uke

Ukulele is s0 underrated

Happy Thanksgiving!

Artistic Rollerskating- who knew?

Occasionally working at the Seattle Times has perks, such as finding this video gem on our homepage. Check it out- its actually pretty cool!

Griffey is BACK for 2010

The Seattle Mariners have signed Ken Griffey Jr. for one more season!!!!

I am pleasantly surprised! I went the the last game of the season for 2009 where Griffey was paraded around the field on the shoulders of his teammates. I really felt that the level of celebration he received pointed to that being his last game, but I guess I was wrong. As Char says " Griffey is the Mariners- World Series 2010!" I am glad he's back!

SNOW!!

Its snowing like mad in the mountains right now- woohoo!!!! Here is a pic of Alpental from WSDOT, taken Sun. 11/8 @ 9:45am.
This early snow is boding well for a long ski season. Keeping my fingers crossed, we may get up there as soon as Thanksgiving!

Max, Francie, Bobby, Alex and I all have seasons passes this year, looking forward to many snowy nights and days up there with the gang =)

It's just around the corner!!!

With mountain snow in the forecast for the next week, I thought I'd share this Christmas countdown widget! (look to the right)

Baby Eliot

I rewatched this today- still such a sweet, sad video.

Suzy on Thursday

Getting excited for Suzy Bogguss at the Triple Door on Thursday- she's my kinda country!

Cousins Weekend 2009!

Maholla peeps-

Last weekend marked the 4th (I think) annual Padden Cousin's Weekend in Seaside, OR. Jen, Max and I drove down Friday night after work, stopping in Puyallup for dinner at the Scooner, a pub off the freeway. Small world- Max and Jen ran into a co-worker- RANDOM!!!

We were the only cousins to arrive Friday, so Saturday morning the three of us went on a morning run, and then headed to Canon Beach for a yummy breakfast at the Lazy Susan. The Portland/Vancouver cousins showed up around lunch time. We dug in to a brick of orange cheese, and sat out on the back porch in 75 degree weather!!


After burning the shite out of ourselves, we all went downtown for some Fascination and corn dogs. Man those 'couv cousins are GOOD at Fascination! We twirled around the Tilt-a-whirl, and ate caramel corn. We did it all!


We wound down the afternoon with a walk on the beach. Margaret introduced the cousins to "jumping pictures" - our favorite past time.
We made dinner, and the the girls took another sunset walk, while the guys watched sports and hung out (so typical!).
Cousins weekend is always so easy. Everyone gets along, we eat cheese and walk. What's not to love? It was really great for Max to have everyone around to talk to about Anne. With all the craziness that has been going on the last 3 weeks, it was nice to just sit back with family and talk it out.

I am so lucky to have such a great family!!

Cute Video

Palm Springs

Maholla peeps,

Just back from a lovely weekend in Palm Springs. Andy, Anton, Carla and I joined Jody at her parents home in La Quinta. We spent most of our time lounging by the pool, soaking up the 100 degree weather.Our first night we headed into Old Town for a happy hour drink. We started at this cute pizza joint where we sat outside (LOVE being able to dine outdoors!), and then headed over to a wine shop for more appetizers and some vino.


We also made a trek out to Joshua Tree National Park for a picnic dinner. I had heard a lot about Joshua Tree (U2), so it was neat to finally see it in person. We hiked around, climbed on rocks, and of course- took jumping pictures.


A great relaxing weekend!

Podcasts

Maholla peeps-

Podcasts. I LOVE them. As a bus rider, and someone who works at a tedious job, I rely podcasts to accompany me through most of my day. Here is a list of my weekly podcasts:

• Adam Carolla Podcast
• Sound Opinions on Demand
• Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack
• Official Lost Podcast
• Lost: The Transmission
• Planet Money
• Marketplace
• This American Life
• Wait Wait Don't Tell Me
• Radio Lab
• Smodcast

NOW- you would think this large list would suffice, but it doesn't. Adam Carolla is the only guaranteed daily podcast. Planet Money and Marketplace are produced a few times a week. The LOST podcasts are good for one or two a week. The rest are weekly at best.

My question for you, my readers. What podcasts do YOU listen to? I am open to a wide range of topics; humor, news, entertainment, personal stories . . . . HELP ME OUT!!!

Danke

Swiss Miss

Alex recently returned from his European Ski Extravaganza, and now has his sights set on moving to Switzerland. Our new two year plan, seriously look into moving to Geneva, or some smaller Swiss village.

I think I'm ready for a change . . . so why not Switzerland? Alex can teach over there, especially if he passes the National Board, and I can- well I can do something. I have been feeling restless lately. I do want to settle in Seattle, but not necessarily NOW. Might as well try new things while you can!

Alex could rent his house out . . . . it could happen people. Anyone want to come visit?

Negative Negative

Well, blame it on the rain, but my mood has been SOUR!! Work blows, its rained the last 7 days straight, and Alex is gone.

BUT- there is hope. Sunshine is predicted for the weekend, and I am hopefully going up skiing on Sunday. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I am confident this weekend will be relaxing and rejuvenating.


I gave blood yesterday in an attempt to boost my karma. After they missed my left arm's vein, they were able to successfully stab my right and draw a pint. I don't really mind the botched first attempt, it's happened before, I have wiggly veins. However, I went to the gym today and could barely run a 5K. I felt like I was running at high altitude- faint, sweaty. I NEED MY BLOOD BACK! They did tell me it takes 48 hours . .. guess I rushed it.

Everyone should give blood- saves lives people.

