A Little Wave From My Side of the Fence

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin?

If you've been wondering where I've wandered off to — pull up a chair, friend, because we have some catching up to do. Life, as it has a way of doing, got wonderfully, beautifully, exhaustingly full.

First things first — I went back to work full time. Yes, this girl dove headfirst back into the world of numbers, spreadsheets, and all the things that keep the lights on. It's been a season of long days and busy minds, and while I'm grateful for the work, I'll confess — my craft table has been looking at me with the saddest little eyes.

Add to that a husband who has been traveling the globe for work — we're talking time zones, passport stamps, and middle-of-the-night "just landed safely" texts from places I can barely point to on a map. It's a big world out there, and his job takes him to all corners of it. We are proud of the work he does, and we've learned to cherish the homecomings even more because of the time apart.

And then there are my two greatest projects — Pumpkin and Spice. Watching your kids step into adulthood is something, isn't it? One part pride, one part "wait, you need to know how to do WHAT?!" I've been in the thick of it — mentoring, cheering, problem-solving, and occasionally delivering a gentle reality check with a side hug. Adulting is hard, and they're both doing the work. My mama heart is full.

But here's the sweetest plot twist of this whole season — somewhere in the middle of all of it, I fell in love with sourdough. 🍞 Bagels, specifically. There is something almost meditative about the process — the feeding of the starter, the shaping, the wait. It turns out, when you can't get to your craft table, your hands still need to make things. And those bagels? They are good, friends. I'm just saying.

Now, I find myself at a crossroads — a hopeful one. I'm dreaming about stepping away from the numbers job and picking up my paper and scissors again in a real way. About reconnecting with this community that has meant so much to me over the years. About playing, creating, and sharing again.

I'm not quite there yet — but I'm closer than I've been in a long time.

So consider this my little wave across the fence. I'm still here. I've missed you. And I have a feeling there's something good just around the corner.

PumpkinSpice Hugs to each of you 🧡

Tails of Ziggy Tuesday - Episode 3

Hi Friends,

Hope your week is off to a great start.  Yesterday flew by for me.  Tax season is upon us and I am crunching numbers and reconciling client accounts like a crazy woman.  But I love it.  I have a passion for numbers.

So we have come to realize that Ziggy is affected by the lunar phases.  STRANGE i know.  

Does anyone else have a pet that gets a bit 'off balance' when the moon is full.

This weekend Ziggy was acting very different from his normal self.  Didn't want to cuddle with me, wasn't eating and was actually pulling out his 'wild card'.  The hubs and I were getting a little worried then I started recalling that the same behavior happened a couple of months back.

We started thinking maybe he was having a "boy cycle" then I looked at the calender and there it was.... FULL MOON!!  So I guess his world turns upside down for him during this 24 or so hours. 

By Sunday night he was back to his cuddly self and eating everything in his bowl.

Don't you wish you could sleep like this...

Can you believe this guy is just 8 months...he takes up an entire couch cushion.

Hugs,

Where have you been? - Wednesday - Episode 2

Hello Friends,

Welcome to another episode of Where have you been?

Today, I want to get some advise.  Pumpkin and I are headed to Houston in February for a few days and we have a few places we are going to go.

Like the Galleria (of course)  Who could pass up a 3 story mall with an ice rink?
Pumpkin and I will go there while daddy is at work.  I can't wait to go ice skating... it has been years since I have been on skates.

 Then of course, The Space Center Houston.  This is sure to be memorable.  I can't wait.

The Williams Water Wall.  This looks gorgeous.

Now we just need to find some GREAT EATS and maybe just one or two more PLACES to visit!!!

SUGGESTIONS??

Courtousy of photos goes to Space Center Houston, Tex.org, and The Galleria

Off to school, Pumpkin starts her ASL class this morning... I am so excited for her.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and find you sunshine today!

Hugs,

Tails of Ziggy Tuesday - Episode 2

Happy Tuesday Friends,

This was a mischievous week for Mr. Ziggy.

He started off by stealing my shower carpet.  Typically he takes a little nap on the carpet outside the shower while we are in it, don't know why he likes to cuddle up right there but he does.

But he found his crazy side one day last week and decided that the carpet was his Nemesis and did a 'pounce slide' attack, taking the carpet to the other side of the bathroom.

I think he may have won that war!

Then I took a quick trip to costco between volunteer slots at Pumpkins school, with no time to unload the bags of non-parishables, I just sat the bag down and ran back out the door.  When Pumpkin and I returned home about an hour later, we found the bag toppled over and a little patch of fur on the floor.

see the little puff of fur?  I can only guess that one of the boxes caught the end of his fluffy tail 'feathers'.  Doesn't he look like he is trying to give me an excuse..."But I was only trying to help..."















And finally over the weekend, as I am putting away the holiday decorations, Mr. Ziggy is no where to be found.  We are calling him but he does not respond.  Then as Pumpkin walks past the wreath pile on the floor - POP GOES THE ZIGGY!  He intentionally scared her.  I couldn't help but laugh and wish I had gotten in on film.

Have a wonderful Tuesday Friends and find your sunshine today!

Hugs,

Where have you been? - Wednesday - Episode 1

Happy Wednesday Friends,

It has been over a year since I actively blogged.  Why???  Well, I had a couple things on my plate.

Where have I been in 2015?
(At times I think 'The Twilight Zone' - insert theme song in your mind now)

2015 was an amazing year.  It felt much like the first roller coaster ride I can remember as a child, Space Mountain.  I remember screaming, giggling, laughing, feeling sick to my stomach and a lot of relief as the ride came to a stop.  Then wanting to go and do it all again.

Well I have no desire to repeat parts of 2015 but will have a great time looking back at all of the things we did, places we visited and family members that joined us.

In 2015, Our family grew by a Sister-In-Law, a Awesome Boyfriend for Spice, and of course Ziggy.

Did some travel, Portland, India, Canada.

Grandsweetie turned 1.

Prisha finished 1st grade.

The house was finally ready for us to move into in July (YAY!!!),

Made it to a Seattle Mariners Game,

 Pumpkin started a new school... back to taking a bus.

and to end the year off perfectly... we welcomed our precious grandson on November 11th, Elijah Gray.

Let's see were 2016 takes us, I am ready for the ride!

Why Episode 1 you wonder?  Each Wednesday I thought it would be fun to share a place I've been and maybe you could pitch in a comment about it or a place you have been.

Maybe we cross paths, or maybe you can recommend some great places to go see, eat or play.  That's the idea behind "Where have you been? - Wednesdays".

Hope you enjoyed catching up with me.  I am really looking forward to 'Sippin' Coffee' with you again soon.

Til then, find your Sunshine.