Forgive me?

I've had a pit in my stomach.  I am not sure how I'll be able to explain this properly but I will just try my very best.  Usually when I have an idea for a blog post, I run with it.  I just type and type until I am completely exhausted and cannot think of any other things to say.  Lately, I have felt some sort of obligation to blog.  I'm not sure why...no one ever says "write a new post, please!" although I'm wondering where all of those people have been :)  There's a lot going on every day but I usually don't have much time to post.  When  I moved and went to school, there were endless experiences that I wanted to share, especially to reassure my family that my decision to move was the perfect one for me.  Blogging was such a comforting outlet.  I have received e-mails from my parents about nearly every blog post with such nice words and exclamation marks!    !!  My blog posts were even turned into a book, per my mother's request.  She has every post from the beginning until a certain point---I think two December's ago.  It's nice.  I'm glad that a handful of people continue to check on this ol' thing.

Um, do you want the good news or the bad news first?  Bad.  Always the bad, right?

This is my last blog post for Saved by the Bellingham Annecdotes.  It's time.  I have loved this little outlet on the Internet.  I have enjoyed all of it.  I typed my way through some very exciting times in my life as well as some harder times.  I traveled and wrote about it.  I ate and wrote about it.  I took so many pictures and wrote about them.  I stole so many pictures and posted them, too (thanks, Pinterest).  I'm just too busy reading all my favorite blogs to remember I have my own.

Whew.  Now that is off my chest, I can tell you that there is some good news to share!  I am certainly not leaving you forever.  I promise.  Annecdotes is retiring, but I have big plans to be back.  I'm going to start a new blog early next year.  I know, why wouldn't I come back to this blog?  Why leave in the first place?  Why, why, WHY?  Well...there will be a lot changing next year and I am going to start fresh.  I want to post recipes nearly every day and photograph them with background and lighting and all that jazz.  I'd like that to be the main focus of the blog with little stories along the way to keep you laughing.  I just feel the need to totally start from scratch.  I'll have a new blog name and new fun ideas for 2013!  Really, who knows what else I'll be sharing with you!  You'll have to just hang tight.  And enjoy a little break from me.  It will do you some good.  But quite honestly, I'm actually really excited about the future blog and will already be planning recipe ideas and testing them out so that they are blog ready/worthy!

Now, before I go, I thought I'd share some a ton of pictures from the years, that I've featured on the blog.  It's always fun to look back, but my feet are already stepping forward.

I feel like a girl who could conquer the world in a jean shirt and skirt and socks with pink sandals!  Wait a second...

I just have to say, thank you so so so much for reading.  You truly mean so much!

        Best,
            Anne

P.S.  If you are interested in reading next year, please e-mail me at anne.vurdelja@gmail.com.  I'll keep you in my mind when I start it up again!  I miss you already :)

Tehehe

image via Pinterest

          Best,
                 Anne

Saying nothing, that's enough for me

image via Pinterest

Ever since my honest and loving boyfriend told me that I'm not portraying all of myself on my blog, I haven't dismissed it.  In fact, I've been brewing up a post in my head about how I am reserved sometimes, but I'm still me.  I'm still typing as I would talk.  I still make dumb jokes and think of any possible reason to use a pun (note: there is no bad time to use a pun).  This is my blog.  There are no specific posts that need to be written.  There aren't any red marks if I misspell something, although my dad will usually send me a quick e-mail.  There is no rhyme or reason for when I post and when I do not.  There are topics I have no problem discussing and then there are others that I would rather keep close and not share with anyone reading Annecdotes.

That being said, I thought I would tell you some things you may not know about me.  Things I may not bring up on a regular basis, ya know?

1. I swear like a sailor.  I know, you wouldn't have guessed.  Well, I'm a smart sailor because I can hide it when necessary.  I never used to swear and then I moved to Washington.  I'm not sure if the correlation is positive, but sure enough, I started swearing a lot here.  A lot.  And I haven't stopped.  It's not usually directed at people but just at situations.  Okay, sometimes people.

2. I have nightmares about 4 times a week.  Morbid, horrifying, wake-up-at-3am-never-wanting-to-fall-asleep-again nightmares.  I don't know where the thoughts are coming from because I sure as heck am not thinking them.  It's really something that has affected me and it makes me sick to my stomach.

3.  I cry too easily.  Really.  If I had the choice, I'd never cry unless I was so absolutely happy for someone that tears of pure joy ran down my freckled cheeks.  The thing is, if something really nags at me and forms a major pit in my stomach, I have about three seconds before my face becomes a red blotchy mess.  It does wonders for me.  I look like quite a gem.  How do you fix this?  I'm curious about it.  Honestly, I'm not sure it's something I can cure.  I just need to toughen up already!  Stand my ground.  Love everything and everyone.  There.  Easy.  Done.

4.  I like driving alone just as much as I like driving with someone.  I love the drive to and from Bellingham/Seattle.  I have done that drive for the longest time.  Most of the time I have been alone and have discovered how peaceful it is.  I usually drive with my eyes closed since I know it so well.  Safety first!  I remember my mom coming to visit once and we were driving and she said "you must drive by yourself a lot" and I said "that is obviously correct why do you say that" and she said "because anyone else would be annoyed by how often you change the radio station."  Oops.

