merriment in the mist

I miss my rain.  Albuquerque has permanently dried me out. I am a prune of my former self. But occasionally I do get to visit Washington.  To see my family, yes.  But I can't deny the anticipation of precipitation.

Can you see the mist?  The lack of blue sky?
Feel the dampness seeping into your bones!

The above by the way is a simply fabulous park; reclaimed from a sand and gravel works.  Chambers Creek Regional Park. (I think)

The crew

The park

Bradys, attaaaaaaaack!

We also spent time at the zoo.  The not-Tacoma zoo. In the day we saw animals with Betsy and Co. (It's always better at the Brady's)   At night there were zoo-lights.  Fun, but cold. The men stayed home in the evening and did whatever men do when they're alone.  (It probably involves eating, drinking, sports, T.V, and much grunting I imagine)

Yeah. We're totes adorbs.

I also got to visit with an old friend from Portland days.  It's so lovely when you see old friends and it's like time just hasn't gone by at all.  You can pick up right where you left off.  Which in my case is very nice, because I am a horrible correspondent. Yikes. Please forgive my negligence you favorite people you.  I think about you. I am simply remiss in my affectionate communication obligations.

More

Amir has to do projects for school.  He had to model a system, for something or other.  He never really explains the details.  He wanted a fish tank.  I was thinking something small and modest, maybe five gallons. We got a 30 gallon tank on Craigslist. (I had to help move it twice. That thing weighs a tonne!!  The fish had quite the adventures.)  He hooked it up to these plants and pipes.  The pipes are hanging from the ceiling in his school. The video is not the greatest.  I keep telling Amir he needs to pan more slowly and pull back so we can see the whole thing. But you get the gist. They fish did not come home with us. Amir's professor has them.  Molly is not sad about this.

 Hmmm...what else.
Our friends from Idaho LOVE Amir's barbecue.  We did a little something different and tried a variety of sausages.  I think Aidells pineapple bacon are now my favorite. (available at your local Costco)  YUM!

Amir's office at work has been undergoing some renovations. As in move a few walls, pull up the floor, redo the kitchenette entirely, new furniture; simple things really.  But in the middle of the construction, they had to find a place to put the fridge. Bathroom is totally the first place that springs to my mind.  I thought it was hysterical.  Then I thought it was GENIUS!  

Our little puppy really isn't sad.  But she always has a pitiful expression on her face.  How could you ever say no to that adorable mug?

Long time no blog

I have been promising to blog, but have not had the time.  As to why I have not had time..I went back to school.  Why?  Figured I might as well.  Amir and I should finish around the same time.  Make a nice shift in my job; new field, new people to annoy.
And since it seems I failed to mention to my mother- I learned to ride a motorcycle too.  Amir started riding to save on gas. School and work makes for a loooong commute.  I thought, since I'm starting school, I should get a scooter. Something small I can use just for school.  I asked Amir and he said, why don't you learn to ride a motorcycle?  He kept pushing.  I had NO desire to learn.  Yeah.  He had ulterior motives; he wanted a new bike.  Bigger motor, more power.  Sneaky husband!
So you get a video of my...third time on a bike.  Don't laugh.  I had never even shifted out of 2nd gear!  It was way scary at first. But I am getting better.  Traffic is a nightmare, but I'm a ridiculously cautious driver.

Have been having fun with our little puppy.  We took her to a park and Amir found this rope in a tree.  Not being one to pass up a good rope, he tried it out.

This was not his first swing.  The others were a a little more graceful.

Wow

OK, so Amir has been thinking about getting braces for a while now.  (He does not have American teeth.)  But Jose just recently had them put on.  Go Jose! Today Amir had an appointment to speak with an orthodontist.  I thought it was just a consultation.

He came home like this:

I dunno.  Words fail me.

New member of the household

So...yeah...this happened.

Her name is Harley and she's a schnauzer mix.  Isn't that an adorable face?  And the dog's not bad either.

Happiness

I was pondering on the nature of happiness. Why so elusive?  Ephemeral? Dunno.  We cannot choose all the things that come into our lives.  Things happen beyond our control.  But we choose how we react to them.  Let's be honest, life can be pretty crappy.  But my dear family has what we call mock therapy.  We, as a group, choose humor.  Maybe that's why I need to call my dear family- to get perspective- and to laugh.  My mother always quotes Abraham Lincoln "Most folks are just about as happy as they make their minds up to be."  Reading a book on Martha Washington I came across a quote from one of her letters- "I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances: we carry the seeds of the one, or the other about with us, in our minds, wherever we go." 
This has been a lesson I have needed to learn.  My dear mother, bless her heart, tried to pound it into me when I was younger. I suppose I am finally ready to listen.  

Smartness

Ok people...this is just a brag (not even a humble-brag) concerning my dear darling husband.  He got straight A's this term. Yes indeedy.  Another reason he is the bestest.
Also..sent this to a realtive already, but couldn't resist posting here.  Reading a book on Elizabeth I of England and came upon a picture of a French prince.  Tell me who YOU think it looks like?


I know, right?