Kelly had to do some work down in Eugene, Oregon a few weeks ago. We decided to make a road trip out of it.

Kelly has been growing a mustache lately because he thinks its awesome and let me tell you - it is. He also has a fun t-shirt to fit with the stash.

On our way out of town we ended up stopping at Bank of American and Safeway. The bank lady was cool about the shirt and stash but the Safeway checker didn't really like it. Kelly felt badly about wearing the shirt out like that actually. Whoops. But we were on our way to fabulous Eugene, Oregon! I was so excited! It took us quite a while to get there and there was a ton of nasty traffic going through Portland. But I didn't care we just blasted music and I sung along at the top of my lungs for Kelly's listening pleasure.

We finally made it to Eugene and checked into the Red Lion. Let me tell you this place was all about the glamour! (or not). But it had air conditioning and with the 90 plus degree weather this was a must. We were hungry and looked up McMenamins North Bank restaurant online. Kelly didn't want to look up directions so off we went to find the restaurant with only an address. We walked because the place was less than a mile away. But of course without directions we got lost - in 95 degree weather. Now, I'm pretty upbeat most of the time but when the mercury nears 90 degrees I am prone to whining, pouting and temper tantrums. So I definitely started to be a negative nellie when it took us 45 minutes to find a restaurant that should have taken 15. But we did find it and that's what matters.

The next day was Friday and Kelly had to work. I watched the Today Show (Which I love!) then I planned to work out using the gym at the "hotel." Unfortunately I discovered I forgot my running shoes at home. Whoops. After that realization I walked to downtown Eugene. I discovered there is not a lot there. I had sweat dripping off of me and in my eyes it was so hot (93 degrees). I looked around in a few shops a nice police officer said, "Hello." to me which I always like. After that I stopped for lunch at a nice little bar named Cowfish for lunch. In the bar was just me, the bartender/cook, the friendly police officer and a lady he was talking to. It turned out the police officer was actually the Police Chief doing some community relations work. Pretty cool.

While I was sweaty and walking around the exciting town of Eugene I took pictures of random "Eugene" signs. My sister's boyfriend's middle name is Eugene and he specifically requested them. Here you go Mac Eugene Gill.

My personal favorite.

On our way (kind of) out of Eugene we stopped in Tillamook, OR to see the Tillamook Cheese Factory. My family did a lot of camping on the Oregon Coast we I was growing up  and we usually stopped there every time. My sister and I would always pose in front of the fake cow. Hence I just had to pose in front of the fake cow.

We then drove to Portland to visit our friend Peter (his wife Emily was out of town). We were super tired but went to an amusement park we like anyway and went on the rollercoaster, the spinning spider thingy, the bumper cars (our favorite) and some other rides. Good times were had by all.

Eugene, Oregon was a nice city but I don't see myself ever going back. No offense Eugene.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 6:25:42 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

I took the five-year-old twins I nanny for to the park today since it was so nice out. We played on the swings and the big toy. There were other kids there with the parents. There was one man who was missing an arm that was there with his young son. The twins and I were playing when all of a sudden the girl walked up to the man and asked,

"Why is your arm broke off?"

I silently prayed that he wouldn't be offended and would give her an appropriate answer, something not like "eff off kid." My prayer was answered.

The man replied, "I was riding my motorcycle and a truck hit me."

"oh." The girl replied.

Then the man said, "But I was wearing my helmet so I lived. Do you always wear your helmet when you ride your bike?"

"Yes, we always do." Said the girl as her brother nodded.

It was a neat conversation to hear.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 3:55:46 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

Our next door neighbors are a huge family with lots of kids. All last summer they ran around and played in their backyard, front yard and in the street. This year one of the little girls told me they were going to get a pool. Well yesterday when the temperature got to be about 90 they finally got their pool. I could see them splashing and screaming in it and just having a grand old time. They were in that thing for at least 5 hours. (I would have been too if I had a pool).

I was watering our garden in the backyard around 9:30pm and I heard one of the girls declare,

"This is the best day of my life."

Cute doesn't even cover that.

Thursday, July 08, 2010 11:49:16 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

My cousin Michelle and her husband Eric had their first baby last Thursday. Addie weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce at a length of 20 inches. I am very much looking forward to meeting her. Addie is also very special because she is the first great granddaughter on the Uhlenkott side of the family.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 4:19:13 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

I have the privilege of babysitting two five-year-old twins (one boy and one girl) this summer. They are so fun and cute that every day I spend with them is a blessing. Yesterday I suggested we walk to a nearby park to play on the big toy there. On the way there we passed by a big hill. The boy asked me if he could run to the top of it.

