Travis at our campsite near fossil springs. We were about 100 feet from the stream, but the canyon walls behind us gave us the place to ourselves!
June 15, 2005
Flashback to Sedona...
Here is a snapshot from our recent hike in Oak Creek Canyon - West Fork trail. It's pretty hard to take a bad photo in Sedona - even when we're in it!
May 23, 2005
The West Fork of Oak Creek
We did a great hike a few weeks ago in Sedona - the West Fork of Oak Creek. The total hike is 7 miles, out and back, or if you want to swim, I believe you can go 12 miles total (one-way). Billie and Adam joined us on the hike, and were willing to get their feet wet - thanks for being such good sports! It was a great weekend to go camping, and we're looking forward to backpacking to Fossil Springs this weekend. Anything's better than 110 in an urban heat island!
I'll post more photos next week after our trip. It should be fun!
Jenny
I'll post more photos next week after our trip. It should be fun!
Jenny
Job search... installment #1
So I went on my first interview last Friday... overall the situation was pretty good. The only bad this was that sticky question about why my contract wasn't being renewed. "Because my boss doesn't like me" didn't sound that keen, so I went with the re-organization angle. I said she's a new director and is dissolving my position - farming out my schools to another manager, commodity processing to a classified employee, and going with Assisted NuMenus (meaning an outside company plans them.) The Child Nutrition director made the comment, "That seems really odd that they would get rid of YOUR position..." Gee, because I'm the only registered dietitian in the district and we have to have a Wellness Program for next year? Hmmmm, could be!
I'm sending out emails left and right, and contacting everyone I know in school foodservice. I don't want to go to food sales or anything, so I guess I'm pretty picky at the moment. If something doesn't materialize soon, I may put off the full-scale job seeking efforts until after I get back from South America.
Well, it's hot here - 105 today - and we're all trying not to melt. I'm gonna post some pics and catch y'all later.
Peace out,
J
I'm sending out emails left and right, and contacting everyone I know in school foodservice. I don't want to go to food sales or anything, so I guess I'm pretty picky at the moment. If something doesn't materialize soon, I may put off the full-scale job seeking efforts until after I get back from South America.
Well, it's hot here - 105 today - and we're all trying not to melt. I'm gonna post some pics and catch y'all later.
Peace out,
J
May 20, 2005
Home improvements...
Greetings from HOT Arizona! It's supposed to be 107 today, and needless to say, we've got the A/C on and we're hunkering down for a LONG summer! We've got most of the patio done - just need to do some more sanding before we use a clear wood protectant to seal it up. The roof is done, and it looks good, though the company was something of a pain to deal with. They didn't really feel it necessary to call us when they weren't going to get things done on time, or the roll roofing wasn't available, or the plastic needed to be re-done to protect the house...Oh well. They gave us $100 off, so that's something, but not much.
In the meantime, I gave my final last week - the class was a success, I thought. Or everyone lied to me about enjoying it, which is fine. :) I'm looking for a new job, and I've been called for one interview - that's today - at the AZ Dept of Ed in the School Nutrition. I think that could be a good position - I'd be helping schools in the National School Lunch Program - with applications, meal regulations, etc. It's close to my house, which would be good, and I would stay in the state retirement program, which is good, too.
I've almost completed my community college class that I'm taking - just 3 more assignments (I'm doing homework next), and we're still training up for our trek on the Inca trail. We're supposed to do a 10 mile hike this weekend at Horton Springs north of Payson, but Travis may have to work this weekend. We'll see. Next weekend we're heading to Fossil Springs for our first backpacking trip.
Hope everyone's doing well! I'm going to post pictures from our last camping trip - we went to Sedona in April, and though it was cold at night, it was perfect weather for camping! I'll put up more pics once I get them developed - the age-old excuse!
-J-
In the meantime, I gave my final last week - the class was a success, I thought. Or everyone lied to me about enjoying it, which is fine. :) I'm looking for a new job, and I've been called for one interview - that's today - at the AZ Dept of Ed in the School Nutrition. I think that could be a good position - I'd be helping schools in the National School Lunch Program - with applications, meal regulations, etc. It's close to my house, which would be good, and I would stay in the state retirement program, which is good, too.
I've almost completed my community college class that I'm taking - just 3 more assignments (I'm doing homework next), and we're still training up for our trek on the Inca trail. We're supposed to do a 10 mile hike this weekend at Horton Springs north of Payson, but Travis may have to work this weekend. We'll see. Next weekend we're heading to Fossil Springs for our first backpacking trip.
