weekupdatearoonie

It's been a week since I've updated. I worked during the week, and listened to podcasts. Now that we are doing solo work again, I've been on the podcast train. Choo choo. Read books in the tub, chilled. Nothing much. Then I had a four day weekend and I went to Seattle for a date weekend. I am testing out the different ways to park for free. This time I tested the "park at Karen's and walk to the ferry" way. Not a bad walk, but till a ~25 minute walk. Still, good to have my car in a place it'll be looked after. Bremerton ferry is a bit inconvenient. Less crossings than the Bainbridge, but I am able to walk to and from my car which I can't do in Bainbridge.

I arrived Friday night. I walked to Westlake, bought some sweets at Daiso. They didn't have calligraphy pens. Then got the link to Capitol Hill and got to John's place before he did. When he got back, we got some burrito and tacos and ate that and drank cider while watching Psycho. Great movie! I've never seen it before. Then it was bed time. In the morning we walked and got doughnuts and ate them with coffee. Mighty O doughnuts specifically. Poppyseed, raspberry, and french toast. All cut in half and shared. Yum. Then a second course of toast on top of fried egg with a perfect runny yolk. Then it was footyball time. I enjoy the camaraderie and the chanting and the "you're picking up my tab" of it all. And we listened to a table of jerks hit on ladies waaaaaaay out of their league.

And I got some bad news, but I won't and can't go into that now. For my own emotional health.

Once the Wolverines won, we swung by FedEx to pick up a package (a nice shirt for John). Then back to his place. I curled up on the couch to watch Futurama with my boyfriend. We had dumpling for dinner and watched The Neon Demon. Nice throughline with Psycho. John went to a circus workout and I stuck around at his place and drew comic and ate his yogurt and bread. When he came back, we went to the farmer's market and got fruits and veggies and quality bacon. Omelette and toast and bacon and Futurama. Then I got on the 5:35 ferry back to Bremerton. Rob picked me up at the ferry, which was nice of him.

Monday I just stayed in bed for a good long while. Chatted with Celia in the evening. Today I went to work and it was a finishing up after deepcleaning day. Turned a room, did the floors, made cookies, helped with deep clean.

Right now I'm at Karen's, She made dinner and I got to cuddle with Lily. I'm off work for the rest of the week, and maybe some more.

lunch date

Yikes, five days no posting??

Saturday and Sunday were pretty chill. I just hung out at home and relaxed and caught up on sleep and laundry. Ma and Pa came over and we picked apples and had tea and chats. Monday was a shorter day at work. Got things done, did fruit prep, rotated the mattress on a deep clean. Later in the day, I went to Seabeck for the night. Ma, Pa and I watched Eddie the Eagle and ate pizza. Eddie the Eagle was cute and fun. Very heartwarming.

Tuesday was great fun! Dad made hashbrowns and eggs for breakfast and tasty coffee, and we all piled in to the Prius to head to SeaTac. I had the thought that maybe since SeaTac is near where John works, that we could grab lunch if timing worked out and it did! So after the parentals were sent off, I went to the Panera in Renton and had lunch with my boyfriend. How nice!

Then I drove to Bremerton and hung out with Karen and Lily. We had good long conversations, and I read King Baby by Kate Beaton to Lily. Nice to hang with my pal, even though now she's an old married lady.

From there I went to see Tickled at the Dragonfly Theater. It's a documentary about someone looking into this Extreme Tickling Competition, and it escalates into this really bizarre story of evil people with money and the lives they destroy. It's just...really something else.

Swapped cars in Seabeck, went back to Pulali, worked today.

Little short shift with a few fluffs and a turn. Then Christa and Bodi were in town, so we met up downtown to hang out! I gave Bodi lots of pets and we sat out in the sun and caught up. Then I got a hot dog.

Half napped at home, then drew a comic. Just got my schedule, weekend after this one I have four days off in a row, I should do something fun. Then it's a bunch of rando days on and off.

doggy kisses

 Yesterday was deep cleaning with Ginger. I tackled the bathroom and scrubbed the fan and shower and all sorts. And tried to scrub the heating vent but got a shock while cleaning the grime from the part that said warning high voltage. Oops. I moved chairs to prepare for doing the floors the next day and did pre-flights and closed up.

