Miracle 2010

Back in March the hubs and I took a trip to Disneyworld and then I accompanied him on to South Carolina, for a few days, where he was set up for a business trip. Of course, I took my favorite J Crew flip flops with me! Now, these flip flops have a thicker sole and are a little bulkier than most, so upon leaving said trip, I had to leave a couple items behind for the hubs to bring back with him (since somehow I was returning home with more than I originally brought on the trip). Now, I was sure I would not have left the J Crews behind for the hubby to bring back... too risky. But once we were both home, and the nice spring weather beckoned flip flops, I went to break those babies out and they were no where to be found. I scoured my house, had my mom and sister scour their homes, and double checked all my luggage. Nada. I was really beginning to worry I left them behind, but since it was now a month later (our spring was a late starter) I didn't want to call the hotel and sound stupid for not noticing earlier. Anyway, I was certain if I did leave them behind someone surely would have taken such cute flip flops and there was probably a house keeper somewhere walking tall sporting my shoes! So, I gave up and bought a new pair from Victoria's Secret, but inside I continued to mourn the loss of my beloved J Crews. Skipping ahead to July 29, 2010.... I am upstairs packing for our trip to Hawaii when I pull open the front zipper pocket on my suitcase, and lo and behold, a little navy blue sole peeks out me! My heart was over joyed, my eyes could not believe what they saw! I know I checked and re-checked that suitcase! But I was not going to question this miracle... I was just happy to have them back! So, I called my hubby, followed by everyone else I know, and recounted this wonderful tale! Ah... off to Hawaii with my old friends in tow! Aloha!

Hiking Multnomah Falls

I took these pictures at Multnomah Falls this past weekend and wanted to share them. I am learning more and more about photography, and my camera, and decided to try some stuff out. I do not have a tri-pod, therefore it is really tricky to hold the camera steady or find something solid to set it on to get these kinds of shots with minimal blur. (I know, I better get a tri-pod stat!) Anyway, these were the best 2 shots I got and I am pleased with them... for now. As for the hike up to the falls, it was tougher than I thought, but so worth it! Hope you enjoy my photos of nature's beauty!

Dream Job?

I really want to work for a school district. However, I do not want to be a teacher stuck in a classroom all day for little pay. If I am going to make a meager living, I want to have an enjoyable or at least easy job. There are some positions I qualify for, that pay decent, that I think I would like and I am not against some of those secretary positions I see either. I know they don't pay as well, but holidays and summers off are benefits no other job can offer! Even the other benefits a school district offers aren't bad and would make up for the lack of pay. And if I wanted a little extra cash, I could always get a part time summer job or work harder on my photography or cake decorating dreams.Sounds too ideal, huh? But I can try!

I do have to say I feel very lucky because I had the chance to work with children, counsel people, and use my degree. However, I quickly realized this was not for me. I have a big heart for people, but am not comfortable with counseling. I love psychology and am always interested in the brain/body/behavior connection and would enjoy doing something like neuro-psychology, but going to back to school doesn't seem like an option. First off, there are no degrees I want where I live, it would be expensive to go anywhere else, and would require a lot more schooling. Not sure about all these things... but you never know.

In my current job, I do look for better opportunities, but I just can't see myself enjoying this type of work and not using my degree forever. I figure, if you're not content with your job, why waste your time? We spend a majority of our day at work, so why not have fun or get some sort of benefit from it? There are other/better opportunities out there... it may take some time to find one, but I would rather do something I am passionate about doing or at least something that fits my lifesyle. Working for a school district would allow me to have more time to pursue my passions, seems kinda fun (kids around, but not my main responsibility), I could use some of my skills in psychology and administration (depending on the position), get great benefits, and may be a good schedule for having a family one day. I am sure there are many down sides, like any job, but it seems the pros may outweigh the cons. I hope so and I hope God has someting like this open up for me!

Ouch

Things I've been told the last couple weeks: 

- I'm too white and need a tan - multiple times... and p.s. I am as tan as I can get for now
- I'm too opinionated
- I'm too rich, I'm too poor
- I don't know what I'm talking about in regards to children
- I have too much sympathy for people who don't deserve it
- Don't have enough sympathy for others
- Need a better job
- Need to have kids
- Am getting too old
- That I was forgot about or an after thought - oops, sorry
- That my house is too small
- That my house is too hot
- That I need to stay living in said house til I pay it off, however
- That I don't know how to keep my home
- That petty things bother me
- How could I not know someone was joking
- Why do I look so angry - Really? I was typing a happy email to my mom
- That I don't know how to cook or eat properly

Most of these things, in isolation, don't bother me, but it seems I am getting them all at once lately. Now I can handle constructive criticism just about as good as the next guy, but man am I feeling just criticized lately. Whether or not people are joking or mean well, it hurts my feelings. Maybe you think I'm being overly sensitive, but I can't help my initial feelings about these things. I know we all get this from people from time to time, but doesn't it suck?! What do you all do about the "haters"...

Peanut Butter Fudge Rice Krispy Treats

I made these PB Fudge Rice Krispy Treats tonight from a great blog I follow called Baked Perfection. It is the greatest baking site if you ask me, mainly because the writer and I share similar tastes in sweets. We both love S'mores and anything Peanut Butter! So, this recipe was right up my alley! I recommend letting the PB fudge completely set up before spreading the chocolate fudge on, if not the two fudges mix together and you don't get as nice of a layered look :) So go... bake on! My hubby loved this recipe and you will too!

Rice KrispyTreats

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal (or any puffed rice cereal)

     

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. (You may want to line your pan with parchment paper or waxed paper large enough to have flaps hanging over the sides. This will make it easy to pull the giant block of goodness out of the pan when it’s done. If you do this, be sure to also butter the paper so the treats will not stick) Cool. Make Peanut Butter Fudge.

Peanut Butter Fudge

1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pound powdered sugar

Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour over the Rice Krispy treats in the pan and spread evenly. Let cool in the fridge while you make the Chocolate Fudge.

Easy Chocolate Fudge
2 Tbsp butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Combine butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows, chocolate, and vanilla,. Beat for about 1 minute, or until marshmallows melt and mixture is thoroughly combined. Pour over peanut butter fudge, spread evenly and place in the fridge to harden and cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces or smaller and serve.

Long Overdue photoshoot post!

This is a photoshoot I did back in Spring with my niece and nephew! I should have posted this long ago, but after posting to Facebook I forgot to do the blog! So, here it is! These are some of my favs from the shoot! These beauties make it hard to choose just a few!

Independence Day 2010

4th of July with the best sister and nephew a girl could ask for!

After a BBQ with the fam, we headed down to watch the fireworks at the Gesa Stadium in Pasco, and although the show was more than a little disappointing compared to previous years, I could care less having been with these two! Here are a few pics I snapped before the show was suddenly over. Some I played around with on Photoshop :)