Snow tires?

I've been thinking about my snow tires lately - the set that I received when I bought my Jeep 3 years ago. The set that had only been used for 1 winter. I had called my parents to let them know that I would be picking up my snow tires when I was home last weekend. I actually called my mother 3 times last week first to ask if they were in an easy to get to place in the garage, second to remind them about the tires, and the third time to ask if my dad could take my car into work and have them put on while I was in town. Here is how my 3rd conversation played out:
Mom: you don't really need snow tires
me: yes I do
Mom: Brad (my dad's best friend and our insurance agent) said you really don't and he's owned Jeeps in the past
Me: Mom, I really do need my tires. My current tires need to be replaced and I don't trust their gripping ability. I really do need them. I will feel much safer.
Mom: We traded them in.
Me: What?
Mom: We traded them in for new tires for me.
Me: (silent)
Mom: Here's your father.

So now I'm on my way to Yakima without snow tires over a pass that has received 12+inches of snow. Oh - and I'm going to buy snow tires in Yakima because Seattle is sold out - thanks to the snow storm we just had on Monday.
OH my gosh! Seriously? Seriously....

Little princess Dena

Had to throw in a pic of little Dena, sleeping with her toys - so cute ;)

Isn't she the cutest!!? Even with a cone on her head, she's still super cute :)

Newest member of the family...kind of....

I've done it again - I've signed Matt and I up to volunteer for the Lab Rescue of Seattle! We added a new member to the family yesterday - meet Buddy, a 95+lb black lab whose owner passed away. I picked him up last night in FirCrest - which I've never heard of - outside of Tacoma. Actually a super cute little town - I would never live there - but super cute :)

The first night is always the worst - and since I'm the one who volunteers us for these things, I'm the one who suffers the first night. Buddy was up most of the night (even though I gave him 3 Happy Trail pills to try and calm him down). I slept in the guest room with this huge beast, who checked in almost every hour to make sure I was still there - if i didn't move, he would cry and then try and jump up on my head. Fun times. He and Dena are tolerating each other - toys should not be introduced to this two some - as we have had a few scuffles. Will keep you posted on this bear of a dog :)

ever feel...

so overwelmed at work and with life that all you can do is read your favorite blogs, visit your favorite shopping sites, update and then re-update your facebook....I'm having that kind of day...again. I have a gigantic list of "things to do" in front of me, and all I want to do is anything but that. I'm patiently waiting for my iPod to charge, teeter tottering between work email, my gmail, blogs on my fav list, and of course writing this entry.

Halloween day at Discovery Park

Dena and I running down a field

Matt posing with Deens in the leaves

Fall day at the beach

Matt, Dena and I exploring Discovery Park

Busy Halloween weekend

What a weekend! Matt and I started out our weekend early on Thursday night. We met Amy and Dave Lovik at Toulouse Petit next to Pesos on Queen Anne. Amazing food, amazing wine - so much fun!! On Friday, we went out with our friends Naarah and Jason Hastings to The E.N.D next to Elemental. Again - great food, great wine - so much fun!! Matt and I ended up walking around Fremont, and hanging out at the Red Door, chatting it up with Courtney and feeling super old because we were surrounded by young college kids who were wasted! So, Matt ordered shots for us, hoping we would fit in! I think it worked :) Annie and Patrick showed up (after I stalked her) which was awesome! After a few laughs and me almost falling asleep at the bar, we jumped in a cab and headed home - of course Matt spoke Swahili with the cab driver and I said what I could (Jumbobwana!!). Our night concluded with quesadillas! So fun :)
Saturday, I went to my great uncle Kermit Hansen's funeral with my dad. It was such a great service and so wonderful to see family that I have not seen in years. Sunday was beautiful! Dena, Matt and I went exploring in Discovery Park in the late morning/early afternoon. To get in the Halloween spirit, Matt carved pumpkins and I made pumpkin soup - from scratch!! OMg - so good!! Such a wonderful (but exhausting)weekend!

Fall in Seattle

I'm so excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest! One of the things that I had missed were the seasons. I love waking up, bundling up and taking Dena (our dog) for walk in the still dark mornings. It's so peaceful in Magnolia at 5:45am - the only things be-bopping around are the ever few dog walkers and the many raccoons that seem to always cross our path. Yesterday morning, Dena and I came across a wooden Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Halloween fixture - these are the moments that I wish I had my own reality TV crew following me around. She stopped dead in her tracks, hair sticking straight up, staring intensely at Pooh and Piglet. It seriously took at least 5 minutes to get her moving again, but we first had to walk slowwwwwly up to the wooden fixture and make sure it was harmless. Oh, my life.

Today, I'm looking out from my office window at the fog that is surrounding DT Bellevue. However, I'm on the 26th floor and can see the sunshine and mountain tops coming in hot! It's going to be such a beautiful fall day!

