Snow in the City

Too lazy to get the flash

It began in the morning as a light dusting of snow or what the weather man calls a trace however, by 5:00pm we ended up with about 1" of snow fall. Ever since I moved to Seattle we get at least one day of snow in the city during the winter season and I like it. It was early this year so we may get another one later on. Hey man, we don't have to worry about shovelling it on a daily basis so the change is nice.



With a substancial snow fall comes a beautiful white layer on our lawn and trees, giggling kids, snowmen, snow angels and SNOWBALL FIGHTS. Along with the 14 kids in our neighbourhood, Tim and Scott, our neighbour, were the two biggest kids out there. While the kids were outside having fun I was inside, warm and cozy trimming our tree. Tis the season..
Happy holidays everyone.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not a holiday that we celebrate in Jamaica so, for me it's been a time I have had to embrace in my adult life. In the 7-years that I have lived in the United States, I've celebrated Thanksgiving in Miami, Boston and Seattle and each year I have been welcomed with open arms by family and friends.

I have thought about the people that have no where to go, the people that are either homeless, have no friends or family in the area (because of a move) or the people that have chosen to be alone. This year I have a dear friend that has been working extremely hard at school and work and has done exactly that, she has chosen to be alone for the holiday. I was worried that she needed that time to be with her family and she reminded me that this was a great opportunity for her to take a well deserved break and enjoy a day off - that she is thankful for. For my friend at work that has recently moved to Seattle and has no where to go with her fiance, she has reminded me of the importance of volunteering and the need in our communities to feed the homeless. Well then, I guess they do have somewhere to go after all.

So to all of you out there, no matter what you have chosen to do this holiday, no matter where you are from be thankful, be thankful for it all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I Guess The Picture Says It All...

Red Haired Dreadlocks Baby

Well, not everything. We made the official announcement about 2-weeks ago, but I am happy to make this announcement on my blog. I am pregnant and currently 13.5-weeks along. The due date was originally May 19th but after today's ultrasound we were given a due date of May 11th. I just have to say that this calculating of how many weeks I am and when the due date is tends to be a little off and some what confusing so as far as I'm concerned the wee one will choose to come when he/she is ready.

So far I've been feeling really good. No morning sickness but felt nauseated most mornings while on my Montana trip. I have been extremely tired and require at least an hour nap in the middle of my day and I haven't noticed any major or should I say specific cravings apart from always wanting carbs. Getting into a regular exercise routine has had it's challenges since I returned from Missoula so I am trying to get my body out (even in the rain) for at least a 2-4 mile walk each day. I will probably add swimming to my workout as the weather continues to change.

This is an exciting time for Tim and I and we are looking forward to sharing more photos and updates on the wee one with all of our family and friends.

Happy Halloween

I know I have not posted in a long time. It's just been one of those weeks where I don't have a lot to talk about. I can tell you that we had a fun Halloween with the kids in our neighbourhood. It was a cold night but that didn't seem to stop them from gathering enough candy to last them an entire year. My favorite costume for the night was the little boy dressed as a candy corn...adorable, sorry I didn't take a picture.

I hope you all had a safe and fun night.

Any Given Sunday

Yesterdays game should've been a win but instead it was a really disappointing loss. Our offence was off and our defense, which is tough, was just not playing well. The worst part of the game was losing the man himself Matt Hasselbeck (our quarterback), I have a feeling he may be out for the season. Not sure what his injuries are but he is the glue that holds that team together.

Well with that all said I kept thinking that we were now out of Superbowl contention until I heard on the radio that we were in this exact position last year. We're not out yet...watch out for the Seahawks folks, we will fight back and fight hard.

I'm Back!

Wow, two long weeks away from home. I missed my husband, I missed my bed and I missed the opportunity to cook good meals everynight. With all of that said, I have to tell you that it was all worth it because it was two fantastic weeks of intense photography. I learnt so much and I've come back with an appreciation for this art that I never had before.

Rocky Mountain School of Photography has given me the confidence to really start taking serious pictures. It also showed me that I am a good photographer, I have a good eye and I'm now even more technically sound.

What will I do next, well I'm working on that and the moment things start to happen you will all be the first to know about it. Let's just say there will be a show in my future.

My Love For Photography

I was 15-years old when I picked up my first camera and when it came to what I wanted to be when I grew up, professional photography was number two on the list under professional beach volleyball player.

