I’ve had a few people ask me to start writing on my blog again. It has been awhile. Quite a few things have happened. My brother and his girlfriend Kirsten moved to Boise and bought a house in our neighborhood. Michael and I have been busy tearing down walls in our kitchen. I fractured my pelvis running too much, too hard, and believe it or not too fast. Peggy & Jennifer’s house got plowed into by a car. My sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Cairo had to be put to sleep after a long, undetected illness. Life, death, growth, movement, progress, quite a bit of pain and even more joy – all in the 368 days since I last posted.
Everything just seems so much brighter, cleaner, and clearer after a long winter. Especially this winter – I’ve been unable to do anything weight-bearing since I fractured my pelvis at the end of February. It has been, for lack of a better word, hell. I know there are far worse things that can happen to a person, really I do. But I also know that if I can’t get out and run (or at least walk) all my thoughts get so jumbled in my head that I can’t think straight. Activity is my coping mechanism for the winter blues. This winter was hard. Last night Michael and I went hiking on a trail in the foothills that neither of us had ever been on. It was my first hike since my stress fracture and it felt amazing. The wildflowers were out in full force and everything was so green. I still have three more weeks of physical therapy before I can even attempt to start running again. The ability to be out last night in my hills hand in hand with my husband in all that clean, fresh, wonderful air gave me such a sense of overwhelming gratitude. It was a much needed respite from the foggy gloom of the past few weeks and months.
I hope everyone out there in the blogosphere is enjoying spring wherever they may be. Glasses of wine on the patio, the sun hitting your face as you devour a great novel, coffee with a dog curled up at your feet, trips to the mountains for stories around a campfire. The good stuff. I hope you are all enjoying the good stuff that spring and life have to offer us all.
Lots of love, -M
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day, Races & Babies
Did everyone have a nice Mother's Day? We celebrated on Saturday. In the morning Michael and I headed over to the Race for the Cure with Jennyfer, Peggy, Grandma, Mom and Dad. There were about 15,000 this year, so needless to say it was a bit chaotic and crowded but it was fun to be a part of it. Afterwards everyone headed to our house for breakfast and an early Mother's Day celebration. It was so nice to have Peggy here with us, and a gorgeous day for all three of the moms and Jennyfer and I, who consider ourselves "dog moms." I had to study all day on Sunday, so having everyone celebrate early worked out really nice for me. I guess we don't have our families over enough, because everyone seemed pretty suprised at what we have done to the house and yard lately. I'll have to post some pictures one of these days (I think I've said that I would for a few months now).
I had my final exam this morning at Boise State and am gearing up for another half marathon this weekend - The Famous Potatoes Race. It is supposed to get up into the 90's this weekend... hopefully it will wait until we're done running!
And... the best news of all... my cousin Amy had a healthy baby boy today, or possibly yesterday (the eight hour time difference between here and Norway always throws me!). Congrats to Amy, Ole, Emily, Gard and Frejya on the newest addition to their beautiful family. I wish more than you could ever know that I was there to meet the little one and really look forward to the day that I can. No word yet on the munchkin's name or size, Jan had only just heard when she talked to Grandma. Cami is home for a few months from India, and I am sure is a great help to them all. I know Aunt Jan is thrilled about her newest grandbaby. I really miss you all!
I had my final exam this morning at Boise State and am gearing up for another half marathon this weekend - The Famous Potatoes Race. It is supposed to get up into the 90's this weekend... hopefully it will wait until we're done running!
And... the best news of all... my cousin Amy had a healthy baby boy today, or possibly yesterday (the eight hour time difference between here and Norway always throws me!). Congrats to Amy, Ole, Emily, Gard and Frejya on the newest addition to their beautiful family. I wish more than you could ever know that I was there to meet the little one and really look forward to the day that I can. No word yet on the munchkin's name or size, Jan had only just heard when she talked to Grandma. Cami is home for a few months from India, and I am sure is a great help to them all. I know Aunt Jan is thrilled about her newest grandbaby. I really miss you all!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Update...
Hello All, Sorry I have been such a bad poster this year. I will try to do better in the coming months, but I can't make any promises.
