AKA Boss Lady

Oh how I wish I could live up to my Radio Call Name. "Boss Lady" is actually a name that was given to me by one of our event runners. Man, I love Charlie. He's THE BEST runner in the whole world - conscientious, kind and can talk anyone into giving him pretty much anything. I don't think I've ever seen someone as smooth talkin' as Charlie. Charlie calls my cohort in event production, Brent, "Boss" and me... well he calls me "Boss Lady." I like that title. It is the equivalent of "Queen of All I Survey" which I have been campaigning for in my home and at work for quite some time now. But, alas... only Charlie REALLY treats me like I'm the Boss Lady.

At home...well, sometimes I get to be the Boss Lady. Sometimes I can get my "boys" to do what I want them to do. And...well, a lot of times...NOT. After 15 years of marriage, my husband still will not go to sleep at a reasonable hour. And, Nate Quan... well, sometimes I am Boss Lady...but sometimes he just looks at me like I'm crazy (which I am). Of course, the dogs have no clue that my nickname on an event site is "Boss Lady." When they look at me, I think they think I am merely here for their comfort and convenience. Sometimes they don't even look at me... or hear me...or they pretend they can't hear me...which, come to think of it, even Dave and Nate do on occassion.

I think if I were REALLY the Boss Lady no one would ever question my decisions at work. But, that's NEVER happened!

In my mind, in my dreams... I AM the Boss Lady. It's so nice to have an imagination and once in awhile live in an alternate reality. One can always dream...

In the meantime, my work team got me a backpack this past year. We all have backpacks at our company that have our nicknames - always "tongue in cheek". The photo above is my backpack - "Boss Lady". How nice, I thought. But then I remembered that the names on our backpacks are merely inside company jokes! Hmmmm...

Then, my husband found me this awesome shopping bag when we were in the Texas Hill Country recently. It says "Boss Lady" on the front (with a cowgirl) and the back says "Round em Up and Move em Out." That somehow wraps up my life in a nutshell - that's what I do! That's what I do at home...that's what I do for work...that's what I do when I walk the dogs... so for now, I will pretend that I really am the Boss Lady...

Snow Day in Houston!

This is the second year in a row that we have had snow in December. Last year we were in the second week of December, and I remember driving to Hobby Airport to pick up my work partner... with the snow falling and dusting everything. This time, the snow began falling in the morning and it snowed most of the day - big, huge flakes, silently falling and eventually accumulating on our backyard lawn. It was great!

Nate still went to school (it's just across the street from us) and he and his class got to go out and play in it. Dave stayed home and we enjoyed it together... we did our "work", and looked out the window constantly. We wondered how any of the teachers at Nate's school could hold their students' attention for more than 2 seconds with the snow falling right outside their windows.

It was a Winter Wonderland for sure! And... it reminded me of the big snowfall we had in 2004 on Christmas Eve. It was our last Christmas with Dave's dad, and it was magical. The whole family was at our house, with the snow falling like crazy. We threw snowballs and made a very, very short snowman. It was such a sweet night...

So I thought I'd share a few pics of us from yesterday... Dave's iPhone didn't always capture the snow, but... for what was left of it (it didn't stick very much... a lot fell, but the ground was still too warm...)...here are the images!

Thanksgiving: 15 Years of Marriage!

This Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2009), Dave and I celebrate exactly 15 years of marriage! Wow! Although we are privileged enough to have grown up in intact homes (my parents have been married for close to 41 years and Dave's were married 57 years), FIFTEEN YEARS seems like a really long time when it comes to this day and age. It also seems like a really long time ago that we walked down that aisle and said our "I Dos" to each other. We were two very different people then, and we both admit that we like the people we are today much better.

So much has happened in those 15 years...schooling, careers, a child...the ups and downs of figuring out how to work together and stay together. Some years have been extremely difficult - with chaos, challenges and heartache. Some years have been phenomenally wonderful - with celebrations, accomplishments, deeper realizations of who are as individuals and as a couple... so that I feel like we have finally come to this place of understanding quite a bit more about what it means to have really lived life together - the good, the bad and the ugly.

