Waters and Mountains

I don't know if the word to use would be naive. Or maybe there is a better word. Nonetheless, I think our decision to stay in Georgia for so long was a bit of a naive one. In my little mind, the West coast, specifically Washington, was too cold for me and too dreary for me. The thought of moving here was a bit absurd for me. But when the stars aligned, and all was said, and done, and here we are - it just feels right.

I remember visiting my brother in Wisconsin 4 or 5 years ago close to Christmas time. It was very cold, and the first time I have ever seen a snow blower. We went to a local restaurant to have some egg rolls. While there, a gentleman came in to pick up an order. We got to talking with him, and somehow the conversation led to how he ended up there. Family he said.

I haven't given much thought to what he said after that until recently. It's not that Georgia wasn't close to my family, but for so long, Brandon had been away from his family, and those once every other year trips just wasn't enough anymore.

We've gotten to see Brandon's families more often already, and it has been splendid. Not only that, but the weather hasn't been the dreariness that I feared, though winter may bring that. And the waters, and the mountains. Those will have to carry me through the dreariness this winter.

Kaolee

Playing at Point No Point Park. What a name huh?

Flashback Friday

I figure that I would start a new series, and this one is not about the present or future, but about the past. A long time ago when I used to run, I blogged about my running. Blogging was still really new, and it was really fun to connect with other people. I actually did make a friend who we are still Facebook friends. Today's post is actually from that time, and is a post that I wrote on my blog. It was about the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half-Marathon. Enjoy!

My net time was 2:04:something. I remember looking at my watch at the 10-mile mark and realizing that my goal of falling under 2 hours was just not going to happen. The hills just kept coming and my foot was hurting. When I crossed the finish line, I was very disappointed. I thought that I had trained hard enough and did my runs on hilly routes. Then all of a sudden, this. It was just not right, but I realize that 13.1 in 2:04 is a great feat. I should be thankful that I'm able to run. So here's a short recap.

The morning was cold, but I timed getting to the start perfectly. I got to my corral with about 15 minutes to spare and waited with everyone. Then all of a sudden, everyone started moving and I realized that after so many miles, after so many days, after so many showers, after so many stretches, here I am. I've got 13.1 miles to prove that I have been training.

I remember the first mile was 9:30. I didn't worry too much since I knew that I could make it up later. I just kept running, but not too hard since I knew that I still have a ways to go. I looked for people to pace after and once I realized that I could run a little faster, I passed him/her.

I took water only at 2 stations. I wished I had taken more water. A part of me just didn't want to stop and bother with the water, but next time I will definitely stop!

Mile 6 lasted forever. It was the end of the flatness and the beginning of the hills. At this point, I realized that I had to change my goal and accept anything slower than 2:00. Some point after this, I saw Krista! It was much needed as I have started to doubt everything and just felt down. My foot also started feeling sore, the kind of sore that you feel from standing all day. It wasn't like I was standing all day the day before. But I saw Krista and wished I had stop so we can take a picture together. I just remember seeing her and I just kept going. Then I was like, "Wait, I should have stopped. I'm sure the time difference was going to be minute!" But on I went and she must have jumped back in her car because the next thing I know, she was right beside me in her car. The right lane had been closed for the runners, but the left lane was still open. She followed me in her car for awhile until the police directed her off at which point she had to take the highway to get to the finish line. That was the last time that I saw her since traffic going into the exit was so crazy and finally when she got to the finish line, I already passed through.

I stretched out after I got some food and then I walked back to the Marta station (the train station) so I can get back to my car. My car was closer to the starting line. Since I had to wait for the train, I stretched out really well. The last thing that I wanted to do was take an ice bath so I made sure I stretched everything. On the train ride back, I realized how crazy it is for me to run from Chamblee to downtown Atlanta. I run right past Georgia State's Alderhold Building which is just plain weird. Usually I drive past there, but once a year, I run past it. Crazy thought.

Went home. Shower. Ate a little food. Missed the Lover (The boy was working today). Long Story. Made my salad. Went to friend's house. Ate great food. Came home.

I'm going to run the Atlanta Half again next year. And it's going to be faster. My little promise to myself. I'm also going to get more crowd support. Seeing someone from church there was wonderful and then seeing Krista there was awesome! It pumped me out and it just made me smile hearing someone say my name. I swear, next year I'm going to have my name on my shirt! But thank you so much Krista. You really made my day and my run. Also, thank you so much for the pictures below!

