Seattle Grace

And now, blog post #5 recapping my 7-day Alaska cruise, although the following pictures are all after leaving the ship! =)

We returned from our Canada shore excursion at 11:30 Friday and were expected to have our luggage tagged and in the hallway by midnight - yikes.  That night was an absurd comedy of errors.  After locking myself out of my stateroom for the first time all week (giving my neighbors their luggage tags which were mis-delivered to me) then traipsing down to Guest Services for a new room key in my pajamas (past the chaotic frenzy of the crew rapidly transporting everyone's luggage from all the hallways to the various elevators)..... then picking up one of my two key cards to go out in the hall and weigh my suitcase, quickly realizing they'd already removed the luggage scales, then finding out the hard way they'd turned off my old key card when they created the new one - UGH, what a treat - (I repeated the same PJ-clad journey across the ship to Guest Services on Deck 1)... after all that, I got my suitcase out there around 12:15 - they were kind enough to still take it.  I had to throw away my flip flops the next morning because my purse and backpack were crazy full and my carryon and suitcase were gone - whatever, those shoes had a good, long life. lol  In the end, the luggage thing was fairly pointless, as I picked it up right after getting off the boat the next morning, but whatever - you live, you learn!  I was relieved it was under the 50-lb weight limit when I got to the airport the next day (48.5 - yessss)!

Mmkay, so after that ridiculousness, I finished my movie to calm down, then got a tiny bit of sleep, put on a bit of makeup after realizing I'd packed most of it in my carry-on that was carted away after midnight, grabbed a final free breakfast on Deck 9, then got off the boat around 7:30 AM.  My real final "shore excursion" was a "Best of Seattle Highlights with Airport Transfer" - Mom and I were both very pleased when I learned about that offer mid-cruise!  (My original plan was dropping off my luggage at the hotel then taking multiple Ubers to see the Space Needle and Pike Place Market with the first Starbucks - literally the two places this tour was going, and being with a group from the cruise that carted me and my luggage to the airport afterward felt much safer.)

Our first stop was the Space Needle - I'm a big fan of Frasier, which features the Seattle skyline silhouette in its logo, so I felt nostalgic finally seeing this iconic gem!  We took the elevator to the very top floor where you can step outside and get a great view of the city...

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It was chilly outside, so after a quick trip around, I came back in and grabbed a fried apple pie - fun!

There was a child having an intense meltdown with parents trying-and-failing to calm his newfound fear of heights, so I promptly went down one level to enjoy my pie whilst also loving the revolving glass floor experience - so cool!  The number of people shying away from stepping onto that glass was entertaining to me.  There are plenty of things I won't try, but heights are really not a fear of mine - (the revolving motion would be far more likely to make me sick or be problematic, but between the scopolamine-patch and the bonine pills, I was pretty numb to that).

Speaking of Seattle shows, thanks to our driver for pointing out that this is the helipad used in Grey's Anatomy for the Seattle Grace/Mercy West/Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. =)

There was a Chihuly glass exhibit next door (love his work!), but I couldn't risk being late for the bus, so I had to settle for these colorful glass vases in the gift shop!

I also grabbed this fantastic dusty pink hat and an expensive commemorative water bottle (the only water they were selling).

I don't believe I mentioned it here yet, but the first night of the cruise, I ordered the bottled water package - six 1-liter glass bottles that were stupidly hard to open, but I'm thankful I had them!  Not a drop of it was wasted!

View from below before stepping back on the tour bus!

Out of place in this post (although it does go nicely with my Grey's-inspired "Seattle Grace" title), but this = one of the verses Beth taught on that I included on her card.  It was one of my favorite verses in 2007/2008, and I still love it - I love most of Paul's letters!

Mmkay, back to Seattle.  Our next and final stop was Pike Place Market.  The driver gave us an hour and a half to explore and grab lunch, and that was perfection!  I got a couple pics of the original Starbucks - (crazy long line, so I didn't bother getting a drink there).

This delightful stand didn't have a line, so I very much enjoyed my grilled cheese lunch! lol

Followed by a delicious free sample of strawberry apple cider - this stand was kinda like H-Tea-O with various flavors of apple cider (Peach, Strawberry, Blueberry, etc.)  I love the red gingham - so cheery!

