Jam Packed

This weekend was I guess what you'd call jam packed, felt like we drove all over southern california in a matter of 24 hours. I'm not complaining, I prefer to be constantly doing something, it keeps my mind busy : )

Friday night we went with some friends to the LA fair. I have decided county fairs are like really white trash museums! There are exhibits and interesting art surrounded by trashy people and fried food mmmm the fair!

(they were so excited to eat this...this was after they split it in half!)

Saturday I worked for a bit in Anaheim, then we drove down and spent the afternoon on the beach in Encinitas, found some cool thrift stores and surf shops. After trying on many cute clothes, I determined I need to starve myself. Then like 5 minutes later I saw a burrito staring me in the face for dinner and decided I'd rather eat it!


We ended the night in San Diego at the Black Keys concert. They are amazing, you should buy their album right now! We were packed like sardines in the venue & I was getting claustrophobic so I made my way to the back where I could breathe. I kept thinking someone would surely try to kidnap and murder me so I devised a plan...I would look at their license plate before they stuffed me in their trunk, then text Andy the # and hope he would put two and two together, brilliant I tell you brilliant. But no one kidnapped me so I didn't even have to use my plan, just drove home and fell asleep in the passenger seat instead!
It was the perfect day...worked a little, played on the beach, ate a big burrito and ended it at a concert : )

Bitter sweet

OH wow I just realized Andy posted a ski video on our 4 year anniversary, not a "happy anniversary Jen you are the most amazing wife in the world" post! LOL that's my husband he is so romantic! Well now I don't feel so bad about posting this...

Yes, Andy & I celebrated 4 years of wedded bliss this past week. I am in deed so thankful I married such a great guy and got awesome in-laws in return, however, throughout the week my thoughts were turned to this guy...
My dad was a huge support and strength to me throughout the whole engagement and wedding planning process, it was one of the most fun & cherished times in our relationship. We'd talk several times a day while I was in Washington & he was back home. He gave me lots of advice and was so excited about "the big day". He wanted it to be perfect for me and wanted to go all out and "throw a great party" for all of the guests. At times he got a little carried away with the going all out and thought it would be a great idea to hire a mime (yes the kind with white painted faces that don't speak) to entertain the guests in line. LOL I almost died when he suggested that one! Thankfully my aunt told him we were planning a wedding not a circus! That is one of my favorite things about my dad, how excited he would get about events, trips or whatever. He always said "if we're gonna do it let's do it right!" He is awesome to say the least.

Recently someone asked me if I had moved on from his loss. What kind of questions is that? Does anyone ever really move on from such a tragedy? Will I ever move on, NO, but I'm trying to figure out how to live my life and keep my world moving when it feels like it stopped. I hold on to precious memories that I have of him and thank the Lord for the angels He places in my life daily to help me keep going. My dad is one of those angels, I know it.

I am so thankful for the daddy daughter dance we shared at our reception. I use to cry at my friends weddings when they danced with their dad because I wanted to do that with mine and at the time wasn't sure if I'd get that chance. I'm so glad that I did. It's those precious moments that we had that keep me going.

Winter is Coming

tale encounters of the human kind

I really wish that I kept better track of funny and interesting moments that happen daily with odd and hysterical patient encounters. Here are a few of my favorites...that I can remember : )

1. I walk into a room to find a 400+ pound woman lying in the bed, introduce myself, "Hi my name is Jennifer I'm a PA" only to have the lady reply, "what does PA stand for, oh your my personal assistant wonderful!" I just looked in amazement and said, "yes, would you like your pedicure or manicure first?" Better yet how 'bout I make sure you don't die!

2. After doing a digital rectal exam on a male with rectal bleeding he asks, "can we cuddle?" I just shook my head in disbelief....seriously gross!

3. A cute middle-aged man stares at me after I introduce my self, smiles and says, "can I just call you Doogie Howser?"

4. Chief complaint..."I have noodles in my chest"....REALLY!

5. walk into a very STINKY room to find a ginormous lady with dreads that looked like octopus tentacles all tatted up in big block letters the word "BULL" on her right forearm and "SHIT" on her left. I couldn't help but wanna throw up my forearms and bump chests.

