About Me

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I live in the Pacific NW with my husband,our 85 pound black lab and the newest member of our family our adorable little boy! I love to cook, stick my hands in the dirt and grow veggies and flowers, etc., craft for gift giving, repurpose things from my grandmother, find a cozy corner and curl up with a good book, and most of all hang out with my boys and our furry one.
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Not my anniversary

For many, many, many (did I say many?) years I worked at Nordstrom.  This meant I spent  the middle of my summer living basically at the store.  The reason being the Anniversary Sale.   This is the sale that nightmares are made of.  My first sale as a manager I had to go home the night of set up with 4 fixtures on my floor that were completely empty and hope and pray that the merch I needed to fill those fixtures was on the morning truck.   For set up you were there until at least midnight and then turned right around and were there at 5 am for fluffy and final touches.  Good news?  If you were lucky you would sale your you know what off and make a bank of money.   You also worked 12 - 18 hour days and didn't have more than one day off a week.   But you know everyone else was doing it as well so you just went with the flow knowing that this was not forever.   Just for about 3 weeks......

I've been gone for about 8 years but still every July the first weekend of the sale does not go by unnoticed.....

I'm not one to be there the first day of the sale when the doors open (I did that the first year I wasn't working there) but instead I'm the internet shopper.   Its just easier.  Especially when they are going to ship things to me for free!

Here's what I have on the way to my home as we speak....


Shoes glorious shoes!



Not sure I will keep both pairs of loafers but a girl needs shoes to wear to work doesn't she?  And I just love those boots!   I think they will be perfect with long skirts.  


A little something for the pickle.....
He had a North Face jacket last year that my friend D'Anna got him and we wore it a ton!  It is fuzzy and warm yet thin enough that he can wear it in his car seat.  Also, the hood is key.   This was a splurge - don't usually spend that much on things that will be worn about 6 months - but it will be worth it.


A little something for the house......
Everywhere you go know their is these kinds of things.   But I have to say this is the original or at least pretty close to it.   I remember years ago when this very sweet young girl came to our buying offices to pitch this brand.  She told us a story of being in Italy and working with this little old man to create the different fragrances.   We took a leap of faith and bought into the whole concept - hoping that they price wasn't too steep.   Well needless to say the brand seems to only of grown and 10 years or so later seems to be going strong - looks like Julie, Mary and I made the right decision to bring it in....

Needless to say if we are counting things I'm grateful about this weekend (besides the fact I convinced J to take a nap in his own crib this afternoon - big win!) it is that I woke up this morning was able to make my family breakfast and go for a long walk with them.  So much better than working a 12 hour day at the mall.   However, I wish them all luck and I hope everyone made their goal the first day as well as the first 3 days.

All pictures from here

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Elegant

I had my baby shower this past weekend and one word I would use to describe it would be elegant.  I once again feel blessed by the wonderful people I have in my life.  Namely my friends who took the time from their busy lives to plan the whole thing.  Where are the pictures you say?  Well I am waiting on one of the hosts to supply those to me.  I charged my battery that morning and took my camera but it never left my handbag.   I didn't want to wait any longer to capture the day however and promise to post some pics later once I get them.

I will be honest.  I was very nervous about this shower.   Being the center of attention is not real high on my list as I have mentioned before so events like these stressful for me.  I however decided just to roll with the punches and know I was in good hands with the ladies who were throwing it for me.

Every bit of it was pure elegance as I said. 

It started with the invitations done by my sweet friend Amy.   Jack and the Beanstalk - how cute is that!   I truly have never been a part of an invitation like this one.   All done by hand with some many parts.   My mom even framed the invitation for me to hang in his room.   Perfect!

The event itself was lovely.  My Salem Sis was kind enough not only to bring my parentals up for m Salem but to also make sure that my mom and mother in law and I all arrived in style.  The weather for the day could not of been more perfect.   Not too hot and not to cold and not raining!   There was a fire over in the warm spring part of the state so the view from the yard was a little hazy in the distance and you couldn't see the mountains but it was still an amazing view.  This house of my friends is beyond your wildest imagination.  It looks like something straight out of Town and Country or Architectural Digest - I kid you not.   Guest were greeted with options from Champagne bar by Shaunna.   You could have straight champagne or add one of four juices (pear, cranberry, ruby red grapefruit, or orange) - I had my go to sparkling water.  You then could wander outside to the backyard and the pool area and visit.   The brunch was perfect with a selection of breads, scones, mini quiches, fruit kabobs, and a yogurt bar.  After everyone had a chance to eat the presents were brought outside to the pool area and I sat down to open them all.   To say my friends are generous is an understatement.   Who knew there were so many cute things out there for little boys?   At one point a couple of the gifts were compared to a clown car at the circus.  And to think with all of those gifts not one duplicate!   Lots of football and monkey inspired things as well as lots of blue. 

