Disappointing photos...

We finally developed our photos from the cruise. For whatever reason, I don't think we captured the beauty of Alaska... it could have been the dull days - bad light - there just wasn't the contrast that there was in real life. I'll post a few here and see what I can do about the others.

Tracy Arm Fjord


Bald Eagle


Tracy Arm Fjord


Our train to White Pass


There's more.. on the other computer.. I haven't edited them yet. They might show a bit more of the majesty of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Sheer granite faces and this narrowing path between them that somehow our giant ship was able to not only able to manuever through but turn around in. The driving of that vessel was a thing of beauty, I have to say.

Besides that, I just want to mention that I am once again employed. My old boss (re: friend) hired me to work for her again. She basically created a position for me because she wanted to hire me back. And she's paying me way more than people make in this position in Seattle. I can't complain! I get to work from home (good and bad points) and I get to stay mostly local. Now, having said that, I have to go to PA in 2 weeks for 3 days and again a week later for a day. But other than that... it's pretty sweet!

On an very exciting note, I get to meet Risiblegirl tomorrow. I hope I don't call her that. lol

Back home, no photos yet

Just a quick note to let you all know we made it back safely. I think Irish and I are still reeling in wonder from the fact that we agreed to go on a cruise and found it to be exactly as we expected. Not to say that the scenery wasn't fantastic and the food plentiful, that our Irish friends weren't terrific to travel with, because they were and it was. What made two world travelers who searched out exotic faraway places on the cheap, steered away from tourist traps (for the most part, because really, Machu Picchu is a bit of a tourist trap) and other Americans because we wanted a different perspective... what made us go on a cruise is still mind-boggling to us... and I think it's going to take a week or so to recover...

I have a few photos but they are on the other computer and not uploaded yet. I promise to work on that today because it's dreary and wet outside and it seems like the perfect day to do this!

6 months in a leaky boat...

Well, not exactly. Try 7 days on a cruise ship. Not quite the same thing. We are heading out tonight to Alaska - the ship sails at 10pm. We are a little concerned about the sheep-like quality of a vacation such as this but hopefully, it won't be so bad. We've never done an organized style trip and it'll be interesting to see if we like it. But with the beautiful vistas of glaciers in the background and icebergs in the foreground (hopefully not too close!), I'm sure we can ignore the rest of it. lol Don't worry.. there will be many photos - with M's camera and our digital (charging the batteries as we speak and bringing the charger with us!) - we should have some beauty to behold.

So, that's it. I just wanted to let you all know... you get a break from checking in here until next Sunday or so... Have a great week and I'll catch up with you all later! Cheers!

Every day just gets better

Gosh, I'm so happy. Honestly. I feel blessed every day and it feels good! I was at the gym today, listening to a song I used to listen and RELATE to

Have You Seen Me Lately
by The Counting Crows

Get away from me, just get away from me
This isn't gonna be easy
But I don't need you
Believe me

You got a piece of me
But it's just a little piece of me
And I don't need anyone
These days
I feel like I'm fading away

Like sometimes when I hear myself on the radio
Have you seen me lately?
Have you seen me lately?

I was out on the radio starting to change
Somewhere out in America, it's starting to rain
Could you tell me the things you remember
About me
And have you seen me lately?

I remember me
And all the little things that make up a memory
Like she said she loved to watch me sleep
Like she said: "It's the breathing, it's the breathing in and out and in and..."
Have you seen me lately?

I was out on the radio starting to change
Somewhere out in America it's starting to rain
Could you tell me the things you remember
About me
And have you seen me lately?

I thought that someone would notice
I thought somebody would say something
If I was missing
Can't you see me?
Come on color me in
Come on color me in
Give me your blue rain
Give me your black sky
Give me your green eyes
Come on give me your white skin
Come on give me your white skin
Come on give me your white skin

I was out on the radio starting to change
Somewhere out in America, it's starting to rain
Could you tell me the things you remember
About me
And have you seen me lately?
Have you seen me lately

And I thought how different my life is now, how absolutely different I feel and I'm grateful for that. Sometimes I think if I'd actually ended my life the two or three times I thought about it, I wouldn't have been as blessed to have all the amazing things that are happening to me now.

But I digress... We've had houseguests since Saturday night - a lovely couple that we really enjoy. We've been doing the touristy things again - taking the ferry, visiting the Pike Place Market, enjoying the sunshine. They took off for a few days to Vancouver, BC and then Saturday night we leave for our cruise to Alaska! I can't believe it's already here and I'm getting excited about it. We're having phenomenal weather and I can only hope that it stays and travels with us up the coast!

Besides that, it's getting to be that time.... my 20-year high school reunion. I never thought I'd want to go, certainly when I was in high school, I had no desire to see alot of those people again but now there's plenty I want to see. I'm looking forward to it. I've actually contacted a couple people through email, just to find out how they are doing and WHAT they are doing. I'm looking forward to showing M where I grew up as well.

Finally, M got his green card approval today!! Without an interview!!! I guess they do that for some people (I don't know the criteria but we'll take it) and so he should have it sometime next week!! We are thrilled although it doesn't mean much other than he can live here legally, which he was already doing. Hopefully it'll make leaving the country (and coming back) easier. Sigh... it's soooo good! Yay!

A few thoughts on my current situation

We heard the bun again, a couple days ago. The doc used a doppler to listen to the heartbeat and this time, there it was. Can I say again how cool that is? Especially when I feel so good, so not pregnant, it reminds us when we hear the heartbeat that in another 6 months we're going to have a baby. We still look at each other occasionally and giggle - yes, giggle - because, well probably because we don't know exactly how much it's going to change our lives. Holy shit.

Then I get frustrated because this is the first thing I talk about but it's not the first thing I want people to associate with me. I've been an individual for so long - a friend, a girlfriend, a wife (well, not that long), a skier, a softball player, a traveler, a hiker, a network administrator, a reader, a goofball. I truly don't want my conversation to be focused on the bun and only the bun. Sometimes I have to catch myself and switch the conversation because I've gone on too long. I don't want to dissolve into one of those people whose role as 'mom' becomes their only role. Which isn't to say I'm not somewhat excited about my new role, it's just to say it's not *only* who I am. You know?

K. 'nuff of that. We are dog sitting this week. My friend left her 13-year old retriever with us. Gosh, she's hard work. I think she's been laying on the floor unmoving for the past 2 hours. lol We have to wake her up occasionally to see if she's alive. She's a pet. She won't move if you call her name, you usually have to stamp hard on the floor to get her attention but boy if she doesn't hear the plastic rustling when you open the english muffin bag, or when you are peeling a banana or pouring milk into your coffee. She's right there looking at you, hoping you'll drop something, anything. If you are eating and she's been looking at you for 15 minutes and you haven't looked her way, she'll put her head on your lap and stare up at you. It's a bit disconcerting. But she's 13!! You just can't teach an old dog new tricks, and frankly, we just don't want to. If you give her some of whatever you're eating though, she'll vacuum it in and then look at you for more. It's not like she even tastes it, or appreciates it, or has a bit and leaves you alone. Nope, if you gave her some, she's hoping you'll give her more. Sigh. But we love her to death. We love having her here. I keep hoping for a dog but really, this tired old dog is probably all we need.