Lovely.

Dream home/cottage? Found it. Isn't she lovely?
To see more of this sweet sweet classy Bahamanian beach bungalow- and I KNOW you want to ;)- begin your tour here: http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/04/away-from-here-tom-scheerer.html

P.S. I have. The worst. Sunburn (faceburn?) EVER. Oh sunblock, why is it I always feel I am too good for you??? Does Bartel's sell spf 85?

Bad Blogger. But Whatever.

Add me to the droves of people who intend to keep a blog and get to it, OHHHH, maybe once a month if they are lucky. Gosh. I didn't think I would be THAT blogger, but then again, I was never consistent at writing down my daily diatribes in my Minnie Mouse diary when I was a little gal, either. These habits are hard to break.

So what's new??

Lots of things!

I've planned a trip. I planted a strawberry pot. Got my hair cut/bobbed. Visited family. Missed the entire season of Grey's Anatomy but tuned in for the shocking shocking finale. Rediscovered Robert Frost. Went on a hike, celebrated birthdays, won and lost at tennis, ran through the rain. Got SUN. Sang. Tried reading Twilight and quit halfway through (what's all the fuss about?), played multiple multiple multiple rounds of ring around the rosy with toddlers, went to a few bars. Hula-hooped. Discussed wisdom and magic and bullshit. Shopped at farmers markets, had last Bible study of year with lovely girls. Got crabby. Got happy. Ate Pho. Napped. Gossiped. Giggled. Thought about boy. Got a $250 parking ticket. Watched a documentary on world water crisis. Began to love U District. Made a cake from scratch. Bought coffee almost every day. Fell asleep praying. Saw high school friends! Planned next tattoo. Wine, lots of wine. New ipod. More tennis. Beach. Work. Life.

There's a bit. And a few pics to illustrate the time between April 5 (last post) and May 21 (this one):





Next blog (I'm sure) will be a rave about all things Summer. I find I come to life this time of year. Everything just breathes easier when there are longer days, shorter nights, warmer weather, things blooming. Spring/Summer Julie is ALWAYS happy and carefree, lazy. Winter Julie?? Ooooh. Grumpier, foggier, less shiny version. Everything just looks better when you throw a little sun on it.

Get out there this Mem Day (LONG) weekend, all you people!! Fire up the grill, plant a little flower, sunburn, frisbee, do what you do! Whatever you do, be sure to love/enjoy/remember it.

Finally.

For six months now, we've bundled up and grabbed umbrellas, layered seven sweaters, and prayed our shoes would take the puddles and the rain and the snow and slush. The bitter gray and wind have become unwelcome bedfellows. There were times I'd forget that Spring would ever come. And then the cold was not so bitter, sunshine showed for moments, and there were bits of green on every tree. This weekend, we will hit 60 degrees two (maybe THREE!) days in a row. Hello, August.

So as I put my mittens away and begin to consider spf, my heart is light. Something in me wants to buy little yellow shoes and a helium balloon and go skipping down sixty-second street, reminding everyone that YES, yes, it's true. Weather has caught up with calendar and it IS Spring.

The problems of our lives and of the world seem more manageable when you can go for a stroll and breathe fresh, clean, fragrant air. Somehow everything is lighter and better. No wonder those snowbird grannies are so happy. Sunshine does good for any and every soul.

From here I see Alki. There is almost nothing more lovely than Sunday mornings here. Olympic backdrop, gentle water, sunshine, quiet. People pass quietly on bike, on foot, on skate. Happy babies in bright "baby legs". Very quiet chatter. Coffee and breeze. Old friends, new family meet for Cafe pancakes or picnics. It is a bit of Cali heaven and before I scamper to it, I will say this one last thing. Spring and Summer, come to us. We quit the Winter. BBQs, cut grass, tees and tanks, flips and frisbees, long days, sun burn, sweat ... we welcome you with our very open (albeit pasty) white arms!

Oh. And GO TAR HEELS!!!!!!!!!

Lately, the Things that I Like

UNC Tar Heels. Ranked #1! Hansbrough just points away from history. Who needs the silly, overpaid, over-blinged NBA when college b-ball is THIS good??



Yoga. Never has an hour of working out (and yes, it IS working out, ya gym rats) felt this great. Who says that you've got to kick box, run for days, or climb a million stairs to do something good for your body? Try doing (and holding) "the wheel" and you will be humbled. I yoga with girls from work every Wednesday at lunch time. Our instructor is a 60 year old rubber band with a soft and soothing voice. It's great to feel the burn, to hold "plank" for longer you ever thought you could and to settle into "dead man" at the very end to rest after all that work. Namaste.

