Week in Review!

This week was hectic at work as I was supposed to get Monday and Tuesday nights off. I worked on Monday night because the scheduled B shift person didn't show up and the scheduled C shift person had to work the B shift instead. So then, I was going to get Tuesday and Wednesday off but worked on Wednesday night because the girl who was supposed to work the C shift got into a car accident on her way to work and was taken to emergency. So I got Tuesday and Thursday off instead. This worked out beautifully as Jeff had Friday off so we could go out with Josh and Carolyn on Thursday night without worrying about me getting back for work... more on Thursday evening later.

On Tuesday we went to eat at Burgerville and were excited to discover a cheaper menu that had been hidden from us on previous outings to Burgerville- maybe we just weren't as observant or the more expensive options called out to us louder than the cheaper ones. So instead of the usual $20.00 we spend when we eat there, we spent less than $9.00 and had just as much food. Our budget was glad and our tummies were full!!

We went to McMenamins on Thursday night and saw the movie Inception with Josh and Carolyn. It was fabulous! We got a big pizza to share all really enjoyed watching the movie together.

On Friday I got a new library card and put some books on hold! :0) After going to the Library, we decided to drive through Damascus (a rural gem just outside of Portland) -although we didn't quite know how to get there. So we drove around the rural parts of Gresham first until we miraculously came upon a highway with a sign pointing us towards Damascus. It was so random that we found it. The fields filled with vibrant autumn colors were absolutely indescribable. I attempted to describe parts of what we saw in a poem I wrote which will be posted not this Tuesday but the next (11/30.) We ooo'd and ahhh'd our way through the countryside and have come to the conclusion we want to buy a home on one acre of land. On our way back, we stopped at this little farmer's stand on the side of the road. It was raining slightly which added to its charm. We bought a big bag of lettuce, red potatoes, a jalapeno pepper, an apple (it tasted like cherries!), and a juicy red pear.

Also on Friday, we went out to lunch at Chu's with Carolyn and played Rock Band in the basement.

Jeff and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary this week (Saturday)! We are celebrating by making our favorite meals together this next week. Saturday morning we made pancakes, eggs, bacon, potatoes, pears, and had peach champagne to drink :0) Jeff requested the day off but unfortunately i had to work that night so I slept most of the day away. We opted not to got to our favorite Restaurant (Bread and Ink), which supports both local farms and grass-fed meat, because we had already celebrated in the restaurant category quite a bit already this month and had exceeded our restaurant budget 3 times over! There is really nothing like home-cooked meals where we both participate in the preparations so we were happy to stay home. :0)

First frost of the season came this morning, Sunday, which meant I had to scrape ice off my car for the first time ever which was both exciting and exhausting. Thankfully my coworker, (the one who got in the car accident) offered to help! It would have taken 4 times as long by myself. I'm such a California girl when it comes to stuff like this and have absolutely no clue. The weatherman forecasted the first snow of the season today but I've slept for most of it so thankfully I am unaware of the weather conditions outside. Brrrrr.

Book List

I start Wednesday's theme, Book Review, with my book list:


Bring it to the Table: On Farming and Food --Wendell Berry
Fast Food Nation --Eric Schlosser
Edible Schoolyard: A Universal Idea --Alice Waters
Food Matters-- Mark Bittman
The Locavore Way --Amy Cotler
The Ethical Gourmet --Jay Weinstein
Botany of Desire--Michael Pollan
Omnivores Dilemma--Michael Pollan
Small Wonder--Barbara Kingsolver
Commonwealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet--Jeff Sachs
The Working Poor: Invisible in America--David K Shipler
United States of Americana--Kurt B. Reighley
Financial Peace--Dave Ramsey
Homeland and Other Stories--Barbara Kingsolver
Denialism--Micahel Spector
The Total Money Makeover--Dave Ramsey
Generation Earn--Kimberly Palmer
Exposed--Mark Schapiro
Hot, Flat, Crowded--Thomas L. Friedman
The Progress Paradox--Gregg Easterbrook
The Life You Can Save--Peter Singer
How to Live a Low Carbon Life--Chris Goodall
Life Inc.--Douglas Rushkoff
Give Me Refuge: The Education of a Caretaker--Matt Love
Pedaling Revolution--Jeff Mapes
No Logo--Naomi Klein
The Story of Stuff--Annie Leonard
Becoming Animal: An earthly Cosmology
Broken Open--Elizabeth Lesser
The creative Family-- Amanda Blake Soule
U-Turn--Bruce Grierson
A Poetry Handbook--Mary Oliver
Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui--Karen Kingston
The Art of Simple Food--Alice Waters
Home Economics-- Wendell Berry
What to Eat--Marion Nestle
The Urban homestead --KElly Coyne and Erik Knutzen
Country of Marriage--Wendell Berry
The World without Us--Alan Weisman
Green Barbarians--Ellen Sandbeck
The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience
American Wasteland--Johnathan Bloom
The feeding Web--Joan Gussow
Eat More Dirt--Ellen Sandbeck
Better Off: Flipping the switch on Technology--Eric Brende
Second Nature--Michael Pollan
This Organic Life--Joan Gussow
Radical Homemaking-- Shannon Hayes
Natural Capitalism--Paul Hawkin, Amory & L. Hunter Lovins
Last Child in the Woods-- Richard Louv
Drive--Daniel H. Pink
Nurture Shock--Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Green Housekeeping --Ellen Sandbeck
Not so Big Life-- Sarah Susanka
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek--Annie Dillard

