EARTHQUAKE!!!

The largest earthquake to hit the Bay Area since 1989 and I slept through it! 

Our dog, Strawberry, woke me up barking like mad, but by the time I got up to check on her everything was normal

I guess all those Oklahoma earthquakes got us used to the earth moving beneath us. 

All pictures, dishes, knick knacks and plants are in their proper places. 

Unfortunately there have been a lot of properties damaged and several non-life threatening injuries. 

I am just hoping for no large aftershocks!!!

This picture I saw on the news and on Twitter shook me. All those wine bottles in need of rescue...

Vegan Comfort Food

Tonight I veganized IKEA's veggie medallions and used some overripe bananas to make vegan chocolate banana muffins. 

They turned out really well! 

I used this recipe for the veggie medallions, but substituted Ener-G egg replacer for the 4 eggs and used vegan shredded mozzarella instead of Parmesan. My husband loved them! 

For the muffins, I found this recipe. 

http://www.bing.com/fd/ls/GLinkPing.aspx?IG=5e9989c1a9074db896aeaf3f2cca2580&&ID=SERP,5093.1&SUIH=ioVua1W_RHd18hmxWUc4pw&redir=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mb29kLmNvbS9yZWNpcGUvdmVnYW4tYmFuYW5hLWNob2NvbGF0ZS1jaGlwLW11ZmZpbnMtNDE5NzEz

Seriously, hands down, best muffins I've ever made. I used almond milk instead of soy because that is what I had on hand. I also added 2 TBSP of Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder and used chocolate chunks instead of chips. Moist and chocolate yumminess. 

Not all of my adventures in cooking turn out so well, but these were definitely blog worthy. 

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at the beach

Here is my contribution to raise awareness. Yes, I donated. Yes, I used a bucket of water from the ocean and put it back in the ocean along with the ice. Since I embrace a vegan lifestyle, I have already done quite a bit for water conservation so I feel ok about this. :-) 

http://youtu.be/PfkD7Z_ovAY

Thrift Store Dog Bed

I like making things. I especially like making things out of other things. Therefore, this project was perfect for me. 

Like many of my previous projects, this one started with a trip to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The one in Redwood City is slightly bigger than the one in Ponca City. In fact, I'm fairly certain I could have easily and thriftily furnished our entire apartment with their selection. 

Instead I went in search of an end table. I really wanted fancier legs, but for $15.00 this one worked perfectly. 

To protect the carpet, I used puppy pads.  I had to remove the drawer and then began painting it my "happy" color. 

As you can see, the dog looks perfectly content on the couch. However, once I put the finishing touches on she seemed to make it get own. Strawberry is such a princess! 

The tatting/lace/bow were made by my Great Grandmother. I'm not sure what she would think about it being used for this purpose. It was just sitting in a basket though so I thought, 'Why not?'.

I thought about hot gluing buttons or perhaps shells on the bed, but so far I like it simple. What do you think? 

Smiling Selfies: The Untold Story

The problem with social media is that we mostly present our very best selves. That can lead to unintentionally making others feel bad about whatever they may be going through and possibly isolate those who are struggling more. No one wants to be a "Debbie Downer", but I think it's important to sometimes show another side. 

As I sit in my parent's living room looking at the mantel where my sister's ashes sit in a jade container and I face the reality of leaving my daughter halfway across the country with her dad for the school year, I get it Robin, I get it. I am in no way comparing my demons to his, no one can truly know someone else's pain. I just know there have been too many times throughout my life when I have felt an overwhelming sadness and fear I will never truly be happy again. 

Then I recall an hour ago watching my daughters swim in the pool while listening to the Beatles. The pure joy on their faces. The cool breeze on a warm day. "Love Me Do" in the air. I don't want to miss a moment like that. No matter how bad it gets sometimes it's living for the next "moment" that gets me through. 

Then Emmett, my parent's boxer, licks my foot as if to say, "Life is good and your feet are tasty." Silly lovable dog. 

Counseling has helped. Medications have helped. Surrounding myself with supportive people helps a lot. But in the truly dark times nothing helps me except remembering those moments. Snapshots of happiness that keep hope alive that more of these moments exist in the future. I have been fortunate that anxiety filled nights, sobbing and gulping at the air because I can't breathe have been followed by mornings where things seem bearable enough to get through another day. For those that these feelings last for days and weeks on end, I cannot imagine the pain and darkness. 

Things that help me like running, yoga and writing seem impossible when you can't even get out of bed or look at yourself in the mirror without loathing. Who am I to enjoy life? What have I done to deserve a moment of joy? 

The thing is none of us are worthy of this beauty that is life and yet all of us are equally and utterly deserving of every day we get. 

The truth is, it's just not always smiley in #selfie world. 

Shabby Housewife

I think I should have called this blog "The Shabby Housewife". With this move came the opportunity for me to stay at home. I am very grateful for this time with my daughters, but it is a huge adjustment after working full time as a Registered Nurse for 17 years! I love being a nurse and helping people. It's a very selfish do goody feeling you get having the knowledge and skills to make someone's life just a little better. 

But here I am, stay at home mom (A huge and very important job that I am blessed to have!). I have used the move and getting things in order to mostly just scrape by without a routine. I think that needs to change. Suggestions welcome!

Apparently it can't all be making chocolate chip pancakes and watching Bewitched, so today I did some ironing which is honestly my least favorite chore. I would scrub 100 frat house toliets before I had to iron 1 shirt if that was an option. Seriously. I muddled through and I think my husband will look presentable. 

Then I made the monumental effort to make my bed. Think I'm joking? 

My dog, Strawberry, being helpful. 

Now look here, Strawberry, part of my nurses' training was learning how to make a bed with someone in it. I will not be tharwted!

Woot! Success! 

Now the girls and I are going swimming. 

Alcatraz and Angel Island

This weekend we crossed one of the things off the 10 y/o's wish list by going to Alcatraz. We had been on the Bay Cruise (which is awesome) last year, but we wanted to actually tour "The Rock".

ProTip: They are not joking when they say to book your tickets early. We really only cared about Alcatraz, but to get the date we wanted the only tour available was the longer more expensive combo your that included Angel Island. In retrospect, I'm glad it worked out that way. Angel Island is beautiful and has an interesting history of its own. 

Angel Island

Alcatraz