Saturday, April 30, 2011

Day 105

Let There Be Light
I think we bought this hanging lights about 5 years ago!!!  And, when did they get hung up???  TODAY!  Regardless, they look great and add a needed light source to the backyard.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Day 104

Yummy Dinner at Cattlemens
It was PAYDAY today!  So, we finally got a treat and went out to dinner.  We shared some wings and a big burger.  I am stuffed!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Day 103

The Infamous Doggie and the Fence
As mentioned in an earlier post...we have an ugly fence around the hot tub.  Well, here is the story:

We adopted Kona when she was 9 months old after she had been abandoned up at Clear Lake, tied to a tree, and then sent to a rescue for labs.  A couple adopted her from that rescue but could not handle her, imagine that?!

Chris and I decided to adopt this female, sweet, quiet, black lab.  We had just bought our house in Pleasanton and re-did most of the house.  Chris' splurge was the hot tub...it was and still is a prized possession of his.  

Kona was SO bad while we were at work that she had to be tied up.  We hated to do it but she would tear everything and anything apart.  During her tied up time (a few weeks), she would get bored and chew on the spa cover.  This continued even through the non-tied up days.

A year went by, Kona had become a pretty good doggie.  There were still destructive behaviors but she had had free run of the backyard for many months now.  We decided to get a friend for Kona...Dixie, the basset hound moved in.

When Kona and Dixie would wrestle and argue for a chew, Kona had to escape.  So, Kona would jump on the spa cover!  The short legged basset hound could not get to Kona.  

We did not realize this was happening for quite some time.  One clue was the chew marks not just on the side of the cover but all over.  Then, our cleaning people tattled on that mischievous lab.

We didn't really do anything about this issue but, as time progressed, the cover began to give in.  The center was sagging!  

The cover became so saggy and Kona had chewed up most of the cover so, Chris removed it and covered the hot tub with a tarp.  I told him to keep some water in the hot tub, just in case someone thought to jump on it!  Hee, hee, hee...our master plan worked!

One night, we came home to a tarp in the water and one, VERY WET, black lab!!!

After that, we bought a new cover and the fence was erected.  Kona is 6 years old now and is an amazing dog.  But, we just don't trust her without that fence!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Day 102

STRIKE!
Today I fulfilled my auction prize, with the other fourth and fifth grade teachers.  We each took two lucky students bowling and did a 4th versus 5th competition.  It ended up that 4th grade won the first game and 5th grade won the second game, perfect!  I bowled just fine, considering I have not bowled since college...um, 11 years ago!  I scored around 105 for each game.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Day 101

The Office
So the lighter version of this photo just would not upload, so this one will do.  Here is our office and Chris worked so hard yesterday to organize the room.  With years of us teaching many different subjects and his year as a cop, we have collected too many things.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Day 100

Pie for Two
We had our "guilty pleasure" while watching the Dancing with the Stars, Guilty Pleasures episode.  The leftover pie from Easter dinner was yummy!!!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Day 99

Happy Easter!
Even the animals joined us at dinner tonight!  No...she only wishes.  The table was all set so beautifully and Lily, the cat, made her way to the head of the table.  Too cute!

Tonight, we went to Chris' parents' house for Easter dinner where my parents joined us too.  We had a feast with yummy appetizers, a ham dinner, and pie for dessert.  It sure is wonderful to have both sets of parents so close by but even better that everyone enjoys spending time together!!!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Day 98

Our First Giants Game for the 2011 Season
For Christmas, Chris' parents gave us two Giants games.  So, today was the first one.  We drove over with Jill and Dave to San Francisco.  The weather held out but it wasn't warm, to say the least.  The Giants didn't give us a win, unfortunately, but it is still a good day when at a game!  :)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Day 97

Ashley and Katie, In My Classroom
Our Picnic Lunch
Today I got the BEST treat...my mom and two nieces visited me with a picnic lunch!!!  

Ashley and Katie were so cute meeting my big fifth graders and touring my classroom.  

Then, we ate egg salad sandwiches (bologna for Ashley), veggies with dip, fruit salad, and cookies.  Oh, and how could I forget the olives that I fought with Ashley for since she loves them too!  :)

After lunch, I took everyone over to our Book Fair where they were spoiled by Mimi (my mom).  Lastly, my mom took pictures of them in front of our murals on the playground (just like we did in the summer with my niece, Alex, and nephew, Peter).

