Yakima

Yakima was exhausting.  So I'm just going to show you some pictures...

En route Yakima - heading through Snoqualmie Pass area:

W90 MP69...(for information, the milepost marker 69 is the most stolen milepost.  Some are blank, like the one on US101 in Grays Harbor County.  Some are up high and unreachable without a ladder, and some apparently have been left alone, like this one, maybe because traffic is approaching 80-90MPH)...

I82 - heading westbound out of Yakima this morning:

Small Story:

I'm walking down the hallway at my hotel this morning and some girl approaches me and says "I'm Canadian and I was wondering...is marijuana sold in the US?"

I was tired, grumpy, and not looking forward to the drive ahead.  So, I'd like to think I ruined her hopes a little by replying, "Not legally."

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us." ~ Joseph Campbell

All for a girl

So I might as well tell you.  For my niece's birthday, she requested a blanket like I made for her mother or family memory.

*big sigh*

Both involve hours and hours of work.  Both take up a lot of space.   But, I decided to go with a blanket because I think that will last longer than any game will.  So....I'm going to show you my progress on here to hopefully keep me in line and on task.  This will be no where near as involved of a blanket that I made my sister (a rag blanket made of 5 inch squares).  Instead, this will be a rag blanket made of really long stripes. 

Today I cut...

Its a big variety of fabrics - both in design and origin and probably original price.  Hopefully you can tell that the color scheme is blue and tan.  Otherwise, yikes. 

Anyways, I cut the fabrics then laid them out to make sure I had enough.  Yes, I could have measured up all the inches of these and compared it to something, but where's the fun in that?

Its a lot of fabric.  Jeez.

The next steps will have to wait for my weekend.  Later today (after I wake up) I need to finish all my plans to go to Yakima for work (its in reference to this).  I'm crossing my fingers I can find a kennel with an opening for Atticus.  Its a little late notice, seeing as I'm leaving on Friday afternoon (which is technically tomorrow). 

Anyways, I can tell you my good news now...I got a promotion!!!  I had to interview for it and everything.  It becomes official September 16th.  Unfortunately it took my good friend, Katie, leaving my job in order for me to try for the position, but such is life and so it goes. 

I'm tired and a little spent after my shift tonight.  I can't seem to get into the celebration mood.

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break." ~ William Shakespeare

The past several days

Sunday night...

Went to Shari's to "study" for my interview.  Was distracted by this cute picture.  I had to contort in a weird way and turn off all the sound on my phone to get it, and keep them from thinking I was taking it.  I couldn't do anything about the sun, but in a way, I think it works...it keeps anonymity.

Two old ladies at Sharis eating sundaes. 

Monday...

Interviewed.

Went on a Pacific Fabrics Shopping Spree...I call it fabric love....

Here's a close-up of a fabric I'm planning to use for my niece's present.  Yes, her birthday was over a week ago, and yes, I'm just now buying fabrics.  But in my defense, creativity and genius take time.  (ha!)

Monday night...

Made the following biscuits for the first time...

Sweet & Savory Biscuits (see recipe, below)

Atticus likes them!

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SWEET AND SAVORY BISCUITS:

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour, plus extra for rolling

1 cup barley flour (I used regular ole white flour for this one)

1/2 cup wheat bran

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (I used regular molasses - you can also use honey)

1 egg

1 cup yogurt

1 tablespoon safflower oil

3 (2.5 oz) jars of meat-only baby food

In large bowl combine flours, bran and salt.  In food processor (I use a blender) combine the rest of the ingredients.  Puree into a liquid and add to the dry mixture.  Stir with a spoon, then knead with your hands to incorporate all the flour (I didn't have to do this part - I actually added more flour when rolling out because it was very sticky).  Turn out onto a floured surface.  Sprinkle more flour on top of the dough and roll to 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut into desired shape.  Place on baking sheat covered with greased or non-stick foil (I skip that and just grease my cookie sheet.  I have no idea if that makes a difference).

Bake for 25 minutes at 325 degrees, or until browned.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Tuesday...

Dog park

I finally have proof that I'm spoiling Atticus with his treats.  Another dog owner tried to feed him a store bought treat and he wanted nothing to do with it.  Outwardly, I apologized to the lady and explained he must be too busy playing.  Inwardly, I chuckled a little. 

Got a phone call while at the dog park.

While I'm not allowed to tell you the outcome of that phone call, I am having this..

IN CELEBRATION!!!!!!!!

Going to the movies tonight. 

Feeling pretty good!

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Fun

I would like to thank the Crafty Pirate for mentioning this application for Droid....Retro Camera.  Taking pictures is a lot more fun now...

Okay, enough playing around....off to study for my interview!

"Yeah, I'm a loser, but at least I tried." ~ Noah DeLong

I had something important to write in here, but I already forget what it is.  Hmmm...

Ehh...well, since I already created a post, here is a picture of a patchwork pouch I made recently and gave to Sarah.  Cute, right?

I really do not like this new blogger setup.  Its almost impossible to format anything without re-doing it 12 times because it just doesn't want to work.  I feel like the old fogey who doesn't like new technology.

I have an important promotional interview tomorrow afternoon.  Send good thoughts my way please!

"Using your talents is important, of course.  That's why they were given.  But you can't slide by on that.  You have to leave something of yourself - or you were never really here." ~ Erma Bombeck

Friends

Its nice my friends know me so well....

I also get shopping sprees at several of my favorite stores!

I'm using the new editor on blogger.  Not sure if I like it yet.

"When I am with my friend, me thinks I am alone, and as much at liberty to speak anything as to think it." ~ Seneca

The party

My birthday party combined a little of this...



with a little of this...

a bunch of this...

and one of these...

Overall, pretty fun!

I've now got the Sarah's-gone-weekend-is-over-have-to-go-back-to-work-blues. Blah.

"Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you." ~ Annie Dillard