By no means am I suggesting that we have it all figured out. We still fight about the SAME THINGS, we still are frustrated by the very same quirks we came into this marriage with, still confounded by the other person at times... but one of the things I've really noted about all the years we've been together is that we TALK... we talk A LOT! It's a constant conversation with the two of us - sharing what we're struggling with, who we're struggling with, what we think of a situation, what we think of each other (good and bad), what we think the solution to the current political crisis of the day might be, the article we just read in the paper, the book that he wanted to read but I read for him and give him the synopsis when I'm done (he does plenty of reading for work)...that has been one of the keys to our survival as a couple...

...that and our faith...our belief that something larger than us is at work in our lives and that our vows to our God go much deeper than how we feel about one another on any particular day. That's been the one thing that has kept us talking, moving in the same direction... I know for others this isn't an ingredient, and that's okay. But, for us... it's been the ingredient that has grown our love, our respect and our care for each other through the years.

And, finally... I am grateful to be married to a man who sees me as his equal in life... his partner, if you will. One of the major factors in my decision to marry him was the fact that he wrote me a long letter right before our engagement. He wanted to know what my dreams were and how he could help me achieve them... I was amazed at this man who had a desire to journey through life together - helping each other reach goals... it wasn't just about his career, his dreams, his desires and I was merely there to help him get what he wanted. Dave Quan was the first guy I had dated or encountered in my life who recognized that my value in our relationship was SEPERATE from his. I was an individual with goals and dreams and they deserved to be pursued just as much as his own. And as much as my church friends at times might scoff at the egalitarian nature of our relationship... I must say... it has worked for us... because this Thursday we are celebrating 15 years of marriage!!!

So, this is a Thanksgiving tribute to my husband...Dave - I am grateful for you and our marriage...for the years we've shared together, all the struggles and joys that have come with it. And I am grateful for your love and grace that have been so important in my journey. Happy Anniversary!!!

We had a great time celebrating this past week with our friends - Johnny & Susan Myers - at our favorite Hill Country destination... The Inn Above Onion Creek... Enjoy the pics!

The Orthodontist Lied

This is the official update regarding Nate's braces. He wants the world to know that he has not gotten to chew gum in over a year. He is also not happy that our orthodontist told him he'd only have to wear his braces for a year. In truth, he has to now wear them for a total of one year and THREE months! Oh my...three more months than was originally estimated. He's not happy about this, but because a definitive end is in sight, he is dealing.

I have to say, dentists and orthodontists for kids have come a long way since my childhood. I really am not all that old, but I don't recall such incredible waiting rooms or perks when I was going in for cleanings and check ups. Nate's orthodontist's office is totally tricked out! The waiting room has a huge plasma screen television, always playing the latest and greatest kid movie. There's an entire room dedicated to Wii and Playstation - the place Nate heads to as soon as we walk in the door. He even gets "Bubba Bucks." This is quite the incentive program, I have to say. Don't ask me why, but our orthodontist has a "mascot" who is a water buffalo and his name is Bubba. I guess that's what you call a water buffalo from Texas, I don't know. Nate can earn Bubba bucks for all sorts of things - for showing up to his appointment on time, for wearing his orthodontist's t-shirt (great marketing), for having good hygiene when they put his new bands on... for just being the cute kid he is (honestly, I think those front desk ladies give him Bubba Bucks merely because he's such a good kid)... So we cashed in this past visit. Nate had sixty Bubba Bucks after a year of going to see the orthodontist. He turned them in and got a $30 Game Stop card and a couple of Chick-Fil-A gift certificates.

The other "perk" of braces is the various colored bands you get to choose from everytime they get changed. Over the course of this past year we have oft gotten orange and white (go Longhorns!), and a plethora of other combinations in honor of various sports teams that Nate has an affinity for...

We are looking forward to JANUARY when the braces will officially come off! Nate has already asked that we plan to buy a big package of bubble gum before we go. We will then ceremoniously break open the package upon our departure from the orthodontist's office and he can chew as much bubble gum as he wants...

Our Family and Food

Today when we were driving home from church I started talking to Nate about how when he's grown up, wherever he decides to live, I would like to visit him. He then announced that he would like to live in Los Angeles. Hmmm... I thought maybe it was because we had an incredible beach house vacation in Huntington Beach last year, or maybe because I had been talking about how wonderful it was to be able to go skiing in just a couple of hours... but that wasn't quite it.

"Why do you want to live in L.A. when you grow up?" Dave asked.

Nate's answer: "Because that's where In 'N Out Burger is."