I walked down to The Rose and saw The Lobster, which was weird and good and not something I'd recommend save for a select few. Like, it's very weird and acutely violent in a few parts and just...bizarre. You gotta be open to those kinds of movies. I got popcorn and a nettle syrup gin fiz. Decorated the popcorn with hickory, yeast, a bit of cheese. Super good. But yeah, the movie. Beautifully shot, darkly funny and also dark, and a great cast. I had a ... good isn't the right work but I certainly had a time that I was glad to experience.

After the showing I walked around the Orlando Pride gathering at the fountain. There were rainbow flags draped over the rim of the fountain making an O shape. I didn't stay for the vigil or whatever it was, but I did look at the posted list of names. They were so young. It's not right.

Back at home I drew the comic and neglected my dishes.

I was solo this shift, and by myself for most of it. I did a thorough go at the floors top to bottom, and did a little bit of laundry, and doubly checked the rooms, and watered plants on the veranda, and pet Liesl. After lunch I did a few deep clean items on Study and there were SCUFF MARKS ON THE CEILING! How???

After work I went and forked over the cash and got two new tires stuck on my car. Went to Les Schwab which was slightly more expensive than I remember Wal Mart being but has the benefit of NOT being Wal Mart, in town, and had more free things included with the purchase of the tires. It wasn't a catastrophic amount and now I don't have to worry about my two Oklahoma City bought tires skidding out. They'd be unable to get a grip and two rainy stop signs thus far.

At home I played FTL, watched telly, drew comic, and now I'm tired so nighty night.

Oh, and I'm working the 4th of July.

worn down

So yesterday I was on laundry, which means up and down up and down and hauling and folding and timing. Did three beds, a bunch of towels, stripped two other beds... and this was after breakfast. Though it was a lighter breakfast shift, with lots of 30 second breaks to find this and that to do. Not the rush to wash and wash and dry and fill up the machine and empty it that other breakfast shifts have been. So breakfast and then into laundry. VERY tiring, but hey...it's good cardio.

And at the end of the shift I hustled down the Taylor stairs to catch the 2:30 showing of Midnight Special. The bosses gave me a thank you gift certificate for The Rose so I spent that on the ticket and some popcorn and a hard Finnriver cider because damnit I earned it!

Midnight Special was an odd little movie and I liked it a whole bunch. It didn't overdo it with the more supernatural elements and it was great the way the parental roles switched back and forth. Excellent performances all around with a special note to Adam Driver. Yeah. Good little film indeed. I hauled my tired self up the stairs, drove home no problem, and was well tired for the rest of the day. Still drew.

Today was an empty Inn though I'm sure planned that way as a deep clean is starting on one of the rooms. Nice to have it lighter when we are deep cleaning. I was dragging all day. Seemed like it took extra long to turn just two rooms! And I did the floors and flower water and started on a few items in the deep clean room. It was a full shift but it felt like I should have gotten done with more. But I also did some laundry and folding.

Got a letter from Anita. She's so great. She's engaged to Dan! I stayed with them in Delaware, remember? And Anita has visited Pulali. She gave me that awesome illustrated tide guide.

I worked on some of the things I need to get done. I'm mailing a proof of relationship letter to my friends in Ireland. The ones I stayed with in Toronto. Basically "I have witness these two together" type anecdotal document letter. And I'm sending off my rebate for my monitor. It's an 8-10 week wait to get it back!! And so much effort. I guess that's how they get people to not do rebates. But it'll be nice to get it in the mail come...uhh... June? July?

Now I'm back to being tired so I think I'll go to bed now.

triple threat

 Yesterday was nice. Did a major vacuum and mop at work. Really got the dirt off the ground. Went deep into the corners. Moved the tables and chairs out of the way. Moved rugs. Was very thorough! Did the sinks. Mopped the laundry rooms. Dusted the ceiling nooks with the long duster. Chatted with coworker.

After work I swung by the library and picked up a fat stack of books. Then I made a grocery run. Went home. Napped. Drew. Slept.

Brynne's visit itinerary changed so I had Friday open for myself to chill.

