so honored

At tonight's YMCA Youth and Family Committee meeting I got quite a surprise...an award! And honestly, it just made my day/year! Last month the Y had the annual Volunteer Appreciation Award Dinner, which we were planning to attend, however at the last minute I had a change in work plans which meant I would miss it. Turns out I missed out on quite a night.

But tonight, at the close of the meeting, Tim our Executive Director presented me with a beautiful silver plate engraved with my name and award. I am so flattered and honored...and shocked.

Turns out I should have read the newsletter that came out last week and I wouldn't have been so surprised.

This was on the cover:

Thank You to our Volunteers

Volunteer Awards Dinner Thank you to all that came to our Volunteer Awards Dinner Thursday, November 12th. We had quite the crowd. The night was very successful. Here are the volunteers that were recognized for their volunteerism. Order of Merit Award: Mike Shor and Vanessa Patterson Delmar Branch Humanitarian Award: Wendy Harding Distinguished Service Award: Kathleen Fagen Dr. Paul Veazey Memorial Award of Significant Service Award: Jake Duckworth Joseph Herring Memorial Youth Award: Connor Gray Captain Hart Kait Active Older Adult Memorial Award: Helene Mussback Volunteer of the Year Award: Joanne Gronquist

parade of lights

a beautiful night in the harbor for the Parade of Lights and FIREWORKS (in December!? what a treat). Mike and Ashley are always the best hosts (and they make the tastiest goodies too)....

santa pub crawl

An evening of fun for all...the Annual Santa Pub Crawl/ Mitch's Birthday Party. We joined the crew of 80+ Christmas characters and had a festive time downtown last night.

Ryan =Christmas tree with live branches, ornaments and working lights!
Wendy= a giant stocking.

the two trees

we all made out way through 4 downtown destinations...

Pam, the gingerbread lady

Elaine, my favorite costume= Ralphie

after a good soaking in the downpour, on the dance floor @ Tonic (its not that easy to move in a stocking)

Blaine, the Santa version of the guy from The Hangover
JT was hilarious in this puffed up Santa suite (complete with fan system)

Darren as chestnuts, (Rachel his wife was a Nutcracker), Mitch (the birthday boy) and you know who.

home sweet home

It was a long, long week away. I was so anxious to get home Thursday night. But alas, it was not meant to be. It's a long story, but the summary was that I didn't get home until midday Friday instead. Needless to say, once I was on my way, I was so happy to be in the final stretch that I got trigger happy taking photos of Santa Barbara upon my approach.

family treats

Last week while traveling for work in the Pacific Northwest, I was treated to a special (albeit short) visit with Aunt LuAnn and Cousin Peter. We met up half way between Surrey BC & Tacoma WA in a little town called La Conner. It was such a highlight to my week to see them! Family is rad.

The larger than life eclair @ Seeds.

a striking resemblance

tonight it was pointed out that Ryan shared a striking resemblance to....

a glowworm doll!

these are a few of my favorite things

Away on business tonight, I sat at the bar of a swanky restaurant in downtown Tacoma. Prior to dining on a guilty pleasure of mussels and frites, I sipped on a negroni and listened to the christmas music playing in the background. Into the holiday mix popped up The Sound of Music classic "Favorite things". I decided to assemble a list of a few of my favorite things...and quite frankly once I started doing it...I didn't feel so bad.

• low tide beach walks with Ryan and Bessie
• maitai at Shoreline cafe on a warm night, feet in the sand
• AM snuggle time with Ryan and Bessie
• fresh heirloom tomatoes
• sourdough dipped in mussel broth
• prompting a stranger to smile
• south coast margaritas at sunset on the deck @ Nepenthe
• walking to Peet's (w/ Bessie)
• The Body Shop tea tree nose pore mask
• connecting with song lyrics of an unknown singer/songwriter
• friends at the Tee-Off
• listening to Ryan master a new guitar riff
• the color yellow
• vintage Led Zeppelin footage
• crossing the finish line
• eggs rose @ D'angelo's
• El Coyote with Shawn
• pushing the 'home' button on my GPS
• Shel Silverstein poems
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• the hymn "It is Well with my Soul"
• 'When Harry Met Sally'
• back scratch time before bed
• camp coffee (w/ bed head)
• "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss
• being kind to strangers
• my cousins
• flip flops in January
• Ryan's cortados
• my dad's laugh
• getting the mail
• "This American Life" on podcast in my car for a long ride
• Bessie's snore
• discovering love notes from Ryan in my suitcase while away on business
• memories of Aunt Lori playing "Jerimiah was a bullfrog"
• mid-century modern architechture
• scrabble with my mom (and winning)
• Bella di Cerignola olives

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wingsThese are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad