Nationals, Disneyland, County Fair and State Fair......

Here is a little HUGE update on our summer.

Nationals

Yes we made it to FBLA Nationals!  Justin did a great job fundraising.  He had to go to different clubs (Kiwanis was one of them - Thank you VERY MUCH to the Kiwanis for helping him get to nationals!) and give a little presentation about making it to Nationals and ask for money.  Talk about having guts!  You might think asking for money is easy, but it is really nerve racking!!

Oh, you want to know how he did?  So Justin had taken the Microsoft Word certification and passed it (and scored very high - the top 5 qualified for nationals) to get to nationals.  When he was at nationals he had to take the expert version.  And.......he passed it!  As if any of us had any doubt he would.  I swear the boy was born with a computer for a brain.  Although he passed it he did not score in the top 2 to qualify for the next competition in Washington DC.  Which was actually ok, because he already had plans that weekend.  While we were in Anaheim, Justin was able to go to several classes on recruiting people to join FBLA and classes on Leadership.  After sitting in on these classes he decided that he wanted to run for President of his schools chapter (yep he won!).  And to answer your question, since we were in Anaheim and could see Disneyland from our hotel window, yes we went to Disneyland!

Here are a couple pictures









County fair

Justin only showed two guinea pigs this year.  He is allowed to take up to 5, but the other two he had (that stayed home) he got after the cut off date so they couldn't come.  Justin did great at fair.  He got a blue and Grand in all of his competitions (knowledge bowl, judging contest, fit and show).  One of his guinea pigs won best in show!

Here are the girls waiting to be checked in and get their cages for the week


Some of Justin's ribbons for the week


He also qualified for Round Robin.  He had to show a guinea pig, rabbit, chicken, cat, and a dog








State fair
I actually don't have a lot of pictures from State Fair :(  Justin took two guinea pigs to state fair, one of them won best in her breed.  Justin got a blue in Judging contest, and a call-back for fit & show (which is a huge deal at the state level!)

Ok, I think we are caught up from the summer.

Hunter Farms

As many of you may know, Justin is in 4h and shows guinea pigs.  This year he has added photography to the mix.  This past Saturday we had our first 4h photography field trip!  I wanted the kids to be able to get some fall pictures in so I chose a pumpkin patch for them to go to.  If you have never been to Hunter Farms I highly recommend it.  Although I would go the first half of October.  Several of their pumpkins in the field had been kicked in :(  But there were still TONS left to choose from.

At first when I told Justin he should add a second 4h project he drug his feet about picking a project.  Why am I telling you this????  Because the kid who didn't know if he wanted to join photography took 138 pictures at the pumpkin patch!  We were only there for about 2 hours.  Here are a few of his pictures :)

For Kadie

This is for Kadie, because I am a slacker when it comes to my blog!

I think I am going to try something new.   Oh, you probably want to know what that is, don't you??  I am going to post some of the food I cook.  I know, boring right.  No it's not!  Recipes and pictures will be included.  Some are even great freezer meals!

I love having hot meals for lunch, but I can't cook a whole hot meal at work.  So why not have leftovers, right?  You obviously haven't met my teenage bottomless pit!  There are no leftovers in this house, at least not often.  Casseroles make great freezer meals two ways.

First way:  Double your recipe.  Make two pans of the casserole.  BUT just before you get to the put it in the oven part, wrap one of the casseroles, label with instructions and stick it in the freezer.  Yea!  Now you have dinner for another night too.  This doesn't work for all casseroles, but it works for most.

Second way:  Double your recipe.   I know, I know, you already did that for the first way.  Follow along.  Double the recipe, cook BOTH casseroles, eat one, and let the other cool. Once the second one is cool simply cut it into single portions and stick each one in a rubbermaid container and in the freezer it goes.  Now you have your own tv dinners to grab on the way to work :)

Yes, but you promised us recipes and pictures.  I did????  Ok, if you insist.

Here is what I made for dinner Tuesday.  One batch of the Chicken Enchiladas makes two pans.  So This recipe you can do either the first way and freeze one pan, or cook both of them.  I can get 14 meals out of the two pans for myself.  If my son is eating, I don't get near that because he eats 2-3 servings.  Like I said, bottomless pit.

Chicken Enchiladas

Sauce : 1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
Mix together and set 1 cup aside

Add: 1 medium onion, diced
1 small can Ortega diced green chilies (3 oz)
3 LB chicken or turkey in bite size pieces (cooked) (about 3 chicken breast)
Add to the larger amount of the sauce

12-15 small flour tortillas
1 LB jack cheese, shredded (original recipe only calls for 9oz, but I like lots of cheese and feel that it really needs a full pound to be split between the two pans)

Put large glob (about 2 heaping tablespoons on each tortilla and roll enchilada style

Place seam side down in pan (8 fit in 9x13 pan) (6 fit in 8x11 pan) yes it will all fit in one really large pan, but it doesn't cook as well.

Smear reserved sauce over top
Sprinkle grated cheese over top of enchiladas

Bake, uncovered @ 350* for about 30 minutes (until hot and bubbly)


Before going into the oven

Hot and bubbly coming out of the oven.  Yummy, yummy!!!