 I cranked open the windows, whipped out the hummus and Juanitas and Ninkasi. Played video games on the porch and absorbed the sun and warmth. The windows are still open in many places. How nice! Can't beat a light Pacific Northwest breeze. In the evening I went over to Celia's to watch Pacific Rim, but the dvd didn't work on her computer so she crutched over and I grabbed the popcorn and we watched Pacific Rim (which I picked up as a $5 dvd) at my place. It was hella fun! Love that movie so much. Love it so much I drew an EXTRA COMIC! Which I am debuting here first:

Nighty night.

schnitzel and noodles except there were no noodles

Fun day! I went to see Zootopia with Ma & Pa. We caught the 1:30 matinee and with more discounts on account of it being Tuesday and Mom and Dad having a regal card, all three tickets were fifteen bucks! But we got those after being stuck behind some lady taking forever to get the five dollar ticket, instead of six dollars. Like damn. She had no awareness.

Zootopia was cute. Nice character designs and animation. The trailers for the other kid movies were like gah though. Liek Angry Birds? ANOTHER Ice Age? Blueeehhh.

After the movie we went to Tizley's and I got the spaetzle and schnizle and salad and a cider. Yum yum I love that spaetzle. Afterwards I picked out some of the dirt from under my wheel wells because I didn't want to pick it out at home, though I guess I could have done it outside at home. My mind was in the mode of "don't want to mess up the garage" but dirt is easily swept out. Errr. Hope the big pile of dirt I left behind wasn't too much of a mess if someone has to clean that. Maybe it'll blow away in the night? And there's still more dirt to be cleaned out. It's really packed in.

Bee class was good! It's still such an onslaught of information. There's a second class that's four hands on classes coming up. I'd have to ask for all the Saturday's off. Maybe I should just find a mentorship. Problem with irregular hours: hard to plan long term around and I'd have to ask for allowances. I don't want to be the tricky one to time shifts. Have to decide pretty quick too, as it starts on the 9th. It's only four classes though. Hmmm.

Made a quick Trader Joe's run and went home.

Pitch didn't go through but I got a very nice email back. Might be able to pitch at a later date if I think of something good.

power back, out of the house, in bed

 Wednesday I slept in. Helped Celia a bit and then headed out. Did a lot of driving! I went to Bremerton and hung out with Karen (STILL NO BABY) and Rob for a bit. Picked up my Girl Scout Cookies. Nice little visit. Went to Seabeck, turned on the heat and opened the gate. Then I headed out to SeaTac to get Mom and Dad from the airport. I accidentally arrived first at departures (once I got the call that they'd arrived from where I was waiting in the cell phone waiting lot) then I arrived at arrivals. Got Ma and Pa back, and we went to bed. Nice and late return.

 Mom and Dad brought me back a sloth towel (that the design looked like the money from Costa Rica that had the sloth on it) a sloth mug, a sloth sticker, a sloth coin purse, some money...anything else? Anyway, it was a good haul! An appreciated one! Ma and Pa are so good at bringing back good goodies. They showed me pictures and told me stories of their travels. I grabbed a few teacups and Dad checked out my brakes. Lots of hanging out. There was a poached egg with hollandaise sauce breakfast, and a hot dog for lunch. I went to Trader Joe's on the way back. Brought some stuff for Celia. Long day.

Slept in. Got an earlierish day tomorrow so hopefully that will get me on a good start for Sunday! Did my comic. Had some food. Didn't get the cleaning done that I wanted to do. Did look into my taxes though, and took a few steps on those. Got some stuff scanned for Celia. Hung out with Celia in the evening. Dinner was a beefy pasta. Dessert was bread with triple creme brie (that I got at TJ's). Yum! Brie is such good cheese. And the good first or last name of some talented actresses. We watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure, which Celia hadn't seen. Such a fun, charming film.

And now I sleep! Enjoy the comics.

Celia versus Audrey II

Had a little breakfast and I dyed my hair (picked it up yesterday). It looks like the last time I dyed my hair was back in December. Same dark brown color. I'm feeling prepared and ready to go for my interview! Gotta look like a composed person! Hire me!

After washing out the dye, I went over to Celia's and hung out. Snacked, I drew, we watched Hot Fuzz and Roman Mars' video about vexillology. I posted the Alaska mug on the vexillology forum I'm a part of, and it was very popular!

Celia like Hot Fuzz. Just the right amount of tolerable violence. And I noticed something I didn't notice before! I always do when watching Hot Fuzz.

Now I'm chilling. Going to set an alarm. Gotta get up early to prepare, and also pop over to Celia's and see if she needs anything because I'll be gone all day tomorrow.