Hope everyone's doing well! I'm going to post pictures from our last camping trip - we went to Sedona in April, and though it was cold at night, it was perfect weather for camping! I'll put up more pics once I get them developed - the age-old excuse!
-J-
April 22, 2005
Up she goes!
We've almost completed putting up our patio roof - and she looks awesome! Here are a few pictures from the construction effort last weekend. Many thanks to Dad, Brian, Curtis, and Ed for braving the heat! This weekend we plan to put up the soffits and the roofers should be here tomorrow to do the roll roofing. We'll have the whole roof re-done starting next Wednesday... pretty exciting!
Life otherwise is OK... I've started looking for a new job. I'm following leads at the Arizona Dept. of Education, Mesa Public Schools, and also the possibility of increasing the number of classes I am teaching at MCC. I appreciate everyone's good wishes and prayers. I think that is helping me get through. :)
This weekend we're taking a break from the training, but we start again next weekend. We plan to camp at Wet Beaver Creek near Sedona, and start taking longer hikes after that. Well, I'm off to do some laundry - the excitement never stops!
-JW
Life otherwise is OK... I've started looking for a new job. I'm following leads at the Arizona Dept. of Education, Mesa Public Schools, and also the possibility of increasing the number of classes I am teaching at MCC. I appreciate everyone's good wishes and prayers. I think that is helping me get through. :)
This weekend we're taking a break from the training, but we start again next weekend. We plan to camp at Wet Beaver Creek near Sedona, and start taking longer hikes after that. Well, I'm off to do some laundry - the excitement never stops!
-JW
Day Two - Check out those Rafters!
Here's the results after two LOOOOOOOONNNNG days of hard work. We've got the decking put on now... I'll send pictures of the whole thing when we get them developed!
March 24, 2005
And then there were none...
Listen to that - it's quiet! Nothing but the sound of the dryer and dishwasher cleaning up. The company has gone, and according to flytecomm.com, Betsy's flight is scheduled to take off in like 20 minutes...
I haven't written in months, and now all of a sudden I've posted 12 times in the same day. Weird. Must be the Zinfandel (on the beach). I thought I should preface this fine photo gallery that I've posted below. This was the first full week of our trip to Europe...Brugge, then back to Stuttgart for Christmas Day. We had a blast, as you can see below.
I'd better go rustle up some fresh photos for the next installment. After Stuttgart we headed to Interlaken, then Vienna, then Czech Republic, and Berlin before heading back to STR and home. We got some great photos, I have to admit. It was a great trip - I'd do it again in a minute!
I hope everyone has a happy Easter. Take it easy and enjoy the weather.
I haven't written in months, and now all of a sudden I've posted 12 times in the same day. Weird. Must be the Zinfandel (on the beach). I thought I should preface this fine photo gallery that I've posted below. This was the first full week of our trip to Europe...Brugge, then back to Stuttgart for Christmas Day. We had a blast, as you can see below.
I'd better go rustle up some fresh photos for the next installment. After Stuttgart we headed to Interlaken, then Vienna, then Czech Republic, and Berlin before heading back to STR and home. We got some great photos, I have to admit. It was a great trip - I'd do it again in a minute!
I hope everyone has a happy Easter. Take it easy and enjoy the weather.
Mmmmmmm.... Beer.
After Brugge, we headed back to Stuttgart by way of Düsseldorf. On Christmas Day, Betsy arrived from the states, and Bobby and I headed to the kitchen to prep dinner. Travis decided to taste the local brew.
Winding down...
Spring break has come and gone, and the last of the company leaves tonight. It's been a quick two weeks, that's for sure! Betsy and her roommate Sheila leave tonight, after touring a resort and having dinner here. The job interviews weren't a total bust - though the screening interview left something to be desired. Betsy is talking to the music director in Mesa Public Schools today - I hope it goes well.
In the meantime, my job still leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think May 25th can get here fast enough! I don't know why I think things will improve when school ends... maybe things will change sooner.
We got some great pics of wildflowers while the folks were here... butterfly pictures, too. I'll post them tomorrow - I'm off for Good Friday. In the meantime, I'm gonna go fix dinner. Everybody have a good night!
In the meantime, my job still leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think May 25th can get here fast enough! I don't know why I think things will improve when school ends... maybe things will change sooner.
We got some great pics of wildflowers while the folks were here... butterfly pictures, too. I'll post them tomorrow - I'm off for Good Friday. In the meantime, I'm gonna go fix dinner. Everybody have a good night!
