing all of the sights. It was interesting for me to watch Justin and Carrie discover the city. I didn't realize how familiar and comfortable I had become with everything until I saw their reactions to Chicago. As we walked the observatory in the Sears Tower and I was pointing out landmarks and telling stories, Mom stopped me and said, "Look at all you conquered." She was right, and it became so obvious as I stood nearly 1/2 mile in the air and looked down on it all. It was a good way to say goodbye to the city.
And now, switching gears! I made the decision awhile back to take all of this free time to try to get healthier and get back into eating regular, home-cooked meals. Part of this decision includes trying to get over my aversion to vegetables. In an effort to do this, while being conscious of cost and local produce, I used some of my graduation gift money today to purchase seeds and a starter plot. Tonight I started lettuce (Romaine and a variety pack), radishes, cucumbers, spinach, carrots, sweet corn, and broccoli in small disks of peat and soil. I will keep the starts inside in a greenhouse-type deal until I have a small plot ready in the backyard and can transplant everything. I have never tried growing vegetables, but with a little advice from Carrie (who grew up with a vegetable plot in her backyard) I am certain I can handle this. Maybe by mid-summer we can be eating our own vegetables!
Grandma Mabon gave me a new cookbook for graduation, and as soon as I post this I am going to start going through it to pick out the recipes I want to try first. I think there is a general consensus between Grandma and Mom that, so long as I am in Denver and unemployed, I will be taking on a lot of the household duties. I expected this and don't mind it at all. After all, I'm living here rent free and need to earn my keep some way!
I am, of course, still job-hunting, although these first few weeks home the search will probably not be very intense. I am still looking nationally and have even considered expanding the search to Canada. I want to end up some place that will be beneficial to me both professionally and socially. In my downtime before I really ramp up the search again I will be spending some time considering what it is I truly want and am looking for in this first "real" job. Maybe, if I do everything right, I will end up with the job that is what I need it to be.
That's about it. Considering how much has happened, it seems a bit odd to say there is not much more news, but I am drawing a blank on what else to write. I suppose if something comes to mind I can always make another post.
Time to read a cookbook! Love!
~g
Lets see... anything of note happen in my life lately? Well, in very quick succession, spanning only one week in time, I:
1. Took my last final ever
2. Earned a Master's degree
3. Finished a job
4. Packed up my apartment
5. Became an aunt
6. Walked the stage at Commencement
7. Walked downtown Chicago in its entirety in one afternoon
8. Moved out of my apartment
9. Rearranged my room in Denver
10. Slept for 13 hours
There have been a lot of emotions running through me this past week. At this point, I am a bit numb, mostly feeling very tired and very out-of-place. My Denver home, while still feeling of home, is also different and unfamiliar. I do not fit in the life of the people at home, but have no life of my own right now. I am in limbo, and I am terrified and overwhelmed. Slowly I will start to create a place here, but in the meantime I am spending a good part of my days making my room my own space and nuzzling Tucker whenever he needs it (like right now, as he has climbed into my lap and I am typing without being able to see the keyboard or the screen).
Graduation was a blast. I enjoyed seeing family and friends and spending time talking with everyone. Pictures to come as I get around to getting them off my camera. Thanks to everyone who made the trip! Dallas and Renee especially, what a welcome surprise addition! It was wonderful to see you and have a chance to talk a bit! And thank you again for lunch at Jak's!
The afternoon and evening of graduation Justin, Carrie, Mom, and I spent all day in downtown Chicago. We must have walked somewhere between 5 and 7 miles of downtown, seeing all of the sights. It was interesting for me to watch Justin and Carrie discover the city. I didn't realize how familiar and comfortable I had become with everything until I saw their reactions to Chicago. As we walked the observatory in the Sears Tower and I was pointing out landmarks and telling stories, Mom stopped me and said, "Look at all you conquered." She was right, and it became so obvious as I stood nearly 1/2 mile in the air and looked down on it all. It was a good way to say goodbye to the city.
And now, switching gears! I made the decision awhile back to take all of this free time to try to get healthier and get back into eating regular, home-cooked meals. Part of this decision includes trying to get over my aversion to vegetables. In an effort to do this, while being conscious of cost and local produce, I used some of my graduation gift money today to purchase seeds and a starter plot. Tonight I started lettuce (Romaine and a variety pack), radishes, cucumbers, spinach, carrots, sweet corn, and broccoli in small disks of peat and soil. I will keep the starts inside in a greenhouse-type deal until I have a small plot ready in the backyard and can transplant everything. I have never tried growing vegetables, but with a little advice from Carrie (who grew up with a vegetable plot in her backyard) I am certain I can handle this. Maybe by mid-summer we can be eating our own vegetables!
Grandma Mabon gave me a new cookbook for graduation, and as soon as I post this I am going to start going through it to pick out the recipes I want to try first. I think there is a general consensus between Grandma and Mom that, so long as I am in Denver and unemployed, I will be taking on a lot of the household duties. I expected this and don't mind it at all. After all, I'm living here rent free and need to earn my keep some way!
I am, of course, still job-hunting, although these first few weeks home the search will probably not be very intense. I am still looking nationally and have even considered expanding the search to Canada. I want to end up some place that will be beneficial to me both professionally and socially. In my downtime before I really ramp up the search again I will be spending some time considering what it is I truly want and am looking for in this first "real" job. Maybe, if I do everything right, I will end up with the job that is what I need it to be.
That's about it. Considering how much has happened, it seems a bit odd to say there is not much more news, but I am drawing a blank on what else to write. I suppose if something comes to mind I can always make another post.
Time to read a cookbook! Love!
~g
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