Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas, is that you?


I would have to say that this has been the best Christmas yet. Alex and I are usually pretty bad about getting Christmas cards and presents out on time. I am impressed with us (okay, mainly me) with actually getting them out to our friends and family on time. We've done well with staying within our budget for family members and each other.

Stocking stuffers always seemed to be an issue for me, because what do I buy besides candy? I borrowed another blogger and friends tradition, from her blog at Our Homegrown Spud. They have seven categories from which the other person buys within. I like it because you actually get the person stuff they can use, and it's not candy, well I love the candy, but six bags of candy gets a little tummy achey. Now I can say that Alex's stocking is stuffed with stuff he will enjoy!

Oooh, but the presents! I'm definitely a present gal. I love to open presents, they don't need to be expensive ones, they just need to be wrapped. Alex and I have ours sitting so neatly underneath the tree and I truly enjoy the feeling just looking at our tree and seeing the presents underneath. Alex won't let me touch them, but only if he knew... okay, not really, as much as I say I would want to know, I really wouldn't because I love surprises!

I'm getting even more excited with Christmas at the end of the week!


Happy Holidays Everyone!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

O Tannenbaum

[The final product]

I had a blast putting up our Christmas tree last weekend, and Alex was a big help! Over the last four weeks I have been making trips to Hobby Lobby to gather supplies. Like I mentioned before, I watched a YouTube video that showed me how to decorate a Christmas tree, and make it look great, which it didn't turn out to shabby looking, and Alex was thoroughly impressed. 


We started off by touching every single limb on that fake tree. 


Then we unraveled a grapevine wreath, like the one above, around the tree.


I started the initial unraveling outside because it was flaking even transporting around the house. We started at the top of the tree and just wrapped it around and then really pulled it apart. We haphazardly placed it in and around the branches. 


I bought some silver metallic ribbon that is fairly flexible with wire edging, and I was conscious to place it up and down branches as we spiraled down the tree. I didn't want the ribbon to look as if it was just set on the outside of the tree. 


I couldn't find exactly what the decorator used in the YouTube video, but I did find silver floral spray, and used the through out the tree, and it did the same thing. Alex is sporting some behind his ear - he's so bad ass! 


After getting the vine, ribbon, and spray all settled, I started by putting the large ornaments on the bottom branches and work my way up with smaller ones. I tried to get the ornament to hang from the branches, instead of sitting on them. Then I worked in some smaller ornaments into the middle of the tree. There was a lot of maneuvering in between the vine and ribbon to find space and the right look.  

The Final Product

I had so much fun decorating the tree, and definitely will look forward to doing it again next year. It will be sad to take it down; I just won't think about that part. 

[When it came time to put the ornaments on, Alex had enough creativity, so I put him on camera duty.]




 [I love how the vine and ribbon play together.]

When we started decorating, I definitely thought there wasn't a theme to this tree. I was wrong, we like the feel for dark colors, like green, red, silver, gold, and a little of purple. 

I hope everyone enjoys putting up there tree as much as we did! 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Good Cookin'

I had found this pork loin recipe at myrecipes.com (of course) and was feeling a bit adventurous. I had planned to cook it on a Sunday night to have ample time. I knew that it was at the limits of my cooking ability and wanted to surprise Alex with my skills. As I started to review the recipe again and pull out the items, I think Alex could see the uncertain look in my eyes and kindly took over. It took about two hours to prep and cook, but well worth it and could be used for any occasion or holiday.



Look at how well Alex tied the pork; this is the part that would have frustrated me the most! We improvised with our own broiler pan. 



Yum, yum, with the perfect taste combination. 

While the pork loin recipe was in the oven for the hour, we decided to whip up a batch of Texas Trash. It was hard to find the almond bark, but after going to three stores, we found it at Albertsons. 




We've got our two batches all mixed together.


Alex slowing melting the almond bark, since it can burn so quickly! 


 The parchment paper is all set-up for quick cooling. 


The batch mixture coated in the almond bark, giving us ample Texas Trash to give to co-workers and devour three bags ourselves... This is why we make it once a year. 

It was nice to enjoy some good cooking and Texas Trash!  

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Oh, Christmas Decorations

It's been a couple of years since I put up Christmas decorations, and I wanted to see what I had for decorations and tree ornaments. So I dragged everything out and took a look, while putting tree ornaments in an ornament box, that I had bought from Target. 

 The few, but a start, of Christmas decorations.

I'm so excited! 