March 15, 2005
Spring Break!
So I'm a little bit behind in getting the blog updated... you all knew I really meant next month, not next week, right?
So we've got the "seniors" in town right now - Travis' grandparents, his cousin Eva and her parents, and it's kind of like a week-long slumber party. Lots of card playing going on, and more chatter than teeny boppers at a skating rink! Oh well, they're all having a good time, and we are, too. Nothing like a big group of people at your house as an excuse to grill out and drink a few bottles of wine, eh?
I've got more pictures from Europe scanned in, and I plan to post them tomorrow. I've got the rest of this week off from work, so I am going to catch up on things at home. I also have to work on my Mesa Comm College grading... but that's fun work. No class at Mesa this week, either.
So next week Bob & Vi and Nanny & Grandpa go home, and Betsy shows up with her friend Sheila. And somewhere in there Travis' Uncle Wayne and Aunt Donna will have come and gone.
It's a houseful, but that's what I get for living in vacationland!
So we've got the "seniors" in town right now - Travis' grandparents, his cousin Eva and her parents, and it's kind of like a week-long slumber party. Lots of card playing going on, and more chatter than teeny boppers at a skating rink! Oh well, they're all having a good time, and we are, too. Nothing like a big group of people at your house as an excuse to grill out and drink a few bottles of wine, eh?
I've got more pictures from Europe scanned in, and I plan to post them tomorrow. I've got the rest of this week off from work, so I am going to catch up on things at home. I also have to work on my Mesa Comm College grading... but that's fun work. No class at Mesa this week, either.
So next week Bob & Vi and Nanny & Grandpa go home, and Betsy shows up with her friend Sheila. And somewhere in there Travis' Uncle Wayne and Aunt Donna will have come and gone.
It's a houseful, but that's what I get for living in vacationland!
January 31, 2005
Photo Shoot!
So I've managed to scan a few pictures from our first few days in Europe... see the captions below for explanations of each photo. We had an awesome time on the trip...stay tuned for next week's edition!
Jenny
Jenny
January 20, 2005
Cooking for a grade?? What a concept!
Well, I've had my first class at MCC. I think it was successful - nobody got hurt, and everyone seemed mildly interested at least. I bored everyone with the syllabus (of course), then we had an oil and salt tasting. The Himalayan salt was a highlight - mostly because it was pink and came with a cool wooden scoop - and the olive oil infused with blood oranges was the winner in that category. The cabernet vinegar was tasty as well - I had one student ask me if there was alcohol in it, since it tasted just like a cabernet!
I am a little worried about the workload (especially since I still have to keep up on my normal job at SUSD) but I figure I'll work ahead on a few weekends here and there. Lori Z, my boss, told me that it's not unusual to be working out the lesson the night before!
Next week we'll have our first full-length cooking class. We're studying stocks and sauces. It should be cool - we'll make hollandaise, and sauce bordelaise, and pesto, and I don't know what else. Then we'll grill off some chicken, steam or sauté some veg, and have supper. HOORAY!
On a different note, we picked up our pictures from CostCo, and aside from a few technical blunders on the developers part, they look pretty good. I've got 3 more rolls waiting at the developers, so I will scan and distribute photos this weekend, I hope. Nanny & Grandpa (Travis' Grandparents) plan to come see us on March 11th. I hope to have the scrapbook done by then.
Well, I better sign off and start working on grading papers - ACK!
So until next time - Guten Appetit!
I am a little worried about the workload (especially since I still have to keep up on my normal job at SUSD) but I figure I'll work ahead on a few weekends here and there. Lori Z, my boss, told me that it's not unusual to be working out the lesson the night before!
Next week we'll have our first full-length cooking class. We're studying stocks and sauces. It should be cool - we'll make hollandaise, and sauce bordelaise, and pesto, and I don't know what else. Then we'll grill off some chicken, steam or sauté some veg, and have supper. HOORAY!
On a different note, we picked up our pictures from CostCo, and aside from a few technical blunders on the developers part, they look pretty good. I've got 3 more rolls waiting at the developers, so I will scan and distribute photos this weekend, I hope. Nanny & Grandpa (Travis' Grandparents) plan to come see us on March 11th. I hope to have the scrapbook done by then.
Well, I better sign off and start working on grading papers - ACK!
So until next time - Guten Appetit!
January 09, 2005
We're Baaaaaaaccckk....
Only 24 hours from Stuttgart to here? What a deal! Too bad the luggage didn't make it!
