My cousins were in town this weekend and I drove out to Hamilton to visit with them and their mom (my aunt renee). The drive was beautiful reminding me of the vast prarie and sky that surrounds Bozeman. Unfortunately, I missed most of the drive as I was busy chatting away on my cell phone informing our family or our good news. I think I gave my mom a heart attack, but everyone is excited and thrilled that we are expecting.
I arrived at my aunts house to see my youngest cousin driving her car....I almost had a heart attack. I know I am 23 but I still always think of my younger cousins and siblings as those innocent 11 years olds body surfing in the ocean. I never thought of them as driving SUVs, growing to 6 ft tall, or having body hair.
We went bowling and all suffered a poor first game, none of us broke a 100. My youngest cousin, Mike was eager to warm up and start a second game but my early pregnancy fatigue waved on although I could barely carry my 10 pound ball I obliged to that second game. At this point none of the cousins knew about my state and when they suggested sushi for dinner I finally had to break the news. Then it hit me, I cant have sushi. I cant drink coffee, beer, wine, or have a cocktail. Fish in moderation. Kiss those rare steaks and burgers good bye because the risk is too great. My pregnancy elationis started to wear off as my mouth started salvating for a spicy tuna roll with avocado. Jet, Mike, and Renee were not at all disappointed as they were so excited to hear that the new generation was starting for our family. Jet and Mike demanded to be called uncles and are likewise hoping for a boy, seeing as they feel the Tomlinson family has far to many women.
We opted for burgers and decaf coffee and enjoyed a great evening discussing personality profile and economics. I am so impressed at how my young cousins have grown up. They are each markedly intelligent, well-versed, polite and will satisfy any woman one day with charm, height, and good looks. I guess they are no longer 11.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Work is going...but..ssssllloooowwwlly
I have been at my placement site for almost 2 months now and while I wasn’t planning on a whirlwind plan of change I was at least hoping for a little more action. I have a great long list of things I am supposed to accomplish but little can actually get done because teachers are impossible to find, my supervisor always in meetings or at conferences, and our principle is currently interviewing for a position in Bozeman. I work well with little supervision but when all the questions I have can only be answered by the above mentioned people, sometimes getting an answer takes 5 days.
I got tired of waiting around so I started creating work for myself. I am working on developing student-led conferences which will not actually be taking place until October. In the mean time, I have developed research packets, created brochures, informational postcards, and watched videos of student-led conferences taking place. Teachers are fussy about participating in student-led conferences mainly because they don’t have much information or a venue to address questions and concerns. My hope is to use all these resources to hold a forum to discuss conferences so that teachers may have questions answered and understand how conferences work. When it comes time to implement these conferences in October, teachers will already have an idea of what takes place and conferences can begin with few complications.
That is what I did last week.
Throughout the month, I have been working on the job shadowing program. I feel so much concern for this program because it is so important and few people want to deal with it. I have mentioned before that the job shadowing program will not exist without a VISTA in place and addressing capacity building is difficult because teachers and staff are already extremely busy.
Last month, I spent the majority of time brainstorming and researching effective job shadow programs. I met with other high school teachers who use our job shadow database and ultimately, our frustrating conclusion, is that the database and job shadow program needs to be completely renovated.
The database is 10 years old, extremely out of date, and hard to use. Students have to sign a million forms before participating and these forms were created in 1988. Most of the businesses that are listed in the database are out of business or retired. Teachers don’t want to make 10 calls to find only 1 still exists. However, the database is an excellent resource and could be effective if redesigned but it would cost thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of time. After assessing the needs of teachers, staff, and students and understanding the complications we have decided to start from scratch. Working with other high schools will minimize the workload and using mailings to assess the entire community interests will be a better way of targeting community members rather than calling the already existing 3245 members in the old database.
I love movement and change but I am impatient like so many other visionaries. I know what I am supposed to do but the steps seem so far away. I get frustrated when at the end of the day all I have done is called 10 community members and sent a few emails. I have to stop and remember that it cant all be done in one day, one week, or one month. My site has three years left on their grant so any work I complete is useful and one step closer to our goal.
I got tired of waiting around so I started creating work for myself. I am working on developing student-led conferences which will not actually be taking place until October. In the mean time, I have developed research packets, created brochures, informational postcards, and watched videos of student-led conferences taking place. Teachers are fussy about participating in student-led conferences mainly because they don’t have much information or a venue to address questions and concerns. My hope is to use all these resources to hold a forum to discuss conferences so that teachers may have questions answered and understand how conferences work. When it comes time to implement these conferences in October, teachers will already have an idea of what takes place and conferences can begin with few complications.
