the conference call

I’ve been thinking more and more about conference calls lately. Maybe the fact that I work at home for a small company that is completely virtual is to blame. My findings are as follows:

1. As much as we are used to the ever-expanding world of technology, I am still secretly amazed that I can be talking on my one phone to 15 different people at once: Each person located in a different city, in their own houses or cars or kitchens, and joining the call with many different moods/expectations/needs.

2. There has to be a leader. Otherwise, the conversation turns more into the sound of 4 radio stations playing simultaneously. Not good.

3. I think that all participants should stay on mute until it is their turn to speak. Background noise is extremely annoying.

4. If the information you’re talking about doesn’t apply to everyone (or most people) on the call, finish your individual conversations off-line. The fact that your fax machine is broken and you’ll be having a repair man come to fix it next week (hmmmm 10 minutes later) does not concern me.

5. Keep your phone a reasonable distance from your mouth when speaking. You don’t want to be known as “the booming voice.”

6. If you only scheduled the call to last 30 minutes, don’t be angry when people have to hang up at 60 minutes.

7. For calls lasting more than 2 hours, do you think it appropriate for me to interject my own commercials? “This call was brought to you by your favorite stationery provider. For more information, visit colorbutton.etsy.com.” I don’t see why not…

cats

No. Not another fuzzy domesticated creature. The Broadway performance! Jonathan got us tickets for my birthday. What a cool show. The costumes were my favorite part. While it probably wasn't my all-time favorite broadway show (psst: Jersey Boys & Wicked) it was an excellent display of imagination, feline impersonation, and musical talent! I have to hand it to Jonathan. He's a historically great gift giver!

camping on whidbey island

Jonathan and I had a fabulous time camping on Whidbey Island! Whidbey is part of the San Juan Islands Northwest of Seattle, and the only island that you can drive to. We had a much-needed mini vacation away from the apartment and laundry and computers and tv.

Jonathan is a true outdoorsman. Even though this was only car camping- he didn't hesitate to bring all of his cool camping/backpacking equipment. Pretty funny, actually.

We're more than ready to take another 3-day trip into the back-country of Yosemite next month! We both absolutely love being out in the middle of nowhere...

- miles away from people
- living off of astronaut food
- reading a few great novels
- skinny dipping in lakes
- drinking coffee out of titanium mugs at sunrise
- weaving wildflower crowns
- squatting in the bushes
- painting mud war stripes on our faces
- writing in my journal
- talking late into the night under the stars
- worrying about the noises in the brush
- day dreaming
- taking pictures

Gotta love the great outdoors! And yes, ladies- the smores were indeed to die for. Here are more pics from the trip.

to do list

1. Fold clean laundry (sitting in a basket for 3 days now and very wrinkly).
2. Fluff the clean, wrinkled clothes in the dryer before folding.
3. Organize the birthday calendar once again.
4. Put the birthday calendar somewhere where I’ll HAVE to see it every day.
5. Buy makeup foundation to match my winter skin: Powder White or Porcelain White?
6. Make Jonathan clip his toenails. They’re deadly sharp in bed. Especially at 4am.
7. Eliminate the under-arm flab before having to appear in a June wedding.

nursery collection

Lately, I have been working on a colorful nursery print collection. And, since I have so many childrens movies that I love, and want to represent, it has been a challenge to pick out only my absolute favorites. I must say, I'm having so much fun with these. I've even been watching the movies as I design. Sleeping Beauty is playing as I type. Here are the first six pieces. Now I just need some babies - to have a nursery - to decorate!

(click on image to enlarge)

bainbridge island

Jonathan and I had a beautiful get-away on Saturday. We took the 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle over to Bainbridge Island. And I don't think we could have had a nicer day. This weekend might quite possibly have been the best weekend of weather we have had in Seattle so far! Sunny. Warm. A lite breeze. Clear, blue sky. Georgous!

Seeing as though it rains quite a bit here, the day of sunshine was enough to make me smile. Throw in a quaint town filled with shops to explore, and I'm one happy girl! Bainbridge is one of the most charming places I've ever been to. The trees are green, the streets are super-clean, and the buildings are colorful. Since it's an island, most houses are considered water-front lots. I couldn't help but think I was driving through Wisteria Lane - waterside! Or, for those of you who aren't familiar with Desperate Housewives- maybe a Mr. Rodgers neighborhood by the sea. Old craftsman houses. Gorgeous pink and white and yellow flowering trees. Sailboats in the harbor. Everyone and their brother walking a dog, sipping coffee. Homeowners working in their yards and gardens. At times, it almost felt like we could have been in a small town in Maine somewhere. I could very easily move across the water, buy a cottage, plant a garden, and live happily ever after. We considered it too.

We were also impressed at how well-organized and effective the ferry system runs. It leaves port from Seattle to Bainbridge and back once and hour all day long, until midnight. Many people commute into the city with no problem. We drove our car on, parked in line, and went up top for some nice views. The ferry has a cafe on board, comfortable seating, and plenty of space. And, by the time it takes you to drink a cup of coffee, you're there. The attendants have an incrediably smooth system for directing cars off, and then directing the new cars going the other way back on. It was a little weird to float across water, get off, and still have our own car to drive around.

One more place crossed off our list, and on to the next!
Here are more pics.