The Sidse

Get Motivated?

2011-06-09T11:53:00.001-07:00

I went to the Get Motivated! conference with Jenn on Tuesday. It wasn't as motivating as the title makes it sound. But there was one really cool thing: Laura Bush came. And brought the Secret Service with her!I spent her entire talk ( This is what it was like moving into the White House. This is what 9/11 was like for me. This is what it's like out of the White House. We wrote books! ) starting at the Secret Service agent who spent her entire talk scanning the crowd. That was pretty awesome.

Oh my hiking!

2011-06-05T20:48:00.001-07:00

I tell myself I love the outdoors. And I try to spend time out in them. But sometimes they really kick my butt! Jenn, her niece, and the Tucketts went to hike lower Lena. We'd read all about it. An easy hike with gentle switchbacks. About 4 miles roundtrip.

What it didn't mention was it was switchbacks up for most of the three miles one way. The kids did great. So did the dogs. So did Robin & Jeremiah. So did Jenn. I, on the otherhand, thought I was going to die.

But after a rest at the lakeside and downhill the whole way back, it was a pretty pleasant day. Harvey slept the entire way back, tucked between me and the door.

The strangest thing...

2010-11-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

I was driving through Lacey the other day. Corner of Martin and Sleater-Kinney.

Yup, that's a goat.

Making a run for the border...not that one, the other one

2010-07-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time for a photo update.

In June I went up to see Marcella and Lola.

AJ was in a production of "Little Shop of Horrors" and was a fantastic actor.

I also got to meet Amy's newest addition, Ma'afala.

The ride home was warm and beautiful. It was Harvey's first road trip. We had a great time!

2010-06-27T14:03:00.001-07:00

We all fall down
Who remembers "Toy Soldiers" by Martika. Awesome one-hit wonder!

Newsworthy events?

2010-06-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I'm singing at the City of Tumwater 4th of July celebration this year. I have to be honest, there are times I feel a little nervous. Jenn and I were talking about it and she mentioned something about how many people would be there. I guess 500 - city staff are guessing 9,000.

Regardless, I was at work today and one of my co-workers stopped me. Apparently, my name is in the newspaper as the singer. Guess it's time to really practice...

Be sure to send good thoughts my way on the 4th, just before sundown. I have a feeling I'm going to need them!

Have I ever told you...

2010-06-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

I love the Chevy Nova. I'm not sure why. I love front bench seats. Maybe that's it. I love the swoop of the body lines. I love the roomy back seat where three little sisters can sit comfortably. But not just for the sum of its parts, I love the Chevy Nova.

The other day I was on the way up to the airport in my mom's car to pick up her sister and family (they and their luggage wouldn't fit in mine) when I saw it. It had been a while since I'd seen one in the wild. My heart leapt. This was no rusted out beauty, this was a lovingly cared for Nova. I was 2-lanes from flagging that man down and begging him to trade. I'm sure my dad would have been fine with it, right?

On the other end of my ridiculous love spectrum is the SmartCar. When I see it I know it is a silly looking vehicle, but the love ensues. I saw one the other day and was glad to be alone as I actually snickered aloud. I wonder if that's how the people who love man-wagons feel when they spot one of those?

Always double-check

2010-06-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

Finally, the end of another quarter. It was a fun quarter, although when I tell most people what I took they feel sorry for me. Statistics wasn't many people's favorite when they took it, but I certainly enjoyed working it out.

We were assigned to do a research project in groups then make a presentation to the class in the last session. My group was great and so much fun. We got together several times to prepare.

We had five minutes for our presentation. We cut things out to get it down to just the right time - 5 minutes. Our teacher had told us that we had to keep to our time, that there would be a timekeeper.

We got together before class to be more certain and to make sure that we were all ready. We had ten slides and came in right at five minutes. We were hoping to go first, just to get it over with. But we weren't quick enough. We were third.

The first group got up and they had 40 slides. And they were talking slowly. How were they going to finish in the five minutes?!? It got me thinking, so I slowly pulled out the syllabus.