Tamales Bay

Pick from Tamales Bay outside of Napa - hanging with the Sylvester women :)

Me, Ali, Colleen, Sandy and Denise

Off to San Fran

Matt and I are off to San Fran for the weekend! The Sylvester crew is gathering once again for a westcoast Philadelphia Eagles Football game! Go Birds! We fly into Oakland this evening, do a little PT (Public Transit) action to Napa, and off to dinner, drinks, and lots of laughs with the family. LOVE the sisters and their detailed weekend plans for us - here is what we have planned for Saturday: leave Napa @ 9:30, Picnic by the water - oysters and bbq, back to Napa for wine tasting @ Trefethen, dinner at 6:45 - somewhere in this day, I will be visiting my dear friend Natalie Tilley and husband Luke Synder - So excited to see them! It's been 3 years!
Sunday - FOOTBALL!

oh ebay....

First a big THANK YOU to my girlfriend Brandy for introducing me to ebay. It's becoming a love / hate relationship. I've had a bit of a slow week, so here are my latest purchases:

I am a HUGE fan of James Perse - Love the basics :) BUT they are so super expensive! Gotta love ebay - was able to get all three for over 50% off :). However, I'm not allowing myself to get too excited - I need to wait until they arrive - who knows what kind of shape they will be in - I've only been bidding on "new w/ tags" but you never know....

Fashion First - yes please!

I have a date night booked with my wonderful bestie Amy Louise Lovik! She and I will be attending the "7th Annual Fashion First" fashion show on September 16th. This is not only an evening of the hottest fashions in Seattle, but also a charity event. This year's gala and show will benefit Rise n' Shine, a nonprofit providing advocacy, mentors, summer camps and more to children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS. This is a long overdue night out for the 2 of us - dressing up, cocktails and fashion - perfect!

Whoa. It's been a while...

Omg. It's been a long time since I've updated my blog - so much has happened, so much to tell!
I successfully moved up to Seattle in April. I lived with an amazing woman, Carolyn White, in her amazing home in Magnolia until July. Such a wonderful experience. Carolyn introduced me to new foods, great people, new organic ways of living, new volunteering experience, and a wonderful friendship. I'm very thankful that she came into my life during these first few months of transition. At the end of June, I packed up my San Diego apartment (good bye 1716 - you will be missed) and flew back to Seattle with Dena. Matt joined me in August and has recently accepted a job with Microsoft. So far, things have been rolling quite smoothly (minus the terrible summer weather in Seattle). It's so great being back in the Pacific Northwest! I have missed my girlfriends and this city so much! It's good to be home :)

It just hit me.

I don't know what it was - but it just totally sank in today that I'm leaving the Active Network, San Diego, my newly adopted dog and the love of my life. I know that this is an exciting new adventure and that this is totally meant to be. But I am really sad to leave all of these wonderful things behind.
I've been scurrying around trying to give 100% to my job and fill as many positions as possible - I'm so invested in the organization - $20 I cry on my last day. I absolutely LOVE this company. I'm so thankful for this amazing experience - I've learned SO much and have met so many amazing people. While I'm closing this chapter, I'm excited for what lies ahead.

I have some news!

I'm moving back to Seattle! (again).
I have received an awesome opportunity to join a video gaming company called Sucker Punch Productions. Still going to be in a recruitment role - building their recruiting program from scratch! I'm stoked!!!! Not many people ask about the role or what I will be doing or what does the company do - they ask me "what about Matt?"! Matt will be joining me in Seattle in 6 months! He's totally excited about the rain - kidding! Matt's excited for me and the changes. He and Dena (our foster soon to be our new adopted puppy dog) will be heading up in the fall. I'm sad to be leaving Active Network and San Diego, but am excited about the next chapter of my life.

Has everyone met my favorite Recruiter?

Everyone - meet Brandy!! You are amazing! Love, love, love working with you! Going to miss you so much :)

WHOA! It's been a while....

So - I guess I have A LOT to catch all of my readers (all of 4, including Mom) up on the last 5 months! We may need to break this up into phases :)
December: Matt and I went on a Snow Chaser road trip from San Diego to Washington State over to Idaho and down to Utah! So many miles - so much fun! We stopped off in Bend, Oregon to ski Mt Bachelor but were rained out. Next stop - WA State. We stayed 4 days in Seattle where we were rained out again. BUT we still had a blast - celebrating my 30th bday with my girlfriends and a WSU basketball game! Go Cougs!

After celebrating Christmas in Yakima with family, we headed to Sun Valley Idaho and then to Salt Lake City Utah for some amazing skiing and snowboarding!

We celebrated New Years at our favorite Sushi restaurant in Salt Lake City, Shogun.

Matt and I celebrated new years in our yearly fashion - stuffed our faces with amazing food and cocktails - passed out by 10:00pm (maybe 10:30) this year. Overall - amazing trip! Can't for roadtrip/ski trip 2010!