My So Called Life...

New Beginnings

2011-09-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

So it has been quitea while since I have last posted anything. A lot has happened. Here's a briefsynopsis of my life:

Ryan and I broke up (not by my choice)
I got laid off September 2009
I gained 80 lbs
I finally got a job November 2010
I've lost 56 of those 80 lbs
I'm trying to move on
My sister had a 3rd baby (Thomas Clark Tennant)
My little sister is finally clean and doing well
I paid my car OFF!

So...that's my life in a nutshell. I will try to keep this updated just a little bitmore... But on a good note, I did get a promotion last Thursday, so that wasexciting!!

Martin Sexton

2009-08-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

: Read
Glory Bound Lyrics
here.

I just wanted to introduce you all to a guy named Martin Sexton. He is amazing!! Enjoy. You're welcome.

Ahhh...Tuesday....

2009-03-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Right now I am sitting at work trying to will my self to want to complete my tasks at hand. I have no motivation. I want to be at home in my Snuggie (yes... we caved to the hype and bought them) watching trashy daytime TV, which always makes me fell better about my economical and relationship situations, doing absolutely nothing that requires ANY brainpower. But, since I can't do that (the rent doesn't pay itself), I will assemble yet another tax return and count the minutes until 5 pm. Happy Tuesday all!!!

I have the best boyfriend ever

2009-03-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

I am the luckiest girl in the world. So, a couple of nights ago Ryan and I made dinner together. He totally helped me, he chopped up all the veggies and he checked in with me while doing it to make sure he was chopping correctly (if you know me, you know I have my quirks and that I like things done a certain way). It was so much fun and dinner turned out great. We made spaghetti and meat balls from scratch. It was DELICIOUS! Ryan was such a help! So after dinner, I was tired and wanted to take a shower... but there's all those dishes in the sink and the mess from dinner that needs to be taken care of. Well, let me tell you!! I HAVE THE BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD!!! Not only did he clean up the kitchen, but he did all the dishes and made the kitchen look as good as I do. I didn't have to lift one finger. Thanks Ryan for being so good to me. I am so lucky to have you in my life!!

Stephy is sooooooo happy!

2009-02-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

The past two days have been so wonderful. Ryan got home from his trip to Honduras. He looks so good!! He's all tan and handsome and just HOT!! I have had the best time hearing about his trip and spending some really special quality time with him. I am so glad that he's back! I missed him so much!!!! I feel like I have been on cloud 9 the past few days. I'm all smiles and giggles...

While I'm happy in my personal life, I am getting burnt out at work. I know I shouldn't complain right now because all the accountants at my office are working 55+ hours a week and I am only working 40, but still... I'm EXHAUSTED!! I am so tired all the time! I wish I were independently wealthy and didn't have to work. I love my job and I am good at it, but some days I wish I could sleep in until I wake up naturally (NOT from an alarm) and not have anything pressing to do other than get a massage and a pedicure and have some quality "Steph time". Someday!! Until then, I will dream big!!

How is everyone else feeling in their work lives right now? Any one who has any words of wisdom or encouragement, please leave a comment! It will be greatly appreciated and treasured forever. Hahahahaha!!

HE'S BACK!!

2009-02-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

So Ryan flew back into town this morning and I am so excited to see him later this evening. I'm so happy he's back!!! Welcome home Ryan, I super missed you!!!!

Counting the days...

2009-02-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

The end is in sight, I can see it! Ryan comes home in four days. He's been gone for a week already. Since we got serious and exclusive we haven't gone this long without seeing each other or at least talking on the phone. We've exchanged a few e-mails, but it's not the same as seeing him and talking to him face to face. I knew I would miss him, but I didn't think it would be this tough or this lonely. I miss him so much. Miss isn't even the right word, I can't describe how I feel. He is my best friend, and right now I just feel so lonely and so miserable. I have to come to realize that he makes me so happy and just being in his presence makes my day better. I miss EVERYTHING about him right now, even the stuff that drives me nuts! I am so relieved that he will be back on Monday. I just CAN'T wait to see him, hug him, and give him a big kiss. Ryan, I am so excited to see you again! I miss you and love you. Get home safely!!!!! I love you Ryan!!!

The sun is out!!

