this is how you become the pioneer woman.

I didn’t want to post about this on GMS because I feel like it’s unprofessional (read: gloating.) And it’s not even a big deal. And it might lead to nothing.

But big changes are going on over at GMS. We’re working on some stuff that’ll knock your socks off. It’s making us excited for the fall, another Thanksgiving, and another holiday season.

And the first little bitty thing that happened was we got contacted by someone who wants to give us product for a giveaway. It was in connection with one of M’s gluten-free posts.

I read this email at the laundromat with Jeff.

“This is how it happens.” I said. “This is how you become the Pioneer Woman.”

I was giggling, so excited to be contacted and know that someone other than my family and Corelyn’s family and the Lears read our blog. As it turns out, they do.

And thus we enter the world where the blog is more than just a blog. We’ll see where it takes us — maybe to 100 readers a day. I wish we were so blessed. (Well, we are, but you know what I mean.) My point is, we have big plans, two girls from the east made Californians now bi-coastal. Now five girls, always growing, always changing, becoming something bigger, better. Here we go.

Photo by Mary Costa

Sooner or later/I swear we’re gonna make it

Morning friends.

This morning marks my 500th blog post. I started this blog on October 17, 2008, nearly three years ago, upon my move to Los Angeles. I’ve written through a few jobs (working at the school, my newest job with Rebecca) and through new experiences (becoming a soccer coach, free lancing for a local magazine, running a 5k) and through exciting life changes (numerous cousins being born, my sister getting engaged.)

This is a picture of Jeff and I, three days after I started my new blog.

 This is our birthday party this year. I think we look pretty much the same.

One of my first photographs of food, when I started this blog. On my point and shoot.

A more recent photo from this spring. On Jeff’s fancy camera.

Do you see the difference? I sure do. In food quality and photo quality.

This blog has allowed me to have a place for people to follow me through my adventures, and to write when I feel the need to just get it all out. I look forward to the next 500 posts. I hope to continue to entertain you about my life, from the boring days of Shark Week to the exciting ones of my sister’s wedding. The past three years has since an advance in my photography skills, more than twenty “5 Good Things,” and a new cooking blog to focus on.

Life has gotten so exciting over the past three years, and I can’t wait to see what the next three years brings. Thank you, friends, for reading about my life, caring about my stories, and eating my food. It’s been a blessing.

 

 

Pictures of the finger…

I’m trying to make this so you don’t have to see it if you don’t want to…

so I am making sure it’s below the scroll point…

did this work?

I think so. Let’s begin.

     
     

Right after it happened. I’d say about 10 minutes, max.

The next day, after they poked holes in the nail to alleviate some of the pressure.

For your comparison.

July 19th, after a lot of the blood had come out.

July 22nd. Looking as though it’s healing…

 Another day later.

 Yesterday, July 31. We’re getting there!

Boy turns to girl and says I love you so

Hello, chicks. This week is off to a running start, if I do say so myself. Last night I got home, read a little of our book club book, and then went running with Jeff. We did intervals, the third week of this program (four week program) I found to help me run a mile straight. It is a 20 minute interval, where you run for 3 minutes, walk for 2, and repeat it four times. Next weeks intervals are 4 minute run, followed by 1 minute walks. We ended up running about a mile and a half (with the walking in there, too) which was good, and I managed to keep myself paced so I actually could run all of those 3 minute intervals. I plan on trying it again tonight before I make blueberry scones with M, and B.

After the run we headed to Ralph’s, and I became one of those people I always used to hate and simultaneously envy: someone who goes to the grocery store AFTER THEIR RUN before they head home, in gym clothes, sneakers, an iPod strewn around their neck, nothing on them except a credit card and the Ralph’s keychain rewards card. That was Jeff and I, though, and I walked around Ralph’s trying to find the ingredients I needed to make a quiche for my co-worker/yoga partner/Glee confidant’s birthday. We found what we needed, and headed home for dinner and quiche making.

Tonight, it’s on to berry scones with M and B, followed by book club tomorrow. Thursday is for yoga, and Friday brings a three day weekend. And what could be better?

 

A tale of the almost-posts

Over the last few days, I’ve been spring cleaning my blog. This meant getting rid of that nasty “Uncategorized” category that drives most bloggers nuts. I wonder if there is a way to put up a default category…probably.

Anyways, this led me to discover a list of drafts I never wrote/finished. Some of the titles are very funny, so I figured I’d share. Posts you almost read:

  • Soy crisps: bu yao. (11/30/09)
  • Tree Trimming for All (12/3/09)
  • Dream Post: haven’t had one in a while… (12/20/09)
  • OK, It’s alright with me. (1/2/10)

Hi friends! Happy 2010!! I am sorry I’ve been gone since Christmas. In case you didn’t already know this, Waterloo doesn’t believe in technologically advanced things like high-speed Internet, nor does anyone in my family respond to, “Stop using the Internet, I need to update my blog (obviously I didn’t have the Internet to finish this one…)

  • The Los Angeles Public Library: (3/24/10)
  • Operation: Exercise. (4/15/10)
  • Screens on the window, new Glee, good day…(5/11/10)
  • Apple Tush research (9/26/10)