Hmm, maybe I should watch Twilight again, that always improves my mood =)

Dancing with the STARS

I finally caught a full episode of Dancing with the Stars last night. MAN, where have I been? This show is AMAZING!!! That guy from the Sex in the City movie was SO GOOD!!
I really like the judges on this show too. They are not afraid to disagree with each other, and it's nice to watch a reality show without the obvious "Simon" judge.

My TV watching is really expanding with Alex out of town- and unexpected perk! Maybe I'll finally catch an episode of Intervention- my mom raves about that show = )

Where's MY vegetarian vampire?

I have now watched TWILIGHT 3 times . . . . in 4 days. So good its bad, so bad its good. I even watched the bonus footage/making of Twilight on Saturday with Jody! Last night I reread book one. MADNESS I tell you, MADNESS!!!

My favorite scene:



Gotta love Edward in his sunglasses, haha. I MUST send this back to Netflicks before my obsessions deepens. Tomorrow, I swear it's going in the mailbox.

Au revoir, Goro!

Alex is off on a 10 day European Ski adventure. He left this morning around 4 am, and he will be arriving in Geneva at 6am (Swiss time). Alex and his two friends will then take a bus to Chamonix, France where they will rest up on Saturday and ski Sunday. Hopefully they'll shred some gnarly pow pow!
Monday they will meet up with their guides and depart on the Haute Loop. On the Haute loop they will ski tour through 3 countries in 6 days! France, Switzerland, and Italy.


Meanwhile, I will be doing NOTHING in Greenwood =)

Best of luck Alex!!

Mercer Island 1/2 Marathon

Maholla peeps-

Last Sunday Alex and I ran the Mercer Island half marathon. This the second 1/2 we've run together. Last time, we trained by running 5 days a week, but only for about 3-4 miles. This time, we ran 3-4 times a week, but usually at least two of those runs were 6+ miles. It was our little experiment, comparing distance vs frequency. Lucky for us, our long runs paid off because we both had much better runs this time around!

Alex ran it in 1:40, and I ran it in 1:54. I beat my time by about 8-9 min, so it was a VERY good run for me. I do have to give a little shout out to cliff shots. I ate (drank) one of these around mile 7, and I just FLEW for the next 3-4 miles. I took another at mile 11 to help me with the final push. It REALLY made a difference. Alex and I both played it safe early on, and then stepped our pace up significantly around mile 6-7. Even though we didn't run together (hence the time difference), we applied the same strategy to our run- must have been all the training we did together! Or great minds thinking alike.

Max and Anne came and met us at the finish line. It was SO nice of them. The weather was drizzly, and it was early, but it really is GREAT to see people you know cheering you on.

Hopefully I will have ugly, red-faced running pictures of myself to post up soon!

Here are the UGLY running pics as promised . . . actually Alex looks like a real runner, I look like I'm DYING- haha

It's JAY!!!!

To the EXTREME

Back from Whistler- what a trip! We had a GREAT time. Alex and I arrived around 10pm Friday night. Andrew and Kathy were already there, they had checked us into our "slope side" room, and poured us a glass of wine as we walked through the door.

The next morning Alex and Andrew did "fresh tracks" while Kathy and I sipped our coffee and watched skiers go up and down the lift from our living room window. Our hotel was literally on the side of Blackcomb mountain. We joined up with the boys around 10am, and started skiing straight out of our hotel. Ski-in ski-out is AWESOME! No walking in ski boots!!!

We took the peak-2-peak across from Blackcomb to Whistler. Even though you know you're safe, it is pretty freaky! It is the worlds longest and highest gondola, 1500 feet up in the air, and you travel for 11 long min.

From there we chaired up to the tip top of Whistler Mountain, where the wind nearly blew us off the mountain! It was by far my most extreme skiing to date.
After we put in a full day on the slopes, we warmed up in the hot tub and then headed down to Whistler Village for dinner. We ate a cute Italian restaurant with live music. Yum!

Day two we woke up and skied Blackcomb Mountain. Alex, Andrew and Kathy took me through a motocross, or skiercross, track where I nearly died speeding around corners and flying over hills! I can't wait to watch the 2010 Olympics and see if they race on the same track.

What a great weekend, wish I was back there right now!!

Whistler Getaway!

Heading to Whistler/Blackcomb after work for a ski weekend! WOO HOO! Sunny skies and fresh snow, can't wait. Alex's brother and sister in-law left this morning, and we are meeting them up there as soon as I can get off work.


Yesterday I spent my "trade in" money at Second Assent and got some new goggles, what a treat. I have been using Alex's hand me downs, but after trying out some scratch free lenses I decided to upgrade.

Alex, his bro and sister in-law are all great skiers. I am a little nervous about trying to keep up with them, yikes! When in doubt- cat track down the mountain- that's my plan. Alex and his brother are waking up early early Sat morning to participate in the "Fresh Tracks" program. They get up at the crack of dawn, ride to the top of the mountain where they eat breakfast at the top lodge. Then they ski down before the mountain opens up, hence the "fresh tracks" name. Pretty cool. I will be sleeping in and meeting them for coffee after =)

Ta!
Anna

Walkin' on Sunshine

Maholla peeps,

I am going to try and start blogging again, even if they're short and boring, because I have many a friend who work desk jobs and they need something to read!!!

Today was super sunny. I couldn't bring myself to workout indoors at the gym, so I decided to WALK home from work. I work in Seattle, I live in Greenwood. I am not sure how many miles it ended up being, but it took about 1 hour and 50 min. Pretty long . . . but nice. Totally doable. I think in the summer, when it's not too windy and cold, it will be a really great alternative work out.

TTYL
Anna