25-minutes. Our presentation was supposed to be 25-minutes long!! I spent the next five minutes working to not throw up. And then I got to work. I let everyone in the group know and we all worked on lengthening our parts of the presentation. I, thankfully, had brought a few of my other notes.

We all lengthened our presentations. I, of course, talked the longest. We finished at 22 minutes. During the presentation, Cho passed me this note:

Like I said, I had a great group!

Not so much a lack of focus...

2010-05-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

but perhaps staying focused on the wrong thing. The other day, back when it was nice outside, mom and I had just come home from work and parked in the garage. I don't remember where Sara and Kelly were, but it was just the two of us. We heard a strange noise from the window next to us. It was a bird. This little guy was so focused on getting outside through the window that he didn't notice that if he had just turned around he would have easily flown out through the huge car holes!

I found an empty popcorn bucket and mom got a vinyl tile. I caught that bird and let him go outside. It was kind of cool to have him burst out of the bucket that way.

New Lipstick

2010-05-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

Jenn likes makeup. So when she asked me if I wanted to go to the new Sephora store in Tacoma, I knew we were in for something special. We shopped for a very long time and tried on lots and lots of testers. In fact, I wasn't wearing make-up when we got there but left with a face full of it. The one thing we both picked up was lipstick. Here is our modeling of said stick:

Easter

2010-04-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday dinner with the family is always fun. But it is especially fun when there is a holiday that involves really pretty dresses and lots and lots of sugar.

We had a lovely time and spent lots of time together. Here is the photographic evidence of said good time:

Easter

Our Little Dogs

2010-03-22T21:59:00.000-07:00

Harvey and Cooper get to hang out regularly. The other day when it was just the three of us, I brought out the camera. These guys have grown up so much!

Hard to believe they've been around for over a year!!

End of the Quarter

2010-03-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

I don't remember how I felt at the end of the quarter at Ricks when I was young, but this feels great. My brain could use a couple of days off from all the reading!

Did I mention I liked Nicole Richie's dress at the Oscars? Maybe it's the geometrics of it all, but I'm really feeling it! Don't know why she was there though. I'l have to watch it to know I guess.

A Foggy Day

2010-02-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

A foggy day is the perfect day to take pictures of naked trees.

This morning I was outside in the early pre-dawn hours and the fog was thick. It is interesting, the early dawn is a pretty quiet time anyhow, but the fog makes it silent.

It was a little eerie, but I really, really liked it. A very nice way to start a morning.

1st Haircut of the new year

2010-01-03T12:41:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, Jenn wanted to treat Harvey to a professional haircut. So I took some before and after.

Which do you like better?

A Frosty Morning

2009-12-27T20:12:00.001-08:00

It is nice to be able to spend some time outside. While it has been cold, it has also been very beautiful out lately. Saturday morning, Harvey and I went out to take some pictures. Here's one of my favorites.

Harvey Graduates! (Two months ago)

2009-08-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

It was so exciting. After eight weeks, Harvey had been taught all the things he already knew. And now it was time for graduation. The teacher promised the playing of Pomp and Circumstance and I wanted to make the occasion special. So I made Harvey a little cap and gown. I think the gold really sets off his eyes!

Now we are working on getting the barking under control!

I tried to wait the entire year...

2009-06-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

Our family has these blogs going, and most everyone does really well in keeping up. Several months ago, I was harassed for it being "like, a year" since I last blogged. So I was determined to wait until it had been like, a year. I thought my last entry had been in June after visiting Robin. But that is not so.

And now the pictures of Harvey are piling up and he is only getting cuter. Now you've asked for it!

Here's Harvey, shortly after coming to live with us in his kitty cube. He still sleeps there at night.

And thanks to Kevin, Chanel and Mia for dropping by tonight. It was the highlight of the day!

Open mouth, insert foot

2008-09-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I'm friendly. For the most part I don't want to talk to strangers, but there are moments I just can't seem to shut up.

Like Monday, we went to see Ghost Town (recommended). As we enter the theater, there is only one couple in the place. They happen to be retirement age. They express gratitude for our arrival because, they said, they "were afraid [they] were going to be the only people in the show."

