Bienvenue

I'm home from my escape to Europe. I'm probably 10 lbs heavier, 12 hours sleepier, and dreaming of returning as soon as possible.

While I'm still in unpacking mode: catching up on work, sleep, exercise, and the like, I thought I'd leave you with a little preview of how I spent my days.

Posts soon about my days lost in translation and musings of a foreign tourist.

Spokane Trip Numero Uno: Memorial Day weekend, SATC2, Kristin's wedding

With the rare occasion of having my personal laptop available to me and not tied up to the TV for streaming the World Cup, I'll take this opportunity to post a few pics from recent trips to Spokane.

A cocktail party at Twigs to celebrate the bride Kristen and the start of her wedding weekend

Jamie and Katie with Kristen and her sister Katie

From Twigs we caught the premier of SATC2. Since the concession stands did not offer martinis or cosmos, we decided to bring our own adult beverages to the movie.

Cheers!

Day 2 included the essential dinner at the Trailer's favorite restaurant Luna

Followed by some quality family fun at a Shock game, Spokane's arena football team.

Little Ruby decided halftime was the perfect time for some baby yoga and "freshening up."

I couldn't agree more RJ.

Wedding #1 of the Summer of Weddings: Congratulations Kristen and Chris!


We decided to sneak in our "congrats"                                                                       Katie and Kristen

Alpha Phi group pics

First Dance                                                                              Ever the aspiring wardrober

One of my favorite wedding moments: Instead of tossing the garter, the bride's grandfather auctioned it off. Jamie insisted Marty win, though at the time she had no idea what they were bidding on. Classic Johnsons!

Wrapping up with some awesome dance moves!

Bon Voyage

I've been travelling to the other side of the state the past few weekends for some fabulous adventures. Since there seems to be nothing but rain and cold here in Seattle, I'm sure that I will have time very soon to share photos from my recent excusions.

Farewell Emily

I suffered a tragic loss on Thanksgiving night. While I was happily enjoying dinner with friends, my car was broken into and Emily the GPS was kidnapped.
Emily, we've been through so much together: some great adventures, many errands, a few tough times of U-turn frustrations, and lots of recalculations. Though your maps were outdated, we still managed to get by. You leaned on me to plug you in, I leaned on you to get me where I needed to go.
Though I'm sure you've been sold on the black market, I hope your new car is as loving as the Accord was. You'll be missed Em. I'm lost without you.

Almost Home

9 days, 6 states, and 2400 miles later, I'm one stop away from being "home." I'm in Vancouver spending some time with my mom before our furniture is delivered in Seattle tomorrow. Aside from freezing these past couple days and coming down with a terrible cold, the trip has been pretty smooth sailing. Gatsby even proved to be a useful and minimally distracting travel companion.

Here's our trip from his point of view

Day one: he was a little unsure of his new seat and the crowded car


30 minutes later and all was back to normal


My GPS Emily and Gatsby's monkey guiding the way


Gatsby's posh set up while I spent the weekend in LA.

And a very personal welcome from the Palomar Hotel in San Francisco


The drive from San Fran to Vancouver was our longest at 11 hours. I'm pretty sure it's only supposed to be a 9 hour drive, but with a fever, dizziness and an antsy dog, I took my time; stopping in quaint towns like Dunsmuir, CA (just outside of Shasta) for some tea and a short walk for the pup.

It's been a fun ride, but I am ready to start setting up shop in Seattle. I'll barely have enough time to unpack before the holidays pop up just around the corner. I can't wait!

Served on a Silver Platter Part 2

My ahi tuna salad did come on a silver platter complete with a rolling dinner table, fine bone china, white linens and an orchid. I could get used to this good life quite quickly.

Served on a Silver Platter

I'm at my first out of state conference for work this week. I'm supposed to attend national conventions, but "lucky" me, up until this point they have all been hosted in Texas. Karma has decided to make up for this, BIG TIME. I'm staying at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Since I know absolutely nothing about Palm Beach or Florida for that matter (other than it's reputation for retirees) I, of course, Googled the heck out of the trip. My Internet research did not prepare me for what I just walked into.

