Sweet late summer Thursday

I am SO blessed am I not? It's a pretty simple life so it's the smallest, seemingly ordinary things, that bring me delight.

Mr Big is traveling right now so it's been a little lonely without my sidekick. The kids, all three, are with us for their summer vacay - so it's not been as lonely as it usually is when he's gone...and today was my weekday off so we were all together. On a warm, sunny day. Course the big kids spent the best part of the day (dramatic pause) in bed. Till 12:30...IN BED. I got up at 9am, made breakfast, cleaned the fridge. Not because I wanted to - I'm no neat freak but because someone had pushed over the crushed garlic. AND LEFT IT. PUSHED OVER. LEAKING. ALL. OVER. THE FRIDGE. Sigh. It actually could be used in place of epoxy glue. I literally used a knife to slice it off the shelves and stuff. Grrrrr.

After i had a spanking clean fridge Dot and I let the bigs sleep, grabbed the to get list and proceeded to drive everywhere and got none of the stuff we originally went out for. Perfect.

But then we came home and it was all good again. All four of us went outside and painted birdy houses.

Just check the sky out

I love how different these all are

Thank you for this beautiful day, for the delight in small things, for the calm.

Seattletown

I often refer to where I live as Seattletown. It's a made up place. But to me it refers to Renton all the way to Marysville. I love Seattletown. There's always so many things to do .. IF you can escape Castle Allen.

By the way, did I mention we are urban farmers?

We have beets, cucumber, tomatoes, artichokes, rhubarb and jalapeños all growing in the garden. I love that they are still alive and trying their best to flourish regardless of my inadvertent neglect. GO NATURE!! YOURE AWESOME!

This was also the weekend to get stuff hung. It is after all only 2 weeks till Mum gets here!! After we all worked in the yard and planted everything up we decided it would be the perfect time to head south ..

.. To head to Capitol Hill. The little giant really wanted to be dressed up, he likes bright colors as you can see

Course, when up on the hill there is ONLY one thing to do. Molly Moons.

While we were waiting in line a lady turned to me:
Stranger: Have you been here before? Why is everyone lining up?
Me: yes, I've tasted this ice cream, it's the most delicious substance on Gods green earth.
Stranger: where is that weird accent from?
Me: Everett
Together: Bhahaha
Stranger: no, really
Me: New Zealand
Stranger: NEW ZEALAND ?!! We love New Zealand!! Which part?
Me: Auckland
Stranger: I would live there if I could
Me: you should have the salted caramel flavor. It's the bomb.com
Stranger: it's my birthday
Me: Happy Birthday... Why don't you go ahead of us
Stranger: really? Thank you!
Que stranger and stranger posse of 9 people filing by me..

In the way out, after procuring her scoop
Me: did you get the salted caramel?
Stranger: nope, caramelized peaches and cream
*at this point Stranger lady thrusts her cone to my face*
Stranger: wanna taste?

No madam, I decline your kind offer of swapping DNA with you, though I admit to pausing in thought for a moment - your scoop did look mighty fine. Who offers a stranger a lick if your cone? Lol!

After being on the hill we drove around looking at the sites if Seattletown watching the sun go down on this lovely land

Fall

I was soooooooo excited when my friend Hailey called out to me the other day.  She dosent do this too often so I knew it would be something important, and I wasnt wrong.  DEEP BREATH.  Bed Bath and Bodyworks just released their FALL CANDLE (its cinnamon pumpkin in case you were wondering). *Queue excited happy face and rapid hand clapping like a crazy woman*

FALL
FALL
FALLOh how I love thee!!

AND, I dont know how I missed this last year but look what I stumbled across this morning
http://theinspiredroom.net/31-days-autumn-bliss-series/

You better believe it, IM DOIN IT.

Should I eat this?

I love that I was eating lunch with a ladypal not so long ago when some of her lunch rolled off her fork and onto the office floor.  We both paused for a brief moment and she looked at me
Her:  Oh you know Im going to eat that
Me:   Yip

This got me to thinking about this dilemma and what do you know, there is a handy dandy flow chart for this:

Nice Girl Notes I heart you

Do it, you know ya gotta.  Laugh out loud buds, this gal is HIL ARious

http://www.nicegirlnotes.com/christmas-tree-shops

Brave Girl

This was a perfect message for me today - maybe it might speak to one of you too.