We laughed and chatted for a moment. Then all eyes were on the twenty. Well, not really. I was texting, Jenn was playing tetris, and Sara was reading her book. They really should make the twenty more interesting if they actually want us paying attention to the big screen.

Then this Lexis commercial comes on touting the virtues of this car that can go up to 170 miles-per-hour. The gentleman behind us leans over to his wife and says, "What do you need a car that can go 170 miles-per-hour for?"

I'm clever, and these are my new friends, and sometimes I just don't know when to keep my mouth shut. So I turn to say, "So you can outrun the cops!"

Oh, aren't I funny? I mean who else but a supergenius comedian would come up with such a remark. The couple laughs at my humor. He says, "That's interesting. I spent 35 years in law enforcement."

I'm starting to wonder if there is a cream for my condition or if the cure involves serious drug-/psycho-therapy.

Haircuts

2008-09-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

I've decided haircuts are funny things. If you get a dramatic short cut, everyone tells you it looks good even if they don't like it. If you have long hair and lose three or four inches, but it is still below your shoulders, no one notices. Well, not no one, but not the people you expect.

I got my hair cut this past Friday night. I wore it down and no one noticed. Then I wore it down to the Aunt Mary Jane's pool and no one noticed. Although I chalked that one up to it getting wet in the beginning. And then I wore it down to family dinner and no one noticed. So I put my hair up at the end of the meal. But I told Robin and Jeremiah on the way home. So they said very nice things about me.

But what is funny is that a woman at church who I haven't seen in three weeks or so, noticed.

I'm guessing that what was really going on was that I still looked so good that no one felt the need to say a word. So, in a nutshell, thanks for the compliment. It means a lot!

Rudeness, passively

2008-08-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

The other day I saw this on a t-shirt at work:

I thought, does it make it any less rude because it is on a shirt?

Updates, updates!

2008-08-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

I am here to "update" this blog only because Mom and Robin have been constantly harassing me to get my blog updated.

My question - Is once the same as constantly?

(Pictures to come soon. I must be ready for Crystal's triumphant return to Shelton!)

Making Mom jealous

2008-06-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

For the end of May/beginning of June I went to Manhattan to visit Robin and her family. Whenever I would tell some one at work that I was going to visit my sister, mom would quickly correct me and tell them that I was going to visit her grandchildren. Thank goodness we all already know where we fall in line.

I found out upon my return that one of my co-workers asked her if I got there safe and if I was having fun. She told them yes and that it made her mad that I went without her. (She was kidding and it took the lady a second to get the joke. A very uncomfortable second.)

So I spent the week with Robin and Jeremiah and Kendall and Taylor and that made mom jealous. But there is one other thing that I know would have made her jealous:

We touched the lego version of the Pirate of the Carribean. She loves his music!

So, there is much still to tell about this trip to New York. I have decided to write about it in installments and post them instead of telling you what I did at work!

Hope you enjoy... and look for more to come!

A shout out from Don Quixote

2008-05-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

One of the members of my ward is the musical director down at Capital Playhouse. Troy also directs shows from time to time. We were talking about a month ago when he told me that he was working on a production of "The Man of La Mancha" starring Jeff Kingsbury, Olympia celebrity and someone who has changed my diapers (or so he says.) I decided to go visit the east coast and realized that if I didn't go before I left, I wouldn't see it. Procrastination is a wonderful thing!

So I got myself on the waiting list. The Playhouse has very limited seating and it fills up pretty fast as the shows are excellent. But by the time Saturday came around, I wasn't in the mood to go to the show anymore. Matt called from the office and said that they had an extra seat and would I like to attend the show. I made up a very lame and transparent excuse and quickly got off the phone.

Not three minutes later, my phone starts to sing. I pick it up. "Sidse, this is Jeff." I knew I was in trouble. We talked and he told me that he had seen my name on the will-call list and told Matt that no matter what I was getting in. So I relented. I couldn't say no once I had been jumped to the front of the list. I cut my shopping trip with Sara short and went home to get ready for the show.