Galentine's Day 2016

Whoo had a pretty good fun little day. Did my makeup, coordinated my outfit (red floral shirt with red beret with bug brooch on the beret), and headed out! Swung through Silverdale and dropped off a letter to get it in the post before USPS stops for the holiday. Picked up mail in Seabeck and had lunch with Ma & Pa. Rainbow sent me an amazing print and other little printed goodies. And Chris my friend up yonder in Canada sent me some rad very cool handmade fingerless gloves!! They are warm and awesome and I love them! Thank you so much Chris if you're reading this!


I went to meet Karen at the theater and oh no it sold out and she couldn't make a later showing, but I decided to see a later showing. Got ticket and assigned spot, which is very convenient. In the time between, we walked around Goodwill and talked about bad mattresses, the cost of furniture, house repairs, baby clothes, and other things. I got out without buying anything (but if this Popsicle looking dress fit, I might have got it but it was two sizes too big).

Said our - OH! Karen gave me this great lapel pin! A silkscreen & squeegee design! SO COOL! And so great! You can take the girl out of the print lab...

Anyway, said goodbye and I saw the movie. It was not as lewd as I was expecting and some of the jokes I was all too familiar with because of the trailers. Fun, very in keeping with the character. It seems like the kind of movie that'll be good to have on in the background. Great casting, nice effects and stunts. Yeah.

Back home, Celia had a lavender sachet and chocolates and fancy soaps for me! So spoiled! Earlier in the day I left a card for her, so she did get that.

Drew a comic. Watched telly. No word just yet about the application, but I did put a "able to start the 14th" on the application, so maybe they are going to take it as a sign to call me then? If not, I'll call Monday. Or Tuesday if it's not open.

that book makes me so MAD

Today was a good artwork production day. Got two things done, comic and extra thing I can't talk about because it's a gift. But I'm pretty happy with it! Can't wait till it gets to it's person so I can post it.

So yah, watched The Great British Baking Show on Netflix and worked. The comic for today is about my frustration towards the utter idiocy of Ready Player One's third act. And first and second act. The book almost had some good parts but I'm so glad I listened to it as an audiobook because I would have thrown it out the window if I owned it in reality. Bleehh!! I really did scream at the audiobook at this part.

My birthday!! Was really nice! Except the rain was absolutely atrocious, but I got through that okay. I can drive in the rain. Nothing tops the rain that came down in Mississippi.

I met Ma and Pa at Kitsap 8 to see Star Wars...again! The theater has been renovated and it looks hella plush. And our theater had reclining seats! Very nice! Enjoyed Star Wars a whole bunch. Post movie, unfortunately Hakata was closed so we went to Origami and had a mini feast. I had udon, we got sushi, dad got singapore noodles. Yum nums! I got my presents after. Sloth shirt! Rey Lego-esque figure (which sits assembled by my Christmas tree light, cool figure though I think her head is proportionally a bit small). Yon & Mu, Super You, Big Magic, and Station Eleven! Yay reading! When I make my lists, I never imply y'all should get me EVERYTHING on it. I'm so spoiled. And I got a new air filter for my car because the last one was super dirty from mice setting up home in there. Spoiled, so spoiled! And there's some OTHER gifts on the way! And one that is there! But I have two bits of mail I am waiting on, so I'll do my next parental rendezvous when those arrive.

After the early dinner, I went to hang with former Boss and Bodi! Boss had wanted to do something for me, and she's such a good cook and I like her company so I was like yeah! She made apple strudel and made a hat with my name on it and a hat for Bodi and Laura, the jewelry client, had dropped off a box of earrings and said I could pick ANY pair I liked!! She has such amazing designs that it took a very long time before I bracketed it down to a stick pearl, pink tourmaline, and circle sterling silver design that is very singular. I look forward to being complimented on them! So I hung out, had tasty apple stuff, caught up on things, and had a good ol' time. Had a nice drive back. Went to bed. All was well. I'm 28, and feeling okay about it.

And William C. Woxlin wished me happy birthday which is VERY COOL!!

sketchbook of choice

Tenth unemployment comic! I'm calling them unemployment comics for now. Hopefully I'll keep makign them whenever that changes, but I'm having fun with it now. I get two ideas for every one that I complete.

And with making, it makes me update! Can't leave y'all hanging now that I'm dropping sweet art all the time. And I have another little portrait done that I have to wait till it's dry to scan.

