My New Set Of Wheels

Why YES, that beautiful set of aqua wheels are mine. And yes, that is our California house...the one with the Georgia flag waving out front.

headbands

This past week I have been on a headband kick. For some reason I have been wearing my hair up everyday. Now I have never been a girl to wear her hair down but am a ponytail girl. With my hair like this and my pearls on I look like I could still be in the Air Force. After I got out of the Air Force I never wore my hair all the way up for a long time just in ponytails...I wanted to be sure everyone knew I was a civilian. But now I am back to the hair up and like the way it looks with a headband. So this week I crocheted a bunch of them. There are still a few colors I want to make. Also this week I have craving good workouts. I RAN 3 MILES!!!!...I had not done that since I left Georgia. Plus I have a neighbor who likes to walk so we go walk 6 or 7 miles some days. I really want to keep up my running. It's hard! I LOVE to be sore! AND I am a looser of 14 pounds with lots to go but I'll take it.

Oh yea it's been a productive week...under my headbands you can see a quilt I am working on...it's a zig zag pattern.

Yellow!

Yesterday I was suppose to go over to the coast to see my friend Susy. She flew from Ohio with two other friends to run 30K and 50K runs in the Redwoods over there. Well Northern California has gotten slammed with three storms over the past week. So things around my house are flooded. Did you know Sacramento is the most likely city to flood behind New Orleans. So with all the flooding and more to come I didn't get a chance to catch up with my dear friend...so I went shopping locally. The adorable yellow purse I picked up at the BX a few months ago but yesterday I scored big with yellow sandals.

Look at these flood waters I had to drive through yesterday. I have never done anything like it before. There was not a river nearby so I went for and almost got stuck. I am not ever doing that again!!!

More Saturday Cards & Chanel Scarf

I did it again...I woke up at 0600 on a Saturday morning. Aren't these the most beautiful cards. I saw the idea from twopeasinabucket and wanted to try some. They are like mini quilts. You trace each petal, cut each petal, attach each petal and quilt around each petal. I really like the look of a card that has been sewn on so it's worth the effort.
Another fashion tip from me can you believe it. I at least love it. Today I wore my Chanel scarf from Korea in my hair. I loved it so much I think I will be doing it quite often. Don't I look like I walked out of the 1950's?

Kings/Jazz

My kids are spoiled...they have been to more NBA games than most adults. The other night Ben, Madi, their whole basketball team and all the other kids who play basketball in Northern California at the YMCA went all dressed in their Jr. Kings shirts. So we are making our way around to see some of the NBA's best. Once in Orlando Steve and Ben saw D-Wade, in Atlanta during a playoff game we saw Le Bron James and now here in California we saw Kobe Bryant. Now my family is on a Jeramy Lin hunt. Steve did go over and enjoyed a game in Oakland...Golden State/Portland too.
Oh and look at me. For not being very fashionable I did good getting fixed up for the game. I scrounged around in my scarf drawer and pulled out my Burberry scarf and then grabbed my pretty Burberry purse...IT WAS FUN!

I Am Addicted To Purses!

This house we live in here in California has TWO walk-in closets in the master bedroom. It's a good thing because I have more purses than clothes. Before we ever got stationed in Korea I use to make my own purses...not anymore.
Not only do I have enough designer purses to go a month carrying a new purse each day, I have wallets...
...and designer sunglasses....
...and a drawer full of scarves. Korea was the bomb for fashion. These Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Gucci scarves were only $2-$5 each, so I bought one of each. :-)
Until I picked up my shiny red Louis Vuitton to use the other day I was using this plain grey and black Prada. Every few weeks I change my mind as to which one is my favorite.

A few weeks ago I was really down about my struggle with my weight. But since then I have been doing really well the last few weeks with making lots of healthier choices...I have lost almost 10 pounds. I am very excited but have a long hard road still. But when I get there I can't wait to go shopping for some super fun clothes to go with all the neat things I bought while living in Korea. When I get to a 25lb. weight loss one of my girlfriends still living in Korea is going to go purse shopping for me...I know I need another purse like I need a cookie. But ooooo I am already dreaming of what kind of purse I want later this year. My name is Jeni and I am a purseaholic!

