Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day....

Just like Alexander in the children's book story....the Juhl's had one of those days yesterday.

To start with, I somehow caught an annoying cold over the weekend and was just kind of feeling icky all day long. I was looking forward to coming home, getting some errands done (groceries being a big one of those since we don't have much to eat in the house), going on a casual walk with Diggy, and just relaxing.

None of those things happened unfortunately because we spent the evening inventorying all of the things that had been stolen from us. Yes....our sweet little house was broken into yesterday.

It kind of makes me sick just writing about it. It is so hard to believe that someone could violate our privacy so quickly, take our things that we worked and saved for, not to mention items of no real cash value but a huge amount of sentimental value- (i.e. An old watch that was Nick's grandpa's that I don't think even worked, but was something that Nicholas treasured....AND all the love letters/cards I had ever given Nick.)
Seriously...who does that?! I texted the girls last night about the cards and Jamie's response was perfect:
"Obvi those thieves need some love in their lives."

It is so true. It saddens me to think about what state in life one must be in to actually think that breaking into and stealing someone else's belongings is actually ok.

But.....there are things to be thankful for through this, we realize. No one was home thankfully when they did this, they actually didn't really vandalize our home- just took stuff, they didn't touch the piano (thank goodness!), and we do have homeowners insurance (again- thank goodness!). We do feel fortunate for all those things.

Just a real wake up call I suppose for this often naive girl....having grown up in a small town I think I have just always had a certain sense of safety and haven't taken the extra precautionary efforts I suppose.
Not anymore....this house is getting a security system stat. It reminds me of a quote I remember from some inspirational coffee table book...
"Trust in God...but lock your car."

Point taken.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Beautiful Chaos

I just love our weekends in Oak Harbor! And I especially love the weekends where everyone is back home....14 adults, 3 children under the age of 5, and a little Lola (doggie)...all under one roof. There is such a beautiful chaos and simple comfort in all being together. This weekend we enjoyed: baby Jayden's shower, runs along the beach, a pig roast, "going on bear hunts" with the little ones, crepes, wine, wedding planning, lunch with Nana and Papa, and lots of laughs. It was lovely! Hey cuties!!


Friday, September 26, 2008

Report Back: AMAZING

The concert on Wednesday was absolutely fabulous! Neil's totally still got it! I have never been to a concert with such a wide variety in the ages of the attendees....there were young peeps like us (we are still considered young right?!?), parents age peeps, and lots of grey hair peeps. So great that music can bring together so many different people in different stages of their lives.






This one is for Lyndsy (I saw your comment on Krissy's page that this was one of your fav's...)


And for my Krissy....it's not Barbra, but still pretty darn good!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Why I'm so happy this "Sep-tem-ber Morn..."....

Because.........tonight we are going to see NEIL DIAMOND!!!! I can hardly control my excitement, it is bubbling out of me! Hansie got us tickets for our wedding and I have to say, it might be the best gift ever!
Neil brings back such happy memories....singing with my mom, singing and acting out the songs (yes, acting out) with Becca and Krissy....all the songs just remind me so much of my childhood and growing up. If I were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring a handful of cd's (I could never pick just one), Neil's Greatest Hits would definitely make the cut!

Wow...he is just so awesome!

Monday, September 22, 2008

(One of) my favorite times of year

Libra horoscope time!! I love that all the magazines feature my sign, Libra, for the upcoming month...what a treat!

Today's horoscope:
Your emotions may be extra volatile today, Courtney, and there is a great deal of passion behind your words. You have the power to instigate some major changes in your life, and if you are wise you will consider multiple ways in which these changes can be made. Find the part of you inside that needs a boost. Find the area that is lacking passion. Jump-start the battery that rules this aspect of your being and make sure all your sparks are firing.

Actually quite true....with work being really, really hectic and stressful lately, I was about to lose it today and had to do some deep breaths to not start crying. Seriously. I don't know why I let myself get so worked up sometimes, but today was definitely one of those days.

Thank goodness for Bootcamp and a yummy dinner made by my sweet husband...endorphins, stir fry, and my love...just what I needed!
Oh. And my favorite trash T.V. shows (G.G. and The Hills). That didn't hurt either.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Our Annual Hawks Game

For the last three years Dave, Amy, Nick and I have all gone to one of the Seahawks games together. The boys have season tickets, and Amy and I like to get in our game early in the season in the hopes of good weather. Today was perfect...a little chilly but dry...which is the main goal! And the Hawks won! Good and good.