2009-02-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone... did you notice? It's sunny in the Portland Metro today! I hope everyone is outside enjoying the limited sun we get this time of year!!!! I have a great view of it from my office...

DRAMA!

2009-02-17T14:12:00.001-08:00

OK, so I thought once we were adults the drama and adolescent behavior would stop. If you're my friend and you know me, then you know what I am talking about. I just have to get if off my chest...

GROW UP!!!!!

We are supposed to be grown ups now. If you don't know how to do that, let me know and I will get you a book on it. I wish you well in your life and I hope this is the last of this... Its draining and exhausting and I'm done.

I feel so much better now... Yeah for venting!! To all of my friends who have had to hear about this, I am so sorry to have wasted your time and my breath. Not one more word will be said about this, EVER!! I am washing my hands of it because I DON'T CARE!!!

Whew...I'm glad this is over!! Have a great day everyone!!! Closure is WONDERFUL!

I miss Ryan...

2009-02-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Wow! It has been quite a while since I last blogged. I am going to make an effort to do more blogging!! So my boyfriend Ryan is on a fabulous vacation with his WONDERFUL family in Honduras. He left last Thursday and isn't returning until next Monday. That's right... he's gone for 12 days. The first few days were fine and it was nice to have some alone time. But now I'm just missing him terribly. The crappy part is that he is my best friend and it's like I don't have my best friend to talk about my frustrations, vent about my crummy day at work, dish gossip about celebrities, watch TV with, and just hang out with. We have the best time together and I miss my buddy. You know what I mean? Of course I miss his voice and his kisses and hugs (he give the BEST hugs ever!!!). I just wish he was here so I could talk to him about a lot of stuff that is going on in my life right now. I guess I am just super lonely and I miss my friend... Ryan, please come home soon... I miss you soooooooooooo much!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2009-01-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. So it is my birthday today. But, Ryan and I have been celebrating it all weekend! Here's a little look into what we did this weekend...

It all started on Friday when we went to Beast for dinner. Beast is in NE Portland, on 30th and Killingsworth. It is an amazing restaurant that was rated the best restaurant in Portland, 2008 by Portland Monthly Magazine. Check out their website at: http://beastpdx.com/about/.

Be sure to take a look at their menu if you visit their website. It is a prix fixe menu, meaning there are no choices, what the chef makes is what you eat. We did the 6 course dinner with the wine pairing. It was PHENOMENAL! Also, very affordable as well. It was such a great night with a great man. A perfect date!

Saturday was my party. I met my family and some friends and of course Ryan for Bowling at Sunset Lanes. We had a blast! AND... I beat my best score!! I actually scored an 85 this time (which if you know me and know how I bowl, you will be AMAZED!!)!! Ryan was so proud of me. My parents, sister Carrie, Nephews Chandler and Dylan, Carrie's boyfriend Seth, my friend Milan, her daughter Brooklyn, and Ryan made a day of it. What a good time!!

That evening, after grabbing drinks and dinner at Hall Street Grill, we went to see "Slumdog Millionaire", which was a GREAT movie. It was a little more violent than I like, but the plot, the script, the acting, the music, everything about this movie was entertaining. If you haven't heard about it... here is a brief synopsis:

Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game shows questions.
Each chapter of Jamal's increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the shows seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show?
When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out.

If you have some free time and are looking for a gripping movie that you will be thinking of for a while, check it out. Ryan gave it an A, which he NEVER does. He is the harshest movie critic EVER!! So, you know if he liked it, then the movie is a good one!

Sunday morning we did brunch with my family (my mom and dad) at Salty's on the river. It is such a delicious brunch. They have everything: crab, shrimp, prime rib, fresh made to order omelettes, crapes, salads, oysters, salmon, eggs Benedict, hash browns, sausage, bacon, ALL YOU CAN DRINK MIMOSAS OR CHAMPAGNE, and a 5 foot chocolate fountain, plus a ton of other stuff that I am forgetting. It is such an AMAZING brunch with a beautiful view of the Columbia River. And, it's not too terribly expensive either, which is awesome. Check it out... you will LOVE it, I guarantee it!

So, Ryan gave me my birthday present on Saturday. He is the best boyfriend ever!! He gave me the most BEAUTIFUL Coach purse and wallet ever! I have pics posted below... It is chocolate brown on chocolate brown, with fuchsia silk lining, and gold accents. I LOVE IT!!! Let me know what you think of it!!

