07 November 2010

17 October 2010

Tricky 15k

So I signed up for a 15k about a month and a half ago (when I was still working out a lot and running 2-3 times a week). Since then I got pretty lazy and stopped running on a regular basis. I thought that the 15k yesterday would be hard, but I was aiming to do it in about an hour and 40 minutes. Yeah. That didn't happen. Long story short: The run was full trail running, which I didn't think would be too terrible, but we started off with nature stairs (dirt and wood blocks), had a bunch of one lane hills, a bunch of down trees that we had to hurdle, some mud, cliffs and finally a hill so steep that they had a rope with handles that you had to use just to get to the bottom. Needless to say I did not meet my goal of an hour and 40 minutes. More like an hour 58 minutes. It would have been hard even if I was training properly. The fact that I hadn't been just made it that much worse. I was just sorry that I didn't have a camera to take pictures of all the crazy obstacles along the course. A tree root tried to take me out at mile 2, but I recovered with only minor scrapes, bruises, and dirt and kept going. It was so crazy that all I could do when I finished was laugh. Quinn had heard about all the crazy things from people who finished before me so he had a huge smirk on his face when I finished. He knew I would tell him how ridiculous the run was. He told me that if we're still here this time next year we can try it again...I think I'll let him do it and I'll watch.
What makes this story even more crazy is that the race was a 15k, 30k and 50k. The people doing the 30 and 50 had to go through the course 2 and 3 times. By mile 7 I was ready to see the finish line. By mile 9.6 I was ready to cry. A rope course and half a mile later I finally made my way out of the woods to the sidewalk with the finish line. I could not imagine doing it 2 or 3 times. They are troopers. Laying on the couch in sweatpants I can say that it was pretty fun. At the time I would have told you to take a hike. We'll see about next year.
Lesson learned: Look at the course before you sign up for the run.

28 September 2010

trying to branch out

So I wanted to know if anyone (or anyone you know) might be interested in purchasing any of the little items I have pictured below. The picture quality isn't great, but the quality of the item is pretty durable. I don't do mass quantities so if you want a wrist strap attached or a button instead of velcro I can do that. The one item I made at first as a joke for my sister, but it comes in pretty handy. It's a chapstick/lipgloss holder. I like attaching it to a zipper inside my purse or to my keys. It's good for kids at school too because you can just attach it to their backpack and they won't lose it as easily. The other thing is a little wallet of sorts. It's big enough to hold a lot of cards, cash, or random items that you have floating around in your bag. It's also good to keep bandaids, tissues, or small jewelry. I've also made a couple for kids. With the strap it's like a small purse for little girls or a wristlet to take out to dinner or if you go to an event that you would rather carry a smaller bag. I can do all different patterns. I usually ask for colors that people like and then pick out a pattern that complements the colors. I'm selling the larger "bag" for $6 + shipping and the smaller chapstick holder for $3 + shipping. Both offer additional padding inside so it's not so flimsy. They can all be hand washed which is good if you send them off to school or have them out at a restaurant. If you or anyone you know is interested please let me know. Thanks for your support!!



29 August 2010

Tutrone/Conte Wedding

We were in NJ this past weekend for a wedding. My sister's good friend (and my aunt's next door neighbors for the past 30+ years) got married. My family has known their family forever and it was nice to be able to make it for the wedding. Our friend's father passed away about a year ago so she walked down the aisle with her brothers. They had a tribute to him during the reception. It was sad, but everyone was able to make the best of it and enjoy the day. They had a beautiful Saturday for a wedding. 85 degrees, sunny, and not humid. Everything went well. A lot of food, a lot of friends, and a great time. Below are a few pictures from the night.







13 August 2010

My 1st, his 2nd...Complete






We're done with the deployment. At 10:00pm last night Quinn was released from his group and able to go home. It's good to have him back. We're going to be pretty busy the next few weeks, but hopefully we'll have time to meet up with friends and family. 370 days seemed like forever at times, but now that he's back it doesn't feel like we went through a whole year already. I'm glad it's done though!

25 July 2010

2 Weeks

We're getting there. Slowly but surely this deployment is coming to a close. About half of the guys that Quinn deployed with are already back or are getting in tomorrow. There are another couple of groups heading back today, and Quinn will be leaving in just about a week. So much has gone on within this past year. I've made friends, lost friends, weddings, funerals, lost a job and then found a new one. Beyond that, I personally have changed as well. It has definitely been a learning experience, and I am grateful for having the chance to experience something like this. I know that Quinn did not enjoy his time out there, but whether he likes to admit it or not, he helped make a difference out there and I'm proud of him. We're ready to have him back though. Just 2 short weeks left. Maybe we'll actually have an opportunity to spend a full year in the same state with each other. After almost 4 1/2 years I think we're ready for that commitment! :)

08 July 2010

4 weeks

Just about 30 days left...That's all :)

05 July 2010

Wedding Weekend

My sister got married on July 3rd. We had a lot of fun. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. We're happy to add Dan to our family! Congrats Allison and Dan.



