December 15, 2012

Currently.

Loving: That I’m just about done with my holiday shopping! I’ve got a few more errands to run this evening then that should be just about it – phew. I also wrapped most of the gifts this week so I’m feeling way ahead of the curve right now.

Reading: I just finished The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. WOW. What a great read and it wasn’t some smutty, tween novel! I’m feeling way more mature with my reading choices these days. I won’t give it away, but what a cool concept for a story. I was hooked and could not put that book down! I also just started Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess by Gael Greene. So far, so good! Man, this lady is pretty freaking awesome. Sleeping with Elvis….being in the forefront of the foodie/sexual revolution movement…..def a book worth reading!

(Soon to be) Watching: Well, we’ll be seeing The Hobbit this weekend so that counts, right? We splurged on the fancy iPic Theater with the plush chairs. I’m hoping I’ll be able to stay awake for the entire show. Me + movie + comfortable seating usually = Leslie fast asleep.

Thinking about: Our move to Seattle sometime next year. With me working on Capitol Hill and the BF driving back and forth for meetings and such, we decided that it’d make the most sense for us to make the big move to the city. I suspect it’ll be the early summer of 2013 after all of my work events. I’m a bit worried about fixing up then renting out my condo BUT I do love to reorganize, redecorate and de-clutter.

Surprised by: How cranky pants people get around the holidays. We made a quick trip to the local mall a few weekends ago and peeps were throwin down! I thought we were going to see a fight in the parking garage. Relax guys…grab a drink…enjoy your family and chillax. It’s just a holiday. Sheesh.

Making me sad: Knowing that people still don’t agree with the recent passing of R74, the marriage equality law for Washington state. R74 does not redefine marriage. It simply asked voters to affirm the bipartisan state law by approving the question, which would allow all loving couples to marry. Voting to approve gay marriage was a ‘no duh’ issue for me. Anyone, should be able to marry, regardless of their sexual preferences. I don’t know why others seem to think that putting people down and discriminating them based on the person they love is OK.

Making me happy: Knowing that I’ll have a few long weekends ahead of me. Work is starting to pick up and once January hits, it’s going to be on like Donkey Kong. This is my last chance to rest up and recharge before the event chaos takes over my life.

**this blog post was inspired by http://sometimessweet.com/ – check her out!

October 28, 2012

Currently.

Currently

Loving: Wearing black from head to toe. Black used to be my go to wardrobe color (like most gals) and I tried very hard to get away from it for many years. Jewel tones were embraced, earth tones began to make an appearance and OMG even neons snuck their way into my closet! But alas, I’ve come full circle and black is back my friends. Head to toe, gloriously slimming black.

Reading: After reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, about her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I was still feeling the trail love/adventure and thought I would give Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman, a shot since it was about the PCT’s sister trek the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately, this book had far too many religious references and too little trail descriptors so I quickly thumbed through it, trying to salvage my read by finding the more interesting parts. I would like to eventually find a good book about this trail so any suggestions are welcome!

Watching: NFL, but not by choice. We are a one TV household and it seems like it’s been taken over by football, which will soon be taken over by basketball, which will run through next spring. Arg. This gal is not a sports fan and navigating through the gauntlet of games leaves a girl agitated. We’ve put in place a series of household rules to try and quell my viewing frustration, but it seems like the only permanent solution would be to get a second TV.

Thinking about: Christmas. I know, I know. It’s like I’ve skipped over fall and headed straight into winter! Fall is great and all, but there are only so many pumpkin spice lattes a girl can drink before her pants start fitting a bit too snug. I’m devising a new budgeting plan for the holiday season – ie. I make a budget and stick to it for once.

Surprised by: How little I’ve been to the gym lately. I know it’s good for me and I know I feel way better after going but I just. can’t. seem. to. get. my. butt. in. gear. I’m toying with the idea of lunchtime workouts to get myself out of the office because once I spend the evening commuting home, cooking dinner and walking the dog, I’m spent. I think there are enough yoga/pilates studios around my neck of the woods to pull the ‘first time student’ class discounts to last me a few months.

