Remembering My Favorite Things

These last several weeks have been a mad rush of activity and travel and I can't believe it's almost the end of yet one more month!

I don't travel nearly as much for work anymore, so it was with very mixed emotions that I joined part of my team on a project in Fort Lauderdale FL mid-month. As I was driving down the freeway at 5am to catch a flight on a Monday morning, it took all I had not to turn my car around and stay home with my family. "They really don't need me down there - they are more than capable on their own ... I shouldn't be leaving the kids for that long - they need me more ... I REALLY don't want to fly on a plane today - it doesn't feel right ... I could still be sleeping! ... etc."

But as any professional does, I got to the airport, got through security, got on the plane and off I was to warmer climes. Last year I got my team all upset by getting into the program and jumping into decision-making mode. This year, I held back a bit, made sure that they prepared me with the details ahead of the event and so I was able to be more helpful, less "bossy". The program went off without a hitch and even though the days were long and busy, it was somewhat satisfying to be onsite at a successful event again.

But finally at the end of the program, I had my reward. I was able to spend a couple of hours at the beautiful hotel pool (Westin Diplomat is ocean side and I'd been waking up to the view of the ocean, the beach and the pool - as close as I'd get for the first three days). The weather was beautiful - 80 to 85 degrees and little humidity. I don't think I like anything more than hotel pools and sunshine. It's definitely top of my favorite things list.

So I made it poolside at 9:30am and stayed there until my wonderful friend Lisa would come and meet me. I read the paper (I haven't done that in years), drank juice, dipped in the pool every so often and basked in the sun. A minor issue - I forgot to bring sunscreen, and didn't think a few hours would be a big deal. I was in heaven and nothing was going to bring me down. Finally, Lisa arrived and my day was offically perfect! Lisa lives in South Florida and although we hadn't seen each other in nearly 8 years, we fell right into conversation as if we talked every day. We chatted a bit more by the pool and then it was time to check out and I was going to spend the night with my dear friend and her oldest daughter. I did notice that I'd burned a bit once I got into the hotel, but didn't realize how bad until later in the day.

I was able to share in their daily routine, eat some Cuban food, Katie (Lisa's daughter) had a Spring Performance at her school and I was able to see her sing and dance and I could see how she and McKenna would probably get along really well if they met. Lisa's husband Fred was at his job in Virginia but I was able to video conference with him to say hello and catch up and laugh at his goofy sense of humor. I remembered how much fun all four of us had when they lived here and I miss that so much. Lisa and I talked nearly non-stop for 24 hours and it was so much fun. All of a sudden, I didn't feel like going home.

And I remembered another of my favorite things - good friends. No matter where you are, when you last talked or saw each other or how much time has passed, true friends are easy to talk to, easy to be with and bring your spirits up.

I did eventually have to get back on a plane homebound and was relieved once on board to be making my way back to my family. One 'little' problem - I was totally and miserably burnt on my arms, legs and chest. Like 3rd degree burns I swear! At 44, one would think that I'd have more common sense and experience to know better, but I didn't and it was a PAINFUL reminder. NOT a favorite thing!! It took a full 5 days for the pain to subside and I look like a snake shedding its skin - it looks hideous!

In any case it was a nice reminder of the things I love and that I need to have more of in my life, somehow, someway.

Northwest Natives - Recognize Yourselves!

My Dad sent this to me recently and it all rang so true ....

The Pacific Northwest According To Jeff Foxworthy

1. You know the state flower. (Mildew).
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement 'sun break' and know what it means.
4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
5. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the 'WALK' signal.
8. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it's not a real mountain.
9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tully's.
10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon.
11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima and Willamette .
12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.
13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark while only working eight-hour days.
15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
16. You are not fazed by Today's Forecast: "showers followed by rain," and Tomorrow's Forecast: "rain followed by showers."
17. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
20. You notice, 'The mountain is out' when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.
26. You measure distance in hours.
27. You often switch from 'heat' to 'a/c' in the same day.
28. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
29. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk Season (Fall).
30. You actually understood these jokes and will probably forward them

Laughing Out Loud

We went out for Chinese food last night. And just like many, we are going out less to cut expenses. We went to Chopsticks, a little place down by our house and we were the only ones in the place. It was a little late and the kids started whining to go home as soon as they were done eating, but we had a few bites left. So to up the ante, Mac started to complain about aches and pains. She finally said: "My neck nurts" (instead if my neck hurts). We started laughing and Mac, Myron and I started playing off the words, laughing a bunch after each one ...

"Do your teeth turt?"
"Do your fingers furt?"
"Do your legs lurt?"

Myron came up with "Does your butt burt?" which sent us all into a fit of really loud howling laughter. We would definitley have ticked off anyone else eating in the restaurant, so it was a good thing we were alone.

The kicker belonged to Julian though who really couldn't quite get the pattern and his final comeback was "Do you eyeballs suck?" We could have all peed our pants :-)