I said that was fine and suggested he should shout,

"I'm the king of the world!" from the top. 

Instead he surprised me and shouted,

"I'm  the king of the Jews!"

When he came back down I asked if he was pretending he was Jesus.

He replied in a matter of fact kind of way "Yes."

This kid is definitely living for Jesus. It was so cool.

Thursday, July 01, 2010 2:35:42 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

This past week I got to substitute for a middle school P.E. and health teacher that is a friend of mine. She was in the building that day observing another teacher so she was able to explain to me what her students would be doing in P.E. and health. P.E. would be easy. The kids were just doing some physical fitness testing. Health was another story. My friend let me know that they were finishing up the sex ed portion of the curriculum but if I didn't feel comfortable with the subject matter she had something else the kids could do. I decided to be brave and go for the sex ed. stuff. There's no point in throwing off the momentum of the unit and I figured if you can teach sex ed. successfully you can teach anything.

It turns out the 8th grade students were researching contraceptive devices (diaphragm, cervical cap, condom, female condom, IUD, Plan B, the pill, the nuva ring and the birth control patch) in groups. And not only were they researching them in groups they were to present their findings that day to the class. As a former middle school student I can't think of anything more embarrassing to present on. The students also had to have the following criteria in their presentation for full credit:

What is it?

How is it used?

How effective is it at preventing pregnancy?

Does it protect against sexually transmitted diseases?

What are the side effects if any?

How much does it cost?

Where can you get it?

When the students arrived I informed them that I was indeed their sub and what the period would entail. They tried to play it off like they didn't have to present until the next day but homey don't play that. I gave them 15 minutes to prepare and helped them with their presentations. Also their projector had been stolen so for the visual aid in their presentation that could us the old school overhead projector. Their teacher made sure to let me know there was an overhead of the vagina for them to use. So I made sure at the beginning of every period to show students the overhead of the vagina and told them they could use it in their presentation. I can honestly say that I never imagined myself telling students that - ever. It is interesting what middle school students do and don't know about birth control methods. Some students had questions about how the cervical cap was inserted and if you wore it all the time or just when you were going to have sex. While some students described for their friends what birth control pills looked like and what they came in. One group of students who I think were curious as to how a diaphragm was used and wanted to see if I would get embarrassed answering their questions. I calmly explained the process of using diaphragm to this group.

When it came time for students to present their contraceptive devices I was really impressed. All of the students were pretty mature about it. Some of them even used the overhead of the vagina to show where the cervical cap rested or where the diaphragm should be. I started to feel sorry for one group of boys who were presenting on the IUD when they had to state what the side effects were: breast tenderness, spotting and vaginal discharge. Yes, they said that out loud. I was dying of laughter on the inside. At the end of every presentation students asked questions without even being prompted and they asked good questions. The presenters were also able to answer the questions. I was pretty impressed.

I thought this was a great way to teach students about the different methods of contraception. Students get tired of listening to adults talk and are definitely more apt to listen to their peers; especially when it comes to the subject of sex.

Saturday, June 19, 2010 8:26:45 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

I went to my friend Cecily's baby shower this past weekend. Cecily and I met at Whatcom Community College in math class and then went on to Western together. Some of my fondest college memories are with her and her husband Jordan. We would play around at Whatcom Falls Park, hang out at Grand Avenue Ale House and lots of other things.

Cecily and Jordan are my first friends to be having a baby and I am so excited for them! I've had babies on the brain lately so I might have gone a little overboard with their gift.

Baby stuff is so cool. Newborn diapers have a little half circle cut out on the top to make room for the umbilical cord - how cute! Also instead of regular diaper rash cream I got them stuff called "Butt Paste." Which we can all agree on sounds like so much more fun.

Cecily and Jordan's shower was a couples shower. So Jordan was there along with their dads, and some other guy friends. I really like the idea of a couple's shower. It was especially fun watching Jordan open his presents. He received a baby doll and a bottle to practice on and other fun stuff.

They are going to be the best parents to their little girl!

Friday, June 18, 2010 3:51:46 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

A few months ago Kelly was told by his bosses that he would have to fly down to San Jose (Silicon Valley) for a class. He asked if I wanted to go to and that way while he was in class I could go up north to San Francisco. I jumped at the chance! I've been to Los Angeles but had only driven through San Francisco when I was 11 (Well my parents drove through). So last Tuesday afternoon Kelly and I flew to San Jose. The next day Kelly drove me to a Caltrain station and I rode the train to San Francisco. I had already written myself directions to all of the sites I wanted to see. I saw them all along with a few other bonus ones.

