I spent 25 thoughtful minutes crafting a nice piece of writing, mainly about jerky and overalls, and closed the window and lost it all.  So I say to you, let's begin again! I want to write it, you know you want to read it, let's light this candle!

Let's play catch up.  

1.) Rowan and I went to Portland for Labor Day and a last-adventure-before-first-grade-party trip.  We saw Nikki, Nuria, and our friend Nate (who I hadn't seen in 182 Fortnights).  I'll save you the math -- it's 7 years (All old friends from Newport!). And we saw Jeff.  But his name doesn't start with N, so he had to be in a different sentence.  We went to OMSI and saw the dinosaur exhibit, and my personal favorite, 40 stillbirth babies representing different stages of prenatal development--do I know how to party, or WHAT!?  Rowan made friends with an old Chemist, and then told me she thought she'd be better off becoming a scientist when she's older; instead of a vet.  What a brain on that one.  

2.) I now have a first grader.  That feels weird, as I don't feel old enough to have a child that old.  But...so far it is SUPER fun for both of us! We both like her teacher, Mr.C, not to be confused with the Mr.C that Rowan and I wouldn't be on the planet without (it's my dad, if you are still trying to piece it together); and he is a laid back, very kind man.  I start helping in the classroom next week.  Can't wait.  She came home on the first day with a picture she drew.  It made me beam knowing she was  so, so, so happy about school.  And that she thought it was "asum."  I think a lot of things are awesome, so I'm pretty stoked to have a new way to spell it.  

3.) I started picking up more hours at the toy shop! Now that I have 6.25 free hours everyday, I thought I better use them to hustle some cash! By which I mean selling high quality toys to the upper middle class of Bothell.  You're welcome, all friends reading this who are NOT that socioeconomic status but shop in my store, now you ARE! 

4.) For Alisa's birthday we went to the winery to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & (not) Young.  It was so fun! Until the lady behind us started having a barfing panic attack. The poor thing drank too much, but then decided to take a couple hits with some friendly old hippies or teenagers -- I didn't get the specifics -- and started making this horrible noise, and had to be wheeled away by the medic.  Oooooops! 

5.) I got overalls! The next time you see me, I'll probably be un-showered and donning a pair of bibs.  I'm so happy this fashion is back.  Because, as I've looked for different pairs of overalls in the past 10 years (when I retired my old ones), they are soooo flat in the front, like Ken.  These new ones I got, come with the patented Front Butt Technology (tm) that my body needs. Also Gatorade, it's got the electrolytes your body craves!  HA! Go tell it on the mountain, that I freakin' love these pants.  

6.) This is maybe the best one of all, so hold onto your hats.  While I was wrapping up my first go around of this post earlier today, I stood up from my desk, looked out the window of the toy shop to the Farmer's Market, and saw a sign that said, House of Jerky.  WHAT!? So, not only am I in my comfort hole of overalls, but now I also get cured meats.  Could this day get better?! Something tells me it will... but I won't hold my breath!

Until next time...I'll leave you with this graceful image of my child on rollerskates.

Rodeo Clown

Here we are at the end of August.  The end of summer is so strange.  The season starts to change, routines shift, and if you are like me, there's a huge let down of everything that flows through your veins emotionally and physically.  

I was busy at the toy store yesterday and today.  A lot of traffic, but I was also busy putting together some new displays and clearing space for new goods, 4th Quarter is right around the corner, Alisa.  Today, after I finished working on some really serious LEGO business, I could feel my bottom lip swelling up in a few choice spots.  

I knew what that meant: I've mentally spent myself over the past few weeks, and today was the let down.

  It was in my perfect temperature range outside (69 - 72), I've been getting things done around the house, and I generally feel well.  Not GREAT, but well.  And then...bazinga.  It hits.  

 I made it through summer, despite stress from most things, without a fever blister.  Today they make their grand reveal.  But I'm one step ahead of these fuckers.  If you can't afford the fancy pants medicine that is prescribed for The Herp, (you know the commercial: a couple, Herpe free, riding bikes through the path again after a long recess suffering their crotchal pain that they spread to each other)  pop a few ibuprofen, you ding-dong.  It takes the swelling out immediately and helps the look of your face.  Kind of.  

I know it's how you wanted to start your weekend, reading about my health issues.  You're welcome for the free tips.  And as you enjoy your Labor Day weekend, think of me with my fat lip, strolling around Portland, trying to play it off like there's nothing there; but we really all know that everyone is staring.  This isn't my first Herpes Simplex 1 rodeo, you guys.

Five Mexican Moths

Yikes.  Do I dare start this up again? Trying to hold myself to a goal that I more than likely will not attain?

Sure.  Why not?

I'm tired.  I'm a little more than tired.  My life is full and busy.  And fun.  But sometimes the fun parts are hiding in the deep folds of work life, home life, and cleaning up dog piss every other day.  I mean, that's pretty fun and stuff, but when you do "fun" every other day, it becomes mundane.