I watched Galaxy Quest today, in memorium of Alan Rickman. It's been a brutal week for cool people departing our plane of existence. I had no idea either he or David Bowie were sick.

And I watched a couple episodes of Atelier, a Japanese show on Netflix. It's cute. It's about boutique lingerie but not in a sexy way. Which I guess might be the selling point for some people.

Dang I absolutely need to find out which incense I just burned (I think it was the Nag Champa) because that made me wicked congested.

Drawing these comics has been a trip because I'm sort of re-realizing the confidence I have in my own work. My own ability to draw a scene and to fudge details. To know how to balance (or to see what I did wrong). It's like, oh yeah I DO know how to do this stuff. And I'll only get better.

Now to read some of the Dungeons and Dragons manual I've been neglecting!!

at the movies

Instagram finally let me in! Whoo! Today I popped up to Port Townsend to make an art supply run. The tombows were woefully understocked at the place, but I picked up a neutral peach I'm pretty stoked on (see above). Had to pick up something for a gift project.

Then I saw The Revenant which was...harrowing. Some truly beautiful pieces of film making throughout, with impeccable shots. And Leo tauntauned a horse in a scene that almost made me ralph. Holy crap. Yeah. A long movie. A hard movie. A beautiful movie. I gasped and made a :C face at many moments.

Anyway. Yeah! That was fun. Then I drew a comic. I've really been liking the comics I've been making. Hopefully they bring more attention to my work. But gotta do more bigger work too!

I think I've mentioned it here, but I'm giving myself till my birthday to chill and work on myself. Then it is getting back into the swing of things.

I've been feeling pretty good.

pages of eyes

Drew this while watching Housebound, a sort of silly New Zealand horror movie. Not silly enough to be full on comedy horror, but not gorey enough to be totally horror. I dug it.

My comics are being well received on Instagram. Consistently getting 20+ likes, which is good for me! I changed the paper I used, and it seemed to scan better.

I put away clothes, put paper stuff into the burnables, did dishes, put away dishes, swept, I've got towels in the dryer. I got all my letters together into a folder. It's just a lot of picking up of things.

a story of boys and hankies

Have y'all enjoyed that cookie piece? I like having it up there. Anyway, on Wednesday I dropped it off with boss, who commissioned it.

I got up, put on a dress and tights and medium sweater and long gray coat and boots and did my makeup and set out to have a day of fun! I left enough time to swing by the office and drop off the piece.

And so I must sadly mention that that may have been my last visit to the office. I was laid off. But understandably so. Need more clients to have more work for me. Hopefully I'll get a call in a week saying "we got one!!" but for now, I continue as if I need to get a new job. Sad, but that's how it goes sometimes. So I saw Boss and Bodi and we hugged.

I caught the ferry with time to spare and chilled. The Bainbridge crossing really flies by I feel. By the time I've had a hot dog and taken a few selfies, we are already in Seattle and I'm disembarking. Chris would be a bit late to meet me for coffee, so I took my take taking pictures of buildings. It was a nice clear day, cold sure but I had a good overcoat and scarf. The lady barista at Storyville coffee was utterly darling. I complimented her brows and she seemed very joyed by what I said. The dude baristas had a vibe of "what are these girls talking about?" but brows are important, yo.

My coffee was tasty and Chris arrived and we caught up, I was finally able to give him this Battles letterpress poster that I've had forever. I got it as a freebie from Karen when she interned at Hammerpress, and I've just consistently neglected to get it to him. Till now! It's a cool poster, but I don't listen to Battles. Chris does. It was just a brief meeting, as he had plans later and I had plans a bit later too. At the coffee shop I realized I had dropped my hankie somewhere between the ferry and coffee. Bummer, because that hankie belonged to Grandpa Joe and had an embroidered S on it.

Parted ways with Chris and walked over to Kinokuniya. A nice walk on a nice day. I met up with Cameron, who I met at the Dir En Grey show and we hung out for a bit. A little meet up. Nice fella. We had takoyaki and talked things and cooking and travel (he's a Canadian!). And had some bubble tea. And he was so nice he dropped me off downtown. I was prepared to walk, but he dropped me off.

I was going to see Hateful Eight with Marcus, but he was unable to get a ticket due to it selling out. So I went solo. I got there early and was pretty near the start of the line. Got a seat in the near center of the first row at the start of the upwards seating. I sat next to one person, but the person who came into the row after me sat one away. It's a sold out show dude, sit next to someone!

