Stuffs

Screwtape Letters

I'm up.  It's been rainy, rainy and love-ly!  I love that at some points it has been POURING rain!  Sad thing is I have a tummy ache :(  I'm sort of ready for sleeps and watching a show while I'm hoping for a tummy settlement.  I thought I'd pop on here and see what I've been up to and not been posting-hee hee hee.

Things have been super busy with work-lots to do in limited time.  Still grateful to have work and I love my weekends!

I went to see Screwtape Letters at the Paramount and Johanna and Jessica went with.  The play was a good rendering of the book.  It got my brain moving and was convicting on a few different levels.  Good stuff :)

Enchilada Time

We had a grand adventure day making mexican food, celebrating James birthday & rebuilding renaissance cities-overtaking each other in the land of Carcossone!!

New Snowshoeing Hat for the Birthday!!

Good times!  Why do my photos create so much white (grey-whatever!) space???

Isn't this hat AMAZING??? Oh yah!I can hardly wait to see the photos from it being worn in the snow.  I know there has been some snowshoeing going on!!  :)

Carcassone!!

We'd been missing our adventures so we decided to dive in at home with a game day.  Of course it was down to the wire….and farmland didn't win the game!  Next time we're cooking again, have a film picked out and if the weather is opportune will partake in some kite flying :)

Snow!!!

Targets

This is what it looked like as we walked up to where Josh and Nick have found to go shooting.  It was brills!  A couple of inches of snow scrunching under my boots---so lovely!!

It was fun setting up the targets with the snow!

Our group

There were only five of us and we had some good fun.  It mostly snowed so it wasn't too wet and it was beautiful!  There was fog out in the valleys and  it didn't lift for quite some time--so pre-e-e-tty!!

After shooting, a few of us made a wee trek to the shooter's supply and then to Cabella's where we came upon this lovely moose just waiting to have his photo taken :)

I hope everyone else is enjoying the change of seasons.  I don't think I will ever stop being amazed at how the buds pop out and the blooms peek up right on time-every year.  WOW!  I haven't sent out the new link to everyone, guess I should.  Leave a comment if you'd like, let me know what's going on with you as spring gets going!

Wilkeson

Mars Hill Men

This is how I spent my Saturday: In the forest with quite a few guns, snow, a machete, more snow & five then six Mars Hill dudes.  I was the sole chick-which I don't mind, but I always think the guys think I'm weird.  Maybe I am.

I had quite a fine time.  I shot the AK, the AR my .38 . . . hmmm . . . I think that was it for this trip.

It is just very nice to be away.  To be out doing anything in the forest.  The snow was a totally great surprise.  Plus, if it was going to be wet all day, to have snow a lot of the time is better than rain!  It was cold, but I dressed prepared (well, I did have to borrow a sweatshirt since my wool sweater didn't make into my box that morning).  I found out my $20 TNF hiking pants are waterproof--ummm, super great steal!  I also found a clearance OR shell--goretex as always, life saver!

There really was fire!! 

Any-way--the dudes were cool.  They did dude things like I would expect:  cigar smoking and target finding galore all day.  As the afternoon progressed another dude decided to come and a few others had to pick him up at Wal-mart.  Westin (Wesley? me & names--horrific!) decided to start a fire so it would be going when the other guys brought the wood back-he had a knife and a magnesium (I'm pretty sure of that) survival fire starter.  He went to it and made fire!  It kept up for a good half hour before a crazy bit of snow/rain got the best of it.  Sure was fun to see him get it going.



So-all in all lots of fun for this moose.  I saw the men blow up a few targets-yay!  We did have fire with dry wood to warm up to--My jacket is still airing out from the smoke.  There is a downed tree that allegedly has three or four bullets in it--they have yet to be machete'd out ;)

I love to go to the cinema, I love to go to the shows.  I love to dress up, eat out, sit down and just chill on the couch with films and snacks.  I also love to get out and be out do the outdoor thing.  I still struggle with the "weekend warrior" bit that is the Pacific Northwest. . . but it is what it is.  This isn't Lake City or Colter Bay or Bozeman or Durango where you can just arrive home change the togs and drive out to the trail and be out in an hour's turn around.  I haven't adapted yet and I'm more out of shape now than possibly ever before in my life.  I need to rectify that bit at least.  I'm looking forward to some hiking, more shooting and hopefully some camping as the subject came up this weekend as well.

