Things I'm Grateful for #9

Firstly: I'm not ungrateful or lazy. Ok, sometimes I am rather lazy...and I guess I've been known to be a bit selfish now and then...but not in this circumstance.

I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed, however. This fact has definitely had an impact on my blogging.

Secondly: I have lots of things I want to blog...so if things slow down there may be an onslaught of posting.

Thirdly: What I am actually grateful for: friends! I haven't actually kept track of the things I've stated I'm grateful for and I know I've mentioned the weather on more than one occasion. I am still very grateful for rainfall and the abundance of it we've been having.

Point being: I might be grateful for the same thing or something similar in more than one post. It just means that thing means a lot to me :)

(and it's my blog, I can do that!)

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of spending time with my friend Brenda. She is also one of my friends who I've been to the peninsula with...photos not yet posted :) Brenda is a friend I always have great fun with...even if we're not doing much of anything. On this occasion, however, we went to the outlet mall.

We had a fun day of looking for bargains and strolling about the rather empty mall. After our shopping trip we lounged at my place for a bit before going for pie on pi day.

Can you guess what the date was when this adventure occurred???



This first photo is of Brenda and me being tough.
We are very tough, trust me.
You would be quite fearful coming upon us in a dark alley.
Really, it is true.
I'm sure you're frightened just seeing this photo.

Ok, it could be the multiple chins I've created with that tuck--but it is frightening, no???





OK.
Perhaps not.
We did try.
This look, however is much more likely to be seen when we are hanging out.
The shirt I'm wearing was $5.00.
It says: "Hangnin' with my gnomies".
It is quite wonderful.



I've been having some good times with friends...and I'm quite thankful.

Anything you've been particularly grateful for this week???

Never go shopping on a "holiday" weekend...

Why yes, I do believe I just posted on how grateful I was to be reminded to stick to my list and not go buying every little thing that lights my fancy. Oh, yes...I did mention how happy I was to have stuck to my handy envelope system.

What happened???

"This weekend only...!!!" & "Coupon Expires 30 August 2008", that's what!

I made my list. It was quite specific.
I was to drive down to Crossroads since they have both Joanne's and Michael's. There is also a Half Priced Books there and I have two books on my "ok to purchase" list.

Off I went. I had my coupons, my budget and my iron will!! Da-dah-daah-dum!

I first went to Joanne's because I prefer their fabric department and that was at the top of my list. I found a project to dive into and was excited to get started. More on the project in another post.

On my way over I found this little beauty:


I read in the instructions for my project that it is very handy to have a cutting wheel to just whip across the fabric on your Olfa board (which I don't have, by the way...just a small Fiskers self healing mat which I use mostly with an exacto knife).

Firstly, it has daisy's all over!!! I'm not really a girly, girl...but who could pass this over??? I could if it was full price:


But...it wasn't!!!



What a deal!!???!!
(coupon not valid on sale or discounted items)

Other than this I stuck to my list perfectly!

Then I strolled over to the book shoppe. What is that I see? Signs everywhere!!!

(insert photo of said signs that I forgot to take :here: )

20% OFF EVERYTHING!! THIS WEEKEND ONLY!!!

Oh! I sure hope they have the Photoshop Elements book I've been searching for, I hope, I hope, I hope!!!
OOh! What is this...cookbooks! Let's look! Tempting, but no...

What??? STILL no copy of the Kelby PSE 6.0 book I've been hunting for---for the last MONTH!!! Goodness people who use PSE---sell your Kelby books---you have learned just how to make the blast program work!!!

Hmmm...it couldn't hurt to go over and peruse the series. What is that??? A first edition U.S. copy of Goblet of Fire! OF COURSE I NEED ANOTHER COPY OF THIS HARRY POTTER BOOK!!! Oh my, and a mint condition British version (second edition) for only $8.00!!

Of course, they are both 20% off!!

Whilst I'm here, why don't I check out that other series I'm trying to complete as a gift for a certain someone for Christmas. Nice, they have one of the books in good condition. Now look, I'm shopping for Christmas--everything is FINE.

Goodness!