Despite a stomach bug I picked up just as we were leaving, MJ and I had a great time in Portland. We saw a couple of shows. A friend of Scott's was playing the night we got in (singer-songwriter - known as Tractor Operator) so we went and saw him. It turned out that Michael had known both he and his girlfriend in high school. Small world! We also got to see Eels, a show we've been anticipating for a long time. We were definitely not disappointed. His opening act was a movie that the BBC had made about his quest to understand his dad (a famous scientist)'s theory of parallel universes. Very interesting way to start a concert. It helped to explain a lot of the lyrics in his music. We also strolled through the Chinese gardens downtown, hit IKEA & Trader Joe's, and sampled many a mircobrew. I think it's safe to say that Peggy enjoyed having her son in Portland for her birthday, and I was glad to get to tag along and eat her delicious homemade bagels! That woman can cook like a dream and is such a gracious hostess. I really enjoy going over there. Unfortunately MJ got my bug just as we got back, so he wasn't feeling well for a few days in Boise.
Robie Creek was a blast this year. It's so much easier when you aren't sick! I never felt like I wouldn't be able to finish, although I did have to walk the last mile to the summit, I still enjoyed myself. I beat my time from last year by 20 minutes, also a plus, although I don't really worry about my time too much. I've been out a couple of times running since and am considering doing the Great Potato race in a couple weeks. We'll see...
I hosted BUNCO at my house last week. It was a great time. Everyone seemed to enjoy MJ's Wasabi Mashed Potatoes recipe, even though it was my first time making them. I'm relieved my once a year turn to host is over with. I always worry about fitting everyone in to our tiny home.
School is gearing up to get done. I have my final exam in a week and a half and while I have enjoyed my class immensely, I am looking forward to it being over with. There is just a little bit too much on my plate right now.
We have the bathroom about 95% done. The faucet was defective and the company we bought it from sent the wrong part twice. MJ said we got an entirely new faucet via Fed Ex today, so hopefully tonight we will finally have a completed bathroom remodel project. We've gotten a lot of positive response from those that have seen it. Hard to tell if they are just being nice or not. I like and MJ likes it, so I guess that is what counts. It is certainly unique!
Work is crazy busy. We are working hard to save money where we can with the economy the way it is. It looks as if the home building industry is going to be hurting for a long time, yet.
I think that sufficiently wraps up our April news. I hope that all is well with everyone out there. Lots of love to you all, near and far. Hopefully summer will bring you our way, summer is so beautiful here... -M
Despite a stomach bug I picked up just as we were leaving, MJ and I had a great time in Portland. We saw a couple of shows. A friend of Scott's was playing the night we got in (singer-songwriter - known as Tractor Operator) so we went and saw him. It turned out that Michael had known both he and his girlfriend in high school. Small world! We also got to see Eels, a show we've been anticipating for a long time. We were definitely not disappointed. His opening act was a movie that the BBC had made about his quest to understand his dad (a famous scientist)'s theory of parallel universes. Very interesting way to start a concert. It helped to explain a lot of the lyrics in his music. We also strolled through the Chinese gardens downtown, hit IKEA & Trader Joe's, and sampled many a mircobrew. I think it's safe to say that Peggy enjoyed having her son in Portland for her birthday, and I was glad to get to tag along and eat her delicious homemade bagels! That woman can cook like a dream and is such a gracious hostess. I really enjoy going over there. Unfortunately MJ got my bug just as we got back, so he wasn't feeling well for a few days in Boise.
Robie Creek was a blast this year. It's so much easier when you aren't sick! I never felt like I wouldn't be able to finish, although I did have to walk the last mile to the summit, I still enjoyed myself. I beat my time from last year by 20 minutes, also a plus, although I don't really worry about my time too much. I've been out a couple of times running since and am considering doing the Great Potato race in a couple weeks. We'll see...
I hosted BUNCO at my house last week. It was a great time. Everyone seemed to enjoy MJ's Wasabi Mashed Potatoes recipe, even though it was my first time making them. I'm relieved my once a year turn to host is over with. I always worry about fitting everyone in to our tiny home.
School is gearing up to get done. I have my final exam in a week and a half and while I have enjoyed my class immensely, I am looking forward to it being over with. There is just a little bit too much on my plate right now.
We have the bathroom about 95% done. The faucet was defective and the company we bought it from sent the wrong part twice. MJ said we got an entirely new faucet via Fed Ex today, so hopefully tonight we will finally have a completed bathroom remodel project. We've gotten a lot of positive response from those that have seen it. Hard to tell if they are just being nice or not. I like and MJ likes it, so I guess that is what counts. It is certainly unique!
Work is crazy busy. We are working hard to save money where we can with the economy the way it is. It looks as if the home building industry is going to be hurting for a long time, yet.
I think that sufficiently wraps up our April news. I hope that all is well with everyone out there. Lots of love to you all, near and far. Hopefully summer will bring you our way, summer is so beautiful here... -M
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Leavin' on a jet plane...