27 June 2010

6 Weeks

We're starting to wind down. There are only about 6 weeks left to this deployment. I think everyone is ready to be done. I don't have much to say about it. Below is the picture we took the day he left. Hopefully we'll be able to get another one when he gets back. It would be nice if the next 6 weeks went really fast.

19 June 2010

BBQ

So I'm planning on having a little barbecue tomorrow to kick off summer. However, it must have slipped my mind that I am in Washington. Summer is the shortest season of the year and of course it hasn't felt like spring so we have even less hope of it feeling like summer. The news said that Alaska has hit 75 degrees 3 times this year already and Denver over 20 times. Seattle...0 We have yet to break 75. Tomorrow was supposed to be 70 and partly sunny (the best that we can get at this point) so I thought 'Great day for some kabobs and wine'. Unfortunately, the weather man was wrong and now we're expecting mid 60's and showers on and off. Despite the terrible change in the forecast, I will be hosting a barbecue. I made a dozen or so mini hamburger cupcakes to try to coax summer out of hiding. Here you go summer. Burgers!!!

07 June 2010

Allison's Bachelorette Party

I went back to NJ for my sister's bachelorette party. We had a lot of fun. Of course I got to be the mom of the night on Saturday because nobody else was in any position to focus on what needed to be done. We had a bbq Friday night, went to the beach Saturday and out to dinner and a bar that night. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Next stop...the wedding!

*Getting ready to go out


*Beach


*BBQ


*Little favor table


*Beach house we rented




**A few pictures from dinner and the night out





22 May 2010

Sick Bubba

So we have less than 3 months left and I have managed to keep Bubba alive while Quinn is away. Of course he decided to test me Friday morning. I woke up at 5 am on Thursday morning to Bubba throwing up twice on the carpet. I kept him home from daycare figuring that he might have had some bad water or met up with another dog who may have been sick. He ate and was fine and didn't leave me any surprises when I got home from work so I figured he was fine. Fast forward to Friday morning at 4am. Bubba threw up 7 times (in all different places of course) and pooped in the house (which he never does). By the 7th time, within a half hour, I had to take him to the emergency vet. After 3 hours of being there they decided that it was pancreatitis. Apparently he either got something in the garbage that really hit him hard or he had eaten something that was really fatty. I give him peanut butter in his kong toy at least once a week if I have to go out for a few hours. I think all the peanut butter backed up and caused him to get this pancreatitis thing. Needless to say, after sitting at the emergency vet and paying a ridiculous bill, I still had to take him right over to the regular vet so he could get hooked up to IV fluids and antibiotics overnight. The poor thing was such a good sport throughout the whole thing, but when they went to take him at the second vet for his overnight he was standing behind me and didn't move. I gave him a blanket and toy and left him there. I picked him up today and they sent me home with 6 days worth of smelly low fat dog food and 3 containers of pills that I need to give him. After paying another expensive vet bill we are home and doing pretty well. He's been eating and drinking and going to the bathroom. I have to monitor him for the next 48 hours or so to make sure that he's ok. The vet said we caught it quick so he only had a mild case of it which means that he was able to bounce back pretty easily. I'm not saying we're in the clear yet, but he seems to be feeling better. I'll feel better after a week of no early morning surprises. Poor Quinn had to deal with me being all upset and thinking that I pretty much killed his dog. My poor mom also had to deal with my hysterical phone call at 4 in the morning (at least it was 7 am her time). I was sitting on the floor with Bubba throwing up crying and asking him what was wrong and why he was still throwing up. I went to work after I dropped him at the vet for the day and was a walking zombie. I would appreciate it if he could stay healthy from now on or at least until Quinn gets back!!

09 May 2010

Dear Deployment

You only have about 2 1/2 months left with my boyfriend. I'm sure you will miss him terribly, but I think you've worn out your welcome, and it's time for you to be put in your place. I'm ready to take him back and not see you again for at least a year and a half. It seems to have gone pretty quickly overall, but the past 2 months have lasted forever. You've been pretty good about giving Quinn time to call me, but it's not the same as having him here on a regular basis. Bubba also asked me to tell you that he would really like his dad back. He knows that he can be a handful and mom is getting tired. You've caused a few breakdowns, miscommunication, and frustration. I'd appreciate it if you could help make these last couple of months as smooth as possible. We've enjoyed the few perks that you were able to offer, but nothing compares to having a face to face conversation or someone to kiss goodnight (besides the 4 legged one who takes up the entire bed). It would be great if you could return him soon. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Nicole (and Bubba)

05 May 2010

Allison's Bridal Shower

I went back to New Jersey for my sister's bridal shower. We had a good time. I don't think she was surprised but she pretended to be. We had a lot of people show up and a really nice day. I've been dealing with 50's and cloudy, so 85 and sunny was a nice change for me. We're only 2 months away from the wedding day. Everyone is excited.






