Update

Crazy weekend full of YW's and churchy stuff. It was nice, Sunday I made an amazing roast, if I do say so myself! Lots of new recipes on the Smorgasbord, like Texas Sheet Cake, Coconut Cake, BBQ Chicken and Potato Salad and Pork Kebabs with Pineapple Rice. GO! They are so yummy and we have eaten well lately when I take the time to cook. This weekend I am hosting Bunco and I will post the yummy recipes I make, Sweet Pork Burritos and Key Lime Bars. So good.

In family news Phil has secured a position with CVS/Caremark as a senior web programmer. We are so excited! He starts mid April and we can't wait to receive another steady paycheck and get crackin' on my list of goals. Heavenly Father is truly mindful of us and we are very blessed and thankful.

For the record I ran today, thank you. I officially started training and will run 3 days a week, hopefully I can throw in a bit of strength training on my off days and be on the fast track to a fitter, leaner me. If I stop baking and eating Coconut cake, still working on that one! Thanks to Candace who will be my virtual training buddy for this 5k.

Sorry for the rambling, incoherent writings. Off to bed so I can rest my pretty head.

Couch to 5k?

Remember I said I signed up for a 5k. No big deal, just 3.1 miles, I can hack it. My goal is to run 3.1 miles continuously. All at once, no stopping or holding onto my side as it is cramping, running (or a slow jog) without breathing so laboriously that people around me will turn and stare. Not really, I can breathe and there usually isn't anyone around me. But there will be! And the stitch only comes every once in awhile, I can push through it.

So to accomplish all this I need to practice, right? Right.

I am not very good at this. I signed up to give me something to work for, a deadline, a commitment. I wanted, no needed something to get my buns moving, literally. My secret hope and desire is by the end of "training" for this 3.1 miles my buns won't be moving so freely.

I need to run, I didn't Monday due to a family gathering, Tuesday night is mutual and I needed to make dinner. I will always have a reason NOT to run (or a slow jog, I am not sure it can qualify as running given my pace). Running and I are not best friends, yet. I am secretly hoping we will eventually.

What do you do to stay motivated with any given task, not just exercise? And for all you avid runners out there training your cute little buns what tips do you have?

Lessons

Phil & I have been in a funk lately. I go to work fairly enthusiastically, (maybe, sometimes but not always) and Phil stays home tirelessly looking for jobs, applying to jobs and honing his coding skills in preparation for a new job. I come home, tired and try to muster up dinner. More often than naught we both retire to our respective computers and waste time (mainly me, since Phil is super productive with his time, see above) wallowing in our sorrows.

Frustration and depression have been not so welcome visitors in our home of late due to our unemployment status and my persistent emptiness. I mentioned to Phil the other night that I feel like we are not progressing, not working towards anything. He replied, "That's because we're not." We are at a stale mate, treading water in this vast sea of life. We have had a few waves crash down on us and perhaps we are not as strong swimmers as we thought, at least for the moment. (Alright, enough with the lame analogy).

Today in church we had wonderful speakers on the topics of faith. And I was reminded of a few things. I know that things will become better for us. I know that I need to follow the simple commandments that are required of us, how can I receive blessings if I am not ready and deserving? Those waves or trials that come are meant to teach us something, make us stronger as we persevere and find solutions. Obviously I am needing to learn something, I am going to have to try harder to find the answer, listen more intently. It can always be worse and truthfully we are doing pretty well with just a few minor setbacks (that are totally consuming and devastating at the moment) just a bit of sarcasm there with a whole lot of truth.

Listing

I like ♥ to make lists. It's just what I do. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I cross something off said list. I will even write it down if it wasn't originally on the list just so I can cross it off and bask in the glory of my organization and fulfillment. Really, I do.

I make lists of groceries, packing lists, YW to do lists, goals, bills, gifts, etc. The listing possibilities are truly endless.

Right now I am making a list of goals. A Five-Year Plan if you will. It's important to have a plan, at least you know you are working towards something substantial and with meaning. My list is as follows, in no particular order of accomplishment:

• Run a 5K, several if needs be
• Run a 10K
• Finish my degree at NAU
• Produce 2 3 healthy children, at least 2 here and 1 cookin'
• Husband in medical school
• Pay off little school loans (med school is BIG)
• Have 6-12 months salary saved and safely tucked away
• Own this amazing camera to capture my family (trivial, perhaps not worthy of the 5 year list)

In the name of all productivity (and since I am not working and need to maximize this opportunity) here is my Today list:

• Clean office
• Fold all laundry
• Wash and then make bed
• Plan meals for week
• Plan YW lesson
• Relax
• Cook dinner
• Go for a run

What are your lists, dreams, goals?

