Say Thank You

I spent the weekend in Seattle which is enough for a whole other post. It was my first weekend away with just a friend, and I promise I will share the details of our culinary adventure soon (lots of TD!). But the best part was the exploring. New food, new streets, new gadgets, new smells, it was all part of the experience. 

There was this one restaurant we kept going back to. Bubbly drinks, fantastic courses, silver chandeliers and mirrors above our heads, chefs working hard in front of us. At the end of the meal, they leave a book with the check. You are meant to draw a picture or sign your gratitude.  Almost like a prayer of thanks after you finish your food. What a concept. 

How often do we thank? How many opportunities go by to express how great something was? To a friend, family member, teacher, barista, chef--who do we compliment and in turn share a bit of ourselves to? 

A good restaurant has to do with the food and its people.  Something will taste good, yes, but if it's served with enthusiasm or by a cute bartender with a wicked mustache, god is it better. 

I spent the weekend eating but I was thankful along the way. I ate and talked and shared. To my friend, the waiter, my city, myself. 

Busy Busy

Life is so busy now and naturally important things get neglected.  Like taking photos, walking dogs, skipping stones over the inlet, and that whole stopping and smelling the roses thing. 

The nice thing is that time is passing by extremely fast.  Before I fully realize that it is February, it will nearly be March.  And soon, it will be August and I will have time for all of the above. 


More work produces more efficient time, so every minute left is filled with something else that has to get done.  Today, I have hours of work in front of the computer to do, and I will reward myself by ordering seeds from a catalog after.  Enjoyable yes, but not exactly playing hookie and seeing a movie or taking a luxurious nap. 


However, gardens need to be planned because Life will resume someday.  Yes, it's busy now, but I'm not one to believe that everything will be waiting for me when I'm done.  Instead, plant a few seeds now, watch it grow, don't worry too much about critters munching on leaves, and realize next year's fruit will be more abundant.  Balance with today's priorities taking up most of the room.  It's not perfect, but its enough for now. 


Last weekend we were in Ocean Shores and I had this grand, empowering feeling that I would share the town's quirkiness and saltiness on this blog. I would write about how grateful I am to see the ocean, the inlets, the rivers, every body of water.  How much I loved life, my husband, our friends, our dogs, and every opportunity.   I walked the beach, taking my shoes off and treating my toes to January ocean water.  A pirate's convention was in town and they were out in full force.  The really touristy stores were closed, but fake shells could still be purchased along with a hoodie in some corners of town. 

But then we got into a huge fight and didn't talk to each other from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon.  That's how life is.  A series of checks and balances meant to inspire and humble all at once.  January in Ocean Shores is remarkable and we haven't been away since Florida. We are so busy right now that we're too busy to fight.  So, that's what this trip was meant for.  That's okay. I'm sure we'll go back next year and the ocean will be a little bit clearer. 


This place is a priority for me. As the year loosens up, it will be one of the biggest priorities.  In the meantime, I'm going to punch out a little bit here and there every time I'm walking on a beach or hear a song that makes me want to dance.   It won't be a extravagant garden this year, but it will nourish me, no matter how good it tastes. 

Staring at the Pacific

I haven't seen this view in seven years. Back then things were different, not better but different. The ocean didn't engulf me as it does now. I took it for granted. Id only seen one. 

Now I'm in awe. The waves so different than the East. The beach much sandier than I remember. The layers of the water so complex. Mysterious, dangerous, waiting to be explored or cautioning to stay away. I think winter is the best season to experience it. The sun shines today and my sneakers sink into the wet sand. The beach filled with gulls, visitors, and cars. No coolers or volleyballs in sight, just cameras, dogs, and sweaters. True Washington. 

I take pictures of scattered shells, none intact, and tell myself to stop and breathe it in. Remember this. So in a few more years you can remember where you were today and where you're going tomorrow. 

New

It seems like the right time to buy in to the season and implement some good change.  Usually I celebrate the new year but ignore the hype and keep trucking along with whatever I was doing before.  This year though, I'm excited to get started. 

 
I quit my terrible job and went somewhere that made me happy.
This was the biggest change.  I was simply miserable and nothing else seemed important at the end of the day.  Life is too short to waste on people who don't want you around.  Find something else and go for it. 