14 April 2010

8 Months

So we've made it. We're a little over 3/4 of the way done with the deployment. It's crazy because it seemed to go pretty quickly, but then I just think that there are still 3 1/2 more of these long months to go. I don't know how deployments usually go since I've never been through one before, but Quinn and I don't really have a lot to talk to say to each other anymore. I don't know if that's normal or if that's a bad thing or what. I don't do a whole lot and he does a lot but it's a lot of the same stuff over and over. I think he's pretty ready to come home though. There's a possibility that he'll be back a little before the year is up which would be great, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I don't think that deployments will ever be easy, but it's nice to know that I've made it this far without breaking down completely. It's good to know I can handle it.

04 April 2010

Easter


This was our Easter. Bubba got a blue stuffed bunny to rip apart. I made a few Easter eggs (which wasn't as much fun as I remember). I went to Church and made lasagna. Besides that, I went to the gym and cleaned the house. It's not a whole lot of fun to celebrate holidays alone. Hopefully Quinn won't deploy for a while after he gets back. This is no fun.

18 March 2010

Pictures from Quinn's R & R

Just a couple pictures. We were by ourselves most of the time so I didn't really get a chance to take too many pictures.

Portland wanted to welcome us!

Out in Seattle

16 March 2010

R & R

Quinn just spent the past 15 days back in WA. He was initially scheduled to have his 2 week leave in April, but was bumped up due to conflicting dates with other officers. Even though I wanted to wait as long as possible to have him come back, it was nice having him here. I only have a month and a half or so before I have to start doing a lot for my sister’s wedding. Hopefully at that point the time will start flying! Quinn and I kept busy while he was here. I had a few things that needed to get done that I either didn’t have time to do or didn’t know how to do so poor Quinn got stuck doing it for me. We went to Portland for a Brew Bus Tour which we didn’t end up doing it because it seemed kind of cheesy with just the two of us so we drove 2 ½ hours to have lunch! We saw a few movies and went to a Burlesque show in Seattle which was really entertaining. The host was great and the girls were fun.
I had to work the whole time, but it gave Quinn some much needed time to relax and catch up on the sleep he’s been missing out on being in Iraq. He met me almost everyday for lunch which was great. We had an hour in the middle of the day to spend together. Bubba was also happy to see him, and I was happy that Bubba was happy because that meant no dog duty for me for 2 weeks!!! That may have been the highlight of the whole time he was here (for me at least haha). The time went by way too fast, and it makes it hard to get back into the routine I created for myself over the past 6 ½ months. Hopefully within the next week or so I can get back on track and just start looking forward to August. We may try to get to Utah over Labor Day weekend so that will be fun. I think I only have one picture of Quinn’s 2 weeks here so I will post that later on. We had fun, but I think we’re both pretty ready for this to be done!

27 February 2010

Hot Yoga

I got a really good deal for a hot yoga place. I've done about 6 classes and it's pretty awesome. The room is set at about 100 degrees and we go between 90 minute hatha yoga and 60 minute power yoga. I look so gross afterwards but it feels great an hour or so later. If you ever have an opportunity to take a class I say do it. It's so expensive if you can't get a good deal, but most places these days are offering something! One day I hope to be able to do this:

Right now I'm at about here:

12 February 2010

1 year

I thought I would put together a quick post about the past year. I have been in Washington for just over a year now, and a lot has gone on. I say 'I' because although Quinn was the one who brought us here, he has been missing for about half of it. We moved here in mid January 2009. Since then Quinn has done training in Yakima, WA as well as down at Fort Irwin, CA. So what else has happened?? Well, I got a job, my sister got engaged, I bought a new car, Quinn deployed, I lost my job, lost two very close people in my life, found a new job, made a few friends, have been trying to get in shape for a half marathon, moved to a new place, and learned a little more about myself in the process. To say things have changed is an understatement. There have been a lot of superficial changes over the last year, but I think the internal changes have affected me the most. I'm not sure how it will all play out in the long run, but hopefully everything will work. All you can do is continue living and see where it takes you I guess.

11 February 2010

6 Months

We've hit the half way mark...or at least the half way month. It hasn't been terrible, there are some things that have been tough to deal with. Although we didn't have a "halfway through the deployment" party, the superbowl fell on the actual 6 month mark so I had a few people over for the game and appetizers. I posted a few of the pictures that my friend took with her new camera. It makes me really want a new camera!