We've had a busy Summer.  And a busy Spring.  Considering the last time I typed up a sentence on this here blog, it was March, and we'd just come home from Hawaii.  So that's only ... add the 4 ... carry the 1 ... 6 months or so.  Nothing has changed dramatically except Rowan's tooth count.  She's now lost a total of 5 teeth and looks like she got in a bad bar fight. She's funny.  She uses words like, "literally" and "technically" which she "technically" does not know the proper use of.  Literally.  She doesn't.  She also has expressed an interest is some new cutting edge music and fashion clothes, much to my cringing dismay.  That's alright.  As long as she doesn't start twerking with her ass hanging out of a pair of short shorts, I'll be okay.

I'm working at a top notch toy store in Bothell.  I like it.  I get do to what I'm good at, which is talk to people, and I get to also do what I like, which is sit down.  Right now it is Mexican jumping bean season.  Did you know that they are actually moth larva? Gross.  If you play your cards right, and keep them at their ideal temperature, you could be the proud owner of five Mexican moths.  In your home.  Good luck with that.

My very best bestie had her second baby girl two weeks ago.  That was exciting! I got to be there the whole time and take a lot of pictures.  It was a relatively easy labor and delivery compared to her first go around four years ago.  Juniper Winslow was born at 1:30am after seven quick pushes and an hour and a half of painful labor.  I got home at 3 am, and after four hours of sleep made my way wearily to the Northshore Senior Center Rummage Sale for  two hours before I had to go to work.  For eight hours. It was a long day.  But a day that you so rarely get to witness (unless of course you are a labor and delivery nurse, midwife or OBGYN) that it doesn't seem to bother you/the universe if you only sleep for 3 hours of a 24 hour period.

That's my catch up.  We'll see how long we can go until I do it again!

Rowan & Olin at the Noble's Easter Bash.

On the ferry to Whidby!

Mother's Day Weekend on Whidby.

Ferry faring kid.

Camping in Twisp on Memorial Day.  Yes.  iPad. 

Mastering the Monkey Bars in Twisp!

Last day of Kindergarten.  Celebration breakfast with Ellie!

Lost a tooth, got a haircut.  Airin' in out for Summer!

T-Ball.  Olin, 6; Rowan, 6; Ellie, 6.

Someone went to her first concert.  Aquabats!

Swimming with her baby bestie, Sid.

Grown-ups took a road trip . . .

to Priest Lake!

BamBam came.  And had a good time.

Tall Guy & the Small Fry.

Honolulu, days 4-5-6

Whoa!! What happened to days 4-5-6-7-8-9-10?! I guess it was just fun, and exhausting, and I was too tired to document. Here's the recap, because I know you're on pins and needles to find out … the rest of the story. 

Day 4

Day 4 consisted of Pearl Harbor and the rehearsal dinner for our lovely bride and groom. A bunch of grown ups who wanted to check out the Arizona Memorial piled in our mini van to check out the Bowfin Submarine Museum, and to take the water taxi over to the Arizona Memorial. It was moving to say the least. I didn't know a lot about that piece of history, but I do know. And it blows me away how many people perished in those moments. I've never been somewhere where there is an actual memorial on the location of a tradegy like that. We also had a hot dog and nacho lunch. So much for having an adult day and finding decent food sans kids. HA!

We came back to Honolulu in time for Kei and Quinn's rehearsal dinner at the Yoshida household. Talk about a Seattle infused party. It's pretty awesome to have dinner in Hawaii with a whole bunch of people you know. We feasted on ahi poke, sushi and pork and shrimp tacos. You take a corn tortilla, load it with wasabi, shoyu, sashimi and cover it in guacamolito sauce. Now that's what I call a taco! 

 

Here's a shot of Tj in the special holding area before we got taken in to see the short educational film on Pearl Harbor. Sometimes a pair of wobbly legs and a cane will get you far on vacation! 

Day 5

Saturday was comprised 100% of wedding prep and celebration. I left the house at 8:30 am with fellow bridesmaid Kanoe, who's husband dropped us at the Hilton Hawaii Village (WOW). We had a nice time of drinking mimosas, doing our hair and makeup, and oohing and awwing over how beautiful our bride was. We did a promenade through the village to where our taxi van awaited, and swept us off to the Elks Club where the ceremony was held. 

The whole thing was beautiful. Groom playing his bride the guitar as she walked down the aisle, lapping waves and beautiful ocean as the back drop. The wedding planners really outdid themselves. Well done, Donnianne and Blythe. 

So the wedding was wonderful blah blah blah, but the party was rad! Delicious Hawaiian dinner, an open bar with an endless amount of Mai Tais for yours truly, and to top it off, Tj and Rowan got a ride home and I got to go out for post wedding celebrations with a fantastic group. Fancified, we went to Duke's, not for a steaming hot bowl of chowder, but for fancy tropical drinks on the beach. FUN. 

Kanoe, Kei's dear friend from formative years in Honolulu who now lives in Portland, and me, right before we left to get in the taxi. 

