Summer Projects

Since I've had some time off this summer I've been trying to find different things to keep me busy. I spend time daily looking through the CareerBuilder/Monster/Craigslist job postings... and applying to everything that looks like a potential match. But a girl has to have something else to keep her mind off being unemployed or she'll go nuts! (At least I will!) So here are some of the things I've been doing this summer to keep myself occupied!

Kitchen Projects:

Painting - The first thing I did this summer was paint my kitchen! I absolutely loved the previous color (Wet Cement - a deep purple/grey color) but my kitchen was starting to feel too dark and gloomy. I decided to brighten things up a ton and settled on a cheerful yellow! Originally I planned to do a more muted color, but I've never been "muted" in my color choices for the house, so why settle now! I love it! It's very cheerful and bright and doesn't feel cave-like anymore!

Baking - I've been baking up a storm! From Bread to Bagels to cakes, muffins, cookies, flatbreads... I've been trying it all!

Canning - Before this year I would have never thought of canning my own foods. I didn't think I'd be very good at it. I didn't know if I'd enjoy it. I didn't know anything about it. Well... inspired by my sister in law, Lindsay, I decided to give it a shot. Mom and I have become experts in homemade jams! We've made strawberry jam, triple berry jam, peach jam, and pepper jam. I also made a few different kinds of plum jam with my friend Nikki.

A couple weeks ago Mom, Andrea, Keira and I went to a Peach "u-pick" set on bringing back about 20 pounds of peaches. Little did we know that the peaches would be the size of softballs.... and would be the best looking/smelling/tasting peaches we have ever seen! We also didn't realize that there would be hundreds of them tempting our little taste-buds and beckoning us to pick them! We ended up leaving the farm with over 75 pounds of peaches! Now... what on earth do you do with 75 pounds of peaches you ask...... you make some of the best peach recipes you can find! 3 batches of Fresh Peach Cobbler, Peach Pie, Peach Ice Cream, Peach Sorbet, and Peach Salsa! And you'd think after all of that you'd be out of peaches? Well you'd be wrong! We have sliced frozen peaches and some fresh peaches left.

Once I was able to come up for air after the peaches were taken care of, my neighbor gave me about 15 pounds of tomatoes. I decided to try my hand at canning some tomato sauce. I found a few different recipes and decided I could "wing it" based on what I had on hand at home. Here's what I did:

Blanch all the tomatoes (30 seconds in boiling water, followed by an ice water bath), remove skins.

Chop 2 onions, 3 carrots, 2 green bell peppers and put in a saucepan with 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil. Cooked until onions were transparent.

Chop up tomatoes and added to saucepan.

Add 1/2 cup red wine and 3 tbsp tomato paste

Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, 2 bay leaves, and 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning and 4 minced cloves of garlic.

Add 3 celery stalks (quartered... leave bigger pieces as they are removed later)

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.

At this point, I took my immersion blender and gave it a couple quick whirls in the sauce. I then ran the sauce through my kitchen strainer. I pulled out the celery, carrots and bay leaves. Once all the sauce had been strained, I took some of the onions, peppers, and all the tomato pieces and pureed them with the immersion blender with a little bit of the sauce. Once the mixture was pureed, I ran it through the strainer again and discarded any of the pieces that didn't go through the strainer (mostly tomato seeds). At this point, I stirred the sauce and added a touch of salt and pepper and then canned it.

I am very excited to try some of the sauce in a recipe. I'll be using some tonight in my "Sloppy Bombay Joes" that I'm going to make! I'm also going to be making the Massaged Kale Salad! I'm so excited for dinner tonight!! I love new recipes!

Something else that I've been doing to keep busy....

Dusted off my bike! I've been wanting a new bike for a couple years now.... and I keep complaining to Jason that my bike isn't "for me." I received it as a hand me down and because it isn't exactly what I want in a bike... I haven't been riding much. I have been wanting more of a road bike / commuter bike and not a mountain bike. Well, for as long as I have been whining.... Jason has been saying.... Show me you are interested in riding and then we'll revisit getting you a bike.

Well... I was being lame for a long time about it. I didn't want to ride the mountain bike because it's not made for the road. Well... that's just lame. Bikes are made for riding... and not collecting dust and taking up space in the garage/shed. So... I've been riding.

I try to ride Keira to school at least 2 times a week. We have both a trailer and a trail-a-bike and she loves them both! It's a nice little 3 mile loop taking her to school... and if I take her and pick her up, that's 6 miles a day!

I've also been going on a weekly ride with my mom. Sometimes we set out to just do a little ride along the trail (going to Lexington Dam and back from her house) and sometimes we decide to ride to lunch somewhere or on an errand and we make a decent ride of it. No matter what we set out to do, we end up going anywhere between 20 - 25 miles.

