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We were literally being blown off the deck as we tried to take pictures of the white caps on the sound. I love a blustery day at the beach, but we had a wedding to attend and so we made our way back to Seattle. Will share photos of the rest of our adventures as I get them uploaded. Right now, school work. Tomorrow teachers go back and on Tuesday the kids come back. Summer just flew by this year!
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Olympic National Park is one of my favorite National Parks to visit. I have such fond memories of my first visit to the park back in 2010 when Mark and I explored the peninsula together. This trip was no different except that we allowed ourselves only one day!
Beautiful views and incredible greenery as we explored Hurricane Ridge. Next time we have to stay longer!
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Relaxing is hard for us, but we are doing the best we can. The environment certainly supports our efforts. Today exploring Vashon and cooking dinner for our friends before heading out to a free concert in the park. Another wonderful day.
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This was Saturday, laundry and changing of the sheets. Sunday chores being done so that when we arrive home late in the day on the 30th, we arrive home to a bed ready for sleep!
This was Saturday, finishing trimming up the lawn and cleaning up the yard. A week away is a long time during the summer when the lawn never seems to stop growing! I also put any potted plants in tubs with a bit of water so that they do not dry out!
This was Saturday, making sure that the yard was looking it’s best before I was picked up by Robin for my ride to the airport.
This was Saturday, putting out fresh towels and making sure that the hamper was empty. I hate coming home with dirty laundry and finding that there is already a pile of laundry that didn’t get done before I left. Not good.
This was Saturday, attempting to work on an older applique project while flying from coast to coast. I did manage to get the designs drawn on the template plastic. I could not cut them out however, no scissors allowed on planes.
This was Saturday, a beautiful sunset enjoyed as my plane arrived at SeaTac.
This was Saturday, a bit of anxiety about heading to a hotel in SeaTac, and then a bit of, I’ve done this before why should today be any different? It always takes longer for luggage to arrive here and this time it was long enough of a wait to help me figure out exactly what needed to happen for me to catch the shuttle to my hotel.
This was Saturday. I arrived in Seattle, found my way to my hotel in SeaTac and settled myself in. On Sunday my husband would pick me up for the start of my summer vacation. So excited to be here. So excited for our vacation.
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Fridays are for adventuring with mom and Jess. Mom showed up at the house around 10 and we were off to the Morris Arboretum. She had never been and I couldn’t wait to share with her one of my most favorite places. We arrived just about lunch time. For us, it was soup and salad.
Fridays are for spending time in nature. Mom and I love to wander around gardens. We pay attention to flowers that are planted together and how different plants survive in different environments.
Fridays are for reminiscing and reflecting. Mom and I have shared so much throughout our lives. Our love of flowers and gardening as well as our love of exploring historical places. We giggled as we remembered different events in our lives and talked about plans for the future.Fridays are for taking pictures and documenting our adventures. Also for taking selfies and acting silly.
Fridays are for trying new restaurants and just spending time enjoying each others company.
Fridays are for packing, finishing food and wine in the fridge and for tying up loose ends so that the next adventure can begin.
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Thursday was all about friends. I had texted Bunkey to tell her not to bother stopping by. She was coming to help clear all of my studio stuff out of Mark’s office and I had done most of that. Oh no, she said. I have to come because Robin is meeting me there. Well, it appears that Robin and Bunkey had met at the Endo Center while I was undergoing my procedure. Robin wanted to help with the big studio re-organization and the two of them hatched a plan. What could I do? I am blessed with the best of friends.
The reality is, with the arthritis and the fibromyalgia, there are some days where just walking is difficult. Let alone moving shelves and carrying boxes. I am grateful for all the help.
Jessica allowed Bunkey to take her picture with me, just cause it’s Week in the Life. She spent Wednesday evening with me just to be sure that I had everything I needed and that I did not end up with a reaction to the anesthesia which has happened so often. Really blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful women.
After a quick lunch with Bunkey, it was off to school for a little bit of work. Robin arrived and helped me to put felt on the bottom of my students’ desk chairs. Hoping for a quieter classroom this year!
School closed at 4:30 so I was off for a quick shopping trip at Lakeshore and Joann Fabrics. It turns out that I needed more felt and different name plates.
Lunch was very filling so dinner was light. I am attempting to make more balanced choices and sincerely hoping that it makes a difference! I did a little bit of school work and then made it to bed early. Just a couple of days before heading out to Seattle.
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Time to wake up. 5:45 Wednesday morning in order to be at the Endo Center by 6:45. Much too early for me given the fact that I was up til almost 2:30am with all the prep for my colonoscopy. I did not take my phone or my camera with me so I do not have photos of the drive or any part of the process including my trip home!
