19.

childhood snow day memories.

taking the cat to my grandma's before school so he wouldn't be outside in the cold.

watching the news in the morning and watching the scrolling bar at the bottom of the screen for school closures.

listening to the radio for school closures. 

(which would be first? very exciting!)

having grandpa make me hot buttered "rum" (he only -accidentally- really gave me rum once much to my grandma's chagrin!).

sledding down the hill and rolling off before hitting grandpa's garden.

watching soap operas with grandma.

walks with grandpa to the lake.

snow angels.

playing games with the neighbors.

snowmen.

going to bed and hoping for another snow day in the morning!

18.

Snow day.

I do love a snow day.
I still check the school closures.
Even though I don't have a school-aged child.
When there are closures it gives me joy.
I imagine all the kids who are so excited to have the day off.
The whole county was basically closed today.
I love it.
I love the forced quiet days.
I love the sleepiness of the day.
I love the lifeless town.
Only the sound of snowplows.
and the whistle of the wind,
the watching of the blowing snow.

17.

Tuesday.

Continued weather advisory.
Snow and cold, cold temperatures.
Kitty cuddles.
No plans. Perfect.
Coffee, tea, and marshmallows.

16.

Monday.

Storm advisory.
Expecting snow.
Cemetery meeting.
Quiet afternoon.
Quieter evening.

15.

Sunday.

Meeting, prepared for.
Coffee, drank.
Grocery store, didn't want to go.

14.

Today.

Two weeks.

Amazing Grace

Grandma Lorraine

Lemon meringue pie

13.

I love...

babbling babies

watching littles create

listening to My Favorite Murder on the way to work

my sweatpants

the full moon

going to bed early

12.

childhood places.

Lake Whatcom

Old Geneva School

the stump at the end of the driveway

Grandpa's garden

Glacier Springs

the Fairhaven Library

Eleven.

Simple Pleasures.

waking early (and not being tired)
waking early (to the beauty of the moon)
waking early (and savoring coffee)
waking early (and writing uninterrupted)
waking early (to quiet and twinkle lights)

10.

Last-minute list.

I am tired.

I am still getting over a cold.

I finished a pretty bad book.

I shouldn't leave writing these lists until I'm already in bed.

9.

things I have a lot of/accidental collections

coffee cups.
in particular coffee cups from Starbucks.
pens. so many pens.
stickers. like I'm a 10-year-old.
notebooks. which is good because of the pens.
cats.
socks.
photographs.
memories.

8.

Sick on a Sunday.

cold & flu brew

hot shower

fuzzy socks

cozy blankets

cat snuggles

dog love

books 

and journal

lazy river dreaming

Seven: A Saturday

woke up with a cold
invite for museum exhibit created
butternut squash soup
grilled cheddar on sourdough
groceries: bread, coffee, pudding
dinner: teriyaki chicken
asleep by 8:30 (I hope)

6: A different review

Things I looked up in December.

Mimosa Tree (albizia julibrisson; Silk Tree)
Second Empire Style Homes
Mansard Roof
exegesis
how long eggnog can be frozen
epilepsy & epilepsy podcasts

5: Also, this.

New Year's Resolutions I didn't make but should have:

Read more books
Watch less TV
Walk to work more
Buy less coffee
Drink more margaritas
Stress-less
Dance more
Be less self-conscious
Laugh more
Silence myself less
Create more
Make-less excuses
Love always.

Four: A Happy New Year

Words for 2020.

Practice
Progress
Follow-through
Enjoy
Grace
Inner-strength
Focus
Compassion
Courage
Create
Connect
Love.

3. Reflection

2019: A mixture.

Saw my cousin do a public reading for her first published work.
Ate cupcakes with my new brother.
My aunt Paula went on hospice.
Celebrated 24 years with Troy.
Met my pen pal of 35 years for the first time as she traveled to WA from her native PA.
Was in the newspaper with said pen pal.
My pregnant sister and P-Lou were in a car accident.
Scared the shit out of me.
Thankful they are fine.
Talked to Jimi Hendrix.
Paula died.
I went to therapy.
I started big soul work.
I continue big soul work.
Talked to my grandpa & grandma via a medium.
Visited Bremerton and explored.
Ate Scotch eggs for the first time.
Want to eat Scotch eggs again.
Baby #1 born. It's a girl! (I'm an auntie! Again!)
Baby # 2 born. It's a boy! (I'm an auntie! Again!)
I love being an auntie.
Ate cupcakes with my new brother. Again.
Went to Vegas for a week with Troy.
Stayed at a resort for the first time.
Stood by Troy as he fought for his health.
Supported Archer in his quest to finish school.
Continue to support Archer in his quest.
Spent a week at a Seattle hospital with Troy to aid diagnosis.
Felt a little lighter when Troy got a diagnosis.
Celebrated friends.
Celebrated family.
Recognized blessings in the everyday.

2. Driving South.

A few notes on driving south to Home (from home):

Conversations when driving are different than normal conversations.
I hate changing lanes on the freeway in a minivan.
The Space Needle was lit up to a beautiful pink.
The construction cranes have Christmas lights that brighten up dismal winter days.
No rain makes the drive so much more pleasant.
Light pollution is incredibly noticeable when going from Seattle to the quiet darkness of the Key Peninsula.
I can't always eat without a mess when driving. Hit or miss man, hit or miss.
In all the craziness of Seattle traffic, I find myself pulled to spend a day in the city. I must plan a trip soon.
Entering the city (Seattle) makes me happy; leaving the city gives me a sigh of relief.

Day One.

Thoughts on beginning

Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end. Supersonic, Closing Time

A new decade feels much more significant at age 45.
There is magic in shorter days. Shorter days = longer opportunity to stargaze.
Beginning.
Onset.
Unfolding.
Birth.
Origination.
Developing.
Dawn.