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New Year 2024

Jun 16th, 2024 by

This New Year was hands down the best New Year! I flew up to Seattle to spend New Years Eve with Michelle to see my favorite childhood band, Heart, perform in the same venue I saw them back in 6th grade for my first concert! We rang in the New Year with them singing ‘Old Lang Syne’ on stage, saw the final fireworks at the Space Needle (mostly enshrouded by smoke), then tried to navigate the craziness that ensued trying to get back to our hotel. As we walked with the rest of the world across the Seattle Center, we realized we were getting trapped within a crowd of people who could not get past chain link fences that were temporarily erected for the Space Needle fireworks. They were having to turn around and walk back and others were walking toward the fences. We were caught in the middle. We were beginning to get squashed by all sides. Michelle and I were able to sidewalk ourselves out of it on to a field and then try to navigate a different way out of the Seattle Center grounds. Trying to get back to the hotel was surreal. There was so much chaos. We overheard people talking about spending the night in their cars. All of the intersections were completely gridlocked. It was madness. We are so grateful we decided to spend the night within walking distance at the Fairfield Inn or this night could have ended on a bad note.

The next morning, we completed my final 5k walk of the holiday 5k challenge (5k a day from Thanksgiving through New Year), and walked through downtown and Pike Place Market. We pretty mich had the city to ourselves; it was so quiet. It was also a gorgeous day. Perfection.

Went back to Michelle’s place for two more nights. One day, I connected with Liann and Lacey (Lacey gifted us matching bracelets <3) and had a fabulous brunch at (I think) Hyatt Regency Southport on south Lake Washington. The other day, Michelle and I had lunch with two of my mom’s besties, Pam and Diane at 13 Coins and then dinner with my brother Devin and his girlfriend Kristi. It was a wonderful time catching up with those who will always have a part of and in my heart. <3

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Christmas 2023

Jun 16th, 2024 by

Margaret and Randy came in from Idaho. Paul, Shannon, and M. came in from Oakland. Sara, Charlie, and L. flew in from England. Family. <3

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Our Baby is 21!

Jun 16th, 2024 by

I recall when Alex turned five. I had a mini meltdown. He was already five? Time went by too fast. Now he’s 21 and I still feel the same. I am so grateful that I got front row-center to watch this beautiful person, inside and out, grow up to be the person he is today. As we transition our parent/child relationship to parent/adult child relationship, I am thankful and hopeful that the role of friend is a part of this relationship as well.

The traditional ‘Eat whatever you want for breakfast” breakfast. This year: BQ Chicken Wings, Pizza Rolls, Grapes, Bagel with Crean Chees and Lox, and his first legitimate adult beverage, Stella Artois

(Click on the photos that appear cut off. They will open up.)

Dinner and more adult beverages at High Hand Brewing Company…

Alex’s birthday extended into the next day with a day trip to Napa! We started the way we always start, a visit to Inglenook for my favorite mocha and one of my favorite wineries. Alex had a glass of their fine Inglenook wine. We recreated a memory of him playing with a sailboat in their fountain when we went to Napa for the first time. He was seven. You can see the first photo here.

On to Bennett Lane winery. A beautiful boutique winery. We had the place to ourselves and a private tasting. Then a visit to the Culinary Institute of America!

Last stop…dinner at Market in St. Helena. A precious capture of moments and memories of our precious, treasured son.

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Christmas Lights with Numan

Jun 15th, 2024 by

Alex lives in an apartment at school with five roommates. One of them, Numan, is from Turkey. We invited him to join us over Christmas break. He did not stay with us over Christmas but he did join us for a few days. We took him out for a Christmas Lights walk. He had not done that before. We also took him to Grass Valley for and afternoon and shop that delightful town. He said if he could settle somewhere, he would settle in a town like this one. It was a treat to see these places and experiences through his eyes.

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We Did a Thing

Jun 15th, 2024 by

Teresa and I were run buddies. We ran 3-4x a week at 5am with a small group of runners who became good friends. We called ourselves the Clover Valley Loop Ladies due to the name of the neighborhood we ran in. So many miles logged, so many races of varying distances accomplished, so many laughs and tears as we left everything on the roads and trails. Even though our group no longer runs together, we will get together socially on occasion or meet up for a 5K/10K fun run/walk.

Teresa and I decided to literally mark the significance of this group through matching tattoos! I smile every time I look down at it.

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Annual Holiday Day Out

Jun 15th, 2024 by

What started out over a decade ago as a fun outing has turned into an annual friend’s day trip that we all look forward to and protect. Once a year around Christmas, the four of us (me, Shanti, Tina, and Eun) get away for a full day of fun. We start the day as early as possible and end it as late as possible. Each year we pick a different town to enjoy. This year it was the sweet town of Murphys! A full day of shopping, food (Grounds for lunch was a real delight), rich conversations, and lots of laughs. I love each one of these friends individually and I love what we have created collectively. <3

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More 5K a Day Shots

Jun 15th, 2024 by

David joined me for a few. I always enjoy it when he joins me in something me like this…

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5K A Day Challenge 2023

Jun 15th, 2024 by

I completed a couple 5k a day challenges a few years back when I was running. I decided to do it as a walker this year. 5K a day walking from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. My friend and past run buddy, Alicia, joined me. Part of the time, I spent in Manzanita, she continued in Cali and walked with other friends. A really neat little group formed and they still walk everyday, even though I am making this post six months later! Here are a few of the daily captures….

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Thanksgiving 2023

Jun 15th, 2024 by

Both boys were with us for Thanksgiving. Alex flew up from school and spent his break with us. Fabio and Esperanza sent photos of their Thanksgiving in Valencia, Spain. Kat’s mom, Elizabeth, is a gifted cook and baker and gifted us my favorite holiday dessert, pecan pie! I am thrilled to say that I think my love of trivia is being passed on to Alex. He wanted to join me for a trivia night. We went to Dueling Dogs Brewing Co. and ended up getting third place! For a team of two that’s pretty fantastic! David and I teamed up to make the dinner. It is a real joy being married to someone who is competent and enjoys being in the kitchen.

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Summer 1985

Jun 15th, 2024 by

While decluttering photos, I came across three cartridges that contained a bunch of slides from the past. I went through them and scaled down to around 50 and then turned them in to be transformed to digital. Here is a collage of a few of these photos from the summer of 1985 when I volunteered for the organization, Amigos de Las Americas, and served as a special education counselor in Quito, Ecuador.

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