The organization of the wonderful ornament box, with Norman being a good sport. 

I thought these bird ornaments were neat, and Alex picked out two of them. 

All organized and ready for putting up the tree this weekend! 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Christmas Lights? Check!


It was pretty decent weather on Saturday, so Alex and I put up some Christmas lights on the front bushes, and finally wrapped the iron star that we got from my parents. We're the first house on our block, but I want our neighbors to know we are committed to Christmas joy.

I love how the lights come through our kitchen window! Do you see Norman peaking through the front window?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November, is that you?

I LOVE Christmas! Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas shopping, and spending Christmas with Alex. So, I was so excited when we went to Hobby Lobby the other night to get Christmas decorations, for the 1st time in many years. After we got home, I was blaring Christmas music while watching a YouTube video on how to decorate a Christmas tree, which was very helpful. It showed me how to make the Christmas tree look fuller without having to use a ton of ornaments, instead, using a twig wreath by unwrapping it and wrapping it around the tree. I wanted to set-up the tree right then, Alex said I couldn't... I have to wait until Thanksgiving day... we'll see about that!

This year just feels so good! We already have our parents gifts picked out, and some others as well, mostly from www.uncommongoods.com. UCG has so many different gifts that are either made by someone or from a recycled source.

I do love Thanksgiving as well! The turkey, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, breads, and the list goes on!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Boise Visit

I was able to head to Boise for the last four days and really enjoyed it. I mainly went to support my mom but was able to make, literally, a few friend stops. I wish I could have seen more, especially the Boise crew, including the recently pregnant Lindsey and Matt, Bryna and Nick, Stephanie and Mike, with their new puppy love, and others, but time was too short.

I planned my little trip just right and was able to attend Abbey's baby shower. How beautiful! With attending hers, I have come to the conclusion, I love baby showers!

I went to SDE to see Stephanie and Cassandra, for a split moment, but so glad I got to for just a moment. Saw Calli on Friday after the shower, and enjoyed a nice long chat on the good 'ole Calli couch. Hung out with Kimi at iHop, even though we tried to Goldies, but we can't wait an hour for breakfast - come on people! It was so nice to catch up and be face to face! Then finished it up with Sarah on Sunday, which she brought me a lovely card and wonderful candle.

Thanks friends for a short, wonderful, uplifting visit, and was happy that I could spend four solid days with my mom!

Monday, October 17, 2011

What's a library?

I have a library card... I have a library card?! I have a library card!!

I haven't had a library card since... I was 12 or so in Rapid City, SD. I like this whole free book thing. I am actually reading too, which is different in itself, as well.

Right now I'm reading "Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less" by Mollie Katzen & Walter Willett, M.D. I like the idea of the book because it's from a medical perspective and the co-author is a cook, and so far I'm staying attentive and want to continue to read.

The other book I checked out was "Mayo Clinic, Healthy Weight for Everybody" by the Mayo Clinic. After I finish the above, I'll venture on to this one.

This whole journey is so new for me. I'm usually very concerned about how other people perceive me. Especially if I'm viewed as "failing" at something. This time, however, my perception of myself has changed. I don't care and I don't view myself as a failure, I'm learning. Learning what is right for me and my body, and changing my misconceptions of what I wanted, and figuring what I truly want. With wanting something like this for so long I definitely need a clearer understanding of what I truly want, and what I'm working towards, if I'm even working towards anything.

I feel relieved, and I feel good.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Flying Solo


It's interesting how you can want something most of your life and then once you get it, it's not all that great, and that life, before it, was actually better, but just needed some fine tuning.

By week 3 I had a complete meltdown all week, not just with the cake balls... One minute I would be fine about what I was eating, and then the next minute I was a crazed, nut wanting some cake balls.

When Friday came, I had made a decision - I didn't want a nutrition coach anymore. I didn't want to eat that restrictively. With that, meant that the thought of becoming a figure competitor was highly unlikely, and I was completely okay with it. I'm still on the mission of a lean, muscular body, and know it'll be hard and take even longer, but I'm in control. If I want cake balls on the weekend, damn it, I'm going to have cake balls.

Through the last week I kept telling Alex, "I feel like I can do this by myself." probing for some kind of validation that I was right to have hired a nutritionist. I didn't get it. He kept saying, "Then DO IT! Do work!" My mission now - learn it myself. I want to learn why fruit after 4 pm isn't suggested, or is it a body builders myth. How does our body work with the food, and what do you feed it if a person is looking for certain results. How many calories should I be getting with the amount of exercise? I don't just want answers, I want explanations.