St. Patty's Day 2008...a wee bit tardy :)

Hello everyone...it is an evening of playing blog catch up :) There have been many little things going on that I should blog as they happen--and I haven't been. I think I've done fairly well keeping up with these little bits since the beginning of the year...and hopefully I'll continue to do better!
I didn't feel myself on this day...I was having a super time dealing with edema like I never knew it could happen...needless to say I am very unhappy with how I looked in the photos from this trip. Though I must say Megan is a great blog trip buddy--great smile & always up for pictures and silly fun!!

These photos are from St.Patty's day (please note the green in the above photo!). My fun friend Megan and I went into Seattle to Pike's Place Market for a morning of produce buying and checking things out!
Here are a few photos from in and around the market...especially for all of you who are far away! I really enjoy going to the market--especially on week days, early! It's definitely not as busy...I have no ideas if the prices are better, but I did seem to find some yummy deals on fruits and veggies this day!

Here we have some of the neon inside...and some of the sites you'd expect to see--the Market sign and the PIG!! I have to say I've taken some better of the main sign...but so much depends on what trucks happen to be there...time of day...all those wonderful things one can't control :)

I must also say that I was hoping for a shot of Megan on said pig...yah, that didn't happen! (please note: I'm not on the pig either!)


This day was really pretty. It was warmer than it had been in awhile...perfect for wandering around...a bit warmer-yet not hot!!! It was a bit overcast, but hey...I'm sure the sun is still behind those clouds :)




Nearly every city I've been to has their own interesting 'art'...Seattle is no exception. This pretty lady is always overlooking the market.

We had a little brunch at The Crumpet Shoppe-always a nice spot to stop! It was lovely--not crowded and friendly! I branched out an tried something new. I don't have a very good shot of it, the lighting was weird. It's a tomato, pesto and parmesan crumpet. I don't think I'm going to be a big fan of pesto...but, I tried!

We had some fun with the little shoppes and vendors...Megan decided to have this little mermaid join her by the flower shoppe across from the fish throwing guys.


I had fun in Market Spice---every spice under the sun and lots and lots of tea!! It's always a good idea to have a tea party in the shoppe!!





We were both hoping to find some yummy produce...and we did! Here is a shot of lots of fruits and veggies as Megan waits for check out. All in all it was a fine morning...one of the best things was not driving and not parking. We took one of the express buses from the East Side and it was fabulous! I have since found that there is an express from the P&R by my house...I'm thrilled about that! How much better not to be stressed out from driving...and...how much wealthier we'll be from not paying for parking!!!!

Thanks Megan for a fun morning!

...just a bit...

The sun was shining all day long--bright and welcoming. Yet, every time I popped out for a stroll or to take care of something I was reminded that in the PacNW it is still winter. The temperature felt quite chill. I suppose it reached fifty... Ah well, no complaints here!!

The light in the trees was terrific. I didn't take any photos worth sharing (mostly roots actually). I do find winter sun rather amazing...everything seems to glow!

I have been trying to get outside and walk about town to take care of errands or just walk for the sake of walking :) When schedules work out it has been fun to spend some time with friends.

On my last off Monday I went across the lake with my friend Megan. We went into the mall (yah, the MALL!!) and she was able to find some new things for work. We browsed in one little shop and then made our way to this H-U-G-E Target!

Seriously...this place has two levels!! Megan is displaying our excitement as we arrive to check this place out!

I think Target is just a fun place to look around...and look around we did! I've always said that if I feel like buying something (nothing in particular) I'll just go to Target. If I look around long enough...I realise there is just too much STUFF...and I really don't need any more stuff :) If the urge to purchase hasn't waned...it is also possible to leave Target with a little something fun without giving up much cash.

On this little outing I found TWO pair of mittens for $1.07. What a deal!!! Plus, with it still being winter, mittens come in rather handy in the mornings. Here are two photos...showing one of each pair of mittens. Glorious, don't you think!

I've also pulled out my Nature in the City book and hopefully I'll be able to take some of the walks in coming months...on my own or with friends. There really is a lot here in this city...and the whole region. We'll see what, if anything comes of it!

Cheers! : )