C Note(s)

Imagine, like I did, that you are married and it's supposed to be 'til death do you part. Then one day, it's not so happily ever-after with divorce papers in your hand. After Divorce (AD) - What Do You Do Next? Everyone's answer will be different, so I'll offer mine up. I was the partner that was blindsided by this termination of the relationship but later would be oh-so-grateful it was. Not for the sympathy vote, per se. More like it was a toxic relationship that shouldn't have existed in the first place so it's demise was a blessing. It truly was. After Divorce (AD) - What Do You Do Next? As a guy's guy in American society, the plan of action was to hook up with a girl immediately. Why? Because that was the reason for divorce: another guy. A friend, as a matter of fact. Of course I didn't realize then, but I reeked of desperation so any woman with self-respect wouldn't let me near her. That didn't stop me. In the wake of the divorce,...

Autumn is here! Parents of both college age young men and women, and children are attempting to avoid falling back into bad eating habits from the dog days of summer. This means college is already in session, the school children have returned to classrooms, and the scramble to eat healthy is on. I know I'm tempted by the area "food of shame" (Urban Dictionary / street words to describe fast food) The transition from summer to fall in the #UpperLeft traditionally marked with lower temperatures, and our famous rain - as in it always rains in Seattle. Even Blake Shelton wrote a song that incorporates "when it's sunny in Seattle". I digress! Falling Back Into Bad Eating Habits I know I'm guilty of these. H***, I'm still continuing from summer. I'm actually pretty terrible about meal preparation. I live with my roommate which is also my tenant / sister / and all around good girl. Over the summer, I re-built the pantry to incorporate "zone...

In the aftermath of all the wildfires in Washington, Oregon, California, and Montana, and Hurricane Harvey and Irma there's a mess - time for the All American Clean Up . The first organization to offer it's assistance is the American Red Cross . 95% of the organization are volunteers. I know, because I'm one of those volunteers that received extensive disaster training prior to being deployed to the field. I understand the basic nature of those that wanna help, I get it, I do. But after having the training, I also have the understanding why the training must be completed before you volunteer because you'll be more of a detriment than a help for the All American Clean Up with the American Red Cross. That's right. And depending on the type of disaster response being deployed and the role you play, you might even need additional training beyond the basics. Such as myself. I am part of the Western Washington's Red Cross Disaster Services Technology Team - i...

Bye Bye Summer With August 2017 in the books, and September just starting, it's time to say goodbye to summer. How are you going do it? Here's a few ideas on How to Enjoy The End of Summer, as far as I'm concerned. Once again the 3-months afforded to us, Washingtonians, has evaporated. But we have one last chance before summer is officially over, and the kids have returned to school... that is known as Labor Day Weekend. One glorious 3-day holiday weekend for last hurrah. I know it's difficult to wrap your head around summer being done like dinner. How to enjoy the end of summer can be done. I read various articles on ways to rock the ending of summer. I quoted a few, added some myself, and here we go: How to Enjoy The End of Summer Geocache ! That's right, y'all. It's the worldwide sensation; either continue or start it. The GPS-based, scavenger hunt game is awesome way to celebrate. I realize I've written about this before but it's pe...

The summer of 2017 in Seattle has been a scorcher! If memory serves me, we had 100 days of no measurable rain. So we had to find ways to #beattheheat ! There are obvious ways, and then of course, creative ways to cool off. We'll quickly go over the more obvious ways, then on to the fun ones! Captain Obvious Ideas : Drink Water - Good old fashion water consumption is the best way to beat the heat. Your body uses that water to cool off like the water in your vehicle's radiator. And you should drink plenty of it! Air Conditioning - In your vehicle usually has air conditioning as a standard feature. And some homes, in the Pacific Northwest have it installed. I had a heat pump installed in my newly purchased home which will provide cold and hot air. Based on my experience at Costco, the portable air conditioning units (window installed too) and fans were the first to be sold out. Be In The Water - Wanna beat the heat? Hit the beach! Go to the lake, river, pond, or any body...

I love playing the drinking game, Never Have I Ever , while sitting around a campfire or in a conversation circle at parties. Especially, the parties I'm hosting! It's best played with a mix of long time friends and newly established friends. Never Have I Ever: Summer Fling If you're not familiar with the game, here a quick review of it, which also can be found in the Wikipedia entry. "The verbal game[1] is started with the players getting into a circle. Then, the first player says a simple statement starting with "Never have I ever". Anyone who at some point in their lives has done the action that the first player says, must drink.[2] Play then continues around the circle, and the next person makes a statement.[3][4] An additional rule – uncommon, but beneficial to the game – is that if there is no one taking a drink, then the one who said the particular "Never have I ever…" must take a drink. This rule often forces the players to strateg...

Paris, "The City of Light". Despite that light, I still had a lost American in Paris that I needed to find. It was in 2004, I was in my 2nd year at Costco Travel. In those 2 years I had accomplished so much in such little time, I had the biggest task assigned to me. To travel with and escort as a Costco Travel representation for the Kirkland Signature European Cruise Tour. I wasn't the tour guide, per se, but more like an assistant to the tour guide assigned by Princess Cruises while holding the best interest for the Costco Members and Costco Travel. And somehow I had on the first real day together ... Lost American in Paris Before I left the office, I had several meetings to prepare me for the 12-night Cruise Tour. The overall message that I detected was my primary responsibility was all Costco Members were to be protected. Thankfully, I would be meeting up with the Princess assigned tour guide to speak the various languages, be knowledgable about the countries, and...