Birthday happiness!

Here are some pictures from my birthday....I know...I know....it has been 3 weeks! I had a wonderful birthday. I took the day off from work....had a yummy lunch with my wonderful friend Hope......then headed out that evening for dinner and drinks with Joanne, April, Julie and Erik. The next night I was lucky enough to do it all over again this time with Meg, Tracey and Christy at my favorite place Ray's! Yummy Salmon, wine, a fire going in the fireplace and an amazing view of the water........ I am a lucky lady!

I truly feel blessed. Moving to Seattle was the best and also hardest thing I have done. Leaving my friends and family behind has been difficult and many tears have been shed over feelings of loneliness. At the same time I love being here....it is so strange to feel both so intensely. I am proud of myself....... and I think it has taken until this year to fully appreciate what I have accomplished since I have moved here. I have a wonderful group of friends and a great support system. Thank god for Joanne and Erik...my family here in Seattle. Moving here has really taught me to open myself up to people....put myself out there......get outside my comfort zone. It has been challenging but I find myself constantly trying new experiences.

So I feel blessed......blessed that I finally moved somewhere that my heart has wanted to be for a very long time......blessed that I have made some amazing friends who constantly challenge me in all the right ways......blessed to have such an amazing job.....great people to work with ( wasn't sure that would be possible after Gilbert el) and of course wonderful students ......who teach me something new everyday........ blessed to live somewhere so amazing! Glad I took the leap.....thank you VB for being my biggest cheerleader...... I have learned so much about myself since being here and I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing where it takes me!

Rattlesnake Ledge

It's Spring Break........mother nature was kind enough to bring us some amazing weather.......well at least the first 4 days ( hey I will take it!). I spent each day playing outside.....soaking in the sun......enjoying tanks tops and flip flops......it is really amazing how much better the sun makes you feel. I swear people were even friendlier than normal.....I guess you just can't help it......sun and 70 degrees....what is better than that??

I went on a hike yesterday.......thought i would share some of the pictures I took and found interesting.......enjoy!

Hamburger Buns???

It's Sunday evening. It has been a beautiful day here in Seattle......high 60's and SUNNY! I spent most of the day outside.......I met my neighbor for coffee and we sat by the water...drinking, talking and soaking in the sun. Later I went on a fabulous 2 hour walk. Once home I started to think about what I wanted to eat for dinner.......several options went through my head....all involving the grill....cuz hey let's be honest not sure when we are going to have another day like this one. So I finally decided on Turkey burgers and veggies. Off I go to the store......I grab my veggies......grab the turkey burgers...get sidetracked in the bakery at the yummy desserts......then last but certainly not least I go to get the hamburger buns......... I walk to wall that holds all the hamburger and hot dog buns.......and the whole thing is EMPTY. I must have stood there for a solid minute with my mouth open just staring. What?? There are NO BUNS at all?? How could this be? I mean.. 4 shelves...empty. Of course it is not the first time Safeway hasn't had something......so I decide no biggie....I will drive over to Trader Joe's and grab them on my way home. So off I go to store #2.....I walk in go right to the bread aisle........and wait.....no .....it can't be.........there are NO HAMBURGER BUNS........ I start to look around as if maybe by some off chance they have a new home that nobody has informed me about....maybe they are on display somewhere........I look around........nope....nowhere.......I grab a bottle of 2 buck chuck( at this point I am thinking I will need this later) and head out to store # 3. Now there is a part of me that was ready to say forget it....I can eat a turkey patty with no bun......but I was intrigued by this. I went in to store # 3 walked quickly ( because by now obviously there is a huge need for hamburger buns) I mean a quick pace through the store could make the difference between getting some or not. I arrive at the bread and bun aisle........only one other person standing there( thank goodness!).... looking at a several very empty shelves.......but wait.......there are 5 hamburger bun packages left.......that's right ONLY 5. I grab the one closest to me and walk away just as quickly as I had arrived. Ahhhh......dinner is now complete.

Driving home it hit me.........it's a nice day......high 60's and SUNNY........OMG.......everybody in Seattle had the same idea I did.......Let's Grill!!........and apparently they did. To think that 3 grocery stores were sold out of hamburger buns is crazy......but I am not surprised. That is Seattle...a perfect example of what I love about this city. A nice day comes along and everybody takes advantage of the weather and makes the most of being outside. That includes grilling! :)