Quick Getaway

We had a fabulous Friday Getaway Night to the Hood Canal- thanks to an invite from friends Garrett and Lauren! Garret's family has a cabin up there (really a house...funny how second homes are always called cabin's but they are fully equiped with everything you would need, including internet!), so a big group of us went up there. We had to catch the ferry in Edmonds over to Kingston and Nick and I were THE LAST car they let on-- we must be living right!
Such a fun night filled with BBQing steaks and LOTS of games. Boys against girls....Boys won "Scene It", but we prevailed in a best out of three competition of "Guesstures". I tried to spend as much time as possible holding this little cutie....I love little Miss Addy! I on the other hand am not such a cutie here...still a little sleepy...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Last night while I was flipping through the channels during the many, many commercials while watching "The Biggest Loser" (probably one of my favorite shows of all time!)...I stopped on a random station that was doing a special on John Denver. I've never been a John Denver fan per say, but I couldn't help but stop and listen to the sweet lyrics of this song:

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while

Here's to enjoying these last precious days of summer and sunshine!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Hurt So Good

Bootcamp last night was AMAZING! My old trainer Ryan started his own Bootcamp outside of the gym, which basically means it is a personal training session...just outside, and WAY cheaper! Sweet! I have totally been missing my weekly sessions working out with him, but after the wedding I just couldn't justify it any longer. So this is the perfect solution. It is held at the cutest little park in Bellevue, Meydenbauer Beach Park (at least while it still stays so nice out).

If anyone is interested in joining me, Monday and Wednesday evenings 5:30-6:30, $10!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday Shower!

Ruthie's shower was this afternoon out in Issaquah. It was a gorgeous drive out there....it is only about 25 minutes out of the city but feels like you are really out in the country. Some of the leaves on all the trees were just starting to turn, it was lovely.


Jamie is a pro at making the Rehearsal Bouquet. She made a similar one at my shower that the girls threw for me- she rocks!! Instead of pulling the ribbon through a paper plate in the traditional fashion, she uses wrapping paper to make the entire bouquet....tissue is made into little flowers, paper becomes streamers and ribbons accent it all...quite a work of art!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

30 is the new 20!

For Dave's 30th birthday party tonight Amy rented the top room and deck at Eastlake Bar and Grill. Such a great space...I had never been up there! It was a gorgeous night, perfect for celebrating ( BTW I love the above pick that Nick has his hand on his hip like us girls always do...looks great on boys too!)

An afternoon in Wallingford...

Nick and I had the funnest afternoon enjoying Wallingford today! We went to Molly Moons Ice Cream which is just the cutest little ice cream shop....everything in the shop is 100% compostable, and they use mainly locally grown organic ingrediants. Today they released a new flavor, Baracky Road, and for the release they had the base guitarist from The Shins scooping the icecream AND proceeds from the sales went to the Obama campaign...sweet! Literally. SO good...the sugar did actually put in to a food coma later in the afternoon.

We also stopped in to cutie little Bella Cosa...they have the most amazing foodie gifts and accessories. Nick had The Roosevelt, a grilled panini with turkey, cheddar and honey mustard and I had a delicious Panzanella salad.
Yep...we like eating!



I totally want to be the tamborine girl!

We had a blast last night at the Wallingford Wurst Festival! It is a local fundraiser for the St. Benedict school- complete with a beer garden and band (which BTW played tons of Beatles music!) Random, great night!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Remembering to be thankful....

Today is the anniversary of 9-11. This coupled with learning of some sad news today regarding a young couple who was an acquaintance in college...has made me extremely aware of and thankful for the blessings in my life.

Health: Our health is something that is all too often taken so much for granted, but is such a blessing. I know it's cliche to say, but I am actually quite often guilty of cliches (what can I say, I'm a bit cheesy!)...but truly each day is a gift. I am guilty almost daily of self-deprecating body image comments, but why? I am healthy! I can run! I can jump! I am fortunate.

Family: What an amazing family I have! To have grown up in, what I consider to be, the most amazing childhood, with loving, caring, present and aware parents...to have extended family who are loving, caring, present and aware...and to found in my new family wonderful people who are loving, caring, present and aware. I am fortunate.

My Love: Finding my person in this life, who makes me laugh, who loves me, who puts up with me, who actually thinks I'm funny too, who supports me, who encourages me and who shares this journey with me. I am fortunate.

My Girls: I hope that my girls always know how very much I love them. They are inspiring, creative, smart, amazing, unique, funny and positively radiant individuals who make my life full. I am fortunate.