I am in an unfamiliar land.  So much so that adaption hasn't occurred.  Scientifically, this is anomolous and should be rectified--yet without reference, it is difficult.

Below you'll see how the evening started to come to a close.  Burritos were made, the girls came over for games and it was a relaxing evening.  A very full day, jam packed with all the things this moose enjoys!

Burrito time!

Choices

Argh...choices. Always want them...not so great when I get them. I really hate when I have to choose between great things.

Here I am.

I have a wonderful once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to England and meet up with a friend. One of my nicest, most fun and fellow Potter loving friends who really loves Jesus!

If I choose this option it will delay the Grand Disneyland trip ma has been wanting to go on for years.

It will mean I have to stop taking classes at the rate I have been (possibly all year).

It will mean no using vacay days for other things, like acting jobs-which I LOVE.

It will also require me to save lots of money...money that would typically go toward paying off things, saving for an auto, improvements about my place...

What do I want? England. With Tara. Wicked fun. Wonderful experiences. Potter love.

Now, to just get to it and figure out the things that are on hold so that they happen as soon as possible as well.

Argh. Prayers. Please??

01 January 2010

So, it's the first day of another year. Funny thing, it feels just like any other day. Everyone is all on about resolutions, black eyed peas & corn bread and how everything is going to be super great because, get this: It's a New Year.

Wow.

Now, I'm not all cynical here, don't get the wrong idea. I'm the same chick who wants to believe wishes come true, magic exists and dreams become realities. But seriously!! At least in my fantasy world there is some catalyst to create wondrous things...not that they just happen because the date has changed.

Whew. Now that THAT is out of my system...I thought it might be nice to post an update.

Firstly, I've been hearing comments about how few I've made in recent months (and not so

recent months). And...I just uploaded photos :)

So WAY back in September Dede and I went to see Wicked at the Paramount. Def up

there on my list of musicals---costumes are amazing, story is good and the music stellar!!

September also held a brilliant

musical adventure to see Flogging Molly with James and Brenda-Boo. Yah, it was AMAZING!!!

We took along a wee picnic and saw some

interesting opening bands...and then the main event.

Yah, good times!

So then October rolled around which means Walt Disney World!!! The trip was awesome (as always). I really love EPCOT and this year they've added this AWESOME new game based upon KIM POSSIBLE!!!!

I had a great time doing a couple of the adventures in the afternoon and then Grant

joined in the fun a few days later. TOTALLY GREAT!!!

Even playing two afternoons we didn't get to do all of the adventures. Guess that leaves more fun for next time!!!

Immediately following Florida I went to California for a fun

weekend of soccer, Disneyland and seeing good friends from far

away! Ildiko and Bela were in town, all the way from Hungary! (YAY) and we met up at The Olive Garden. Sadly, Bela wasn't able to stay with us due to a tree emergency...but Ildiko and I enjoyed a meal and lots of chatting.

In November I took another trip to the Peninsula and stayed on the beach. I had a rough go being

ill through the month and the weekend was a perfect way to chill and get some rest. There was

a raging storm, brewed coffee, bacon, leftovers, lots of bubbles and avoiding tourists. I made the mistake of going over the weekend New Moon

was released, which meant silly twi-hards all around. I stayed out of town and had a blissful weekend.

And then it was December.

I love December...I live for Christmastime...I L-O-V-E Christmastime. The twinkle lights...the

carols...the food...the baking...Jesus. I always say...there would be no Easter if there wasn't Christmas. What a miracle...a choice that God made--for us. WOW

Of course the month started of with the annual

trip to Disneyland. Santa was pretty cool. Caught up with him over at the DLH--nice.

My way cool friend Tara and sis Tiffany threw a

great Christmas party the weekend following my return from SoCal.

We sang carols ate snacks and watched Harry Potter.

Seriously.

It was rad. Yah. Rad.

The following weekend was Christmas Supper

Party at my place. Oodles of fun with some good friends, good food, Christmas crackers and a white elephant exchange.

Good times!

Christmas was bliss...Boo came over on the Eve and we cooked and churched and saw lights...and

Christmas Day was full of gifts, film, friends and games :)

We even carried the celebration on to the following day! Good times!

