little letters

pic via You Are My Fave

dear polaroids,

now i know what to do with you. make a giant collage for my kitchen. (i also want that dutch oven)

dear peanut butter and celery,

though unconventional, you were a quick and delicious dinner last night.

dear Christina,

we told you that you're not allowed to leave. so while you think today is your "last day", think again. (sometimes things are easier in denial.)

dear blog,

sorry i've neglected you this week. kind of like i've neglected everyone else this week. sorry!

dear diva coffee,

that almond flavored latte you made me yesterday is still on my mind. it was sooo yummy.

dear iPhone4,

one day i will own you. am i the last person in my generation without a smartphone?

dear friday,

you're so close, i can smell your sweet, sweet smell.

p.s. it's officially official. as in, they finally announced it at work - i got a promotion. yay!

christina's happy list

I think Christina's response after putting together her list has been my favorite - she said that she can't help feeling happier. It's so true! When you put together a list of great things, it's like BOOM, smile. Even better, she sent it to Andy (the hubs) and asked for his in return; something to get him excited to come home!

P.S. We celebrated Christina's birthday this weekend and I felt like I was in college all over again. I can't remember the last time I stayed out so late and ordered late night pizza, but it was a blast! Post to come!

1. Getting actual emails and letters from people I know—especially from a special someone when he’s out at sea (Erika's note: Her hubby, Andy, is finishing up his LAST Navy submarine patrol ever! Hip hip hooray!)
2. Long phone conversations with faraway friends and family
3. My friends at work and our ridiculous and random mid-day conversations, emails, distractions
4. Warm drinks on cold days
5. Flowers, whether they’re growing in my garden or delivered to my desk (Erika's note: Amen to that. Watching your desk fill up with flowers even makes my day!)
6. Finding money in my pockets that I didn’t realize was there
7. Anything chocolate, or peppermint-flavored, or both
8. Watching the sun rise over Mt. Rainier / Seattle on a clear day
9. Chick flicks and wine
10. Food from home, including Texas barbeque, Mexican food, and my dad’s fajitas

Beautiful photo from Kathryn Bradley Photography

Down periscope

This weekend I did something very few people get to do, thanks for Christina and Andy Warner. I got to tour a NAVY SUBMARINE! It was mind-blowing. I had no idea what to expect or how much I'd learn, but the process and engineering of a sub is very intriguing. (Nerd alert!)

Everything from driving without any windows, air circulation when under sea for months at a time (umm, they have to make oxygen by breaking down CO2 through a complicated process, so weird), missile storage, storing enough food to feed hundreds of men (mind you, perishables like milk and fruit are gone after a couple weeks) and so much more! If you ever have the opportunity, take it because it's pretty rad.

pic/via

Swanky swank

Last Saturday, I went to Christina and Andy's engagement party. Let me tell you - it was swanky! It was at Andy's uncle's condo on 2nd with a perfect view of this. Simply amazing! (We all offered to housesit when they have to leave town next.) We got to dress up in pretty dresses, drink fun cocktails and eat incredibly tasty hors d'oeuvres.

(I really think we should make cocktail parties happen more often, just don't let me bartend. We all know what happens when Petes bartends and it means there is never an empty glass which in turn means that people don't feel so hot the next day.)

Without any planning, there was a theme among the GMMBers. With the exception of Andy (co-worker, not her fiance), everyone wore some shade of red with black. As seen above, Kathryn and I were opposites... and we even arrived together, so people totally thought it was planned.

Some lovely ladies: Kathryn, Christina (bride), myself and Olita

Chattin' around the tasty treats.

(I tried to make this hairdo work,

but I think it needs some adjustments for next time.)

Thai Truck Friday!

Right now I am counting down the minutes until Kathryn, Christina and possibly Katie and I walk down to the Thai Truck. It's sooo amazing and super cheap too! I mean, you can't really go wrong with Thai, but the fact that we get to leave the office and take a little walk around the lake to the Center for Wooden Boats (the parked location) - that just makes it all the more while. You know what would make this even better on this sunny Seattle Friday afternoon?

This:
And this:

(Funny. I googled picnic table on the lake and they gave me quite a literal picture for the term.)