We laughed. Then I looked over at Dave, who was driving. He was just beaming with pride. We have raised a child who thinks just like us. Every significant occasion, every trip or special moment - well, we pretty much can remember those days by the meals we've had. And, In 'N Out Burger was the restaurant of choice one summer when we spent a month vacationing on the Pacific Ocean. Nothing like a Double Double and one of their incredible chocolate milkshakes!

I work out at a gym in Montrose four mornings a week. My route takes me down the 59 spur and drops me off right at Westheimer, where if I crane my neck and peer right a little bit, I can see our favorite Houston restaurant - Brennan's - being re-built. So much tragedy occurred during Hurricane Ike, but I tell you, it was the burning down of Brennan's that was the biggest news of that time for us. Brennan's has hosted every anniversary dinner, my 30th birthday (which was awhile ago now) and significant celebration for us for over a decade now. Last November I lamented over and over again about where we would have our annversary dinner since Brennan's had burned down. Let me just say, we check their website regularly and can hardly wait. There is nothing like the food and ambiance of that place - turtle soup with a little sherry drizzled in, their shrimp and grits cooked tableside, bananas foster (the original recipe!), and the taking home of their pralines when we are leaving at the end of an incredible meal.

When Dave and I reflect on our honeymoon... even there... the food is a top memory... the steaks (Alberta, Canada has incredible beef) at Chateau Lake Louise's Edelweiss room, not to mention their chocolate fondue (which they flew fresh fruit in for daily)...

So, that's us. We love, love, love to celebrate with food. Sushi on Friday nights at Kubo's... a great burger at Christian's Tailgate, breakfast at the Buffalo Grille, cupcakes from Crave, Pho at Mai's, dim sum at Fung's or Yum Yum Cha, Salted Fish Fried Rice from Hong Kong Street Cafe, warm German Chocolate Cake at Mark's... if you EVER want a culinary tour of Houston , just give us a call! We will hook you up!

And if you want to come over for dinner...well, let us know. We can take care of that as well - whether we've got our favorite curry or jook in the crockpot (that's Christmas Eve for the Quans, by the way), Tortilla Soup (ala Houston Junior League's cookbook), our favorite flank steak marinated in incredible spices and olive oil, turkey meatloaf, baked salmon, healthy chocolate brownies with Scharffenberger Chocolate (you can't beat it)... you name it, we'll work on cooking it for you!


Much of life is set around our table... eating dinner together most every night of the week, celebrating a birthday, or just good ol' fellowship with friends... come on over (or let's go out!)... just let us know!

Crustless Apple Pie Recipe (from Cook's Country)

...This is for those of you who saw my FB pics of the Crustless Apple Pie I made today (since my computer was on the fritz and I couldn't do much else - except clean the house, but I didn't want to really do that). This is from Cook's Country (although their recipe had a MISTAKE in it, and I figured out what it was and fixed it). See below:

CRUSTLESS APPLE PIE

(serves 8... or 2, depending on the size of your family's stomach)

Note: In step 3, be sure that the melted butter is still slightly warm when whisked into the dry ingredients. Golden Delicious or Gala apples can be substituted for the Braeburn.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, quartered, and cut crosswise into thin slices
2 Braeburn apples (see note), peeled, cored, quartered, and cut crosswise into thin slices
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs , lightly beaten
2 tablespoons sour cream

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan with 1 tablespoon butter. Melt remaining softened butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer crumbs to bowl and let cool.

2. Toss apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon flour in large bowl. Coat bottom and sides of prepared pan with toasted crumbs (you can use your knuckles or sometimes the bottom of a glass works well... I just use my knuckles to form the crust on the bottom and a little bit up the sides of the springform pan). After patting the crust down, take the apples and arrange in pan (note, DO NOT pour apples in pan, but take a handful at a time and PLACE them in the springform pan so that you don't mess up the bread crumb crust you've just patted down).

3. Combine 1 cup sugar, remaining flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Whisk in eggs, sour cream, and melted butter (1 stick) until smooth. Pour batter evenly over apples. Sprinkle remaining sugar evenly over batter and bake until deep golden brown and crisp, 70 to 80 minutes. Transfer to wire and cool completely, at least 1 hour. Remove ring, slice, and serve.

