Dec 17
I'm all signed up for two classes toward a Masters in Public Administration Degree at the University of Alaska Southeast. The great thing about this program is that I can do it all via the internet. This is a big step toward realizing my future plans and having more flexibility with career options in the future. Based on the burnout rate for most attorneys, I figure its a good idea to have a back up plan. Also, it won't hurt to know more about how this nonprofit world works since I'm most likely always going to be working for one.
Dec 15
I haven't been blogging much lately as my focus has been what the plan for next year will be and trying to wrap up other outstanding projects before the year ends. I'm using the template from
this website. I like how it's not making resolutions, but making goals with concrete steps toward achievement.
So far, I've got some career goals, including starting a Masters in Public Administration degree, some travel goals, two new countries this year, and fitness goals, running a leg of the Klondike Relay Race. I've added some personal financial goals as well, as succeeding on those will likely help me attain some of my other goals.
What I've found most interesting about this process is figuring out what I want to do in the next year and actually the next 5-10 years. These are big decisions, that of course can be changed, but I feel like I definitely need a long term plan so that I can work on putting the foundation pieces in place now.
For fun, I may add a goal about doing 100 pushups and giving
this program a go.
While I finish up planning for next year, the blog maybe slow, but once the new year comes around, I'll be busy with lots of new and challenging activities to report on, so keep reading.
Dec 1
I've been in the holiday decorating mood since Thanksgiving. I've seen lots of cute ornaments that I'd really like to get, but I don't want to spend the money. So, I've been taking the designs that I see in catalogs and online and making my own. I think for the most part they've turned out well and all in all they're relatively cheap to make.
Nov 28
Last night, with warm adult beverages in hand, Zach and I decided to take advantage of all the new snow we received over the past two days. We each made a snowman with the dogs' help, of course. I decided to put a scarf and hat on mine, but Zach left his unclothed. It's kind of reflective of each of our relative hardiness against the cold. Personally, I'm always cold and Zach never seems to get that way. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.
Nov 26
We started with a Jack Rose cocktail. Zach went to the liquor store yesterday and purchased brandy and sherry for Thanksgiving. We found a recipe for a Jack Rose, which uses apple jack brandy, simple syrup, grenadine, maraschino cherry, lemon juice and an apple slice. After getting past the brandy smell, the drink was quite tasty. Here's a recipe, but you'll want to add about three quarters of an ounce simple syrup: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/drink/views/Jack-Rose-236103. The resulting cocktail is pretty too.
While sipping our cocktails, we cracked into a gift we hadn't yet opened. Last Christmas we received Foodie Fight, a trivia game about all things food. So last night we gave it a go. It was fun and we learned some new food facts.
Nov 22
With a holiday next week and a busy week at work, today I cooked all of our meals through Wednesday. I like making our meals in mass for the week ahead. It's nice not to worry if you have all the ingredients and will have to make a last minute run to the store; plus it frees up a lot of time in the evenings both in prep work and clean up afterwards. I also baked a couple of loaves of bread, rye and wheat, so we can have them to go with our meals or to make sandwiches for lunch. You'll see from our menu that we've got pork curry for tonight, mushroom ragout with polenta for tomorrow, then clementine pork stir fry and squash risotto to round out the short week. We've also got beef stew to mix things up for lunch.
Nov 20
In my efforts to remodel the hallway, the finishing touch was a new light fixture. Last night, I decided it was time. Zach was a great instructor and walked me through the steps on how to install a light fixture without electrocuting myself. The new fixture looks great and I've gained a new skill, but for my own safety probably one I should only use under supervision.
Nov 19
Work has been extremely busy lately. No shortage of people in need. Plus, this week has been a lot of extra long days, in by 7:30 or so and not done until 5pm (ok, that may not seem long, but my office is open 8:00 to 4:30, and I haven't been taking breaks for lunch).
So, today I put my nose to the grind stone and wrapped up all the urgent matters and put the other matters needing my attention to bed and the pay off is a three day weekend. It's a break I can definitely use. Zach's off tomorrow as well, so it's like Friday for both of us. He's suggested we go bowling tonight; not one of my favorite activities, but perhaps we'll give it a go, especially at a bowling alley with decent beer.
Nov 18
Today we finally had success. One of our chickens laid an egg. You're probably saying, of course, chickens lay eggs, its no big surprise. But, this endeavor has been challenging with two chicks falling victim to Honey, the chick that became a rooster and was later attacked and butchered and finally the cold and relocation of the chickens into a portable coop in the heated garage.
Below are pictures of the lovely ladies. It was the buff that laid the egg. (Our chickens are not named as they'll likely end up on our dinner plate one day) Also there are some pictures of the egg. We put it in the egg carton and found it interesting how much smaller it was compared to the organic free range commercial eggs we buy. I called my friend Karen who is also raising chickens and assured her that "yes, although we were doubtful, eggs really do come from chickens."
Nov 17
Update - The purple just isn't the right color. I'm trying to figure out what the right color is, but its not easy. Zach and I picked a pallet for the house of about 6 colors before we started painting so I'll just keep trying the the other options.
The hallway is finally complete. The wallpaper is down and the walls are repainted and the trim is back in its place. Also Zach started to tackle the grouting of the shower in the bathroom we remodeled. Who knew last March when we started this project that it would be November and we're still at it. I've also started painting our large room at the back of the house. I find during the week I can paint about 1.5 walls a night. Here are some before and in progress pictures of the bathroom and a completed hallway picture and an in progress picture of the new painting project.