5.  I know that changing schools in college ultimately landed me in the best spot, but part of me is devastated that it did not allow me to study abroad ever.  None of my classes would have allowed me to at the point in my college career so I have yet to travel the world.  Of course, Vancouver is a nice place to start,  but I want more.  More world, please.  I could write all about the places I want to see but I never really do in my posts.  I don't want to just write words.  What good will that do me?  I want to share pictures.

6.  I signed up for the Portland Marathon this year.  I didn't tell you.  I always tell you.  I started to train.  I stopped training.  I can't run it.  Plans changed.  I'm sorry.  Believe me, I'm so sorry.

7.  I wish I liked mushrooms.  My goal is to like them by the time I'm 25.  If only so that I don't have to hear "Oh, but Anne doesn't like mushrooms" one more damn time.


So there.  I gave you a bland insight into some of my life I don't explain or talk about as much.  Driving and mushrooms.  Thrilling, Anne.  What's next?

image via Pinterest

        Best,
               Anne

Virtual Coffee Date

One of my very favorite bloggers, Jenna, created a post called "Virtual Coffee Date" the other day after she saw another woman post it.  So today, I'll pretend we are on a coffee date and we can catch up.  Because who hasn't ever said, "let's grab a cup of coffee sometime"?  Please note, that I always say this phrase and NEVER get coffee.  I don't like it and I try all the time.  I'm a tea girl, through and through.  Today is your lucky day though!  I'm in need of a little rejuvenation and I thought I'd give the almond milk latte another shot.  Cheers!

Well first let me say, you look wonderful this morning!  I'm glad we could set aside some time to meet :)

If we were sipping on caffeinated beverages with velvety foam, I would tell you that my mother, the queen of the flip phone, just got an iPhone!  You'd nearly spit out your mocha because you are just as shocked as I was when I heard the news.  I'm pretty proud of my mom.  She has learned to turn on a computer, e-mail, Google, and so much more within the past few years.  Now she is going to be texting, taking iPhotos, and FaceTiming.  Give it a few more years before she is on Twitter #justkidding #youneverknow. 

I'd tell you how horrible I felt seeing these unbelievable Americans hurting during the Olympics marathon.  To me, they were incredible, but Kara Goucher said the last 8 miles were comparable to giving birth.  WHOA!  Not that I'm familiar with the birthing process, but that sounds pretty tough...and we know she didn't get any pain meds for this battle.  Flanagan and Goucher finished 10th and 11th, respectively.  The conditions were rainy and cobblestone-y.  I'm impressed, nonetheless.  

I'd ask you how your weekend was?  I love that it's August and Seattle was feeling the heat this weekend!  I was holed up in the overly air-conditioned Nordstrom for 19 hours this weekend, but it was hot for the northwest.  Sunday was a whopping 93 degree day, and all I can say is that I think it was making some of my customers people very cranky.  Luckily I have the day off and the heat has subsided (but I really don't mind the heat, especially without the humidity...it's a nice change).

I'd tell you that I've become one of those people that always has her nails painted.  What?  When did that happen?  Well, I like to try out fun colors and when those fade, it's on to the next one.  It's about time to get out the remover and see what colors I have around my room.  My Seattle Sounders green is chipping off like crazy!  I know, what on earth am I going to do?!

I'd ask you if you have ever rented a carpet cleaner from Home Depot?  Does it do a great job?  Does it clean up subtle dog poop stains?  These are the important questions.  Additionally, does it clean up random dark spots?  Key word: Random...I'm honestly not sure what on earth they could be!  I think they grew from the ground.  

I'd tell you that I should probably get going, but thanks for joining me.  It's been so lovely!  Let's meet again soon.  And drink tea. 

Bye! 

       Best, 

              Anne

August

Holy kittens!  It's the eighth month of the year and I'm sitting in bed thinking about what on earth has been going on!  This year, up to this point, has been so incredible and interesting and life changing and stressful and sad and happy and totally not what I expected.  Whew.  Just thinking about everything I've done and everywhere I've been leaves me with a smile and a full heart.  And just like that, it's August!  August.  Whoa.  Cool!  I have so many thoughts!  Where do I begin?  Sorry...I'm a little too awake for 5:45 am.

August is a stone's throw away from fall.  Can you believe that?   I mean, in Seattle, summer just arrived!  So that must mean I need to enjoy the last bits of summer weather I can, as long as Seattle will do its part in giving me those bits.

I'll be doing a brief life renovation shortly and have lots to do before that takes place.  Lots of cleaning, working, visiting friends and family, trips to Oregon, and soaking up Seattle in every pore of my body.  If you are wondering why I'm here so infrequently, it's because of all of that.  I'll have more updates to come, more adventures to share, and more cheesy jokes to make you laugh, even if you don't admit it.

Now here's what you missed in July!

And here's what I miss in August.

           Best, 

                  Anne