C'mon Sun!

We're in mid-July and THIS is what we're working with? We hit the 80s two weeks ago, and haven't gotten much warmer than that, and now we're back in the 60s. Did we peak too early (or in my opinion WAY too early)? I want my summer!

I can remember 2 summers ago when Seattle experienced a major heat wave and we had 90-100 degree weather for a good two or three weeks. Last summer was another hot one. That's what I love about Seattle--we get all 4 seasons. This year... not so much.

Oh, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me!

To 'Sale' or Not to 'Sale'

That is the question. It's the sale that every woman knows about, the sale that many women save up for. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is undoubtedly one of the biggest sales of the year, especially here in downtown Seattle where it all started. All the hottest trends for the Fall are debuted at a less than original price, and everyone wants a piece of it. The store even hires extra staff just for the sale itself. Opening day is like letting the female shopper floodgates open.

I, myself, am guilty of being one of them. Don't get me wrong. I didn't stand at the doors before opening hours with my hands tapping on the glass like many shoppers do. I'd wait a day or two or three before hitting the trenches--when the crowd has gone from chaotic to ridiculously crowded. You see, over the years I've become much more strategic about it. When I was younger, I'd just go on day one of the sale and spend hours in the mayhem and come home exhausted. Gradually, the strategy has become to evaluate my wardrobe and see what I "need" before arriving at the sale so that I have a goal, rather than aimlessly wandering amidst insanity. I get what I want and go, with minimal exposure to the chaos of all the crazy shoppers. Even then a 3-item shopping list can last at least 2 hours. These days, I don't even want to be around the manic shoppers. I'm sure I can score some great deals, but the crowd... Just the thought of it makes me want to take a nap. Then again, I am on summer break and I am not pressed for time. However, it does become quite brutal waiting and waiting and waiting for a dressing room, getting a shoe size, cashing out, etc. And it's not just the crowd that is my big con, but there's also this: year after year, I end up buying some items that are not even at sale price. So why even go?

Well, you go because you can get a really good deal on really nice things! It's that simple. Nordstrom is known for its quality. Quality merchandise and quality customer service, and 999 times out of 1,000 they will deliver. You also go to get a good look on what's going to be big in the fall, and you get it at a reasonable price. On top of that, they're one of the only stores that carry my tiny shoe size. We all know that's a BIG pro.

So... do I go?

Well, I guess the true question is: What's more valuable? My time or money?

Park Hoppin'

Lucky me, I'm on summer break and we FINALLY have hot summer weather. With the sun out, I don't want to miss out on a single ray. Because we all know that in Seattle, it'll go away in a jiffy and for a long long time, so I gotta soak it up now. It has been so beautiful around the city, and it made me realize that I live in prime location to enjoy it all. All I have to do is, grab my sunglasses, Kindle, iPod, put on my flip flops and start walking. I'm so lucky to be within walking distance to a number of awesome places where I can bask the wonderful Seattle sun. Here are a couple of my faves. You bet I'll be walking all over this town to find more great places.

Lake Union Park, 4 blocks away from home.

Olympic Sculpture Park, Broad and Western

International Fountain, Seattle Center

Westlake Park, Westlake Center

I Miss Them

I've been tossing and turning in bed for about an hour now, and I've noticed that a lot of my thoughts tonight are about my grandparents. Honest to goodness, one of the reasons I'm up is because I thought I felt Grandma's presence. I don't know if it really was her, but I felt something very Grandma-esque. Then totally by chance, just a second ago, I logged onto Facebook and my most recent update was from my cousin Leanne. She posted an old picture of them and a wrote caption about how they'd be very proud of the way we've carried on their legacy (or something to that affect).

I just miss them. This is my first summer without either of them, and I miss them. You know, I think they might miss me too. Maybe Grandma did come to say hello in spirit tonight. Maybe all the dragonflies I've seen flying around lately are Grandpa. I even got into my car yesterday, and a dragonfly was in there before I was!

I'm so grateful to have had them in my life.

So many fond memories in this house.
I called them so much I still remember the phone number to this house.


This picture cracks me up. It's so cheesy, but Grandpa is so into it.


This is one of my favorite pictures of them. They were always so silly and so affectionate. Look at Grandpa's big old smile, and I can tell Grandma is laughing. I can hear her laugh just looking at it.

I Heart NY

Six down, 44 to go!

Last day of school

Hanging out on Capitol Hill under the sun on the last day of school. School's out for summer! It's time for cousin chill sessions.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Hoping for Dragonflies

I spent the day with the cousins down in Tacoma today. Tan came home from Virginia on Thursday and it being one of the prettiest days of the year yet, we thought we would all get together and BBQ at G's house. Tan was outside on the deck, firing up the grill as always, when I decided to join him while everyone else was cooling off inside. We were sitting talking about his life in Virginia when suddenly a little baby dragonfly came flying between us. I said to Tan, "Dragonflies always remind me of Grandpa because whenever he would see one, he would catch it and show it off." We quickly re-focused the conversations back to Virginia. Then I went inside, helped prepare food, everybody ate, and we watched some TV.

The sun was still shining outside on the deck. Feeling full from all the BBQ, I went to back out onto the deck all alone to bask under the sun. As soon as I sat down, the little baby dragonfly came flying back. It circled around me, and landed on the elbow rest of my chair, its whole body facing me. It made me remember Grandpa again. Then I had a thought. Maybe this is Grandpa coming to say hello. I looked at it for a moment, it had fluttering iridescent wings, a bluish-green body, and copper eyes bulging from the sides of its face. I took the moment in. We sat on that chair under the sun, enjoying each other's company for a few minutes, and when it was ready, it flew away. In my head I thought, I hope I see you again.