I went to a supervisor's workshop at our Snow and Ice Conference the other week and something had stuck with me. The presenter talked about education and continuing education and that being taught something is great, but taking the initiative to self-teach is even greater. So now I need to build my lavatory library, as he called it. Where is the one place I can count on getting 5 minutes, at least, of peace in quit through out the day? Yup, the bathroom! I'm not a big reader, and I rarely take the time to read in bed, so the lavatory library really is the best solution!

Now instead of feeling down and out and being dramatic about food, I feel a sense of relief. I'm still on a meal plan, but I've done the pro/carb/fat count on foods and planned them through out the day. It isn't perfect, I can tell you that up front, and probably not as finned tuned as it could be. It's a start though. When I learn, the meal plan will grow, and become more sophisticated like my knowledge of the subject.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Holy Cow, Cravings

I have hit a wall tonight... I want CAKE BALLS! I literally threw a fit. I was trying to cry about it, but I couldn't pull the tears. I am just craving sweets like crazy, and acting crazy about it!

A couple of years ago, when I was looking around on bodybuilding.com to see how people make their bodies look so amazing, I came across a woman's blog about her journey. She said she went to a BBQ and turned down hot dogs and just ate her plain chicken breast with a salad. People made comments and wondering what she was doing. She said that to get where she wanted to be, it takes extreme commitment and dedication. I never thought it would be like this or feel like this. I knew I would have cravings, but to want to cry over not having cake balls?

My coach says that true athletes that want to obtain this type of physique eat only 5 "cheat" meals out of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Birthday, and maybe 4th of July.

Now I feel torn... Do I want to do this for a competition, or just eat healthy and be able to eat the cake balls that I ooooh so love... or am I letting my cravings get the best of me... but this is something I've always wanted. I don't mind cardio six times a week and weights four times a week, it's just the food restrictions that are driving me mad at this point (at week three). Tonight has definitely tested me.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Week 1 is over, and week 2 has begun!


I am just so excited about my new adventure. I am eating (literally) and breathing fitness. If I'm not eating, I'm in the kitchen with Alex preparing meals for the next day, and if I'm not doing either of those, I'm at work or working out.

I ended up hiring a holistic nutritionist to help me with my goals. Boy has it paid off so far, and it's only been 2 weeks. I eat six meals a day, equating to 2400 calories, which has mean eating very clean. I don't think I have ever eaten this clean in my life. Just to give you a preview, meal 1 consists of eight egg whites, 1/2 of oatmeal, almond butter, and a piece of fruit, with some other items in there. All my meals are like that. I only drink my protein in meals 2 and 6. I just couldn't imagine physically eating in those spots either.

We are discovering different types of flavors and foods all together, and the texture and flavor combination is pretty awesome. I'm so full all the time, I have no desire for going out to eat, or eating highly processed foods. I've cut out most to all wheat based food products and use brown rice products instead, which have great if not better flavor.

We've also revamped my exercise routine which now I lift 4 days a week and combine that with 6 days of cardio. I'll admit that between it all I'm pretty tired, but to do it right and get the results in a timely manner, dedication is what I need to do.

I'm feeling awesome and excited for my journey ahead, whether that takes me all the way to a competition, or getting into the best physical shape of my life, or even just really learning how to eat right. Whatever may come of it, I am just so thrilled, daily, that I am finally submerged into the lifestyle I have always wanted!


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Ode to My Husband


I'm glad I finally have a few minutes to share my appreciation for my husband!

I can admit that I'm not the greatest wife, but I have the greatest husband. Alex is thoughtful and caring, supportive and encouraging. When I don't have faith, he does. He supports my feminist view point and listens to my out-of-the box beliefs. We're usually on the same page, without having to say anything, and when I'm nervous about telling how I feel, he usually feels the same way. We have the same morals, goals, and beliefs. If I wasn't married to him and didn't think he would be the most incredible, patient, loving father, I wouldn't have kids. He makes sacrifices for our little family and always tells me everything will be okay. He has been more than supporting with my new eating and exercising regimen.

I am not a sensitive or affectionate person; however, I just needed to give props to my husband so he and everyone else knows how much I appreciate everything he does!

Ode to my husband!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Giving Back

I've decided that I want to give back.

I'm a big supporter of charities and want to make it a regular enjoyment. I'm one of those people, if a cashier asks me to donate a dollar, or five, for a charity, I will, without thinking. To try to play a bigger part in society, I'm going to donate to a charity once a month. I feel like I can skip a restaurant meal, or two, to give to an organization doing something to make a difference.