Well, we're back. And getting used to the time change. And missing our cheap fizzy water already. Our bags haven't made it back yet, but they are on their way from London right now. So we hope to see them tonight. And we also hope they don't break all our souvenirs. At least they won't get thrown on another airplane after customs is done searching them.
On a high note, our trip was AWESOME. We had a great time - and it was hard to come back!
Here are the highlights, sans pictures:
Week 1:
St Goar, castles on the Rhein, Koeln Christmas shopping in Brugge, Belgium, Christmas Dinner with Bobby and his Exchange Student friends at the Dorm in Stuttgart
Week 2:
Snowshoeing in the Alps, Vienna museums, Hiking in the Bekydy mountains, visiting Ales and Jitka at the cottage, New Year's Eve at a Czech pub and the power goes out...
Week 3:
Standing Room Only train to Praha, Praha pubs with Ales Pelikan, Prague Castle at Night to ourselves, Mucha Museum, Zuzana and the boys in Litomerice, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery, Pergamon Museum, Glass Dome at Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate
Last day in Germany:
Currywurst und Pommes, Sausage, Beans and Chips, Invader Zim (Hello Floor! Make me a samich!)
We got home last night at 10:30, so we don't have any photos yet, but we hope to have some to post soon. Thanks to everyone who watched our house - everything was fine when we got home. We even had a new hall tree waiting for us in the living room!
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tchuss!
Well, we're back. And getting used to the time change. And missing our cheap fizzy water already. Our bags haven't made it back yet, but they are on their way from London right now. So we hope to see them tonight. And we also hope they don't break all our souvenirs. At least they won't get thrown on another airplane after customs is done searching them.
On a high note, our trip was AWESOME. We had a great time - and it was hard to come back!
Here are the highlights, sans pictures:
Week 1:
St Goar, castles on the Rhein, Koeln Christmas shopping in Brugge, Belgium, Christmas Dinner with Bobby and his Exchange Student friends at the Dorm in Stuttgart
Week 2:
Snowshoeing in the Alps, Vienna museums, Hiking in the Bekydy mountains, visiting Ales and Jitka at the cottage, New Year's Eve at a Czech pub and the power goes out...
Week 3:
Standing Room Only train to Praha, Praha pubs with Ales Pelikan, Prague Castle at Night to ourselves, Mucha Museum, Zuzana and the boys in Litomerice, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery, Pergamon Museum, Glass Dome at Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate
Last day in Germany:
Currywurst und Pommes, Sausage, Beans and Chips, Invader Zim (Hello Floor! Make me a samich!)
We got home last night at 10:30, so we don't have any photos yet, but we hope to have some to post soon. Thanks to everyone who watched our house - everything was fine when we got home. We even had a new hall tree waiting for us in the living room!
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tchuss!
December 06, 2004
The Candy's for the birdie...
Happy St. Nicholas Day to one and all! Did you get any candy in your shoes today? Or did St. Nicholas forget you this year?
It's rainy and cold here in Arizona... mid 50s for the high. Sometimes I think this isn't Arizona, just a microcosm of Kansas weather here for the day... with mountains.
I have been a total slacker writing here on the Blog... Let's see... We had a great Thanksgiving, Hilary, Kerry, Curtis and Glena were here, along with Eva Searcy and Brian "Natureboy" Connor. The turkey was a hit, but the risotto was a little TOO plentiful. But to tell the truth, a good meal was had by all. The wine was good, too!
Kerry, Hilary, Travis and I went camping outside of Tucson on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend. We did a great hike to 7 Falls in Sabino Canyon - I'll post pics when I get them developed. Looks like we missed the mountain lion, too. Apparently hikers were being stalked the next day - the rangers went out and shot the animal later that day. YIKES!
Work... is the biggest professional challenge I've ever had. Next subject.
Work, part deux. I'm going to fill out my paperwork for Mesa Community College today... I'm excited about teaching my class, though I am a bit nervous. If I can get through one semester, the following semesters should be gravy. Or Beurre Blanc. :)
Our Europe trip is approaching fast! We're headed out on the 16th of December, for three weeks of unabashed touring. I can't wait - 3 weeks without work! Wooohooo! I'll try to post while we're on the road, but no promises. I have a feeling there will be an online photo album after the trip is over.
I hope everyone is doing OK- I'm very disappointed that I will be missing CRAPTACULAR again this year. :-( Save a place at the Go Girl Goddess game table next year for me!
Peace out, as my brother, the earthquake survivor, would say!
Jen-nay
It's rainy and cold here in Arizona... mid 50s for the high. Sometimes I think this isn't Arizona, just a microcosm of Kansas weather here for the day... with mountains.