Dear Beloved Girl,

Great frustration, hurt and anxiety can come from trying to get our worth and our acceptance from other people or from anything that is outside of our own selves and our own deepest truths.

Many of us want love more than anything in the world. We want love and we want acceptance. We want to be understood. Frustration comes when we do no accept the fact that we simply can not MAKE others love us, or accept us, or even understand us. This is why it is so important to first learn how to love ourselves.

When we can get in tune with our deepest truths, the truths that only come from listening to the very force that created us and placed this knowing inside of us we can find peace whenever we need it. When we do the work necessary to learn who we really are in spite of who the world may tell us we are, we can find the love and acceptance we so need, whether we have other people in our lives or not. We simply do not NEED to have constant reassurance from others because there is a voice of knowing inside of us, a voice that comes from the only place that truly KNOWS who we are and what we are capable of.

Be o.k. with YOU, beautiful friend. Be o.k. with the moments of aloneness that come, and that sometimes stay. Be o.k. with sometimes feeling that no one understands or that no one is giving you exactly what you need, because the only WHOLENESS of spirit that will come is from your own self and your own deepest truth. Be o.k. with this. This is where you will find peace. You can give your SELF love and acceptance, through listening to your deepest truths that come from your Creator. It will be real, true and authentic. And it will be enough.

It really will. It will be enough.

You are so very very loved.
xoxo

Day off

Today's my day off. The first family member was up around 7am so that means I was too. But I did get to wake up with these

Today is not mine. It's the Gary and family show that I belong to. I know it involves the Blue Angels practice but that's all I know. I'll report as the day unfolds. Happy day to you!

Run away

For some weeks now I've been wanting to runaway. Do you ever have those periods where you feel so overwhelmed and so despondent? I'm in that phase right now and all I want is to grab my dearest and head into nature... For a while. Course this is not possible, I'm realistic. We have responsibilities. But it dosent stop me from dreaming of it.

Elliott

So proud of our son Elliott. First off he's an all around good guy with a generous good heart - and as if all of this isnt enough he is also so he wonderfully intelligent.

Elliott made a decision to join the Navy a couple of months ago and the last couple of weeks have been a flurry of activity getting him tested and getting him ready to sign a contract for the early entry program. This means once he signs his contract he will be officially part of the US navy with a ship out day scheduled. He will finish up his senior year, graduate, and then have a few weeks off before boot camp.

He recently completed some if the aptitude testing required and scored higher than the recruiter had ever seen, in fact it qualified him for entry to the nuclear engineering program which few get to be a part of.

Today was one if the final stages towards his contract which involved his physical. After this was all taken care of we headed back to the recruiting office where they told us there was one piece left...to do a background check on me because I wasn't born here in the US. Once that's done he will be given a contract and a ship out date.

Elliott has really florished in the last few months he's been living here, his grades have gone up, he's no longer failing classes, hes so much happier and calmer and most importantly, he's in a routine of success. Isn't that what we all want for our children and ourselves?

Congratulations El. We adore you and are so proud to have a son like you. Today was the first step towards your Naval Career. The next 9 months is going to be full of endings and beginnings, but one thing will never end or change and that's our love and faith in you.

Four Agreements

I have seen the four agreements before, but I think because of my current state of mind it really really resonanted with me today.  I think that there is no coincidence that I was led to read this again today.  Who knows - maybe it might be the perfect thing at the perfect time for you too?  Enjoy dear one, and thank you to b-splendid for sharing this on her blogspot at the right time.

Blessings friends.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

- Miguel Ruiz -

Summer

Those of you who know me know that the main reason I am living here is because a. I fell in love with mr big and b. He had 3 little folks that came as a part of the package. At the time, way back in 2003, the arrangement I came into was a pretty common 50/50 time split with the kids going in between us and their moms week about. We lived very close so the kids went to the sane school, had the same circle of friends etc. This all came to a halt when the baby momma decided to move interstate... Since then they are now back in Washington and Elliott, the eldest now lives with us full time. The same schedule for visits is in place as far as the girlies go - every other weekend, Wednesday evenings for dinner, turn about with holidays... And seven glorious weeks in the summer where I get to breathe deep and recite the serenity prayer a trillion times a day due to this...

I've pleaded, I've raised my voice, I've used the quiet psycho voice AND I've even tried leaving the sad cores piled up on the counter as some sort of silent art Instillation/example of laziness. Nothing NOTHING has worked. I'm now just resigned to the fact that this is part of my life now. I do wonder though, what will their loos be like when they get their own places? Will you have to dive over millions of toilet roll cores mosh pit style to get to the pot?