This photo is us with Kat over at her place for a bit of an Irish Christmas Dinner...YUM!

Yah...so it's a brief look into the end of the year...but there it is.

Now it's a New Year. As you may have gathered from the intro here...I'm not into resolutions or thinking that "this year will be so much better than the last". Just like every season...I look at where I'm at and where I'm headed. I'll get my bearings and see if I'm on course.

I'll try to keep you posted.

So, what are your thoughts on this whole "New Year" business???

Peninsula Part 1

So...I thought I'd finally post up some photos from my February trip to the Olympic Peninsula with Miss Brenda. I am sure this is thrilling news to all of you out there in Bloggerland! ;)

We chose to take the ferry over since it was later evening when we set off. Anyway--ferry's are fun! We were told we'd have to wait a full hour for the next boat...luckily this proved false and we were off in a flash!


We stayed at the Forks Motel, which is rather nice. We were off the next morning to see what we could see on Second Beach. For breakfast we stopped over at the Thriftway for some very nourishing donuts :) YUMM!!!

That Saturday happened to be Valentine's Day. On our way into the market we were greeted by an older fellow in a ball cap, a flannel shirt and wranglers (if I wasn't mistaken) with a jovial greeting of: "Happy Valentine's Day, Ladies!!" It was spectacular...and we were off!



As you can see in the above photo as well as the one here...it is truly as green in the rain forest as one might imagine they'd be.

To reach Second Beach, one must park in a small lot off the side of the road and walk 1.3 miles (2.1km) through this lush landscape to reach the beach area.

The tree in the photo above reminded us of a giraffe for some reason. How about you? Giraffe or no???



It was rather wondrous...one moment you're traipsing over a squishy green trail and the next you're looking at this massive pile of driftwood--the entrance to the beach.

I somehow managed not to photograph the very classy outhouse that is standing right by the trail on the forest side of the driftwood mass. It is classic I tell you!





The views were spectacular! The morning was rather overcast, but mild. If you look down in this shot you can see a bit of an opening in the rock face...this, my friends, is where we were headed.




Here is a shot from near the water's edge. The waves were incredible. The beach here was mostly sandy with very (very, very) small pebbles. We would soon learn that the beaches in the area are all made up of a variety of pebbles...some very tiny-yet not quite sand...then there are some much larger-almost what one would call rocks covering large areas of beach!



This was our goal: tide pool! The sky was still rather dark but it was comfortable out. There were lots of barnacles and mosses on the rocks.

There weren't very many large pools to see sea creatures in...but we did find a few :)




As you can see here, the anemones were mint green. I think all that we saw were this color. They have this odd bit on their outsides that makes them look like shite when they are tucked up and afraid.

The sun was out a bit for this shot...much brighter! Now, I'm new to the sea, I found all of this to be unfamiliar and fascinating-WOW!!


As the tide began to rise...we turned to trek back to the trail head. During one bit of darker sky I turned and took this shot of the sea stacks reflected in the rising waters.


Sea stacks--who'd a thunk???



This is the final shot I have for this post.

We spent a bit of time looking at all sorts of driftwood. It is beautiful. This bit took our attention for a few minutes.

What do you see in these bits of wood? Do you often see the art that is nature? How do you capture it?

Things I'm Grateful For #6

Being away last weekend, I didn't realise I missed a week of 'grateful' posting.

Ah well...there was much to be thankful for on my peninsula adventure. Between my friend and me, we took over 500 photos. I've been going through them when I've had some spare minutes through the week--sadly fewer free minutes than I'd like! Hopefully I'll have a few shots together to post later today

In the interim, I thought I'd post a scan of the collage I made to give my friend Maya from our trip to the Peninsula in January. I've been very blessed throughout my life with good friends. I continue to be blessed as I now have friends all over the world to keep in touch with and enjoy.

I know the quality is rather poor. The actual .pdf didn't load through Blogger...ah well.


I'm quite fond of traveling & adventuring on my own. Recently, my adventures have been with friends. Though a different experience, I've found that it is as much-if not more fun when traveling with someone of like mind and adventuring skill!