I can't wait to go to the library tomorrow!

Making Time for Books...

One of my goals for September was to read every day at least one page if not fifty. While I might not have read everyday, I did finish reading 4 books! Which is huge for me. As much as I might say I love to read, honestly I simply don't make time to enjoy a good book. Thankfully working the night shift desk job at a hotel has provided me with plenty of time to indulge in my new hobby.

At the encouragement of our friends who visited us in September, I took up Ellen Raskin's novel,The Westing Game, for pleasure reading which was a delightful and thrilling read! Highly recommended.

For insight into the industrialization of food, farming and gardening, and personal finance, I read: Animal Vegetable Miracle; In Defense of Food; and More than Enough. I am inspired by the authors' words of wisdom and excited by the opportunity to learn more about the fusion of culture, gardening, food, economics, ecology, and health. As a student at heart, I can't help but wonder why Sociology of Food is not a larger discipline in academia. The job of my dreams at the moment would be to become a professor of Sociology: anthropologically researching the history of food, teaching courses on food practices, and ultimately helping students acquire the tools to make thoughtful choices when it comes to what they eat. Within this "discipline" there are so many areas of interest to me: the agricultural transition from hunter gatherer practices, industrialization of processed "foods", varying cultural mindsets and habits that accompany people through their lives, dieting practices and the health of America vs. other cultures, body image and food, the influence of the Great Depression on food practices, the demand for budget food instead of quality. Quantity vs. Quality, contrasting GM and Organic and what it means for our future food choices, the ever-evolving concept of the meal and so much more!

I am convinced that reading takes us to a new levels of cultural understanding, gives us insight into the minds of great thinkers, and allows for personal growth through new challenges. My goal of reading at least 4 books every month will continue until at least the end of the year! I can't wait to read more!

Where Did September Go?

The first half we were in the kitchen, chilling at the Dekker house, watching movies, eating at restaurants a ton, hiking with Jeff's brother, jogging, reading, working, attending the 20s 30s group at church, and eating dinner with my boss, his girlfriend, and Jeff's brother. This month we were more social than usual and we did well on our budget.

The second half started out right with one of our dearest friend from Calvin and her gentleman friend staying over night at our apartment. It was great to meet her friend and catch up as we hadn't seen her since our wedding last November. The rest of the second half consisted of me shopping and packing for my trip to Hawaii while Jeff hung out with his family. And of course traveling to Hawaii and relaxing on the island of Maui with my family! We read a ton of books, relaxed and I traveled a great distance. September was a satisfying month!

Nature is my favorite color.

So, off we went yesterday morning... Jeff and I went on a 3 hour walk on Powell Butte. It is the most peaceful piece of land I've ever experienced. We walked the perimeter, or as much of it as we could as they are constructing a water reservoir at the tippy top. "I hope this is what heaven is like," I told Jeff. So many colors of green and brown, and yellow. Nature is my favorite color.

We are making veggie pizza for lunch today... Jeff surprised me and soaked the pizza dough while I was napping in the afternoon. Because we are going to Title Wave used bookstore this morning with his sister, I might suggest a taking the pizza for a picnic lunch at a nearby park! :0)

5 months. 10 days. and sports.

As of today, Jeff and I have been married for 5 months. We celebrated yesterday because Jeff had the whole day off! Today, there is the Blazer/Suns game which we will most likely watch in our apartment since Jeff's family is busy this evening. We haven't yet watched a whole game on our big screen... So, I'm real excited to pop popcorn, eat fishy crackers, and relax together while watching it in the comfort of our own living room!