Heaven only knows the answer

A beautiful blessing

“For Equilibrium, a Blessing:
Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.”
— John O’Donohue (To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings)

Ummm yes please

Perfection. I don't know what genius thought of putting a chandy in the kitchen... But praise GAWD this is yummy isn't it?

Love it

I'm a hopeless romantic. Don't you just love this........

Saturday

Know how I've been griping about the weather? Today was delicious, thanks mother nature, you did a triffic job. The sky was blue, there was a hint of a warm breeze, the light illuminated everything with angelicness. I was grateful.

We got to share the lovely day with Grammie.

Grammies a very special lady and I always love any opportunity to spend time with her. Today we decided we would take her out to lunch to Patty's Egg Nest. Gaz and I are still on the second phase of our diet so this place was perfect, we could order breakfast! What we couldn't partake in is one of the bestest parts of Patty's....

Patty's thick toast slathered in these seemingly homemade preserves are nothing short of an epicurian delight. Today I had to live vicariously through the little giant as he snarfed two servings of toast and jam... Mine, and his. Lucky little bastard.

Dear reader, you would have been proud. I didnt whine or whinny, I enjoyed my fruit cup and ham and cheese scramble, through the wishing and whilstful glances.

After lunch we took Grammie to see the mukilteo lighthouse. She loves lighthouses.

The beach was packed with people and no wonder - it's such a beautiful spot

Mukilteo is also a jumping off point for ferries up the sound. I do love me a ferry ride, specially on a sunny day.

Summer, you made it

Summer has been a total non event round here. What I mean by that is that it's been a continuation of winter in general. "the general" was fortunately not what we had this weekend, oh the glory of the sun in your back, the glory of a summer frock worn to church, these simple simple things are not being taken for granted here at Castle Allen!!

Let's start things off right, breakfast. Thank you Miss Hailey Hansen for the important infor-maysh- I- on ... Trader joes sausages. Legit, these are the goods and what's more, no nitrates. CAN I GET AN AMEN? Sausage, cheddar cheese, a little caramelized onion and eggsies. Nummers. Next stop, church. But wait.. That thing, that bizarre and unexplained mystery that befalls me every summer..tis here. Yes friends, the knicker snatcher...IS BACK. Fear not, I'm properly clothed as I write this but only because good fortune smiled on me when I had the good sense to stash a pair in the wrong drawer. Otherwise it would have been comando. Sigh. I have no idea where they all go. I just know they go. See you tomorrow Avenue.
Modesty intact. It was off to church.
Afterwards I had a nifty idea for an inexpensive art piece for the boudoir and made a stop at my favorite art supply store in the U District. $25 for a 30 x 30 canvas? You can't beat it. I will show the finished results as they come to hand... While I was at the art store Miss Dorothy went to the store upstairs, Petco, to look at all the creatures...especially, she was hoping to see a chameleon. When we went up to pick her up look what we found...gerbils, midget gerbils to be precise. They are soooo cute, and u particularly liked the swagger of the gerbil if color... Had someone been indulging in flaming hot cheetos? I will let you be the judge dear reader...

Next stop for the gazillionth time this weekend, was Lowes. Course I had to make an immediate beeline for my lovey, who I visit and pet everytime I'm there... Behold The Bath...

Not only are you perty and shiny, but you would look in credible in our upstairs bathroom at Castle Allen. I'm ready for you bath. While I was visiting with the bath, I turned around and check it. Possibly the most perfect light fixture ever for the living room and dining area. Love the circles.

Fir those that don't know Everett is a little gem of a town. Many many people try and make it seem something other than this but it's truly a lovely spot PLUS it has it's own seaside farmers market.

It was a perfect day for the Allens, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings

5th Ave Sandwich

Friday was, one if the crappiest of crappy days I can remember. It actually started pretty nice, weather lovely, my hubby driving me to work (ALWAYS so great to spend a scooch extra time with mr big! ) ... Then, at 8:43am it all fell to pieces re a work matter which I can't go into here. Thank God I had my boys to look forward to later in the evening!

