Mar 31: Errands on Foot

So, today I had the brilliant idea of walking to the grocery store. I also stopped by Barnes & Noble for a travel guide, PetSmart for a new toy for Sweet Pea & was actually a responsible adult and bypassed the beautiful Sketchers at Famous Footwear. Note to self: when running errands on foot in western Washington in the spring... bring an umbrella :)

Mar 30: Recycle

I finally threw my DVD & TV boxes in the recycling today. Hahaha... I bought them like four months ago! ... what?

Mar 29: Rainy Window

Another crummy, rainy day. Well, I take that back; today's weather was wierd... alternating between rain & sun, but always windy. Its the end of March, right? I was glad to have my little Elph with me & snapped this quick pic from the window by my desk.

Mar 28: Oh Adobo

Today was the start of a crummy weather week. Rain, rain and uhhh more rain! It was too rainy to go out & take pictures, but perfect weather for nice, cozy, warm comfort food. DMA made us some super yummy adobo; with a few little changes to keep it healthy (thanks man!). OH and this rice cooker rocks!

Mar 27: oh Fauntleroy, the road...

What a lovely day! On Saturday, dma and I hit the road to a little place that I have never visited before... Vashon Island. Odd isn't it... the island is just a short ferry ride from West Seattle. You can tell it is a beautiful place... there were DSLRs EVERYWHERE!!!

Mar 26: Memory

I took this pic to note the change in technology. When I bought my first SD card in September 2005, I paid $25 at Target for a 125mb card. Not too bad; it suited my needs. I remember being surprised when the 1gb cards became affordable a year or so later. Now, just about five years from when I bought my first SD card, you can buy 8gb for $25. crazy. Makes me wonder what our memory capacity will be like 5 years from now.

Mar 25: Up North

I went up to Stanwood tonight to visit my mom & took this quick pic from the road. It is sooo dark!

Mar 24: Go Team

Man, today was awesome! We had our first Team Building Lunch at work and it was perfect! I might sound a little *too* excited about a work event, but this project and I have some history dating back to 2008. Anyway, the first group did a great job & I am sooooo happy! (sadly, though, I left my camera at home & had to take this one with my cell phone. not bad in a pinch, though, eh?)

Mar 23: Welcome Sweet Pea

This little lady was the subject of my post on Saturday... and now she is my new kitty! I went to the King County animal shelter after work & snatched up this little cutie. The shelter had named her "Sweet Pea" and I think I'll keep it ;)

Mar 22: biiiirdies

Sometimes, its Saturday everyday. Another evening of errands & a yummy dinner at L & L! we stopped by both Petco aaaaand PetSmart for some kitty supplies. OH, and I should clarify... the birdies are not kitty supplies. phew.

Mar 21: Ruby Beach

On this day, dma and I went out to the coast. I am always up for a trip to the beach! We braved the super rain & were the only ones on the beach when the sun returned. nice!

Mar 20: yukanooba

Despite the fantastically sunny weather, I spent Saturday afternoon running errands and stopping by a few animal shelters. dma was sweet enough to give up his sunny Saturday, too, and joined me on my search for a kitty. Isn't she cute?

Mar 19: Cool Box

This is just a cool box! DMA had to buy a new graphics tablet & it was packed in a sleek black & green box.

Mar 18: Kitties

Today had its ups and downs. I was a bit melancholy all day because it would be my dad's 58th birthday. The last real conversation I had with him before he passed away was on this day in 2006. I can still remember where we sat in the restaurant we went to... (sigh) I miss him.

On the bright side, my mom came down to visit me & we checked out a few places that adopt kitties! No new additions to the family yet, but its fun still to look.

Mar 17: St Patty's

In honor of St. Patrick's day, I picked up some Irish whiskey.. yum! Whiiiishkey

Mar 16: Breakin the Law

ok, ok, ok, already. sheesh.

I ended up *not* breaking the law & completed my 2010 Census form...

population of my casa: 1. the end.

