And just like that...

I feel I sometimes take for granted the great job that I have and the incredible work that we do (for a worthy cause). In the midst of the busy season, I sometimes forget why I do this job. I get caught up in the minutia and forget that I produce an event that makes money for a great cause. It's easy to forget that when I am convincing a guy (a jerk) that letting the event use his parking lot will not in fact be the inconvience he thinks it will be. Or when I am jumping through the 102nd hoop that a city has thrown my way just to use their sidewalk. At this time of the year, it is especially difficult to remember the big picture (if it's not an event).

And then I get a reminder that stops me in my tracks. And brings a tear to my eye. And an anxious feeling in my heart. I am reminded that all these annoyances are worth it.

I have the privelge of planning events that earn millions of dollars that get used to find a cure for a disease that takes away mothers, aunts, and friends. The money raised goes to help find medicines that help allow a young woman to not only survive a stage 4 diagnosis but thrive and enjoy a real life. Or to find links that allow a person to find out if she is genetically dispositioned. No matter what until there is a cure, whatver the answer, it is not an easy path. Either to figure out how to afford the medicines that keep the cancer away. Or to know that you have the gene that is almost guaranteed to bring cancer. But these advancements that my events have raised money for, allow a patient to have choice. And making a choice means that you have control. And to say that you have some control in the outcome is pretty darn cool.

And to know that I play a role (albeit a VERY small role) in these advancements is truly a joy (even with the annoyances and the hoop jumping.)

July? Where did you go?

Today as I was adding to my to do list I realized it was July 28.
Um, what?
It is three days before the first of August. Ugh.
Seriously, what happened to July?!

Not only am I shocked because that means I am traveling again on Monday (dang, three weeks flew by!), but it means that the insanity of my event season is about to begin. To be honest, it kind of already has.

I was talking with some friends yesterday (who are all in the event world) and we discussed how much we miss summer. While we are seemingly busier than most during the summer months (because let's be honest, when else can you host a series of events without snow?). In truthfulness, our season lasts until the start to the holiday season. So really we miss the end of summer and all of fall.

More than anything it made me wonder if missing summer has more to do with being a grown-up than with our actual jobs. Aside from teachers, no other professional I know still gets summer break. We all take vacations but don't get a full month or two months away from work. Now, I am not saying that doesn't make sense. It does. I cannot imagine being in a classroom filled with kiddos ALL day for over 200 days of the year. That is exhausting! I am wiped after spending a full day with one (maybe two) of my munchkins. It's the best day, but tiring.

So, my conclusion on that topic of summers lost is that it's just one more notch on the belt of age that sometimes beats you.
No more summer break.
Time literally flies by.
Oh, and you get wrinkles! (diss!)

quotable quotes

I will admit, I am a nerd. For years, my mom called me her "little egg head". I enjoy nerdy-type things. Not Star Wars, or Sci-fi-y things but brain tickler type things. Really, I love science (real not fiction) and words.

My love of words comes from a youth being given great books, including poetry probably beyond my years. But I loved it all. In fact, one of my favorite St. Nicholas Days*, I spent the better part of the eveing reading an American Girl book called Molly until my mom finally made me come upstairs for dinner. I literally felt like I could have read all night.

My love of words, phrases and books continued. I used words in my photo books (before scrapbooking was the THING to do), and cut out quotes and phrases that meant something to me and hung them on walls, and places to see. (I feel like that might be more a teenage girl rather than a nerdy thing, but whatevs). where my word enjoyment gets nerdy is in the purchase of quote books. (I still have several).

As youth turned into adulthood, I still find myself making notes about phrases in books, cards that have meaning, and general phrase merriment. And I think living in Seattle has only encouraged this love.

In my local hood, there are two businesses that place quotes on their outdoor signs. I honestly have NO idea what either business is, but I enjoy the posted quotes and phrases. Nine out of Ten times, the quote is somehow relatable to my life. And yesterday's was no exception.