Gotcha Day

I have been opposed to blogging, although we've had this account for a year and a half now. But, I am realizing that it can be one of the most helpful tools for keeping up with family and friends... so we thought we'd start with the next big milestone in our little family unit:

Next Wednesday, September 16th, is Nate's NINTH Gotcha Day! This is the celebration of the day we "got" Nate... when a five-month-old baby we had prayed and prayed for, finally was placed in our arms. Wow! Where does time go? I ask this question every day, if not a few times in a day. It is true - that you "blink" and suddenly the baby you once held is standing in front of you, 9-years-old and wearing braces. I am sure that I will blink again and wonder where my 9-year-old went and be amazed at the young man I am sending off to college. We are halfway there, and that scares me on so many fronts.

So, for Nate's Gotcha Day, we are celebrating with family this Saturday (as well as Godparents and close friends). Nate has asked for his favorite foods which include the following: sushi and sashimi from Kubo's, vietnamese egg rolls, spring rolls and sandwiches and a plethora of Crave Cupcakes. Today the two of us went online and he helped me order the cupcake flavors he wanted - which included his favorite Red Velvet and my favorite Dark Chocolate Coconut. This is how our family celebrates - with FOOD. I oft joke that my husband remembers the trips we have taken and the significant moments in our life by the things we have eaten. We have raised a son who has pretty much decided that this too is how he will remember the important milestones in life.

Nate has also agreed to let me show his homecoming video (again). Every year we watch him coming off the plane at Hobby Airport, his curious eyes, fuzzy head and chapped cheeks coming straight at me in the arms of my friend, Sue. This was before 9-11, so everyone was at the gate, anxiously awaiting his arrival. The crew let he and Sue come off the plane first, and I will never, ever, ever forget that incredible moment. She put him in my arms and I had an out-of-body experience. I don't remember a word anyone said to me, but I remember how he smelled and felt in my arms. He was perfect, perfect, perfect. He didn't cry at all - just took in all the people, the lights in the airport, the balloons that Dave's sister brought... it was the most amazing gift in the world and I couldn't believe that he was ours.

Of course, if you have known Nate through the years, or you know him now, you know the gift that he is. I am blown away by the little baby that was so easy-going, never cried unless he was sick, smiled constantly and just enjoyed life. My friend, Roxie, commented that what she has always loved about Nate is his love of life. Some kids look at things and ask a million questions - and although Nate has asked many questions through the years - his first response to any given situation or experience, is to EMBRACE IT. He observes, watches and then, when he gets comfortable, just goes right for it. Swimming, learning to ride his Ripstick, ziplining, fishing, boogey-boarding in the Pacific Ocean... that's my boy... he just wants to get in there and try it and thoroughly enjoy every moment of it.

How is this possible, since I am the most paranoid mother of all? Of course, if you know me, the glass is always half empty... but with Nate Quan it is always half-full. Both he and Dave are my balance... and I am grateful. Grateful that Nate is who he is, in spite of my worrying, fussing and general cynicism. With Nate - LIFE IS GOOD! I hope he stays that way his whole life.

I do have to say, that I appreciate it when he heeds my cautionary words. Dave had asked him earlier this month if he wanted to go out and play club football this fall. "No way," Nate replied. "I don't want to live a short life. Remember how Mom told us that the average age an NFL player lives 'til is like 50-something?" Love it!

Most of all, as I say so often - Nate's kind heart is what touches me daily - his worry for others, his sadness when he hears of someone else's plight, the way he thinks often about the tragedy in North Korea - his keen awareness of that situation and how close he was to it because of his birthplace impresses me. My heart overflows with gratitude when I see this in the beautiful son that I have been so blessed to raise and know.

On his actual Gotcha Day (next Wednesday), I'll be flying home from a business trip. Dave and Nate will come pick me up from the airport and Nate will choose where we'll have dinner. We'll tell him his story yet again - of how he came to us and the anxious days in the hospital not too long after his arrival. We'll look at his baby book (that I was so good about getting done, and stopped at 18 mos... but hey, at least he's got the most important part of the story) and we'll laugh about his little antics through the years. And we'll tell him we love him again and again (like we do everyday) and remind him of the plan God had for our family all along. We'll put him to bed and pray over him and kiss him goodnight... another year together... and then we'll look forward to the next time we celebrate the creation of this little family unit.

My hope is that as each Gotcha Day passes, the memories will be sweeter and I'll have more to be amazed about - the baby who has grown into a boy who then grows into a young man who finally becomes the man we hope he will be... compassionate, strong, gracious, wise, hard-working and generous... we see all of those things already... wow, what an amazing gift we steward in this child.