Photo of the Day - Birthday Flowers

Birthday Flowers, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

From my Mom and Step-Dad in honor of my 35th birthday. Taken in my office.

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a quiet weekend, the few highlights:

• Worked on Friday so that I wouldn't have to take quite as many PTO hours as a results of my trip to Salt Lake City.
• Headed home after work with a headache which was quickly cured by a nap.
• Watched Love Potion #9 and Freedom Writers.
• Began a major reorganization of my closet.
• Laundry, ironing, etc.
• Went to the movies and saw Swing Vote.
• Recycled the plastic plant containers from my major planting project to Flower World.

How was your weekend?

Mystery Solved!

Weather Forecaster, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

Above is my fairly new (bought in June) Oregon Scientific Wireless Weather Forecaster. It has a sensor outside on my deck to detect the outdoor temperature and displays both the current outdoor and indoor temperature. It also predicts the weather based on barometric pressure. As you can see right now, it's raining outside. Immediately after snapping this shot I walked out onto my deck and snapped the shot below.

Seattle Skyline, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

Not a cloud in the sky. Maybe Steve Pool is so bad at forecasting Seattle weather because he is using a Oregon Scientific Wireless Weather Forecaster. That must be it!

Photo of the Day - Train Crossing

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

Bridge that is lowered down so that trains can cross but spends most of the time in this position to let boats float by freely. Taken from the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.

Top 10 Things I Hate to Hear when Visiting SLC

When visiting my hometown, as I did last week, I inevitably suffer from an auditory assault of the same things over and over again. When thinking about this prior to leaving for SLC I decided to keep track and then create a David Letterman inspired list of my favorites. ;-) Without further ado, here we go.

The Top 10 Things I Hate to be Hear when Visiting SLC (and ways I wished I could have responded or notes in italics).

10. Do you like Seattle? Yes, but it rains 9 months of the year, so don't even think about joining me there.
9. When are you moving back? Never
8. What are you doing here? Gee, just because I moved away doesn't mean I can't come visit every now and then.
7. The 9 different phones ringing in my parents house. Did I mention that they also have 6 TVs.
6. So, (tint head), how come your not going to Med School? I made a decision that was good for me, absolutely NO need to pity me.
5. What was that? I heard this EVERY time by cell phone instant message alert rang.
4. Do you need to get that? I heard this immediately following the previous, I eventually turned the ringer off.
3. Are you happy? Even if I weren't, do you really think you would be the first to know?
2. I bet your worried about your cancer now, huh! With my mothers recent diagnosis, I guess its inevitable to consider my own mortality but I'm still in shock that 2 people actually said this to me.
1. Your hair is so long! People, I was bald 5 years ago! Hair grows!

Weekend Wrap-Up Extended Version

I'm a bit delayed in getting this post up, but better late than never. I was in Salt Lake City for an extended weekend (7/24 - 7/29) with my family. Here are the highlights:

• Arrived in time to have garlic burgers with my family. For the record, my step-brother Michael makes a seriously good garlic burger.
• Listened to the booming of the Pioneer Day fireworks off in the distance.
• Got my car repaired included an alignment, tire rotation, new headlight and a brand new resonator.
• Had lunch with my Dad at Olio.
• Ran a few errands with Mom including stopping for a cone at Nielsen's Frozen Custard.
• Caught up with old family friends.
• Tons of Laundry, ironing, cooking, cooking and cleaning so that Mom didn't have to do it.
• Taught my Mom how to play Shanghai Rummy while snacking on Clam Dip & Texas Caviar with Nancy.
• Stubbed my big toe and broke the nail in half, lengthwise. Ouch!
• Briefly sorted through some boxes in the basement of "my stuff." I had no idea what was in them when I started but found some real treasures including my girl scout merit badges, my famous red glasses from high school and my report cards. I brought 4 home with me and look forward to sorting through them to discover more treasures.
• Enjoyed playing with my nephews Ethan and Gabe.
• Caught up with Jenna while we working on setting up her new Mac Book.
• Fixed plank grilled halibut for family and friends, always a big hit.
• Thought I was going to burst into flame any minute because it was SO HOT in SLC, I really am a Seattle weather wimp now.

How was your weekend?

Photo of the Day - Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

The iconic symbol of Cannon Beach, Oregon. Taken in March 2008.

Photo of the Day - Stanford Fountain

Stanford Fountain, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

My most recent photo to be included in a online travel guide. I took this in front of Stanford University Hospital while waiting for the valet to bring the car. Taken in August 2006.

Quote of the Day

In honor of my dear friend who will be laid to rest today. RIP Juel.

"The world breaks everyone
and afterward many are strong in the broken places.
But those that will not break it kills.
It kills the very good and the very gentle
and the very brave impartially.
If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too
but there will be no special hurry."

Ernest Hemingway
A Farewell to Arms

The Road Trip Test

The Road Trip of Your Life

You see companionship and loyalty as what's most important in life. Your life is quite hectic. You try to slow down when you can, but it's not easy! You're willing to take a few risks in life. You may not take the road no one travels, but you're happy to take the road less traveled. You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out. In another life, you could have been a great artist. You trust your creative instincts enough to let them lead you.

The Road Trip Test