The Pacific

We've been working so hard the last few years, rarely taking time off. Then we realized that it had been almost 3 years since our last vacation. A little more work/life balance, please.

So for our anniversary, we decided to head to the Coast because I love the Pacific ocean. And instead of the usual hotel room, we found a private house that promised jaw dropping views. For months I tried not to get too excited - "it's going to be good", I told myself, "but not that great. Nothing can be that perfect."

 And then we walked through the doors.



Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
In every way.



This kitchen was crazy. Fully stocked with every thing a chef could possibly need. I mostly used it for making coffee, eggs and toast. In my defense, I was on vacation!



Downstairs, there was another living room and 2 master bedrooms complete with en suite bathrooms.


And the private hot tub off the lower deck. I spent so much time in this hot tub, I think I grew gills.



I could look at this view forever.



Update: A lot of people have asked me about this rental property. Although, I would love to keep this place all to myself, I think that would be a little too selfish. Located on the Oregon Coast (about 10 minutes North of Lincoln City), the VRBO listing is here.

Please note that this house is for couples and families and is not intended for parties.

Lucky 13

Every day for the last 13 years has been a gift. Filled with laughter, love, lots of Lego and joy.

Sheer, unadulterated joy.

Lego Room Tour

Here's a quick tour of our Lego room. It's still a work in progress  but I don't think it'll ever be finished. Yay!

Note: Flickr videos have a time limit of 90 seconds which is why this video is so short (I felt rushed!). I should have used Youtube or Vimeo and uploaded a longer video. Perhaps next time.

Hello

My very first computer was an Apple IIe. I think I was 13 or 14 at the time. I shudder to think what it cost my parents but it gave me a valuable head start in the computing world.

This little Macintosh brings back fond memories. I loved building this. It was fun and fast with interesting elements  - the circuit board is removable!

The design is by the brilliant Chris McVeigh (aka Powerpig). You can find a free (thank you, Chris!) pdf guide on his site to build your own. However, unless you have a vast selection of Lego pieces to choose from, I would highly recommend getting one of his kits.

As it was, I had to improvise on a few things.

So adorable!!

Pause

Last Friday (right before my last post), the boy started experiencing stomach pains. We chalked it up to some bad honey buns (and quantity) and waited it out. By Sunday afternoon, the pain intensified to the point where he agreed, without protest, to go to the Hospital

Within a few short hours, he was wheeled to the OR for an emergency appendectomy - for a perforated appendix.

The 2 hours in the surgery waiting room were, without question, the two longest hours of my life. And that's all I have to say about that.

Then the doctor came out, told me all was well and without warning, whipped out a color photograph of the appendix.

A very groggy boy was wheeled into the room a few hours later, demanding food. I breathed a giant sigh of relief and happily spoon fed the best tomato soup ever to a very hungry patient.

The next few days were a blur. Lots of coffee, meals with the boy, watching him learn the ins and outs of a hospital gown, and walking laps on floor 8. Throughout the whole ordeal, he kept cracking jokes, trying to reduce my anxiety.

And now? Now, I'm just grateful.

Ever I Saw Your Face

So, when I say the Pacific Northwest is green, it doesn't really encompass how GREEN it really is. There's an upside to all this rain.

And this guy.

It's been almost 15 years and after all this time, a glance in my direction and ... butterflies.
 

An Unexpected Guest

Until recently, I have not been a huge fan of the Lego LOTR sets. They're a bit too piecemeal and disjointed for my liking. Helm's Deep is one exception but even there, it should have been grander.

And then I saw The Hobbit's offerings in the form of Bag End and I was hopeful.

Normally, it takes me a few days to finish any set; I get distracted easily. But this was so charming, it only took a few hours. It's Lego meets Tolkien dollhouse and the only thing preventing it from being absolutely perfect is that it's only one room. Need more!

I wish I had taken more photos but the boy wanted to build it too so I took it apart. But not before someone popped in for some pie.