I had a rather bleak day of news yesterday (long, unenjoyable story) and took a walk. On the way home, I drove past one of the quotable quotes and it read: Stress is what happens when your brain says no, but your mouth says Yes. It could not have been a more perfect quote for my life these days (just that time of year with my job and with my weird body). It made me laugh and think a little.

The walk and the giggle made me a much happier camper.

But what really changed my mood was a good chat with a good friend and then today some little things made me remember how little these stressful things matter in life. A note from a dear one filled with words changed my perspective. Just words made all the difference.

*So, for those that don't know. St. Nicholas day is celebrated on December 6. It was a Schulte family tradition that we embraced. Our tradition was to get our stockings (awesome in Elementary school to brag about to friends) in the morning and ours were filled with a chocolate orange, underwear, and I think a game (I may be mixing up easter basket & stocking). My grandma Schulte always sent books- mostly Christmas, but sometimes other kinds. It's fun to hear how my cousins celebrated and what they got compared to what we did. But we all woke up to the magic of Christmas a little early. We also shared the tradiditon with friends and classmates as we aged. You can find the real history here.

It's official.

Birds actually hate me.

Seriously.

I know they do.

I know it deep down in my being. No one esle has weird bird encounters, but I do frequently.

And this weekend it was proven once again.

I enjoyed the gorgeous sunny Seattle weekend by going to the beach yesterday. I was settled in a nice spot, enjoying the sun, sounds of the surf, and people watching. And then it happened.

A bird pooped on me!

I yelled (maybe swore a little) and went directly into the frigid waters of the Puget Sound. (Seriously, I think it's colder than Lake Superior).

Once I warmed back up and discussed the incident with the entire group of people hanging out near me (with laughter and some disgust from all of us!), I enjoyed a little more time in the sun and then went home.

I had such an enjoyable time at the beach that I decided to head back again today. Again, delightful and ended with a great trip one of the local markets.

And then I returned home.

To find a dead bird.

On my back porch.

Are you effing kidding me?! GROSS!

Seriously. Birds hate me.

And they are not making me a very big fan with these antics.

It's a toughy...

One of the things I love most about living in Seattle is the availability and low-cost of delicious fresh produce. I have recently been told that eastern Washington is sometimes referred to as the "fruitbasket"so that may have something to do with it. Or it might be my recent living experience in Arizona- where fruit never tasted as good as I remembered (or wanted it to). Somehow in a place where the sun shines ALL THE TIME, the fruit tasted old and crusty.

My palette has become discerning when it comes to fresh produce, probably like it was when I was growing up. You see, Michigan is filled with farms that produce an array of deliciousness.

When I was home a few weeks back, I was there just in time for strawberries and asparagus. YUMMY! I could not get enough of either item. I took 3 quarts of berries and 1 of cherries to the GR crew and we ate all of berries in two days. The berries tasted like dessert (even when they weren't part of a shortcake situation).

Well, upon returning to my home, I found locally grown berries at the market and was so stoked thinking they would be the same. Not so much. I mean they were fine, but the small container went bad before I even finished it. Bummer.

But at the same market, I found Yakima Cherries. (Yakima is in eastern WA and I actually know a few folks there.) For as disappointing as the strawberries were the cherries were amazing. I grew up eating cherries (Traverse City, MI is known for them), but these Yakima ones beat out any cherry I have ever eaten before. I ate cherries for two days (and almost nothing else). They were SO good.

In keeping with the M&M taste test, my conclusion on strawberries and cherries is that Michigan wins out in battle Strawberry and Washington wins in battle Cherry. I am happy to continue tasting abd see if these results remain consistent. ;)

Random thoughts...

Today, as I left the house to head to one of my last orthodontist appointments ever (!!!). (I am a little excited...rightfully so I think). Anyway, as I was driving with the windows down and the sunroof open with the bright blue sky and puffy clouds in my view, I started to think about freedom. Weird, I know.

