Freddy and Fredrica.

Being a kid is funny. My cousin Haylee used to name her dolls two names- either Dashboard or Kodiak. Dashboard she must have heard from a reference in the car and Kodiak was their garbage man! When my cousins(Tami and Leanne) and I were growing we named EVERYTHING Freddy and Fredrica. We spent most of our time naming seagulls and little crabs on our beach at Whidbey Island. Looking back on this just cracks me up!

Childhood was so simple! I look back on it with such fondness. We spent our days playing with my little ponies, building blocks, watching Old Yeller... we also used to draw pictures and put them up in this one hall way my grandparents used to have in their house. We'd then force each person in the house to walk through admiring our terrible work! Sometimes we'd even turn all the lights off and use a flashlight if our pictures were supposedly "scary."

WELL that was a random memory. It made me smile. I needed that today :)

R & B Saturdays. GIRLS only.

I had this idea that I hope some day comes to be. It will be a group of friends, women only, Saturday mornings. We'll run (or walk or jog), we'll chat, and we'll eat breakfast together; a different restaurant/cafe each week. Coffee shops when we're saving money or short on time. Maybe even go to each other's houses for food some weeks.

I miss having girl friends around so much! I didn't realize how important they were to me... it was easy to miss all that with how busy the last year has been. Working, commuting, wedding stuff, family stuff... truly enjoying my few friends came very rarely.

I miss the days of roommates! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love living with my husband but I look back to roommate days with great fondness. I talked to one of my most favorite roommates today... Sarah. She's about to have her third baby..very exciting. We only see each other a few times a year but its always great to see her. Her,Rachel, and I had a fun time living in Soundview. One of my most vivid memories for some reason is decorating for the holidays.. we had this red checkered table cloth and a really good smelling candle. I remember the smell of our apartment. It was so comforting... We used to come at the end of our day and debrief. Literally not leave out a detail. It was great. We continued that when Miriam moved in as well. I loved it.. I think that's what I miss the most. Just sharing all the silly details of life with my friends!

Someday I'll find a friend or two to make R & B Saturdays happen. :) Every woman needs other women to talk out all this grown up stuff..marriage, children, work, faith... Well maybe not everyone but I sure do.

I am so thankful to my best friend Karyn... we still talk regularly even though I've moved. She's the best!!

Schtalker.

I have a problem. I've become a schtalker.

Mark and I decided before we got married that a pet was definitely in our future. As soon as we get settled ANYWHERE we will make our little family of two into three with a miniature schnauzer :) Since coming to this decision I have become a little obsessed. I am always on the lookout for one of these cute little dogs! When I see one or if I THINK that dog wayyyy in the distance could be a schnauzer, I kind of stalk people. Don't worry, I won't follow anyone home or anything! I just try to make sure our paths cross so I can pet their dog and ask them questions about this lovely breed. I don't think I've scared anyone yet.. well besides Mark.. he's convinced I'm a little crazy!

Who wouldn't want to snuggle something this cute?

Coffee shop tears.

A couple of times a week for one of my outings I go to a near by coffee shop to read while enjoying a cappuccino. I am currently reading "Marley and Me." It made me cry IN PUBLIC. I suppose it could bring anyone to tears because most people can identify with loving and losing a pet. I spent a lot of my growing up years with a lab like Marley in appearance but very different in personality, Luke was always well behaved! Thankfully he is still alive but getting older with a few health problems... He's pictured above. I love him. He's definitely the best dog I have ever known! My hope is he'll still be around the next time I visit home.

Anyway..before I cry again! My coffee shop trips are a way to get out of the house for awhile that doesn't involve a run or a trip to the grocery store. I enjoy these little trips and hope someday to have a friend instead of a book. I have yet to see anyone else enjoy a cup of coffee on their own. Its groups of people, women and their kids, men it what appear to be meetings, women chatting about life (can't help but overhear sometimes!)... and then me, all by my lonesome! Someday... Its hard to get anyone to do anything here without it revolving around drinks that are not coffee related. Its all about the pub and a pint. Neither interest me. I guess I am a true American from Seattle...I long to meet for a cup of coffee or a green tea, I feel at home when there is a Starbucks near by!

I am slowly adjusting you could say. I've grown accustomed to hours of alone time. It no longer makes me AS depressed spending hours thinking. Its actually given me some time to sort through feelings I didn't have time to previously. Some of these good feelings..other not so good but both being dealt with!

I am also quite possibly the most well rested person in the UK. I sleep 8-10 hours a night just because I can. I no longer require naps. If you know me at all you know naps are my favorite thing. Now I am rarely tired because besides exercise I don't have much to do. With 8-10 hours of sleep a night even a long run is followed by loads of energy left for my slow day. I truly look forward to being busy again! And I promise you I will not miss these days. Some people think I am living the life but I promise you I am NOT. There are a few perks of course but overall I'd rather be working and surrounded by people! Until then.. I just don't have many interesting things to say. SOMEDAY I believe I will.