I mapped where I walked after I got home and I WALKED TEN MILES!!!

Me on the train. I rode in the top part, it was so much fun!

My first unplanned stop was a walk through China Town.

After that I stumbled upon St. Peter & Paul's Church across from Washington Square.

In the distance I could see Coit Tower. I walked up a giant hill to Coit Tower. I hadn't planned to go there but I could see that it wasn't very far.

To get to the top of the tower you pay $5 and a man takes you on a little elevator ride. The views from the top are great. I could see the Golden Gate Bridge.

The warf.

The city.

Me at the base of Coit Tower with the Golden Gate Bridge behind me.

Coit Tower up close and personal.

After walking back down the giant hill I walked a few more blocks toward my planned destination: Fisherman's Warf. My friend Jennifer had told me this among a few other places was something I should see. However I was side tracked again. I looked to my left and recognized this street.

Lombard Street: the most crooked street in the world (or so people say). So to get to it I walked up another giant hill.

Next I walked down to Fisherman's Warf.

A fun sign that runs along the street.

I had heard that Pier 39 would be fun and have lots of shops. It also had this giant crab.

Toward the end of the pier there were tons of sea lions!

I could see Alcatraz from the end of the pier.

This one's for Vanessa.

It wouldn't be San Francisco without a trolley.

I had no idea that the "ride the duck" tours were in other cities.

After hanging out around Fisherman's Warf I walked to Ghirardelli Square, home of Ghirardelli chocolates.

A quick stop at the beach.

My favorite part about Ghirardelli's is they give you free chocolate samples - yum!

Now there was only one more place that I wanted to visit: The houses from the sitcom Full House. I used to watch Full House on TGIF every Friday when I was growing up. I asked a bus driver where the houses were located and he said, "Waaaay over there." He showed me on a map and it was about a bizillion blocks but I decided to hoof it over to see the houses. It took me about an hour and a half but I made it to Alamo Square (a park across the street from the houses).

I told the wind to make my hair do that.

After checking out the houses from Full House I needed to walk back to the CalTrain station to meet Kelly back in Sunnyvale around 5pm. It took me about an hour to walk back. On my way I saw some more fun stuff.

This might be city hall. I didn't stop to check. But it had a great park in front of it.

There was a sign at a playground here that read, "All adults must be accompanied by children to enter." Good policy.

I really should read the book, "Wicked."

I just had to take a picture of a rainbow flag in San Francisco.

So I got to the train station on time after walking through the shopping district. I rode on the second floor of the train on the opposite side so I could see everything I didn't see on the way there. Kelly picked me up in Sunnyvale and went went to Target for some plane snacks. He also wanted to show me a shopping cart elevator. Fun! I think this guy tried to pretend I wasn't taking his picture.

We returned our Toyota Corolla (heck yeah) and hopped on the plane home.

Friday, June 18, 2010 3:24:23 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [2] Trackback

Some of you may know that in the last few years I have started watching ABC's The Bachelor. Its my guilty pleasure and I love it. I prefer my life to be as drama free as possible so I enjoy the catfights and passive aggressive behavior of the bachelorettes on the show. Yesterday Kelly and I went to Southcenter to people watch before we had dinner. We were walking along and there was a couple in front of us and they just caught my eye. I could kind of hear their conversation and couldn't help but notice that the girl was dressed super cute. Then I saw the guy's profile and realized it was Jason Mesnik and Molly Malaney from the Bachelor. How bizarre, right? We ended up following them not purposely actually. Then we went into a candy store because Kelly had a hankering for some cotton candy. And who should walk in but Jason Mesnik and Molly Malaney. No one else seemed to notice the couple. They were actually pretty short. Well I guess everyone is short compared to Kelly and myself. Kelly said he wished we had our camera to take a picture and sell it. As we were driving out of the parking lot we saw them come out of the mall and meet up with Jason's parents who had his son Ty. It was just too bizarre to see people you watched for months on television in your mall.

Monday, June 07, 2010 11:40:30 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

I was laying on my stomach in our living room yesterday doing homework. Kelly was walking around behind me. All of a sudden I heard what sounded like him sucking up spit. Then he said, "oh man."

I asked him, "Did you just accidently spit on the floor?"

To which he replied, "I forgot I was inside."

"How do you forget your inside!"

"I don't know, I just did."