The lovely flower market - so delightful!!  This whole pedestrian market area was very cool and fun!

This made me think of Chettles in NYC, circa Christmas 2010!

I made a quick stop in "The Purple Store" - they only sell purple items, and it's both fascinating and a little bizarre. lol

Yay, Pike Place Market Center and Farmer's Market!

Loved the ocean view background here!  The major hills on these streets reminded me a bit of San Francisco - still very thankful I backed out of that marathon - yikes!

I grabbed a brownie at Three Girls Bakery (our tour guide recommended it, and it did not disappoint).  Took this pic from the bus thinking of Tulsa! =)

We also saw Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, along with the original Amazon headquarters - all things I would've been oblivious to had I been with an Uber driver rather than a guided tour!

Side note:  I just learned today that Donald Miller and fam were also exploring Seattle on Saturday - I would've adored seeing them, but it's fun just to know we were at the Space Needle on the same day! ❤

After all of that, they dropped us off at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport around 1:30, then I made the short skybridge walk to my hotel across the street.  I was very pleased that they allowed me to check in early, and it was a fun God nod to get Room #828.  ("All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.") =)

While checking in, I saw a DoorDash delivery drop-off... it had never occurred to me that they could deliver to hotels, but what a delightful thing to learn! lol  I showered, put on PJs, and spent the rest of the day in my cozy hotel room blogging + making a slideshow of my whale watch excursion + enjoying my Shake Shake dinner... yus, please!!!

A delightfully peaceful end to a unique and amazing trip!!

Asleep around 10:30, caught the 5:30AM shuttle to the airport, checked my luggage, then boarded my Alaska Airlines nonstop flight to OKC...

Mom picked me up and I was home by 3:30 (1:30 Seattle time - you lose two hours coming back).  She helped me unpack and get some laundry started, then I screen-mirrored my photos to the TV and gave her the detailed play-by-play trip recap (which I've now given most of here). lol

That's all for this ultra-detailed post.  Whale watch slideshow next!

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Memory Lane

Nine years ago today was our belated celebration of Chet Lee's 29th Birthday at The Mercantile (the Pioneer Woman's restaurant in Pawhuska)!  I love this group pic, and how great is it that I saw most of these friends four days ago for Chet's 38th B-day party!?

Side note for those who enjoy details:  My car battery died the day before, so the Wilsons picked me up at 6:15 in the morning - woof!  We met the group at Jeff and Kelly's.  Our road trip cars were Chet & Karli, Tall Kyle, and myself in one, then JEM, LB, and Jessica & Evan in the other (Jeff and Chet driving, of course)!  On my birthday that year, Kyle had met a woman named Sarah, and by July, they were dating pretty seriously - so I'm sure we talked about that to the extent he was willing to share on the trip down.  (Spoiler alert - they're now married with two boys and a third on the way!)

Random sign I liked documenting the town of Pawhuska.

The Wilsons had a surprise announcement for our group... they said that Karli's gift had arrived late, and when Chet opened it, there was a pretty memorable stunned silence as we all took it in and quietly waited for him to read the t-shirt and react. lol  (Whilst he was waiting for us to celebrate and be excited with them - we all caught up and got to celebrating eventually!)

This was the first of many pregnancy announcements in our friend group!

We also met Ladd that morning, husband of Ree, the Pioneer Woman!

Group pic with Ladd!  (Also, this is why I prefer group photos be taken with my phone.)

Getting healthier is fantastic, but photo editing is also our friend. lol

Karli waiting in the long line before the birthday brunch!

Front door sign

Sarah had something else going that morning, but I met her later that day for an afternoon swim at her apartment pool... Chet texted her the pregnancy news so that I would be able to talk about it freely, and we laughed about how it was reminiscent of her texting him her wedding news a few months earlier!

Pool pic!

P.S.  The first pregnancy announcement to the grandparents was caught on camera - love these pics!! lol

Since that time, Tate, Parker, Joy (in Heaven), and Paige have joined the wonderful Wilson family! ❤

And they continue to be the highly-valued connection hub of our thriving friend group, for which I am infinitely grateful!!