Mom caught the "Bike bug" pretty bad mid June! Chandra convinced her to do the San Jose Bike Party ride in June. She hadn't ridden her bike in years and the 25+ miles was a tough one for her. Well, since then she went an bought herself a new commuter bike and started riding her bike to and from work. She's also gotten active with the Bike Party Volunteers and does the Trial/Planning Rides.

Well, Mom's new found appreciation and enjoyment of riding is rubbing off on me. I've now gone on one of the Trial Rides and took part in my first official Bike Party ride this weekend.... a little 30 mile ride... "Hot August Lights."

I've been keeping track of my mileage and the different rides that I've been on and so far in just over a month I've ridden 165 miles. I have signed up for a couple different personal challenges....

300 miles in 30 days

1000 miles in 100 days

100 miles in 2010

500 miles by Labor Day

So far, I'm doing pretty good towards my goals.... but I do need to get a move on if I'm going to meet the Labor Day goal!

Blogging Break.....

Wow, I can't believe how much time has gone by since I posted last! I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog. After returning from an incredibly fun 4th of July Clear Lake trip, I lost my job. I don't know how to put into words the roller coaster of emotions I've been feeling for the last 6 weeks, but I'll try.

Frustration! - Finally, after years of struggling as a single income family, we got back up on our feet and both Jason and I were working. We had a plan.... we were going to finally be able to pay down the debt we've incurred over the last few years. Just as soon as we all got accustomed to our new schedule... we get kicked back down!

Relief! - I hadn't been very happy with my job for months. I didn't feel like there was any growth opportunities and didn't really enjoy what I was doing. I wasn't happy going to work every day and didn't feel like any of what I did made a difference.

Depression! - I don't know how many times a girl can get laid off before she starts doubting herself/abilities/skills/knowledge/etc. I've been laid off more times than anyone I know! Since 2001 my positions have been relocated, outsourced, downsized, and eliminated 5 times! I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever find the right match for me.

Excited! - I'm excited for the potential opportunities that lay ahead. The unknown... the possibilities... the fresh start! It's all scary and new, but it's intriguing!

Tired! - Every time I start a new job.... I'm starting from scratch. I'm starting at the bottom... I'm coming in at the ground floor.... sometimes "entry level" because it's all I can do to bring money in to help support the family. I'm so tired of not advancing in my career. I'm tired of starting over. I'm tired of being the low man on the totem pole. I'm tired of not having any seniority. I'm tired of not being valued and appreciated. I'm tired of being overlooked because I don't have my degree.

Frightened! - It's been 6 weeks now.... and I've gotten no where with my job search. I'm starting to freak out a little that I won't find anything! I've submitted my resume to dozens of places and have only heard from 2 of them... both "Thanks but no thanks!" I'm scared that I'm not going to find anything... or that I'll have to settle for less money than I know I'm worth!

There are many more feelings and thoughts that come to mind, but mostly I'm just scared!

Garden Markers and Sister in Law....

My super crafty, very talented Sister In Law has started making these incredible Vintage Spoon Herb and Garden Markers. Another blog that we both follow (8 Muddy Boots) is going to be giving away 5 of Lindsay's beautiful little creations! Wouldn't you love to win some of these lovely creations!

When I grow up, I want to be as talented as she is! No, seriously.... she has an amazing vegetable garden that produce so much that her family can eat from it nightly! Yes, that's impressive... but to some it's normal. Well here's the kicker! They live in the desert! In the Las Vegas heat, she grows this amazing garden! Lindsay is also an incredible little quilt maker, seamstress, and all around crafty girl.... and she loves sharing her beautiful treasures with others! I am still incredibly shocked, honored and tickled pink that the very first quilt Lindsay ever made was given to Jason and I as a wedding gift! It's beautiful and the colors compliment our bedroom beautifully! Soon after she made a precious little quilt for my baby girl!

When I was a little girl growing up... I had 2 brothers... and then 3.... and all I wanted was a sister! Finally when I was 12, my mom gave me a sister.... and then at 14 she gave me 2 more. I love my sisters dearly... they are so much fun and such good people. When I was 29, my brother Wyatt gave me another sister and a friend when he married Lindsay.... and I love her so much!

A New Routine...

It's officially started today... the need for a new routine. Our old routine is no longer an option. Gone are the days of waking up at the last possible moment... savoring every last bit of sleep before it was imperative that I wake up and get ready for work... or be late!

Here upon us are the days of waking up early...

rousing a sleeping baby (ok I know she isn't a baby anymore!)

convince Little Miss to get dressed, brush teeth and hair, eat breakfast and make her bed (HAHAHA I know... but hopefully one day!)