It was an amazing show. The actors did great, the music was great, I even got a little teary at the end. And during one scene, when Jeff was entering from the back of the house, he walked past me and groaned a low, "Siiid-seeee." I feel famous! (But only in Olympia.)

Those Crazy Drivers!

2008-04-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

More than just about driving, I'll fill you in on my day. I have a rash, it got worse so I made an appointment. Randy, PA, looked at it and prescribed a cream. Then he listened to my cough because people are telling me I have bronchitis and I like to prove people wrong.

When he finished listening, I said, "I told them I didn't have bronchitis!"

He said, "I think you have bronchitis."

Three more prescriptions later and a surprisingly short trip to the pharmacy, I went home. Jenn and I went treadmill shopping tonight at Sears because they are having a sale. On the way there, a truck driver came zooming up behind Jenn's Bronco II and thought he would squeeze his full-size truck between us and the person zooming up in the lane next to us. But instead, he had to hit the brakes when he got to us because that tiny little gap he thought he could fit in closed. Unfortunately, his truck was light in the back, like they are. So he fish-tailed pretty dramatically and after throwing some pretty impressive mud around ended up in the ditch.

But he was out by the time we drove home, so it must have looked worse than it really was. We're just glad he missed us!

The Blue Plague

2008-04-09T19:29:00.001-07:00

It has been quite a while since illness kept me from work for two whole days. This has been just gross! (Therefore, no pictures. No one needs to see that.)

Yesterday was the worst of it. I woke up and e-mailed work and finished the project that was due that day and e-mailed it in. Promptly, I returned to bed where I slept for another three hours. Called mom and went back to sleep for two more. Had cereal and hit the mattresses for another FIVE hours. Then, miracle of miracles, I stayed awake for the next hour and a half. (My rally point, it was very exciting.) Had half a piece of pizza and was down for two more. Watched Dancing With The Stars elimination (only death could keep me from it) and went back down. I don't think I have slept that much since infancy or drug-induced sleeping (anything with codeine and I seem to be out for 12 straight).

I've been alternating between sweating and freezing today, but I stayed awake, so I think I am on the road out. I didn't think I was going to make it, but by golly, with the love of family and friends I'm pulling through.

Wish me luck for back to work tomorrow. I'm gonna need it around 11!

Happy birthday to me?

2008-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Right after that last post in January I had a birthday. I got lovely gifts and really fun phone calls! Sara even brought over Guitar Hero for my party. It was stellar! But a while after all the hoopla, I went to the post office to check my mail and, lo and behold, I found this:

Thanks, everyone! This birthday was awesome.

Oh, Snow!!

2008-03-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

To say the least, the past two months have been eventful. But none of it has been as weird as the weather the last couple of weeks. It all started on chilly morning...

I was driving to work and thought I saw snow on my windshield. I decided I must be going crazy as it was the end of March and we were officially into spring. When I got closer to work that day I actually saw small collections of the white stuff in the dark of the flower gardens. It wasn't much, but it did prove I wasn't crazy (about the snow, that's all).

Later that afternoon, it was hailing. We could all see it bouncing off the 4th floor windows.

Ever since then, it has been raining, snowing, and hailing in random order. Crazy, huh?

Speedy Sunday Update

2008-01-27T11:01:00.001-08:00

On this week before the Super Bowl, it is appropriate to give updates. So here goes.

Jenn, Kim, Sara, and I went to the Ethnic Festival yesterday in great downtown Olympia. The performances were on both stages of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. My friend from work performed with both her dance troupes on Stage II. Her second performance was announced by none other than Councilmember Jeff Kingsbury. I didn't get a chance to talk to him, but it was funny to see him in such a QC mode!

There were lots of booths set up with the different ethnic groups sharing about themselves. I stopped at the Daughters of Denmark booth. They were right next to the Sons of Norway, but being a daughter, they caught my eye. We started talking and they all gave me their phone numbers so that I could get together with them and talk about the old country. I guess that it is time for me to find out more about my heritage so that I can speak knowledgeably with them!