Happy eating!

And the winner is........

Thursday evening, Justin, my parents and I went to the annual end of year awards ceremony for North Kitsap schools.  Justin was presented with Student of the year for North Kitsap High School in Business Education. Normally this award goes to a Senior, Justin is a Junior!  We are so proud of him!!


23 days until we leave for anaheim :)

Checked bags

Reasons I love Southwest Airlines

1.  They are great with minors!  When Justin was little they took such good care of him on the flights to and from his dad's house <3

2.  Prices.  If you plan ahead, and we all know I am an uber planner, you can find some good deals.

3.  TWO FREE CHECKED BAGS!!!!!!    I hate it when people try to carry on suitcases.  They tend to either put the suitcase up in the overhead compartment in the first spot they see and then go sit in the back of the plane.  This leaves no room in the compartment for the people sitting there!   I also hate it when there are so many suitcases in the overhead compartment that I can't even fit my coat up there.  So frustrating!  We try to only take bags that can fit under the seat.

I've started making the list of what will be in our checked bags.  I'm not done with it yet, but I figured I'd post what I had anyway.  I still haven't decided if we are taking 3 or 4 bags yet.  

Snack Suitcase  (souvenir suitcase on return trip) Checked bag 1 - nanette

ü  cereal

ü  spoons

ü  plates

ü  paper towels

ü  gallon size Ziploc bags/quart size Ziploc bags

ü  cup of soup

ü  peanut butter/jelly

ü  collapsible cooler

ü  beach towels

ü  laundry soap

Nanette Suitcase (checked bag 2)

ü  underwear

ü  bras

ü  socks

ü  t shirts

ü  shorts

ü  tank tops

ü  capris

ü  jeans (1 pair)

ü  light weight sweatshirt (you never know...)

ü  dress

ü  dress pants

ü  knee high stockings

ü  dress shirt

ü  pantyhose

ü  dress shoes

ü  sandals

ü  tennis shoes

ü  flip flops

ü  swim suit

ü  tooth brush/paste

ü  shampoo/soap

ü  make up

ü  sunscreen

ü  OTC meds (again you never know...)

ü  pj's

ü  hair dryer/curling iron

ü  hairbrush/bobby pins/rubberbands/hairspray

Justin checked bag 1

ü  underwear

ü  socks

ü  dress socks

ü  shorts

ü  jeans

ü  t-shirts

ü  light weight sweatshirt

ü  pj's

ü  dress pants

ü  undershirt

ü  dress shirt

ü  ties

ü  dress shoes

ü  flip flops

ü  swimsuit

ü  tennis shoes

ü  hairbrush

ü  tooth brush/paste

Carry-on's and new pig

I know you are all dying to know what we pack in our carry-on's for the plane!

Here's my list

ü  Cell/charger

ü  camera/charger/memory cards

ü  video camera/charger/memory cards

ü  drivers license/insurance card/AAA card/debit card/cash

ü  Binder (with all the confirmation numbers, etc in it)

ü  laptop/charger

ü  dvd's

ü  headphones

ü  nook/charger

ü  pen/paper

ü  guide books

ü  gum

ü  crystal light drink mix

ü  snack

ü  sunglasses

ü  change of clothes ( just in case we get stuck somewhere)

And Justin's list

ü  cell/charger

ü  laptop/charger

ü  gum

ü  snack

ü  game boy/charger/games

ü  yu-gi-oh cards 

ü  ID

ü  headphones

ü  medication

change of clothes (just in case we get stuck somewhere)

**Not really sure why, but apparently copy and past is not my friend tonight :(  It's not aligning right and not the same font and I can't fix it.  But on the bright side, two post in two days........Kadie will be so proud of me!   I really do want to be better at doing this more often, but I think I have ADD or something.  I have great intentions and then - something shiny catches my eye.  

Justin is getting a new guinea pig :)  We are pretty excited about it.  Her name is Ophelia and she looks the same as a pig of his (Pierre) that passed away this year.  AND she is going to have babies in 1-2 weeks!  I love baby piggies!!

I will post a picture of her when we get her and I'll post pictures of packing when it gets a little closer.

Nationals

Sorry, I know I said I would try to be better at blogging and blog once a week.  I think I need to just carve out  time each week to dedicate to blogging.  I would love to be able to do it more, I just take on more projects than I can do.  Really need to work on saying "No", but I don't want to let anyone down.  And I know that on some things if I don't step up and do it, nobody else will volunteer.

Lets get this show on the road.......Nationals!

My son, Justin, is a member of his schools FBLA (future business leaders of america) club.  He has been a member for 3 years and this year is also the club Secretary.  In this club they participate in different business related events on the local, regional, state and national level.  Justin has made it to state all three years, and this year qualified to go on to NATIONALS!!  *can you tell I'm excited??*  This year he did events in cyber security, something else (I really did listen when he told me, I just forgot what he said) and Microsoft Word.  As part of the word test he also did so good he is certified in word, he is also certified in power point but didn't make it to nationals in that.  He qualified in the microsoft word for Nationals.  In face he is one of 5 in the whole state of Washington that qualified!  See why I am so excited!!

