Modern Dog

AIGA brought me to a lovely Modern Dog kind of book lecture/signing tonight, it was a lot of laughs and I'm glad i went it is a lot different from the events in NYC I attended in the past. I'm looking forward to that in April too though.

Stuck!

I guess i shouldn't work late. . .we are on a bus, that we got on half an hour ago, less that a block from where we got on. It's blocking the viaduct and everything. I usually catch an earlier one, last time we took this bus is when Kenzie threw up!!

I'm happy!

You know, sometimes kids have the best way of communicating...I'm here with my dear friend celebrating what a WONDERFUL year this is going to be, and how the 'decisions' we are faced with are sooooo simple and easy compared to what we have been forced to decide recently.

I had just exclaimed..."I'm so happy!" and C said something similar and then my baby girl says.."I'm so happy too".

That means so much!!

Sunshine!!!

I love sunshine, it has been cloudy and cold and snowy etc. I am SO happy to see the sun outside my window. Today is a wonderful day. . . .

Beautiful sunny day

I just love being down here in california. . .we had some rain but nothing the hold carts couldn't handle! All checked out and back to YouCon now!

Wow!

This was from the flight down from seattle on monday. . .beautiful!

San Diego

I'm on my way to San Diego today, I am really looking forward to it but at the same time...this will be my very first trip away from my little girl so that is of course an interesting challenge. In 2 years and a few months we have never had a night away from each other. I have been told (many times) that I will have a harder time than she will. I really hope that is true, I don't want her to be sad.

Other big news is my sister should be coming back from Iraq soon, I am so excited to see her. Probably Kenzie will see her before I do since I'll be out of town but still, I'm excited it will be soon! It works out very conveniently as my mother is out watching K right now and they will be able to go together to any events my sis will be a part of. (Better take pictures!!)

I've been in a kind of smog trying to figure out other parts of my life, and am taking a step back. Instead of taking everything, analyzing it to death and making a move, I'm going with my gut instincts. It's actually a huge relief. Part of it comes down to the motivational speech I got a work about a week ago pinpointing a few rules to live by: Blame No one, Expect Nothing, Do Something. I think that works in a lot of ways in a lot of areas, the "Blame No One" for instance is important in dealing with people especially when they do things that to me don't make any sense. I just try to take a step back and realize...it doesn't really matter what I feel about what they do because they are doing it as a way of coping with what they know/feel/are etc. So in most cases it isn't worth me getting mad about it, people are who they are and that is okay (as long as it isn't hurting anyone etc.).

"Expect Nothing" is kind of the same way, depending on other people for things often leads to disappointment. If you don't expect anything, when something comes of it then it is a lovely surprise to be cherished.

"Do Something" is taking responsibility for what needs to happen! If something needs to get done do it! If you need to get info/assistance then ask! I find it is something that comes pretty naturally to me but when I do get frustrated I do find it very helpful to take a step back and think "What can I do about this situation." and doing it often helps at least make me feel better.

There goes my 6am ramblings...I'm going to finish packing and writing up everything I can think of that my mom will need to know when I'm gone!! I'm about to go on my first business trip which is pretty exciting!!!

Coloring

Barnes and noble storytime is fun. .

She let me do her hair!

Usually she won't sit still for me to braid her hair but recently she is growing up! Let me do 2 braids. Yay!

Thank You!

Wonderful craving satisfying surprise to wake up to ;-)

Back home

Vegas was fun but i'm glad to be home!

On plane!

All ready to in home to alki. . .

Cab

We're on the way to the airport now! She's being very grown up with her seat belt on and everything. :-D

Out hotel window. . .

Treasure Island.

MGM Lions

MGM 3

Kenzie looking at the lion. . .

MGM 2

We're under the lion. . .

Fountains!

In Cab

On our way to the Bellagio

Cool Bird

Wynn

Seuss plant

It looks part cactus and part palm. . .

Red Rock Canyon

Look at the layers in these tall hills, almost mountains. I like to imagine what it could have been making the ground so many different colors at different points in time. There are fun doctor seuss-ish plants, i'll try and get a pic of those too.

Drought

Water is getting low as you can see by the part of the rock that appears bleached where the water used to be. . .

Hoover Dam

Kenzie loved seeing the dam and the water, (it is pretty amazing!), she even cried a little when we had to get back into the car. It's just a quick drive from vegas too!

TI Starbucks. .

Getting started seattle style at starbucks with coffee, and NY style with a bagel. We might go to hoover dam today, and some red rocks somewhere that are closer canyons than the grand because the weather isn't great. Oh we're about look at the pool!

At the airport!

Eating before flight to Vegas!

Happy new year!

My baby girl chewed up my ring, she's got some strong teeth! I'll see if i can get it fixed but who knows if that will work. It's a ring i love but not an expensive one. Happy New Year! Today is LAUNDRY day for us. . .we'll be travelling next weekend