since may...

Hi everyone!

So...

This is the longest overdue post in the history of EVER. Well, for me anyway.

I was trying to come up with an excuse, but words fail me.

I am back home in Seattle, which should not come as new information to any of those who follow my clearly sporadic blog. I have been home since the end of May. Four jam-packed months of crazy adventure after crazy adventure. With a few huge events thrown in between for good measure.

As a little update of sorts, I will include a smallish outline of late spring / summer events that have occurred since May...

1. Boyfriend flew to Cali to help me pack; I met him at the Fly Away with all my stuff JAMMED into my tiny car.

Packing with Kayla Joy. More like ... AHHHHHH! Where did all this stuff come from??

Last of the large items and I should have put it in first...
my car was packed so tight!

On the way up the coast from Cali...
We stopped for coffee at a Denny's around 2am or so.

2. Returned home, with almost all my stuff. Fun fact: I can now FILL an entire two-room apartment with everything I own. No joke. And I would actually be comfortable. I am not presently comfortable. Got a small rental storage space for said stuff.

3. Had a birthday party, courtesy of my bestest friends :) I love you, Ry and Britt. They're wonderful, selfless people. Another fun fact: I SUCK at thank you notes. After high school, I just apparently lost that skill. If I ever truly had it.

Taking a break from being wonderfully domestic
to pose for this shot with me. Love you, boo.

The marvelous host and hostess at the after party.
Combine too much sugar and bubble tea... fond memories!

4. Finally got to spend some quality time with friends from home... you know who you are. And you're all amazing!!!

Briggs' beach house!

Egroup + Newly-weds + Dev + S'mores

5. Helped my mother with wedding decor / etc., as well as organizing things for my sister's wedding. It was a crazy time. Wedding: June 17! There wasn't much time. Celebrated the wedding of the year with my sister.

Helping Mom with decorations.

Pinwheels.

This was so fun!

Fun tie-shopping with Allen for the groomsmen.

Bachelorette party! Italian candies at Pike Place Market.

Presents for the newly-weds. Wow!

6. BANGS!

I have never been happier with a haircut.

7. Went to several other lovely weddings between now and then with my handsome boyfriend. We also celebrated one year together at the beginning of July. Pretty much awesome :)

Roses <3

8. Missed Valencia. How in the world I managed that, I'm not sure. I vowed that would never be the case. And I definitely miss my students. Can I just say... I loved teaching that crazy bunch, no matter how much grief they gave me about assignments.

Two class periods... My seniors. They've since graduated!

The boys in Period 4.

My girls brought me balloons for an early birthday surprise.

Barb, my favorite customer from my old store in Valencia.

She brought me flowers to say 'good luck at home' and 'happy birthday' all at the same time... miss her much as well.

My store buddies, out to breakfast at Egg Plantation the day before I left ... Kenny, Kim, Bryan.

Des and I on our last late-night sushi date.

9. I'm feeling like this list is a little longer than I promised.

So for your viewing pleasure...
I have included this picture of my guy.
Makes me laugh every time I see it! :)

10. Ocean Shores with Ryan! Best minivacay since Carpenteria with my sister this spring.

Driving around Ocean Shores on mopeds... a blast!

Toes in warm sand? Perfect. Sign me up!

11. Enjoyed being home. Baked cookies, took naps in the sun, watched the rain fall (do you know how much I missed the rain?!), and did all kinds of PNW activities. Hikes. Rock climbing. Biking. Swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Mopeds. Chicken chasing.

Out to eat at Cactus with my parents... they missed me.

Baby chicks, in their cute stage.
They are now eating squawking machines
that hate to be held...

My sweet friends, Renee and Brittany, and I.

Early season hike with some fab kids.

Walking Maluku with Kayla, Allen, Mom at a local park.

Berry-picking.

12. Went to the doc to update my asthma and migraine meds. Not that this is the greatest, but life is drastically improved when you can actually get through a day without a migraine or allergic reaction.

13. Live at a Starbucks nearby. Well, actually I work there but you know. Small details. I sometimes overlook those ;)

This is me on a day off ;)

14. Finished my quilt!!!! This is a huge accomplishment. I kid you not. I have only been working on the thing for two years now. Between school and being in California for a year and work, however, something had to give. This was one. Very happy with the final product.

Tackling the hand-sewing portion.

I think that's enough of an update for now.

Actually, I may have bored you to tears. I may get into it more and add pictures as I go along... it's a tedious process and it's kind of late now :)