Working on the Checklist

Another week gone in our last few weeks in Washington, a blur. It's been a little hectic (at least in my head). Fortunately, we've had a nicely balanced mix of work and leisure. We are crossing tasks off the list (it's posted on our fridge) but getting out and enjoying our final time here. What did we do this last week?

On Friday, we wanted to use up our City Passes, so we went to the Museum of Flight. We stayed a long time and tried to learn a lot about planes and space travel. I'd be hard pressed to remember anything technical, but it was very interesting.

Here is Nathan in a Blackbird spyplane, the fastest plane evah. He knew this before we got there. He was really excited.

I'm sitting in a plane too! It was very cramped in there. I'm too claustrophobic to be in the air force, sorry.

They have an outdoor park/airplane parking lot for famous jetliners. We got to walk through the original Air Force One! It had arrows to where JFK's stuff had been ("cupholder," "JFK's pipe holder"). I took Nathan's picture outside. It was a very lovely day.

In our last few weeks in Seattle, we found a really good diner. It is Randy's, next to the Museum of Flight. It is pink and orange and has airplane stuff all over. I think the Boeing employees must be regulars. The food was just alright. It was awesome.

On Sunday, I went to work and then visited Naomi on Capital Hill. We sat outside and had pizza (by the slice) and took Paddington to the dog park. We hung out with a dude and his pug. She sat in my lap for a long time. (!!!)

On Monday we planned, packed, put our stuff up on craigslist, and I made dinner. (Thanks for the shrimp, Melinda!) It turned out pretty darn good. Our apartment, however, still smells like shrimp.

I can't even remember what day it was we ran errands and ate at Gilbert's. Was it Monday? Anyways, we love Gilbert's. Nathan had a turkey sandwich with some kind of Russian dressing.
I had a tomato-mozzarella open-faced sandwich with capers. It's a favorite. (We've been going out to eat a lot ((too much?)) because there are so many food establishments we'll miss....I'm trying not to lament restaurants because I think we'll have equally good/better food options in Boston.)

...And then:
-Tuesday: I worked. We packed. We dealt with craigslist ads. We showed the van. Sold stuff. Oof.
-Wednesday: We scrubbed the van. We showed the van to 4 people. We called/emailed back and forth all day. It was very tiring. By the evening, I was frazzled. Then we went out to Trivia Night with friends (Nathan could finally come along!) and I felt a lot better. Love Trivia Night.
-Thursday: I went to work and Nathan handled more van inquiry. Agreed on a buyer. We packed. We sold stuff. We bought space bags for packing, and Nathan got new sneakers! Cute.
-Friday: We picked up the title from the post office. Van buyer came over. Van buyer took Nathan with him on expedition to the Licensing office. I bussed into Seattle for sushi lunch with a friend, came home. Nathan and I walked to bank with van monies. Friday night we bussed into Seattle for friend's birthday celebration at bbq and blues club. Good time! We bussed home. We were tired.
-Saturday: We just woke up. I will go to work this afternoon.

...stop. breathe. clear the mind. sip some coffee. take in some sun.

Did I tell you it's been busy?
Yes, but we've been getting a lot done and feeling better about our to-do list. Our accounts here are almost all taken care of, a good portion of our stuff is packed, a good portion is sold/selling. Friends and work are aware of our departure. Social plans are being made, hugs goodbye are in order. This checklist is getting smaller.

The big ones left over:
-nail down a summer apartment.
-buy plane tickets.

These we will do, dare I say, TODAY!

***
Thanks for bearing with me. Did you have a nice week? I hope you did.
We love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

We love you, mamas!
And to all the mamas out there--you do good work. Have a wonderful day!

xo

The News

That's right! Most everyone knows, but we're making it blog official. Nathan has accepted a fantastic position as a software developer in Boston, so away we go again!

Washington has been very good to us, and there will be aspects and people we'll miss. We are excited and working out all the details of the big move. It's hard for me to think about much else--it seems like there's so much to do. More details to come!

Graduation Weekend

Just a little recap....
Nathan graduated Saturday!!!!
Congratulations, Nathan. :)

This boy worked hard, so this past weekend we celebrated a lot. Melinda and Todd, Shelene and Christopher, and Jim and Lesta were all here to see him walk across the stage. Everyone arrived Thursday afternoon, and the rest of the weekend was spent sightseeing, eating, traveling around in one big van, and marveling that those 4 years are finally over.

The ceremony was held at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. It was a chilly, partly sunny weekend.

It was so nice of Jim and Lesta to fly out to be part of the celebration!

On Friday we went to the Seattle Aquarium. Nathan and I had never been there, and it was a lot of fun.

We ate lunch at the aquarium before a visit to Pike Place Market and an Argosy harbor tour. A full day!

After dinner and a little celebration with cake after the graduation, we headed into Seattle for a night view from the Space Needle.

Sunday we loaded up the van and went to the Woodland Park Zoo. Here is a Komodo Dragon, one of Nathan's favorites. :)

Who knows if Christopher will remember his first big vacation to Seattle, but I'm glad he was here and will be part of our memories of the big weekend. At least he will have his own photos to document the experience. He is patiently waiting to get a photo of a komodo dragon statue.

After the zoo, we had lunch at BluWater in the Green Lake neighborhood, which has become a Rowland clan favorite over several visits. A quick stop at the Kerry Park overlook provided another photo opp. A view of that boy and city we love!

It was a packed weekend, all a bit of a blur now. So far I think Nathan is enjoying his freedom, and I hope it is all sinking in. We're so proud of him!

Thank you to everyone for the warm wishes and congratulations. Family, thanks for being here to spend time with us and support Nathan on his big day. We hope you had a great time! We sure did. :) xoxo