angelak | Vacation Updates Vol. 2

August 28

Hung out with Jim during the day. The evening plans were to go to the “Purple,” in Kirkland. A wine café place – the girls had invited me to go wine tasting. I asked if Jim was welcome to come, and they said no problem. It ended up being an impromptu birthday celebration from my closest friends.

We shared good wine and sampled cheese, and had a marvelous dinner. The waitress was a girl I knew in junior high. She even said, “Happy Birthday, Karen!” when we were ready to leave. Now – ya’ll know what era she was from if she said that! lol. I recall her name was Lindsay. She was pretty nice in junior high. She was a great waitress too. So that was fun. Kelsi and Mel got me this lovely cake and I had crème brule (sp) for desert as well. I had a meatloaf sandwich and it was yummy as all get out. I WAS packed though. Then we hung out near this park. My friends have a youthful demeanor as this group – the fabulous four – had a tendency to hang out in Junior High and High school. We’re still going strong and hanging out, even as half of us graduate from college. (well, Mel and Ryan are just finished their 4 yr, Kelsi is working on her AAS, and I have my AAS and am working on my BS. You get the picture.)

We went to this grass hill and yes, my friends and I rolled down the hill, and played on a big toy, and then had a grass fight. It was splendid to know that I have this network of friends who have known me since I was younger. The youthful enthusiasm was something I think Jim found refreshing. We’re not fuddy duddies. Jim likes my friends, and all of my friends approve of Jim.

They even went so far as to call him #5. We had a friend from junior high who kind of flaked out on us over the years. His name is Kevin. We sort of disowned him from our group because he had a poor attitude in general, no matter how hard Ryan and us girls tried to cheer him up, make him feel included – and essentially make him a part of our lives. He didn’t WANT it, so we all gave up and changed the “Original 5,” to the “Fabulous Four.” Yes, sounds clickish. Doesn’t matter.

The Fab Four was born out of years of hanging out – not some high school click. There’s a dynamic that happens in that group that I’ve yet to find anywhere else. It happened unintentionally and we began to affectionately refer to ourselves as such. Regardless, I went home feeling loved.

Both by my boyfriend and my best friends.
Mel and Ryan got me a really nice set of margarita glasses. Kelsi gave me part of her present only; a wine topper.

August 29

BIRTHDAY! Woke up and stuff. Jim stayed at my house and played WoW. I went to Everett to spend some time with my mom. We had lunch, she gave me my birthday gifts (2 hiking books and 2 Seasons of Gilmore Girls) – Grandma gave me the books, mom and dad gave me the GG.

We went shopping at Fred Meyer’s. I bought a new belt.
Came back. Filmed concerts on the green. Had end of season crew celebration at Flying Pie Pizzaria. Jimmy came. Had beers. Drank 2 shots of SoCo when I got home. This was too much. The mellow birthday ended a little rough – though that was bittersweet. Some things that were going through my head came out in rough form. But they came out none the less. And one of the best moments occurred. And then my birthday passed.

August 30

I got up semi-early-ish. I went to Bothell to work with Jill on her website. I hung out and had lunch with Jill and Jeff, heard about their trip to St. Louis. They gave me a birthday present, and gifts they had brought back from St. Louis. The birthday gift was 6 godiva chocolate dipped strawberries. They were out of this world. MMMMM!

Jill and Jeff brought me back a little horsey from Churchill downs, a St. Louis arch made of pewter, and something else perhaps. Regardless, it was a fun visit. I then made my way onwards… to somewhere. I just don’t recall where. Jim of course, headed home at least when I headed on my way to Bothell. After my visit to Jill and Jeff’s, I hung out more with mom.

The “Angel of the Wind,” casino sent me a free birthday meal coupon. So, that night Jill, Jeff, and I reconvened, and mom as well. We went to the casino and I had lots of free food – was again packed. I was getting rather exhausted… lol. The food was good and I had fun. And I believe I drove home after that. Mmmm such fun! Here’s a picture of the food:

So, all that food was $1. Because the 4 piece chicken strips (with fries) was free, the strawberry shortcake was $1 - you'll also note a salad... some free coffee. All beverages are free there. Some really good ranch dressing. And honey mustard sauce. Yeah. Free beverages? (non alcoholic). I AM SO THERE. Except I hate gambling and get bored fast. :X

August 31

I hung out, caught up with my email stuff – enjoyed some alone time – after sleeping in. After the fact… I took the boys and drove to Westport. This road trip was fun. I took Fritz running on the beach, we hung out at a park in Allyn, WA on the way – and I grounded and center with all the elements right there in a private, personal ritual on the beach. I was happy even though the long drive was excessive for just an hour or two of exploring and remembering. Westport was where my family has always taken our family vacations when I was growing up. So, an hour or two felt like reliving all those memories for me. Walking the boardwalk, letting the boys run along the beach – climbing on the jetty. Lovely lovely lovely! And an excellent feeling of independence. The alone time I needed to regroup after many days with my sweetie. I drove back and stopped in Tacoma. I knew Jim was getting off work around 9:30-10. I picked him up his favorite Taco Bell food and met him as he got out of work surprising him with ME and dinner. He seemed happy about it. We hung out with the guys, played WoW perhaps… can’t remember exactly except that it was pleasant and yeay company. (I also talked to Ernest and caught up, seeing as I hadn’t seen him in quite some time.) There were jokes about wondering if Jim was even alive anymore because he had been gone so many consecutive days. Sleep came.

-Angela