Mmkay, that's all my reminiscing for today.  Back to knocking out this protest hearing transcript - the struggle to stay motivated on those is real! lol  Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

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Star-Spangled Celebration & Storm (250!!)

It was a very memorable 4th of July yesterday!  I got up around 6am to get to Bixby in time for the Wilsons' neighborhood parade... I invited myself for this event when I found out this was their first (and potentially only) time to be in charge of the parade and ice cream afterparty. =)  Chet said it might seem cuter in my mind than it would actually be. lol  But it was very photo-worthy, and I'm glad I came!!

For starters, Karli Marie made this balloon flag backdrop - cuteness!!

The lead car for the parade + loads of neighborhood kids walking, biking, and scootering behind him!

GiGi (Melissa's grandma name) and her three grandkids!

Karli goes all out and does such a great job with stuff like this!!

The very cutest! ❤

Showing me her Barbie doll house... and the pink suitcase = her luggage "for when they go to Disney!"

Flag selfie with the kids!

Chet and Craig (Country Crossing co-leaders) with the ice cream sundaes for everyone!

Love the Wilson fam and how much they've brought this neighborhood together!!

Ice cream time + bow by Mom

Grandma Teresa + Parker E*

So many snappers + a rare photo of both cats late that night!

*Me:  I love your pink shorts, Miss!  You look so cute!!

Parker:  They're purple.

Me:  Hmm, pink-ish purple. lol

Karli bought a roll-on glitter stick that was fun for kids and adults! lol

Lunch group pic at our Rib Crib corner booth, (by our waitress who reminded them of Ava)!

Parker selfie + Parker hiding in group pic #1
Silly pics by Parker + pic with Parker and Melissa

Parker marking up the close-up she took of her eye + me documenting the Bixby Rib Crib

Me taking some pics from the car whilst Chet and Tate stocked up on fireworks, followed by a Walmart ice run!

Video wishing Lisa (their fav CFA employee) a happy bday! lol

Presh Paige being happy about her first 4th of July festivities!

Paige Evelyn's first swim day + rocking Tate's hairpiece + the furrowed brow when Karli gave her to me. lol

Pre-dinner talk and alliterative prayer by Chettles (thankful for food, faith, family, friends, freedom, etc.) + the kids tables looking very festive!

Zealand and Parker being cute friends excited about this toy popping! lol

Kid-friendly firecrackers, parachutes, snappers, etc.

Love this pic of Paige unfazed by the fireworks drama around her!

Kyle Brandon and his boys! ❤

An unexpected thunderstorm postponed the planned neighborhood fireworks show, so we all scurried back inside, and the kids settled in to watch Bluey and snacked on watermelon, chips, and cookies whilst we finally got a delightful (reconstructed) balloon flag pic indoors!

Dessert time (pre-fireworks).  I made a Texas white sheet cake - yum! - and the Young fam brought ice cream!  I love that Chet commits to the bit even while the ice cream lid is on!! lol

Group pic by the balloon flag (which is totally obscured here, but whatevs).  Love this group!!
(For future reference: Bill was sick and missed this event.  Melissa and Teresa made it home before the storm.  The Young fam had already left here.  Jessica's mom was in town.  And the Myers are fostering, hence the stickers.)

After all that, I sat in the Wilsons' driveway for almost two hours waiting out the storm whilst editing and posting the above pics and listening to The Princess Diaries score and other fun music!  I got home around 1:45am and got in bed after 2:00... so it was a verrrry long but very FUN day celebrating America's 250th birthday with some of my favorite people!  While others were swimming, I had a good talk with Teresa and Chettles.  At the beginning of the day, Chet and I were planning to swim and both kids were adamant nos.  That completely flipped in the end.  But I will swim on the 18th if not before!

Anyway, now I'm off to a delicious Italian dinner as a belated bday celebration for Kristin Michelle, followed by the watching postponed Tinker fireworks show at Mom and Dad's, hopefully with my feet in their pool - thankful that the major storm allowed me to get the best of both worlds this year!!

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