Seattle Part I

Greetings from Seattle!

We all know how much I love Seattle. I visit it enough I almost consider it my second home. Just today I told Rebecca how I think I have more friends in Seattle then in NH. I was luckily enough to visit Seattle TWICE this year! One of them being over Christmas.

I started my journey Wednesday night of the 22nd. After work I jumped on Dartmouth Coach and headed to Boston for the night since my flight was at 6 am. My coworker's car recently broke down so I said he could borrow it while I was gone. He dropped me off at the bus station and I watched him drive away in my car with my dog. Goomba looked at me with those puppy dog eyes saying "why are you leaving me and where am I going?". I immediately missed him. I woke up the next morning, my taxi came right on time and I made it to the airport too early (surprise surprise). I thought I would make it through without getting electronically raped but they turned it on just as it was my turn. THEN, they said my left leg looked suspicious and I had to get a pat down. Do I really look that dangerous?? There were FIVE dogs on both my flights out here. The dogs made me miss Goomba, but also made me feel a little less guilty because all five spots were taking and there was no room for me to bring him along even if I tried to.

Anyways. Nothing else interesting happened in the journey. Oh except for the woman next to me spilled her water on me and it felt like I peed my pants the rest of the flight. I landed in Seattle. YAAAAY!!!! Rebecca and I got a drink and waited for our Dad and Debbie's (our step-mom) flight to come in. Then we went home and relaxed before going to the boat parade. I don't have any pictures, but it was pretty cool! We went down to the water and there were about 50 boats hanging out with lights on them. One big boat in the middle had the girls choir on it so they sung songs for 20 minutes then the boats all went home.

Next day was Christmas Eve. We went into downtown Seattle for the day. Dad thought it was funny how much Debbie bundled up and I left my jacket at home.

We got some seafood for lunch, cioppino for later, and halibut for dinner. We walked around some, got some veggies, then headed on the bus home. But not before looking at the Gingerbread Houses contest! There were only 6, but they were huge! And they had so much detail, they were pretty cool.

Games were played until it was time for bed. I won Dixit twice and then everyone decided to keep playing but stop keeping score. We finally went to bed and then......

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas was great! It's a big deal in my family, and we all always go overboard. Everyone loved their presents though. It was a different Christmas then I am used to, but my sister did a great job of playing hostess the whole time for us.  The day was spend playing with all our new games for the rest of the day. I don't know what was in the air, but I happened to win everything! Great for me, boring for everyone else. My luck ran out the next day though, everyone got their turn. Games played were: dicecapades, word on the street, quelf, play nine, telestrations, some island game, qwirkle, and I think that was it. Qwirkle is totally my type of game. I loved it. Rebecca said it was unfair because my mind works in that way and I can play through all the possibilities faster than everyone else and that's why I was so good at it. Dicecapades was another one of my favorites. Although the very first turn I had to do 16 push ups in 30 seconds. Even though push ups are my absolute least favorite work out exercise, I did it, and on hard wood floor!

 Merry Christmas from the Kings!

John (Rebecca's boyfriend) came over the next day and we had another day of games after going out to lunch. I've already met John but this was Dad and Debbie's first time. It we well. We all gave him Christmas presents and he handed some out himself. He drove in from Portland in the morning and then drove home at night. Lots of driving for one day but we appreciate it John! Thanks for coming out!

Monday: Snowshoeing!! We woke up early, packed a lunch, and drove east to Steven's Pass. By the time we got there and put on our rental gear, we started hiking around 12. We did a big loop of about 4 km. On the first half we walked by the creek. It was awesome! I guess no one else had walked there yet because there were no footsteps to follow so I got to be the trail blazer. Every 5 minutes my dad would ask "how do you know where the path is?" I don't know. There were some markers in the trees I was following and sometimes I just went for it. What's the worst that could happen? It felt like we were just walking in a forest covered in snow. It was our own winter wonderland and it was even snowing for part of the walk. Every few steps we would stop and saying "it's so beautiful!!" then keep going and say the same thing a few minutes later. I tried to sled down a hill by sitting on my snowshoes, but we had the wrong kind so it didn't work. Actually I just about did somersaults down the hill. We all had a great time though and can't wait to do it again one day.

This morning we woke up and made breakfast before driving Dad and Debbie to the airport. We all said our goodbyes and sent them off their way. Rebecca and I came home to eat lunch and just watch tv and talk all afternoon. Perfect relaxing time before gearing up for a day of snowboarding tomorrow!

High: It's against the rules to name more than one, but it's Christmas! There are too many! Either playing the games or trail blazing while snowshoeing. 

Low: The woman sitting next to me on the plane spilling her water in my lap.

On Deck: The rest of the week! Seattle Part II. Wednesday: Snowboarding, Thursday: Hanging around with Seattle people, Friday: More snowboarding and New Years, Saturday: Something fun and then flying home. Sunday: traveling all day then reuniting with my two boys!

Goomba King

It has been a looooooong day coming, but it finally came! I am the proud owner of a boxer. His name is Goomba (yes, that is a Mario reference) and he is 3 months old. And I am completely in love with him.


It started when I was 14 and wanted to work, or even just volunteer, at the local kennel/vet for the summer. Carol said no, but if I came back next year they would pay me. So I came back the next summer, and two more after that. I was the person who walked down the kennel petting the dogs which were super cute (obviously) and also petting the dogs not as cute because I felt bad for them not getting as much attention.


I returned to the dog scene the summer of 2006. I was suddenly moving home for the summer and needed a job. My friend Kristina told me about a doggy daycare she worked for. I applied and got the job. Working at a doggy daycare was awesome. I got to hang out with tons of dogs in a huge enclosed area playing with each other. I was sad to leave, but just like my summer job at the kennel, I had to go back to school.


