Blue skies

I lay here on my couch, watching big, puffy clouds glide by framed by beautiful blue sky. This is my last week of bed rest post-surgery, and I am so thankful for the beautiful weather to cheer me up!

The movers are coming this Friday and everything around me is a box or a mess. Because of the way moving companies work, we have to have them come a week before our lease ends to ensure our belongings make it to Denver by our move in date there. Thus, we are going to be "urban camping" in our apartment for a week before we go. This will be extra tricky considering my immobility. Oh well!

I'm feeling more excited each day about my move, and equally more terrified. I've been applying to jobs as much as possible between episodes of Dexter on Netflix and working from home. I'm so exited to live in a new place, make new friends, and explore. At the same time, I cannot stop thinking about what will happen if I don't find a job. 

As the clouds go by, I remind myself that everything will work out. It just takes time.

Ok, so I took this photo in Tucson, AZ. But you get the idea!

Milestones

Today, the class of 2014 is graduating from my alma mater. With all the social media updates, I can't help but reflect back to my own college graduation day. 

It feels strange to think that two years ago today, I walked across the stage and said goodbye to college life. I loved college, and simply did not want the four years to end. That being said, while I truly enjoyed my college years, I would not want to go back and do it again. I just wanted it to keep going and never end... 

A lot has happened since graduating, including moving twice, working for two different employers, and now moving again. Now, I face a whole new host of uncertainties, such as what my next job will be, my next car, new friends... the list goes on and on. What they don't seem to tell you is that after college, the change and uncertainty never really stops. 

I like to think I am embracing this new challenge and I look forward to what is to come, even if I have no idea what it is. I will put this down as another milestone, another step forward.

Congratulations, class of 2014, and may you embrace the uncertainty! 

Me on my graduation day in 2012

Controlled chaos

This is day two after my surgery and I feel like I am surrounded by controlled chaos. Myself, my mom, and Preston are going through our belongings to decide what moves with us, what gets donated, and what is just trash. As I look around the room, I see a variety boxes, bubble wrap, and every sort of random household item. It looks chaotic, but they have some sort of order to the madness that I just don't get to be a part of. 

The fact that all I can do is lay here is very frustrating. I would like to be up and about helping to pack things up! 

I did have a lovely day before my surgery celebrating Mother's Day. Below are a couple photos from that wonderful Sunday.

Roses for mom

Mom and I at dinner

View from the restaurant 

Easy breezy

It is a gorgeous spring day outside, the windows are open, and I am loving the sweet breeze dancing across the apartment. The surgery yesterday went well, so now I am relaxing with my feet up surrounded by two of my favorite people - my mom and Preston. They are spoiling me to bits and I'm loving every moment! 

I am a bit of a struggle right now, unable to get around very easily and pretty doped up due to the pain killers. I'm very happy all went well yesterday and that I am safe at home without too much pain. 

I am feeling so thankful for my wonderful caregivers and for this beautiful day. I am truly lucky! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! I'm so excited to get to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom this evening in Seattle. She is flying in for my surgery, which just one small example that shows how absolutely awesome she is. 

I love you, Mom!

Mom and I right before my high school graduation

Surgery, moving, and other stressful things

Today I was suddenly faced with the fact that I have several stressful life events right around the corner.  I've been so busy up until 8 p.m. tonight to even notice that a lot of change is upon me. I'm having surgery on both legs on Monday, leaving me off work for two weeks and on crutches for six, I'm moving to a new state on June 3rd, and I'm looking for a new job. Eek!

It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that I will be on bed rest for two weeks with not much to do besides read books, watch movies, and twiddle my thumbs. Okay, I exaggerate. I do love watching movies and reading books, but not when that is practically the only thing I am able to do.  Once off painkillers, though, I will be working remotely and applying for jobs in earnest. But I am still not looking forward to the hours of being reclined. 

I went to yoga tonight to try and clear my mind, and I dedicated my practice to being mindful of and grateful for a body that bends, moves, and feels strong. Even though I am not perfect, I am so thankful of what I do have. Soon I will not have the capability to move about as freely as I am used to, so I will focus on cherishing these last couple days of mobility and be appreciative of all the great things in my life. 

Washington Coast

This past weekend I went camping with friends on the Washington coast. It rained. The entire. Time. Basically non-stop rain. Luckily, our friends are very outdoorsy and knew what to do! A tarp structure was set up above the picnic table and with extra room to fit some chairs. 

After a morning of not-so-successful clamming in the pouring rain and howling wind, we nestled together under the tarp contraption and passed the time playing games and drinking delicious beer. 

Saturday night we cooked up what clams we had procured and made a delicious stew. Bonus of sticking it out in the rain: our camp neighbors called it quits and gifted us about 10lbs of steak complete with a grill to put over our campfire. Huzzah! We ate like kings and queens.

Good beer, good food, and rain. This pretty much sums up the weekend. Below are some of the photos I took on our last day camping. We had a small break from the rain and hiked out to a lighthouse and fantastic views. I hope your weekends were sufficiently drier but equally fun!