First Fall Sunset

During my evening walk last night at Discovery Park I was fortunate enough to witness and capture this amazing sunset. I miss these sunsets. I miss the pink, orange and gold colors in the sky.......watching that big ball of yellow go down beyond the mountains. I grew up in a place where sunsets ...sunsets like these are everyday occurrences. Where on occasion you may stop...sit and watch this spectacular event...but mostly it was just an everyday event. Living in the Northwest we don't get these sunsets very often and when we do I make the effort to find a place where I can stop...sit and watch. Last night I was joined by many others who like me had made the effort to capture this view. There were people sitting on the wooden benches with cameras in hand....while others had come...brought blankets....food and were enjoying a meal while watching. I know for me......I needed this moment.......I needed some time to stop...sit and watch. I needed to fill myself back up....and the best way to do that for ME...is to be out in nature....to soak up what it has to offer.

I know this picture is blurry......but I think that is what I like about it.......

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of Fall!

Autumn is in the air.....

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Weekend Plans.......

It was Friday afternoon around 1:35 when our administrator intern Dusty walked into the staff lounge and joined myself and some fellow teachers who were just finishing up lunch. Polite exchanges occurred and then came the question most ask on Friday's..... " What plans do you have this weekend"? As each person was going around sharing the cool and great things they had planned I sat there waiting for my turn......knowing....I don't have any plans this weekend.......thinking.......how do I make it sound like I am going to do something cool and fun. Eventually it was my turn and I had nothing. I mean...I did have my therapy appointment on Friday afternoon......but do you really share that with people who aren't your friends....probably not. As all eyes were on me and I smiled and felt a bit uncomfortable as I said "I don't really have any plans...I would like to go hiking".

Truth be told it was going to be "the last weekend of summer" highs were expected into the upper 80's and the sun was going to be in full force. Several of my friends were busy for the weekend and my idea of kayaking or hiking had started to fade around 10 am. I figured I could always go hiking by myself.

As the afternoon wore on I found an e-mail in my inbox...an invite to join some friends for happy hour that afternoon. At happy hour I got an invitation by a friend of a friend to go out on the boat on Saturday. While walking to dinner after happy hour I received a phone call from another dear friend who invited me over to her house on Sunday for some Seahawks football....drinks, snacks and good company.

When it was all said and done I had an incredibly busy weekend. I enjoyed spending the evening outside Friday night having dinner and drinks with friends. Saturday was a gorgeous day and going out on the boat absolutely made my DAY. Getting out on the lake in a boat has been on my "want to do list" since I moved to Seattle. Jumping off the boat into the cool water of Lake Sammamish and going for a swim was such a treat. Later that afternoon I had my "monthly" Social with my students.....and a house warming party for a friend that evening.

I always find it incredible when situations like this occur. I am always in awe of it. Having things/events unfold right before your eyes is just plain cool. I love how the universe provides for you exactly when you need it. Thank you universe! Now if I could just get that husband......

The first week.....

Last Monday was the start of a new school year. My 9th school year to be exact. For those who are teachers you know how hectic and down right tiring this week can be. The back to school pace and chaos is quite a jolt to the system. Especially when you have had 8 weeks of blissful summer. About a month ago my friend Autumn called and said she would be on a road trip to the west coast and I was one of the stops on her trip. Yippee! I was excited....... and then came the dates......wait....what.....the second day of school....sure come and visit! I was a bit apprehensive but also thought it would be a nice change for me as well. Then I got the 2nd phone call....this one from my dear friend Jay.......guess what he has a layover in Seattle on his way to Alaska. Great! I am so excited.....wait...what day?? Oh you are coming ...THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL...... I was filled with a mixture of YIKES and YIPPEE all at the same time. When the emotions died down...my first thought was......"What kind of hostess will I be"........I barely make it threw those first few days when I have no plans much less guests and having to entertain. But I was up for the challenge and to be really honest it was wonderful to have a reason to skip out of school right at the end of contract time. It was nice not having school consume me and my time that first week......it really made me take a step back and realize....you know what....it is OK if your classroom is not perfect...if all the e-mails didn't get sent out......it will be fine....the building will not crash down!









One of the best moments of the week was dinner Wednesday night with these two lovely ladies. To say my heart was full at the end of the evening does not describe it accurately. I had moments where I literally had to pinch myself to make sure I stayed fully present in the moment. You see Joanne, Autumn and I all went to NAU together and have been friends ever since. But as we all know life happens...people get married...babies are born...careers take off and next thing you know it has been 8 years since you have all been together. I love the energy these ladies give out to the universe......I LOVE where we are all at in our lives.......I am grateful that we are still friends and cherish being in the company of women who have known me for a very long time......and still love, adore and support me. I admire the women we have grown into.... I am so proud of the adult versions of us. We have come a long way since those college days. We decided at the end of the night that it is unacceptable to wait another 8 years before we are all together again.....so we are going to plan a trip to Mexico in the Spring. Heather....I know you are reading this......start planning.......it wasn't the same without you there.......you complete us!