They also had lots of shopping and I got a ring and a few other things. Between my friend's performances, the four of us got breakfast downtown and did a little extra-curricular shopping. The breakfast was so good that some of the group was talking about having breakfast there every Saturday!

In other news, Brendan has been going out as a chef with Amtrak. The rumor on the rails is that they will be retiring and firing some of the current chefs, making room for a promotion. Hopefully all will work out in his favor. It is a little more work, but he seems to enjoy the responsibility.

I have a huge luncheon to put on at work and am getting a little nervous. Think of me on Tuesday. That's the make or break time.

Well, gotta jam. More to come!

I was gonna be sorry, but...

2007-12-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

I decided that so much has been going on there was no reason to be! I know that it has been WEEKS since I got in here, but I have a good excuse. Our internet isn't hooked up. Don't blame Comcast, I haven't installed the router. No big deal really. I'll get right on it as soon as I get home.

Home? Yes, it is Saturday and here I am slaving away over a hot computer. EMD needed my special expertise and I was more than happy to earn a little overtime. I may need to come back in tomorrow to finish and that, my dear friends, will be exchange time that I will have to take off at the end of the coming week. I'll have to wait and see how much I can get done today before I make the big decision.

While none of our family was hugely effected by this year's flooding, it did affect lots of other people. In order for FEMA to be able to come and assist (give money) we have to prove to the President that this is a big enough event to warrant the help. So the counties gather information from the residents and we compile it and send it forward. Last year Anita and I developed some spreadsheets to track the data and get it together for presentation, but Anita quit last Thursday with no notice and no one else had learned the spreadsheet. So they called me. And here I am for at least today and maybe tomorrow. It is good to know that I have some really specialized knowledge no one can live without!

So peace to all my sisters and brothers! Next time I'll see if I can't take a picture or two of the new place. Let you all into that home I am thinking of even now!

Aside - Brendan left today on his second and final training trip to Chicago. Then he will be free for Amtrak to call up when they need him. He likely will be gone over Christmas (low-man syndrome) but would love to come by and see the family sometime. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Movin' On

2007-11-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a good run here at the Black Lake Apartments, but the management is so incompetent that it was time to go. In fact, I called tonight to ask a question and they just confirmed that it really is time to go so I am very happy with my decision!

So thanks in advance to all that are helping with the move. It shouldn't be that hard and I know that you'll be blessed for your service. (If that doesn't guilt you into it, nothing will!)

In preparation for the coming holiday season, I have prepared at chart for when the family will be home so that we can all plan accordingly:

Can't wait to see you all in person, and not just the pictures on Chanel's blog! Peace!

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family! So sorry I missed last week, but I had a bad cold that gave me a deep voice and an inability to blog. This week was super-short at work, but for some reason felt like the longest week in my whole life. Just getting through three days seems like forever when you are looking forward to four days off.

Anywho, it is getting down to the wire on move time and I am excited to get going. Unfortunately, we will not be able to move this weekend (sorry Kelly) but should have a date to get in before the first. Otherwise we would have been homeless for a night. Wish us luck!

So have a great day of eating and remember how thankful I am for all of you. Much Love!

2007-11-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

This Sunday I was doing what I love (taking pictures of one of the 4th generation) and got one of my favorites, both of us. It got me to thinking about the other 4ths.

So here are the pictures through the years. I have to say that because the ones with the older girls are coming up on a year old and the one with the boy is almost two years old. Just try getting that one to sit still for a minute!

I love them all so much. They are the greatest. In age order from the top-left clockwise they are some of my favorite people to hang with.

There's another on the way, too. More pictures to be taken!

Travelin' Man

2007-11-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Brendan got the job at Amtrak! He is so excited and I am excited for him. Wish him luck at the training in California!

In the beginning...

2007-11-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the months old picture to the left, things are rockin' here in the great NW. Since everyone else in the family is on the blogspot, I joined. Easier to post pictures.

I'll see what I can do about keeping up this time!