Almost Ready For The Love Day

I saw this idea online. These are for Ben and Madi to open on Valentine's Day. One gift for each of them to open on the 14th minute of each hour...they are going to dig this!

Summer of 2010 we took a vacation touring the WHOLE east coast...Washington DC, Boston, New York City AND PHILADELPHIA. In Philadelphia there is really a park named Love Park. The is the famous artwork...LOVE, that is how it got it's name. I never knew until we went there that this was a "real" thing. So I cross-stitched this LOVE in honor of Valentine's Day and in remembrance of going to LOVE Park in Philly. The fabric on the bottom is a map of Paris...another fun LOVE place we loved touring in.

These are just some cute red trees

displayed on my kitchen counter.

I made some LOVE cards.

This is one of the gifts I am giving Steve. It's a baby quilt...I saw the idea online. I sewed the blue lines and red line then stitched the words...fun

huh?

This is a super fun card I made for Steve. My kids cracked up...they were in my craft room when I was making this. Steve is going to get a good chuckle.

Since it's almost Valentine's I am carrying my lovely shiny red Louis Vuitton. And for extra fun I am using my shiny aqua Louis Vuitton zipper wallet...red and aqua...LOVE!

The Lakers AND Harlem Globetrotters

We loved living in Korea but are happy to be back to the USA...the land of sports. And boy are we glad the NBA finally stopped their strike and started playing!!! We live so very close to the Kings Arena that we want to take advantage of it. We made our way into that Kings/Lakers sellout. Steve took this picture. Look at Jimmer off the ground and being guarded by Kobe. Boy was it LOUD and full of electricity in there!

Kings did beat the Lakers.

Me and the kids...the only picture of us in the arena.

A few years ago I took the kids to see the Harlem Globetrotters when we were stationed in Atlanta but Steve was in Iraq and missed it. So when they came to Sacramento the kids begged to go. Well if you have ever seen them you know how fun it is, so we went again.

We had great seats...row F. Six rows up from the court. When the did they did the water throwing act we got wet.

This is me on the day we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters. I like to wear black...most days. I am not very good at fashion but that day I had on jeans with a black sweater and a necklace that was the same color blue as my jeans and I loved it. I like this picture...I look skinny don't I? I am so not skinny. I wish. It's so hard for me. But I have started working really hard on it. My goal this year is to work very hard on myself. In 2009 I ran in that half marathon. Now I don't know if I want to do that again...that was REALLY REALLY hard. But I want to get healthier which I hope will help me loose weight and I want to become more fashionable.

"My Room"

Yes, I have my own room and I love it. It's full of all my favorite stuff and even complete with an HD flat screen...I can spend all day in here. My room is also home to the PS3 so often times the rest of the fam keeps me company. It's a regular thing to have the kids ask me to go in the craft room with them...they like me to craft and watch them play at the same time.

This fun print is what welcomes you when you enter my room.

We have only been stationed here 4 months but I sure feel like it's home sweet home.

Veteran's Day and College Game Day @ Stanford

Well my boys left, headed west over to the Bay. Tomorrow is the Stanford vs. Oregon game and I believe they are both undefeated at the end of this football season. Should be very excited. Stanford is hosting College Game Day. Steve took our tall painting pole and Georgia Flag...so everybody look for the boys holding and waving the UGA flag. They are crazy fun aren't they.





Steve ironed the flag. Our house has 20 ft. ceilings so he was able to practice 'the wave of the flag'.


I crocheted myself a hat. I must admit this is seriously addicting. Madi is playing with her girlfriends, the boys headed over to Palo Alto/Stanford, and I am enjoying this Veteran's Day. I now just started myself a black hat and I am watching the UNC/Michigan State basketball game....it's being played on an aircraft carrier...how freaking awesome is that for those young men on the teams and the navy folks assigned to that ship. I never use to think much about Veteran's Day. I was active duty Air Force for 5 years and in the Air Force Reserves for two years and never during any of that time did I realize how special it was, not just a day off work. Now that I am older and a mom I am so glad about the decisions that I made. Ben and Madi have a pride for their mom and dad....when I was young I never thought about my children and what they would think of me. Never before did I worry about setting a good example for my kids. The time I spent in the Air Force are my glory days and that is how and when I met Steve. I hope my kids make decisions to go places and live a thrilling life. Especially Madi. Girls not just boys can do extraordinary things.
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Happy Veteran's Day! And be sure to look for my boys with the UGA flag tomorrow on College Game Day. Now I am going to go work on my black hat and watch the basketball game. Check out the uniforms they are wearing in honor of Veteran's Day....camouflage in the school colors.

