Day 269 - Memorial Day Weekend Begins

As usual, the weather report doesn't look promising for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.  You'd think we'd be used to it - this is the Pacific Northwest after all.  With a yard work "to do list" that's a mile long, I wasn't too happy when I arrived home to this.  At least I'm not going camping.

Day 268 - Penned By a Former Student

Recently I learned that a former student had a story published in a book entitled "The Best Women's Travel Writing".  My own passion for travel combined with a opportunity to read something written by a favorite former student made this a no brainer.  I immediately jumped online, headed to Amazon and ordered a copy.  When it arrived, I quickly flipped through the pages to find the story.  Michelle's writing transported me to another world and conjured up a few of my own travel misadventures.  Her wonderful sense of humor was woven throughout the essay entitled Unsilent Night.  For the past several weeks, this great little collection has become my "go to" book for silent sustained reading at school.  I heartily recommend it. 

Michelle was one of those kids who always made me smile because she was genuinely enthusiastic about everything (not to mention damn funny).  Even if you asked her to do something less than exciting, she'd pour her heart into it.  Here's a picture of Michelle as a 9th grader at Inglewood Junior High.  Wow, I feel old.

Day 267 - Quiet Time Needed

When I entered the house this afternoon I heard a familiar high pitched chirping sound.  This can only mean one thing. . .the batteries are dead in my carbon monoxide alarm. Welcome home.

There are days when I wish I could just hang out on the couch with the critters. Don't they look comfy?

Day 266 - 15 Hour Day

I spent a ridiculous amount of time at school today.  Arrived about 6:30 a.m. and spent the next 13.5 hours working.  Tonight was the evening our 9th graders presented their reflection speeches to an audience of parents (including theirs).  As their presentation advisor, it was also my responsibility to grade them.  They all passed but I was worried earlier today after watching their second practice session.  Thank goodness most of them took the constructive feedback to heart and went home to revise one more time.

Once I headed for home, my 32 mile commute added another 40 minutes to my day. . .and look what was waiting for me on my door.  Apparently I had visitors today.

the handwritten note on the back was pretty shaky. . . I'm
guessing Grady probably scared the poor guys to death 

poured myself a fishbowl of wine and put my feet up

I'm tempted to reinstate my day after Curriculum Night tradition by wearing my pajamas tomorrow.

Day 265 - Curiosity May Kill This Cat

I looked out this evening to catch Skye at it again.  She has figured out how to open the cabinets in my house and she cannot resist climbing into any open window or door.  When I had my house painted last fall, she climbed into the painter's van and they nearly drove off with her.  She climbed into the moving truck when my neighbors moved out and jumped in an open truck window when a landscaper was working down the street.  Tonight she was trying desperately to figure out a way to get into the back of my neighbor's truck.

Day 264 - Dinner With a View

I was fairly productive today, weeding for about 4 hours straight.  The weather cooperated although it wasn't really sunny at all.  Made it about halfway across the front yard (where I dug up my front lawn and my "landscaping" isn't done). Downloaded another 10 CDs from the library and scanned some craft books I took out to get some pointers for a project I'd like to complete this summer.

another eclectic mix

I've never decoupaged a thing in my life. . .

The day wrapped up with dinner at Arnie's in Edmonds with my good friend Paul. We were REALLY hoping to score some Copper River salmon but they were out. I opted for sockeye salmon prepared with a caper beurre blanc and served with garlic mashed potatoes.  Also had my first gin and tonic of the season while Paul had a mojito.  We both decided to pretend it felt like a warm spring evening.

Delicious!

The view from our table never gets old - too bad the clouds obscured the Olympics

Day 263 - Left Behind

Apparently the much anticipated Rapture has come and gone and I was left behind. . .not surprised by this. What did surprise me a bit was the creative way some folks chose to capitalize on the "event".  Yesterday The Mountain radio station (KMTT) had an entire hour devoted to music with an apocalyptic theme.   You can find most of the playlist here.

http://kmtt.tunegenie.com/pastonair/kmtt/1305957600000/

Today I found the following additional examples in Seattle and Everett.

restaurant on NW 85th in Crown Hill area of Seattle

garden stone business near my home in Everett - might have to start shopping heren