from judy’s point of view

Zak and I just finished our first sewing project - pillowcovers and a duvet cover.   It was no small feat.  I wanted to quit after doing the pillows, but Zak slapped me silly and told me I should shut up and finish it.  So we did and I love it very much.  I'm really happy with the outcome.  We bought the comforter from Ikea and went to Stitches to handpick our fabric. I really love this fabric, It's soft, thin, light and imported from japan (matilda loves it).   We also included a 22" zipper for our comforter and it looks so pretty!  Check out our photos below.  

Thank you for the flowers honey!

The past weekend we went to the Fourteenth Annual Maritime Festival sponsored by The Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood and Metropolitan Improvement District.  A beautiful Saturday to kick of the festival that took place along the waterfront.  We saw tugboat races, Coast Guard rescue demos, and wooden-boat building for the kids.  And of course, a chowder cook-off which was one of the reasons we went.  With only $5, we sampled and voted on the best chowder. Tried out 9 different chowders from Anthony's Pier 66, Bell Harbor Conference Center, The Crab Pot, Elliot's Oyster House, The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar, Ivar's , Seattle Marriott Waterfront, Six-Seven, and Steamer's Seafood Cafe.  All were very excellent but I voted for Six-Seven because it was delicious.  I picked that because it didn't taste or have the consistency of warm milk.  It was a medium-size sample portion, not overpowering but a balanced combo of spices and they didn't skimp on clam meat. 

A few weeks ago before moving to Seattle I was living at my parents
home, finishing grad school, and closing things with work. People
knew that I would be in Seattle less than a month. I was ready to go
to Seattle, see Zak and the kitties.

My expectations for this month was to relax, learn the city and do
things at my pace. But fudge that, it was no vacation. I love the
apartment we found... the location, the view, and everything looked
great except for the inside... we had no furniture. In fact, poor Zak
spent a few months sleeping on a futon pad along with the kitties!
Although I was excited to go to Seattle, I was nervous about it and
had the usual stress indicators. Moving to the city was stressful.
Leaving Ohio and everything I knew about Ohio was stressful. Learning
a new city and lifestyle was stressful. Living in an empty home was
most stressful. In my heart, I knew I had to start making this place
feel like a home, our home. It was top priority for me at least. I
needed a place where I feel comfortable and secure, I can be myself
and belong. Speaking of new environments, the kitties had been trying
not to freak out. But, up until now there has been a few scary
moments. Lucy hasn't been eating very much and just a few days ago
had an episode. She collapsed and started to breathe heavily. She
couldn't get up for 30 minutes and we tried to calm her as she shook.
I took her to the vet the next day in Queen Anne by taxi. After the
xrays, blood work, and exam, we learned that she has an infection in
her chest. Relieved that it wasn't cancer, we are happy that this is
treatable. And just recently, Hank hasn't been able to poop :( He
frequently would sit in the litter box for a few minutes and not have
anything come out. We have gone through 3 different brands of dry
foods and still haven't found something that all the kitties like. We
are constantly watching each of them for puke, diarrhea, loss of
appetite etc. While all that was going on, I signed up and registered
everything that a WA resident who doesn't own a car would carry. In
the last few weeks, I received my WA drivers license, ORCA card,
Zipcar membership card, Seattle library card, Safeway club card and
Nordstrom MOD card.

So if you ask me what have I been up to? all that above. If you ask
how do I like Seattle? I love Seattle. The people, food, city,
landscape, and all around equal amount of events for all types of
interests. If you ask how am I doing? I am a bit homesick but trying
to fit in. Adjusting. Settling. Enjoying. Slowly but surely.

So Zak, kitties and I started our ~3,000 mi road trip Thursday night at 6pm. We tried to take every precaution for the trip - especially making sure the kitties had a comfortable place to sleep while we drove. We planned to take about 30 minute breaks twice a day to take each one out of their crates to allow them to stretch those lil legs. We laid out a small litter pan and bowls for food and water at those stops and just cuddled and cared for the cuties. Our first break was very interesting. Everyone wanted different things from us - one for petting, one for peeing, one for food (you can take a guess who that is!), and the other to just explore the suburban. We're hoping that the next few breaks would get easier as it gets easier for them. Of course initially the first hour Opal yelled and went crazy - shaking the bars and dig her nails into the crate. But it's not that bad at all so far. They've been very very good, surprisingly. With Zak and I rotating 4 hour shifts we can probably get to Seattle by Saturday morning. The roads have been clear so far so we have been very fortunate!

Two major events happened this week.  One good and one not so good.  The not so good is not the focus of this post however I wanted to use this to track a point in time so I can look back and understand the circumstance of this weekend.  
The good is my husband's family.  This family is very close -- they look out for each other.  They support each other.  If someone is not doing well, they band together and protect the vulnerable.  They are awesome.   Not that they haven't been this way, I am amazed from what I've seen and heard - how loving and supportive they are to one another.  I've been invited into their family with open arms and taken cared of as if I was one of them all along.  They threw a surprise birthday party Saturday morning and showered me with gifts.  I've been invited to the "girls night out" events with the women of the family.  I have so much fun with the family and the greatest part is that I just have to be myself.  I want to thank them for their generosity and the trust that they give me to be part of the family.  I only hope that I can do the same and live long the love and support for my future family. 

OMG I just turned 30.  I am having a major life crisis.   I made goals to get married, have kids, and live in a nice home in the suburbs.  I had goals that I've traveled and seen the world by the age of 30.  What do I have to show for in the last 3 decades?  It's getting harder to loss weight, my body and skin isn't perky and good at resisting the harshness of the world.  My skin is no longer smooth and wrinkle free.  I am 30 and can I really have kids?! What will I be doing in the next 30 years?

That is the stuff that goes through my head today.  It initially depressed me and had put a number of my fragile mind.   However just thinking about the major accomplishments I've had in my life I'm happy that I had made conscious decisions to at least made baby steps to meet my goals.  I got married to a wonderful husband.  I have kitties who gives me unconditional love.  I am getting my masters in June.  I am among people that exemplifies love and support for one another.  Because of that, I am doing great and that makes the the happiest person in the world.  Sure, I’m not where I thought I’d be when I reached 30, but you know, I’m pretty happy with where I am.  It’s so cliche, but I feel like I have so much ahead of me.  There are so many exciting things happening in the world and so many opportunities to grow personally and professionally.  I’m glad to have my place in all of it, at least until things change again and I go off on my next adventure... BRING IT ON! 

What am I thankful for?

1. Family & Friends - I am thankful for my husband who is my adviser, supporter, and listener.   I am thankful for the close relationships I have with Zak's family and mine.  Especially closer to my brother throughout the years.  I am thankful for friends and acquaintances.  Their multiple interests and perspectives keep me open-minded and empathetic.  Finally, I am thankful for the kitties who show pure unconditional love. 
2. Health - I am thankful for my good health.  If I didn't have a healthy body or mind, I wouldn't be able to do things I can do now.
3. Technology - I am thankful for the technology.  I love my iPhone, Dropbox, and Hulu (to name a few).  Without technology, I wouldn't be able to organize, store, collaborate, connect things customized to my preference and process.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!