My first donation will be to ASPCA (of course) http://www.aspca.org/donate/ to help stop animal cruelty.

I have a few more organizations lined up for the coming months. If you have an organization that is worthy of a donation, let me know!

The following are already on my list:




  • The ALS Association: Fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease

  • http://www.alsa.org/donate/

  • In memory of Kimi's family members who have suffered from this disease, and a co-worker who passed from this unfortunate disease.




Amber D.



Friday, August 19, 2011

Nutritionist


I've been away from social networking due to some changes in family dynamics, but have made a return with lots of things to catch up on.

I have found a nutritionist to help me with my goal, and boy am I excited! I know I am going to have to change my eating habits drastically. With the help from Coach Nadine, I know I will receive the tools to do so. She explained to me that her number one goal for me, is my health. If a competition can be accomplished, from this process, than it's an added bonus.

I start this weekend by tracking my meals and feelings associated with those meals, plus a whole lot more of information, for three days. Then we set up an analysis of my diet and go over some basic information on how I work with my food. After the analysis, I then need to decide what kind of journey I want to take. A weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly appointment with her. Right now we are just going to focus on nutrition, then when the time comes we will work on cardio and weight training. We are both on the same boat, and I feel confident in her and her knowledge. She has competed several times in figure type competitions, and knows what type of intensity it takes. She told me if anyone said they liked preparing for competitions, they were lieing. She says it's super difficult and very constrictive.

Alex has been very supportive and encouraging. I think he secretly is viewing this as a competition, and right now he's beating me. He's been getting up at 4:50 am, before work, to go running, along with changing his eating habits. Oooh, but not for long... I'll be on his heels soon!

Considering ALL the changes in my very near future, I will be happy to gain tools to control my emotional eating and obtain a goal that I have wanted for a very long time. I am ready to be the athlete I have always wanted to become. With everything going on right now, I need to keep in perspective that I really do need to take care of myself before anyone else. So, let's do this!



Amber D.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Okay, seriously...

I cannot watch another minute of TV! I need to get working on my projects that I've had sitting around the house, because I am just to bored and tired of watching television. I have a greeting card project that I wanted to wait until winter, maybe I should think of starting it earlier or get really serious with my new goal...

I decided that I am going to hold off in paying a coach to help me with the figure competition. I've started to do detail research on my own to figure out what I can start on to loose the initial fat. First is my water intake. Other competitors say to work up to a gallon of water a day! What?! Ummm... I barely get down 32 ounces... I guess I will need to work on that. Next, obviously is diet. I need to eat 5 - 7 meals with a combination of protein, fat, and carbs, with protein being the main source of calories. The meals are what I have the least amount of experience on. I know what I can eat and how much of it to keep weight off, but to loose fast, I don't know the calorie combination. I will need to look more into that and see if I can find some stats in terms of my body fat, height, and weight to what my percentages should be. Next is exercise. It looks from this point, I need to do more sets of exercises, five instead of three, but still at the ten reps. The lifting exercises look like they would take about an hour, which I love, then thirty minutes of cardio afterwards. These figures are just what I have found browsing. I am hoping to get more specific meal plans and exercises within the next couple of weeks. City of Loveland has a rec center called the Chilson Center and as a city employee, I get the pass 1/2 off. I'm going to start with a ten punch card and try the gym out to see if I like it before I get a long term commitment. The gym opens at 5:30 am, so if I am there by 5:30 am and do the exercises I would be done by 7 am and showered by 7:30 am to be at work by 8 am, or earlier. I can be dedicated in the morning, I will need to make a routine out of it. Then I should be doing it six days a week.

This thought process is new for me because, I'm usually not supportive of this type of behavior. I know this isn't lifetime behavior, but necessary to achieve the goal I want. I'm interested to see if I can shift my mind into the intensity that's necessary.

Amber D.

Do you know anything about the above information?! I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Birthdays and Hobbies

Today was Alex's birthday; he turned 25. Now we can get another discount on our car insurance next year!

I really wanted to make this year a special one for him. The last couple of years I've really dropped the ball because of my time management skills and, of course, money. We stayed at home and had a couple of steaks, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob. The steak is always a little too much for me, since we're not big red meat eaters. It still was delicious, because Alex always cooks a good steak!


