There goes the time.

Another busy week has flown by and I can’t believe that next week is the first week in November already. We had a couple fun things to report this past week.

Last weekend we had a little road to through Washington and down to Oregon. We drove around Mount Rainer and then down to Oregon to the Columbia River area. Along the way, we stopped at Maryhill Winery. for a wine tasting. It was so beautiful there. We stayed at Bonneville Hot Springs in Bonneville, WA . The next day we got up and drove through and around Mt Hood. We wanted to check out for snowboarding season. Then on the way home we drove through Mount St. Helen’s, which was really something, the pictures will not do it justice. It was really amazing to see where the lava ran through in 1980 and the trees or grass just never grew back. One part almost looked like a giant stepped on the ground because the trees were just stuck to the ground. I would love to go back for hiking; the whole area was really interesting. The scenery in both Washington and Oregon really impressed me and I would love to go back. Oregon has some of the best wineries in the nation (especially for Pinot Noir) so I think a wine weekend is also calling our names.

Other then that, we picked a realtor and we are now actively looking for a house. Rob looked at 3 yesterday and we are looking at 1 tomorrow. Rob also started his job today so now it feels like we are really making a home here. This weekend holds nothing special and we will probably stay pretty low key. Except on Sunday Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers is in town, my Favorite band from Mass. I am really excited to see them, it’s been a while and this is their first time playing on the west coast.

I will update again this weekend.

I feel like I haven’t been home on 5 days.

It has been such a crazy week here. With work and happy hour, we have managed to stay really busy. Just a quick wrap up to what we have been up to. Let’s see… Last Friday Rob finally got into town. Saturday morning we got up early and went to the U District’s farmers market. Moving over to the bar, we met up with two of Rob’s friends to watch the Michigan Game. After what was supposed to be my surprise for Rob. I was planning on taking him to the Rat City Roller Derby . We actually ended up not going because we couldn’t find our way to the location. Instead, we went to dinner at Jai Thai in Fremont. On Sunday, we drove around and went to some open houses.

This week has been a whirlwind and we have completely lost track of the days. During the day Rob has been taking care of odds and ends around here, meeting with realtors, unpacking. Then this week has been really busy for me also. We had a huge meeting with people from our New York, Chicago, and Philly offices. So every night either I went out with Rob or I went out with Rob and people from work. Here is a listing of some of the places we went and some more information.

Matador (Ballard area) – Yummy food and a great happy hour.
The Triple Door (Downtown) – I posted about this place before but this time I took Rob there. He liked it too.
Ivar’s (Downtown on the water) – This place is quintisential Seattle. Supposed to be the best seafood in Seattle. We went for work and we had a room facing the water where we watched the ferry come in. It was good food and very pretty views.
Belltown Billards (Belltown Area) – I don’t know why we took out of town guests here, this is a dive bar where someone got shot or something outside of it a few weeks ago. It was an ok place, but I am sure there are better bars in the area.
The Virgina Inn (Belltown Area) – we sat outside and had some beers. The also filmed part of the movie Singles there.
Kingfish Café (Capital Hill) – Comfort Soulfood. This is a great place in a very cute area.

The sun was shining today and it was beautiful. Rob saw Mount Rainer for the first time.

Tomorrow we are getting up and packing for a hiking/wine tasting/leaf peeping trip to Oregon. I will try to remember to take pictures and post them when we get back. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Rob's coming, it's time to clean!

I don't have much to say at all. This week is really slow. Rob will finally be here for good on Friday. He is finishing up all of his last minute details before he gets here. The movers came to get his stuff on Sunday/Monday and he has been living at the local Hotel for the week. He also has a rental car that he can zoom around in while his car is getting shipped here. He will work a half a day on Friaday and then get on the plane to Seattle! He have signed out life away to an attorney to do the condo closing for us and then pay off our mortgage and then desposit our money in the bank.

But, now that Rob is coming... I have to clean this place or else he will throw me out! I still am having a hard time getting motivated to clean, but I have no choice. I will do the best I can. I am also really happy to report that I got my new jacket yesterday and it's just great. It is exactly what I wanted. The color is chainti, which is not my favorite color. But, it will work. It is a Marmot jacket that has a black fleece jacket as a liner. It is great in the rain! And Breathable for Hiking. I couldn't ask for anything else. I got it from this website that seems to be great for good sale prices and no tax or shipping. Back Country Outlet . The snow clogs I bought are a little too big, those I will have to return.

So... other then all of that. Not much going on. Every morning Stewie and Brian wake me up by sitting on the dressers and just watching me. I know they are thinking, "you are lazy. stop pressing snooze and come and feed us." Poor things, I know they can't wait for their dad to get here. I have a surprise for Rob on Saturday night, I can't tell you what it is until Sunday because he made read this. You will laugh. I will take pictures.

The Seattle Public Library Rocks

A few weeks ago I signed for my library card. I am a big fan of libraries. I had read this article about the Seattle Public Library Downtown and how it is an architectural marvel. It also has a bar code system so the books actually go on a conveyer belt and are re-shelved. It’s an amazing building, here is a pic . Also, You can check out the library here.

