Snow Days and Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving one and all! This year I am celebrating with the Dude and his dudette. They arrived in town on the coldest day of the year and were here to experience a BIG snowfall for the area (roads closed, buses careening down hills, the works). They officially need to come with a Weather Warning sticker (seriously)! Since we are Michiganders and we know snow, we had adventures regardless of the temperatures.

On Sunday, we headed to the markets all bundled up and braving the cold Pacific breezes. We dined on spicy thai to warm ourselves from the inside out (it didn't work) and watched the locals freak out! (so funny). We cozied in and started to make plans for the following day--- we WERE headed to Vancouver! We COULD make it! Well, Mother Nature had other plans..the roads that were snow covered got icy (ugh) and ice and hills don't mix. By the afternoon though, things appeared to be clearing up (and like I mentioned above-- we're Michiganders, snow doesn't scare us!). So, we packed up and began our out-of-town adevntrue. It took us FOREVER! There were snow covered roads, people sliding all over, and a little white-knuckle driving for me. (The Dude sat in the back and read(!).) About 2 hours into a drive that shoulod normally take 2.5 hours, we were a little over half way and decided to make a pit stop for some luluLemon. (The dudette and I are officially obsessed and decked out!). After 4.5 hours, we FINALLY made it to Vancouver safe and sound. We started a bar crawl but froze and decided to spend a little more time at the hotel. We toured Vancouver on a tour bus (way too cold to be walking around outside!). We saw the sights and the weather played nice (it was sunny!). It was a great time and the day was filled with interesting bus drivers (read: characters).

Being Schulte's, we took the scenic route home. (we have a long history of taking the pretty route home. As a kid this generally feels like the LONG way. Now that we're grown-up, we appreciate the natural beauty. Maybe that makes us old, but we like it!). As we approached the Seattle area, traffic got thick and people were freaking out due to the "terrible" weather. The book store was closing 3 hours early due to weather and road conditions. Um, it WAS the artic, but with a little salt the roads would be fine (the Michigan in me is definately making a comeback.) We opted for a pizza dinner and braved the roads home (they really weren't that bad). When we returned, the house was frozen, but we survived it and cozied in for a bad movie and some laughs (three gronw-ups on a couch fighting over balnkets and footstools).

Yesterday, it was COLD again, but we decided we needed to continue our exploration and adventures. We did an Underground Tour...it was like touring a dirty old Michigan basement with some good history mixed in. The story was cool (I am a sucker and bought the book to learn more.) But cool story or not, it was GA-ROSS down there. I am intrigued by the Red light district history tour, but am not convinced I can do the underground thing again. The tour guide says it is the safest place to be in a Seattle earthquake, the Dude and I DO NOT agree. (Eeeks!).

And that brings us to today--Thanksgiving Day. Cozy and Warm inside, we are cooking for three and thinking of (and talking/texting) those loved ones who are far away today (probably warmer and drier than we are....). Have a great day remembering all the things you are thankful for. I know I will.

Grounded...

I am officially grounded. Yep. that's right! My only mode of transportation will be by car, boat, foot or local public transit for the nest month. No more airplanes, long flights or delayed travels! As of yesterday, I took my last flight for a month! (and it was a smooth one!). My only travels will be in my hood (slang for neighborhood and in this case the entire Pacific Northwest, including Canada). And I am delighted!

By now you know, I am a frequent flyer. I know the tricks, the tips, and the chaos that can ensue when flying. It is a luxury to be able to get 4000 miles in only 5 hours. I would not be interested in driving 44 hours again. No thank you.

That said, I am delighted to have my feet on the ground and be able to really explore for a little bit. My bro and his better half (two of the favorites, of course!) will arrive in just two days for a Thanksgiving vacation. We have plans to head to the Great White North (or Canada), and then adventure around Seattle. The weather may have something to say about that and we may need to adjust our plans. (Alex and Jenny have a tendency to bring terrible weather wherever they go-- snow in Scottsdale, AZ. Really there is nothing more to say than that.) Regardless, we are sure to have some great adventures by foot, car, or boat! Stay tuned....

The end of the road...