As part of the invitation there was a book template and you were asked to bring a book to start my sweet jellybeans library.   I love all the books we received were great - books about puppies, hawaii, and some great classics like Pooh and Dr. Seuss.  There were also two tables (one in the entry way and one in the family room) with a display of books and some stuffed creatures from them.   These were the gifts from the hostesses.   They each picked out books that they personally liked.   Now I just need to make sure that they get to sign some of them.  Will have to make a note to do so when they come to meet my jellybean.  Also, I need to take the list and make sure I know who each book is from.   That way when one turns out to be jellybeans favorite and can be sure to share that with the person who gave it to him.

At the end our take away gift was a cellophane bag with the initials J-T-P cookies and magic jellybeans in blue.  Both the cookies and the beans are yummy!  Like there would be any doubt.

Amazingly enough all the stuff fit in the car to go home.   And I was able to go through everything with G that afternoon and sort through things for the most part as well.  I hope to work on that a little more this weekend.

Again I am truly thankful and feel blessed to be surrounded by the people in my life and cannot wait to introduce them to my bundle when he arrives.


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wednesday Wisdom

from here
This is an ongoing mantra of mine but even more important to me since I realized that Little J would be joining us in October.   Every morning I wake up and I feel great (this can or can't be the case later in the day) and I want to take some time to sit down,  gather my thoughts and think about what it is that I'm grateful for.   It's amazing when you think about it how much you have to be grateful for.   My list is ever changing every day - except for that one thing I am most grateful for growing in my belly - and that bears mentioning each day.  I also firmly believe this helps me to face the day with a better outlook and more energy.  


Friday, June 1, 2012

How does your garden grow?

I did it!  I finally got the garden in!  I have to say I had my doubts but was determined to still complete the task.   This is the latest I think I've ever planted but to be honest but also we have had a colder spring so far so I don't really think I've missed much on the timeline.  I can see the edges of it from my kitchen sink and it makes my heart sing that it is out there finished and will soon have veggies for us!   G asked why we couldn't just skip it this year - silly boy.  I do need to remember however to do a better job of prepping for the winter as the beds were a mess!   Also, we need to add more dirt next year.   There really isn't enough in there this year but I was too the point where I didn't so much care about that and I'm sure it will be fine for one year.

So as of last weekend here's how it looks.......
Prepped and ready to go
This is the bed closest to the lanai.   Those are lettuce starts and the rest is filled with rows of spinach, lettuce, and chard.

Tomatoes!   I realize that one is not centered in the bed right but again my level or caring is on that kind of stuff is low this year.  Love my cages although by the end of summer you don't really see there pretty colors.

All three beds - the back bed has cukes and squash
Before the cages and drip system went in

I am so very lucky to have the drip system.   G put it in and takes care of it every spring and fall.   It allows us to not have to worry about watering and to be honest probably water more efficiently.  It also allows us to go away and not worry about things no matter how hot it is which is nice.   We won't be taking any big long trips this summer as I'm saving all my fto for when Jellybean arrives this fall but its still good not to have to worry about it. I also did the front flower boxes and will have to take a pic this weekend and will post it as well.  Now I just need mother nature to cooperate and give me a little warm weather to encourage things to grow..........

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wednesday Wisdom

via my friend Rhonda


Today I am grateful that G is feeling better and stronger - among many other things

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving.  I am headed to Salem to spend the day with my family.   We are taking G's mom with us as well.   We had other plans but they didn't work out and really the only thing I care about is spending the day with the people I love and care about most.   This year hasn't been all sunshine and roses but I am very grateful for many things........
  1. A husband who loves me
  2. A furry one to snuggle with
  3. A mother and father who love me unconditionally
  4. Friends to laugh and make memories with
  5. A job to go to with a boss I adore
  6. A roof over my head
  7. Trips to the islands - both of them
  8. The sound of the ocean
  9. Red velvet cupcake batter soft serve yogurt
  10. Memories of those I loved who are no longer with us
A good friend of mine will be able to be home with her family for Thanksgiving this year.   This might be the first time in 10+ years she has been able to do that.  I am so very happy for her.   I hope that you too are able to spend the day surrounded by those you love.  And that not only today but that every day you take a moment to stop and think what you are grateful for.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Grateful

I have days where I seriously want to just go to bed, pull the covers over my head and stay there.....for a long time and perhaps cry for any or no reason.  Last week was one of those weeks.  And even though its overcast and gloomy out today I have a fresh spirit and a happy heart.
 
Here are some things I am grateful for today
  1. My husband
  2. Sunflowers on my desk
  3. A job to go to
  4. A car to drive to work in
  5. A grocery store by my work with wonderful fresh and local things
  6. A lunch of smoked salmon, feta, and fresh tomatoes from my garden
  7. The furry one
  8. My pink bike
  9. New glasses
  10. Watermelon
Perhaps it was the trip to the ocean this past weekend.   Not sure to be honest - I don't question it when it leaves just glad to see it take its tattered hat and go from my soul.  I took lots of pictures this weekend and if I can find the thingamybob that I download pictures out of my camera with I promise to post them.