Accumulate Memories, Not Things

The last couple of months have been a bit of an eye opener. I'm living in the middle of nowhere, in a ginormous house, living with a couple of opened boxes. The rest is still stored away, and now they won't be opened for several more months. As much as I thought that I would miss all those things, I haven't. We have been doing fine without.

We are in search of a tiny studio while our house is being built, and that means we won't have the luxury of space like we do here. Our plan is to keep everything but the bare bones in storage. I'm nervous but also excited. The lack of excess has been quite liberating. Previously, I have relied on stuff to make me happy, and stuff to fill my time. And now that I don't have stuff, I'm finding the joy in little things.

This makes me think about why it is that we start to accumulate so many things, and whether these things actually mean anything to us. Personally, I always feel like buying this one thing will make me happier. Sometimes, they really do. But other times, they really don't. The thought of getting the item makes me happier than actually having it in my hand. Once it's in my hands, that excitement is gone, and I'm wondering what the next item that I want is.

The most happiness that I have felt has been spending time with family. And I want my spending to reflect that. In the past and even currently, it does not reflect that. Over the next couple of months, I'm going to really work on that - accumulating memories, and not things. I'm thinking of a challenge for July, and I hope you'll join me!

Kaolee

If you ever get the choice to drive alongside the Columbia River, I hope you pick the Washington side. You'll never be disappointed. I promise!

Waterworks

The best part of a new city is? All the exploring! The few times that we have been in our new city, we have found a lot of fun things to do around town that is not only cheap but also fun. I think living here will also be really nice because we are so close to Oregon, and if we get bored of Washington state, we can drive right over to Oregon.

This little park has a cool water area that kids can run around in, and climb on. Mason had a blast playing, and climbing, and splashing!

That White Kitchen

I finally finalized our cabinet color this week, and I feel so much more at peace with what we picked. I'm still a little undecided on the cabinet handles, but that seems so minor compared to how I was feeling after last weekend. 

I have always loved a white kitchen, and was really hoping for one with this house, but decided that I will wait until our next house for a white kitchen. Practicality-wise, it doesn't make sense right now with a little one. That doesn't mean I can't still window shop & dream, right?

While looking through these, I keep thinking, why? What is so appealing for me on why I want a white kitchen? Personally, my favorite colors are black, grey and white. I know, pretty blah huh? But I am a pretty basic person when it comes to things. The things that appeal to me aren't the in-your-face things, but the more muted things. The basics. And the whites in these kitchen makes it look so clean, and provides such a great backdrop for decorating the house as a whole. The kitchen itself can be white, but when you add a pinch of colors here and there, those colors are even more intense. 

Those top see-through cupboards are great for showing beautiful dishes. I really like the lighting they put in here too. 

Transitional Kitchen by Scottsdale Interior Designers & Decorators J & J Design Group, LLC.

That ceiling! I really love a nice crown molding, and the crown molding in this kitchen is beautiful. Doesn't that island just make you think of making a nice big Thanksgiving dinner with family? I can just imagine myself making turkey, stuffing, Hmong sausage, sticky rice, egg rolls, and all the works.

Traditional Kitchen by Columbus Kitchen & Bath Designers Kitchen Kraft

This kitchen just looks so comfy to me. I just imagine my boys sitting, and doing homework there on the table, while I whip up some yummy dinner.

Kitchen by San Francisco Furniture & Accessories One Kings Lane

I love the archway, and the openness. It looks like it opens up into a family room, that probably has a fireplace :) The built-in bookshelf is smart!

Traditional Kitchen by Woodbridge Architects & Building Designers Huestis Tucker Architects, LLC

We are getting a buff-colored subway tile in our kitchen. I saw this and thought, wow! The backsplash looks great against all that white! That circle chandelier is actually a nice touch to complete this kitchen.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Mill Valley Architects & Building Designers Richardson Architects

I think this may be my favorite! I like the greenery they put up top there, and will have to keep that in mind when decorating.

Traditional Kitchen by Santa Ana Paint & Wall Coverings BEHR®

That skylight right?! Ridiculous. I have no words!

Traditional Kitchen by London Kitchen Designers & Remodelers Woodstock Furniture

Speaking of kitchens, I'm making Brandon's cousin's stuffed shells tonight! He has talked about these infamous stuffed shells for as long as I remember. And she visited this past week, and made some so I thought, perfect idea for dinner tonight.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Kaolee