I just voted!

I love absentee voting! Since Jonathan and I will be in Florida on November 4, we were sweating until we received our absentee ballots (which we always do... but the stakes were higher this time if they didn't arrive in our mailbox before we left!). So, yesterday I filled out the little bubbles and put it in the mail - done! And now the constant political advertisements are moot - and even more annoying.

The last time I truly posted was over a month ago. In that time I've celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday (she kept saying "I never thought I'd live this long!") and my closest friend's wedding. On the same day. The wedding was really fun, but went by in a bit of a blur (and no, not because I was drinking).

Also during that time, I've visited about 52 different schools giving the same salmon presentation over and over (far more than 52 times). It was fine until yesterday, when, for some reason, I couldn't focus or think and basically went on autopilot. I could probably give that talk (goes with a powerpoint slideshow) in my sleep.

Next is our trip to Florida/Disney World for the first week of November. Yay! Animal Kingdom here we come!

a short movie to watch

Check out The Story of Stuff! It's got cool stick drawing animation.
EVERYONE in the U.S. should know about this process and our place in it. Here's another link to the movie, but through a great (Bainbridge Island!) publication, YES magazine.

I miss my IslandWood peeps...

All the hours of planning that Casey, Al and I did during the last year paid off! The IW class of '03 descended on Seattle from the far reaches of New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado and Jackson, WY. It was so great to see (almost) everyone - and those that were absent were sorely missed! We began our week on Hood Canal staying at Corey's family's house on the beach - aaahhhh.... We played bocci ball and Apples to Apples and ate beans and carrots straight out of the garden. Next, we camped a night at Scenic Beach Campground, right by Seabeck on the Canal. After that, on Friday, we headed to IslandWood to walk our favorite places, check out (ie, walk to the top of) the unfinished (and slightly scary) canopy tower, and have dinner with the 29(!) new grads and our mentors/instructors from our year there. On the weekend, we hit up the Pike Place and Ballard Markets, Ballard Locks, and stayed at Danielle and Stevie's in Tacoma.

It was sad to say goodbye, but we know we'll stay in touch! I am truly fortunate to know such amazingly talented, intellegent, compassionate, wonderful people!

Girls Gone Wild

Event #1 is almost here: The Melinda's Girls' Weekend Bachelorette Bash! At least that's what I'm calling it. Don't bother checking youtube for video of boobs.... we're much too old for that. In my anxiety to get everything done before 1:30 today, I'm finished packing and stuff now at 11:00! Time to kill time. I think I deserve a break after the 3 hour lasagne making marathon yesterday!
I thought I'd spare you a picture of lasagne (though it does look good!). Jonathan and I picked blueberries and raspberries last weekend. Here they are.

camp is ov-ah!

Yay!

Also, Jonathan and I are going to Disney World in November! Woot!

babies, weddings, vacations and such

Since I got back into the blogging business, it's easier to keep going. I figured I'd just leave a general update about what's going on with me lately.

Right now, I'm mostly consumed with work - teaching summer camp, which takes up all of my energy. I've started taking the bus to Issaquah, which takes about twice as long as driving but should save some money (not to mention the earth)! I'm also trying not to have mini panic attacks about the upcoming "busy" season of fall, when I have to have volunteers recruited, volunteer trainings planned, and visits to schools scheduled.

Also, we're getting ready for the annual multi-friend garage sale (our proceeds to benefit our February trip to Hawaii, others' proceeds to benefit upcoming friends' wedding). Which brings me to the next thing I'm busy doing... being a bridesmaid to Melinda. That involves, so far, addressing envelopes, being comic relief during a photo shoot, planning a "girls' weekend" away, and shopping for stuff. The wedding is in October... much more wedding-y stuff ahead for us! (Jonathan got tapped to help a couple other guy friends with the photography and music).

Next are all the babies due to be born this year to close friends! Courtney (number 2 for her) in August, Kelli and Chrissy in November. I'm assuming there will be baby showers galore coming up!

In August is our 5-year IslandWood Class of '03 reunion! I'm looking forward to seeing my good friends!

And lastly, but not leastly, I'm super stoked about going to Kauai in February. I realize this is quite a while away, but I'm already planning! Maybe it's the nice weather we're (finally) having, but I've been getting the inside scoops from people who've been there about where to go and what to do. Can't wait to kayak, snorkel, hike, eat and sunbathe our way around the island!

Where in the 'Wood?

In which the answers are revealed....

Hello friends! It would seem that I'd forgotten about my blog (considering the last real post was a year ago!), but I haven't! It just seems I'm not as much of a computer person as I thought I could be. Well, anyhoo, I've been ushered back to blogging to post the locations of some mystery pictures taken at IW and sent to my fellow graduates. So, without further ado, and from left to right, top to bottom:

• sit-upons, prep room (this should've been bluer!)
• wood stove, Art Studio
• shed, garden
• Wade
• suspension bridge
• cart wheel
• Weasel room, Mammal's Den
• fountain, garden
• wall of classroom, Learning Studio
• ecological "footprint", prep room
• prism in door, treehouse
• dish rack, Dining Hall
• hula hoops
• glass in door, Art Studio
• fence onto bog, treehouse
• coat rack, Dining Hall
• IW map, Welcome Center
• bunk ladder, Weasel room, MD
• fused glass tile outside Dining Hall
• chair, Learning Studio