After weeks of non-stop busyness, Andy and I spent two laid back weeks in a row doing not much other than relaxing at home. Not to say that all the various plans we've had over the last month or so haven't been fun, but after so much running around, we both needed some time to recover! Another positive shift recently - after weeks of what felt like a perpetual premature summer, just in time for the official start of the season we've finally had a handful of overcast, rainy days. It’s given me hope for a milder summer to come!
Read moreLife: Week 16
Big stuff - this week I started a new job, one where I'm no longer working from home. It’s been a dramatic positive change! Working from home, I’ve so missed simple things like a change of scenery and being around other people, and it’s been a relief to be back in an office, especially one that welcomed me with my favorite snack of chips & salsa! Another nice change - I get off work earlier, and even with a 15 minute commute that means I have plenty of time for post-work walks before going home to cook dinner. It’s an excellent time to be out on the Powerline Trail too, with spring in full swing! Most of the cherry trees along the trail have already dropped their blossoms, but now the trail is lined with fresh new green. Since my sister in law was in town with the niece & nephew, Andy and I headed to Wenatchee to spend the weekend soaking up the sunshine with them. It was a weekend filled with small adventures, kite flying, and reading many, many books.
Read moreLife: Week 52
Thanks to the winter wonderland that magically descended on Puget Sound on Christmas Eve, Andy and I got a late start getting to my parents on Christmas Day. By the time we made it there, my two-year-old niece was anxious to break into the huge pile of presents under the tree. Happily, one of her presents was perfect for the snowy day - her first pair of skis! After opening gifts, we dashed outside for some easy skiing and general frolicking in the snow. Since I had December 26th off as well, I got a bonus day off to enjoy the winter wonderland before it all melted away. I took advantage of the day with a long walk on the Powerline Trail, brilliant in its snowy glory.
Read moreLife: Week 37
After two weeks in the perpetual summer of Hawaii, I was more than happy to come home to fall in Seattle. We've even had our first real rainstorm! Most of the week, I was busy catching up on work, but I really got to enjoy fall over the weekend. Saturday morning, Andy and I were up early to drive over the pass and meet a friend for some elderberry picking! It used to be an annual fall tradition with my family, but I hadn't been in several years. It turned out to be the perfect way to welcome fall. We lucked out and found brought home a great haul so we'll have enough elderberry juice for at least a few years. After we'd filled all the bags we brought, we stopped by a fruit stand outside Wenatchee to pick up some late summer produce. Before heading home, we also made a stop for lunch at our favorite barbeque place in the state. We ended the week with a lazy rainy Sunday at home - the perfect way to recover from a stressful week of catching up at work!
Read moreLife: Week 27
I always enjoy a good 3-day work week, and with the 4th of July on a Tuesday this year, that's exactly what I wound up with! I spent many years working as a contractor, and never had paid holidays or vacation, so the idea that I can have a day (or two!) off without stressing about the extra hours I'll have to work later in the week or a diminished paycheck is still novel and exciting to me. Since I had Monday off in addition to Tuesday, I joined my dad for a hike to Mirror & Cottonwood Lakes, which turned out to be surprisingly quiet for a short hike off I-90 on a holiday weekend! I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy hiking with my dad, since our trips always involve several hours of relaxing by a lake while he fishes, while I catch up on some reading and generally enjoy the peace of the mountains.
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