Ryan, I just wanted to thank you for such a special birthday. Everything about it was amazing. You made me feel like such a princess this weekend. I can't thank you enough for everything you do for me. I am so spoiled by you. Thanks again for always being there for me and always having my back. I love you tons and I am so lucky to have you in my life. Thanks again for making me feel so special and so loved.

Well... that's all I have to report for now. Have a great week everyone!!!, and check out the pics of my purse and wallet!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-02T11:42:00.001-08:00

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful New Year's Evening! Ryan and I had the best time! We rented a town car and driver to drive us all around. I felt so snobby and important.

IT WAS AWESOME! We went over to one of Ryan's friends houses for some Champagne. Then our driver took us to Roux for dinner.

Roux is in NE Portland, on Killingsworth, about 1 and 1/2 blocks up from Interstate. DINNER WAS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! Everything was delicious, from the champagne, to the delicious salad, to the main entree... it was amazing! Roux is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland and it is becoming one of Ryan's too, which means we get to go there often!! After our scrumptious dinner at Roux, our driver took us to the Candlelight Room on SW 5th and Lincoln.

Keegan Smith and the Fam was playing. The Candlelight is so much fun and I really LOVE Keegan!! You know it's gonna be a good night when you are at a Keegan Smith show. We had some more champagne and danced the night away. I got my midnight kiss from the man I love. It was such a special night. We ended the night by being driven home and going to bed. It was such a great night! Ryan, thank you so much for a wonderful night, a New Year's that I will never forget. I love you! Happy New Years y'all!!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

2008-12-21T10:04:00.001-08:00

So Portland and the surrounding metro area got anywhere between 4 inches and a foot of snow from Friday night to Sunday morning. It is beautiful! Fortunately for me, my boyfriend LOVES driving in this weather, so we will still trek to Costco and to Target to finish our Christmas shopping. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! Be safe everyone!

Movie Date

2008-12-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I last blogged. What can I say, it has been crazy getting ready for Christmas and what not! So Ryan and I went and saw Milk on Friday. It was a really good movie. I learned a lot about the Gay Rights Movement and San Francisco in the 70's. I also learned a lot about Harvey Milk. He wasn't trying to start a revolution, he was just trying to obtain a basic right, equality for all men! If you have a chance, go check it out, it was really good. Even Ryan (who is the toughest movie critic ever) gave it an A-, which says a lot!!

New hair!

2008-12-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

So I finally did it! I cut all my hair off!! I really like it and I was really surprised to see that Ryan likes it too! It is way shorter and I think it is totally adorable. The lady that cut my hair blew it straight, but it looks way cute curly too! Thoughts??

Thanksgiving!

2008-12-01T10:33:00.001-08:00

I had the best Thanksgiving ever. I went with my boyfriend Ryan to his grandma's house in Salem. Everything I made turned out great (what a relief). He has the BEST family! They are so nice and they make me feel like a part of their family. They are always so great to me and include me in everything. They are wonderful! I had such a great time with his little cousin Keaton. We did her hair and make up and then took pictures...She is super cute and really sweet! She stood so still while I was primping her. We had such a good time getting all gussied up! It was such a great weekend! I got to spend some quality time with Ryan. Every time I hang out with him, I find out that I enjoy his company more and more. He is so much fun! Thanks for such a great weekend Barry family! You guys are the best!!

Happy Turkey Day

2008-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

Yeah!! It's almost Thanksgiving! I LOVE this holiday!! It usually involves drinking a little too much and eating an obscene amount of food (which I am really good at)! I have to make pies and a salad. I am kinda scare of making the pie only because its a new recipe and I have never tried it before. I don't know why I am trying a new recipe for such a mega-important meal... I guess I am just crazy! The salad will be really good though, toasted walnut and pear salad with a champagne-cranberry dressing...mmmmm sounds yummy! I have included some pics of what I'm making...

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving, remember this is a time to remember what you are thankful for and don't be shy about letting those you love know just what that is!

