Delivery!

I received the digital camera I won on eBay in the mail this afternoon. A red Samsung S630. It's a modest addition to my personal gadgets, but it'll get the job done. Expect a slough of pictures soon.

Also, cavity free is the way to be.

John and I walked down Front Street today to the bubble tea place. On the way back we decided that we're going to San Diego.

Guilty Pleasures

My dear friend, Nate, is infamous for his guilty pleasure music compilations. Full of bad Top 40/One hit wonders, these cds are absolutely irresistible. You...well I, can't help but sing along. So bad it's good is one of my favorite genres. I couldn't help myself.

Val's GP #1
Jesse McCartney

Beautiful Day

Port Gamble is almost...magical on a sunny day. It's such a fun place to be. And to work. Brian and I took a nice long lunch at a table outside of the general store this afternoon. 80 degrees. Soft breeze coming off Hood Canal. Vanilla ice cream. Perrrrrrrrrfect. Plus, I haven't had to do any actual work this weekend. Well, I lie. But no "wedding coordinating" = no stress. I pop in every couple of hours to say "How is everything?" and then come back to my office and catch up on administrative work. Or run home to eat my parents food :)

Julie was telling me, while we explored The Golf Club at Newcastle, that Eleanor Roosevelt once advised to do one thing that scares you, every day. Of course she said this to calm my nerves (and probably to calm hers, as well). We were just about to walk into a room full of Seattle wedding consultants to do some networking. One thing that I have no experience in. But, there is a certain value in that rule. Risk = growth. And so I talked to people. I had fun. Which is not what I thought the outcome would be. I met two great ladies, was treated to a fabulous 4 course dinner, and got to take in the spectacular views that the facility has to offer. And the idea of maybe one day being an actual wedding planner was re-planted.

Yesterday, I put my laptop away. And in it's place set up a sewing station. I bought 4 yards of a poly-cotton blend(?) with a large poppy design in blues, greens, and peaches. I don't have a pattern yet, but I'm envisioning a strapless dress. Mmmmm. The excitement is building.

Wide Eyed & Bushy Tailed

twitter.com/valaroo ...why not, right?

I was so excited to go to NewLife with Nate & Rachel last night. It was the first night of their Team Jesus series; we joined a small group in Poulsbo on Wednesday nights. That's some serious answered prayer. When I can't make church, because of weddings, I can definitely make small group. And I've really been itching to meet some new people in the Kitsap area. Yay God! Something that caught my attention. Pastor Wes said "You are an example of grace, so share your story." I've always felt like there's a line you have to cross, or a right of passage to go through before you're ready to start sharing what God's doing in your life. Huh, I was wrong. That's awesome. It reminds me of Becca Horton. She always used to say "God's rockin' in my life right now" when people asked how she was. Can I get an amen?

I bought a digital camera on ebay this weekend. My little Sony Cybershot died about 2 months ago. And I never thought it would be so difficult for me to live without one. It is. I've paid up. I hope she ships it out today.

The man in the office next store is...screaming? Hmmm.

I <3 Hanson

We sit secure in time-honored traditions made
Never wondering where or when the sickle may come
If we don’t seek out knowledge to be greater men
When the rain starts falling gonna drown before we get our feet wet

We build our ivory towers to protect us from the flood
A fleet of vessels made of wood so they won’t rust
But can we see the bottom of the bottle when we start to drink
There’s fire on the mountain fire and it’s coming our way

Can we pick the pieces up
We’re mending Babylon
Tryin’ to right the wrong
Can we pick the pieces up
Live Learn Life Love Die Dust Gone

There’s fire on the mountain

Can we pick the pieces up
We’re mending Babylon
Tryin’ to right the wrong
Can we pick the pieces up
Live Learn Life Love Die Dust Gone

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
"In all things God works for the good of those who love him." Romans 8:28

Walking to my office from my Sunday Market post this morning there was a ruckus in The Bowl. Birds. I took a closer look and saw a crow beating up on a tiny swallow. He killed it. I watched. Just what I wanted to start my day with.



I don't have all the answers. And I don't claim to. But I can't just stand back and watch the carnage.

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. Exodus 19:4&5

Maybe Poulsbo isn't so bad after all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Psalm 31:30

The sun finally came out. And it makes me a happy girl. I got to sleep in, go to the gym, and stop at a coffee shop this morning. That's my all time favorite routine. After that I drove out to the Kingston Cemetery again. I scoured the entire property and can't find Grandpa. My dad, his youngest son, made his headstone. Can't find it. I'll keep going back until I do.

Stimulus check is in the bank! :) Money for Cabo and a new chariot.

Record highs

Project one. Complete.

I finished my first Stitchery project last night. My little green dress. I'll post pictures soon. Promise. It could use some adjustments. But I figure the first project doesn't have to be perfect. And Julie already said that she likes it. :)

In other news? Sierra has inspired me to renew my vegetarian vows. It's been 4 days. So far so good. Honestly, it helps me make much better decisions about how I eat. And that's why I do it.

And praying for wisdom.

When I've been at work for 12 hours, and there's still no end in sight, I tend to be grumpy. It's dark and stormy outside. I'm like...the only one in town, with exception to the party going on at the church. At 10PM it's all over. They have to turn off the music and show me that they're trying to leave. We've all got to play the bad guy sometimes.

Still trying to figure a few things out. These same issues keep coming back to haunt me...for a reason, I'm sure. The truth is, I'm kind of over it all. Ready to move on.

Monday Sierra & Johnny
Tuesday Johnny & Angelene
Wednesday Open for suggestions

I'm looking forward to catching up with some good friends. Oh, and my boyfriend.

God is good. All the time.

New developments.

I'm going to see this car tonight. With dad. I'm nervous. I'm excited. If I don't get it I know I'll be disappointed. If I do I know I'll be walking on eggshells over money. We'll see.

My mom's having a margarita party tonight. And I'm definitely going. What could be better than getting happy with my mama.

Party planning. Catching up with friends. Stitchery.

Crafty pants.

After a very disappointing fedex fake out (John sent me a present in the mail. It was quite the coincidence that a package addressed to a past resident was delivered for my apartment yesterday) I spent my evening with American Beauty, my treadmill, and Gaiam Yoga for Beginners. No social interaction at all until 8pm when my mom arrived with Grandma's sewing machine. This one works. You can bet your buns that I'm going to get as much of my first project done as I can this weekend. On my own. If I get stuck I'll have Joel to nudge me along.

I've been taking reservations for Iditarod Days all week. To be honest, I'm starting to get bitter about the whole thing. We're out of space for May 4. People are whiny. They want to bring one more person. Please? Give me a break. It's a free community presentation. Come to the next one. It's all very reminiscent of my days at The W. All of this reservation drama is why I quit the job in the first place.

P.G. Tipps is the strongest english breakfast tea I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. It's practically coffee.

Speaking of coffee, Cassandra is home for the weekend. And we're getting coffee tomorrow. Yay!

Back at the office...

Julie's been on vacation all week. And...I kind of love it. Granted it's hard when I don't have my boss around to answer my questions. And she left a couple of loose ends for me and Shana. But, I'm busy. And feeling productive. It's awesome.

I spent Tuesday in Seattle with John. We made a trip out to Ballard/Fremont to check out the kitsch. Archie McPhee's is super fun. Indiana Jones. Bubble tea. Super Mario Party 8. Nothing out of the ordinary. It's going to be so sad when Johnny has to move back to his own place. Capitol Hill is exciting.

Stitchery was last night. I thought I would finish my project. But we don't have enough sewing machines to go around, and I needed to let Melissa catch up.

In other news...HAIRCUT! Check it out.