Mar 15: Pinky's Surprise

You probably can't tell, but the item in this picture is a treasure. Usually, when cats give you "gifts" they are the kind that make you go "ewww" as you grab some paper towels & a garbage bag. But... I am lucky. dma's cat, Pinky, surprised me by giving me one of his little kitty toys. Seriously... I found this in my purse! He must have dropped it in there recently? Awwwe, I miss him.

Mar 14: 1st Hike

aaaah, yes... the first hike of spring! dma and I hiked up to Lake Hancock today; I think it was 11 miles round trip? And beautiful the whole way! Plus, as the great grandaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hancock, it was nice to have a little bit of family connection.

Mar 13: Up North

The weather "experts" were calling for crummy clouds today, so dma and I didn't have any specific plans. It ended up being perfectly lovely!! We headed up north to check out a few wildlife reserves. I took this pic of the barn from waaaaay across a field using my 70-300mm & in camera black & white settings.

Mar 12: All Wrapped Up

My week long crash course in cartography has come to an end. My brain is mush. mmmblah. For my final lunch outing, I found myself at the Grand Central Baking Co. FAB-u-LOUS! I loved, too, that they use Northwest cheeses; I saw some Beechers & Mt. Townsend on the menu. Nice!

It was a good week. The training was one of the best ever; I think my questions were answered and I will be able to make some great maps & improve my workflow! I also enjoyed being downtown; it was nice to walk around and be part of a lively neighborhood... even if just for a few days.

Mar 11: Lunch with Elliott

oh, I mean, Lunch at Elliott... the awesome little cafe below Elliott Bay Bookstore.

AND the *best* grilled cheese ever.

Seriously. you should try it. go!... now!

Mar 10: Another Lunch Outing

For lunch today, I followed DMA's recommendation and headed for the very yummy Mediterranean Mix. It was easy to find... right next to the Central. On my way there, I came across an art piece in a random alley. It was a nice surprise; DMA had photographed it earlier this year, so I was happy to stumble across a familiar sight. There were a bunch of 2 liters grouped together to form the words "Waste Not."

Mar 9: On the Way to Lunch

On my way to Bakeman's today for a good 'ol fashioned turkey sandwich, I snapped this quick pic near Pioneer Square. There were three ladies in front of me at the crosswalk, all decked out in funky prints, stylish hats & "cute" shoes-"cute" meaning the kind that are so high & uncomforatble that your feet are dying by the end of the day... but they are so cute that the pain is worth bearing ;)

Mar 8: Out to Lunch

I am in Pioneer Square all week for training and have the luxury of an hour lunch break. I intend to take full advantage of all the wonderful lunch spots in the area & plan on trying out someplace new each day. Today I was at Cafe Umbria; a familiar & favorite coffee spot, but a new lunch spot for me!

Mar 7: "East"

Another day of leaving the troubles behind. This time, DMA and I headed East. We weren't sure where we would end up; just confident that we would find whatever we needed to find. I took this picture along some random road in the Swauk prairie area, near, of all things. a bison ranch.

Mar 6: Southern Explorations

Finally... time for the weekend! Time to take a break from all the weekday ups & downs, drama, and s-tr-e-ss. DMA and I were eager to get out in the sun & ended up at an old favorite... the Nisqually wildlife reserve.

Mar 5: Thats so Quantaray

I need to sell my lens! I took this picture to use for a craig's list post.

Mar 4: Too Early

4:40 am... this is the time that I left my hotel room today to catch the shuttle to the Redmond/Bend airport.

so.... dang....early. (yyaaawwwn).

Mar 3: Flowers!!!

Today's lunch was sponsored by the lovely Oregon Dairy Women. After lunch, they invited guests to take home the cute little centerpieces... I *really* wanted the flowers, but am flying home tomorrow... so, I snapped this quick little pic instead.

Mar 2: Deschutes

My hotel in Bend was situated along the banks of the Deschutes River; this is the view from just outside my room. Pretty, huh? (oh and Happ-B-day Mom! Love La!!!)

Mar 1: Perfect Flight

This morning I flew down to Bend, Oregon, to attend the Oregon Dairy Farmers' Association Annual Convention. It was such a lovely flight; short (under an hour! Not even enough time for two cups of coffee!) and spacious. I took this pic from my lavish window seat.