Sunday, June 06, 2010 2:20:09 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

My work in our front yard has continued. I rented a roller and tried my best to level the dirt. Then I bought way too much grass seed and sod. I thought for a while with all the rain we've been having that my little grass seeds would wash away but they actually sprouted!

These photos were taken about a week ago so its filled in a bit more. But there are still a few dirt patches that I'll throw some seed and sod at soon. Now all I need is for it to not rain for like an hour.

Friday, June 04, 2010 10:36:29 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [1] Trackback

Some friends and I have been having girls' nights for the last few years. Once a month we all get together on a Saturday night. We usually eat dinner, play games and talk a lot. I hosted this month's girls' night at my house. We made trivets out of wine corks, made "therapy cookies" and just talked and talked and talked (this is what we do best).

Kelly and Lindsay

Christine and Jenn

Kelly and me

Wine corks

My completed wine cork trivet.

Kelly

Lindsay and her trivet.

We baked gingerbread cookies. Then wrote names of people we don't like on them with a sharpie. Then we put the cookies in the street and watched them get run over by cars. Thus they're called, '"therapy cookies." I recommend this is basically free and harmless.

Us standing on the side of the road waiting for our cookies to be run over.

Lindsay and Jenn stomping on their cookies after they didn't get destroyed enough by passing cars.

Sunday, May 30, 2010 12:01:54 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [1] Trackback

This past weekend my family and I partook in one of my favorite springtime activities - camping at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. This is my favorite place on God's green earth. The first time I went to Fort Worden I was almost three-years old and my mom was pregnant with my sister, Kelly. After that the four of us have gone every spring. After a while I brought my then boyfriend, Kelly. I missed a few camp outs to go to my senior prom, and get married but other than that I never miss it! This year my parents brought their trailer, we brought out truck and camper and my sister and Mac tent camped all in a row. Some family friends also joined us that have been coming since the early eighties too. I love seeing families that I grew up with and getting to catch up with them. It is so nice to see familiar, friendly faces that have know me since I was a toddler. I also got to see my friend Tara. She has a two-month-old baby boy. I got to hold him and feed him for about an hour. It was so much fun! He was the most beautiful baby and looked so peaceful.

Friday night we set up camp, sat around the campfire and swapped stories. Saturday started off with Dad grilling up lots of bacon and more sitting around the campfire. Saturday turned into a beautiful day. We went to the beach and to town for some shopping.

Dad grilling bacon.

Kelly and Dad fixing Kelly's tie rod that came off on our way to Fort Worden. Thank you Henry's Hardware and Napa in Port Townsend for saving our truck!

Kelly and Mac with Charlie.

Mac and Kelly playing Mancala.

Beach Time!

Dad flying his pirate kite. Bella barked incessantly at it wanting to "get it."

Bella

Charlie

Mom

My sister Kelly, Mom, Charlie, Dad (napping) and Bella.

Dad and Charlie napping.

Mom, Bella, Charlie, Dad and me.

Mac and Kelly decided to build a fort together.

Working hard.

The finished product!

While Mac and Kelly were building the fort a couple of little boys came to check out their handy work. Kelly got them to help build the fort. One of the boys told Kelly that they were excited for Kelly and Mac to leave so they could take over the fort. It was pretty cute.

There was a sailboat race for us to watch.

Monday, May 24, 2010 9:22:53 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

I am been on the lookout for the perfect flower pot to put by our front door since we moved in a year and a half ago. Today I checked out a random garden store in Burien called Herr Backyard Garden (http://www.herrgardencenter.com/). It had great stuff but alas not a perfect flowerpot. So off I was to my favorite home and garden store, McLendon's. It just so happened that ceramic and clay pots were HALF OFF! I could hardly contain my giddiness! I looked all over at the different pots trying to see if I wanted to invest in the perfect pot. Then bingo! I saw it in all its marked down glory, and it was perfect.

Here she be.

In the pot is tall boxwood, a goldmoss sedum succulent, saliva in fuego (red flowers) and two blue rock seed.

Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:26:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback

Kelly and I have a pretty big kitchen which is awesome, no complaints here. However we have wanted an island to have more counter space. We finally settled on an island from IKEA and I think it rocks! It has a butcher board top that I have to oil every other day for two months and then five times a year after that but that's actually kind of fun. It reminds me of when I was in elementary school and my teachers would put shaving cream on all the desks and we got to squish it around and make designs. So I actually don't mind putting wood oil on it every other day.

Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:17:13 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)    Comments [0] Trackback