Weekend Fun

So, this weekend Tim, Elphaba and I headed to Mt Spokane for a picnic on the mountain. It was a lovely day, very few clouds in the sky and sunny, still cool but we figured the day would warm up. So, off we went. On the way we stopped at Green Bluff to pick some strawberries and we stopped to purchase some rhubarb so I could try a cobbler or crisp. Check out http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com/ it was really great!! Then we continued up the mountain, mind you this is not a huge mountain, check out http://parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Mount%20Spokane or http://www.mtspokane.com/ for more information. Anyway, we got out of the car in our shorts and sandals and it was COLD!! So we bundled up in a blanket we brought with us and huddled for warmth and had our picnic of smoked salmon, brie, gouda, apples, cherries, cucumbers, hummus, crackers, white wine, oreoes, and strawberries. It was YUMMY but COOL!! So, Tim looked around, we walked a little and decided we would have to return another day when it was a little warmer, or we were better prepared. But, on the bright side, Tim said it was REALLY clear up there compared to his last trip...and for me, my last trip up with Marty we couldn't even get to the top as there was still snow there in early May.

Job Update/Clarification

I have noticed that perhaps I haven't said what my job is.(thank you K for pointing that out) Well, I have been working for Apollo College here in Spokane, WA. Here is their website - http://www.apollocollege.edu/ It is a medical and dental assisting, massage therapy, vet tech, etc kind of a trade school for the medical field and they are accredited and part of that process is a library, with a librarian, enter ME!! When I was interviewed for the job I was too excited for words. Here is a job where I can use EVERYTHING I learned in Library School!! Sometimes I hardly believe they pay me to do my job. So I get to be an all in once librarian. It is awesome. I have been there since May 23rd and I love it. Having a new job always has a transition period so it has been rough at times, but overall I love it and am very excited about. I think I may have told Tim that this job is "every librarian's wet dream" which may have been a little strong, but I was SOOOOO excited!! Anyway, it is giving me opportunities that I really appreciate and enjoy. I will try and keep you updated with my job and job progress. I cataloged several books, I have been creating policy and procedure. I have had a lot of people tell me they think that my job may be boring...NOT SO!! I love it, always a new challenge, always things to do.

Saturday June 16

So, I haven't written in over a week and now I am posting several times. My goal is to post AT LEAST once a week...so I need to carve some time out to do that! This weekend should be fun. My job gave me some money and I get to do some book shopping this weekend!! I am so excited. Also, I want to go see NANCY DREW, I know it will be NOTHING like the books I remember, it seems like a fun movie. I am also tempted to head to BLOCKBUSTER and rent BIG LOVE so I can finish out the season that I started in Iowa when I was moving out here. Tim is working today. But, tonight is date night and I am taking him to THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE in Coeur D'Alene, ID tonight. I am so excited!! This afternoon I hope we can head to Costco and see about getting some potstickers!! Elphaba gets to have a spa day...and since I have met my 10 lbs mark, Tim is treating me to a pedicure. So...should be a Great weekend. I hope to post again tomorrow to update all of these plans. But, last night after Tim and I made some very YUMMY homemade mac and cheese with ham and broccoli, we headed to Manito Park and it was gorgeous!! The English garden is planted and looks beautiful and the roses are coming out. I am including a couple pictures from our walk last night! Also came across a turtle, so involved it what it was doing (I am guessing laying eggs) that it didn't mind how close I got to it. I have to do some searching as I a curious, it was just sitting there, about 2 feet from the duck pond's edge working its back legs digging up dirt. Hmmmm. It was so interesting. Elphaba was there, all of the ducks were fleeing into the water and the turtle looked our general direction, but didn't pause, stop or leave the area.

Weight Loss Update

So it is week 5 and I have lost 11.2 pounds as of my Weight Watchers meeting this morning. I could not be happier. I am really enjoying the fruits of my labor. It is so hard for someone like me who LOVES food to think about losing weight, and then to actually DO it. Well, it is amazing. I have to say that I can thank my cousin and my brother for their support...and here in WA, going to the meetings is VERY helpful. I know, it doesn't really seem like it would be for people who don't go. But there is a celebration when you do well, commiseration if you didn't lose that week and encouragement to do better. People talk about their issues and challenges and share shack ideas. It is so great. I had done WW before, but only came to weigh in, never stayed for the meetings. I really like the meetings. And, I have gone to a meeting and didn't lose weight...so now I am more compelled to make the right decisions so I can maintain OR lose. I know I will still have roadblocks along the way. But, I am confident that I will be able to meet my goal. To all of my friends out there, ask me about it...I will talk about it and help you out! Also, for those men out there, there are several men in all 4 of the different meeting times I have gone to...not just one or two...but several. So it isn't just for women. So...watch your portions, eat more vegetables and fruits and love yourself enough to become a more healthy and active YOU!!

