Farewell 2008

Wow, its amazing what you can run into on the internet. Some odd and not too relevant, but once in awhile, something grabs you. For some reason, I ran into this Noah Kalina YouTube video and it is amazing. Check out his blog. And definitely check out the YouTube video of his self-portrait a day for 6 years. There's a link on his blog, obviously.

People are amazing.

When you go to YouTube, which I've never really done much, or, at all really. And I have NO idea how I ended up viewing this music video completely choreographed on treadmills. But, once I started watching, I couldn't stop. Let me know if you have the same problem.

My book of the year: Hands down - Eat Pray, Love

My movie of the year: The Lives of Others. Yep, that's it. I'm not a big movie person. We rarely go to the theater. I don't think I was in a theater once in 2008. So, I'm not the best critic, but this movie, of all the movies I saw this year, by far the best.

My blog of the year: The Pioneer Woman. I've made more recipes from her site than from, I think, any other site. And that's definitely true for at least 2008. Not a vegan or vegetarian site, but, there's lots you can do to modify recipes if that's where you are. Check her out. She not only has recipes, but photography. That's how I first found her site, because of the photography.

My photo of the year: A photo of Mt. Hood, Oregon, that I took early on the morning of March 3, 2008. You've seen it before, just cropped. This version is straight out of camera (SOOC). I've cropped this thing so many different times (click here for my favorite version) and printed it and set it as my desktop and given versions of it away and been quite proud (that was weird to say) of this photo. It's just a visual that appeals to me.

My recipe of the year: Island Chicken & Rice. As I scrolled through the recipes I deemed bloggable, I kept thinking, oooh, chocolate chip cookies, or oh my, the pasta with chicken or, oh that's right, pumpkin bars. But I got to Island Chicken & Rice and actually went no further. I've made a version of this recipe over and over since May when I first made it and Yum!

My product of the year: SoyaToo's SoyWhip. Mmmm, mmmm, delicious. For those of us who are non dairy eaters that is. Although I really do think that dairy eaters could find the love too, if they so desired. I pretty much only eat it on Jello, well, because, Jello, for me, just needs some help and when I'm looking for a low calorie, low carb sweet treat, Jello with the SoyWhip, just hits the spot. That's me. I have eaten it on pumpkin pie too, oh, yeah, yum.

My wish for the coming year: Well, happiness and joy for me and Mister and Harley and everyone we know and all the people we don't know. Happiness and Joy. Any form in any small or large amount on any day. I'm going to look for it, seek it out, dwell on and in it and do my best to share and spread them around. Starting with You. I wish Happiness and Joy for You, my reader, in the coming year(s).

Now go, stretch your creative muscles and your happy and joy muscles. I'm going to try and see what happens.

Happy New Year to all.

Merry Christmas

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14

"

On being inspired

Go to Jen Lemen dot com. Read about her amazing journey to help out one woman and her family from Rwanda. It will simultaneously break and heal your heart. It did mine. Its not just her Rwanda adventure, but all her writing exudes a willingness to open herself up, reveal the messy parts in addition to the sweet, warm, pretty parts. I am a bit envious of the faith it takes to do the more difficult of those, the divulging of the cluttery parts of ourselves. I don't have that much bravery when it comes to opening up. I explore many blogs and websites of brave women superheroes nearly every day. You can check them out for yourself, they are mostly listed on the sidebar. They buoy me up and give me bits of strength and remind me to be, really BE.

I long to be an amazing woman in my own right. I'm not looking for pats on the back from anyone, I'm turning inward looking for the good bits and pieces for and from my altruistic self. I know I've got more to give, I just don't know for sure how to access it, I guess.

Well, I guess this journey begins anew today as it did yesterday and will again tomorrow. That's good, right?

Christmas Cat

These really are not the best photos, but I was working with a cat as subject and had to work fast. Not unlike what I imagine working with children must be like. Only with children, maybe, you can make them sit there on the spot longer than an animal.