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend! The rain has returned here and I'm more than thrilled (of course). I think I've mentioned before that this does not mean the sun is nowhere to be found. It has been shining around the clouds for about an hour and a half...but the smell of wet ground and pine fills the air...another thing to be grateful for!

What are you grateful for today??

Falling...

I've never been 'an ocean person'. I have an irrational fear that large bodies of water just may swallow me up. I've enjoyed visiting various beaches, but there has never been a draw to return.

I think that is changing.

This is a shot of Rialto Beach, just North of the Quileute Reservation on the Olympic Peninsula. Rather brilliant, wouldn't you agree?

That's all for now.
More to come.

Words of My Own

Adventuring

This is one of my favorite things. Adventuring. I love to get up and go. I love to see new things, new places, beautiful things, all sorts of things.

I have a habit of putting into words what my mind is trying to describe...all the while using some word that is only common to me. I'm sure now and again some of those words drift into a blog post. I may or may not even be aware of it.

I believe I used this particular word recently in a mail to my Disney/Bloggerland friend Beth. She went on to post about it. Which, of course, brought all sorts of smiles to my being. You see, Beth is a writer. A REAL LIVE WRITER--we're talking BOOKS, people! She likes my fun word!

Anyway...All this about a silly word that I happen to enjoy immensely is leading up to what I'm doing this weekend. Hopefully, a bit of adventuring. I'm headed out in about an hour with my friend Brenda to go to the Olympic Peninsula. I know, you're thinking...'she never posted about her first trip over there and now she's telling us she's going back'.

Well, I am.



This is a photo from First Beach at La Push, WA on the Quileute Reservation. This is from my first trip over in January. There was a storm rolling in and the winds were coming at us full force. The waves were incredible to watch and the sea stacks are incredible. You might recognise it since it is quite similar to the photo I took that now sits at the top of this blog :)

This weekend is for a little R&R. Hopefully we'll stroll along at low tide to see some of the tide pools along the beaches, watch a sunset, read, check out some of the rain forest. I can hardly wait to soak up the wilderness...the peacefulness only found in the wild.

Where do you like to go to find some balance and renew your mind?

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Blast blogger...I can not get the font italics or size to change. Sorry folks!

Hangin'with friends...

So, I've been home today. My auto was towed to the shoppe and is now running. Tomorrow the final part will be installed and hopefully I'll be golden for a bit in the auto department. I guess one way or the other the fixes are done anyway, I'm outta cash!

I took down my Christmas decorations today, a little later than I typically do. Other things have come up and seemed more pressing. Plus, I love Christmas and I didn't mind having them up :)

I went over my budget through the end of the month-a little ominous, but do-able. I often feel bad stressing about my situation when I live in the States and am seriously blessed. Most of my troubles, I've brought upon myself.

I was going through some photos earlier...made a collage for a friend and started thinking ahead to adventures I'm looking forward to.

I'm absolutely looking forward to a girls weekend in April with Cari over on the Olympic Peninsula. It's going to be a good time.

Here is a photo of Cari and I from our last trip to Walt Disney World. I do believe it was taken by Cadence...age four.


As I was flipping through the album & I came across a shot I have with some of my 'other' friends :)

This was taken in the England Pavilion.


Good times, good memories. The sun was out today and the temps were up (50's F). Rain is predicted to return Thursday night. I'm reading Pride & Prejudice which is new for me. I added a gadget that shows which Vampire I'd be in Twilight. Alice...my favorite!
I know, I am truly a geek.

So, that's what's up with me today. Hope all of you had a great day.

It's No Sleeping Beauty...

...but it seems a lot of folks like it!

This photo was taken 30 September before I headed over to Liberty Tree Tavern for a family style supper with the characters dressed in their Halloween costumes for the Not So Scary Halloween Party later that night. I didn't realise the reflection would look quite so nice. One shot from a superb Walt Disney World vacation .

Here are a few more.

I love this shot of Grant and Cadence with Minnie Mouse

Grant, Cadence and I

Cari, Cadence and I

Cari, Matty, Grant and Cadence

A Sunday Drive

'Tis true...I decided to take a prverbial 'Sunday drive' out through the country. I drove at or below the speed limit, took photos and listened to music from 40's and 50's. The music, though good to listen to, wasn't wholly by choice--I only have AM radio in my auto and didn't care to listen to anything to do with politics or a local sermon. The big band and rat pack turned out to be quite fitting for the excursion!