Cal Wins 111th Big Game, 37-16, over Stanford

2008-11-22T18:07:00.000-08:00

I am so proud to be a California Golden Bear today! The Bears beat the Cardinal in the 111th Big Game today! ROLL ON YOU BEARS!! I was saddened a few weeks ago when we loss to USC, also losing our chances at a Rose Bowl with the game ending in our defeat. Sometimes it's really hard to be a Cal fan. But, I am no fair-weather fan. My body bleeds BLUE and GOLD. Coach Tedford did a great job coaching the Bears and Jahvid Best had an AMAZING game. Jahvid Best rushed for 201 yards and scored three touchdowns in the second half, and California kept archrival Stanford out of the postseason with a victory in the 111th Big Game.

Kevin Riley threw three touchdown passes for the Golden Bears (7-4, 5-3 Pac-10), who scored 27 straight points after halftime to beat the Cardinal for the sixth time in seven meetings under coach Jeff Tedford.

Cal emphatically reclaimed the Axe with a victory that carried an extra measure of sweetness because it ensured a seventh straight losing season for Stanford. I always feel better when Cal has a bad season but manages to beat the Cardinal. I wish I could have made it to the game, but there is always next year. Great work Bears! I am so proud of you!!

GO BEARS!!

Rain Rain Go Away...

2008-11-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

I think I was meant to live in San Diego. Every year when the rain starts it's like I forgot how miserable it always is. I HATE THE RAIN! I hate being wet, I hate being cold, I hate using my windshield wipers, and I hate umbrellas. I need to live in a nice warm sunny climate. So, until summer comes, I will be imagining my tropical paradise...

Dinner with Jill!

2008-11-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

I had the best time last night! My good friend Jill and I and my boyfriend Ryan went to one of my favorite places in Tigard. We went to Cafe Allegro and had the BEST dinner! The food was AMAZING, the conversation was delightful, and I couldn't ask for better company. It's always fun to dine with your best friends! Thanks for such a great night you guys, I love you!!

This week went fast!

2008-11-07T12:55:00.000-08:00

So this week has gone by so quickly! I got home from California on Sunday afternoon and it seems like I haven't had a second to catch up with myself yet!! Work is going good, staying really busy, which I like. It keeps me out of trouble! I actually had a really good week. First of all, Tuesday was AMAZING! I will never forget where I was when I heard the news that Barack Obama will be our next president. Finally, change is coming! It is so exciting. I was also amazed at how emotional it was. I didn't expect to feel so relieved, amazed, moved, happy, excited, anxious, etc., all at once. It was truly a historical moment, one which I did not think would happen during my life time. It is so special to be a part of this momentous time in history!

Wednesday I was sick...on the couch ill all day...watching creepy television. It all started on Tuesday watching the Weather channel. There was this show on about the "Killer Smog" in D0nora, Pennsylvania. Check out this article I found:

"Killer smog continues to hover over Donora, Pennsylvania, on this day in 1948. Over a five-day period, the smog killed about 20 people and made thousands more seriously ill.

Donora was a town of 14,000 people on the Monongahela River in a valley surrounded by hills. The town was home to steel mills and a zinc smelting plant that had released excessive amounts of sulphuric acid, carbon monoxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere for years prior to the disaster. During the 1920s, the owner of the zinc plant, Zinc Works, paid off local residents for damages caused by the pollution. Still, there was little or no regulation of the air pollution caused by the industries of Donora.

Beginning sometime on October 26, weather conditions in the valley brought a heavy fog into Donora. This fog appears to have trapped the airborne pollutants emitted from the zinc smelting plant and steel mills close to the ground, where they were inhaled by the local residents. Soon, a wave of calls came in to area hospitals and physicians. Dr. William Rongaus, the head of the local Board of Health, suggested that all residents with pre-existing respiratory problems leave town immediately. However, 11 people, all elderly and with heart problems or asthma, were already dead.

Most residents then attempted to evacuate, but the heavy smog and increased traffic made leaving difficult. Thousands flooded the hospitals when they experienced difficulty breathing. It was not until October 31 that Zinc Works shut down operations. Later that day, rain fell on Donora and dispersed the pollutants. By that time, another nine people had already perished.

The Donora smog disaster received national attention when it was reported by Walter Winchell on his radio show. In the aftermath, air pollution finally became a matter of public concern; the incident led to the passage of 1955 Clean Air Act. The Donora Zinc Works shuttered operations in 1957. Although the types of heavy visible pollutants responsible for the deaths in Donora have now been mostly outlawed and eliminated, invisible pollutants such as ozone remain a threat to people with chronic respiratory ailments.