Harley sat there in front of the Christmas tree for nearly 10 minutes, which is probably a lifetime in cat minutes, while I snapped away and kneeled down and focused and set the auto timer.

In that last shot of Harley, Mister walked in. Harely loves his Mister, dotes on him, follows him around and plays like a puppy. Hide-n-seek I think would be his favorite. He also likes to sit on the top step of the basement stairs and paw at Mister as he goes by. I don't think Harley ever even puts out his claws, he just wants the attention.

Oh, I wasn't going to post these of the ornaments, but, what they hey. In my mind these would be fun, sparkly, bright and colorful shots, I just didn't and don't have the energy or ambition to get out the tri-pod to make them actually in focus. I also don't have the photoshop skills to edit them to make them what I want them to look like. I should take a class. Most of my photos as SOOC (straight out of the camera). In todays digital age where everyone and their sister has a digital camera, a compute and the software to edit and 'fix' photos, SOOC isnt' the norm. I prefer it myself. Seems anyone can take an ordinary photo and Photoshop it into a master piece. Well, I guess everyone but me that is. I prefer to try to get the shot in the camera. Maybe that's why I'm not a professional and have to have disclaimers about my photos on my own blog. (Onward, I've spiraled here for a moment.) So, squint your eyes and pretend you don't have on your glasses or your contact lenses and you'll maybe see the "pretty" that I see.

Pretend the lighting is soft and diffused and glowy rather than just dim. I found these vintage recreation Christmas bulbs this year and *love* them. My parents have one of these, originals of course from years ago, left from all their years of Christmases. As a child, it was always my favorite ornament. I liked the stripes and even as a kid I was always a bit too sentimental for my own good. I always felt a bit sad for the last lonely ornament in the box. Missing its partner ornaments, wondering when its time to fall to the floor and shatter or just be found one December evening in the packing boxes, broken to bits without anyone knowing why or how it had gotten that way.

I told you I was a bit more nostalgic than the ordinary girl. OY!

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Ok, because I'm... well, anal was the word that comes to mind but doesn't sound like I want it to, maybe I'm focused (not in a photography sense, but a general sense) no, maybe its because I'm obsessive (yes, that's it) here are some edited ornaments. Better? I'm not so sure, but, the attempt was made, so there you go.

Happy Wednesday to all.

"F.M.R." EOW4 - Update

So, here I am at the end of week four of the Fantastic Meta.... blah blah blah. I feel good. I have more energy. That energy thing is in part due to a couple things: #1 sleeping in earplugs for two nights in a row, ahhhh lovely uninterupted sleep; #2 full moon, its like a big energy pill for me; and #3 my new 'lifestyle' I'm living. All combining for goodness. This morning as I prayed then stepped on the scale and continued to pray while the digital mechanism figured out my mass.... nice huh.... I anhilated 1.4 pounds this week. Its so great. It feels so good and my jeans feel so great.

This next two weeks will be the accellerated portion of the lifestyle. Its a change up and that will be a good thing. Although, I really just want to eat toast with pumpkin butter on it this morning. And Thanksgiving is soon upon us. All I can think about is recipes and savory foods. The lifestyle is pretty simple and not at all strenuous, but HELLO!! *carbs* a girls best friend.

Anyway. Have super fantastic metabolic weekends all. I will be dreaming of a beach and tropical sun and if the weather holds, maybe a neighborhood walk-a-bout looking for some photographic opportunities. What are your plans for the weekend?

Ciao!

Questions on Crafty Gifts You are Creating

I'd like to know if and what you are doing for Christmas this year. Holiday plans, meal plans, gift plans, family plans, personal plans.

Are you going somewhere great?

Are you staying home to save money or for any other reason?

Are you creating gifts this year?

I need some ideas for little incidental gifts. Last year I made the bath salts which I thought was super-fantastic. But, I can't do that again this year. I need some inspiration.

What are you making?

What blogs / websites do you visit for inspiration?

What cute, inexpensive, crafty, cute item would you love to receive?

What do you think about those layered jar gifts? You know, the cookies or brownies or soup ingredients, layered in a jar w/instructions for cooking/baking. Are they obnoxious and silly or cute and fun?

