It’s been a month let me tell you. The month of September flew by, as has the month of October, although per usual, they have been eventful months. Some of the events:
- The first Seahawks game is still the only one I’ve been to. Bryan has been to more Seahawks games but I’ve either had to coach or out of town for them.
- Reese’s soccer team has played seven games so far and has a record of 3 wins, 3 ties and one loss that we didn’t get to finish as it was called for thunder and lightning. We’ve also had practice every Monday and Thursday night.
- We finally got Brooke’s gymnastics class moved from Wednesday to Tuesday so both girls are back to having a practice on Tuesdays at the same time. Of course Reese has practice again on Friday but at least now we have Wednesday free.
- Both girls seem to really be enjoying their schools and teachers and learning a bunch. Reese just got her standardized test results back for the beginning of the year and is doing so well and we are committed to working with her with reading every night.
- I spent a quick day trip to Spokane for a dinner with our VP for Trench Safety one week and then another two-night trip at the end of September to work with our new office manager there and get the office ready for three more new employees who have started since.
- Chad and Sarah came to visit and we had a wonderful five nights with them at the house. We got to have several dinners out with them, we watched some of the Michigan game at the UM alumni bar, we took them and Jordan and Lindsay out on the boat and stopped at Gasworks Brewing for a drink off the boat, we had the four of them back to our house for dinner in the backyard, and let the two of them borrow the scooter to ride up to Jordan’s house their last night. They were great visitors.
- I’ve played the occasional soccer game and have gone on the very occasional bike ride.
- I fell sick to what we assume to be Covid shortly after getting back from Spokane. This was the first time I ever lost my sense of taste and that was no fun. I had a solid headache for days and then just so tired and achy for many more days. Fortunately, I’m over it now, feel myself, and starting to get back into activities I enjoy again. The taste buds are nearly back…
- I celebrated my birthday with the family and had my epic yearly chocolate cake with peanut cream cheese frosting. We got an easy takeout dinner while Reese had gymnastics class. I was still pretty under the weather on my birthday, as was Brooke.
- Brooke got my sickness and was home with me for three days, including my birthday. She wasn’t too bad to have at home while I worked and did a lot of resting and watching some TV but I did have to drag her out of the house to go get my free Starbucks on my birthday. She was bribed with chocolate milk to do this and I didn’t make her get out of the car.
- We’ve been jamming out a lot in the car with Pink Pony Club and other song requests that the girls now give me. And Bryan has still really been enjoying the new car.
- I’ve taken both girls out shopping to get new clothes for school picture day. We went to Gap for Brooke and Nordstrom Rack for Reese. Somehow Bryan got stuck solo with both school picture days.
- Bryan took Reese on a hike to Mt Rainier one Sunday when we had a bye for soccer. They hiked about 3.5 miles and then got milkshakes and pizza to round out their adventure day together.
- Bryan organized a very large and successful two-day workshop at work for many high up in the org.
- We managed to get Reese’s doctors appointment in for the year but Brooke’s won’t happen until January. They’ve been quite the ordeal to get scheduled.
- We all went to Remlinger Farms last weekend for the annual Farm Fest and had a great time riding all of the rides and getting their epic mini pumpkin donuts. The farm was packed and we did have to deal with a bit of mist but did manage to do it all and the girls each got their pony ride in.
- I took the girls to the Children’s Museum to give Bryan a break before my trip this week to Nashville. I had gotten the tickets thanks to the library and the girls enjoyed several hours playing at the museum before getting lunch on our way home.
- We’ve enjoyed our fig pizza twice at Tutta Bella during the pizzas short run for the season and it is as delicious as ever.
- Bryan’s been our representative for both school’s curriculum night. They both were informative and good and he got to enjoy a drink out after Reese’s with a bunch of the classmate’s parents.
- We’ve each volunteered once at FareStart in the past month but we did not attend or volunteer at the Gala this year and we will only be here for one more Guest Chef Night before the end of the year.
