All Hallows Eve

These days I don't do much for the creepiest of all holidays except maybe curl up in a witch's hat, watch scary movies, and hand out candy to the kids. There is just something about reaching 30...I just don't think dressing up is...well normal. I know lots of people still do, but where would I wear a costume? I don't have children to take trick-or-treating or any house parties to go to. And honestly, all the costumes you can buy as an adult woman are either expensive (for the nice ones) or slutty (for the cheaper ones). I don't feel the need to dress up as a sexy cat or a slutty pirate.

I know that the reason people (women mostly) dress up this way is because it's the one day a year that you can sort of be someone different. Be something you would not normally be or dress outside of what many people consider appropriate, while still being considered normal. I may have done this once or twice, but for the most part I never felt quite comfortable in these kinds of costumes. I know that I did sort of envy the girls who felt confident enough to to pull it off, but most of the time I just couldn't get myself to go that route. I think the closest I got may have been when a few friends and I became the Spice Girls one Halloween back in high school. My dress was pretty darn tight! :)

Here is a little flash back of previous Halloweens when I did dress-up. This was back when I had a metabolism to speak of. :)



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

An Ashley & Elan day

As you may have read on here before, one of my good friends from my Western days was engaged to be married. Well, he and his lady were married on September 25th!
Mike, myself, and our other great Western pal, T (aka Taylor) loaded up the Subie to head out to the islands for a good time. Armed with snazzy outfits, we drove up north, hopped on a ferry and jetted out to Orcas Island. It was a beautiful day and we got out there early enough to go on a drive up to Mt. Constitution, where the views were spectacular.
After our drive, we had a drink or two and then set out to the wedding. It was so nice to see our friends happy and healthy and surrounded by their favorite people. It reminded me of our wedding day and how wonderful it was to have the love and support of all the people who were important in our lives. And I just love weddings! :)
The ceremony was beautiful and personal, with the groom's father playing a song on the guitar for the couple and a friend singing for them. The reception followed and everyone had a great time mingling and catching up. We got to see some old friends and get our dance on, which is always sweet times. Mike and I got in a slow dance or two, which...really...when do you ever get to do with your spouse? After the traditional cake cutting, bouquet tossing, first dances and dinner, the not so traditional Keg stands commensed! Michael and I did NOT participate as this would have rendered us uninteligable and much too drunk so we just watched. Most of the ladies declined, due to the thought of their dress over their head, but this obviously would not stop the guys (which included the Groom & Bride's fathers)!
The rain began falling near the end of the night, which was perfect timing, and we ended up with a beautiful and fun evening. I won't mention the shenanigans of trying to get back to the mainland, I will just say we did a LOT of waiting.

Here are a few more pics to capture our weekend.

Nature Drive

Last weekend Michael and I decided to make one more trip up to the family property near Lake Keechelus. Mike's parents, sister and brother-in-law were all going up to bring back the camper as well, so it was a good time to go get in some nature time. :)
Since it was such a nice fall day, Mike, Sharon, Amy, and I decided it would be pretty to go on a drive through the mountains to a couple look-out points. There was a loop that went up just past the neighboring Lake Kachess. It was a pretty drive and we ended up having a great time. Charlie didn't even whine as much as I expected! Here are a couple of pics of the spots we stopped as well as one of my oh-so-good-lookin' hubby!

Sometimes I just don't know what to do with myself!

I was thinking today that I need to find something(s) to keep me busy. I feel like the past 5-6 years, I haven't done much with myself and it's kind of bothering me. I have had a great time being married and keeping up friendships, but I don't feel I am accomplishing anything to be proud of.

I have my photography, but it's not enough (since I am not doing it full time) and to be honest, I just feel sorta mediocre at it. I have an eye for it, but I don't feel like I am really all that great at it.

I still write on occasion and have a rough outline for a story/book, but can't seem to produce much of a draft for it. I think too much and spend too much time critiquing what I've written to ever get very far. I know this is my own undoing, but I can't seem to just write and be happy with a rough draft for the time being. Man, I get on my own nerves sometimes!

I started a bit of Geneology a while ago too. This can be really interesting and fulfilling, but is a lot of work! You can sit at the computer for hours just trying to track down a birthdate for a relative! It gets to be exhausting after a while! I have some information but I don't want to put a bunch of money into a geneology program to keep me organized or pay a monthly/annual fee to subscribe to an online "people finding" site. This makes my search much harder.

I know I have told many of you about my annoyance with being on the computer for hours. Well all three of these hobbies include hours on the computer! After work, the last thing I feel like doing is sitting in front of the computer, so I admit that is part of the problem with accomplishing these tasks. Even blogging requires the computer! What's a girl to do?!

As far as figuring out a solution to this problem; I guess I just have to keep trying to get better at the activities I am alreay doing (maybe take some classes) or find something else to get excited about. Don't get me wrong, I love not having a lot of responsibilities and taking vacations! But, I feel like I need something to feel really good about right now; something to work towards and be proud of myself for. Maybe that means going back to school and getting another degree...or maybe it just means I need to crack down and set some short term goals for a project I am doing. Whatever the direction I head, I need to find the motivation and resolve to stick to the plan. It's too easy to just keep sliding by and "living" without having a real sense of direction.

Boy, it would sure be easier if all I wanted was to have what I have now. I would be set! But I have a lot of goals for myself and my 30's are the perfect time to figure them out and attack them head on. It would be nice to at least have a home of our own by now...yikes...I have a lot to do.

30 Never Looked....

hmmm....how to finish that?... So good? So scary? I'm not quite sure how I feel about being placed in the next decade of my life. I guess I feel placed, I mean I wasn't shoved or dragged or anything. I suppose it sort of snuck up on me slowly.
I am hopeful for my 30's; to be able to accomplish some things I have wanted for a while and be an "adult". But sometimes I wonder if I should already have some of those things accomplished by now. I won't linger on that too long and simply make the most of it. I did marry a younger man.... :) If he doesn't keep me feeling young, I'm not sure what will.

I had a great birthday weekend filled with lots of friends and family. I did dinners and had a few people over for drinks as well as had a girls night and treated myself to a massage. It's nice to have a weekend to spend with your favorite people and eat good food. I am a lucky girl and can't wait to see what this year has in store!


{Alissa, Bennett & Mandy on October 4th}