First off, The Breakers resort might as well be it's own town; zip code at the very least. I have stayed at and visited some very nice hotels, but this one takes the cake. It's so fancy, I felt under dressed just standing in the lobby. Thank goodness my company is footing the bill. And speaking of bills, after a long day of travel, I decided not to get lost in this monstrous hotel looking for an appetizing restaurant (there are 6 on property). Instead I ordered in from a menu that blew my socks off. I'm not one to be shocked by sticker prices, but $9.25 for grapefruit and $12.00 for one single cup of coffee should provide a small idea at what I'm working with here. At these rates, I really do expect my food to come on a shiny serving tray.

I can already tell it's going to be hard to focus on getting any sort of work done during this trip. I just want to run off to the ocean sailing the afternoon away with the silver-haired crowd wearing a Tommy Bahama muu muu and straw hat.


Just a glimpse at my temptations

Hatastic

I can hardly concentrate on work today. We leave for the Kentucky Derby tomorrow!!

I posted awhile back, the hat options I was contemplating for this weekend. I sort of ended up with more chapeau's than heads to wear them! I'm happy I opted out of the $300 variety, as it is supposed to rain the whole time. I've been making some of my own, using adornments I found on Etsy and from Lindsay (thanks Linds) and purchasing others that are more simple but still make a statement with the outfit.

I plan on bringing all finished pieces and am dedicated to wearing each and every one. Of course this, as well as the entire weekend will be thoroughly documented.

Homeward Bound

The NW was VERY cold last weekend. It actually snowed twice while I was there. Everyone was pretty bummed, it's been a long winter and they are ready for the warmth. I, on the other hand, had yet to see any white flakes. Working a retail schedule kept me in Austin the entire winter, which means I was thrilled to have the leftover snowy weather.

It's supposed to look like a snowing scene, somehow the flakes didn't feel very photogenic.

It was also great to spend a day with Lindsay in Lebanon. Two seconds in the door, and it felt like old times. Just like teenagers, we went to dinner at Red Robin (have you ever noticed how many times the servers sing their birthday song? I counted 6 within an hour), played around in Target, and gabbed for hours eating cupcakes and drinking tea.

Just your typical mall rats, trying on things we have no intentions of buying. The matching snow lodge sweaters were tempting though...

This hat needs some Kanye sunglasses



I just HAD to document this. Fanny packs (or belt bag as they are described here) are officially back, and if Target is carrying them, they must be mainstream.

Remember this guy? He's now a bonafide full time indoor family member at my parent's house. Jeff started coming around again too, although he's still an outdoor addition.

The downside to my chilly Washington weekend was that I froze the entire time. I've had this issue before, I just don't seem to know how to dress in wool anymore. I was happy to return to warmer Austin, only to find rain and 40 degrees here too! It's been so wet, our back yard is entirely flooded. I think I woke up two or three times from the thunder and loud rain last night. spooky.

Wedding Galore!

I have finally gone through some of Megan and John's wedding (yes, 10 years in the making) photos. It was one of the BEST weddings I have been to. I have many pics to post as I want to share this day with those of you who know them both and were unable to be there.

I've broken it down into "Pre-wedding/ Rehearsal", "Wedding day preparation", and of course "the wedding"

Enjoy!!!

The wedding site, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge: View Point Inn

According to Nick, this isn't a fountain, it's a "Water Feature"... completely sure he made that term up

Megan's Brother-in-law Lee, and her nephew Grant... his face is just too cute

Struttin' their stuff down the aisle at rehearsal

Someone told Megan if she caught the hen it was good luck, she's been chasing that poor chicken ever since...

The wedding party went on a strict carb diet of garlic bread and Mac and Cheese. Discipline is so hard.

Megan taught me everything I know about table manners

Megan and her 'maids

Last goodbyes before the big day

And a hug with Lee's help (I actually think he was trying to steal her shoe)

McMenamins Edgefield compound, hanging out in the Little Red Shed