Chill

So much chill. 

I'm catching up on housework and hoping to craft a bit as well. Of course the cats insist on helping. 

(Look, it's on TV again)

Then this one and her mom showed up:

....with her latest bonnet (Casablanca):

THOSE SUNGLASSES

 

Later: Hubby and I are having snacks and hanging out at A Beer At A Time in Camas, waiting to hear a local band. 

so excited :)

"I use antlers in all of my decorating"

So this was funny, I meant to listen to two guys from Vancouver Community Concert Band play with their band, and the whole time we've been trying to figure out which two are in the band. 

THEN, as we were sitting there, I reread the email, and the band we planned on seeing is playing here tomorrow. Oops. Guess we'll be coming back soon! 

This Amazing Winter Sunrise

We sat in the car for about five minutes, then Hubby noticed things had changed...

And we're off. 

Today was a short day at work, and I'm off tomorrow. It'll give me some time to practice for the high school solo and ensemble event I'll be attending next month. I'm accompanying one of R's classmates (possibly two) and as of now, I have a month to learn a six-page Mozart sonatina. I tried it out, though, and it wasn't too bad. A month will be more than enough to learn it.

R and I went to WinCo and I saw this car:

I want a canoe!! This guy is living my dream.

Then I snuggled this yummy snuggly girl, who was in rare snuggle mode. Usually she holds herself upright.

She started laughing in the last three weeks. It's so fun.

Later:

🍒

The Wonder Twins

SINK CAT

TOILET CAT

Later: THE BONNET FAIRY CAME

Baby R is sporting a lovely pink velvet bonnet (called Bauble) that her Gran snagged this morning before the rest were stored away for the year.

Also: it's Wendy's Wednesday!

Mmmmm salad

After R's practice: Few things make my blood boil faster than my poor kid getting in the car crying after soccer practice, numerous times. I'm about to go Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit on her coach.

Learning To Touch My Nose Gently

...as opposed to slamming it in doors, etc (totally a joke my dad would have made - I miss him being here to see what his reaction would be). 

It was a good day, very nice to be getting back to normal after the amazing weekend. 

(Four sweet sleepy babies)

Pizza with the fam is happening tonight.

Birthday Sunday

Watching R play soccer in Hillsboro. It was stinking cold, but a funny game. The referees were total garbage and our coach went to another field before he remembered he was supposed to be at this high school. Later he sassed the center ref and was given a yellow card (snerk). But we ended up winning 1 to 0. 

Then: lunch with Mom, E and M at Roscoe's on Stark street. They make Southern food; I had a bowl of gumbo with cornbread. Tasty!

Then: hat shopping on Hawthorne. So fun.

Visited this import store....

...saw this future purchase (a summer necessity):

Came home. Ate cake.

Birthday Dinner

More to come!

This Epic Birthday

Ready for birthday shenanigans.

I wasn't aware of this, but #50 is the Bling Birthday. Mom's beautiful gift:

This nifty ring, $10 at an antique jewelry shop:

And....THE NOSE BLING.

what.
(By the way, I heartily endorse The Powers That Be Piercing. Kellan did an exceptional job of making a 50-year-old grandmother feel comfortable about having her nostril pierced. And it hardly hurt! Afterward, he hugged me and said, "Welcome to the club!" Adorable.)

There were also some artistic gifts. From B & L & Baby R:

Made with BABY FEET. How cute.

This wooden box, painted by R. So sweet!

Here's what we did today. 

1.

Brunch at Bleu Door with Mom and Betty

2. Visiting consignment shops in Woodland, WA, because they'd never been there and I wanted to show them the shop I like

3. Antiquing at several shops in downtown Vancouver

4. My piercing!! 

5. Chilling at home before dinner

The last day of the first half of my life

Me, before I had any idea.

Just taking pics of the sunrise before walking into work:

A sweet note from B:

...followed by B bringing goodies for me and scones for the whole crew

Work was dreamy today after an extremely busy week. Did some reshuffling.

AND THEN: These people walked in.

One had flown into town last night. I was utterly shocked. B was in on it. It had been planned for weeks.

I was abducted and taken to tea at Sweet Peas Tea Room.

But first: a stop at the cute shop nearby...

Then, teatime.

M met us there. ❤

Totally underdressed for tea. Not minding it a bit. What an awesome surprise. 

We had a great time - laughed so much.

Desserts to take home, and a new teapot:

But wait, there's more: mani/pedis at the mall.

Nail color: cobalt. The technician kept saying, "Short nails." It's true.

Mom's toes

M's fingers

R's toes

After going our separate ways, Mom and I went antiquing downtown and found this:

And finally: Mexican food in Battle Ground.

It was an absolutely wonderful day. 

My family is amazing.