Sontiago

Three girls from work and I finally bit-the-bullet and booked a week long girls trip as far from the New York single digit weather and snow as we could...San Diego! It was such a wonderful trip, there are not words to describe! We did whatever sounded good, we slept, rested, shopped, ate, walked on the beach, went for runs, drank, and caught up with old friends...does not get much better than that! On this trip I fell in love with Instagram, so here is the trip via Instagram.

It was difficult to come back to reality, but the memories are so special. Jess, Kristina, and Lisa I sure love you girls, thanks for all the laughs, Advil, and memories...T-minus 11months till our next adventure?! Molly and Chase it was so wonderful getting to see you and catch up, love ya both! Josh and Cara you are a beautiful couple and it was an honor to get to know you, thank you for the amazing San Diego tours!

Follow me on the JJTulum Instagram if ya like, I am much better at keeping up with that than my blog at present! ;0) Happy Thursday all...

Working Hard to Hardly Work

Hello!
Devin and I just returned from a little holiday to Rincon, Puerto Rico! It was so satisfying to leave in the middle of an NY snow storm and arrive in 90 degree weather, warm water and sunshine!!! We both have so much on our plates all of the time that it took us a full three days or so to really relax and stop trying to work on thing from home. Once we settled in though, we were picture perfect beach bums!

We did manage to make it out to snorkel, suft, and take a catamaran cruise which we enjoyed immensely. Rincon is very small with very little there and nothing around...just what we like! It is known for its' surfing so we always had entertainment and the beach to ourselves.

The best vacations for both of us when we are "off the beaten track". We do not like large hotels, crowds of people, or tourist venues. What we do like is finding the local stops to eat and enjoying truly authentic grub! We found the perfect hole-in-the-wall place on this trip and ate the best pinchos, mofongo, and tostones...YUMMY! Here are a few snap-shots of us after dinner.

Each evening we would head out for a walk down the beach, chatting and collecting sea glass. It was the highlight of the entire trip! About a mile and a half down the beach we would turn around and walk west as the sun set. Deciding where to spend the next three years of our lives was our main agenda on this trip and what better back drop to make such a big decision than this?!

Thanks for sharing in our getaway! Happy week to you all.

New Year's Unresolutions

Happy New Years!!!

I have not blogged in almost two months...I will spare you the great anxiety that this causes me. With the dawning of a new year it seems fitting to go over all my grand resolution for 2013. However, I have decided, after much introspection, that my resolution for this year is to actively attempt to not be bound by lists, rules, resolutions, and goals. Allow me to explain...

I have been so frustrated with my constant, tireless work without accomplishing what I am setting out to do. I stopped and looked at the problem from a nurse perspective, instead of a "me" perspective. There are currently eight criteria in the DSM (psychiatric book of diagnosis stuff), of which one must meet four or more of them to be diagnosed with OCPD, along with other things. It is safe to say that I match EXACTLY all but one of them! Haha...

1.      is occupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the point that the key part of the activity is lost;

2.      demonstrates perfectionism that hampers with completing tasks;

3.      is extremely dedicated to work and efficiency to the elimination of spare time activities;

4.      is meticulous, scrupulous, and rigid about etiquettes of morality, ethics, or values;

5.      is not capable of disposing worn out or insignificant things even when they have no sentimental meaning;

6.      is unwilling to delegate tasks or work with others except if they surrender to exactly their way of doing things;

7.      takes on a stingy spending style towards self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes ; and

8.      shows stiffness and stubbornness.

As you can see, this list is exhausting and when I step back and look at it objectively, I am not sure how I keep up with it...and there in lies the problem, I cannot keep up. I have lost the joy of many things because they quickly become a task that must be divided into categories and lists with rigid deadlines and consequences. While I do not have the diagnosis of OCPD, everything must be done to utter perfection or it is a complete failure in my skewed perception. There are parts of me that know this is ridiculous but this is how I live my life and I subconsciously slip back into this process before I know it.

Last year I set a goal of 26 DIY projects and I did not complete them, although I have the rest of the projects completed. I have been so stressed this year to take the perfect pictures, describe the processes perfectly, and post blogs on the timeline I deemed necessary. This did not happen and so I have spent a year being stressed, still failed, and yet everyone is still breathing and life goes on!!!

Thus, this year, I will work mindfully to be productive while not losing the joy in life and the activities I enjoy most. I will blog when it sounds fun, bake when I feel inspired, photograph because I am deeply in love with film, and design/sew because it is my favorite hobby. I will continue to post DIYs and recipes but there will be no promises, no lists, and schedule! I am hoping by breaking my idea of how blogging (or life for that matter!) works I will stop paralyzing myself with the anxiety of the task and just post!!!!!

Whew...the end!

Thanks for listening to my public therapy session, I feel so much better! Hopefully you either feel relieved that there is someone out there more crazy than yourself or happy that you are a free spirit and have no clue what I am talking about!!! Either way, thanks for reading and be ready for more posts hopefully soon!

For the Love

Textile...the mere words sends chills of joy down my spine!!! I really never had a chance at not being madly in love with textile. As a toddler my mother worked part-time at a fabric store and growing up her exuberance for the texture, color, pattern, and sensation of fabric are among my earliest memories. Now, my passion has given birth to my business. While shopping at Ikea with my mother-in-law I came across this treasure of a book, Love for Texiles and as a special treat, she purchased it for me. I have spent the past two weeks pouring over it and falling even more hopelessly in love with textiles and photography.

