Cute Shoes-Part 2

Well after a very busy week of meetings, scheduling of more kids, playing catch up, and learning enough new information to make me head spin, we decided to have a low key weekend complete with catch up on e-mails and our favorite shows. Stress has gotten the better of me at times over the course of the last few weeks and I've been searching for outlets from pilates, to long walks, and yes even cute shoes. Now the practical person would look to invest in those hiking boots or even rain boots (yes thank you dad for your input:-), but when feeling stressed, my feet look to find solice in something a little cuter and a little less practical. There is something about walking into a shoe store; the smell of the leather, the displays of heels, and flats, and boots (Oh how I love the boots!). Roaming from aisle to aisle picturing your feet, the outfit you'd be wearing, and even the place you'd be wearing them to. I find such comfort in the endless fashion possibilities! To let yourself forget if you would ever really wear them, or the dent that they would leave in your bank account is all part of the experience. My feet enjoyed the feeling of trendy slouch boots straight out of the 80's, the sophisticated heel, and of course my fall back ballet flat. As I walked out of the store with the bag in my hand I couldn't help to smile. Whatever the week is to bring, however stressed I may feel, I can always just look down at my cute shoes and the day may just get a little bit better........

True Seattle Weather

Well just as I suspected, once I put it in print (and purchased a new pair of sunglasses) mother nature went and waved the magic wand to bring Seattle back to its place of gray skys and drizzle. Joe and I didn't let that stop us from going on a little exploration (and an early celebration of our 2 year anniversary). We hopped aboard a ferry and rode to San Juan Island which sits north of Seattle in the middle of the sound. Our trip started with an hour and 45 minute car ride to the ferry port in Anacortes followed by an hour long fairy ride arriving in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It was drizzling when we first arrived and of course Joe's stomach was growling so we set off in search of lunch. The streets sitting closest to the harbor are filled with restaurants, shops, and of course coffee places. We settled on a little hole in the wall that boasted "the best fish and chips." Joe concluded true advertisement with a stomach full and we set off in search of sunshine and a chance to see our surroundings. Well the sunshine never happened (in fact the rain got worse as the day went on) and the opportunity to see the island was roadblocked when we found out the charter bus was no longer in service due to it now being the "off season." I had my heart set on finding the Orca whales at Lime Kiln Park and so we set off in search of other transportation. We ended up renting a car (an old white Chevy Cavalier to be exact) from a small rental company on the island with a very laid back attitude. They had no problem letting us know that they would be closed by the time we brought the car back and that we could just drop the key in the door slot and park the car "wherever." So we set off in hopes of finding Orca whales. After just seven miles of driving we were at the park which was more like a small cliff overlooking the Sound. We missed the whales by 2 hours but did get a nice view of the lighthouse and the surrounding sea (with very gray sky). Back in the car we continued our travels around the island to visit Roche Harbor and then onto the San Juan Vineyards. After some yummy wine samplings and a chance to interact with some friendly locals, we were back in the car on our way back to town. The whole island could be driven in under an hour and we were able to cover a lot of ground in our little car. Back on the ferry by 5 o'clock and after a short nap we were back in Anacortes tired, damp, and just a little chilly. I have yet to wear the right shoes or the right jacket for these outings of ours so I was feeling more of the chill than Joe. Rain or shine, we had a nice day together and got to explore yet another area on my every growing list of things to see. I think I'll put it back on my list for next summer when I can be guranteed sunshine and a view of the traveling whales.

Yes It Really Can Be Sunny In Seattle

This statement could come back to bite me in the back in a month, a week, tomorrow but for now I would like to declare that it CAN BE SUNNY IN SEATTLE! We have had a week of beautiful sunshine and 70 degree weather. I have been able to see Mt. Rainier in the backdrop of my drive to and from work along with sailboats, cruise ships, jet skis, and parasailors in and around Lake Washington and the Puget Sound. The beautiful scenery has helped make stressful days a little more calming and weekends that much more enjoyable.
Any time I'm in a new environment, I always want to learn everything in the first week! Although it's taken some time, I got a little sports education this week courtesy of the teachers lounge and asking lots of questions. I learned that I have to get used to hearing "PAC 10" vs. "Big 10", the big rival between University of Washington ("U-Dub") and Washington State ("Wazu") is called the Apple Cup, and I finally know where Gonzaga is after all those years of seeing them in the Sweet Sixteen. Up until Wednesday I didn't even know they were a west coast school....oops. So there you have it, weather update and a little sports education courtesy of east coast girl trying west coast living.

Getting A Handle On My Job

I spent so much of last week observing kids, making a schedule, and getting a handle (still) on all that I need to do that I was so happy for Friday to come. And now sitting here Sunday night I have to get ready to do it all over again. Spending this past week in and out of classrooms from kindergarten thru six grade, I came to one conclusion (well actually make that 2) a typical school day is NOTHING how I remember it being and to take that observation further, I just feel plain right OLD. Now I know, I know, for all those reading this and rolling their eyes at me that I'm really not that old but coming from preschoolers who love to be around you and give you hugs, to seeing the eyes of the 6th graders like I'm walking into their secret world without an invitation has led me to this feeling. I think my first project is to find out what 6th graders really like and then to find out how to "speak their language." Thinking back to when I was in 6th (and yes I cringe at some of those memories) this could be a year long assignment. Along with my observations came some great "kid quotes" from a first grader arguing with me about whether the picture scene he was working on was a playground or a beach based solely on the lack of sunshine in the sky to a 6th grader responding to his teacher when she told him that "There are times when I'm going to have to tell you "no;" it's a simple one syllable answer." The 6th grader proceeded to first raise his hand and ask "if that syllable was the "n" or the "o." Did I mention that I was also offered lessons in chess by a first grader who was proud to tell me that he would be leaving early on Wednesdays to go play "strategy games" at another school. He is going to be (if he's not already) too smart for his own good. If anything this past week just gave me a quick glimpse into my challenges and opportunities to become a better therapist. Oh how I have a lot to learn! "I'll definitely be earning each paycheck!

Cute Shoes

We've been trying to take advantage of the nice weather while it's still here and took the long weekend as an opportunity to go to Snoqualmie Pass about 50 miles outside of Seattle where Joe's Uncle has a cabin. We did a little hiking on Saturday up the mountain with some beautiful views of the land below. We didn't quite anticipate such a cool climate (there was snow at 4,000 ft; we were at 3200 ft) and our hike was cut short as my hands and feet were quite cold! Later in the day we ventured downtown to REI-this is an outdoors store that is Joe's idea of heaven!:-) I'm looking around at the hiking shoes since the past two weekends my feet could really have benefited from more traction on the bottom. I tried to show Joe what my "compromise" shoe would be as he keeps insisting that I need a pair of hiking boots. My defense was that the boots just aren't as cute as "light hiking shoes" as they call them and I would not wear them. Joe continued his "outdoor lecture 101" adding that the boots would give my ankles more support if I was ever to trip and they were the better of the two. Insert here my stubborness and love of shoes for looks and not comfort (or practicality as the case may be) and Joe's declaration that if I did trip in the woods and twisted my ankle that he would leave me and my "cute shoes" and continue on. Now I see my willingness to even consider wearing something from an outdoors store a compromise but Joe just can't seem to see that. I keep insisting that I am an outdoorsy kind of girl but I don't think anyone could argue my desire for something that looks good on my feet (except maybe my husband! :-)