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Post 94 - That leaves you 6 more chances to leave a comment and be entered in the drawing for a $10 giftcard to Starbucks!

Another reason I've been a little out-of-touch lately? Planning a trip. It's hard!

We are lucky enough to have basically free tickets so that is cutting out cost down quite a bit. I may have posted back in September that Andrew and I were going to Palm Springs with the CPA firm he works for. Well, because of the economy the trip got called off, but the tickets had already been purchased so we pretty much have a free flight wherever we want to go.

Since we went to the east coast in August to see Yankee Stadium as it was closing after last season and we heard that Fenway Park was being torn down after this season we decided on Boston. We were about to book the tickets last weekend, but thankfully looked first to make sure it really was the last season since we'd heard it through the rumor mill. Turns out it's not closing for a long time.

Then we were thinking of Orlando. I really want to swim with the dolphins and they're aren't too many places that that can be done. Andrew knew I really wanted to go so we began planning out trip there. It was so expensive for the dolphin swim! I remembered that when I was in Hawaii a few years ago I went to a place called Sea Life Park which was an awesome park and they offer swimming with the dolphins. I was too cheap to do it the last time, but as it turns out it's $270 cheaper to do it on Oahu then in Orlando.

So, we're going to Hawaii! In addition to just the swim being cheaper, going to Orlando we would have had to pay about $80 each that went over the value of the ticket plus the $100 change fee. For Oahu, we only go over by $.21! So, we are both paying $100.21 for a round trip ticket! I'm trying to convince Andrew to use some of our air miles so we can upgrade one way to first class. Preferably going home so we can end the trip on a high note. We'll see. It takes 15,000 miles one way to upgrade. We both already have miles accumulated, but both just signed up for an upgrade to our credit cards that give us a 20,000 bonus for signing up. So really, that gives us our 15,000 plus and additional 5,000 left over.

Anyways, now that you know our mileage situation, I'll be filling in more of the details as we plan them through the coming weeks. We leave on June 17th and return on the 24th, so have a bit of time between now and then as you may have noticed from the ticker on the sidebar.

We're both really excited and are having fun planning excursions for our graduation gift to ourselves. Tickets and the hotel room (2 blocks from Waikiki Beach!) will be booked this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for 1st class!

Contest Prize Named

I haven't posted anything in 2 weeks as you may or may not know.

I was thinking of just quitting entirely. I set myself up to feel such pressure to post everyday and then to keep up with my little themes: Weekend Re-Cap on Monday, Food Wednesday and Question of the Week on Friday. When there was something I really wanted to write about it seemed to fall on one of those days when I felt I had to go along with the theme and the next day I couldn't remember what I wanted to write.

I was at Fred Meyer yesterday (kind of like Target I suppose) and saw these journals and put them in my cart. I thought about them the whole time I was shopping. I have a blog. I started it for myself, no one else, as a way to document things and because I read a lot of other people's and like being able to share a small part of their life with them. In the end, I decided not to get the journals because I do have this blog. And really, does it matter if I post everyday or just once a week? Not so much. (Except for when I have a contest that ends on the 100th post...sorry about that.)

So, I am going to keep this blog going. For me. To be able to look back a year from now and see what was going on when I can't remember. Although I do love getting comments, I need to get over myself. It's not like I have the most interesting life, I know it's a bit dull compared to others.

The conclusion to my speel? I am going to continue to write, when I feel like it and have something good to say. Well, when I think I have something good to say...some may think that's never! And I'm not goint to feel any pressure to keep up with the themes I started. If it happens to fall on the day, so be it.

I hope that anyone who was reading occasionally will continue to do so.

By the way...this is post 93. We may make it to 100 and end the contest sometime this year! Oh, the prize is a $10 Starbuck's giftcard. All you have to do is leave me a comment and you're entered. There are only 2 names in so far so you're chances to win are pretty good!

Food Wednesday makes a comeback.

Post 92: 8 more times left to enter the contest. Prize: $10 Starbuck's giftcard.

Food Wednesday is making a return. Are you excited? I'm assuming your head is bobbing up and down right now, right? DISCLAIMER: Sorry to any vegetarians, but I am a meat eater...check back next week for another rousing edition of Food Wednesday! I love animals...we have a pet cow!

Anyways, for those of you who are also meat eaters and for anyone else who may happen to be on a New Year's Resolution Diet, yes is does require being in caps, here is a quick and easy way to cook a chicken breast that reduces any fat that may be on it as well as being very calorie friendly. There are actually only 220 calories in the average 8 ounce chicken breast. Now, the one in the picture is about 6.5 ounces but I just call in an even 8 since I tend to be a sauce dipper.