That is what I did last week.
Throughout the month, I have been working on the job shadowing program. I feel so much concern for this program because it is so important and few people want to deal with it. I have mentioned before that the job shadowing program will not exist without a VISTA in place and addressing capacity building is difficult because teachers and staff are already extremely busy.
Last month, I spent the majority of time brainstorming and researching effective job shadow programs. I met with other high school teachers who use our job shadow database and ultimately, our frustrating conclusion, is that the database and job shadow program needs to be completely renovated.
The database is 10 years old, extremely out of date, and hard to use. Students have to sign a million forms before participating and these forms were created in 1988. Most of the businesses that are listed in the database are out of business or retired. Teachers don’t want to make 10 calls to find only 1 still exists. However, the database is an excellent resource and could be effective if redesigned but it would cost thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of time. After assessing the needs of teachers, staff, and students and understanding the complications we have decided to start from scratch. Working with other high schools will minimize the workload and using mailings to assess the entire community interests will be a better way of targeting community members rather than calling the already existing 3245 members in the old database.
I love movement and change but I am impatient like so many other visionaries. I know what I am supposed to do but the steps seem so far away. I get frustrated when at the end of the day all I have done is called 10 community members and sent a few emails. I have to stop and remember that it cant all be done in one day, one week, or one month. My site has three years left on their grant so any work I complete is useful and one step closer to our goal.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bump Alert
A couple of weird things have been happening lately.
1.) I have insomnia. Usually I can sleep like a log throughout the night, but the last few weeks I have been waking up at 2 am with extreme thirst. I drink a few glasses of water and I am still thirsty, not to mention I have to pee.
2.) My catnaps have been more prevalent. I fall asleep at my desk at work, watching tv, not to mention, I go to bed at 9pm.
3.) Super sense-o-smell. Dale got blue cheese last week, which I love. However, one whiff of the cheese sent me running.
4.) I woke up last week and realized that my period was late. I waited a week before taking a home pregnancy test just to make sure I wasnt super late, and as you may have guessed....it was POSITIVE!
I am pregnant! Many of you may have known that Dale and I stopped using birth control in December, but we werent expecting this to happen so quickly! We are estatic! I am only 5-6 weeks along, so it is still early, but the prego symptoms are already there! I cant believe how much anxiety can rest on a pee stick (ie home preg. test). Seriously, I was so excited to take the test, it was like Christmas morning all over again. Now, I just stare at this stupid pee-stick because of this big fat positive. Over a pee-stick, really? Dale said I should start carrying it in my purse.
I spoke with the doctor yesterday and based on my last missed period Dale and I are due sometime between October 26 and November 2. (Dale is hoping for his birthday, Oct 23, I am hoping for a Halloween baby!) We wont know for sure until we go in for an ultrasound March 19. We have already told our parents, but we want to keep it quiet until we know for sure.
PS, We really would like to have a girl first but I have this overwhelming sense that we are having a boy....it may seem weird because we are only a few weeks, but I just have this "feeling".
1.) I have insomnia. Usually I can sleep like a log throughout the night, but the last few weeks I have been waking up at 2 am with extreme thirst. I drink a few glasses of water and I am still thirsty, not to mention I have to pee.
2.) My catnaps have been more prevalent. I fall asleep at my desk at work, watching tv, not to mention, I go to bed at 9pm.
3.) Super sense-o-smell. Dale got blue cheese last week, which I love. However, one whiff of the cheese sent me running.
4.) I woke up last week and realized that my period was late. I waited a week before taking a home pregnancy test just to make sure I wasnt super late, and as you may have guessed....it was POSITIVE!
I am pregnant! Many of you may have known that Dale and I stopped using birth control in December, but we werent expecting this to happen so quickly! We are estatic! I am only 5-6 weeks along, so it is still early, but the prego symptoms are already there! I cant believe how much anxiety can rest on a pee stick (ie home preg. test). Seriously, I was so excited to take the test, it was like Christmas morning all over again. Now, I just stare at this stupid pee-stick because of this big fat positive. Over a pee-stick, really? Dale said I should start carrying it in my purse.
I spoke with the doctor yesterday and based on my last missed period Dale and I are due sometime between October 26 and November 2. (Dale is hoping for his birthday, Oct 23, I am hoping for a Halloween baby!) We wont know for sure until we go in for an ultrasound March 19. We have already told our parents, but we want to keep it quiet until we know for sure.
PS, We really would like to have a girl first but I have this overwhelming sense that we are having a boy....it may seem weird because we are only a few weeks, but I just have this "feeling".