Starbucks Verona Blend. Worth mentioning as I am currently on 3rd cup of day. Not new to this girl blogger, but a longtime friend. A go-to and often the highlight of a Saturday morning on Alki. No blend is better. And believe me. I have searched high and low and tried and tried. Wish I could say that "X" blend of "X" mom and pop local coffee shop wins for best brew the world over, but I'm not there yet. Go Verona. So smooth, bold.

Indoor Herb Garden. I don't know about you fellow gardeners. But it is mid-March and still well below freezing. This week it was a balmy 27 degrees in Seattle. I had to scrape ice. I dream of planting and flowers growing and herbs taking over. But the way things are going that won't be happening until early July. Until then, I discovered (economic, even) indoor alternative: little herbs in a cup! Where did I find these? Yup, that's right. Your local neighborhood dealer for fine Swedish furnishings. IKEA. You get a little cup with a little brown tablet and packet inside. You add 4 oz of water to tablet and LIKE MAGIC real live dirt instantly fills cup. You sprinkle seeds and just days later you see little green curls of herb. I will have chive and basil. Hopefully.

My job. Where I work. We've had a tough run these past few weeks and months. We moved, which wasn't great but turned out okay. Our budget took a big hit and we lost some GREAT people, which really wasn't okay. And still isn't okay. But the dust settles and spring comes and plans are made and we all move on. A winning team hasn't hurt. Neither has a stock market that has finished well the last 4 days. And Husky mascot puppy "Dubs" is darn cute. Yes, folks. This just might be the start of an upswing. After a long and dark winter of worry, we are ready and it is time.

Sense and Sensibility. Who doesn't love a good social commentary? Funny how well you can relate to scribbles from centuries ago. Poetry, really. A fan of finding new books, new stories to absorb and share, but oh. A re-read. Like visiting with an old friend who hasn't changed at all but whose same soft (but SHARP!) words mean something new. The Emma Thompson adaptation is fantastic as well. For once you are not dumbing yourself down if you opt for film over book.

Mom's recipes. Merilee Hill, the sweetest, has been "learning the computer" and typin up the recipes I grew up loving. Thank God for computer classes and email because NOW I can whip up all the great ones in my very own kitchen. It's true. Moms have the touch. And my pastitsio will never taste JUST like hers, but that is just fine. My finished product is close enough to remember easier, simpler, (tastier) younger days.

Adele! Well gosh. How has it been this long and I have yet to mention Adele!?!? Aka the voice of the year, the non-cracked out talent that is honey through even the crackliest of radios, the British gal whose "19" could serenade any given mood on any given day. Notable, chilling (in a good way my friends) tracks include "Chasing Pavements", cover "Make You Feel My Love" and current favorite "Right as Rain". i Tunes? Ready, GO.

On with the running shoes, out the door to sunny(ish) day I go! And just a word... don't forget to do your taxes! Say no to prison.

Also, shoutout to Grampa Cliff in Bend, OR! See?? I don't write about Obama ALL the time. Love you and miss you!

Oh.. next blog: Planning Your '09 Summer Vacay!

Newsworthy

Inauguration. So that happened.

That day I somehow resisted the temptation to take vacation and instead opted to curl into my cubicle with kleenex and streaming CNN.com. Such a proud and defining day. As soon as our new President was officially sworn in (and who really cares that THAT was a bit mangled), a colleague cried, I clapped, and from down the hall I heard a resounding "YES WE DID!!".

So Michael Phelps has been suspended from competitive swimming for taking a hit from a bong. Oh yeah, and he won't be able to sell cereal anymore either. Really?? Celebrities doing drugs?? Young athletes let the money and fame and time off go to their heads (literally in this case) and make mistakes? Wow. Are we really surprised? Unfortunately for young Michael, his truckload of gold medals has made him a national hero. Tons of tiny swimmers in speedos and swimcaps look to him and dream of Oly glory one day. Take a lesson from Brit Brit, Michael.... Your hard work and professional rewards have made you wonderfully famous. You don't have to be perfect. Just don't be stupid.

Also, a lonely, love-starved lady in California gave birth to a litter of babies a couple of weeks ago. Sweet babies. Silly lady. Don't forget the other SIX toddlers she has at home. Oh and she is a single parent so she will go it alone. "Ethics", judgment aside (and this lady has received plenty), SO curious to see how the coming weeks, months, years will stack up for the Angelina lookalike and her brood. Maybe (hopefully) she will defy every critic and raise very happy and healthy children (who are committed to their therapy). Far crazier things have happened.