Gather lunches, backpacks and purses and head off to work/school.

The hard part, as if getting up early isn't going to be difficult enough, will be our new night routine...

Come home, unpack lunch boxes, make lunches for the following day, make dinner, eat dinner, dinner dishes, quick clean up of the house, family time, early bedtime for Little Miss, unwinding time and the early bedtime for the grown-ups... rinse and repeat!

Things are going to get interesting around our house!! At least for a little while until this new routine becomes habit! I can't wait to get things dialed in... and perfected!

Here I go again!

In 2004 I saw a stack of pamphlet at a Starbucks for the Susan G Komen 3Day in San Francisco. I picked it up and thought... this sounds like it could be fun; I could do that! It got me to thinking about the family friends that had fought hard to be a Breast Cancer survivor or were currently waging their own was on cancer. Soon, I went from "I could do this" to "I should do this!" to "I am going to do this!!" I recruited my best friend/mom to join me on the journey and off we went!

Day 1 of the walk came up fast. We had both reached our fundraising goals and started our 3Days determined to take it all in! Along the way we met amazing women and men who were happy to share their story.... some survivors, some widowers, some daughters who lost their mothers, some who walked in honor of those who couldn't. Each and every story touched my heart. (As I sit here writing this I have chills thinking of each of those stories.) We even met some fun cute little San Jose Police officers who happily provided a safe escort through our day's journey. I'll never forget Office Naughty (as we dubbed him)... he was a ton of fun along the way! When day 3 came to an end... after the closing ceremony ended, we took our tired bodies and feet to the car and headed home knowing that my 3Day journey wasn't over.

I quickly decided to do the San Diego 3Day in 2005. This time around my neighbor friend Tali wanted to do it with me. Her mother was a survivor and she wanted to walk in her honor! I had never been to San Diego, so walking 60 miles through the town along the beaches, through the communities was amazing! There were such beautiful views and people along the way. We met up with a friend of mine from So-Cal (Aimee) and her mom and friend... so there were 5 of us walking strong! As Day 3 came to an end I was happy! I felt great and I wanted more!

In 2006 I registered for my 3rd 3Day and started fundraising. Within a few weeks I found out I was pregnant and would be 38 weeks along at the time of the walk. My 3peat would have to wait. As the next couple years passed by life got a little crazy and money got a little tighter and my network for fundraising shrunk as I became a stay at home mom.

Fast forward to present day.... I discovered that 3 of the lovely ladies I used to work with had signed up for the San Francisco 3Day this October 1 - 3. I immediately decided that if they would have me as a teammate / tentmate.... I was all in! I asked my hubby what his thoughts were and he said to go for it... so here I am! Yesterday I officially registered for my 3rd 3Day adventure! This time around, I'm looking forward to sharing this amazing journey with Evelyn, Meghan and Nicole! They are tons of fun, lots of laughs and I don't get to see them nearly as much as I'd like to! If I can't see them every day at work... they'll be stuck with me for 3 glorious days!

If you would like to sponsor me for the 3Day you can do so by visiting here

A Change is going to come!

I can't believe I'm about to say this..... I've been waiting such a long time for these words to pass by my lips! Oh what an exciting day this is!

Changes are going to come....

changes that frighten me..... excite me.... make me happy... make me anxious..... make me nervous... make me giddy and want to jump for joy!

OK, here goes...... JASON GOT A JOB!

Yes, people... you heard it hear first! As I write this entry, he is meeting with HR signing all his new hire paperwork, taking his drug test and discussing his start date! (We think he'll be starting as early as Monday!)

So, here's why I feel the way I do about it:

I'm overjoyed that finally after years of looking someone finally saw his potential and said "We want you to be a part of our team!"

I'm in mourning..... for 5 years Jason has been the #1 reason our house doesn't look like a tornado blew through! He's done the majority of the cooking and cleaning and laundry and grocery shopping since I returned to work 2 years ago. I'm losing my househusband! I'm going to have to start cooking (which I don't mind), cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, scrubbing floors/toilets/windows, etc!

I'm excited that after all these years, we'll be a 2 income family again! Things are not going to be as stressful financially as they have been! We might even be able to afford to have date nights and family vacations!!!

I'm nervous because, although my baby girl is 3 1/2, we have never had to entrust anyone with her day to day care. Either Jason or myself were home with her for every day of her life! She'd have sleep overs with the grandparents... and we'd have a sitter for her for an few hours here and there.... but never away from one of us (or a grandparent) for more than a few hours. Soon, she'll be in day care! We're lucky enough that for the summer.... she'll be spending 3 days a week with our amazing friend Nicole (who has her masters degree in early childhood education!!!!!) The other 2 days she'll get to spend with her Auntie Chandra and another great friend Mishelle (another Masters Degree in Education!!!) Once summer ends, and school starts back up again Keira will start pre-school. We're thinking that since she'll be starting Kindergarten in the fall of 2011, she should start Jr. K this fall. We'll see what we find by way of pre-schools and waiting lists!

