Sick Day...Birch Bay

Dear Boss, I woke up this morning not feeling so well. I think I am going to have to use a sick day.

I have severe light sensitivity and I have been really warm all morning. I dont have much of an appetite

but luckily I was able to hold down a small ice cream and a light cinnamon roll. My mind is really distant and I have this odd pinching sensation in my hands. I wont go into detail about the bowel issues, but Ill tell ya, it ain't pretty.Maybe I have Mono? Or there might be something in the water?I went to the Doctor
and they recommended I take a nice, refreshing baththen sit back, relax and watch a comedy.They also prescribed some herbal remedies that seem to be helping.I am starting to feel much better now, but Im still a little light in the head, so I think Ill wait to come in until tomorrow.

For the record, this is the FIRST time I have ever played hookie! I was so nervous to do it, but it was so much fun to be with Matt on a mini-vacation. I did wake up pretty crampy, but once the drugs kicked in, I was not about to go into work. Plus, last week I quit my job at VOLT. So what are they going to do, fire me 3 days before my last day? Putting in my 2 weeks was such a hard decision to make, but I feel very good about it.

I have been offered a great position at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle. I am so excited to start, and I cant believe how perfect everything has been working out in this situation. I am not a person of change, but this is definitely a welcomed one.

Swimming!

We took Brimley swimming for the first time this weekend, and he did great! He followed Brisbane right into the water, and after trying to walk on top of it for a while, he let go and got wet. At first, when it got deep, he would try to get on top of Briz instead of try to swim. She didn't put up with being dunked under for long, and forced him to doggy paddle. Shannon, doesn't Brimley have great Dressage form?He caught on to swimming quick, and we are happy that we have an activity that he likes, and tuckers him out for a few hours!

Finally, Summer

Matt and I were finally able to enjoy the sunny weather this weekend by first hanging out on the Havens boat and then attending the Jiu-Jitsu picnic at a really fun park in Marysville. I was promised that there were going to be goats to pet at the park, so I was pretty disappointed when I heard that the petting zoo had been shut down. Oh well, I had fun anyway.

Chris and Tiffany came with us, and all of us together explored the park. We had a good time taking pictures and making fun of all the nerds playing swords in the forest. Yes, playing swords. Guys that were probably in their 20's. Long hair and tucked-in shirts. Im sure you can imagine.

Then, after the picnic, we headed over to "Neiko's House" to give him some attention. Chris and Tiffany have built an outside enclosure for him, that he really likes. We haven't seen him for a while, so it was good to get to play a little. Hopefully the weather will stay this way for a few more weeks. I really love it here when its warm, and Lake Stevens is the place to be in the Summer.

First Stripe!

Matt got his very first stripe for Jiu-Jitsu! This is very exciting since there are guys in the class that have been there longer, that still don't have a stripe on their belt.

Stripes are levels within the belt levels. Matt is still a white belt, but is now a higher leveled white belt than a beginner.

I am very proud of him, and its so exciting that he is enjoying the sport so much.