short post..

sorry i've been a blog-slacker, but since we got back in town two days ago i've hit the ground running.

i'm preparing to begin my new job on monday (yay!) @ children and family services, i'll be facilitating state adoptions and case managing kids in foster care who are moving towards adoption (i think).

matt's parents were on their way back from their adventures in the west and stopped into town..we had a nice dinner @ outback with them..thanks dennis and karen!

our pup hasn't been feeling well so i had to take him to the vet today..and a million dollars later we found out that he's tired from playing for 9 days with two other dogs (thanks chris and ally for watching our lil' man!), and that his leg/hip joints have some problem areas but that he will most likely be fine.

soooo..when i get a few minutes this weekend, i'll post some pics from our so-cal vacation and include some captions.

that is all.

i'm a nomad..

..i think. being back here in so-cal is like being home again..wherever home is. sometimes ohio feels like home..sometimes california feels like home..sometimes idaho feels a bit like home..and sometimes i feel like a nomad that has no home.

it's weird. when we arrived in orange county last nite i felt as though i had just been on vacation in idaho for the past 4 months, and that i was home again..like i was going to get right back into my routine..go back to work at the county with my girls..etc.

but that's not it at all. i have a totally separate life in idaho. i have a new job, a new home, new friends..things are good in n. idaho..but it just feels weird, good, and confusing (all at the same time) to be back here.

all that to say, it's nice to be back (ha..you can say it like our governator, arnie)..the weather is awesome, the beaches are beautiful, and the people are crazy! ha!

ironman and powerbar..

so for the last 3 days i've been working for powerbar- passing out free samples, giving info about powerbar products, and interacting with people from all over the world.


so if you want to know about c2 max carbohydrate blend and how it can maximize your performance...just ask...i'm a pro now. we were forced to memorize nutritional info about most of the powerbar products so we could answer the athlete's questions about how much they need to consume to balance out their sweat ratio or whatnot..i didn't even know that people had a sweat ratio..learn somethin' new everyday.

i'm pretty sure these ironman competitors are their own species..or from another planet or something..these people have a drive to push their bodies to its limits..they train for months just so they are able to bike 124 miles (approximate; distance differs from location to location), swim (in freezing water) for 2.4 miles, and run for 26.2 miles...all in the name of fun?

anyways, all you ironmen and ironwomen out there..i'm giving you mad props for what you do. i sure as heck couldn't do it.

and powerbar, thanks for the cash.

rev. dr. martin luther king, jr.

this guy had alot of good stuff to say about almost everything. i read this quote a few years ago, and it still sticks in my mind..i think it's one of my favorite quotes of all time. it goes a little something like this:

'in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.'

i'm sure there are lots of perspectives on this quote, and alot of lessons to pull from it. what i learned from his words was that we need to advocate for each other...we gotta be vocal and take action when we see an injustice. everyone can relate to a time in their lives when they stood dumbfounded because a friend/ally/family member/etc. failed to come to their rescue when that person had the power to help you. and that's what you remember..that's what will hurt the most. not so much the wrong that was done to you, but the absence of help from the person who could have helped.

i was gonna list examples of ways to be an advocate for someone or something..but i think i'll leave that up to you. i'm sure God is putting it on your heart right now as you read this blog.

what person..group of people..certain cause should you be advocating for?

do it.

father's day...

happy father's day, dad! ..and happy father's day to the other dads out there..but especially my dad.

this is a pic of my dad walking me down the aisle at my wedding. i remember being so thankful that i had a dad that stuck around (even through all the tough stuff of life) and was there to give his only daughter away at her wedding. i was so excited to marry matt, that i wanted to run down the aisle dragging my dad behind me, just to get this whole thing started. but right before we were to walk down the aisle, my dad's face turned red and he told me how proud he was of me and how i've done well for myself...and then we both lost it, and we cried the whole way down the aisle.. dad, if you're reading this..don't deny it..you cried the whole way!

all this to say, i'm really happy with the dad i was given..and i hope to see him soon!

love ya dad! happy father's day.

..trippin'..

so, i volunteered myself (i dunno why..don't ask) to head up the decorations for the women's conference at our church..at first i thought 'ooh, this will be fun and a good way to get involved'.. and i instantly had (what i thought were good) ideas for decorations, etc. ..well...not so much anymore..

i've had numerous women offer ideas of what i 'should do' ..'could do'..etc.. and now my confidence has been shot. i have realized that what i had in mind for decorations may not fit the likings/expectations of the attendees...so i'm trippin'..

my husband and some friends have encouraged me to just go with my ideas and everyone will probably like it and have a good time anyways..i guess i just feel a bit out of my league with this whole thing.

i'm not really into the whole women's conference thing..each one i've attended has missed my demographic/generation by a mile. so i'm hoping this one will be different..and hopefully my 'flava' will add a nice touch..

i'll keep you posted..

angels on piggyback

isn't that phrase weird and hilarious?

when i was in highschool i took home economics (1 & 2, i might add) as an elective and learned lots of awesome stuff about sewing, cooking, entertaining, etc. one of the awesome dishes i learned to make was 'angels on piggyback'. since i couldn't find a picture on the interweb, or even a recipe for that matter, i'll explain what these delectable delights are and how to make them.

step 1: find a hotdog.
step 2: using a knife, make an incision down the middle of the hotdog.
step 3: put some cheese (use your favorite kind, we used american of course) in the hotdog incision.
step 4: take a piece of raw bacon and wrap it around the hotdog; use toothpicks to secure the bacon on each end of the hotdog.
step 5: put the 'angel on piggyback' onto a cookie sheet and broil for 5 minutes or so.
step 6: put your 'angel' on a hotdog bun and enjoy.

this is what we do in ohio. i know it sounds disgusting, but believe it or not it was good..

*disclaimer: eating the above recipe will shorten your life span approx. 1 yr. ..eat at your own risk. but you know what i always say...you get one life..might as well make it quick, eh?

thank you mrs. stewart.