- We’ve caught quite a few football games on TV but the Mariners had really stolen the show and hearts of Seattlites this fall and we equally enjoyed their run in the postseason.
- Reese had a big Halloween party at gymnastics last Friday which was a total hit in her book.
- Reese has officially lost three teeth in the past five weeks. I’m calling her “Toothless in Seattle”
And I’m just getting back from a wonderful trip with my mom in Nashville starting with my presentation at the Deep Foundations Institute’s (DFIs) 50 Year Conference. I took a very late plane ride Monday night and got to the hotel past midnight local time. The conference and our hotel were at the Gaylord Opryland and it was truly a beautiful massive resort. I got lost so many times in that hotel and only really figured it out the second to last day. There were five of my coworkers present for the conference and our booth was right adjacent to where I presented Tuesday afternoon so they all witnessed it. Following my presentation was the Welcome Reception which I attended before getting a drink with my mom at the Falls Bar and finally getting some good rest. Tuesday was such a long day!
Wednesday was also a full conference day and after the day was over we decided to ride the Broadway Bound bus to the conference party at the Ole Smoky Brewery and Moonshine where they had Charlie Gorsham give us a concert, a taco bar and complimentary drinks which both mom and I got the apple pie moonshine mule that was very tasty. That was a fun night.
After Wednesday we had a lot more time to spend together fully. On Thursday we went out for a long brunch at Le Peep on our way to a hike at the Mossy Ridge Trail near Belle Meade. We had set out for a 5-mile loop hike but took a wrong turn right from the start and ended up doing 7.8 miles, which was for the better. We got to the Belle Mead Winery right in time for our 3 pm wine and bourbon tasting experience. We were led up into the beautifully restored hay loft for the class with just six others and our experience guide, who was so sweet and friendly. We started off with some bubbly Riesling, a white wine, a bourbon cocktail, a Cabernet and last some bourbon, and each drink was paired with a delicious bite. The experience only lasted an hour ut didn’t feel rushed and was absolutely perfect. We walked the grounds afterwards and then went to the tasting room to try a few more tastes before heading out. We changed in the car for dinner and went downtown where we had a great dinner and mocktail at the Black Rabbit and then walked down to Broadway to play tourist for a bit and then went to the Honky Tonk bar at the Twelve Thirty Club where we each got an amazing espressotini. I was wired the rest of the night, well past the time we got back to our hotel.
I had to sit in a work call on Friday at 10 before we checked out of the hotel and set out for our next hike. This time we had planned to do a 12-mile loop but we didn’t have large breakfasts and were feeling our legs from the day before so we took the shortcut to make it 7.2 miles instead. Good decision. We scrounged for a grocery store lunch before heading downtown and changing in the car again. We got a coffee to perk us up, walked Broadway for a little bit and then headed upstairs in the Whiskey Barrel Saloon for our line dancing class. Our class of 23 were all girls and was so fun. We learned two different line dances and just had a blast doing it, videos to come. After that we headed back to the Twelve Thirty Club where we had a reservation in the lounge of the Supper Club for dinner, a la mystery shopping. This was swank, fancy place and so much fun. The band playing right in front of us was so good but also allowed for conversation. We were given glasses of champagne for our birthdays and then split the wedge salad, filet, scallops, broccolini and lastly the butterscotch molten cake and another glass of wine. It was perfection! After a little more time on Broadway we headed to our one-night accommodations at the Courtyard Marriott by the airport before our early morning flights on Saturday. This worked well as we were only about five minutes from the airport, where dropping our car off and checking in was a breeze. We grabbed some coffee and breakfasts to go before saying our sweet goodbyes. It was such a wonderful, fulfilling trip and one I definitely needed after such a long time being sick and stressed. Till next time Mom and Nashville!
It’s been a lot coming back home too, especially since I’m only home for a week and a half and the end of our soccer season and Halloween is sandwiched in there. It’s good to be home and be complete with the family and trying to contribute in all the ways I can before leaving again, one more time this year.
Thank you Bryan!
–
Chelsea