Finished a quarter.  One down, three to go.  I got this. 

Aired old grievances and started fresh. Friendships need nurturing and patience.  It's important to remember that events will cause change and everyone is doing the best that they can.  In the end, say your peace and move on. 

Recognized the need to focus.  I need to take a few pictures, then put my phone down and be in the moment more. 

Celebrated health. A kidney stone and a week on Percocet really puts things into perspective.  I felt like I slept for a week and nearly missed the Christmas season.  Things are all right now and let's be grateful for that.

Missed my state.  How about less feely posts and more adventurous writing?  I have to get out there and explore.  Grab my park passes and go.  Make reservations.  Hop on the ferry soon.  Put gas in the tank and point on a map.  Write it all down as I go. 




Happy New Years.   


Let's not wait until the 31st, get going now. 

I Jumped

I can't sleep. 

I'm going through another "I'm not living well right now" moment. It has nothing to do with being busy and everything to do with being unhappy. I'm unhappy. With my job, my body, my dreams, my friendships, my state of just being. Blame it on the shorter days, but I've been unhappy and the lack of sunlight just brings it to the surface. 

I know I will be happier in a few months when things open up. But damn it, that's not good enough. Work called on Sunday and my boss made me come in. Halfway there that demand was cancelled. We went home and changed then headed over to a friends house. She had lost a bet and had to jump into the canal. 

I changed out of my work clothes and packed a bag. 

I was jumping too. 

Something inside of me knew it. I was doing it for her, someone who makes me feel wanted and good about myself. But I was also doing it for me because someday I'll tell my kids I jumped into that body of water in November. I lived for a bit even though it was awful and I couldn't feel my arms so the guys pulled me out and I was afraid my pants were going to fall down. 

We jumped and I know it will be a baptism in the end. The day I said I'll go too, didn't hesitate, and gave a thumbs up once I was out. She screamed and hugged me before and after--the friend who would cannonball into freezing, dark blue water in solidarity. I've been through worst with friends. 

This job, these days, this life. I can do better. I have to. I have to let go of the toxic stuff, throw my hands up in the air, and go for something that makes me happy, even if it's freezing and salty. 

Something big needs to happen. And it needs to happen now. 

And

I need to get back to blogging. 

I need to write and record.  I'm going to miss it all if I don't.  Pictures are good enough, but there's nothing like looking back on a post and the words that go with it. 

Life has been so busy.  It will always be busy.  It will most likely get busier. 

But, when something is really important, you'll make time for it. 

So, no promises.  No deadlines.  No agendas.  Just a realization that this is important after all. 

Things I Thought About While On Vacation

I can't wait to do absolutely nothing.

We would use a pool everyday if given the chance. 

Washington State really needs a Cracker Barrel. 

The Westin has the best beds, hand down.

A six hour nap is nothing to be ashamed of. 

I should drink Daiquiris more often. 

Except they're only good at the Ritz-Carlton.

It's good to know people who work at the Ritz-Carlton.

Laying in a hammock in Florida should be on everyone's bucket list.

Two years of marriage goes by very fast. 

Maybe we'll eat our wedding cake on year three. 

Once you see one of these little guys, you see them everywhere. 

I can deglaze even the crappiest of time share pans. 

Palm trees are pretty.

Playing catch in the deep end is a wicked ab work out.

Children are generally annoying.

Parents are worse. 

Do not try to get a late breakfast on a Saturday in a tourist town. Even at McDonalds.

Shells make the best souvenirs.

My husband limits my shell gathering at two handfuls. 

I would have taken shovel fulls. 

I didn't bring back enough shells.

The Gulf is beautiful, but I missed the Atlantic. 

She-crab soup is amazing. 

A great vacation involves eating with the locals. 

I can still do a decent half flip into the pool. 

I should wear more tank tops.

Base tans in October are so in. 

It took me way too long to relax.

My husband makes the best travel companion. 

Minneapolis has the coolest airport. 

I miss Fall. 

I miss my family and friends.

I miss the dogs. 

We are living in the most beautiful place in the world.

I'm ready for anything that comes next.