So tired

I am so, so tired these days. What is up?

3-Day cheering stations!

This year, as last, there are cheering stations along the 3-Day route. I read this year's list with excitement....because one is on Alki! I'm delighted to be walking through West Seattle...hurrah!

If you are interested in supporting me, or the 3-Day in general, or any of our Warrior Women team members, please show up at one of the designated sites to cheer. I hope to see you there!
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Cheering StationsPlease discourage your family and friends from driving along the route, as it can create a safety hazard. The following Cheering Stations are safe, recommended places for your supporters to cheer you on along the route.

Day One - Friday, September 7Mile Marker 9.59:00 am - 12:30 pmStan Sayres Park 3808 Lake Washington Blvd SSeattle, WA 98118Map Mile Marker 19.712:00 pm - 5:30 pmFamily Fun Center 7300 Fun Center WayTukwila, WA 98188Map
Day Two - Saturday, September 8Mile Marker 8.38:30 am - 1:15 pmHighline Community College 2400 S. 240 St. Des Moines, WA 98198(Parking lot off of S 240th - click here for map )
Mile Marker 13.310:35 am - 4:00pmKey Bank 22033 Marine View Dr SDes Moines, WA 98198Map
Day Three - Sunday, September 9Mile Marker 4.77:40 am - 10:15 amAlki Beach 1702 Alki Ave SWSeattle, WA 98116 Map (Walkers will be traveling for several miles along this beach path. You'll be able to cheer on walkers from any spot along this stretch of beach.)

Nesting

My dear friend Jenny moved last weekend, and I've been trying to help her with her new home. I find it strangely satisfying to empty a box, finding homes for all of its contents, and then step back and admire the organization of a drawer or cupboard or shelf. Yes, I'm aware that this may sound strange, but I'm not fighting it, I'm going with it.

I've been doing some nesting of my own, as well. Moving things here or there, getting rid of things, trying to catch up on chores. I'm dreaming of doing some painting again (the kitchenette, stairwell, trimwork). I am constantly reworking the office in my mind - it's usually a disaster and I'd like to fix that.

I'm also thinking of my emotional/physical/spiritual self. I'm trying to spend my time more wisely, to work out more, to be more patient, to keep my relationships in good shape. I'm looking at regularly attending the WSUU church we discovered last spring, at having a family date night each week (put the chores aside and play together!), and at quality time with Ryan.

I love fall, which always brings these thoughts to mind. The teacher and student in me finds fall to be the true beginning of the year, and these wet days remind me that it's approaching. Time for school shoes, digging out the sweaters, and nesting.

Love,
Kristina

Banning the exclamation mark

I use them too often! Not everything should read like "Surprise!" I'm banning them! Especially when used together!!!

Seriously, I've let my writing fall to pieces, and since I'm not currently immersed in cancer battles of the mind-numbing variety (mine are more tedious or irritating than mind-numbing these days), it's time to pretend that I have some craft left in me.

The exclamation mark must go. Along with it, all kinds of other nasty habits, including rambling sentences that get lost and end up in an elipsis... And overuse of dashes, and unintended word repetition, and such.

But the exclamation mark is first. Gone! (Kidding. I saw that there. I used it again!!)

It's raining, it's pouring...

...and Tessa is delighted!

We had a great weekend with family in Anacortes, and send our love and thanks to Mom & Dad for hosting us in the motorhome. Walks, playing on the beach, too much good food, and lots of laughter. Good times!

We also spent a little time in the outlet mall, since it's so enormous and close by to where we were. Ryan got a bunch of new clothes for his sleek self (I'm so proud of Ryan's weight loss - he's looking great and getting hotter every day!), and Tessa got some new items for her fall wardrobe. (Wouldn't it be nice to get an all new wardrobe every six months, like children do?! She's growing so much that her favorite hot pink shirt with a pony on it shows her belly button now...oops.) I got a couple of needed items, too, but I don't need nearly as much as those two - Tessa's growing up, Ryan's slimming down, and I am (contentedly) staying the same size.

Anyway, the reason that Tessa is so glad that it's pouring outside is that she got a new umbrella, one that looks like a dog, with ears that pop up. She's practically dancing this morning that she'll get to wear her puddle boots (which still fit from last year), raincoat, and, bliss of bliss, use her new umbrella.

The timing could be slightly better from my perspective, as today is the last day of soccer class and we won't miss it (it's rain or shine). It's also parent participation day, so you may picture me on the wet soccer field, running around in the mud, water streaming down my face. Ah, the joys. Actually, it IS a joy to play with Tessa and to have her so excited to play with me...but the weather that so delights her today is a bit less exciting to me. Oh well, time to join in the mood....I'll play soccer in my Gore-Tex light hiking boots, and maybe my feet will stay dry. Plus, I'm pretty sure that afterwards there should be a hot cocoa in it for somebody. :-)

Speaking of soccer, we watched "Bend it Like Beckham" with Tessa. Some of the language is questionable, but as it has a British slant (Tessa didn't even blink when they used the word "shag") we could get away with a bit more. Anyway, Tessa LOVED it. Girls playing soccer - hurrah!