dinner party.

My first one in my new condo. I was nervous. And even though the lasagna needed a bit more sauce and cheese, people stuck around until after 1am...on a Wednesday. Good times.

west side. part II

Josh and I schemed. We were sneaky and we totally pulled the wool over Haley's eyes.



They touched down in Seattle on Sunday morning en route to China, and when she called, I told her I was sitting in my condo. Minutes later, eyes at the ground as she followed Josh through the airport and recounted the details of possibly adopting a dog, Haley stepped outside and I responded to her. In person. She just about fell over. I love surprises! An assumed two hour layover was actually five and just enough time for them to see my condo, grab Cafe Ladro coffee and sit for a delicious breakfast with Bess and I. So fun to have Sunday breakfast with MN friends...in Seattle.

west side. part I

Suz and Jason were in Vancouver this weekend and Friday I made the road trip across the border to say hello. They were traveling with friends - Eric and Mary - who upon meeting I instantly knew we were all going to have a great time. After losing to Eric in ping pong {i was pissed!} shots were to be had = creamsicles.




Saturday we were up WAY too early. Ibuprofen. Then a two hour stunning drive up to Whistler. ...I napped a little bit.

We grabbed lunch at the Amsterdam cafe in Whistler village. Every time I'm in a ski town I just want to quit my job and be one of those people who spend a season being a service worker and snowboarding. Ski towns are happy towns. Tons to do. Mountains all around. Cozy outdoor heat lamps. A beer to celebrate after a long day outside.

After many failed attempts at finding the trail head [Jason's favorite part], we eventually embarked on the Singing pass trail. The scenery was beautiful. Eric was clearly the leader. And after some hand to foot climbing we all felt like we were on the Amazing Race!






Good times with Suz and Jas on the west side! See you in a few weeks in MN.

see you.

A final ping pong battle and Tyson was out the door. Good times. Camping, multiple games of tennis, cooking, running, movies, volleyball games, friends, coffee and lots of grins.

Seattle Aquarium

random discoveries.

1:::it actually IS possible to get into a fight with a partner, and not have anxiety and be sick to my stomach...because we can talk about it and respect each others' point of view.

2:::its fun to feel beautiful and totally accepted, even after having a bad cold with a runny gross nose, picking my face in the mirror, wearing sweatpants non-stop and having greasy hair.

3:::people ARE capable of realizing that we are all strange in our own ways. we all have insecurities. we all have weaknesses.

I don't know, maybe these items seem obvious to most. And to say them out loud it seemed like, "well duh! of course those things are important AND totally necessary!" But I don't think I ever knew what it felt like to feel 1-3. Its lovely! Somehow along the way, I believe I slowly began to think I didn't deserve to feel okay in who I am.

Life is funny. Its funny that at one moment we can be totally destroyed and a little while later, we can be great. I find peace in that.

Happy Friday!

'tis the season

Cascade Volleyball club offered me the opportunity to coach again this year. Last club season was incredibly rewarding and fun and I still keep in touch with many of the girls. One of the mothers just invited me over for dinner! I was nervous, though, as I'm traveling a fair amount this year and the time commitment is big. Part-time? And who to coach? Follow the U12 gals into their U13 season or start fresh with a new team? Somehow the club managed to grant all my wishes. I'll be coaching half-time AND I'll be splitting my time between both the U12s and U13s. Get ready for some funny videos and stories. Try-outs are November 4.

This brings me to other exciting volleyball news. The University of Washington Husky volleyball team has just risen to 3rd in the country.





I've been attending games and they are incredible to watch. Great Fans. The pep band (love pep band!). And four of my U12 girls in the front row...every game. Many of the Husky volleyball players help out with our club. They teach clinics, they coach and they attend practices. We also use UW coach Jim McLaughlin's principals in everything we do and our club is based on the model he uses for his program. Last week, the then 5th-ranked Husky's played 7th-ranked UCLA and 4th-ranked USC at home. Both were swept performances. UW 3-0. Christal Morrison, Jessica Swarbrick, and Tamari Miyashiro were absolutely amazing.




Friday night I happened to sit in front of an elderly alum who was so excited over each play, cheering and yelling. After engaging him, he explained that he used to watch every game with his wife but had lost her in March. He recounted season after season of the historically successful team and it was so fun to see his eyes sparkle. I know I'm biased, but from little girls to grandpas, its such a fun sport to watch and be a part of. I can't wait for the club season to start!

UW plays number 2-ranked Stanford on November 8 at home. They've won 38 straight games at home. This will be a great match indeed.