We're off for Portland this weekend. I can't wait to see my brother and spend some time getting to know his girlfriend. We also get to celebrate Peggy's birthday on Saturday. Next weekend is Robie Creek, so I will be doing lots of tapering (i.e. relaxing, eating too much, and more relaxing) this weekend while we are on our mini-vacation. Tomorrow can't come soon enough! Hope you all have fun weekends planned! -M
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Spring Cleaning
My husband thinks that I've gone crazy. Since we've lived together I've had a rather relaxed style of housekeeping. We've been having so much fun doing other things that the cleaning part of the agenda has definitely slipped a bit. But its been bothering me - and in a house as small as ours we can't afford to let much clutter build up. So a couple weeks ago in all my spare time (yes, that was sarcasm) I launched a spring cleaning campaign to cover about eight weeks. It's amazing how a little bit of time and a few small projects each day can add up to such a difference in the house.
My efforts have convinced me that maybe we don't need that much more space, we just need to stay on top of things and become a little more organized. It wasn't the smartest thing to start this in the middle of a bathroom re haul, but in a way it has helped to keep me sane amongst the chaos of the new faucet and sink sitting in the middle of our living room. I just think about how nice the linen closet looks now with it's coat of fresh paint and perfectly folded linens. When I am in the bathroom starring at one complete wall and start to worry about how long it will take to do the other three, I walk into the kitchen to open a cupboard and notice how lovely our dishes look neatly organized on shelves clad in pretty new paisley printed contact paper.
I've got three huge boxes of things that we just don't need ready to be donated to the Youth Ranch. Three boxes - from ONE room. Amazing.
Soon the kitchen will be done and I'll be moving on to the dinning room. Or as we like to call it, the Dogs' room. We corral all three of our rascals in there with baby gates when we have guests or just need a little breathing room. The Dogs' Room is going to be a challenge for sure. I just need to remember to focus on a little bit at a time. Any more and I'll become overwhelmed at how much still needs to be done.
My efforts have convinced me that maybe we don't need that much more space, we just need to stay on top of things and become a little more organized. It wasn't the smartest thing to start this in the middle of a bathroom re haul, but in a way it has helped to keep me sane amongst the chaos of the new faucet and sink sitting in the middle of our living room. I just think about how nice the linen closet looks now with it's coat of fresh paint and perfectly folded linens. When I am in the bathroom starring at one complete wall and start to worry about how long it will take to do the other three, I walk into the kitchen to open a cupboard and notice how lovely our dishes look neatly organized on shelves clad in pretty new paisley printed contact paper.
I've got three huge boxes of things that we just don't need ready to be donated to the Youth Ranch. Three boxes - from ONE room. Amazing.
Soon the kitchen will be done and I'll be moving on to the dinning room. Or as we like to call it, the Dogs' room. We corral all three of our rascals in there with baby gates when we have guests or just need a little breathing room. The Dogs' Room is going to be a challenge for sure. I just need to remember to focus on a little bit at a time. Any more and I'll become overwhelmed at how much still needs to be done.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Happy First Day of Spring!
Hello Everyone! Today is the first official day of Spring! Yeeeeehaw!
I had some sort of flu bug this weekend and have felt really run down all week. I had to miss Granddad's 91st birthday party which was a bummer. Mom and Dad took him out to lunch. Michael and I haven't really left the house much. I made a stew for St. Patty's. We've been gathering more supplies for our bathroom re-do next week. I think we are going to have to do it in stages, because I am having such a hard time deciding on a sink and a few other things, and we are trying to be frugal. We'd like to add-on to the house next year (or possibly move if that is a better option). 720 square feet is pretty cozy for the two of us, the three dogs and Cairo... getting cozier by the minute. I took some before pics of the bathroom. If we like the way it turns out I'll do a before and after post.
Love to all! Happy SPRING!
I had some sort of flu bug this weekend and have felt really run down all week. I had to miss Granddad's 91st birthday party which was a bummer. Mom and Dad took him out to lunch. Michael and I haven't really left the house much. I made a stew for St. Patty's. We've been gathering more supplies for our bathroom re-do next week. I think we are going to have to do it in stages, because I am having such a hard time deciding on a sink and a few other things, and we are trying to be frugal. We'd like to add-on to the house next year (or possibly move if that is a better option). 720 square feet is pretty cozy for the two of us, the three dogs and Cairo... getting cozier by the minute. I took some before pics of the bathroom. If we like the way it turns out I'll do a before and after post.
Love to all! Happy SPRING!
Friday, March 14, 2008
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