A Good Day...

This is where we live...our neighborhood. We totally love all the palm trees. Steve wants to plant one, two or three in our yard. California has lots of pretty trees, bushes and flowers. Landscaping around here is so pretty and neat. We are learning the terrain around here. It is very hot here. Today it was 101 AGAIN and tomorrow but Friday 99 and Sat. in the 80's but then it goes back up. It's a dry heat at least. Things are very dry (in the neighborhoods we have sprinkler systems in all the yards that's how they stay green) and we have seen a couple of fires out here. There is one closer to downtown Sacramento tonight. Still no rain; it's been sunny and hot every single day we have lived here. There were a few lighting strikes the other night which sent out warnings for fires but nothing.




Not only do we have palm tress but we have mountains...welcome to California. I just love it I'm telling ya. I took this picture out the window this morning. Those are the Sierra Nevada out there.






My world! They had school pictures today.

Even though it's 101 degrees summer is almost over. My perfume this summer was Nina Ricci. Love the clean scent. But now that it's almost fall I want this by Dior. Last month when I was in Georgia; Steve's mom and I were at Sephora smelling some scents and I got a sample of this and now it's calling my name.

I will get some pictures to share soon but let me tell you I really love my new kitchen. I have been cooking everyday. Tonight I tried a new recipe. No leftovers...we ate it ALL.

Chicken Parmesan

Take thinly sliced chicken breasts, dip in egg and then dredge in Panko-Japanese breadcrumbs. Fry in oil on stove.

In a crock pot, pour 1 jar tomoato-basil pasta sauce. Arrange chicken on top of sauce. Cook on high 3 1/2 hours. Sprinkle 8oz mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese and cook 10 more minutes. Serve over noodles. It's so yummy....taste like fine Italian food and it was so easy.

My Neighbors...

...are the best neighbors in the world. I wish I could pack them up and take them to California. Today Oxana, my Russian neighbor had Liz and I over for a Russian lunch. Oxana is the best cook and I always love her Russian food. She is my first Russian friend and I am her first American friend. During the school year all of us moms meet at the bus stop with our kids. After kissing the kiddos good-bye we walk together to one of our homes for a visit and morning tea...it's so fun! This picture is from today's lunch.

Last week Oxana had us over too. She served the kids a German Kinder fruit tea.

With tea, she served these sweet Russian waffle cookies. I want to learn to make these. They are so good and look how beautiful.

Today we had a few Russian salads. Look at the chicken salad that looked like a sunflower.

The Epyonghansaesong gang. Boy am I going to miss these ladies...they are the best neighbors a girl could ask for!!!!!

My Farewell

Tonight is Steve's going away party. Mine was the other night. What a wonderful night it was. I love these ladies. It has been such a pleasure being one of the 607th Weather Wives! We stick together are a strong group of ladies. Seoul, Korea is AMAZING. It's been the most fun assignment we have had. But, we are here for a serious reason... We are members of the most forward deployed Air Force Squadron there is. We live 35 miles from the most heavily gaurded border in the world. And face the largest artillery in the world. Not only all that but this past year has been one for the record books too. We had the coldest temps in 90 years this past year. We had the worst typhoon hit here in 2 decades. We had a new record set with 20 inches of rain in like a few hours...we had a HUGE flood. And back in November that scare where North Korea actually shot missles into South Korea for the first time since the active war. So we are taking so many memories with us. I have loved every minute.

Okay so my going away. It was at my favorite Italian place here. Who would have thought I would move to Korea and eat the best Italian food of my life. The other wives gave me some gifts and also gave me the most beautiful traditional Korean tea set...in their famous green pottery too. I am so thankful for the treasure.

Luckily, I bet I run into some of these great friends again. It's a small world.