...make lemonade

So here we are. We live in Seattle now. It's been awhile since I've posted mostly because it's been a little crazy since we got here. Between family visiting, both our car and computer breaking down, searching for a new job (and new car) and exploring this city, we've been busy. 

Among the many things I've learned from this experience, two in particular stand out: First, never say that things couldn't get any worse because it totally can and will, and second, don't take life too seriously. You'll survive.

I don't know how we would have survived however without the kindness of so many people around us. Good friends like the ever-generous Bowen family, my mom who was up here this past week, AJ Aquino and friends who've fed us gourmet dinners and hilarious youtube videos and Doug and Ashley Clark who lent us both their car and computer for a few days. Really, above and beyond. I'd also like to thank the kind locksmith I found on the street who helped me break into our apartment when I was locked out an hour before a job interview and the family in our ward who saw us at the bus stop and took us to church today. I know there's more but thank you, thank you, thank you to all. Even when life is tough it's always neat to see how some people, even strangers, will jump at the chance to serve you. I only hope I can always be as willing to do the same for others.

Despite the set backs, I couldn't be more excited to be here in Seattle. It is absolutely gorgeous. Granted it's summer and has hardly rained a day but I can't get over the beauty of it all. I really think it is America's best kept secret. I love our neighborhood especially. It's a charming place called Queen Anne that sits on a hill overlooking the water and the city. We've already had some family stay and we expect more this weekend,  but we've yet to have friends up. I know it's been less than a month but let me reiterate the open invitation and say that the first friend(s) to come stay with us will receive a very special prize beyond you're wildest imagination. For real. Don't even ask me what it is unless you're here in Seattle sleeping on our deluxe aero mattress :)

Expect more pictures to come but for now here's a little taste of our new life in Seattle.

(forgive us our hair, I mean, we were on a boat)

we made it.

It was almost this bad but not quite. Nevertheless, we're here.

ode to QuicKutz

Tomorrow is my last day of work at QuicKutz and I’m pretty sad about it. I’ve been doing marketing, writing and editing for them for over a year and a half now and I loved it. Sure, it’s had its ups and downs like all jobs but on the whole I recognize that I was very lucky to work there.

I’m sure that now some of you are thinking, “QuicKutz, huh? Sounds like a cheap hair salon. I didn’t know Laura did hair.” Actually no, I don’t do hair and it’s not a salon (although we’ve had people walk in asking for hair cuts before). The company is a manufacturer of tools and accessories for scrapbooking and other crafts such as vinyl decor and letterpress printing. I know I've said most of this before so pardon the repeat.

Anyway, I’m going to miss that place. I’ve learned a lot and gained valuable work experience, but it’s the people and all the crazy office shenanigans that I’ll miss the most. Before I get too cheesy why don't I just show some photo highlights from my days at QuicKutz. (I recognize that this post is more for my own nostalgia than anything but if you'd like to humor me then please, do continue).

Things I'm going to miss:

-Tradeshows and other craft events

and the people who attended them :)

-Random office competitions like Farkle, Mafia, making sculptures from poster-tack and this wall sit competition. I was undefeated for a week......until the president of the company beat my record (I thought it best to let him)

-People showing up like this for work.

-Free golf and lots of it.

-And other various office antics...

These goats live behind our building. Some people enjoy chasing them.

I do not condone these actions.

rolls of colored vinyl (or lightsaber) battle between the Laura's

( I guess I'm the evil Laura)

James Bond popping up at various places

after returning from out of town I found this wall blocking my cubicle...

so I destroyed it.

It looks like all we did was play but I promise we got some work done there too. For fairness sake here are some things I won't miss:

-The 40 min commute

-The outside of our building being covered with the biggest spiders I've ever seen

-The strange smell that tends to fill the air in Lindon forcing me on occassion to plug my nose as I run to and from my car (the goats may have something to do with it)

-Being "castled" or finding stickers on my back when I get home

Thanks QuicKutz, it's been a pleasure.

here we go.

Our time of moving is at hand. This Saturday Bret will return for one day only to help pack up the truck and drive it to our new home in Seattle. Technically we've already half moved with Bret already being up there in our apartment (with an aero mattress, one towel and a fridge full of microwaveable pizza), but now it's the real thing. I made the grand mistake of planning to work practically up until the day we leave while simultaneously trying to find a job in Seattle and procrastinating, as always, to pack up. It's made for some stressful nights and tense phone calls to poor, lonely Bret.

I do appreciate, however, all the people who have made time to spend with me before I go and for all the goodies I've consumed with you. It's nice having the excuse of "if we don't do/eat this now we never will!" whether it's true or not. I also owe thanks to Laura G for the delicious homemade cupcakes given to me at work today and my mother for keeping me well fed on her famous cookies and pies. Thanks everyone. All of you, including Cafe Rio, will be sorely missed.

learn your abc's with jane the robot

My brother-in-law showed me this and I think it's adorable. I guess his friend or a friend of his friend made this program for his young daughter to help her learn the alphabet. He did all the animation and then had his little girl do a robotic voice for the sound. So cute. Thought you'd might want to check it out. (Use the letters on your keyboard to see all the little robot clips.)

My favorite is probably the one for the letter "O". Which do you like best?

melinda's wedding

Last weekend Bret and I were in Liberty Lake, WA for his younger sister Melinda's wedding. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful occassion and a beautiful bride.

(click on pics to enlarge)