Combine Demolition Derby Lind, WA

So, what IS a combine demolition derby? Well, here in WA they have grain, wheat, so a combine is required to harvest...so I understand. So, last Saturday June 9th Tim and I and another couple went to Lind, WA, about 90 miles away to pay 12.00 per person and watch combines, decorated and altered a little crash into each other for big money, I think the grand prize was like $1000 or something. For more information about it, check out http://www.lindwa.com/ and see what it is. If you go to YouTube and type in Combine Demo Derby you will get a selection of things to watch similar to what we saw. IT WAS AWESOME. I have never laughed so hard or listened to more country music in my life. Not only did we get to see the demolition, but we also saw grain truck and pickup truck races. It was so cool! Tim LOVED it. All of us did. It was an overcast day, kind of on the cool side, with just a hint of rain and even that didn't deter us. We sat in the stands for nearly 3 hours watching the fun!!

My Review of SMITTENS

Originally submitted at UncommonGoods

Keep love in the air and your hands out of the cold. Knitwear designer Wendy Feller came up with the idea for Smittens while on a romantic but chilly walk with her husband. Instead of holding hands through bulky mittens, Feller designed a plush fleece set of two regular mittens plus a third overs...

SMITTENSSMITTENS

Keep you and your honey warm

By Librarygirl from Spokane, WA on 6/7/2007

 

5out of 5

Pros: Durable, Attractive Design, Easy To Assemble

Best Uses: Travel, Outdoors

Describe Yourself: Stylish, Practical

I purchased these for my husband and I for Valentine's day, it was perfect for those evening walks with the dog keeping our hands warm and able to still hold hands as if it were spring or summer. We loved them.

(legalese)

More for Monday

Okay, back from my walk...I wish it would just rain...it is so hot!! But, tomorrow promises to be cooler!! YIPPEE!! So, how was my weekend? Well Friday night we had pizza, it was so good, I guess when you can't have it all of the time (high in points) it makes you appreciate it that much more. Well, Saturday we headed to Mule Days in Reardan, WA check out http://www.reardanmuledays.com/ It was HOT, we got there about 10:30am and left about 1:30pm or so...walked around and met some guys Tim works with and their wives. Then, Tim and I headed out to run errands with the dog. Once we got home, we were pretty much done for the night and watched TV until 11pm, then to bed. Sunday we went to the Pet Expo with Elphaba, Tanya, Yosi, and Bridget...check out http://www.spokanepetfest.com/ Elphaba and Tim entered the Funny Dog Games and Elphie came in second place in "fastest sit" and she did really well in the relay too. We wanted to check out the agility so Tim and Elphie can look into doing it soon! Elphie just needs one more obedience class and I think she will be ready.

Okay, another book I read was IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS by Lena Williams about race relations, things about blacks and whites that annoy each other and cause tension. It was pretty insightful.

THE KILLING KIND by John Connolly about a man who can see dead people and about a religious cult which apparently disappeared and has resurfaced killing an old friend of his. It is very creepy, and if you don't like spiders, there are places that may really creep you out. I liked it and plan on reading more by him!

Well, have a great week! :)

Update - Books I have read

So, I have done some reading and decided to catch everyone up on what I have been reading.

THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS by John Connolly - Was a combo of Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe meets a retelling of childhood fairy tales, I liked it and it had an interesting twist on some favorite fairy tales. Meet David a little boy whose mother died and left him the love of reading, what happens when he starts seeing the Crooked Man?

YOU HAVE TO KISS A LOT OF FROGS - by Laurie Graff - cute and funny, definately a light read. Follow a single Jewish actress through her journey of dating all sorts of men...and it will make you laugh as you remember some dates you may have been on.

I read two other books and can't remember them right now...how weird is that?

More to follow after my walk...