But because that spot was open, a late comer was able to take a really good spot instead of being stuck in some corner place. I got to talking to this guy (there's a lot of men mentioned in this post) next to me, and he was a good dude to chat to, though not when the movie was going of course. He shared a bit of his flask of bourbon with me (which wasn't a big flask, and it wasn't full) which was a nice way to punctuate the movie.

So The Hateful Eight was pretty dang cool! And I went all the way to Seattle to see the 70mm showing. Very stellar. It had an intermission and an overture. Great performances all around, beautiful sets, and yes gore and violence because hello Tarantino movie. Yeah it was great. Well worth the travel, and I had a good day all around so that was worth it.

After the screening, the guy I sat next to and I got to talking. His name is John. He walked me down to the ferry, because the conversation continued to go well. Well I invited him to walk with me, he didn't follow. I mentioned that I had lost my embroidered hankie and that we should be on the look out for it. I even retraced my steps to the ferry. And there at Madison and just past Alaskan Way where I stopped to take a picture of a building....there it was! Barely stepped on! Just there! And I was able to show John the embroidery that PROVED it was the hankie I mentioned and not just some random Seattle hankie.

Really says something about Seattle trash collection when that stays put for eight hours.

I gave John my number and said adieu. Talked to two MORE dudes on the ferry ride back. They had the Hateful Eight programs so I knew we had a topic starter. They both had wedding rings, so I wasn't about that. I just like talking to people. Turns out the programs have different centerfolds. I'm really happy with my Demian Bichir centerfold.

My car was iced over, so I had to crank the heat and break out the scraper. I drove steady and slow back home. It was below freezing. I don't know if I've driven in 27 degrees since Colorado?

New Years Eve was pretty mellow. Talked to Celia a bit. Slept in. Tidied up a little. When the clock rolled over, I sat on the seawall and lit fireworks. Roman candles and sparklers mostly. One bottlerocket. Found out I can make this gaming meetup on the 2nd. I'm looking forward to that!

New Years Day started with a hike! Ma and Pa were on their way to meet up and Celia and I didn't have much time to get clean and dressed and on our way. Corbie was taking himself for a walk, and showed up on the driveway as we were headed out (I carpooled with Celia). Met Ma and Pa at the Overpass Lot and we went in the van together to Gibbs Lake. The loop trail took about two hours, and it was a nice path. Some ups and downs, but nothing too strenuous. Plenty of frost pushed up through the ground, and cool fluffy frost too. A nice brisk start to the new year. Post hike, we ate at the 101 Brewery and Cafe. I had fish and chips, there were bacon garlic fries ordered for the table, and we ate heartily. Yum num. One of those meals consumed at just the right time, because I haven't needed to eat again since.

I picked up some mail from Ma and Pa and we returned to Pulali. I chilled for a bit, got the new episode of Sherlock, and later in the evening went over to Celia's and we watched Sherlock! It was awesome. Fun how it went back in time with all the awesome production values. Celia is great to watch Sherlock with.

And now I'm super congested! I was doing really well. Cat allergies. Boo.

So now it's 2016, how 'bout that?

xmas 2k16

Merry Christmas! We've had a nice lowkey one this year, which I ain't complaining about! No rushing about, hauling gifts, buying a bajillion things, or real struggles to do a lot of stuff. Just presents between three people, food, fun, and episode of Chopped, and merriment.

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, I got up earlier than usual and tidied house and packed up and wrapped Nathan & Helen's present and got the rest of my letters addressed and ready to go. I got out of the house at around 3:50 to get to the Post Office in time. I got there at 4:20 and it closes at 4:30. Got N&H's prezzie in the mail with a tracking number and off it went!

And so I left for Seabeck.

At one point in the drive, a mouse crawled out of my car hood and onto my window, but as I was driving sorta fast, it was unable to hold on and it slid off into the night. Hopefully there are not more mice. Guess I'll set a trap overnight in my car?

I arrived in Seabeck at not a bad hour. Paid rent by flinging twenties in the air. Dad made me a hot buttered rum and we played Tetris Block, this letter game, and this other game. I didn't win anything.

I wrapped presents hastily and went to bed at a good hour.

Come morning I blasted the John Finnemore Christmas classic "Get Dressed You Merry Gentleman" as I descended the stairs.