Thanks Mom for the wonderful treat today!!!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Day 96

My Handyman
After Chris showered this morning, the water would not turn off!  So, he had to shut off the water to the house and headed to work.  This evening he fixed up the dials and it is working well.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Day 95

Ugh...Lay-Offs?!?!
I thought I was in the clear this year.  March 15th came and went with no pink slip!  Then, I got this email today.  I am hoping and praying that having three years in the district will make me safe from the lay-off process.  Crossing my fingers and toes.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Day 94

Kittens in a Sink
When we adopted Harley, his foster parents shared this photo with us.  Harley and his two brothers were caught sleeping in the sink!  

Then, they tried fitting in the sink when they were older:

Kittens Not Quite Fitting in a Sink

Monday, April 18, 2011

Day 93

YES, I Love Spring
From Our Front Door, The Porch
Eight Year Old Cacti (Except the Rock One)
Beautiful!
The Vegetable Garden
Over the weekend we shopped to fix up our garden and potted plants.  We got some flowers, like the above lily and fixed up the vegetable garden.  Soon, we will have more green onions, chives, tomatoes, and peppers.  Oh, and those cacti....those we bought to place in a planter box at our condo in Walnut Creek.  They got transferred to some pots since the box wasn't looking so good.  Thank goodness it is spring time!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Day 92

Smoked Turkey
Chris' Smoker
For Christmas, my parents got Chris a smoker.  Since then he has made some incredible treats.  Today, he smoked two turkey breasts.  Mmm, mmm, mmm...it was EXCELLENT!  Tonight we piled the turkey on toasted sourdough with bacon, avocado, tomatoes and red onions.  And, tomorrow I already have a sandwich packed for lunch.  Thanks Chris!!!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Day 91

Frisbee Golf
"Four!" Chris Throws

Kristin's Turn...See How it JUST Missed the Basket
Since my brother, Derek, had given Frisbee Golf discs to Chris a while back, we have been wanting to play!  We found some courses in the area and had a great time.  Today we went to the neighboring city of San Ramon and put our discs to work.

This course was UP a hill and then down a hill, then across the hill.  In addition, the wind did not let up.  After a horrible throw, on the second hole,  that was meant to go straight but went down a steep hill, I did not know what would be in store for the remainder of the course.  But, we finished the ten hole course and it was worth it.  Next, we will try the course in San Leandro in a few weeks.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Day 90

Our Family Crests
Chris and I got our family crests a while back while at the Scottish Games.  We had the crests matted and framed.  It lives in our hallway and I love it.  Every family should get their crests.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Day 89

Learning New Wrestling Moves
As I was cleaning the dinner dishes, I heard Chris' mischievous giggle coming from the other room.  This was the result of his giggle...Kona "reading" The Idiot's Guide to Wrestling. This read is a must to handle Dixie, the basset hound.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Day 88

Caught in the Act!
Dixie is BAD!  I had my camera out and what do I see...Dixie drinking my chocolate milk!  This is not a first, unfortunately.  But, in the past it has typically been beer or coffee that she has gotten into.  We didn't mind the beer drinking, that mellowed her.  The coffee, on the other hand, made Dixie into the most hyper dog ever!

See the glass she is drinking out of?  This is from Boscoe's, a restaurant named in honor of the Mayor of Sunol.  Boscoe was a famous mayor because he was a black lab!  No joke!!!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Day 87

Spoiled Doggies
Here is the bin we use to store all of the dog toys.  As you can see, they are SPOILED!!!  Each critter has a name too.  The top one is "Spunky the Spider".

Monday, April 11, 2011

Day 86

Tiny Shrimp in a Tiny Aquarium
No Food Needed- See It Swimming

In the Rocks
My mother-in-law sent me to the Harvest Festival last fall to pick up some shrimp.  Huh???

I arrived at the booth and I saw this!  The little jar contains the tiniest shrimp. I had to get one!

Take a close look, they are there swimming around.  So cool!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Day 85

Rugby:  St. Mary's College vs. Cal
We had a great day today.  After we packed up the two dogs, we headed to Moraga for the rugby game.  Dixie was a terror in the car ride over, as usual. Kona behaved.

Then we watched most of the game but left early since Cal was killing SMC. Dixie was very territorial and had to bark away any dogs that came near.  Kona behaved.