Robin took me over to the center and Bunkey picked me up. In between they had a nice little meeting and made plans to meet at my house on Thursday morning. I am grateful for my friends and their support throughout this process. I am also very grateful for my doctors. Unlike my first colonscopy, this procedure was painless and there were no side effects from the anesthesia. The doctor that did the procedures was very thorough and took several biopsies in an attempt to help diagnose the symptoms I keep experiencing. It was all good.
Once home, I slept.
Jessica stopped by and she took me to the food store to puchase just a couple of things. I asked her to help me by taking a couple of pictures, this is what I got! Thrilled!
We bought more food than I had thought we would. Then it was home, soup and more sleep.
I tried to undertake a few “normal” activities, but that did not last too long. Well before 11, I was back in bed for good. It was a long day.
Definitely not your typical daily events for Week in the Life, but truly accurate for this “week” in my life.
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A conscious decision was made to stay in bed a little later today. Colonoscopy prep day, no food means no need to hurry out of bed! The day started really well. Ice pops for breakfast, yes!
Jess stopped by on her way down to LBI so she helped with a few photos! Once she was on her way I started my errands. A quick stop at the library to return a few books and to see if the pass for the Morris Arboretum had been returned. Then it was off to school to continue setting up my room.
Once I was hungry I decided to head home. A quick stop at Target to pick up the fluids needed and then I was in for the day.
Chicken noodle soup, no chicken and no noodles. Not too bad. Then there was lemonade, lots of lemonade and water.
This is where the photos for the day stop. For some reason, not sure why, I ended up with a terrible reaction to the magnesium citrate. I developed a terrible migraine complete with black outs and vomiting. Along with everything else that happens during colonoscopy prep, not a pretty evening here. I did feel better at about 10pm, just in time to go to bed. Unfortunately, my prep kept me up until nearly 3. A tough but necessary day here at home.
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Technically is was Monday morning as I headed to bed much later than I had anticipated. That is part of why Monday morning found me sleeping a little later than I had anticipated.
Certainly not terrible given my ability to sleep 10 plus hours at a time! I really had wanted to get to school by 8 but I will take getting there by 9. (You should know that my clock is set 20 minutes fast to help me be on time for my life!)
This is my reality this week, Mark’s side of the bed is empty. On the plus side, making the bed is much easier. But on the negative, I miss him terribly. Everytime I feel myself saying, “Hey, guess what...” I need to regroup and realize, there is no one there to guess!
Fortunately my classroom is one of the few classrooms in my hall that is clean and ready to go! I do not have much to do to get ready for the school year, but there is always something to be done. For one thing, all of the books, mostly professional and picture books that I use to teach, need to be taken out of hiding and put on the assorted bookshelves in my classroom.
I am so excited to begin the school year with the plan to stay organized in my surroundings. I have come up with a few strategies that I think are going to help. I look forward to reporting positive progress through out the school year.
Deadlines help to keep me focused. Out of school at 11, a quick trip to Starbucks to drop off school supplies for their drive and to pick up a chai. Tuesday was my colonoscopy prep day so I treated myself on Monday. Plus it was free - can’t beat that!
Marlo is always perched somewhere near my chair. I think we have gotten to be good buddies. Monday we had Jackie come to work on her t-shirt quilt and then Bunkey and Jessica came to work on organizing my studio. It was a busy afternoon and Marlo quickly found a place to hide. He is not happy when there are lots of people in the house. Okay, he is really not happy when there is more than 1 person in the house. Oh well, he’ll learn to deal just like the rest of us.
Jackie sewing, the girls organizing and me staying out of everyone’s way. The finished pictures of the studio are on Bunkey’s phone, I will need to get those in order to finish up my recording of Monday’s events.
Before heading to bed there was a trip to Target for wall art to help me keep organized in the studio and a few necessaries. I am remaining hopeful that the studio reorganization will be done before Mark flies home on the 30th. He arrives about 4 hours before I do. It really needs to be done before I leave!
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This is my happy place. I love to sleep surrounded by pillows and I love the “white”. It feels clean and fresh. This was a typical Sunday for me with one very large exception, Mark is off in Seattle spending time with friends before I arrive on Saturday. So, this Week in the Life will see how my routines differ when I am home alone.
This summer I have seriously worked on keeping somewhat of a routine. Although I am not a morning person I have enjoyed getting up a little earlier and I have certainly enjoyed getting things done in the morning.
Finally figuring out how to use the self timer on my camera - it’s about time.
Getting ready for Bunkey and Jessica’s arrival on Monday, Mission Organization.
Temporary housing for my stuff. This will need to be cleared out well before Mark returns.
Bunkey stopped by for about an hour. I think she was checking on me! We were able to clear off my work table and get rid of a bunch of piddily stuff that I tend to hold onto.
Getting ready go school - a big story for this week.
Dessert, although I do not remember having dinner. That is part of my reality when I am in the house alone.
Still so much to do.
Tomorrow is another day!
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