So what does all this mean?????  It means Justin is going to Anaheim in June and I get to go with him!!  Justin is busy doing fundraising (speaking at different clubs - like the Kiwanis- in the county) and sending letters out asking for donations.  Meanwhile I am busy saving money so we can stay a few extra days and go to Disneyland.

Normally I plan our trips out a year, yes I know I'm crazy.  But for this trip we had two months! yikes!!

Here's what I have taken care of so far

• parking for while we are gone (it was only $10 more to stay in a hotel right by the airport the night before our flight - who had the bright idea to book a 6:45 flight???  oh yeah, that would be my fault)
• flights
• hotel for after the conference is booked
• medieval times dinner through conference is paid for (justin is very excited to go again
• Photopass + is paid for (thanks to a gift card I had)
• New summer dress clothes for justin
• disney shirt for each of us (can't go to disneyland without a disney shirt!)
• some snacks and breakfast for the room
• collapsible cooler (no fridge in the room)

Here's what we still need to take care of

• Shuttle to and from hotel
• Disneyland tickets (we can get discounted tickets through the conference)
• snacks, water once we check in to the hotel (there is a mini mart across the street from the hotel)

 here is the article that was in our local paper
here is the link to the facebook page I set up for anyone that wants to follow Justin there
and here is the link to donate toward Justin's FBLA conference expenses.


I am finalizing our packing list and will post that next time :)

2013

Wow I've been away for quite awhile!  I've decided to give blogging another try :)

Let'see, what have I been doing since we last talked?  I think the last time I blogged was May :-/  Since then I went on a trip to our nations capital and got to see a childhood friend while I was there.  I knew it was going to be hot there in June, but holy smokes who knew they were going to have a heat wave while we were there!  On our last night in the little cottage we stayed in there was a huge ind storm and we lost power, talk about one hot night.  I think my son was the only one who was able to sleep through it.  Mom and I were up most of the night.  When we went to leave the next morning there were tons of huge trees down all over the place.  Sad to see all those old trees broken all over the place :(

August - of course means county fair time.  Justin is one of the teen superintendents in his barn.  He did great at fair this year.  I believe he got a blue in all his competitions (I think there may have been one red ribbon on one of his posters he did) and Grand (1st place) in Showmanship, Judging, and knowledge bowl.

September - back to school and state fair.  Junior year for Justin.  Still can't believe he's almost done with high school!  For state fair he qualified to do showmanship, type, and judging contest.  He decided after last years fair to not take any of his animals.  He wasn't happy with the way they were running the barn and didn't want his animals in there.  I can't say I blame him.  He did go and do Judging contest and got 3rd place overall!  Those kids are tough to compete against.  You would be surprised with all the cavy knowledge they know.  September also marked the beginning of me getting sick.  I ended up with Guillian Barre.  It basically attacks the covering of your nerves.  My legs were numb from my toes half way up my thighs, and my hands and wrist were numb as well.  Thankfully I had a mild case.  The more severe cases usually end up on a ventilator in ICU!  Scary!  I did a week of IV therapy in the chemo unit, and now only have numbness in my fingertips and my feet.  My reflexes are starting to come back too :)  There was something great that happened to me in September though.   I got a job!!!!  Well actually two of them. I now work at a vascular surgery clinic doing surgery, and I'm selling lockets for Origami Owl (I'll post more about Origami Owl at the end of this blog).

October, November, December - Just your normal every day holiday stuff.  October and November were hard because I could barely walk.  My dad had to build a handicapped rail for me to get up and down the stairs :(  It's nice to have it there now - I don't need it to get up and down the stairs, but it's nice to have it to hang onto when it's icy outside.

January - I decided last week that I was going to start blogging again.  Hence why I am here :)  I'm going to try to do one post a week.  Maybe I'll do more as time goes on, but I need to learn to not put so many things on my plate.

Future - March, Hot Chocolate 5k.  At the end of the race they give you goodies and warm melted chocolate to dip the goodies in. Hey any race that is going to give me chocolate I am all for!  I believe this one is to benefit the Ronald Mcdonald house (but I could be wrong).

http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/

Origami Owl
No I'm not making origami animals and selling them.  This is a direct selling company that was founded by a 14 year old to raise money to buy a car when she turned 16.  She is now 16 and has a very nice little jeep.  How it works is you choose the charms you want and choose the glass locket you like, you can add other things to it like little dangles and back plates or just let the charms float around in the locket.  It might be easier to show you.  Here is my facebook page www.facebook.com/origamiowlbynanetteseevers
and if you are interested in ordering you can go to my website http://nanette.origamiowl.com
my email is locketsbynanette@gmail.com if you have any questions.  If you are interested in joining please e-mail or fb message me.  It's a ton of fun and there aren't the high sales numbers to have to meet each month like some of the other direct sales companies.  There are less than 9000 Independent Designers (that's what they call us reps) nation wide, so you would be getting in on the ground floor.

See you next week!

Nanette