BTW, already signed up for this 5K, anyone care to join me?

Square One

Remember the happy post when Phil had a job?

Remember when I mentioned he had another job interview after he accepted a position with US Airways? Well, after working 4 days at US Airways he received a job offer with a company writing medical billing software and it paid more money, was closer to home, smaller company, etc. Sounds just peachy, right? It was.

Phil quit his job at US Airways and signed a contract with this happy little company and was set to get started as soon as the company and head hunter could settle the details regarding how much the head hunter would get paid for finding and placing Phil. So we wait, and wait some more. A week goes by. And then we hit a major snag.

The company is low on cash flow and can't afford the price the head hunter is asking, plus they were given two different fee quotes and lots of behind the scene details transpire, they don't help us. Phil is in jeopardy of losing this job and gets mad at the right people and they finally come to an agreement. Great, we still have a job.

Not so fast! Now the employer has a little problem with Phil going to medical school in the next 16-18 months. Phil was noble and honest and informed them up front that he was planning to attend and if they had a problem with that then to not extend a job offer to him. Apparently they didn't have a problem since they went through this whole mess with the head hunter. And now they are changing their minds. If Phil can't commit at least 2 years to the company then the deal is off.

So it is. That's how it ended. Phil has successfully secured 3 job offers and has declined 2 in favor of this "wonderful" job only to get burned in the end. Back to square one, almost 2 months wasted in job searching and countless interviews. Here we go again, wish us luck. And prayers won't hurt either!

All in a Day's Work

Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing a patient with severe periodontal disease. Extreme bone loss especially around the molars like the above model, in some areas worse, almost full root exposure on some teeth. He also smokes one pack per day and has for 40+ years. He has had deep scaling and root planing about 18 months ago, never returned to the specialist for follow-up care and now just wants me to do a "cleaning". Joy. Heavy plaque everywhere and my favorite, tobacco stain.

Translation: Tar stuck on his teeth and roots. 18 months of tar.

Imagine the root surface to be like a microscopic calcified sponge, full of tiny porous openings. And the tobacco clinging stubbornly to these crevices. And me with my arsenal of instruments ready for battle. Like the one below. Basically a power scaler. ♥ it.

This took me 20 minutes to do! Twenty minutes!

My hands were crying and I had to stop several times to shake them out and stretch.

Moral of the story. Brush your teeth, don't smoke a pack per day and for the sake of all weary hands please see your dentist regularly, as in at least 2x year.

And my hand is fine, thank you for asking. At least it will be when I stop working, someday. Soon. Hopefully.

But probably not.

And I rock my job.

BTW-Happy 100th Post!

A Picnic with Camden

I have the day off. Phil has the day off. The weather is marvelous and we decide to take advantage of our time and head outdoors. On the menu: Chicken Salad Sandwiches, baby carrots, multi-grain chips and Molasses Spice Cookies with Orange Glaze.

We pack our lunch, invite company and head over to the cemetery to visit Camden.

We spread the blanket out next to Camden's headstone and break out the goods. Interesting conversation, delicious food and excellent company.

An hour passes, tummies are full and we tidy up Camden's headstone.

We miss you Son.

Hmmm, is this me?

Your color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

I had to get the laundry basket off the first post. Phil was thrilled to find out, thanks Jared. ;)

Forgive my lack of a real post but head over to the Smorgasbord for a yummy dessert I made today. Lemon Meringue Tart!

Don't be intimidated, I knocked this out in 2 hours, so can you!

I will have a better post soon, just need to think of some material.

Keepin' it Real

Not much cookin'...

Other than...

• Creamy Pesto & Grilled Chicken
• Asian Grilled Salmon
• Chicken & Dumplings
• Blueberry Muffins
• Quick Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Grilled Pork Chops & Apricot Sauce

Sorry for the lack of posting. I would like to say we have spent the last week celebrating in Jamaica or the Bahamas but alas...we have company and I of course have been working. But I have found time to cook yummy meals for our guest. Head on over to the Smorgasbord for all the recipes!