I have been a total slacker writing here on the Blog... Let's see... We had a great Thanksgiving, Hilary, Kerry, Curtis and Glena were here, along with Eva Searcy and Brian "Natureboy" Connor. The turkey was a hit, but the risotto was a little TOO plentiful. But to tell the truth, a good meal was had by all. The wine was good, too!
Kerry, Hilary, Travis and I went camping outside of Tucson on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend. We did a great hike to 7 Falls in Sabino Canyon - I'll post pics when I get them developed. Looks like we missed the mountain lion, too. Apparently hikers were being stalked the next day - the rangers went out and shot the animal later that day. YIKES!
Work... is the biggest professional challenge I've ever had. Next subject.
Work, part deux. I'm going to fill out my paperwork for Mesa Community College today... I'm excited about teaching my class, though I am a bit nervous. If I can get through one semester, the following semesters should be gravy. Or Beurre Blanc. :)
Our Europe trip is approaching fast! We're headed out on the 16th of December, for three weeks of unabashed touring. I can't wait - 3 weeks without work! Wooohooo! I'll try to post while we're on the road, but no promises. I have a feeling there will be an online photo album after the trip is over.
I hope everyone is doing OK- I'm very disappointed that I will be missing CRAPTACULAR again this year. :-( Save a place at the Go Girl Goddess game table next year for me!
Peace out, as my brother, the earthquake survivor, would say!
Jen-nay
November 08, 2004
CHEF!
So you're wondering what the heck I've been doing... I haven't written in a while, and laundry doesn't take THAT much time...
I'm going to be a chef! Can you dig it? I am going to start teaching a gourmet foods course at Mesa Community College in the spring. I'm way excited, but kind of nervous, too. What do I say to 30 people slavering for butter, heavy cream, and truffles? TO YOUR KITCHENS! That's right - they get to cook these great foods. I am hoping to cover all sorts of cuisines and culinary techniques, but I only get 4 hours per class. That's not much time. I hope I can keep them entertained.
Thanks to Lori Zienkowicz, KSU grad and program director, for giving me the job. I really think I want to teach college someday, so this is a step in the right direction.
I've also been arranging our Europe trip this winter, and that's been taking some time. I was starting to get worried when the first six reservation requests were turned down in Vienna. But now we've got a room at the Pension Hargita - you can check out the website at http://www.hargita.at/de/home/index.asp.
More good news is the fact that the weather is absolutely gorgeous now - so we've started hiking again, much to the chagrin of my muscles. We hiked South Mountain on Saturday, and aside from a sunburn, everything was great. The highlight of the trip was seeing the crew of American Chopper at the top. Weird. Mikey was there, but Paulie and Senior were not. We didn't know what to do, so we ignored them. I even had my camera with me and wussed out! Oh well. I'm sure they get tired of the Paparazzi.
Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away - I know Travis and I are looking forward to the long weekend. Then it's just a few short weeks and we're off to the continent!
Cheerio!
Dr. Watson
I'm going to be a chef! Can you dig it? I am going to start teaching a gourmet foods course at Mesa Community College in the spring. I'm way excited, but kind of nervous, too. What do I say to 30 people slavering for butter, heavy cream, and truffles? TO YOUR KITCHENS! That's right - they get to cook these great foods. I am hoping to cover all sorts of cuisines and culinary techniques, but I only get 4 hours per class. That's not much time. I hope I can keep them entertained.
Thanks to Lori Zienkowicz, KSU grad and program director, for giving me the job. I really think I want to teach college someday, so this is a step in the right direction.
I've also been arranging our Europe trip this winter, and that's been taking some time. I was starting to get worried when the first six reservation requests were turned down in Vienna. But now we've got a room at the Pension Hargita - you can check out the website at http://www.hargita.at/de/home/index.asp.
More good news is the fact that the weather is absolutely gorgeous now - so we've started hiking again, much to the chagrin of my muscles. We hiked South Mountain on Saturday, and aside from a sunburn, everything was great. The highlight of the trip was seeing the crew of American Chopper at the top. Weird. Mikey was there, but Paulie and Senior were not. We didn't know what to do, so we ignored them. I even had my camera with me and wussed out! Oh well. I'm sure they get tired of the Paparazzi.
Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away - I know Travis and I are looking forward to the long weekend. Then it's just a few short weeks and we're off to the continent!
Cheerio!
Dr. Watson
October 23, 2004
Culture Shock!