Insulation: Our house is now fully insulated after hiring a small team of gents to come blow in insulation to our attic.
Okay...truth be told, I'm working on feeling thankful for this one right now...because it is NOT the most inexpensive process, but I know that it will help keep us cozy this fall and winter and for this, I am fortunate.

I will not let traffic dictate my mood. I will not let traffic dictate my mood....

This is my mantra this morning. Aggggh! I am really working on my patience with things that are out of my control, such a traffic, but sometimes it can just be so darn frustrating!

Oh well....because it was so bad I ran my errands this morning before work and just went in a bit later, so that's good!

Plus it is a gorgeous day! And tomorrow's Friday- yippee!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Back to it!

I am so excited for choir rehearsal to start up again tonight! I get this way every fall...anxious to learn the new pieces, anxious to perform old favorites (Handel's "Messiah")....and happy to be singing with such talented individuals again.

Our cute George, leading us on....

A local musical blogger did a piece on us that you can read here. Yep, we are pretty awesome.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

ugh.

That is how I feel today. I was tossing and turning all night last night with a fever and body aches, and today have pretty much been doing either 1. sleeping 2. laying in bed 3. laying and reading 4. sitting and playing on the computer. I am sad to admit I haven't even gotten out of my pj's yet. It is definitely hard for me not to be "doing anything" or accomplishing anything today, but I know that sometimes it is necessary. Hopefully this is just what my body is needing.

Nick and I are off now for a walk outside since it is such a lovely day, I can't waste all of it inside. That counts for something right?!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Bachelorette Ruthie!

Had a fab day today celebrating our cute bachelorette Ruthie! Diggy planned out the funnest afternoon of wine tasting in Woodinville, complete with a PartyVan bus to drive us all around...it was pretty perfect!

Congrats Ruthie! Can't wait for the big day!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Canlis- it IS all it's cracked up to be...

Tonight Nicholas, Paul and I enjoyed one of the best meals I have ever had!! Paulie is in town for the UW game and took us to dinner at Canlis for our wedding present...talk about an awesome gift! Jamie sometimes says that she trains for the Sleeping Olympics, well...if there were such a thing, I believe Paul would train for the Eating Olympics...he loves food! So he did insist that we all have an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert...alright, twist my arm. And yes, I did take pictures of each of my courses.

Thanks so much Paul!! Such a great and delicious evening!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

juliaallison:

FYI: I would sell parts of my soul for a ticket to the final performance of RENT


DITTO FULLER!!!!!! As you all probably know, this is my HANDS DOWN favorite musical ever! Nicholas, AJ and I sing and act it out as frequently as possible. And though I've seen it 3 times now...I have yet to see it in New York and would give anything to hop on a flight and be there!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Life in the San Juans...

It's official, I am in LOVE with Roche Harbor! We just got back from the most amazing weekend in the San Juans with the Kochers, Jamie, Greg, Gary and Nan. We boated all the way up on Friday afternoon (quite the adventure...went through just about every kind of weather element possible, we were at times referring to our position in the water as Deadliest Catch, Seattle-style), and arrived safely to one of the most beautiful areas I have ever been to. The sunsets were amazing...the boats INCREDIBLE...I have never seen so many amazing boats all parked in one marina, it was quite the sight...the little marina area was just precious, looked like it was straight out of a movie...We watched the Cougs game on Gary's (Rothie's dad) boat...had fresh oysters....fresh crab....spent the entire afternoon on Sunday watching beautiful giants a.k.a. Orca whales to those of you who haven't had the pleasure of reading my 4th grade poems about my obsession with whales...lots of crazy dancing...Lots of relaxing, sleeping in the sun...walks around the island...more crazy dancing...watched the local staff perform "Colors", which is where they lower the flags each night in a ceremonial event. Since it was the official last weekend of summer, all the summer staff jump in the water at the end of Colors (let me tell you, it is beautiful up there, but certainly not warm at night....brrrrr!). It was so cute...totally Dirty Dancing style with all the kids who work up there in the summer. One of the best weekends we could have imagined! Really makes me realize how very blessed we are to live in such an amazing part of the country...the views were just honestly breathtaking.
It is funny though, after being on and traveling on a boat for 4 days my equilibrium is totally off and I am very dizzy and clumsy feeling now....small price to pay for a weekend in Roche!


Thank you again Kim and Mike for inviting us on such a special retreat...we are hoping this might become a tradition?! :)