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kat's Bad-Ass Buffalo Chilli
We went to our friends house on Friday for dinner. I aggreed to make Chilli if they made cornbread and salad. I have made chilli before and have gotten rave reviews. This time, I decided to change things around and use things local to Montana. What I created was the BEST damn chilli I have ever tasted, I have supporters on this one. I have tasted a lot of chilli and my friend Kay is a Texan and swears that this is the best chilli ever. If I could make a pot and have all of you over for dinner I would, but for now the recipe will suffice.
Kat's Bad-Ass Buffalo Chilli
1 lb stewing beef, sliced into 1-inch chunks
1 lb buffalo tri-tip or rump roast, sliced into 1-inch chunks
1/2 lb of ground buffalo
1 large onion
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 can tomatoe paste
1/4 diced green chilies
2 tbsp of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 can of beer
1 cup of beef broth
1 tsp oil
Herbs:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp Cumin
Salt/Pepper to taste (usually 1 tsp each)
**If you like beans (which I do) Add:
1 can chilli beans (pinto beans in tomatoe sauce)
1 can black beans, kidney beans OR pinto beans
1.) In a dutch oven, brown meat on all sides and remove from pan. (I usually do this 1/2 at a time, so meat gets brown faster)
2.) LEAVE the fat in the pan and add 1/2 can of beer. Let reduce 2-3 minutes until most of the liquid is gone. (Buffalo is very lean, reducing the fat gives the buffalo richness)
3.) Add oil to the pan with sliced onion, garlic, and green chilies. Cook until onions are tender (about 4 minutes, you can add more beer if it starts to burn)
4.) Add the meat back into the pan. Add the chipotle peppers and diced/stewed tomatoes. Give it a stir, add remaining beer, beef broth and spices. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer covered for 20 minutes. (depending on how spicy you like your chilli, add more/less chipotle peppers. Also, I really like cumin, so I usually add an extra 1-2 tbsp)
5.) To thicken sauce, add tomatoe paste and stir. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for about 10 minutes. (again, depending on how you like your chilli, you may add more or less tomatoe paste)
6.) Add beans and once again, simmer covered for about 10 more minutes. Adjust to taste.
7.) Serve with Kay's cornbread casserole and devour!
***The longer it stews the more tender it will be. I usually let it stew for 2 hours and then add beans about 30 minutes before its ready to eat, so that the beans keep their texture.
Kat's Bad-Ass Buffalo Chilli
1 lb stewing beef, sliced into 1-inch chunks
1 lb buffalo tri-tip or rump roast, sliced into 1-inch chunks
1/2 lb of ground buffalo
1 large onion
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 can tomatoe paste
1/4 diced green chilies
2 tbsp of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 can of beer
1 cup of beef broth
1 tsp oil
Herbs:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp Cumin
Salt/Pepper to taste (usually 1 tsp each)
**If you like beans (which I do) Add:
1 can chilli beans (pinto beans in tomatoe sauce)
1 can black beans, kidney beans OR pinto beans
1.) In a dutch oven, brown meat on all sides and remove from pan. (I usually do this 1/2 at a time, so meat gets brown faster)
2.) LEAVE the fat in the pan and add 1/2 can of beer. Let reduce 2-3 minutes until most of the liquid is gone. (Buffalo is very lean, reducing the fat gives the buffalo richness)
3.) Add oil to the pan with sliced onion, garlic, and green chilies. Cook until onions are tender (about 4 minutes, you can add more beer if it starts to burn)
4.) Add the meat back into the pan. Add the chipotle peppers and diced/stewed tomatoes. Give it a stir, add remaining beer, beef broth and spices. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer covered for 20 minutes. (depending on how spicy you like your chilli, add more/less chipotle peppers. Also, I really like cumin, so I usually add an extra 1-2 tbsp)
5.) To thicken sauce, add tomatoe paste and stir. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for about 10 minutes. (again, depending on how you like your chilli, you may add more or less tomatoe paste)
6.) Add beans and once again, simmer covered for about 10 more minutes. Adjust to taste.
7.) Serve with Kay's cornbread casserole and devour!
***The longer it stews the more tender it will be. I usually let it stew for 2 hours and then add beans about 30 minutes before its ready to eat, so that the beans keep their texture.
Emma Jean, the Cat Herder
We picked up our new puppy a week ago Monday. She had just been spayed and was still quite groggy. She just wanted to cuddle and sleep. We were up have the night cleaning up her vomit, which apparently our vet forgot to mention would happen.
I sadly had to leave her in the arms of Dale for a few days as I ventured to Helena for a community building training. I talked to Dale every few hours to check in. I was so amused listening to Dale recant his stories of Emma. Here is what I learned while away.