So we have made quite the culture circuit this week! Our weekend started with a concert at Gammage Auditorium on the ASU campus... Travis' work buddy Ed is in the choral ensemble, and they were performing with the orchestra in a concert about Life and Death. A little Shostakovich No. 2, Les Preludes by Liszt, and finally a Requiem by Fauré. Great performances - and free! Afterwards we found Four Peaks for reverse happy hour, and hung out with the work crowd for a while. Ed even brought a girl he met in choir. We were all so proud.
Tonight we went to an art showing for Jeff Lyon, a mechanical engineer that works with Travis. His art is really cool - he originally started with really concrete, almost photo-like paintings, but now he's branching out into more abstract drawings and prints - which are posted in this blog. I thought this would be at a gallery, but no, it's a loft of one of Jeff's clients. Whoa. I didn't feel like I was in a house - I felt like I was in an Ikea catalog or something. Everything was very minimalist and modern, complete with old episodes of Flash Gordon on the Flat Screen TV hung on the wall.
The food was awesome (half a globe grape with goat cheese and chopped pistachios!) - the wine was good, and all the beautiful people were there. I felt very special.
So now I am just basking in the culture, feeling very sophisticated. Almost makes me forget that I had to replace the gasket on my toilet today. Oh well- I'm off to the hot tub!
Hope everyone else is having a fabulous weekend!
Jenny
Tonight we went to an art showing for Jeff Lyon, a mechanical engineer that works with Travis. His art is really cool - he originally started with really concrete, almost photo-like paintings, but now he's branching out into more abstract drawings and prints - which are posted in this blog. I thought this would be at a gallery, but no, it's a loft of one of Jeff's clients. Whoa. I didn't feel like I was in a house - I felt like I was in an Ikea catalog or something. Everything was very minimalist and modern, complete with old episodes of Flash Gordon on the Flat Screen TV hung on the wall.
The food was awesome (half a globe grape with goat cheese and chopped pistachios!) - the wine was good, and all the beautiful people were there. I felt very special.
So now I am just basking in the culture, feeling very sophisticated. Almost makes me forget that I had to replace the gasket on my toilet today. Oh well- I'm off to the hot tub!
Hope everyone else is having a fabulous weekend!
Jenny
October 18, 2004
Finally, some cooler weather!
I can't believe it - the temperature was only like 81 degrees today! What a nice change after the 90s last week. Oh wait, I was in KS where it was only like 62 or so. I had a great visit at home - too short, especially since I had the worst flu ever all week!
I flew out to KC on Wednesday, did some shopping at Galyan's, and took lots of cold medicine. I headed out to KSU on Thursday - campus was gorgeous, and luckily everyone was happy to see me in my department! The department head, Dr. Canter, has asked if I will help teach a summer institute for high school students interested in culinary arts. How cool is that?? Then I went and got free lunch out of the deal (Thank you Mr. Pence), and Call Hall ice cream to boot! That was truly awesome. Nothing like a GIGANTIC brownie sundae to top off your afternoon! Dad, Mom and Grandma came with me - I think the ice cream was the best part of their day, too.
I managed to get some BBQ and Boulevard Beers on Friday night, and I hooked up with the old college gang (Josh, Molly, Heather, Jason, Donner, and even Chris and Betsy!) at a pub in KC. Not bad, not bad at all. It was hard to come home on Saturday - but I had to get ready for the week. I plan to tackle some serious housecleaning, grocery shopping, and finally SHAKING THIS STUPID COLD!
On a lighter note, Travis and I are getting totally psyched about our trip to Europe. We're trying to get hold of our friends in the Czech republic so we can visit them (they know the BEST places to buy beer and Svickova), and we are trying to decide which cities and countries to visit. Hmmm, do we spend New Year's in Vienna or Zurich?? The decisions we have to make! These are the kind of problems you WANT to have...
Well, I'm off to cook dinner... for all my friends that read this- it was GREAT seeing you all last week! Keep warm!
LL Cool J
I flew out to KC on Wednesday, did some shopping at Galyan's, and took lots of cold medicine. I headed out to KSU on Thursday - campus was gorgeous, and luckily everyone was happy to see me in my department! The department head, Dr. Canter, has asked if I will help teach a summer institute for high school students interested in culinary arts. How cool is that?? Then I went and got free lunch out of the deal (Thank you Mr. Pence), and Call Hall ice cream to boot! That was truly awesome. Nothing like a GIGANTIC brownie sundae to top off your afternoon! Dad, Mom and Grandma came with me - I think the ice cream was the best part of their day, too.