Rooting for the Blazers Feb. 9th, 2010
I've never been one to appreciate professional sports. However, ever since Jeff's Birthday, when we went to a live Blazer basketball game, I have become more comfortable with the potential positive effects that sports events have on society. I am too tired and lazy to get into this discussion now, but I can say that I'm learning more and more about how to have team spirit, what the term "playoffs" means, and am slowly getting acclimated with terminology associated with certain plays... thanks to husband who is so patient with me.

In just ten days, I will be in California for a long visit. Although I am super excited to be visiting my family, I worry that it might be too long and my parents might get tired of having me there since they've been completely empty nesters for 5 months now. (Even though I know they miss me when I'm in Portland, having me back might help them realize how much they appreciate their time together). It will be interesting to see how our family dynamic has changed, if at all. I'm looking forward to seeing my sister and Billy again too. Since Jeff's trip up to Sumner WA was canceled, I'm so hoping he can fly down and visit too for a few days. But as we are trying to save money and he wants to work as much as possible, it may not work out. :0( The good things about Jeff not going on his trip to Sumner is we know his cell phone will work so we'll be able to talk unlimited without paying a roaming fee- which sounds like a big hastle to set up! Another good thing is that Jeff will be on his own for 2 1/2 weeks which is significant because he's never lived "on his own" before... He told me his goals for while I'm gone... getting back in the habit of going jogging, and reading books a ton... :0)

Jeff had 3 days off in a row... last weekend and this weekend he does too. As much as I would love to take a trip up to Seattle to see Laura... I think Jeff would rather use the time off to catch up on sleep... fair enough, he deserves a break.

On Friday of last week, Jeff took the day off and I was finally able to go to a doctor for a referral to a new cardiologist since I am way over due for my 8 month check up! The Doctor's brother and sister went to Calvin College... what a small world. Hopefully the cardiology office will call this week to set up the appointment?!

on being sick

Well, I'm happy to say that my goal to read 20 pages every day has far been exceeded! Being sick with a cough, nasty sore throat and cold the past three days has forced me to remain low-key; not that I'm not low key most days anyway. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy reading for fun. So, I'm glad for this opportunity to return to the books. Anyways, Jeff has been extra sweet to me since I'm sick and he made me Chicken Noodle Soup with Saltine crackers and Orange Juice to drink for dinner yesterday. I've been drinking lots of fluids, and sleeping a ton. It is so nice to have Jeff to take care of me while I'm sick.

Books and Cookies

Here is my 'Books to Read' list (not listed in the order of desire to attempt):

The Happiness Project
The Female Brain
In Defense of Food
The History of Happiness
Living the Simple Life
Food Rules

Jeff has the next two days off which will be nice for him to catch up on sleep since he's been waking up at 4:30 each morning to get to work by 6:00 am for doing go backs at Winco. We've been trying to go to bed early each night but somehow we find ourselves in bed by 9:30 or later which definitely does not allow for ample sleep.

Jeff having two days off also means our car will be available so I can finally go grocery shopping. I have a new favorite kind of cookie to make from scratch... its chewy oatmeal chocolate chip with pecans and almonds. We didn't have enough butter to make the full batch (3 1/2 dozen), so I made only 25 cookies instead. But they turned out deliciously and to my dismay have already disappeared. Hopefully these next cookies will turn out just as well.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan and Almond Cookies

Too Comfortable

Here I sit on the couch of my living room of my new apartment and I want to be here. I am now married to Jeff, and looking for a job- not quite as hard as I should be. I am at present, exactly where I want to be. I no longer have the regulations enforced upon me by my parents, but I am learning to live, in harmony I might add, with a new person, my husband, which has been a delightful challenge.

Other than that, not much has changed. I am feeling the sting of loneliness more readily as the only people I really know here are Jeff and his family. This is not much different from California as the only people I ever made an effort to hang out with were my parents and my sister and her husband. I don't interact with many people here either which builds my wall of shyness even higher. But as an introvert I am comfortable with this. Maybe too comfortable. I moved away from the comfort of all that I knew only to have established a semi-comfort in my new home. It is home. It feels right to be here. I would however like to get out of my comfort zone more often and meet new friends. Perhaps other couples in the Portland area. I finally have the freedom that I once craved but am not using it to its whole potential.

I thought it might be fun to record our happenings in Portland for faraway family and friends to read but mostly for myself to remember what we do with our time. I also would like to write about books that I read.