So, the only thing this really requires is a George Foreman Grill. Everyone has one of those, right? Well, if not you can always put it on a rack in a pan and broil it. Here is my lovely little grill, quite old too, but still works great!

On goes the chicken. I season with Johnny's Dock, black pepper, onion powder and garlic salt. Just toss it on and about 10 miniutes later cut into it to make sure it's fully cooked.

When fully cooked it should look something like this unless you broiled it, then I'm not really sure what it will look like, just make sure to check that it's done all the way through.

And viola! If you are on the New Year's Resolution Diet, here is lunch! If you're one of the lucky one's who doesn't need to drop a few pounds this would be super with some rice and corn or whatever your choice of sidedishes are.

Enjoy!

Back. Promise.

It's been almost two weeks since I've posted anything. And to be honest, and I know I haven't been at this blogging thing too long, it was kind of nice. And earlier today, I hit "mark all as read" in my google reader. All 160 posts. Done. Gone. A fresh start for the new year.

Now, I do realize that yes, the new year started 13 days ago, but since I just started back to school yesterday it's really just now sort of starting. 13 days in, I know.

So tomorrow, back to regular posts. Or as regular as mine have been. And to any of you whose blogs I normally comment on I'm sorry. It was just so overwhelming to have that many posts to go through. But tomorrow, back to normal. Oh, and I'm starting a new diet/exercise routine with a goal believe it or not and I'm sure I'll be swamping you with lots of useless information about it.

And the contest still is happening. The prize: a $10 giftcard to Starbucks. Again, I'll be drawing a name from anyone who comments between now and my 100th post. This is the 91st, so a little longer to go. Just a comment, it's that simple.

See you all tomorrow!

Back on Friday - And GIVEAWAY Reminder

No, no I have not crawled into a hole to die. Really. I'm taking a holiday break and some time to organize and pack up some of my gifts (and awesome score on holiday dishes for 75% off!) and waiting through what seems like agonizingly long days waiting for Andrew to come home today.

I promise writing will resume on Friday! And then you know, again on Monday after the weekend.

BUT...remember about the contest/giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment before I reach my 100th post (this is the 90th) and your name will be put into a hat and possibly drawn to win something cool! No, I'm not sure what it'll be yet, but I promise something good and worth your while to leave a comment!

The Day After and Question of the Week

Merry Day After Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and were able to spend it with family and friends. Our Christmas was very nice, a bit hectic in the morning, but overall very nice. I will post more details and photos (with my incredibly awesome Christmas gift) soon.

My quest of always wanting a white Christmas came true this year and I am now ready for it to go far, far away. We have almost two feet and it's just time for it to take a hike.

I know I'm posting late and that for most people it's already Saturday, but alas, here is the Friday question: If you were fortunate to be able to give and receive gifts this year what was your most favorite item you received, and inturn, the most favorite you gave? I know many people, including us, are going through hard times right now and gifts weren't anyone's first priorities this year, but I hope everyone will be able to answer this question in some way.

So, Merry Christmas to all and I will have photos and details posted tomorrow! Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Oh, and hey...did you enter the contest?

Did I mention that I'm having a contest over here?



I think I did in this post so check it out.

I'm not exactly sure what the prize will be. Probably a gift card somewhere. Or maybe even a set of 8 handmade cards similar to the ones shown in the last post. Maybe I'll let you chose.

The point is simple here: On the day of my 100th post (this is the 88th, so we're getting there) I'll take any commenters names and draw one. All you have to do is leave a comment on a post asking a question. If you click on the here and scroll to the bottom you'll get the idea.

So, don't forget, you just might win something cool. Oh, and I'm planning on doing this for every 100th post and sometimes inbetween, so stick around for more chances to win! (gosh, I sounded like a radio station there...sorry!)

The Creativeness is Overflowing

Can you see the creativeness overflowing here? I mean, really! I got a wild hair and have always wanted to make my own Christmas cards so thought about it last Wednesday and only ended up with 6. After an hour and a half! And well, that was it. I mailed four of them yestreday and it was so hard to choose which to send to who. Sooo, next year my plan is to you know, start a little earlier and have more than 6 made. Wouldn't that be a nice thought?!

So here are 4 of them. I wasn't too fond of the blue on the middle one, so ended up doing it in gold emboss and it turned out nicely the second time.

These were my two favorites.

I also liked the tree one. You can see the second run through with the gold emboss.

