Thesis Project

I have started the process of developing and writing my thesis. Part of me is overwhelmed - it's so much work! And part of me is overjoyed - the end is in sight! I have submitted my project proposal and my annotated bibliography for my literature review. Next is my statement of methodology... but not tonight.

My project is this: Create and implement a workshop series titled "Do What You Are" that will provide participants with a clear vision for their career passion and then identify and match the resources necessary to assist participants in achieving the career of their dreams.

Our first session of the series happens in three weeks! And, another exciting addition is that I've created a partnership with the Idaho Department of Labor to help offer this event, providing the access to community resources, including higher education matches and training needs that will help a participant leave the workshop with an actionable career plan.

This is so exciting!!!

Breadsticks

Today I'm making breadsticks. I'm always extra proud of myself when I bake bread, in any form. I'm pretty excited - I have a cream-sauce that I'll serve over ravioli with thin-sliced chicken, and salad and breadsticks seemed the perfect complement. So, in-between writing a paper and cleaning the house, my breadsticks are coming along. :) They are on their first rise cycle now. I can't wait to eat them!

Staycation Review

Staycation week has been full of fun and relaxation... and of course, food! :) A quick run-down, both for my memory and so my mom knows that I really did take it easy...

Saturday- Josh and I got up and took a walk, then took Donovan to the Pool Party at the Clubhouse of our Complex. I wrote a paper for my online class, had dinner (kabobs!) and then Josh and I had a little date: a private trip to McDonalds for $1 hot fudge sundae! :)

Sunday - I got up and made breakfast, as is our Sunday morning tradition. :) Sausage gravy, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Should I mention that I was most certainly not "dieting" while on vacation? After breakfast we took Donovan to the Boise Rec Fest, then returned home for dinner. I made grilled stuffed pork tenderloin and some roasted potatoes. Then Josh and I took our evening walk; we have a look around the lake behind our Complex that is about 3 miles, and we love to walk and talk, so we try to take a walk almost every day.

Some of the fish we see in the Boise River on our walk.

Monday - Spring Cleaning! I scrubbed the house, including moving the appliances, cleaning out the frig, and scouring the bathtubs. Whew! All the things I never seem to have the time to do. Then I went to the library and checked out 6 books, then returned home to prepare dinner... homemade lasagna, including the marinara sauce, and fresh-baked french bread. After dinner, I read one of my books while enjoying a luxurious bubble bath. :)

Tuesday - Started with a walk, followed by our adventures at the Boise Depot, Platt Gardens, and the Idaho State Penitentiary.

Josh and I at the Gardens... our self-portraits usually cut off the top of at least one of our heads, but we keep trying! :)

Josh has started taking pictures again - he's a talented photographer! I love this picture, taken near the Penitentiary, and would love to enlarge it in black and white, then frame it in my living room!

Then we took Donovan to see "How to Train a Dragon"; Tuesday is $1 tickets at the theater! For dinner, I made homemade beef pot pie - I think my best to date.


Wednesday - I got up and read a book. Seriously - I didn't get off the couch until noon. :) Once I finished my book, I wrote my final paper for my online class and then baked some banana bread. Josh and I took a walk before dinner, then I made a true Southern meal: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and beef gravy. :) After dinner I read another book...

Thursday - I got up and made breakfast - banana pancakes. I've never made them before, so was excited to try. :) Donovan loved them! After breakfast, Josh and I hiked Tablerock, which is a 3.5 mile hike, round-trip... I actually made it!

Josh at the top of the hill

Another self-portrait - proof that I made it to the top!

Friday - Josh and I got up and took a walk, although it was a bit shorter (only a mile!) because I was pretty sore from our hike the day before... then we took Donovan and his friend, Robert, to Lucky Peak for the afternoon. The boys loved playing in the water, and Josh and I enjoyed the quiet time on the beach.

Relaxing on the beach, with my book and my water bottle... and lathered in SPF 90 sunscreen!

Donovan and Robert, showing us a snail they found in the water

While at Lucky Peak, I finished another book. :) By the time we got home, I didn't feel like cooking, so we ordered a pizza and let the boys play. Josh and I played some chess then snuggled to some television.