These seasons are a-chaaaanging. Now it is February. Over the next 4 days, we will observe Friday the 13th (maybe not that one), Valentine's Day, President's Day. NEXT? First day of SPRING!! Just a month away. A few days, really. To gear up, I have daffodils on my desk at work, I am taking serious inventory of Spring wardrobe, and simply ignoring weather reports which include snow/sleet/ice/hail/cold.

The weekend takes me to Portland for a weekend with dear friends! Chit chat, chick flick, dinner, karaoke, tax free shopping await.

In considering love this Valentine's Day, a thought from someone who knew and lived the topic well:

The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done. Mother Teresa

Much love... and happy Valentines!

Resolutions

2008. Check.

A (well, almost) Happy New Year to you all!

I feel like New Year's is an odd holiday. If it's a holiday at all. There is the crush and rush that is Christmas and just as you're catching your breath, it is time to celebrate again. Time to say goodbye and turn up the calendar and hopefully get a few more things right this time. Time to take stock.

Moments after you finish Christmas dinner, you flip on the TV to see ad after ad for gym memberships, weight loss programs, countdown parties and big sales. We're barely through one moment before we're rushed to the next. At any rate, 2009 is nearly here, and with it comes the laundry lists of resolutions. Some will be forgotten as soon as they are made, a couple will be given the good college try and none (probably) will be kept. But I believe the resolution intent is good. Of course goals are good. My blog appropriate intentions for '09 include:

• Save more $$! Diversify! Sell! Sell! Sell!
• Not feel guilted into joining a gym. Not feel guilted into quitting coffee.
• Be more intentionally kind. And aware of my words.
• Begin planning, if not travel to, next international travel destination.
• Consider, investigate ongoing education. In one form or another. Whether this means pottery class or master's degree.

So, best wishes for a bright new year. Whether you're headed downtown or couchbound this evening, may you feel hope and joy for brand new start.

Oh, and the picture above. One day I will be in Vegas for New Years. Not Times Square. Who cares about a dropping ball?? I'll bet the strip does New Years up RIGHT.

Repeat the Sounding Joy

It is Christmas Eve. Really? It seems yesterday I was out at the beach working on my tan and just earlier today I was picking out a pumpkin. Tomorrow is Christmas. It's true what they say. The older you get, the faster time goes...

I love Christmas. Most people do. What are my reasons? Well,


1. Peanut butter balls. Merilee Hill's recipe. I have tried to duplicate on my own, which should NOT be hard, there are only four ingredients (she swears, but I have my suspicions). I try and try, but they are never as good. Moms just have the touch.

2. Finding the perfect gift. Shopping ALL day (or for about 20 minutes) for that tricky person on your list. You wander. You worry. You consider popcorn in a can. And THEN. You see a display and FLASH you have an idea and it all comes together and you have found... the perfect gift. The gift people will talk about for years to come, the gift you just KNOW this person will not stash away in the "what is this, save it for a white elephant gift exchange" box.

3. Well, obviously there is the baby J. No, not me. Jesus. Laying in a manger. No story is more lovely. I still get tiny butterflies when I unpack our little family nativity.



4. The Family Stone. Quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday(?) movies. Talk about putting the "fun" in dysfunction. Who doesn't love the pothead brother from Berkeley (Luke Wilson, perfect casting), the high-strung and fiercely protective/overbearing mother (with cancer!) and the girlfriend no one likes (Sarah Jessica, sigh), all stewed together for some meaty holiday chaos. Just LOVE. Our family watches it Christmas Eve while sipping Bailey's cocoa and nibbling homemade treats. Perfect.



5. Holiday Music. Well to a point. "Warm 106.9 plays nonstop holiday favorites" makes me want to roll down my car window, poke my head out and throw up a little bit. Oh, no. Great holiday music belongs to the Carpenters, James Taylor, Nat King Cole (how can you not?), Bing Crosby and an elite few more. Who needs the Jonas Brothers do God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen? I do NOT.



6. Alki Christmas. So I have some friends who keep me company on Alki. We're like a silly little family. This year we decided to have our own little Christmas with pizza, presents and even a bowl of cash for a needy family. Just wonderful.

7. Looking Back. Christmas is a great time to evaluate the year behind you. 2008 was a great year. Highlights include the GRAND CANYON (so grand), skydiving, Barack Obama (and all that entails), Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), and of course people and the memorable moments/joy they bring you.



8. Snow. We have a white Christmas this year! Pretty special. This does not happen often in Western WA. So when we do have a trace of white or a few little flakes fall on the right day, it really means something. So magical, so quiet.

Well. Speaking of white Christmases, I'm off to curl up and pop in that Bing Crosby holiday classic. Not much else to do on a night like this! And for the record. I have always been so very jealous of Rosemary Clooney's hair/makeup/wardrobe in this movie. Just, let it be said.

Peace and joy to you.