... I also had a gin martini or two with my name on it awaiting me at Rock Bottom in downtown Seattle

Tadpole and Ronnie picked me up AKA rescued me, whisked me off to Rock Bottom and it was perfect. We were seated outside on the patio which overlooked 5th Ave and the waiter, perhaps picking up on my need for an adult frosty beverage quickly brought my martini and their boys their beers. One sip was the delightful medicine I needed. Sigh... I settle back in my outdoor perch comforted with gin, a warm breeze, sweet sounds of a live jazz band and best of all, my BFF's. Just look at the blue sky above ... Who could be glum?

I was proud of myself. I kept to the restrictions of my diet and had a nummers Cobb salad and soon enough, and two martinis later it was time to head over to the 5th Ave Theater to enjoy Aladdin

This venue is just incredible. If you haven't been here yet, go see anything. Even the cheapest seats are great, and you won't believe the architecture inside. It's oriental 1920s glamor and opulence is unparelled.

The show was Uh-MAZING. I love the story of Aladdin. This was was in the style of the Disney movie. Same music and in fact "Aladdin" was the same person that did the voice over and singing in the movie. The stage set was fantastic, the middle eastern style screens were so gorgeous, all laser cut...Ahhhhh WHY did Ronnie not have his big girl panties on? I really wanted him to hatch a plan to..well..acquire them for me. Sigh, they were so wonderful and would have been perfection at Castle Allen.

Unfortunately the show ended all too soon and we were on our way home. Imagine our surprise when we looked out of the parking lot and saw one Mr Taylor Hicks staring out at us. I wondered what happened to one of our beloved American Idols. He's here, in downtown Seattle.

It's always such a good time with you boys, thanks for being such great friends and such a fun time. I'm so lucky to have friends like you

Elliott

So proud of our son Elliott. First off he's an all around good guy with a generous good heart - and as if all of this isnt enough he is also so he wonderfully intelligent.

Elliott made a decision to join the Navy a couple of months ago and the last couple of weeks have been a flurry of activity getting him tested and getting him ready to sign a contract for the early entry program. This means once he signs his contract he will be officially part of the US navy with a ship out day scheduled. He will finish up his senior year, graduate, and then have a few weeks off before boot camp.

He recently completed some if the aptitude testing required and scored higher than the recruiter had ever seen, in fact it qualified him for entry to the nuclear engineering program which few get to be a part of.

Today was one if the final stages towards his contract which involved his physical. After this was all taken care of we headed back to the recruiting office where they told us there was one piece left...to do a background check on me because I wasn't born here in the US. Once that's done he will be given a contract and a ship out date.

Elliott has really florished in the last few months he's been living here, his grades have gone up, he's no longer failing classes, hes so much happier and calmer and most importantly, he's in a routine of success. Isn't that what we all want for our children and ourselves?

Congratulations El. We adore you and are so proud to have a son like you. Today was the first step towards your Naval Career. The next 9 months is going to be full of endings and beginnings, but one thing will never end or change and that's our love and faith in you.

Proverbs

Let love and faithfulness never leave you, write them on the tablet of your heart
Proverbs 3:3

Isn't that a beautiful saying? I think I'm going to make a little painting with this on it, it just really struck a chord with me. And it make me think about the ever growing, huge love I have for Mr Big. Just when I think my love meter is red-lined and I couldn't love any more than I do, a little glance, his hand on my back - some small gesture like that is enough to swell my heart to even more giant proportions.... And there is no other for me. I love you Gary Allen, thank you for all the blessings you have, and continue to, bring to my life.

An apple a day

It's incredible.... The things that become a treaty-poo when you are on a diet. Mr Big and I have been on a diet for the last 23 days. It's an extremely strict diet but the good news is that it's been worth it. I'm 22 pounds lighter. Mr Big is down over 30.

There has been no drinking in this diet.

There has been no sugar on this diet.

But, there has been Melba toast, which I am now in love with, and ........ There have been apples.

I'm picky with my food in general, especially so with the humble apple. It must be crisp. It must be flavorful. It must be juicy. This friends, this, is the happy triad that makes me catapult into apple heaven.

Somehow Winco has been my apple pimp hooking me up with the bestest, crispiest most scrumptious apples the world has to offer. Thank you Winco, me and my soon to be washboard abs ap-rees-iate you.

Did I mention ...

Soooo I think I recently mentioned that the lovely Kymberlee gave me a fabulous 1920's handbag which is awaiting it's millennium debut at the 5th Ave Theater performance of Aladdin. I know that you are dying as you await this, so, without further adieu, I introduce you to...(drumroll please),,, (queue trumpet)... THE BAG

I hear you, one picture isn't enough. You're right, here's another