So, today is the last day of my 3-Day season. (I just realized that right this minute!). It's been a long season. The longest I have ever had. It was long because I started at the beginning and am ending at the end of 15. But in those weeks spent on the road, there have been some really incredible moments. I have the pleasure of driving each of the routes and really seeing the people and places we impact.

Here are just a few of my highlights---

- The two ladies with a thank you sign who likely have other things to do on a Friday morning, but make it important to cheer on these walkers

- It's the young lady carrying the "my mother" flag and is walking with only her dad by her side

- The smiles at 7am when the walkers are told to wait and the walkers are patient, kind and pleasnt while waiting

- It's witnessing moments like a co-worker taking the time to care for a stranger at their most vulnerable moment

- It's conversation with a man;y-man about the tender moments we are priveleged to witness

- It's getting thanks from someone whom I should be thanking

- It's watching a woman be stronger than she ever thought she could be

- It's the families that wake-up at 7am on a Sunday to hand out popsicles on a very hot morning

- It's watching the unexpected joy on someone's face when they realize they have made it!

- It's the moments we laugh so hard and for so long that we have forgotten why we started laughing in the first place

I am lucky to have a job that allows me to witness triumphs, help someone in their weakest moment, and work with an incredibly talented group of folks who share in the same values I do. Althought the work we do is for a serious cause, we definately have a good time!

Here are some of my favorite moments in photos---

Thanks to everyone who has made this long, long season super fun (most of the time)!

Random thoughts in an airport terminal

On Sunday when I departed for Phoenix, I had more travel drama. (I didn't post about this, but it took me 15 hours and a unexpected stop in Billings, MT before I got home from Atlanta last week. ugh). So, after that travel debacle, I assumed I was done for a bit. Yep- so not true! My scheduled flight from SEA to PHX was delayed due to mechanical issues and then ultimately cancelled. The good news, I am an Elite traveler so was able to be booked onto another airline for a simialr arrival time (gold star bonus!). The non-Elite travelers were stuck (I did feel bad for them).
Anyway, regardless of my re-book, I was at the gate for about 3 hours. In that time, I was situated in front of the TSA screening area. Amazing People-watching! As I sat there, I took some notes about the random thoughts that went through my head and decided to share with you (don't you feel lucky?).
So here we go...

• High heels don't make sweat pants fancy.
• Guys in tank tops are not okay. I don't want to see your armpit hair in an airport terminal! (and PS- it's 80 in Phoenix, not 112. You can survive in a tee shirt!)
• Socks and sandals are not okay! I have come to understand this is some kind of Pacific-Northwest thing, but flip-flops and tube socks ARE never okay. (same as tube socks and pumps! Maybe we should just say tube socks with anything other than an athletic shoe are not okay. Perhaps we make this law? I'm just saying...)
• Is Sunday the new Monday in travel world? There are sooooooooo many people here!
• Are fanny packs making a comeback? Did I somehow miss that memo? Let's be honest as easy- access as they may be, they are just not cute.
• I love when parents have clearly let their child dress themselves- rainbow tights, polka-dot skirt, flowered shirt, and a ladybug raincoat to top it all off. Oh and a tiara! I'd like to think if I were ever a parent I would be cool enough to let my kid be who they are and allow them to dress fantastically foolish!
• Skinny jeans are really not for everyone--yikes!

And those were my random thoughts while watching people through security. Use your imagination and I am sure you will laugh out loud when you picture these things in your head.
Happy trails...

Loves...

Travel is what I love to do. Adventures are things I like to take in everyday situations. Flights and rental cars are how I get my job completed. All of these things make up part of who I am. The rest of me is made up of people I love. These people are near and far. And some days it is harder than others for there to be so many miles between me and the people who I hold in my heart. Today is one of those days. A new love of my life was born- Margaret Clare Bedolla:

Happy parents Erica and Lou welcomed her at 4:30am. I am sure by now big sister Christine has met her and is in love (and won't "bonk" her as previously stated) , along with the friends and family that surround this lovely little unit.
So, today I may be in Arizona but my heart is in Grand Rapids with those that I gladly let take up so much space in my heart.
Welcome to the world, Margaret Clare! I can't wait to meet you.