Well, it's now twenty years later and one year ago I had made the decision that I ither needed to get back to the beach or take my photography to the next level. With my husbands support I have decided to do the latter.

Beginning on Saturday I will be attending the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana for two weeks. I'm not expecting to come back a professional but I am expecting the dream to become even more alive.

I'm not sure how much blogging I will be doing but I do look forward to sharing my experience with all of you.

It Was Wicked

I celebrated my 35th birthday yesterday and it was Wicked. That's right Tim and I had a lovely dinner at Volterra in Ballard and then headed off to the Broadway Musical Wicked - The untold story of the witches of OZ. I haven't read the book, but was told by someone in the audience that had, that they did a really good job of putting the story on stage in 3-hours. We laughed, we cried and the performers were fantastic. The two leads were actually natives of Washington, one was originally form Olympia and the other from Bellevue. There is talent in these parts I tell ya.

I had 5 birthday cards, 16 phone calls, 5 people serenade me, 1 email and one handsome man give me at least 4 big kisses. Just like every other birthday that I have it all feels the same but I will tell you that I never imagined myself at 35. I never imagined I would be married to this wonderful man and we'd be living in this beautiful city. I just never imagined 35, what a wonderful experience!

Thank you family and friends for making my birthday special, I love you all.

2-Night Campout

September 8th-10th Tim, Paul (Tim's brother) and I went on a really fun trip to Mt Adams. Our first night was spent at Horseshoe Lake. In the morning we headed up to High Camp just below the Adams Glacier, what a beautiful hike.

I'm enjoying and becoming much more comfortable with these overnight campouts. I had a little anxiety with the first one we did but I think the more I do the more I learn. I'm telling you folks, knowledge is power! More pictures

Not Much Going On

We didn't do very much this weekend, it was nice. We've had such a busy summer that taking a break was well deserved.

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day.

Happy Birthday RoseMarie

RoseMarie was celebrating her 40th birthday and it was party hats for everyone. If you missed the event, I am happy to present - Hats, Hats and More Hats.

My First Backpacking Trip

Heading out for our big weekend

Good Morning
Tim and I have been talking about going backpacking for a long time, we finally did it. Although I have been sworn to secrecy as to our location (it was so beautiful we don't want anyone else to go there), I can tell you that it is in the Mt St. Helens area and you can see Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood - AMAZING!

This trip was long overdue, we got to use our brand new tent, which we just love, and Tim got to finally use his new bag (which didn't work so well). The hike was 6-miles to the lake and it took us about 4-hours with a lunch break, many breaks to admire the views and rest for Tim's back. Coming back it only took us about 2-hours 45-min.

For my first overnight in the wilderness I was a little nervous about bears and other wildlife I do not encounter everyday. Thankfully our only little friends were a chipmunk and some birds. Tim was happy to swim in the buff and at night there was a peace that I never hear in the city.

Check out the pictures, they tell it all.

A Weekend of Celebrations

On August 12th 2006 there was a lot going on. My mummy and daddy would've been celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. My friend Lauren was married. We celebrated Bills life and laid him to rest in Toledo, WA and on August 13th we wished Elli and Dianne an early happy birthday.

Two Weeks Of Fun

Mummy and Courtney (my 11yr old neice) visited Tim and I in Seattle. It was non-stop fun. Here's what we did:

July 26th - Arrive in Seattle - Yeah, I can't wait to show them around.
July 27th - Shopping (a part of every Jamaicans trip)
July 28th - Traveled to San Juan Island, Stayed at Juniper Lane (highly recommended), Dinner at Madrona Bar and Grill in Roche Harbor
July 29th - Whale Watching with Captain Carli's Charter, visited the Lavender Farms
July 30th - Returned to Seattle, drove on the famous Chuckanut Drive
July 31st - Woodland Park Zoo with Friends and more shopping
Aug 1st - Courtney went on the climbing wall at the YMCA. Visited the beautiful Japanese Garden and discovered Pike Place Market. Dinner at the Penny's home - thank you!
Aug 2nd - Mount Rainier (Paradise). Courtney and Tim climbed to about 6400-ft and she got to hike through snow.
Aug 3rd - Mummy went shopping. Courtney and I went to Wild Waves/Enchanted Village. Dinner with our friends the Deys - always a good time.
Aug 4th - Tim, Mummy, Courtney and Simon went to Fall City to visit Mary Jo. They had lunch and rode the horse. I was at a training ALL day. We all enjoyed the Mariners Game in the evening.
Aug 5th - We headed to Olympia and spent the weekend with Donna. Marie, Paul, Courtney and Tim swam and drove the boat while Mummy and I did a little more shopping (what can I tell you).
Aug 6th - Enjoyed Eld Inlet. Walked to the cove, swam, drove the boat, taught Courntey how to go clamming, Tim swam across the inlet (about 2-miles) and had lunch with the rest of the Dugaw family. It was a fun weekend.
Aug 7th - Mount St. Helens: Mummy really enjoyed this visit. We had dinner with Paul, Marie and Claire.
Aug 8th - Goodbye Mummy and Courtney, thank you for visiting us. We had a whole lot of fun and we look forward to your next visit. We love you!

