Pacific Northwest

Christmas this year was a little different. For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been twinkling lights, Santa cookies, stuffed stockings, breakfast burritos, and crab legs. But after years of traveling to enjoy the holidays, Miles and I decided to take a break from traditions and the hustle and bustle for a week away alone clear across the other side of the country.

We chose Seattle because we wanted to fly someplace where we could take advantage of Miles' Southwest Points and Elite status. We have been talking about visiting for a few years and this trip felt like the time to go even though we were warned that Seattle at this time of year is dreary and cold.

To say that we fell in love with Seattle is an understatement. The city immediately felt like home and I was shocked by just how nice everyone was! I'm not sure what I was thinking-- I've never really heard of west coast snobs-- but I kept remarking over and over just how friendly everyone was. It must be all of the coffee they drink! More importantly though, we fit in. Miles and I love big cities, but we also love the outdoors. The Pacific Northwest is the perfect blend of the two. Here is a sneak peek from our trip!

When I found out I had a bonus waiting for me at HR:

Black Friday Cat Lady

Anyone who owns cats knows the value behind this picture.

Miles and I decided to boycott Black Friday shopping this year, but when I saw that cat litter was half off, I planned an early morning trip to my local PetsMart. I'm not ashamed to admit that I loaded up not one, but two carts with litter. 16 pails at 35 lbs each equals 560 lbs! I'm sure people were staring as we drove down the interstate, but who cares when I saved over $120? Just blame my bargain shopping on the fact that we're still college kids.

First Snow

[wearing: rei pink jacket, target sweater & scarf, old navy cami, levi jeans, LL Bean boots]

Nothing made this girl happier than waking up the first day of Thanksgiving break with the first snow on the ground & wearing Bean boots! This was the first snow for the two of us in over two years.

Of course, nothing made Miles crankier than waking up on Wednesday with the first snow on the ground and having to go to class. I'm still not quite sure what he was crankier about: going to work the day before Thanksgiving or knowing that I could stay warm in bed and he couldn't.

Sometimes being a teacher librarian does have its perks. 

Home Away From Home

For Thanksgiving this year, our home became a home away from home. My parents wanted a quiet Thanksgiving (my mom recently had surgery), so my brother came to visit. He brought with him a freshman from Northern Virginia (and Ireland) whose family was going to Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday. The kid was going to spend the holiday alone at Purdue until my brother convinced him he'd have fun at our house. Miles invited a fellow graduate student who didn't feel up to driving 8 hours for one meal since UT-Knoxville doesn't get the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off.

At first, I didn't know what to expect since Miles and I are so weird, but we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was fun being the home away from home for so many friends!