Saturday - Josh and I got up and took a walk, followed by a couple of hours of gun shopping... ok, really it was gun browsing; Josh thought he might find some great deals around the 4th of July, but nobody was running any great specials. For the afternoon, Chae and the kids made it to Boise! We hoped for lots of time with them, but settled for a few hours. It was pretty windy, so we ended up hanging out at the apartment where the kids played XBox and GI Joes while Chae and I chatted and caught up on life and her trip. :) It was wonderful! For dinner I made homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Once Chae left (she wanted to drive part-way to Seattle so she could get the older boys to their dad's around lunch-time on Sunday) we ran to the video store and rented a movie, which we enjoyed watching while eating banana splits. :)

Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take any pictures while Chae and the kids were here. :( Darn!!!!

Sunday - Josh and I are enjoying the day inside watching "The History of America", a series on the History Channel that started with the Revolutionary War. It's fascinating! And, a nice reprieve for my sunburn. :) I have also started a new book, and have steak marinating for the grill tonight. After dinner, we'll head up the hill to watch the fireworks, and then I have to head to bed to prepare for work tomorrow.

My staycation week is over. :( However, I've had a fabulous week, relaxed, prepared a number of incredibly delicious meals (which has made me very happy - the kitchen time has been fantastic!!!) and read 5, almost 6, books. :) I think I might have to consider staycations more often!

Stay-Cation Week!

This week I'm on vacation! Since I'm at home, it's my first stay-cation ever. :) So far, we have gone to Boise Rec Fest - an event with lots of outdoor, recreationally-oriented vendors (camping, boating, tourism, etc...), fair-style food, and live music. It was a gorgeous day!

Josh and Donovan at Rec Fest - Donovan chose to get cotton candy as his treat... Josh and I both gave into the Pronto Pups.

The sunny view from our patio - we've been doing lots of walking and playing outside, now that we have such beautiful sunshine.

We decided to check out some of the local tourist spots today... this is us at Platt Gardens, which is at the Boise Depot.

Boise Depot, and the view from the lower garden...

Me, standing at the lower garden; includes a view of North-East Boise... The Boise Depot was constructed in 1924 and had it's first train come through in April 1925. Platt Garden was completed and named after the general manager of the Depot.

Then we headed to the original Idaho State Penitentiary. Donovan and me, outside the stone wall of the outer structure of the prison, which also housed a dairy, a cannery, and an area for farming.

After a number of years in operation, the state of Idaho built a Women's ward. It was fascinating to walk through it, read the history, see the incredibly small cells, and think about how times have changed. Some of the women who found themselves incarcerated were done for crimes of immorality - one was for "inducing a young girl into a house of prostitution". Another (at least from the histories that were available) was for performing abortion. Some for forgery, and others for manslaughter - many women in the early- to mid-1900's poisoned their husbands!

So far, my stay-cation is fantastic! I have enjoyed the relaxation, and am excited that we've finally started exploring Idaho and enjoying the history that exists here.

Blonde?

Last night after work, Josh and I decided that I should cut my hair short again. He said the pixie-look is his favorite. :) Once it was cut, we realized how much gray is really there... so, we picked up a bottle of hair dye. Josh really wanted me to go platinum blonde; we settled on a warm, medium-blonde color.

The dye is processing...

And, here we go! It turned out a little strawberry-blondish, but it's short and sassy, and so easy to fix. I think I was ready in 15 minutes this morning! :)

Family Pictures, and Afternoon Fun!

Today we took family pictures! The website, for your viewing pleasure, is smilesbywire. The user name is Jaime Davis, and the password is LTP0474117200JCP. For parents and grandparents, you will receive a few of these in the mail in a couple of weeks! :)

Once we finished pictures, I went to work. This afternoon was a team-building activity at work, and we were taken to the go-kart track!

Michelle and myself - Michelle is my counterpart in High School Admissions

Getting ready to race!

I came in 6th, out of 10th in my heat... I'm not exactly a speed racer. :) But, it was a good afternoon, and a good day!

McCall

Today we headed up to McCall to see my friend Jay - I haven't had the chance to see her in five years! It was a wonderful day, filled with lots of smiles, memories, and catching up on each others lives.

The Davis family, in front of one of the subdivision signs for a subdivision that Josh and his dad built in McCall, more than ten years ago!

Jaime and Jay

The Davis family on Jay's front porch... it rained some of the time we were there, but was a beautiful, cool day to be in the mountains!

Thank you, Jay, for the opportunity to head up and see you, and spend the day in McCall!