1. Emma apparently likes to hide things. She hid our car keys under the couch.
2. Anything she likes, she puts on the couch: dog bowl, bone, Dale's socks etc
3. She is a sheep herder by nature. She loves sheepskin, or anything resembling sheep skin. She tore through Dale's sheepskin lined slippers.
4. She loves to cuddle. So much in fact, that she practically kicks you off the bed.
5. When she has to pee, she stands up and sniffs the air.
6. She hates puddles and will avoid them at all possible causes, even if it involves breaking from her leash and collar...she hates wet feet.
7. Dale decided to give her a middle name, he calls her Emma Jean.
8. Anytime the cats go outside, she herds them back inside.
Of course, I find all of this endearing and listening to Dale immediately gets my biological clock ticking as the mother me starts to come out.
She was so excited when I returned home. I sat down on the floor and she crawled into my lap to give me hugs and kisses.
Already, she has made a huge difference in our lives. We actually get up and do things. We love our couch and our tv, which is a dangerous thing when you live in Montana. Having her around, has forced us to get up early on the weekend and go for walks. We are so excited to show her off that we take her anywhere we go.
Friday, we had a puppy play date with some friends. Everyone loved her! Emma is really a great dog, she is mellow, doesn't bark, and loves to be near people. If only we could get her housebroken.
Saturday we walked her downtown. She was great on the leash as long as she walked between Dale and me. If I moved her to the other side, she would inadvertently cut us off in her attempt to be between us.
Sunday we walked to the park and discovered that she loves to collect pine cones (just like my mother). Emma would walk two steps and pick up a pine cone, drop it and then pick up another.
I was not a dog person until we got Emma Jean. She is mellow and intelligent. I love watching her and discovering all the new things she does. Just like a baby, she has a huge learning curve right now.
Yesterday, she discovered that her Frisbee holds snow when its upside down. She would fill her Frisbee and then carry it somewhere where she could eat the snow.
On Friday she refused to take commands and had no comprehension of "sit". Now, all she wants to do is sit. She sits and waits until we call her a good girl or until she gets a cookie. This week we will work on lay down, stay, and shake.
Having a puppy has been thus far rewarding. It has its challenges, nobody likes to wake up at 3 am to clean up dogshit. However, to keep her in my life I will gladly do it. Emma has brought Dale and I closer, has gotten us more active, and has shown us a little insight into parenting.
I sadly had to leave her in the arms of Dale for a few days as I ventured to Helena for a community building training. I talked to Dale every few hours to check in. I was so amused listening to Dale recant his stories of Emma. Here is what I learned while away.
1. Emma apparently likes to hide things. She hid our car keys under the couch.
2. Anything she likes, she puts on the couch: dog bowl, bone, Dale's socks etc
3. She is a sheep herder by nature. She loves sheepskin, or anything resembling sheep skin. She tore through Dale's sheepskin lined slippers.
4. She loves to cuddle. So much in fact, that she practically kicks you off the bed.
5. When she has to pee, she stands up and sniffs the air.
6. She hates puddles and will avoid them at all possible causes, even if it involves breaking from her leash and collar...she hates wet feet.
7. Dale decided to give her a middle name, he calls her Emma Jean.
8. Anytime the cats go outside, she herds them back inside.
Of course, I find all of this endearing and listening to Dale immediately gets my biological clock ticking as the mother me starts to come out.
She was so excited when I returned home. I sat down on the floor and she crawled into my lap to give me hugs and kisses.
Already, she has made a huge difference in our lives. We actually get up and do things. We love our couch and our tv, which is a dangerous thing when you live in Montana. Having her around, has forced us to get up early on the weekend and go for walks. We are so excited to show her off that we take her anywhere we go.
Friday, we had a puppy play date with some friends. Everyone loved her! Emma is really a great dog, she is mellow, doesn't bark, and loves to be near people. If only we could get her housebroken.
Saturday we walked her downtown. She was great on the leash as long as she walked between Dale and me. If I moved her to the other side, she would inadvertently cut us off in her attempt to be between us.
Sunday we walked to the park and discovered that she loves to collect pine cones (just like my mother). Emma would walk two steps and pick up a pine cone, drop it and then pick up another.
I was not a dog person until we got Emma Jean. She is mellow and intelligent. I love watching her and discovering all the new things she does. Just like a baby, she has a huge learning curve right now.
Yesterday, she discovered that her Frisbee holds snow when its upside down. She would fill her Frisbee and then carry it somewhere where she could eat the snow.
On Friday she refused to take commands and had no comprehension of "sit". Now, all she wants to do is sit. She sits and waits until we call her a good girl or until she gets a cookie. This week we will work on lay down, stay, and shake.