I dumped out my stocking and assembled my Everglades Park Ranger & Swamp Ruffian Lego set.

Dad made coffee and waffles. Tasty tasty. Presents were opened. I got Sugar Skull and The Girl on the Train and a water rescue Playmobil and a fancy popcorn set and some new slippers and pajamas and something I won't spoil for Nathan that is REALLY COOL!

Nice little haul indeed. I got Dad two cozy knit hats (both had good reviews and I didn't know which to get so I got both) and a book about a North Pole explorer and a South Pole explorer. Mom got a nice apron and two bags with birds on them, and she has a fourth present still in the mail.

We took a little hike to the creek and ate a Christmas dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, broccoli and OHMYGOD I just remembered I'll be getting PEOTWHS in the morning. Yuusss.

After dinner we played Beyond Balderdash and I lost by a considerable amount. Then we watched Shaolin Soccer (which was weirder than I remember it being) and an episode of Chopped.

Now it's night time. Goodnight!

hi I'm tired (hello tired, I'm a dad joke!)

AUUHHGGG I'm tired! I just finished Nathan & Helen's present. I wanted to get it in the mail tomorrow. So now it's done. WHOO!! And that is what I've been doing today. Talked to Celia a bit. Didn't clean or tidy. Just finished that up. Won't talk about what it is, and if you want to see it: check out my Instagram. If you DON'T WANT TO SEE IT, AVOID MY INSTAGRAM!!!

Yesterday I met Ma and Pa for the 3:20 showing of Star Wars in Poulsbo. On my way there I dropped off a few more cards, so now there are 93 cards in circulation. Star Wars was hella fun the second time around. Yay the Force!

Afterwards we went to dinner at that thai place on the corner in Poulsbo. I went for the wide flat noodles, as something new. They were really damn tasty!

After a nice dinner with nice family and discussions of beekeeping classes, I made a vitamins run and envelopes run up on the stores on the hill. So I got that done and headed back home.

At least I slept in this morning, but I shouldn't do that tomorrow. Got stuff to do tomorrow, but at least with a Post Office deadline, I can get my boot scootin'.

GOOD NIGHT!

hat hair and fighting the elements

If you are Ma or Pa or someone else looking to get me gifts for Christmas or my birthday, I put up a list right over yonder to the right >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

*****

Got three days to sum up again! Hope y'all aren't minding too much that the posts have slowed consistently, but hey I'm still writing to check in multiple times a week.

Friday I worked on site. Hauled over the jewelry and lighting equipment. Set it up again so we have the studio to show off when visitors come by. I helped inventory items and add in descriptions and I moved about boxes. Got a lot of stuff to list next week. A loooot of stuff. But we'll make money, so that's good! I gave Bodi some pets and headed out.

Deposited checks, ran a Target errand, and got home where Ma and Pa were! They came over during the day when I was at work. They saved me a plate of food, and they fed Celia too. It was rainy but Dad started a fire so it was cozy.

Come morning, they did yard work and hauled up the kayaks. Dad made me a new mallet for the kindling chopper, because I broke the other one. A rain barrel was installed as well! It's going to divert the run off from the gutters that's been eroding the side of the bank. Can't have the house fall into the bay. Dad cooked up some steaks for lunch and I made garlic jasmine rice. They headed out while it was still daylight and I chilled at home and went to bed early.

I've been really tired this weekend. I slept in, and have been going about in just a tired fog. Wonder what's up with that.

I drove up to Port Townsend to get some art supplies and the STORE WAS CLOSED! Closed on a Sunday! Boooo! But I had other plans for PT. I saw Room, which stars Brie Larson. Very heavy drama with excellent performances. So good. I'm amazed I didn't cry, but I wanted to. Her performance just trumps anything else done this year. I got dinner and a Victorian coffee at the theater (the Starlight Room). I got a house salad! Healthy choice!

I did some food shopping at the QFC after, and headed home. Damn it was a horrible drive both up and down. Rain pouring, wind pushing. I kept it slow and tried to keep the car out of the rain filled grooves in the pavement. Just really nasty stuff. Thankfully other drivers were acting sensibly as well. No speeders or tailgaters.

So I'm back at home, feeling tired even though I got plenty of sleep at it is 9 pm.

Felt like writing now, instead of much much later.

I'm wearing that hat I found in the hotel. Dad doesn't seem to want it, so it's mine!