But, what is it about driving with the wind blowing your hair and a favorite song on the radio that is so much fun? I mean, it really brings me delight.

It's the same feeling I get when I am riding my bike super fast (well, when I did ride a bike).

And the same feeling of being on a boat with the breeze.

Okay of those the boat wins out for the best since it does involve water and that's just happy. But, all three evoke this sense of child-like joy and I feel so free. Like everything is possible.

Good stuff.

Through the eyes of a child.

Turbulance.
Not a word air travelers enjoy hearing, but it is all part of the experience.
On my recent air flight, the pilot came on before we even took off and made an announcment similar to the following: "Hello Passengers. Please be prepared for the following 2 hours of your flight. Buckle up! Cause it's gonna be a doozie! If you feel the need, pray to the god of your choice and make amends. And remember flight attendants also need to remain seated so they won't fly into your laps or hit their heads on the ceiling. We'll do our best to make it less bumpy, but we're not miracle workers. Thanks for flying with us today. Hope to see you on the other side."

okay- so maybe this is slightly off and exaggerated for a little humos...but that is how it felt. And no one was freaking out more than the family behind me and the people next to me. Oh! and the old man in front of me. Ok- I am actually quite certain that entire plane was a little anxious. The flight attendants battened down the hatches and we were off! (Belted in, of course.)

We took off and got smoothly in flight. The ding! for electronics went off and still smooth sails. I plugged into my iPod and swiftly fell asleep (it was 7:45am and I hadn't slept well the night before). I slept soundly....that is until I literally woke up because I thought someone was shaking me awake. Nope, it was everyone shaking on the plane. The turbulance was SO bad that it actually woke me up from a deep slumber! Well, once awake there was no going back to sleep, so I was awake and aware of the bumps and dives. I couldn't read, so I listened to passengers around me. Now, while uncomfortable, I did not fear we wouldn't make it. I didn't worry that we wouldn't land. I wasn't fearful for my life, but others were. (drama...)

But then I heard a giggle. Not a sound usually paired with worry or panic.

The giggle; giggles, I should say, were coming from the girls behind me. They were first time flyers and were nervous from the start. But when the bumps and dives shook them and bonk'ed them together, they giggled. Not a nervous giggle, but a giggle filled with pure delight. They thought it was fun! One even said, "Daddy! I love airplanes! They're just like roller coasters only cozier!"
Only though the eyes of a child. :)

Yes! Michigan

Long, long ago (well in the eighties when I was growing up), Michigan's ad campaign was Yes! Michigan. And because my Aunt mugs worked in the government we got all kinds of cool buttons, bumper stickers and the like. As a kid, I just thought it was super fun to have all the schwag and put stickers on things (folders, my bike, my brother (!)). But now, as an adult, I get it. YES! Michigan.

There is no place like it. And I have been a fair amount of places.

From Detroit to Soo Saint Marie (yes that is an actual city), you can find incredible things to see and do.

I spent the better part of last week working from the southeast corner of the Mitten State *and I enjoyed scenic drives (in the city), some history, and yummy, yummy Meditterenean food.

Then I ventured to my happy place- Up North, Michigan. For anyone from the Mitten or surrounding states, you know what Up North means. It's cottages, open spaces, lake views, and lazy afternoons. It's fresh air, local yokels, and tourists. It's small town parades and firework displays. And for me- it's time with family just the way I remember it. Lounging on the beach, braving the chilly Lake Michigan temps, laughing, cocktailing (as I aged), and playing games.

As my dad pointed out the other day on the beach, I am old (31). (Which I must say makes him really old!) But even as an "old lady", I still love it. Maybe even more than I did as a kid. I can now appreciate the slow drive around Stern Park to "make sure the lake is still there", the daily trips to see the boat go out (huge car ferries), and the quiet.

I may call someplace else home, but this will always be my happy place.

**If you don't know, the state of Michigan is shaped like a mitten. That is why all people from here will hold up there and show you where they live when asked. It's all part of the charm, don't you think? ;)