I managed to get some BBQ and Boulevard Beers on Friday night, and I hooked up with the old college gang (Josh, Molly, Heather, Jason, Donner, and even Chris and Betsy!) at a pub in KC. Not bad, not bad at all. It was hard to come home on Saturday - but I had to get ready for the week. I plan to tackle some serious housecleaning, grocery shopping, and finally SHAKING THIS STUPID COLD!
On a lighter note, Travis and I are getting totally psyched about our trip to Europe. We're trying to get hold of our friends in the Czech republic so we can visit them (they know the BEST places to buy beer and Svickova), and we are trying to decide which cities and countries to visit. Hmmm, do we spend New Year's in Vienna or Zurich?? The decisions we have to make! These are the kind of problems you WANT to have...
Well, I'm off to cook dinner... for all my friends that read this- it was GREAT seeing you all last week! Keep warm!
LL Cool J
October 11, 2004
Home again, home again, jiggity-jig...
Well I made it back to Arizona. The ADA convention was awesome - I had a great time with my old boss and learned a lot of great things about what's going on in the world of nutrition. The weather was fabulous, but boy things got expensive fast! Thank goodness the district was paying for that one...
I am home sick today (too much happiness in the Magic Kingdom). I will probably go into work tomorrow, then leave for KC for the rest of the week. Gosh I love working for the school district. The kiddos are off this week, so I don't have to worry about taking a sick day.
I'm looking forward to seeing KC in fall- rumor has it the leaves are changing and everything is beautiful. I can't wait - I'm getting sick and tired of these mid-90s through the month of October.
I'll talk to you all later - my medicine is really kicking in, and I might type something I'll regret later!
Jenny
I am home sick today (too much happiness in the Magic Kingdom). I will probably go into work tomorrow, then leave for KC for the rest of the week. Gosh I love working for the school district. The kiddos are off this week, so I don't have to worry about taking a sick day.
I'm looking forward to seeing KC in fall- rumor has it the leaves are changing and everything is beautiful. I can't wait - I'm getting sick and tired of these mid-90s through the month of October.
I'll talk to you all later - my medicine is really kicking in, and I might type something I'll regret later!
Jenny
October 02, 2004
Greetings from the Happiest Place on Earth!
Apparently somebody else saw my doppelganger blog post - I hadn't been in the airport 10 minutes before someone came up to me and asked, Do you watch Sex and the City? Ummm, I am going to have to watch that show and find out about the gorgeous woman with red hair...
I am here in Anaheim, California, waiting for the ADA Convention to begin. So what do I do? Head straight for the free email! (well, of course I found food and a bottle of water first, but that goes without saying) Since I am here without anybody else, I get to go and find new dietitian buddies (or old ones, possibly from KS). And if all else fails, I am going to the Disneyland hotel for breakast with the characters! They won't let me down...
The weather here is gorgeous (except for the smog), and the amount of GREEN is amazing! Birds of Paradise EVERYWHERE... thank you, Disney dollars. I am staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel, and I even get the Disney Cartoon Channel - SWEET.
Big time classes start tomorrow - tonight is the opening session. In the meantime I am going to soak up some sunshine and steal a pen - I forgot mine. :)
Talk to y'all later -
Sunny D
I am here in Anaheim, California, waiting for the ADA Convention to begin. So what do I do? Head straight for the free email! (well, of course I found food and a bottle of water first, but that goes without saying) Since I am here without anybody else, I get to go and find new dietitian buddies (or old ones, possibly from KS). And if all else fails, I am going to the Disneyland hotel for breakast with the characters! They won't let me down...
The weather here is gorgeous (except for the smog), and the amount of GREEN is amazing! Birds of Paradise EVERYWHERE... thank you, Disney dollars. I am staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel, and I even get the Disney Cartoon Channel - SWEET.
Big time classes start tomorrow - tonight is the opening session. In the meantime I am going to soak up some sunshine and steal a pen - I forgot mine. :)
Talk to y'all later -
Sunny D
September 26, 2004
Husker Highlights!
We went camping this weekend in Flagstaff with some friends of Travis' from work (Ed and Brian)- awesome views, COLD weather, and lots of humor from Brian. Brian is from Nebraska (pronounced BER-Naska), and graduated from UNL. Turned out to be a good thing, too. The first night we were there, the camp hosts decided to yell at us for doing everything wrong, and just when we thought they were going to throw us out, Brian mentioned he was from Nebraska, and suddenly they were our best friends. Bow down and worship the big red "N"!