Following the game, we ventured over to a park where a frisbie golf course was set up.  We gave the new game a try.  Dixie ate SO much grass we thought she converted to being a cow.  Guess what happened on the car ride home???  Lots of grassy barf, eeek!!!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Day 84

My Famous Chili
Yum!  

This recipe makes a HUGE pot of chili.  We make a large pot and then freeze most of it to use for chili in a bread bowl, chili pasta, chili dogs, etc.  You could definitely cut the recipe in half and vary it to your taste, because I sure have changed the original recipe.



Kristin's Chili

1.  In a large pot bring the following ingredients to a boil and then cook on low.

2- 14 oz cans of:
black beans
pinquito beans
pinto beans
chili beans
white beans
white kidney beans (cannellini)
ranch style beans
red kidney beans

4- 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes (I do half with diced tomatoes and jalapenos) 

1 red onion, chopped
Garlic (to taste)

2.  While the beans and tomatoes boil and then simmer, cook the following meats and then add to the chili.

1- 16 oz package of:
ground beef
ground pork
ground turkey
(meats can be varied according to your taste)

3.  Grill a package of round steak or top sirloin and add to the chili.

4.  Season the chili.  (I use salt, pepper, cayenne seasoning, chili powder, and cumin)

5.  Top with green onions, cheese, and/or sour cream.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Day 83

To Stop Violence Against Women
My mom works at Tri-Valley Haven which helps women who have encountered domestic violence.  The month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.  During this month and as a fundraiser for Tri-Valley Haven, The Vagina Monologues is performed.  The cast was made up of all volunteer actresses and some even work at Tri-Valley Haven.

I attended tonight's performance with my mom and mother-in-law.  We started the night off with dinner at Uncle Yu's in Livermore.  It was a fun girl's night out!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Day 82

My New Glasses
Finally, I got some new glasses!  My last ones were SO scratched and old.  The adjustment period of the new glasses is about done and they are comfortable.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Day 82

Southwest Delivered Us Home Safely
One of the worst things to hear while on vacation is how the flights have been grounded due to the top of the plane coming OFF!  We don't want a convertible airplane!!!

Well, thank goodness all was well and we made it home safely.  Our critters were all very happy to see us and we are ready to sleep in a king sized bed again!!!

Day 81

The Happy Bellhop!
The Cute Poolboy!
It really looks like I don't do anything!  But, I am the one who is always taking pictures.  Yes, Chris is incredibly helpful and cute, too!

Day 80

Beginning Our Hike on the Teacup Trail
Enjoying the Beauty!
"An Entangled Romance," Said An Old Man on the Trail
Woo, Hoo!  Chris!
One of the Many Views
Gnarly Tree
After fighting some crazy drivers for parking and buying the correct pass to hike, we made it on trail.  There are over 80 trails to choose from in the Sedona area.  We loved the views and the fun of this particular trail that we spent a few hours on that day.

Day 79

Chris Fuming Over the Car Rental

Booger Box
Part 1:  The Car
Chris pre-arranged everything for the car, called to set up a pick-up 24 hours in advance and...it all went very wrong.  We were expecting someone at 11 a.m.  That time rolled on by.  At 11:02 Chris was on the phone trying to figure the situation out.  The person at the car rental place clearly refused to answer the phone and the customer care agent felt that it was appropriate to blame Chris, the customer!  Needless to say, there will be no rentals from Budget in our future!

But, we got the car and boy was it attractive.  You can see the photo above.  I named it "The Booger Box".  And when this car was speeding up to pass someone, we yelled, "Ah, Choo!"

Sedona, AZ
The Diamond Resorts
The Kitchenette
Part 2:  Sedona
The drive from Scottsdale to Sedona is only about 1.5 hours and the drive is pretty.  We had received a free 2 night stay at a Diamond Resorts after we sat through a timeshare presentation.  The pictures show the place...it was very nice!
The Happy, Vacationing Couple
Dinner at Relics
Do You Spot a Ghost Inside?
Part 3:  Dinner at Relics
Recommended by the Concierge at the hotel, we ventured onto Relics for dinner.  This is where John Wayne would frequent at one point.  It is rumored to have ghost sightings!  No ghosts while we were there, but the dinner was mighty yummy!

Kona Watching TV
Meanwhile...while the cat's away, the mice will play!  Our housesitter sent us this photo of Kona, on the couch, watching TV!!!