Check out the 382 pictures: Album 1, Album 2, Album 3

It Was A Hot One

Thank God for the water and thank God for friends like Tim and Marianne. This was one weekend you didn't want to be anywhere, but near the water. With temperatures in the high 90's Tim and I enjoyed two wonderful days in Allyn.

Take a look at the pictures, it says it all.

I Love and Miss My Friends

The Jamaican Crew

Tim and I had a fantastic time in Dayton, Ohio this weekend and if it wasn't for Sion's wedding, I probably wouldn't have seen this place my dear friend calls home.

It was a joining of two familes that are from two different worlds. It was a reunion of friends that have know each other for over two decades. It was a meeting of new friends. It was an invasion on Ohio by probably the most diverse group of people - Jamaicans, Australians, Brits, the south, east coasters, the NW - we were from all over the globe. With the Appleton Rum and Red Stripe Beer flowing, this session lasted the entire weekend.

Pictures Galore... Album 1, Album 2

Weekend With The Dey Boys

What a fun weekend we had. Tim, Simon, Colin and myself enjoyed the Mariners game on Friday night. On Saturday we went to the park in the morning and tried flying Simon's birthday kite however, it just wouldn't get off the ground. We ended our day at a party on the Lake, running around in circles and playing a little volleyball and paddleball.

It was fun boys, come back again soon.

Our weekend in photos - Check it out!

It Doesn't End Here

I took a week off from training after the race on June 25th, now Tim and I are back at it. The Team in Training group is so driven and encouraged to do a few more races this year. Many of them are stepping it up to do a 1/2 Iron Man. Tim and are working on our Sprint and Olympic distances. There's nothing wrong with perfection. Most groups fizzle out and don't think about doing another race until the next session. It's been a fun group, we meet two to three times a week. We've taken what Wade (our coach) has taught us and kept it going.
Go Team!

The Finish Line

On Sunday, June 25th I competed in the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Triathlon. It didn't go as well as I had hoped but, I did finish and that's what was important.

I woke up on Sunday morning at about 2:45am with a not so pleasant stomach ache. I think it was partially nerves and partially something I ate the night before. I completed the race on an empty stomach, making it a very difficult race to swim, bike and run. I was also dealing with 98-degree temperatures and an elevation of 4200-ft.

The .9-mile swim went fairly well finishing in about 0:29:33. The 28-mile bike ride was beautiful, however it felt more like a leisure ride than a race (I just didn't have it in me to power through those hills). I finished the bike in 1:52:51. And the run, well with my quads cramping and my body lacking nourishment let's just say it was probably the second worst 6-miles I have ever run - the first being the last 6-miles of the Chicago Marathon. I must admit that with 3-miles to go I wouldn't have been able to continue if it wasn't for my wonderful husband. Tim rode a bike and walked beside me to the finish line and it was his encouragement that kept me going. I completed the run in 1:16:53. This gave me an overall time, including my transitions, of 3:46:19.

This race may be over, but I am encouraged to do many more. I think doing triathlons are my new sport of choice. I'll let you know when the next one is.

Thanks again for all of your support. The Leukemia, Lymphoma Society raised over $103,000 with our team - Thank you! I encourage all of you to support Elizabeth.

Let the Races Begin

This is it folks, the moment of truth. Think of me on Sunday morning at 9:00am (pacific daylight time), give me about 4-hours to complete the entire course, I'm shooting for 3.5-hours however finishing will be a bonus. It's a 1.5K Swim, 28mi Bike and 10K Run.

Thanks again for all of your support. Your next update will be on Tuesday.