Bar is DONE

Our favorite soon to be lawyer is done!  He took the Bar exam last week.  He tested for two days and then went out and celebrated with a friend downtown.  Luckily he found his way back home and is alive and well and Barbri free.  He has also accepted a job!  Doing the law!  I won't tell you the name of the firm, as I don't really know.  He'll be commuting an hour each way right now, but he's happy to have a grown up legal job.  He is taking this week to reflect on life (and sleep in) and will start on Monday.  And Jim is actually out buying a new car as I type, as our days of being a one car family need to quickly end.  As Barney Stinson would say, "Hashtag lawyered." 

Cous Cous Salad

If you are looking for a way to use up some summer tomatoes, I highly recommend this Bruschetta Cous Cous Salad.  (I did not use the celery and cooked the cous cous in chicken broth.)  I served it with sauteed shrimp, but it could also work with chicken or as a stand alone dish.  Quite a lovely summer dish.

This morning my lovely husband and doggie took me for a chocolate croissant at one of our fave bakeries and on a walk at the Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve.  There were tons of prairie flowers blooming and it was nice to spend an hour strolling along together.  Someone has been in a pretty delightful mood considering what's coming up on Tuesday.  (Favorite comment of the week: "Things I should not have done: Google 'I'm taking the Bar in a few days.'")

Yesterday I accomplished a small goal: I swam the length of the pool with no kickboard and without stopping and while attempting to maintain proper swim/ breathing form.  This may seem like a small thing, but when I started my swim lessons in Eugene last year, I panicked when I would hold my head under the water.  Next stop: sprint triathlon (when I can afford a road bike.) 

Lunch Date

The Legal Beagle has been riding his bike to the Batavia Library to study during the week. (12 miles each way!)  Today Trooper and I joined him there for lunch.  It is 2pm and my phone says it's 72 degrees out.  My gosh, it's lovely!  After we ate, we walked Trooper along the river.  What a gorgeous summer day.  (The pic above looks a little grainy because it's an Instagram.)

We are both still searching/ interviewing for jobs.  I found out today I did not get one that I was really hoping for, but that's okay.  The universe will bring something my way that I enjoy and find rewarding.  And don't worry, I will let everyone know when my days of unemployment are over!

Summer

How am I supposed to ever get a book/ movie deal if I never post on my blog?

Summer evening bike ride along the Fox River.  Jim said, "Before we moved to Oregon, you would have never gone on a 7 mile bike ride to get a beer!"

It's hard to believe we've been in Illinois for almost two months!  Even on hot, humid days I still really like the Midwest.  Where else do you see lightning bugs at night?

Jim continues to study his buns off every day and night.  He will be taking the Bar Exam on Tuesday, July 30th and Wednesday, July 31st and will stay at a hotel those nights.  (It's better for all parties involved.)  He will find out his results (passing, duh) in October.

I am still tutoring kiddos part time and looking for a full time job.  I have had four interviews now, but nothing has worked out yet.  Patience, right?  Once we figure out what area we'll be living in, I will start looking for some volunteer activities.  My knees have finally recovered from the marathon (it only took two months) so I am back to running a few days a week, but nothing like those epic 2-3 hour runs.  (Insanity.)  It's been a good time to supplement running with swimming, free weights, biking, and lifting my wine glass to my mouth.

You are probably asking, "But how is the doggie?!"  Trooper is doing wonderfully!  He, too, is a Midwestern animal at heart.  (Did you know he was found wandering the streets of southern Indiana?)  He has adjusted to having four pug roommates and loves playing in the yard.  We have taken him off of his Cyclosporine and although he gets itchy, it is not bad enough to cause hot spots.  And, in general, he continues to be an angel.  Follow me on Instagram and you can see that mutt's mug shot.

Vodka Sauce

I just received some fan mail stating that you guys miss my blog.
Okay, so it was only my best friend who I've known since I was about 14.
And she was only referring to herself.
But my audience has spoken.
First of all, have I ever shared our fave Vodka Marinara recipe with you?  It's lovely.  You should make it tonight.
We are settling into our summer routine.  Jim has another month+ of studying for the Bar.  It involves him telling us about fun topics like when a check is legally endorsed and other exciting things.  I am working part time tutoring K-12 children, which I really enjoy doing, while looking for something full time.  I am very happy to be back in the Midwest, although we do miss our Pacific Northwest friends very much, and other things about Eugene, such as the Hideaway's Potato Doughnuts.   But I don't miss the rain, my allergic reaction the state, our neighbors, etc.. 
And finally, one day you should call me and ask me about the time I gave my husband a haircut.  But only if you want a good belly laugh.

Whole Wheat Love

As most of you know, I love eating.  However, I try to not overeat and try to make sure the foods I'm eating are healthy for me.  (With the occasional pizza/ Italian Beef/ ice cream thrown in there.  Yolo.)  I have not done much baking since our return to Illinois, but I have been making whole wheat low sugar or sugar free muffins every week.  They are a great addition to Jim's lunchbox and a good snack for those of us on sabbatical.  This week I made whole wheat banana muffins (using three old bananas).  A lot of times I'll even just look at a regular recipe and substitute Canola oil for butter, honey for sugar, etc.  And if you're wondering, "Why even use whole grains?"  I found this article that is a nice little summary.  Why not at least give it a try?

Status Update

Hi Dear Friends! 

It was brought to my attention earlier today that I have not updated my blog in a long time.  Update: we are alive and well and living in Illinois!

The drive from Oregon went very smoothly.  We took four days and spent the night in Twin Falls, Idaho, Denver, Colorado, and Omaha, Nebraska.  A few lessons learned: add about three hours on to the projected drive time on your phone and don't order a salad anywhere between Eugene, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois (Denver, I'm sure, being an exception.)  Trooper was an angel (of course) during the drive. 

When we arrived, we put almost everything into a storage unit.  We are staying with our wonderful family and their four pugs.  Trooper took a few days to adjust, but seems to be having a great time playing and running around their fenced in yard now. 
Jim takes the train downtown every morning at 7:30am and generally comes back on the 6:20.  He is taking a Bar Review course in the morning and studying all afternoon.  He takes the Bar at the end of July and will find out his results in October.  Please direct all communications through me this summer. 

I am busy searching for a job.  I am tutoring a few hours a week, but am looking for something full time.  We have temporary insurance for the summer, but will need decent insurance soon.  (Thought: maybe people would be more adventurous with their career paths if they didn't have to worry about health insurance.)  Would you like a copy of my resume to consider me for employment?

I have been experiencing "Runner's Knee" since the marathon and have been refraining from running (as much as I hate that.)  In the meantime, I am exploring more cross training, such as weightlifting, exercise bike, and now lap swim!  (With a kickboard.)  I guess running 26.2 miles is serious business.

Alright, peeps.  I will try to update you more this summer.  Thanks for the patience.