Waltz is always such a good villain

Wednesday & Thursday & Friday

Getting so behind. Continually behind.

I saw a late showing of Spectre, the new Bond movie. It felt like a Bond movie. Gadgets, funky villains, babes, and a real sense of physicality to the stunts. Like a lot of money was spent with real stuff instead of doing it all in computer. I dug it.

Earlier today (Friday) I worked from home a bit, doing some eBay whatnots. Then I did laundry. Did a bunch of laundry over the past few days. I went over to Bremerton to hang with Karen and Rob. Their house is looking so nice! I helped Karen paint trim for the walls and helped hand Rob power tools while he assembled stuff. Rob brought home some chocolate to snack on. I like Rob. Good guy, that Rob.

I worked on site on Thursday. Photographed and itemized some things. Not a long day, but nice to get out of the house. Jeremy was at work for a bit too. At home I finished the illustration up and got to bed late.

Wednesday I worked from home, worked on the illustration, ... did I make the food run on Wednesday? Maybe. Can't remember. I guess I could check my blog post but ehhh that takes effort. I did a food run sometime and got a good assortment of vegetables. Yum.

No plans to leave the house till Monday. Time to chill, time to work.

Swung by Ma and Pa's today as well and picked up my way cool lapel pins that I ordered from Ryan Bubnis. They're so cool.

Now I'm super congested. Time to rest.

one year employed

Wednesday & Thursday & Friday

Wednesday I finally caved and bought a wifi booster. Drove into town just to run ONE stinkin' errand. I bought some toilet paper to make it a little bit more worth while. The booster connected just fine, but then came the test of plugging it in at my house (you initiate it near the router, then move it to where ever you need a few more bars/strength) and it worked! And not only did it connect but my internet has had a discernible improvement around the house. It shows up as five bars but I'd put it around 4 in terms of overall strength. I'm glad it worked because I'd hate to bother with returning it. Hopefully it continues to work, I still have time to return it.

Thursday I slept in and went into town to meet Ma and Pa for Crimson Peak. I loved the sets and costumes. Such beautiful design through and through. It was less spooky than I was anticipating, still cool though. Ma and Pa presented me with s'mores fixings and old papers of mine from school and a box of childhood photos. I certainly don't look like I used to!

Friday I met my boss at Hakata for a one year Jobiversary lunch celebration! We talked work and weddings and other things. I have such a nice, great boss. She's very appreciative. And she gave me a gift! A copy of #Girlboss SIGNED TO ME by Sophia Amoruso (the author)!! And she had a great story about getting it signed. Originally they said no personalization but she asked the author. Sophia wrote "always ask for what you want" on the front page. Booyah. And there was a gift card, but it was not from my boss and just a signing freebie. Though I have to spend a certain amount to utilize the discount. Hmmn. Bummer. Maybe I'll have that amount to blow by March, when it expires. There were some cool sunglasses on the website.

I swung by Trader Joe's and did a food run. Yay for munchies! Then went back home and did computer stuff and non computer stuff. Lots of parent time coming up in the next few days! And wood chopping. Hurray.

visitations

Thursday & Friday & Saturday

Ma and Pa came up for a two night visit. Work around the property, work out of the weather, work in the narrow window when the weather is better. First day the weather turned stormy right as they arrived, so we mostly stayed in, played some board games, watched The Tick, and ate food. Second day it was windy but not stormy, but way too windy to be outside for any proper labor, so we made apple juice. Mom and Dad cut apples in the living room, I pulped them in the kitchen, and we pressed them outside. Three pressings? Four? Maybe five? Not as big of a harvest as previous years, but still got some good juice. Celia came over with pasta and garlic bread for dinner, and Dad read out some Poirot. Third day we hauled up wood from the beach bank for firewood and I painted sealant on the doorframe to protect it from the elements. Switching the house over to winter mode. I've turned on the wall heaters for the time being. Not looking forward to the slow climb up of the electric bill. But at least I'm not spending the time watering all the plants. Everythings looking much more green.

Went up to Port Townsend and caught the 7:30 showing of The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Pretty good movie. Nice to see a female coming of age film, that's directed by a woman, and based on a story by a woman. I can see how it'll be controversial, unfortunately, but damn it resonated with me. Hope it does well. It's super limited release, unfortunately!

Tomorrow I work. Probably.