Bring it on. I can *handle* it.

"F.M.R." EOW3 - Update

So this is the end of week three/beginning of week 4 of the "FMR". I gained a pound this week. I'm trying really hard not to beat myself up over this because, I actually feel great and have good energy. It is a major bummer though. I'm going to have to make some adjustments this week, which bums me out a bit too because now that I gained a bit, I want to follow the book exactly. There's lots of room for judgement but the book gives some specifics too. Anyway, today is supposed to be a baseline day, tomorrow a carb down. But, we are having a group of people over, including my brother and his wife (yeah!) so are having tamales. Yum, home made tamales. So, today I'll do a carb down, tomorrow a carb up, then Sunday a carb down again and get back on track Monday. I hope this works.

(Dom - email me an let me know if you think that's the right thing. Or if I should just suck it up and do exactly what the book says.)

Oh! The book is called "Crack the Fat Loss Code". Unfortunately, not for vegetarians.

So, that's my update. Wish me luck this week.

AND WE DID!

Wow, what an emotional night. President-elect Barack Obama is an amazing speaker. Just his voice alone resonates strength and integrity. I've been more wrapped up in this election than any other in my lifetime as I know is the case with so many millions of Americans. Its the first election that I made a point to watch the debates rather than watching because all the channels on teevee were overtaken by it; the first election we made an election contribution, small though it may have been; the first election I've had anxiety about (well, I guess the last one was pretty stressful too now that I let myself remember), the first election I've been in any way interested in the polls, the first election I specifically waited for and watched the concession speech, and what a gracious speech that was. Mr. McCain is an amazing American. I'm very thankful he didn't win the election for so many reasons not the least of which wears a skirt and hangs on the very right hand fringes of the GOP, anyway I digress. The first election I waited for and watched the acceptance speech, the first election I had tears rolling down my face as I watched and listened to a President-elect speak.

I think I may begin to understand how the masses felt when the listened to the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. speak his messages of hope.

I have never been so moved by anything political.

For the first time in a long time, I am proud to be an American.

YES WE CAN!

GET OUT THE VOTE

Its so awesome that in this state, Oregon, we vote by mail. Let me tell you, its super fantastic. This whole election year has been a headache and an incredible journey. I have my opinions and whichever way it turns out (mine I hope) I think this country has learned a thing or two about involvement and how important each and every vote is. How we each need to make a choice, whatever that choice may be and voice it behind the white curtain. Or, in my case, in the comfort of my own home with my articles and NPR podcasts and voters pamphlet right in front of me wherein I can take 2 or 3 days to ponder whatever I need to ponder.

I can see where going to the polls could be an invigorating experience, but that was never my experience. Its always November, which means in my part of the country its dark and dreary and usually raining during the times (Tuesdays!!) when I had the chance to vote. Nothing could have kept me from the polls this year, but not having to stand in line in the dark and the rain tonight to vote, doesn't hurt my feelings.

So, Rock It my friends. Vote Vote Vote. Well, just vote once, its the law.

Until tomorrow...

Happy Birthday Moses

A short little trip down memory lane. I wish I had more pics scanned, but here's what you get.

Thanks for being my best friend and my all time favorite brother.

You are awesome!

Come visit me!!!

"F.M.R." EOW2 - Update

No time for putting thoughts into my keyboard this week. So, just a quick synopsis.

On my fantastic metabolistic reset today I evicted another .4 lbs. Its not a huge amount, but down is down and I'm down with that. Yes, I crack myself up.

Happy Halloween.

Check out Bakerella and mostly check out her cake balls.

I'm fighting with my computer.

I have a really bad sore throat/cold.

I have no real estate clients, yet.

My house needs cleaned in the worst way and I'll be forced to do that this weekend and next week because it will be game night for the 'girls' at our house next Saturday. The best part being, I invited most favorite brother and his bride and they will be a visitin'. yee haw.

Have a spooky weekend all!

Ciao Bellas.

