Summer Reading

I remember summer reading assignments when I was a K-12 student. Sitting still and inside was definitely not what I wanted to do, unless it meant watching sports on TV. The change I've seen in myself is yet another indication of old age. There is something especially comforting about a good book.

I've read 4 "pretty good" books this summer: Telegraph Days (McMurtry), Soccernomics (Kuper & Szymanski), the Alchemist (Coehlo), and Open (Agassi). Each different and well-written in its own right. Then I read Peace like a River (Enger). Since the onset of my newfound love of reading, I cannot remember a book so well written. For a person who never reads a book twice, I could read this book again. Have you ever read a book that was so good, that you couldn't bring yourself to return it to the used bookstore? Instead, you want to share the experience with others? Have you ever delayed the start of another book because you want to dwell on the characters as if you really knew or cared about them? My guess is you have and that these are your favorite books.

It's hard to find a good book these days. What criteria can one use to know what to read? Referrals from friends, bestseller lists, and familiar authors are what I use to decide, but these methods often fail me. So, when I picked this book up, after having read another of Enger's books, I was mildly anticipating the book. What a pleasant surprise it was. The reviews were actually true! The prose was as captivating as advertised. So, with reluctance, I begin Three Cups of Tea (Mortenson & Relin), and leave you with this recommendation, hoping you can escape to this almost-real world as I did.

Crunchy Apples..

he other day I decided to make a pie for our dinner guests...Not just ANY pie...but a caramel apple pie from SCRATCH. After about an hour and a 1/2 into the project, I realized that I was in a little above my head. I frantically called my mom. (This is what I always do when I'm having baking troubles). I had told her earlier that day that I was going to attempt to make a pie, so I figured I could just jump right into the phone conversation with my baking calamity question.

I frantically spat out, "Mom, are the apples supposed to be crunchy?"

She replied, "Yes, apples are crunchy."

Exasperated since I needed an answer immediately (my apples were boiling on the stove after all) "I mean the apples in my pie. Are they supposed to be crunchy?"

Her response, "What?"

I shouted a little louder, "I'm making a pie. Are the apples supposed to be crunchy?"

"OOOooooh...you're making a pie."

"Yes, I'm baking a pie and I need an answer NOW!"

"Well, have you baked the pie yet?"

Feeling a little sheepish, I answered "Oh...I didn't read that far ahead. Thanks for your help. I gotta get these apples off of the stove."

I finally finished my pie. It actually turned out wonderful. I just think it's funny my mom thought I called her to ask her if plain old apples are supposed to be crunchy....

The final product

OBX Highlights

We really had a great vacation this last week. Here are the highlights.

1. Swimming in the Ocean...just glad Abbey and I survived the rip tide! (I swear we got caught in one)

2. Watching Abbey and Alexia TRY to get out of the Ocean....I'm sure I would have laughed if I saw myself attempting to get out. Those last few waves will get ya...and the shells will scrape the heck out of your legs!

3. Riding beach cruisers.

4. My BFF from college was able to get to know my wonderful husband! I'm sure she'll never know how much this meant to me! I love you Abbey! You deserve about 5 vacations for seeing me through all my guy drama in college! (Maybe even 6 for the broken tooth brush incident:)

5. Playing games. Josh comes up with some pretty witty answers! Glad I was able to get to know my in-laws a little better.

6. Food. HOLY MOLY. We ate....a LOT! I've decided that nothing motivates me to exercise more than a long vacation with too much food. Bring on Insanity and P90X.

7. Cute kids. I looked forwared to Hope's goodnight kisses every evening and watching the ever-so-imaginative Kate play.

The Tannest I've EVER Been...

Or Ever WILL BE....Joel is just his natural photographic, tan self!

We Went to OBX..

This past week we went to the OBX with Abbey and the Uecker Diary Crew. We spent a lot of time laying in the sun, sleeping, playing games and EATING. Holy Moly we ate a lot of food. I can't wait to start consuming raw vegetables and exercising again. We really did have a fabulous time though. It was so great to spend time with my college friend and laugh at all of Josh's funny jokes! (Whenever I see my brother-in-law, I will always think "I like big teeth and I can not lie.") Unfortunately, it's time to get back to the Nitty Gritty again. I'm glad to be back with Maddie, though! I missed my little guard dog!

Get to Know Joel

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, that it was "get to know Joel and Caron" month. Therefore, I thought I'd write a post exclusively about my hubby. Isn't he handsome?

1. Joel is an amazing writer. He proof-read all my nursing papers for me and was a GREAT APA source. He knew it better than my instructors.

2. He's really good with names. I'm TERRIBLE at remembering names. I have to look at my nursing cheat sheet before I go into all of my patients rooms. If you asked me at the end of the day what all of my patients names were...I wouldn't be able to tell you. (I think this is a blessing. It makes it much easier for me NOT to violate HIPA rules). Anyway, if Joel were a nurse (ha ha...that's a funny image), he'd probably know every one's name on the floor by the end of the day...and he'd remember those names for months.

3. He grocery shops. My hubby is quite the cook and grocery shopper. His parents did an amazing job raising him! I'm not sure all husbands would do these things for their wives.

4. He's never changed a diaper. He refuses to do this chore until he has a child. I guess this is okay, as long as he changes a few dirty drawers when he becomes a father.

5. He's a sports trivia wizard.

6. My hubby LOVES Mexican food.

7. Joel knew I was the girl for him the first time we talked. Okay, this is a lie...but I thought it would be fun to add to the list:) It took me a few months to win him over (8 months).

Well, that's all for now folks. Do any of my readers know something about Joel that I don't? I would love to hear your stories!

People Say the Darndest Things!

I am often amused by peoples comments when they meet me. Is it just me, or does everyone receive these interesting tid-bits of peoples thoughts when they meet new people? Here they are.

1. Apparently I look like a cow girl. I've been told this a couple of times by different people. Not quite sure where they get this idea. I don't even know how to ride a horse. I own no cow girl accessories, either.

2. I also look Turkish, Brazilian, European and VERY American? Hmmm.....

3. Apparently I play multiple sports...Soccer, Volley-ball, Squash (okay, so I've never been told I look like a squash player, but I'm sure I'll get this comment one day). I also look like a runner (I've run a marathon, so I guess this comment is valid!) Dancer has been tossed out there a few times, too.

4. Age. I don't think anyone will ever get my age right. I like the fact that I look like I'm in highschool, even though I'm almost 30. My friends in their 40's don't appreciate being asked if I'm their daughter though. I guess this makes them feel old:)

5. I also have a very common look. I seem to look like everyones sister or friend they went to highschool with.

6. Barbara Streishand and I are twins.

So, if we mix this all together, I am a multi-ethnic Barbara S. cowgirl still in high school, who plays every sport in the book, but manages to look like everyone's sister. Hmmm...I must have quite the look