And, not so creative, but I liked it anyways. Andrew had been out shoveling and plowing snow most of the morning, hence the snowsuit, so I figured since he'd already had a long day I'd make him take one of my self portraits. He was thrilled!

Snow, my gosh the snow.

My word we have been blasted with a freaking blizzard. We have over a foot at home and at least 9 inches at work in Seattle. It's nuts. It's stopped for now, but will be coming back for more tonight and through Christmas. Now don't get me wrong, I like the snow as much as the next person, but when it gets to be hard to walk in and accumulates half an inch on the half of the concrete pad in front of both the garage and barn I just got done shoveling while I'm working on the other half it gets to be ENOUGH. I always hope for a white Christmas, but as it stands we're cancelling Christmas Eve that we always have at my aunt's house and they definately won't be able to come to our house on Christmas day because you can't get up our road without four wheel drive. It's just peachy. The horses are over it, too I think. Dusty looked at me like I was crazy when he had to get out of his stall so I could clean it.

Can you see his pleading look? And behind him is Boston. Probably the first time he'd ventured out into the snow all week. Lord knows his stall showed it!

The mounds we have. It's ridiculous. Just walking to the fence the snow was almost up over my boots.
However, when they wandered over to Boston's side, the race was on. He looks pretty good for 24, doesn't he?

By the time they made it to the fence he was in the lead. (I love this picture, I think I'm going to have it printed.) 12 times her age and still has her beat.

And the sight that greeted me when I got to work. The truck on the end was uncovered yesterday. That was just from overnight.
If you can't tell, I'm totally ready for this to be done and over with. Hope you're staying warm and cozy and are ready for a wonderful holiday.

Crazy Busy, Friday Question and Contest

I have been crazy busy the last 32 hours or so. We've had a major snow storm blow across the Pacific Northwest this week. Yesterday it was an incredibly chaotic day. I'm sure I've mentioned before that my parents own a tow company. The dispatchers for both the morning and swing shift couldn't make it in so that meant I was here from 6:30am until 8pm and the phone seriously did not stop with people calling that they were stuck in the snow or wanted to be towed up a hill to their house. We did the best we could with all the trucks chained up, but still had to decline doing many tows. As I look out the window there are flurries coming down again. Swell.

At the moment, my dad and Andrew are downtown with our truck meeting another company's driver to do this: (photo from seattletimes.com)

If you're not familiar with Seattle, we have many steep hills, especially downtown. What you can't see in this particular picture is that on the other side of this bus there is another one that isn't hanging over quite as much. The first one came down the hill, covered in ice of course that they had no business being on in the first place, went through the guard rail followed by the second one who tried to turn to miss it but ended up smacking it anyways. I wish I could have gone with them to be the photographer, but I had to wait for the next dispatcher to get here. Bummer. Luckily everyone on board both buses were alright and only 9 were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

We're watching the news (they have a helicopter overhead and are going back and forth to it) waiting for the recovering to start. It will be interesting to know where they're going to pull from as they're backed right up to a hill, but I know if anyone can make it happen my dad can. He is incredible with recoveries. And I know Andrew is having a great time watching, learning and just being there. Good thing his usual white collar, pressed shirt office was closed today! Yes, I do give him a hard time about working in a CPA office when I've been with blus collar workers all my life. I'm a bad girlfriend, I know.

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Alright, moving on, it's Friday again and Christmas is just 6 (eek, 6!) days away. If money didn't need to be taken into consideration, and let's face it: I think money is being considered by anyone who's out and about buying gifts, what is the first thing you would like. And yes, I'm talking a material item, think of yourself, what's the one thing you'd want but know isn't an option this year?

For me, that would be a Nikon camera. One of the fancy ones with the big lens and all that. No, I'm not the best photographer, but I love to take pictures and would really like to learn some great techniques someday and I think that if I had a good camera (yes, my current camera is good, but I just have it in my mind that a Nikon would make my pictures better...ridiculous, I know) that I would take really great shots. So what about you?

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Lastly, I'm closing in on my 100th post here pretty quick, well it'll take a few days, but it is coming, and I'd like to have a contest which will feature a prize. Many of the blogs I read ask readers to ask a question the comments for the blogger to answer and I think that's kind of neat.

So, this is where you all come in. Do you have a question? Even if you don't, just make one up and leave it in the comments. I'll pick a name out of everyone who commented (that is if anyone does...I'm pretty sure I don't have many readers, but I still think it'll be fun and something I'm going to do for every hundredth post) and that person will get a prize. I'm not sure what yet, but don't worry, it'll be something good!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!