"F.M.R." EOW1 - Monday Update

Mister and I celebrated our one year anniversary at the coast this weekend. Photos will be added later. Fun, fun, fun and lots of sunshine and good weather. We did a hike that we hiked earlier this summer. Really great. Our first evening, we walked on the beach. There were pelicans and seagulls aplenty. Much raucus and swooping overhead and splashing and the like. I took Mister's camera and snapped away as fast as the little digital shutter would let me. I got some, I think, fun shots. Its not easy photographing a mass of constantly moving birds without a tripod, just sayin'. The photo at the top of the blog would be my best shot Monday. You should (should you want to or care at all taht is) be able to click out for a larger view of the pics. There's a lot going on there, just sayin'.

And by way of another update, Friday, I did the dreaded weigh-in and it seems I have taken off 7 pounds so far on my 'fantastic metabolistic reset'. YeeHaw! So, yes, I know this is a huge jump, and I'm sure its mostly water, but I don't really care. That was such a motivational thing to see on the scale dial. So long as I keep going in a positive (and when I say that I mean negative in numbers) direction, I'm good with that. I also think I have more energy. If I think I have more, then I must. Even if it is just my mind telling me I have more energy, big deal, more energy is more energy, right...?! Anyway, 7 more weeks. Good luck to you.

"F.M.R." the beginning: Its all about me... did you expect something different?

So, today is day 5 of what I am calling my "fantastic metabolistic reset".

When I turned 40 this year (well actually it all started a couple years ago, when I was about 38.5) and I started gaining some weight and had very little to zero energy. Not really too big of a deal, just exercise a bit more, leave out a few desserts take the multi-vitamin more regularly. Well, that didn't really work. So, I upped the ante and did several different types of crazy diet headstands, all to no avail.

I turned 40, a couple pant sizes larger than I was a couple years ago and nothing has worked to slim me down. So, about 5 weeks ago, my dearest friend Dom (I wish she had a blog, if she did, I'd give you a link out to it, but alas...anyway) had been telling me about a new 'lifestyle' that she was starting to help her break through the very same food / weight / energy issues I've been dealing with. Some 5 weeks later, she's more energetic and slimmer. I immediately picked up the book (name to come later after my success is confirmed) and am on day 5 of my new lifestyle. 7 days of no carbs, no sugars, no alcohol, no cake, no carby veggies either. Its not been easy, but its not been as difficult as it could have been either. Its an 8 week - to begin with - plan broken up into 7 day increments. I figure I can do anything for 7 days. If I can't, there's a problem. So, that's what's going on with me. Mister's supportive, whew!

In the mean time, these have been my cravings so far, in no particular order:

• carrots
• apples
• red wine
• french toast
• almond joy
• baby bok choy
• white wine
• 1 lb Hersheys chocolate bar w/almonds - yes, the entire pound
• pumpkin shaped candy corn - you know the ones! they have to be pumpkin shaped though otherwise, don't bother.
• any wine

If you would have asked me 5 days ago what would have been on my list, I don't think I would have thought these things would be on my top 10. Its also been very interesting to listen to what my stomach says versus what my mouth says. My stomach isn't all that hungry, but my mouth wants to eat. Its the strangest thing.

Things I thought I'd miss but really don't:

• creamer in my coffee - I think the key here is buying really good coffee. My apologies to Starbucks, whose coffee I personally think is bitter and always tastes burned. Is that why they create all those specialty flavored coffee drinks? So we can't actually taste the coffee? Anyway, digressing...

So, for the next 8 weeks, you'll have to hear me ramble on about how wonderful this lifestyle is and how easy it is and how great I feel physically and emotionally. At least that had BETTER be what I'm writing! Ok, no low-glycogen issues here, nothing to see, move about your business.

Me and my Mister

September 20 will be our 5 year anniversary. Five years ago I met this amazing man who puts up with my insanity and kookiness and I adore him so very much.

