It was a hot one.
Some of my plants scorched.
Keeping up with the watering seems futile. But the heat is a memory along with the rest of our summer.
Seaside 2021 was bliss.
Almost too hot, but the ocean & this trip are a highlight every year.
The pictures below are in a bit of a mixed up order, but it sums up our trip. We stayed an extra night this year as an early birthday gift to both kids. It might become a routine, that extra time left us leaving satisfied.
This photo deserves an explanation. The Seaside arcade functions off of points and those points can be cashed in for prizes. It usually results in a whole bunch of candy. This year Kathryn asked for 1 box lemonheads; but the cashier heard 6. That took the remainder of her points. It was so busy, Kathryn didn't have the heart to go back to the counter. In honor of this memory she purchased "lemon" the octopus that has a smiley face or a frown face depending how it's flipped.
Kathryn likes lemonheads, but not 6 boxes worth! 🤣
There was an unfortunate fire started by two kids who beat feet off to the beach when it got out of control. This is the view from our balcony. Very dry conditions.
Grateful the wind was blowing away from our condo.
They just keep growing. 💖
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My 50th birthday to myself has come true. I absolutely love it. I'm relearning how to bake in the oven. There are so many settings, I don't yet know which is best for my tried and true recipes.
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Birthday Week
Ryan: 14 years old
Kathryn: 12 years old
For Ryan's birthday we spent the day at a Mariner's game and celebrated with a Snickerdoodle Cake.
For Kathryn's birthday we spent the morning at a Cat Cafe that hosts a few resident kitties as well as kitties up for adoption. We didn't go looking for a kitty, just to hang around them for a bit. Was quite fun.
Her cake is inspired by someone she watches on social media. It turned out near 100% to the example she gave me.
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First day of school 2021-2022
Ryan: 8th grade
Kathryn: 7th grade
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Ryan got the opportunity to travel to Alaska for a week in August.
He went with the neighbor Cooper and stayed with his Grandparents. Many highlights, but his favorite was helping fly Papa Harry's Cesna. ✈
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Just for fun
Korryn and I showing up for work in matching scrubs
Kathryn is still participating in a long term study about language and development through University of Washington. This is her 2nd MRI for the study. An amazing gift to peek inside what makes her tick.
💜 People say we look alike 💜
These pictures below show my new found love. Swimming in the beautiful Puget Sound. Back in May I challenged myself to start swimming again after 20+ years of staying out of the pool. I can't run or take long walks anymore. I needed some way to move my body and clear my head. I started swimming in Greenlake on my own. Then challenged myself to meet with a group that routinely meets in West Seattle at Alki. Did that twice. First time out got stung by a jellyfish. It hurts, but not bad enough to keep me out of the water. Because the West Seattle Bridge is closed, driving to Alki was 45 minutes, so I challenged myself one more time. To meet with another group of swimmers just north of the Edmonds Ferry. I've found my place and my people. Swimmers are there to swim with others, talk and enjoy what the ocean offers. Yep, it's cold. I am one of the few that only swims with a suit. Most swim in a wet suit. The initial plunge is cold. But after that, I am in my element. In the pictures (taken by a swimmer with a Go-Pro camera) there is a lion mane jellyfish. Gorgeous, but I prefer to keep my distance. (My last swim: 10/3/21 was "jellyfish stew". Lion mane's everywhere. Typically they move out of the area in the fall; so I'm told. These apparently missed that memo)
The other picture is me diving through rings placed on the bottom of the ocean. The area also functions as an underwater park for scuba divers. Tide was low enough that day to dive down amongst the sea life.
So happy. 🐠
⛴ Edmonds Ferry behind me ⛴
Mary Sue - the swimmer with the Go-Pro; welcomed me so warmly on my first day. She stayed by my side the entire first swim to ensure I felt safe. It was the first glimpse that I'd found something pretty special.