Next came You Work I'll Play (YWIP). Another doggy daycare for the summer, but I ended up staying to work during the school year too. If you live in Asheville I highly recommend bringing you dog here. Jill and Jason (the owners) are awesome people and really love the dogs. It was so much better then the other doggy daycare I worked at in so many ways. I decided if I couldn't have a dog yet then I'd work with them to get my dog fix in. I loved that place.


So that is my dog history. I clearly have wanted a dog since forever but being the responsible person I am was putting it off until I knew I was financially ready and stable. Because you better believe I'm going to spoil this dog. That time came a few months ago. I started looking, for real. There were a few dogs and rescue places I applied to and talked (or tried to) to people. I always knew I wanted a boxer (but didn't care if it was a mix) and was happy to get one already 2 years old. Skip the house training and all that jazz. Everything kept  falling through. No one got back to me about Morris, Bailey was adopted already, and someone slipped in before I could get there in time for Falco. Falco broke my heart and I needed a few days to recover before looking again. I got back on the wagon and found Sugar Ray (who will from this point forward be known as Goomba). A puppy would be a lot of work but I knew I could handle it. I sent my application and someone replied IMMEDIATELY. I knew this was a good sign. I tried really hard not to get my hopes up, not to get excited, and not to tell hardly anyone about this. I didn't want to jinx things or have another Falco incident telling everyone it didn't work out. I would not even let myself smile when I thought about this dog, although a few smiles slipped by. My application checked out, they got the landlord approval, someone came over for a home visit, and then I got my approval letter. Goomba would be ready for me to pick up Saturday December 4th.


I woke up on Saturday and told myself to act normal and don't rush because I have a tendency of getting everywhere too early. I left my house around 11 to drive to Hampton, NH where the dogs would be dropped off at 3 by Last Change Highway. I stopped in Manchester on the way to get things like a crate, food, bowls, beds. I got to the Hampton rest area around 2. A full hour early, but I didn't even care. I was playing on my phone and at 2:36 looked up and saw the truck! OMG HERE HE COMES!!! I got the biggest smile ever on my face. Everyone started getting out of their cars holding leashes and also sporting that same huge smile and excitement.


We formed a line and when it was our turn we told them what dog we were picking up. I said Sugar Ray and he replied, "Oh one of the twins." I said, "uh....okay? I don't know". I don't know why no one told me he was a twin because I am sure I would have taken both if I only knew. He reappeared from the truck holding my dog and my jaw dropped. He was so much cuter then in his picture. I loved him instantly. It is a feeling that's indescribable and unforgettable. I'm now glad I got a puppy because when he's all grown up he will forever be my little Goomba. I sat in the car for about half an hour taking pictures and petting him before I left. This is our very first picture together.

He slept most of the drive home, but once we got him he was the happiest puppy there ever was. He was running around wagging his tail, licking my face, playing with his toys. Deb was right during the home visit when she told me the dogs just know they are being rescued. He knew he was now somewhere good.


During potty training you're supposed to put them in their crate to sleep. It's safe to assume I broke this rule. I tried twice but he cried so hard I couldn't take it anymore. So I let him sleep in my bed with me, where he belongs.


I still look at him every few minutes to remind myself that I actually have a dog, after all this time. Dreams really do come true! And that's what I'm reminded of whenever I look at him. Goomba and I are really happy together and he follows me wherever I go. I've already got a plan for when and where to start puppy socialization and obedience training. He's already started picking up some things and it's only day 3! My dog is going to be so smart.


Best birthday present ever! :) I leave you with some pictures.

Thank you for the photos Adam and Liana.

Wrap Up

So the holidays are over. For now anyways. The rest of my visit was good. I hung out with my mom on Saturday and did some Christmas shopping. I can't wait for my canisters from Williams Sonoma to arrive! Here's a tip I learned while at home: put a piece of bread in with your brown sugar and that will help keep it moist and not go hard.


Sunday I got to see all my old friends. I drove to Alexandria (it's weird enough driving a mini-van, but I'm so used to my Prius that sometimes I forget what to do with keys in general, it's bad) to see Kendra (my bff who I met on the very first day of college). She just moved in with her boyfriend! Exciting times for the two of them.

Kendra and I went to see Harry Potter, IN IMAX! This was my first IMAX film. Honesty I wasn't that impressed. It was bigger but not overly noticeable. The movie was great though. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I absolutely love Ron and the love story with him and Hermione makes me smile. I can't wait for the last movie to come out in the summer!


Then we walked over to the Rock It bar and met Laura (who has been my bff from Kindergarten through high school) and her fiance, and Kelly (who I have also known and been friends with since elementary school) and husband Barry. The six of us had a great time talking about what we're up to and remember old times (I did anyways).

Monday was a slow day. I sat around working until it was time to leave. I taught my mom a bunch of stuff about her iphone. My flight landed and there was no open gate so we hung out on the runway. I seem to do that a lot. Finally we pulled in and I waited for my bus. I don't like sleeping while traveling because I'm scared I will miss my stop. I finally made it to the New London bus stop shortly after 11 pm and as everyone else who got off walked into a warm car with their loved ones, I sat in my cold car waiting for it to defrost. I was just happy it turned on! Anyways, I made it home super late and was happy to fall asleep in my own bed.


Thank you for the wonderful holiday at home NOVA (and you too Mom).


High: Seeing my friends!


Low: I was minutes away from home after a great visit and remembered I forgot the stockings. This year I will not be using Grandma's stocking but instead something that has no sentimental value.


On deck: A very special post to come this weekend. Nothing to do with traveling, but still live changing.