This photo is of the side of a metal file holder which sits on my desk. I have these four magnets (which I made a moo.com) that I look at every day when I need a sanity / reality break. Us, the first winter we met and Mister at the beach a year after we met. He eats my cooking, he listens to me ramble on about stuff he doesn't care about, he loved my Mr. One, he takes care of me in ways I never knew I'd like (like vacuuming my Jeep, and mowing the lawn). He never leaves an empty roll of t.p., he makes me laugh so hard I snort, he lets me be my real best and worst me, he does things with me because I want to even though it wouldn't be something he'd think of on his own. I could go on and on but I won't bore you too much further. Our one year wedding anniversary is also coming up next month. *sigh*

9/11

It still takes me aback. I still get goose bumps and tear up. On any given day, if the subject comes up, its the story of something tragic and sad. But every anniversary to date, without fail, it still chokes me up.

Listening to the families of the victims tell their story of how they have lived these last seven years, brings all the fear and shock and horror and disbelief back as if it happened a week ago.

I always think of that day and the days that followed and the strange dreamlike quality that set into each of my movements. How it seemed a lot of people were walking around in the same fog I was mired in. Seven years.

I'll be taking a small, personal, quiet moment of silence today to reflect and to honor.

Wishy washy much and the banana outfit

Well, this isn't supposed to be a political blog. There are some things that I think I should comment on though.

I know its most likely old news to the most up-to-date and politically savvy of you out there, but this recently came onto my radar. $300,000+ and they feel comfortable pointing fingers at others calling "them" elite? Seriously? She looks amazing. I really do wish I had that kind of dou$h to spend just on clothing. Imagine the other fun stuff I'd have too! I'm not all about judging people for how much money they have or how they spend it. Its theirs, they should do what they want with it. I don't want some ambiguous person telling me how to spend my meager dollars. But, how we spend our dollars, whether its a few or a lot of them, tells a story of how we see ourselves in relation to those around us and the world in general. Take a good long honest look and tell me if the outfit and a "we aren't elite like the other side" attitude go together or if they are polar opposites. I know this is a political issue and that arena has a tendency toward backstabbing and outright lieing at times - hoping not to get caught at it - I just hope that Americans of all types and socio-economic levels and genders and races (and well, you name it, everyone) will be able to see the subtleties in what both parties are conveying, not just their words but their personal actions as well.

I really believe that McCain is an admirable and stand up human being. I, however, don't believe he and his party represent the bulk of Americans. (There, I said it.) They represent a faction, the wealthy and the right-minded (not to be confused with 'correct-minded' but 'right' on the political compass. I'm sad, but not shocked, that they chose a VP candidate not for her political prowess or intellgence or commitment to this country, but because she represents the ability of the GOP to prey on the women voters out there who are yet undecided because Palin is a woman and nothing more.

** breathe ** I really don't like airing my personal beliefs or feelings on most topics. I can talk all day about cooking or photography or Harley, but beliefs and tenets are personal - I think so anyway. Sometimes, we have to open our mouths and spit out what we think and feel and hopefully others can have open enough minds to listen, not judge, and take or leave what they want. That is what I try to do (so it must be the right thing for everyone to do...ahem) This is why I don't talk about politics or religion, for the most part. I have a tendency toward wishy-washy because I really believe we should each make our own choices and the thing I have the most difficulty with is when one person rants and judges other persons for having their own beliefs. I definitely believe what I believe, but I don't wish to make others think my way. I have enough trouble making my own decisions much less making them for others.

Blah, blah, blah. The "banana outfit" as it has been dubbed, just got my ire up. I'm sure tomorrow will be another blasé post without much opinion on politics or anything else of substance.

See you then.

And Happy New Year

I've not seen much in the way of New Years resolutions, maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

I'm not a resolution gal, but I do have some goals for 2008:

1. See one good play
2. Go to one live sporting event
3. Go to one live concert
4. Eat at one new restaurant - new to me that is
5. Eat at one new restaurant - new to my fair city that is
6. Try one new activity
7. ...

That's all I have for now. Its probably enough for me to tackle.

Happy and safe travels to all and to all a wonderful tomorrow.