He mentioned a while ago, since he got the office manager position, that he needed to get the "Worlds Best Boss" mug, so I did just that.

He had been looking at tripods for a while, and so I did some research, and found this little guy. The Benro rated high because it comes with a ball head, becomes very compact for the travelers and scenic goers, and is considered a sturdy aluminum tripod.

Then we had some delicious confetti cake that I made (not from scratch) and decorated, which I got to use the beautiful cake stand that I got from Kimi at my bridal shower!

My job went very well this past week, and I am looking forward to working there for a while. My boss is nice, encouraging, and very helpful. It feels good to be back in the Solid Waste division, and get to learn about the Streets and Storm Drainage divisions as well. It's always a different group of people to work with in those type of divisions, but always wonderful men and women.

Since I've started to get situated in a routine again, I've started to call, research, and look around for a figure competition coach. This has always been a "back-in-the-mind" goal of mine. I figured there's no time like the present for a hobby like this, especially since I already love and know how to do the exercise and weight lifting part.

(For those who don't know what I am talking about, above are figure competitors.)

I have been in contact with a coach that trains a group of ladies, that lives just past Denver. They train three times a week together, and the coach sends out exercise and meal plans for the month to get the ladies prepared for their competition. I really like her and would like to work with her. My main concern is the distance. I couldn't train with them for the two days during the week, so I don't know if it would be worth to pay for the full service but only realistically be participating in a quarter of it. I'm going to talk to her, and maybe see if she recommends anyone closer, or has any ideas for us still to work together. I have a long ways to go. Maybe I can just start on the basics of losing the bulk of the weight and then concentrate on becoming lean and toned... I guess I will discuss this with her. I am super excited about this journey and hope that i can start my journey in the next couple of months!

Amber D.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Job!!

Most might know, and others might not. I officially have a job!!! I received a call on Wednesday, July 13th, from the City of Loveland for the Solid Waste/Streets/Storm Drainage divisions. I will be an administrative specialist. I am excited because I have worked in a solid waste division before and loved it, which helped me become the recycler I am today. I start on July 19th.

I also received another job offer on the 13th for the Good Samaritian Society Community. It was actually before I received the call from the City of Loveland. Since I wanted the City of Loveland job a lot more, I actually called the HR person that was handling my background check and asked about my application and informed her of my situation. She was very understanding and actually called my new boss, who was on vacation, to see if she could speed up the process, so I could get an official answer for the position. The job with the Good Samaritian Society Community was a job I would have liked as well, but it is located in Greeley, which is about 22 miles from where we live and it paid a couple of dollars less than the one in Loveland. I felt lucky to have been in that position after having a lull for about five weeks.

Alex and I find it intersting how everything worked out. We were trying hard to rent a place in Fort Collins, but ended up with this wonderful place in Loveland, which we had come to terms with the fact I might have to commute. Then I get a job in Loveland, about fifteen minutes from where we live. We both thought how horrible it would have been if we both would have had to commute! Life has it's paths.

I realized how much of a process it is for health care workers to start at a hospital! Well, I guess I am assuming it is the same procedure within other hospitals. I've talked about the part-time job with Banner Staffing in Greeley, and I started that process on Wednesday, as my plan was if I hadn't heard anything official from either positions. I had to go to an occupational health clinic within the hospital to start the paperwork. When I was there I had to bring my immunization records, go through my medical history, take part in a TB skin test, take a urine test (for drugs), give a tube of blood, and train on how to use a N95 medical mask. I then have to go back after July 20th to do another TB test. Holy cow! I understand the logic behind the process, it's just intense. Props to the healthcare workers, and I have a lot of friends in that field. How did I not know about this?! Now I do!

Amber D.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Job?!


I feel pretty great today, because I received some awesome news yesterday. The job I had interviewed for on Friday, for the City of Loveland, called and told me that I have made it to the next step, which is the background check. I had asked the HR person if that meant it's just me, or are there other people being considered. They told me that I was the only person at this time. As bad as I want to say I have the job, I don't want to, because I haven't received an official offer. It's an administrative specialist position, which is about the same duties as an administrative assistant; the specialist just allows a higher pay. I had another interview with a different company today, which I had been trying to decided whether or not to interview for, but I decided that I would since I don't have an official offer. A couple of my references actually called to tell me that the company I interviewed for today, have already called them, which is still exciting. I'm still going to try to make the training requirements for the hospital job for some extra hours. Hopefully I will know something about a full time job this week!