Making me sad: Waking up to darkness and coming home to darkness which leads to shorter, unexciting sidewalk walks with my pup Stella vs. fun, woodsy walks which I know she prefers. I love to see her frolic and sniff around off leash and there’s far less of that during these colder months. I hate walking in the rain (so does she) and it’s scary to walk alone in the dark even though my neighborhood is plenty safe. I’m hoping daylight savings might help give me a bit of help on this one.

Making me happy: Clamming tides are posted and we’ve tentatively set a date to go in mid-November. Clamming is my #1 fav activity and it’s become a big event that friends and family look forward to every year. We usually rent a house by the beach, bring plenty of yummy food and spend the weekend diggin’ clams and drinking a bit too much.

**this blog post was inspired by http://sometimessweet.com/ – check her out!

September 12, 2012

Currently.

Currently

Loving: The changing of the seasons. Seattle, you might be trying to fool us with 80 degree temps this past week, but I know you all too well. I see those leaves starting to fall. I feel that undeniable coolness in the mornings when I walk to the bus. I see that squash coming into the market. Fall is licking at our heels and I can’t wait! I always get this surge of inspiration around this time of year. All I want to do is cook, organize and create which I suspect is due to some sort of internal clock saying “Hey! Winter is coming. Batten down those hatches!” Whatever it is, I love this time of year. Bring on those scarves, rain boots and flannel shirts!

Reading: I had to check my Kindle for the exact title because I wanted to be sure I got it right 🙂 The Tattooed Duke – a delicious, page turning smut novel leftover from a recent camping trip to Eastern WA. Nothing is better than reading trashy books whilst camping or vacationing on a tropical beach somewhere. So I might feel a little weird reading it on the bus sometimes, but I’m learning to embrace it. I’m just a woman reading a womanly novel people! I also have Coco Chanel’s biography on cue as well as All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot.

*Reading side note: word on the street is that my dear Grandma is readying 50 Shades of Grey. I can’t wait to hear what she thought of it. Hilarious!

Watching: Breaking Bad. We only got through the first episode, but I’m intrigued. With all of the buzz around this show, I’ve realized I need to get past the old dude in white briefs scenes. Seems like that will be a trend? Either way, we’ve got plenty of episodes to catch up on, which will keep us busy. Nothing is better than spending a rainy Sunday inside plowing through seasons of shows!

Thinking about: Our upcoming trip to Austin. We’d originally planned this trip to experience Austin City Limits and visit our dear friends but I’m not gonna lie, I’m almost more excited to explore the culinary adventures from the Lone Star State. This will be my first trip to Texas, and I can’t wait to get my BBQ on. My goal is to hit up AT LEAST 3 of the top ‘cue places while we are there (recommendations anyone?). I might need to go veg for a week so I can be really ready to consume endless amounts of mouthwatering meat. I also heard that food trucks are a big deal down there so I’ve been doing some extensive research online. OK, and maybe I’m already following some of the top food trucks on Twitter. Sheesh, no big deal J

Surprised by: How little emotion I have over the Seattle City Council approving Chris Hansen’s areana deal, which will bring the NBA back to this fair city. In fact, I was fast asleep when they announced it on Monday night. I’ve spent the past four years dating a guy who has lived and breathed this stuff – I’m talking ENDLESS, UNPAID hours of stressful work all to keep the movement alive through the documentary Sonicsgate. And now we’re on our way to getting what we want and I’m totally over it. Maybe I’ll be a bit more excited when we’ve got tickets to the first home game!

Making me sad: Nothing is making me very sad these days, but on the minor sadness scale: my neglected garden? My hummingbirds not liking the new feeder my dad bought for them? The end of the blackberry season? Meh, it’s making me more sad that I can’t think of anything really sad so I’m going to stop now.

Making me happy: Planning a dear friend’s sprinkle shower this past weekend. They’ve waiting more than 6 years to adopt a little girl from China and they are finally going to get her in October. I’m beyond happy for them and this has been a long, long time coming. Shoot, they should have had this little one 4 years ago in my humble opinion. She would have been WAY better off living in a loving, doting home vs. being in an orphanage. I know if anyone can give this child a warm and wonderful life, this couple can!

**this blog post was inspired by http://sometimessweet.com/ – check her out!