PEOPLE MAKE ME LAUGH!

the Jack's are back!

Lumber Jack & Lumber Jen made a reappearance last week. We packed our flannels and most hideous tye-die apparrel, dusted off our Chacos and headed North up the coast to Morro Bay.... HOME OF THE SEA OTTER!!! Yes, I have another obsession other than Donny Osmond, it's sea otters. They are so cute I want to squeeze them (& the guy in the pic...apparently), too bad they're endangered. Oh well one day.

We camped in a tiny tent, ate heart shaped tomatoes to symbolize out hippie livin' love and roasted all things mallows and starbursts to our hearts content.

We snuck in a little edu-ma-cation and visited Hearst Castle. It was cool, that guy was redick, and I was once again reminded why I don't do the whole museum thing.

Best of all, the last day there we wandered to Morro Rock, ventured to a secluded area and spotted a sea otter swimming in the bay! I was ecstatic, I squealed...yes jenjolley squeals! As I got to close the otter he looked me straight in the face and ducked back under the ocean blue. I was sad he left so soon.

Central California was breathtakingly beautiful in every way...until next time

Love, Lumberjen & Lumberjack

The Moosejaw Andrew Martin Vest

Moosejaw is an outdoor sporting goods store that is based out of Michigan. They have a really good website, great costumer service, and their own clothing line. Over the years I have bought a bunch of stuff from them. About 6 months ago, I got an email from Moosejaw saying that they would like to get costumer feedback on some of their new clothing in an upcoming line. I had nothing better to do at the time, so I went ahead and looked at their proposed line and gave them my feedback. At the end of the questionnaire they said they would like to name some of their new products after their members and asked why they should name something after me. I really don't remember what I wrote, I think I may have included something in their about once eating a 14 inch burrito, but I'm really not sure. Whatever I wrote, Moosejaw liked it. They decided to name their new fleece vest after me! I was pretty stoked when I found out. They sent me a free vest, and I just got it in the mail today. Here are some pics, now click Here and buy yourself the Andrew Martin Vest.

Tour de Washington

After spending 10 days exploring the Northwest I have concluded the following...

1. I want to be a hippie

2. I want to have a hobby farm

3. I want to breath blue air, well clear air because according to some the air isn't blue...whatev!

Seriously this vacay was the tour de Washington that started on the west side and headed east. Guess that's the benefit of visiting family and tricking them into taking you all over the place! We had a great time, but then again who wouldn't with the Martin bunch?!

We flew into Seattle and met up with my aunts, uncle and cousins from my dad's side of the family : ) We had a yummy dinner at the Wild Ginger. It was so wonderful to see my family!

I talked a very kind bum into taking this picture, however he was a bit disappointed when I didn't have any cash for his dinner.

When the alarm went off at 4:20 am the next morning for the Seattle Rock n' Roll marathon I told Andy to never let me trick him into running a race on vacation again! After all was said and done we were glad we did it! I was even able to trick my father in-law, a non-runner into training and running the race with us, he must love me! He ended up rocking it, loving it and is now a runner who I think may be starting an addiction to races.

After our race on the west side we headed back to Yakima where Andy's parents live. We met up with our besties from college and wakeboarded on the Columbia River. I lived with these girls nearly all four years, oh the trouble we caused and the fun we had. Aw the glory years! I heart them.

The following days were spent hiking and exploring Mt. Rainier, visiting a cute little Bevarian tourist town called Leavenworth and doing a little bit of playing and sightseeing.

I mentioned to Chuck I had never rode on a ferry before and had all sorts of questions about it. Guess he decided to put my curiosity to rest when the next day we headed to Anacortes to board the ferry!

We went over to the San Juan Islands and spent a night on Friday Harbor exploring the little island. I was in love!

The next day we boarded back up and headed for Seattle while stopping at a few Farmer's Markets along the way. I love coastal hippie towns : )

Once in Seattle we visited Pike's Place and ate a sea feast at The Crab Pot located on the waterfront

We had such a great time...thanks for spoiling us Chuck & Stacy,

I heart you : )