Years later, a local high-school student’s research and activism led the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to place a commemorative plaque in Donora honoring the victims of the killer smog."

Seriously creepy right??? Wednesday I spent all day watching crime shows on E. First there was the True Hollywood Story of the Laci Peterson murder, then there was 2 hours on kidnapping and child abuse, followed by 2 hours of the most horrific acts of violence such as school shootings and work shootings. What a great way to spend my day! I had AWFUL nightmares that night!!

The night ended on a good note though! I got myself off of the couch and went to a show that we had gotten tickets for over 2 months ago. We saw Ray LaMontagne at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and it was AMAZING!! He played all of my favorite songs! It was absolutely beautiful!!

Game Highlights

2008-11-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

Back home!

2008-11-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally made it home from Berkeley, and I must say it was an exhausting trip!! It seems like I come home more tired than before I left! I had a great time though. Cal beat the Oregon Ducks 26 to 16. GO BEARS!! It was a wet game, with the weather getting worse and worse until about 5 minutes into the 4th quarter. We were all soaked, but we are true Cal fans! I'm glad to be home, in my own bed, and dry. We will see what happens next week against USC. ROLL ON YOU BEARS!

Below is an article that sums up the game! What a wet day for football!!
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110108aaa.html

Ray LaMontagne

2008-10-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THIS SONG!! It's such a feel good song by one of my favorite artists EVER! My boyfriend and I are going to his show at the Schnitz on Wednesday. It's going to be AMAZING!! What is your favorite song? What song makes you smile every time you hear it? What song puts you in a great mood or makes you dance or sing along every single time it comes on the radio??

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!!

Go Bears!

2008-10-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

So I am off to Berkeley, California tonight for the Cal, Oregon game taking place tomorrow. I hope Cal can pull out the win! It is supposed to rain tomorrow and we all know how much fun sitting through a 3 to 4 hour football game in the rain is, especially if your team looses! So, c'mon Cal, at least with a win I won't be as miserable!! GO BEARS!!!

CO-WORKERS...

2008-10-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

So I just don't get it...Why must I keep telling the same person the same thing over and over again? There is this one lady who works with me. She's just difficult I guess, for several reasons. One of which being that she is a chain-smoker and every time she walks by there is a stench in my office for at least an hour. Part of my job includes posting time so that I can bill clients for hours worked. For some reason, there is one co-worker does not understand the concept. I need her to print a time sheet every night so that I can post her hours worked the next morning. I need to print this report first thing in the morning before the boss gets in as it is the first thing he wants to see when he walks in the door. When we do our time, we separate it between individual clients and corporate accounts. Her time sheet that she gave me yesterday didn't have the time divided correctly, but I'm a smart girl, so I fixed it before I posted it. So this morning when I get in, she prints me THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY'S time sheet again with "corrected" written at the top. Like I'm not smart enough to fix it the first time? Also, she DOESN'T print a sheet for the day I actually need. I have asked her SOOOOOOOOO many times to not forget to print a time sheet before she leaves. It is so frustrating. I just don't get her at all!! AHHHHHHHH!!! But, now I feel better having gotten it off of my chest!

Ryan's Birthday

2008-10-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

So I have the best boyfriend ever. His name is Ryan. It was just his 35th birthday and he was adamant about not making a big deal out of it. So, I took him to a yummy dinner at Brazil Grill and let him think that that was it. Little did he know that while we were at dinner, my best friend Biz was at his house getting it ready for him. She put at least 100 candles all over the house, up the staircase, on the balcony, in the loft, everywhere! She lit a fire and put his special cupcakes (made from scratch, icing and all) on the table with candles in them. When we walked in the door he was so surprised. He said no one has ever done something like this for him before. It felt so good to make him happy as he does so much for me! So, happy birthday Ryan, I love you!

FIRST TIME BLOGGER!

2008-10-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

So my co-worker and friend Teri has been trying to get me to start a blog for a while, so I guess I will. Her's is sooooo funny and I'm not sure I can even compare to it, but I thought it would be fun to share a little tid-bit of my life with you. Welcome to my so called life...