The first shot is from the car. It's kind of cool that I can set the camera to ignore the windshield! The leaves are turning this really great goldenrod color and some are even totally RED!!! It is fascinating!

I ended up at Fall City Farms...I was a little early for the Bluegrass I was hoping to hear--actually a lot early--but I did have a chance for some fun photos! Here are some of them:

There were lots of fun pumpkins and autumn decorations...

A lot of funky things to see...and the weather was beautiful. Overall, a super afternoon. Perhaps next week I'll call ahead to see just when the Bluegrass is to ensue and I'll head back over!

Here's a parting shot of the turning leaves on the river...perhaps the Snoqualmie River?? Whatever it is...it sure was pretty!

Levaquin-Magic-Three Books-A Motherboard-An Aspirin & Ice

I've been away...a lot can happen in 21 days.

As noted a few posts previous to this--I was ill. Nasty-scurvy-sick...at one point fearing pneumonia sick. Yes, the green caterpillars did show up, unwelcome guests that they are. Thankfully, Levaquin again lived up to it's killer reputation and rid my meek self of all the nasty germies! Woo-hoo!

This could lead easily to a rant (again) about antibiotic resistant germs and how I feel every single person ever is responsible to help to prevent them...but, I will refrain.

OK, that's not wholly true. I will not rant. I will however copy the 3Ds of antibiotic use. Read them, know them, abide by them.
"Remember the 3 Ds of appropriate antibiotic use:

1. The right Drug. Use only the antibiotic that your healthcare professional prescribed for your condition, and not one used by another person or for another illness.
2. The right Dose. Take the prescribed amount of your drug at the correct times.
3. The right Duration. Even if you start to feel better, continue taking your drug for the full course (the prescribed number of days) to ensure that no bacteria can survive." -www.levaquin.com

   

Thankfully...I was up and (almost) running as I headed to Walt Disney World for a much needed and much enjoyed holiday with a some of my best friends in the world! The weather was great & there weren't really any crowds. We ate lots of yummy things and visited lots of exciting attractions. There were wild animals and scary monsters...water slides and pool chairs to relax & read in! I started and finished three books--THREE!! Having long flights helped this endeavor...but seriously, I love to read! Overall--a vacation so good I forgot what day it was...brilliant!

I guess this means I should catch up on book reviews...I have a little collection I have failed to post :) tee-hee Procrastination!

When I arrived home I found that yet again I had to call Dell XPS support due to the failure of the absolute piece of junk computer I bought from them. When it works it works...I just live in anticipation for the next failure (yes-over a year of struggles with the machine and the company). Thankfully with some prodding the motherboard was replaced within the week....and for the moment I have a computer. Errgh...don't let it's shiny appearance fool you. XPS 1330--junk.

Senor Normie-norm spent a couple of nights at the kennel and then with his puppy friends at his sitter's place whilst I was away...he loves the other pups. Sadly, prior to my departure I was beginning to notice him falling a lot more and beginning to struggle getting up off his puppy bed.

Upon my return he continues to struggle. He shows no real signs of pain, though lots of frustration. He has his vitamins and we're looking into something from the veterinarian. For now an occasional aspirin, a little heat and his cushy puppy bed are keeping him happy. He sleeps lots...and seems to have an aversion to my Canon. This is the best shot I've gotten this week-poor, I know.

Which brings me to the final word in my lengthy title: ice. Here in the Pacific Northwest, fall is here. The leaves are turning (photos to come), the air is crisp and invigorating. It is wonderful. Why do I stay here? The weather. Yup, I love the rain and the seasons! This however is not a post about the + & - of living here...it is about the current season I am experiencing.

Yesterday as I started my auto to leave for work I was a little surprised to see my first icy windshield (windscreen for those across the way) of the season. Today, it was fully coated in a nice sheet of the stuff. Time to start defrosting early! This photo however, is not of my windshield ...and it's not a great shot overall...but it is the frost lingering on the grasses about 1030 this morning.

So, there's my update. Now back to my regularly scheduled life, I hope! Now for you...what's the weather like? ...any fall holidays you're looking forward to? ...what are you reading (or trying to read)?? Fill me in, update me all of internetland!~

Happy weekend!

: )