Fuzzy, but this is lovely friend from Seattle, Taryn, and our post party fancy drinks. 

A new friend, Shawn Quinn, bother of the groom!  This was a fun night. Good people. Good drinks. Hawaii is good. 

Honolulu, day 3

This will be short. I just typed a nice, long, well-worded post, but when I ventured from the page to get a screenshot of the map, it didn't save. Lesson learned. 

A full, sunny, hot, salty, wonderful day. Swimming in the ocean. Boogie boarding. Dinner by the pool. A Salvation Army spotted to try out. Despite sunburns, fun was had by all. 

The sirens of Avenue Five make a Hawaiian style dinner with fried rice, fresh sping rolls and ahi steaks. 

Amazing. I still cannot get over our global positioning. I think this every time I travel, but I want a giant map with pins marking everywhere I've been. Absolutely amazing. 

Honolulu, day 2

Well, actually it's day three, but someone had a little too much fun last night and couldn't muster the composure to publish something coherent and worth reading. So today you get double the pleasure. You're welcome!!

We had a beautiful day yesterday. In the 80's with a nice breeze and a lot of sunshine. A bunch of our group took their broods plus mine to a snorkeling beach. Rowan came back with a stuffed seahorse she named Gloria, and who is French. C'est magnifique! 

I went with Joelle & Co. to the Swap Meet held at the Aloha Stadium where they play the Pro Bowl. Kei, Kai and I had fun with that! Luckily we had our Hawai'i native, my super bestie, as our navigator and tour guide. We saw where she played a lot of volleyball and was born! I love a good trip down memory lane. Anyone's lane that is-- not just mine. 

We loaded up on sugary deep fried dough balls called Malasada and polish hot dogs at a place called Leonard's Bakery (established 1952) before we loaded up on a bunch of cheap tourist crap like grass skirts and coconut bras. I was in heaven. I LOVE a chincy souvenir and this place was full of them. We spent our money wisely, and I'm proud to say Kai and I are the owners of 7 t shirts for $20. SCORE!!

We returned to the rental house a couple hours later after getting stuck in: 

1.) crazy Honolulu traffic

2.) a guy on a bike (who we turned out to see several miles later...in FRONT of us)

3.) a Honolulu transient having a helluva time getting his cart of goods up the curb of a overpass cross walk. 

We had happy hour pool party with ALL of us in the pool. 7 families. Yeah. It got loud. We got in trouble. Sorry. That's what happens when you rent out your vacation house to the 12th man. BOOM!

Ok. Time to wrap up. I need to spend a little more time enjoying these red birds eating nectar out of the Birds of Paradise bush and drinking my coffee on the patio before we head to the beach. Ahhhhhh. I love vacation. 

Honolulu, day 1

Wow. I don't know what other word to use. Actually I can think of a few, but 'wow' pretty much sums it up. We are sitting here now, Tj on his Surface playing a video game, Rowan dancing around the living room, of our rental house in the Hawaii Kai region of Honolulu. It's 5 pm, it's 79 degrees, and it's absolutely breath taking. 

We arrived yesterday at 2p after a 12 hour journey from Bothell to the most populated city in Hawaii. and after a jaunt with shuttles and an upgraded rental car (they ran out of compacts so we got a simple upgrade to a Chrysler Town & Country minivan), arrived at our house where we were awaited by loved ones. 

Before we went to bed, Rowan and I squeezed in our first (for both of us) mother-daughter paddle board session in the lagoon outside our house, then went for a quick trip in the kayak. FUN. 

I was up by 5:30, 7:30 Seattle time, and waited until it became light to take my walk. Just me, a butt load of Hawaiian doves or pigeons or whatever they are, my coffee and a quiet, beautiful neighborhood.  As I walked I tried to take mental recording of the sights, sounds, temperature and personal feelings I was experiencing. Here's what came to mind:  there's nothing quite like the first time experiencing a new place more than experiencing a new place for the first time. Yeah. That's what I said.  I already told Tj we'd be coming back sooner than later. 

We took a drive to the east side of the island and spent a couple hours at the beach, before retiring to the house only to spend another 2 hours in the pool. I was lucky enough to find an inner tube in the garage, and rope my brother-in-law, Kai, into making me a few rounds of Rum Punch. 

What a fabulous day in paradise. We leave in an hour to meet my sister, Suji, and her boyfriend Tyson for Japanese dinner in Waikiki. I still can't wrap my brain around that we are here in this magnificent place with so many of our closest friends.  This is a once in a life time type of deal folks, and I wouldn't trade it for all the pineapple in Oahu. And there's a lot. Dole's plantation is here, and I mean to tell you the pineapple are the biggest I've ever seen. 

Stay tuned. More to follow tomorrow. 

That's a real flower. I know!!!!!

Beach Babe, Rowan Katherine

Island in the stream…cousins in the surf. Same diff. 

Rowan's abstract body art, Olin doing an island impersonation. 

The largest pineapple I've ever seen.