I'm anxious because this is a big change for our whole family! We have a routine now... and it's going to go out the window! We're going to have to make some major adjustments to everyone's sleep schedule. We're going to have to change up dinner time, wake up time, breakfast time etc. We're going to have to start putting together brown bag lunches for the whole family! We need to figure out a new schedule that is going to work for the whole family.

With all the mixed bag of emotions... I am most of all proud of my husband! He's been overlooked, under appreciated, criticized and judged for the last few years. It's been a rough road to get where he is.... not everyone understands the roll of a stay at home father. I know it took me a while to stop resenting him for me having to go to work every day while he stayed home with our little girl. Once I let go of my anger (at the situation - not him) I realized that if I couldn't be home with our little girl.... there was no one I'd rather have home with her than her father! He is an incredible father... he has raised a happy, healthy, well adjusted little girl. Most of all... I have been so happy to have witnessed the bond between them grow stronger and stronger every day! I am so thankful to have met and married such a good man!

Enjoy this last day with our little one... then it's off to work you go!

Wow, time flies!

The last couple weeks have been so much fun... they have just flown right by.

As June arrives.... so does "Birthday Season" in my family and circle of friends! In just my closest friends and family there are 15 birthdays in June. Throw in the mix Anniversaries, Graduation, Father's Day, the start Summer and it makes for a very busy Amber!

Last weekend, to kick off Birthday month, I went to Reno, NV to celebrate mine with one of my closest friends, Mishelle. It juts happens that her birthday is 2 days after mine! Out husbands thought it would be a treat to give us a "break" from mommyhood and send us away for the weekend. It was a treat. I've somehow over the last few years forgotten how to let my hair down and have fun.

In my day to day, I feel like I have to be the responsible one. I have to be available to anyone and everyone who might need me at the drop of a hat. I enjoy an adult beverage here and there... but it's a rare occasion that I over indulge. Well, over indulge I did for my birthday retreat! We ate some incredible food, played cards, hung out by the very full and flowing Truckee River and enjoyed a few (many) adult beverages!

One of the things I wanted to do on our trip was check out at least one of the many Diners, Drive Ins and Dives along our route and at our destination. I made a list of the featured restaurants in Sacramento and in Reno figuring we might stop to eat on the way up on Friday. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the Sacramento locations. On Sat night I was determined to go to one. We didn't want to move my car (because parking was severely limited due to the Euro Fest) so we tried to figure out where we could walk. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that the Gold n Silver Inn was just a couple blocks away from our hotel. It didn't disappoint! I had the Trip Tip Sandwich and Mishelle had the Sourdough Melt! SO YUMMY! We finished up the night celebrating our birthdays at the Euro Fest, where we indulged in too manyJägermeister shots and Über Beers! We had too much fun!

When I woke up at 5am (WHAT?? WHY???) I thought for sure there would be no way humanly possible that I could leave the room... let alone drive home! Thankfully, I was eventually able to fall back to sleep until around 9am. We woke up and decided it was time pack up and get the heck out of dodge. We headed off for some much needed food and coffee! Soon we were pulling into Truckee to have breakfast at the Squeeze Inn, which had been featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Being a little bit hung-over from the previous nights festivities… I found the menu a tad bit overwhelming! Seriously…. Over 40 different types of omelettes? How do you decide between the Racy Tracy, Hot Sweaty Busboy, Your Mom or the Dirty Dick? Or Band Geeks United, Ditz Crew, Hangover Helper or the F.N.A. In my slightly diminished mental state I struggled to decide… so I went with their version of my standard favorite… the Denver Omelet…. The Gare Babe’s Denver. Now, this wasn’t just any Denver Omelet… it was quite possibly the best Denver Omelet I’ve ever had! The PERFECT Hangover/Birthday Breakfast!

The Drive home from Reno was tons of fun! A drive... fun? Really?? We didn't rush home, though I missed my potamus like crazy! We stopped several times.... stopped to check out scenic overlooks, stopped to play in the snow and throw snowballs at Shelle.... stopped at Ikedas to pick up some stuffed olives for my honey... and of course stopped at In-n-Out for Shelle!

When I got home I was pooped! I was ready to relax and go to sleep, but when I opened to door and my baby girl was there with my honey.... and they greeted me with a homemade cake and a birthday song, my heart was happy and there was no where in the world I'd rather be! (I didn't even mind watching Stanley Cup Playoffs on my birthday!