 The photography is beautiful; sun bathed, wistful, and romantic. Here is an example...

 There are simple DIYs that involve little or no sewing and would be a perfect addition to update a room or home! They are truly delightful. Quotes are mixed in and the entire effect of photography, fabrics, design, projects, and ideas are so inspiring! For $7.95, this might just be a perfect Christmas gift for someone special. Here is my favorite picture and quote in the book. I love the moment it captures and quote sums up my life...

"A real dream life should be full of love and laughter, tenderness and sunshine, homemade food and plenty of textiles. Patterns that shout or whisper, colors that grab or just touch. Soft fabrics that bring out the best in us."

Snip Snip

I will hold off on posting about Thanksgiving because with two families and two birthdays in the span of four days, our celebration is far from over!

Well, after four-and-a-half years, I chopped off twenty inches of my hair today!!! While there has been some controversy over Locks-of-Love, I still donate to them every time my hair grows long enough. I figure it is better to donate it than toss it in the garbage where there is no chance it will do any good. And since children with cancer are an issue that I see on a daily basis at work, it is close to my heart. After much combing and some help from my mom and aunt it was easy enough to hack off.

Then is was time for a little trip to my friend Kayla's House of Hair to let the professional fix the mess!!! Kayla is the best, no doubt about it. I have known her for years and traveled all over the world with her, and besides being an exceptional hair dresser, she has an infectious smile, heart of gold, voice like an angel, and amazing personality. Each time we visit I leave feeling inspired and refreshed and today...so did my hair!

 

 If you are in need of a wonderful cut, color, or hair treatment and can get to the Tacoma, WA area, give her a jingle (253.334.4175).

 Thanks so much Kayla, you are best, girl! XOXO!

PB-and-O

My mother left the house with an immaculate kitchen...this is what she came home to...

 Haha...oops! The past few days had been rough and baking is always the best medicine for my down moods. So, I made pumpkin whoopie pies, muffins, and grilled chicken yakisoba! Growing up, PBandJ sandwiches were my favorite food, but pumpkin-blueberry and oatmeal (PBandO) muffins may be my new favorite food!

 A co-worker of my mother's made this yummy recipe up...and it is truly heavenly. Here is how you can make your own!

Mix the following ingredients together:

• 1cup flour
• 1cup quick oats
• 1/2cup oat bran
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1tsp baking soda

Mix the following ingredients in another bowl:

• 1/2cup brown sugar
• 2Tbsp canola oil
• 1cup applesauce
• 1cup pumpkin
• 1 egg

Directions: Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Add 1 cup frozen blueberries and 1/2cup chopped walnuts (optional, I did not add them). Scoop into greased muffin tins or muffin paper cups. Bake at 350 degrees for about 23 minutes. Check with a toothpick to see if they are done. Cool for 15 minutes and take out of muffin tin.

These are so perfect on these chilly fall mornings! Enjoy!

Tidbits

It seems that with each day I age, the days get one hour shorter!!! Time is flying! We have continued to have a full and busy agenda in Seattle. Time with family and friends has been our highlight and we feel blessed to have wonderful people in our lives! Here is what we have been up to...

My mother-in-law is the queen of hosting the most incredible parties. I am constantly in awe and so inspired by her yummy food, decor vision, and selfless work! Last week she threw a party with Devin's high school friends. It was so beautiful and it was a perfect evening of munching, chatting, and drinking. How fun to catch up with so many old friends at once. Thank you MamaP, you are really the best, I want to be just like you when I grow up! ;0) Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take any pictures during the party, but here is sample of the decor and a few of the treats...

After an evening of partying the night before, my mother and sister-in-law and I headed out for morning mani/pedis. I decided to be daring and do my ring finger a different shade...so scandalous! I like it though.

Saturday night, thanks to some family friends, Devin and I bore the cold and went to our first University of Washington Husky football game of the season. It was brutally cold, but we were well bundled and had a wonderful time. We were very confused when the first bus pulled out as it was barely full....that is when we realized we are New Yorkers at heart now. The SEATS on the bus were full and in Seattle that means a full bus! Haha...we missed our crammed in, standing shoved against someone else, public transportation in NY! I have to say I could get used to an entire seat to myself though!!!

Sunday...well everyone knows what to do on Sunday!!! It was church, brunch and football...Perfect day! This picture is one of my very favorite. My in laws have always been so special to me and I feel beyond blessed to have such a wonderful family. I went from having one brother to a total of four brothers and four sisters, all whom I love dearly! The family room is where we all hang-out eating, laughing, chatting, crying, wrestling, napping, playing, and reminiscing. This photo captures all of the chaos and fun. Just lazy time with the most precious people! And yes, this is exactly what we all looked like all day long!!!

Today is Devin's first residency interview!!! Last night we had the dinner that proceeds each interview and then today he headed off looking as dapper as ever. He has such a way with people and his humble, confidence is charming; I am sure he is rockin' it! The interviews are making the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel for med school seem brighter and brighter. He has interviews this entire month so keep us in your thoughts and prayers, the results determine the next three years of our lives!

Thanks for tuning in! I am off to sew again as I spent yesterday baking, I will share the recipe tomorrow!