We took a 5 mile hike up to 10,000 feet, through the Inner Basin of the San Francisco peaks. There were a lot of people on the trails, out enjoying the 60-something weather and sunshine. From the inner basin you get a great view of the Painted Desert - the Northeast corner of Arizona. After the hike, we headed down the mountain and Brian was excited to try four-wheeling in his new truck. Ed was not so sure this was a good idea, especially when Brian was driving with two wheels on the road and two wheels on the mountain!
We stayed in Bonito campground, just outside Sunset Crater National Monument, and other than the weirdness with the hosts on the first night, the place was great. Who knew flush toilets were such a great invention? We had a nice campfire, made friends with Frisbee, the local skunk, and enjoyed food prepared in dutch ovens. How can you go wrong? It certainly was nice to get out of Phoenix for a while...
Things are going to get busy from here - I am heading to Anaheim next weekend for the National Convention of the American Dieteic Association, and then I am heading to KC about 10 days after that. Travis' work has slowed down a bit, but we are starting to focus on the patio roof and other projects out in the yard. Still waiting for the weather to cool off --- though it got down to freezing in Flagstaff, it was 98 in Phoenix today. Sheesh.
I haven't finished my roll of film yet, but I'll post pictures when I get them. I guess this is why people have digital cameras, eh?
Keep the torch lit!
Silent J
We took a 5 mile hike up to 10,000 feet, through the Inner Basin of the San Francisco peaks. There were a lot of people on the trails, out enjoying the 60-something weather and sunshine. From the inner basin you get a great view of the Painted Desert - the Northeast corner of Arizona. After the hike, we headed down the mountain and Brian was excited to try four-wheeling in his new truck. Ed was not so sure this was a good idea, especially when Brian was driving with two wheels on the road and two wheels on the mountain!
We stayed in Bonito campground, just outside Sunset Crater National Monument, and other than the weirdness with the hosts on the first night, the place was great. Who knew flush toilets were such a great invention? We had a nice campfire, made friends with Frisbee, the local skunk, and enjoyed food prepared in dutch ovens. How can you go wrong? It certainly was nice to get out of Phoenix for a while...
Things are going to get busy from here - I am heading to Anaheim next weekend for the National Convention of the American Dieteic Association, and then I am heading to KC about 10 days after that. Travis' work has slowed down a bit, but we are starting to focus on the patio roof and other projects out in the yard. Still waiting for the weather to cool off --- though it got down to freezing in Flagstaff, it was 98 in Phoenix today. Sheesh.
I haven't finished my roll of film yet, but I'll post pictures when I get them. I guess this is why people have digital cameras, eh?
Keep the torch lit!
Silent J
September 10, 2004
You make the call...star doppelganger?
You be the judge - does this look like me? Are you sure?
I've been told by a couple of people that I look like this person... Not that that would be a bad thing. :)
September 07, 2004
Take it easy in a Barcalounger...
And finally, this is the recliner we've purchased. The fabric will be a mixture of southwest colors, though. It should look pretty nice in our living room, I think.
That's about it on the home decorating front... we're still in the midst of planning our patio, calling the roof guys, and praying that the weather will cool off sooner rather than later. As for work, well, let's just say it was really hard to go back after a 3 day weekend. Travis' Critical Design Review is next Thursday - we're thinking about going camping in Flagstaff that following weekend. Getting out of the heat and relaxing for the weekend will be just the ticket.
My next blog will be better - I promise. I think I've got the publishing figured out. Keep cool and stay tuned!
Mood lighting for the patio...
We these sconces would look pretty sweet out on the patio. These are featured in the Cabaret at Taliesin West.
This may be another construction project for us to hash out.
Still looking for that perfect chair...
This chair is the prototype for the Taliesin Wing Back or Origami chair. Wouldn't that look really cool on our new patio?
We think so, too. However, we don't have $4000 to buy a new one, so we are reverse engineering our own version. We visited Taliesin West on Saturday to get a closer look and gather some design ideas for our own house. Frank Lloyd Wright had some really cool ideas that we hope to incorporate into our house. Um, so far, we have the same Target halogen torchiere.
In search of the perfect chair...
Great news! We've finally ordered furniture! In our typical style, we looked at different styles for about 8 months, shopped at countless stores, spent WAY too much time online, and decided on some very unusual pieces. We've picked out a loveseat, recliner, and chaise - I'll post pictures when we get them, but don't hold your breath. We're supposed to see the loveseat and chaise sometime in December... they're being crated over from Italy.
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