Amber D.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Job Hunting... Still

It's been five weeks now since I have made it to Colorado, and I'm still job hunting. Weeks one through three were full of optimism. I had just started job hunting and knew it would take some time. By the beginning of week four, my attitude had taken a slight turn for pessimism. I am a very independent woman and have strong feminist thoughts, so just sitting at home, cleaning, and cooking for Alex does not sit well with my ego, and then not getting any calls for interviews, really had made me feel inadequate. Then Thursday June 30th, I got a call for a job interview for Friday July 1 - FINALLY! I was so excited. It was only part-time, but a foot in the door, and my ego finally felt a little better. I interviewed, and didn't do too well. It was for a Natural Resources Engineering Consulting company. The owners were doing the interviews. The interview was very informal and we just didn't make that connection, I had to giggle, because one of the last questions the wife had asked me, in almost of a desperation to make a connection or to find something in common, was if I had any hobbies. I replied calligraphy writing. She kind of looked at me like, "really?", and said, "Oh, well, that's interesting, because most people move to Colorado for the outdoor experience." So then, with one more attempt from her, she asked me if I liked to go rafting, and that was another cluster. When I left, I knew I didn't get it. You know when you just have that feeling of "that just didn't go well", yeah, mine was pretty strong. After having a little taste of interview, even though it wasn't my best, my optimism went straight back to the top.

Alex and I enjoyed a nice July 4th, and did a little hiking on the Devils Backbone here in Loveland, went and saw Transformers 3, which I thought ended up being a little long, and finished the weekend off being bums in the house with some hot dogs and potato salad. All weekend I kept thinking about all the wonderful phone calls I would get next week for interviews.

Then on Tuesday July 5th, I received a call for an interview with the City of Loveland Solid Waste, Streets, and Storm Drainage Divisions for July 8th! SHAZAM! Then on Thursday July 7th I received two more calls for interviews, one was with Banner Staffing agency on Friday july 8th and the Good Samaritian Community on July 12th.

My two interviews went really well. I feel like I did really well at the Loveland Solid Waste position and connected really well with the people there. Since I have previous solid waste experience I was able to connect with the people of understanding on how picky people are about their trash and recycling. I am hoping that I get a call next week, when they make their decision, that would just be perfect! Then I got offered a position with Banner Staffing agency on the spot. They're basically an agency that hires people to staff shortages at the main hospital in Greeley, which is about 20 miles from Loveland. I accepted the position. It's not a guarantee of hours, but it's something. Training starts on August 4th, which is a few weeks away. My hope is that I get the City of Loveland job and then keep the Banner Staffing job for extra hours. I'm still applying for jobs, because I can't do anything less than 40 hour weeks. I received an email about the possibility of getting an interview with the US Dept of Forest Service, which is Federal. Hopefully I get that call next week!

I'm still cleaning, cooking, doing yard work, lifting weights, and working on my calligraphy, trying to keep busy and staying positive until the next round of interview phone calls.

At least Norman is keeping me company...


When he's not sleeping...

Amber D.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

All unpacked!

We love the new house and the feeling of being home. We love the already-painted decor, since it matches our style and the things we already have. I especially love the kitchen, because of the beautiful purple combination.

Now that the house is all unpacked and I still don't have a job, I've decided to focus on some things that I've wanted to get done but thought I had more important things to do.

So, one of the first things was to figure out how to actually use our new Nikon D90 and what all the fancy buttons are meant to do. I now can say with confidence that I love our camera, it's amazing! Some of the first pictures I took, with fancy settings, was the inside of the house.

This is the front of the house.

A very inviting front door, don't you think?

The entry way.

The entry way, from the living room.

The kitchen, see the purple!

The living room from the back sliding door.

The hallway to the bedrooms.

The hallway.

Laundry space.

My office.

Alex's office, did you notice the monster truck wallpaper?
He loves it...

Second bathroom.

Entrance to the master bedroom.

Another view of the master bedroom.

Master bathroom.

Stairs leading down to unfinished basement.

The unfinished basement
Storage and our new workout room... AWESOME!


The deck leading to the backyard.
There is an assisted living community behind us, they seem to be pretty quiet, no crazy parties yet... I wonder if they have a shuffle board?

Part of the backyard, just needs a little TLC.

The garage.

I'm glad I have had the time to actually read the full manual and get to know all about our camera, and plan on using the camera more often.

I didn't want to upload pictures with out having the house all settled, so uploading the pictures is a sense of full accomplishment, that we're now living in Colorado.

Amber D.