Anyway, the website for the library is also pretty cool. I can log in and look for a book. When I find a book I want, I put it on hold. Then I can see where I am in line. I can also choose which branch I want to pick up at. Naturally, I would like to pick it up at the Broadview Branch, which is across the street from my apt. So they send me an email notification when it gets to branch and I can pick it up anytime. Then, when I check out the book the process is all paperless and done via the computers. Maybe Seattle really is Silicon Forest

Cats to do the darndest things..

Please read the two posts below. I wanted to start off with some cute cat pictures. Click on the images to make them bigger.


This is what happens when you leave the bathroom door open.


Isn't it funny how Brian's cow and Stewie's mouse end up right next to each other on the floor?
Trying to crawl into the washer


Stewie is so happy she finally made it inside of the washer.


She also likes to play in the most inconvenient locations.

The basket is very versatile.

Brian also likes to lay on the TV. I can't get mad at him because it's too funny.

People who use their ipod only for music are lame

The possibilities with your ipod are endless. While I was waiting for my food at luch yesterday, I was playing brick on it. Similar to pong. What a wonderful game. But I also have a load of podcasts that I load up each morning for my listening enjoyment.

In other news from Today: . I am sitting here at the table with a latte. I have started going to the Starbucks drive through down the road on Saturdays and Sundays. Incredibly lazy, I know. More of a fan of indy coffee shops, but when it’s right down the street and there are in fact, 71 Starbucks in Seattle I’ll take whatever I can.

I am also sporting Rob’s “State Sucks” T-shirt for the game today. Although they are not showing it on TV the highlights are showing that today Michigan may have their heads out of the asses for once this season and might end up beating State today. I have to clean today. The Apartment is so dirty and messy I feel like am living in a mound of my own filth and mess. I am sure that Ang, Mom, and Rob are the only ones who truly appreciate the mess of Allison. And with no one here to nag at me, it just gets worse and worse. I hate myself.

The winter/fall jackets need to come out. You know, something that will withstand the wind, rain and otherwise known Seattle crap weather. It’s started. Last weekend was beautiful and now it’s time to break out a jacket. In CT and even in Houghton, I rarely wore a jacket. A turtleneck, fleece and sweater layered would always do the trick. No such luck here. I need to get a nice jacket. Yes, the word is NEED.

One good thing to come out of the bar was my conversation with a friend about our pending travel plans. I was telling him that we would like to go to Italy, New Zealand and back to the Sandcastle in the next 3 years before we consider having children. If children ever come to the Gifford household, our life and disposable income would be over. He said, “Have you considered Thailand?” Well, I guess I haven’t. Honestly, I figured it was expensive. Turns out he and his girlfriend went there for 16 days last year, right before the Tsunami and he said it was so wonderful, also very cheap. Most hotels were 30-60 dollars a night. This one is $71 . It got me thinking. The Euro is like 15-20% more then the dollar. When I look at a hotel room in Italy, it may say 150 Euro a night, but it is really about $200. Italy will always be there, right? Thailand needs the tourism commerce. Turns out a lot of people were put off after the Tsunami about going to Thailand. He showed me his pictures and I was sold. Yeah, that’s it.

So…that will be our next trip. After all, I like Thai food. For the first time ever, we may also consider working with a Travel consultant. This one guy in particular was named as the best for Thailand and Vietnam from Conde Nast. I do, after all have this book of “1,000 places to see before you die” and it would be great to knock of Thailand. (I really do have checks next to all the places I have been.. It’s minimal but should be full by the time I die). I am excited about this possibility. I am ready for a vacation and I am talking more then just going to Oregon on a leaf peeping weekend. Well time to clean. Here are some pictures of stewie getting into the washer. I promise I will write more often. I read somewhere that people write in their blogs as type of therapy. I think I believe that.

It's been a while

It’s been a while. I am sorry about that. A quick list of what I have been up to will hopefully give everyone a snapshot idea.

The Fremont Oktoberfest was awesome. I am so going again next year. There is really nothing like getting drunk by yourself. Not having anything to eat all day and then stumbling to a Thai restaurant to gorge yourself with food. Then, get on the bus to get a facial. Last Sunday was interesting, but a lot of fun. I got to pour beer and they have about 40 different types of microbrews from all over the area.

On Thursday, we had a happy hour after work. We went to The Triple Door , which is my new favorite bar in Seattle. It is so swanky and cool. I can’t wait to see a jazz show there. The happy hour choices were supreme. At $3 a pop, I loaded up on drinks and food. I had to get all the drinking the happy hour was promptly cut off at 6pm. Which leads me to the next point which is that I am a sloppy drunk and I often times have a case of diarrhea of the mouth. I had Excel training the next morning offsite, so at least I didn’t have to show my face when the team was reminiscing of things that were said during the night. I am sure I will be the butt of those jokes. After happy hour at the Triple Door though a handful of us went to the Alibi Room , which is another very cool bar. At that point I don’t remember what I was drinking or really even what the bar looked like. My friend put me in a cab (company sponsored) and I woke up with all my clothes on and the cats crawling on me.

Needless to say I was SO hung over. I had Excel Training (Expert Level) and it was actually really useful. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my day then in front of a computer just learning new tricks. The only problem is that Excel class started at 8am. And that is really early for someone who shows up to work at 9:00-9:15. I made it through the day and went home at 4pm and crashed. I caught up on my Tivo'd television programs and moved on.