Having a puppy has been thus far rewarding. It has its challenges, nobody likes to wake up at 3 am to clean up dogshit. However, to keep her in my life I will gladly do it. Emma has brought Dale and I closer, has gotten us more active, and has shown us a little insight into parenting.
 |
| From Emma Jean...the pondering puppy |
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The emotional Coup D'etat
This month has been a little rough. We were challenged many times throughout the month and were constantly on the brink of an emotional coup d'etat. I am only making $833 a month and our bills roughly double that. First, the cat bill added up to a week's pay, then Dale's uncle passed away (couldn't afford plane tickets), and now we are adjusting to the idea that Dale may not have a job until March.
Dale and I talk about everything, but right now, it is really hard because we are both questioning our move to Missoula. Every time I get upset about a rough day at work or about crappy Missoula drivers, I bite my tongue for peace. Of course, this has the negative downside of promoting bottled emotion nearing explosion.
The explosion happened. It all started when Hanna (bff) called to say happy birthday. One thing led to another and I found myself tearing uncontrollable inside my car. I was picking up Dale to go drop off job applications and the entire car ride was silenced by our general awkwardness about discussing our present emotional state.
Two hours went by and finally, I asked if we could go to the animal shelter. I dont know what possessed this thinking. We had been thinking about getting a dog, but hadn't seriously considered it.
We got to the shelter and of course, they had puppies. 3 month old lab/border collie crosses. Immediately we jumped in to play with those bundles of fur. We walked around enjoying the cool air, sunny day, and dogshit on our shoes. Decision time: do we get a dog?
We walked back over to the puppies. I leaned down, and this small black puppy with white paws stuck her tiny paws through the fence to touch my face. Decision made!
The next day, Dale and I completed the paperwork and adopted our first puppy. We pick her up on Monday!
The rest of the night, Dale and I snuggled in bed and talked about our frustrations, Montana, work. We dreamed up all these activities to do with the new dog. Walks, hikes, floating, camping. Both of us, we exhausted but we continued talking about our future and our present. That emotional blunder was the first real challenge we have faced in marriage. It would have been resolved at some point, because neither one of us can stand to be mad at each other for more than a few hours.
However, deciding to get a dog was a decision we both made. We make decisions every day, but this decision involved talking to each other about our present and future. We made cases for and against. Talking it out opened up pathways for honest dialogue, that we previously fogged over. It was a big decision, and I know that we cant get a dog everytime we get into a fight, however, we learned how to analyze our problems and work them out in a healthy way.
It became clear that we do have a future in Montana and that we are both ready to take responsibility for our lives and for others.
The new puppy saved the day!
Dale and I talk about everything, but right now, it is really hard because we are both questioning our move to Missoula. Every time I get upset about a rough day at work or about crappy Missoula drivers, I bite my tongue for peace. Of course, this has the negative downside of promoting bottled emotion nearing explosion.
The explosion happened. It all started when Hanna (bff) called to say happy birthday. One thing led to another and I found myself tearing uncontrollable inside my car. I was picking up Dale to go drop off job applications and the entire car ride was silenced by our general awkwardness about discussing our present emotional state.
Two hours went by and finally, I asked if we could go to the animal shelter. I dont know what possessed this thinking. We had been thinking about getting a dog, but hadn't seriously considered it.
We got to the shelter and of course, they had puppies. 3 month old lab/border collie crosses. Immediately we jumped in to play with those bundles of fur. We walked around enjoying the cool air, sunny day, and dogshit on our shoes. Decision time: do we get a dog?
We walked back over to the puppies. I leaned down, and this small black puppy with white paws stuck her tiny paws through the fence to touch my face. Decision made!
The next day, Dale and I completed the paperwork and adopted our first puppy. We pick her up on Monday!
The rest of the night, Dale and I snuggled in bed and talked about our frustrations, Montana, work. We dreamed up all these activities to do with the new dog. Walks, hikes, floating, camping. Both of us, we exhausted but we continued talking about our future and our present. That emotional blunder was the first real challenge we have faced in marriage. It would have been resolved at some point, because neither one of us can stand to be mad at each other for more than a few hours.
However, deciding to get a dog was a decision we both made. We make decisions every day, but this decision involved talking to each other about our present and future. We made cases for and against. Talking it out opened up pathways for honest dialogue, that we previously fogged over. It was a big decision, and I know that we cant get a dog everytime we get into a fight, however, we learned how to analyze our problems and work them out in a healthy way.
It became clear that we do have a future in Montana and that we are both ready to take responsibility for our lives and for others.
The new puppy saved the day!
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