random

Notes from the PNW

Just some randomness from the PNW (Pacific NorthWest) (especially for my Georgia friends)

Unlike Georgia, when it rains here the car washes stay open.

Also, recess goes on outside, even in the rain. Well okay, maybe not in a downpour, but we haven’t really had many downpours since we’ve been here.

Air conditioning? What’s that. 🙂 Most places here don’t have it. It’s been wonderful not having to use it. We’ve had our windows open when it gets warm (80 degrees here is hot according to locals). Being on a ground floor apartment helps too.

Rain boots are quite fashionable. I haven’t purchased any yet, but it is on my list to eventually get. If their cute enough, I’ll post a picture.

School starts later here. Later in the year and later in the day. There are more schools, so there aren’t as many classes in each grade level. Elementary runs from K – 6 in most places. Another nice thing they did (I don’t know if all schools do this or just this one) they sent a list home at the beginning of the year of all the field trips, the dates and the costs for said field trips, and requested payment at the beginning of the year. Total cost for us, $5. The PTSA covers the remaining costs. And they (the PTSA) is a very active group. Very involved with the school, the kids, and lots of activities for the families too.

Drivers aren’t quite as crazy out here as they were around Atlanta. Not to say there haven’t been any, but overall they have been more polite. Which equates to cheaper insurance rates too.

No matter how many times I see Mt Rainier it still takes my breath away. We’ve seen Mt Baker a few times too and it is just as beautiful. Looking forward to playing in the snow this winter.

Stay tuned, more to come.

Bird Watching

Okay, this post has nothing to do with “The Great Adventure”. It’s just something for your viewing pleasure. And thanks to Babybloomr for bringing this to my attention.

Phoebe is a Channel Island Allen (S.s. sedentarius) hummingbird in Orange County, California. She has been laying 4 to 5 clutches each year for several years and I’ve been broadcasting her nest since 2007.


To go directly to the live stream click here http://phoebeallens.com/

Observations

Just some random observations from the past few days.

  • Why is it easier to keep the house clean when it’s “for sale” or when company is coming over? But when it’s just normal, everyday living, we tend to make a mess or leave messes around.
  • As I get older time goes by much more quickly. It seems like we just celebrated Christmas and now it’s already March.
  • 60 degrees feels warm outside in the winter, but in summer we think that’s cold.
  • Why do we find it necessary to have so much stuff? And when we clean we feel we have to hide stuff in drawers or somewhere to make it look like we don’t have so much stuff.
  • At what age do we lose the sense of wonder? And if we’ve lost it, can we get it back?
  • Who says you can’t eat dessert first? Okay, so as a parent I haven’t actually had dessert first. But there have been days when we’ve had just dessert for dinner. Maybe tonight we’ll try it and see how it goes.
  • And why is it, that when I find something that I like or fits right, the company that makes it finds it necessary to change or stop making said product. Take note, it didn’t work when Coke tried it. Some things are better left alone.

Okay, that’s all the randomness I have for now. Back to your regularly scheduled day.