Pearly Hopes and Dreams

Art told me this morning that he is so glad that I have a pulse. He says the most romantical things, doesn't he?

I spent all day in Seattle yesterday.

Art attended a Nutrition Certification in Seattle yesterday, and he left at 6:30 am. I also went to Seattle, but not for the same reason. Mari picked me up at 7 am, drove us to Oak Harbor, picked up her mom, and we drove to Seattle to attend The International Gem & Jewelry Show.

When my mother-in-law asked me last week if I wanted to go, I told her "no." I'm not really into jewelry, I don't have a lot, and the stuff I DO have, I hardly ever wear. But when I heard that Mari was going, and that Art was going to be gone all day as well, I decided to go.

I have never seen so many beads, gems, jewels, precious metals, and rocks in one place! Tables an booths were absolutely covered with everything from diamond jewelry to endless varieties of strings of beads to make whatever you want, to volcanic rocks and crystals, to individual gems, both refined and unrefined. It took us three and half hours to look at every table in the whole room.

Mom gave each of us money to buy whatever we wanted, and at first, I was convinced I wouldn't get anything. I mean, this was not cheap, low-quality stuff. This was the real deal.

Well, I guess some real deals can still be affordable.



Those are pearls, people. MY pearls. I am the very proud owner of a set of freshwater pearls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps some of you don't know. I love pearls. I LOVE pearls. Big puffy pink heart love pearls. When I got to the pearl vendors, I oohed and ahhed and cooed and gasped, and fantasized. But I didn't think I would find a necklace and matching self-sizing bracelet for $30!

Something else you might not know: I hate bracelets. HATE them. They never fit, which makes them loose and annoying, so I never wear them. Except if they're made of pearls, and the bracelet can fit any wrist.

I am beyond excited. I'm so in love with my new jewelry, and I feel like the richest girl on earth. I thought that pearls were incredibly expensive, and thought that I would only own something made of pearls in, like, ten years or something.

Of course, now I need a new little black dress to wear these with. ;)

I'm Drunk. On Food.

Art and I went on a date this evening.

Yesterday he asked me, "Jenene, do you want to go on a date tomorrow?"

"Sure, Art. Where?"

"I don't know, that's your job to figure it out. I did the hard part by asking."

Uh huh.

So we went to Olive Garden. I think this is the second time since we've been married that we didn't share an entree. I don't know why we didn't this time. Probably because he really wanted salmon, and I wanted something with shrimp. And of course, neither of us finished and ended up taking half our meals home with us anyway. Dang salad and breadsticks. Not that I'm really complaining.

And then Art had the audacity to order dessert. I was beyond full, and so was he, but that Torta di Chocolate won't eat itself. Also, it's to die for, so I had a few bites anyway.

What was that about not spending? We got Art's income tax return, so we were celebrating. And I'm expecting to hear about mine next week, so we'll be nice and cozy for at least a little while. Plus, Art will be getting more hours with Jogo as they start up a couple of new programs, and if I get myself a job next month.....jackpot!

Things are certainly looking up around here.

Now excuse me while I make like a beached whale and not move for a few hours.

Adventures in Anacortes

Here is a summary of yesterday. I need not have gotten up so early. I thought we were leaving by 9am, but Wayne and Sozan didn't even wake up until 9:30.

We left by 11:00, and drove to Deception Pass first. We walked around there for a while, and then drove back to Anacortes, and attempted to go up Mount Erie. Unfortunately, the roads were still pretty bad from the snow we got on Monday, so we'll have to save that trip until summer.

We went to Washington Park instead, had a picnic, ate some donuts from The Donut House, and played at the playground. We are eight years old.

Most of the pictures here are action shots.












Deception Pass. These boys make me nervous.










We did a lot of spinning right after we ate. Which is generally not recommended.


































It was a fun, beautiful day.