Thing #2 Completed

Simon helped me complete this thing, also, but I don't think he really minded all that much. I decided that I wanted to make something with basil and copious amounts of cheese, so I chose a recipe from a book my grandma gifted to me years ago. The dish was a cherry tomato clafoutis. I have to admit, I first thought that "clafoutis" sounded like an std, but I discovered that it is actually a French custard-like dessert made with fruit. This savory version was delicious. I'd include the photos I took, but they simply don't do it justice.

Thing #1 Completed

I actually completed this particular thing months ago. Simon bought me a gift certificate for my birthday to get a 1-hour massage from someone we know here in Hood River who does massage. It took me nearly six months to take advantage of the gift, but I was so glad I did. It was so enjoyable, in fact, that I've had a second 1-hour massage since then, and I fully intend to treat myself to periodic massages from here on out.

Ahhhh...

Thing #6

Now that Thing #5 has been completed, I've replaced it with another goal: to get rid of 1/2 of all of my clothing, shoes, purses, and jewelry.

This one hurts a little, I'll admit, but I've come to the conclusion that I have altogether too much *stuff*, and we all know that *stuff* does absolutely nothing to improve one's overall quality of life. So, I think it's reasonable to find new homes for the excess.

If anyone has any ideas of where I could bring some of my things where it would actually benefit someone who needs it (rather than just being resold to another thrift store junkie like me), please let me know.

Let the tossing begin!

Thing #5 Completed

Finally! One down!

On Thursday, I played a full round of golf with three of my friends here in Hood River. 18 holes! Here are some things I learned:

1. For a "leisurely sport," golf sure can stress a person out.

2. I am no good at golf.

3. Any sport in which libations and a funny little cart can be involved is fine by me.


4. Sunscreen only works if you actually remove the bottle from the golf bag and apply the cream directly to your body.

5. Pretty much anything is fun if you're with the right people. (awww!)

Embarrassingly Overdue Update

So, I've been rather busy, blah, blah, blah...

A bit of progress on Thing #2: I've been thumbing through my cookbooks in the hopes of finding something that tickles my fancy, but nothing has really popped out at me yet. Maybe it's silly to confine myself to only my cookbooks, but I figure I should get some use out of them if I'm going to keep them up there on my kitchen shelf. I'm sure I'll find something in one of them soon.

I think it's mentionable here that, though the recipe was not from one of my cookbooks, I did make some raspberry jam the other day. We picked the raspberries on the 4th of July and then I did the jamming a few days later.

I've given all but one jar away. I've always been so flattered and impressed when someone has gifted me a jar of homemade jam, because I assumed that making it was a huge, complicated task. Don't tell anyone, but it's insanely easy. I'm making apricot jam next.

At least this proves that I'm not completely domestically inept.

Thing #5

This afternoon I had my second golf lesson. Dennis, the golf pro at Indian Creek golf course, informs me that my backswing is a bit sloppy and that I need to focus on the ball as I swing through for a fraction of a second longer.

I'll work on that.

I also learned that a hook

is a shot that curves sharply to the left

while a slice

curves to the right.

Dennis mentioned that most beginning golfers tend to be slicers.


Apparently, though, I am a hooker.

Thing #3

Get my eyes checked.

When I was young, I wanted glasses. I was jealous of people who actually had them. I think maybe I saw them as a whole other option for accessorizing. As I got older, though, I started realizing how fortunate I was that I didn't have to deal with the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses.

Then, a few months ago, as I sat next to one of my colleagues in a class on cultural diversity, I began to complain about how small the instructor's handwriting was as he wrote on the whiteboard in front of class. My friend watched me squint and strain to read the writing. He looked at me like I was crazy and declared that he could read it just fine. Of course he could. He was wearing glasses. That's when I realized maybe I should be wearing glasses, too.

Since then, I've been in a form of denial. I don't want the hassle of periodic appointments at the optometrist; I don't want to have to put out the cash for frames and/or contacts; and I don't want to tack on any extra time to my morning and evening routines.

My friends must be getting sick of it. Whenever we're out I find myself saying things like, "So, do you have to squint to read the specials board? No? Right, yeah, me neither."

Enough is enough, I suppose. Time for me to make an appointment and start accessorizing--spectacle style.