What I've been up to...

Hi Everyone!

So, I noticed it's been nearly a year since I updated my blog! It feels like there is so much to tell, and yet there's hardly anything to tell! If I was to sum up 2011 to this point, I could say "Jeff and I purchased a house, got a dog, and I turned 30."

Yes, that is how boring my life has become. And yet, it's wonderful to be boring. It's such a nice change from working 60+ hours per week.

Last September Jeff and I bought a magnificent house in a suburb north of Seattle. Here's a gorgeous picture for your enjoyment. :)



Last February, Jeff and I "adopted" an Australian Shepherd puppy. He was 8 weeks old the day we brought him home. I never thought that I could become attached to an animal the way I have, but I can honestly say that he may as well be my baby. I love him so much. His name is Duncan Dougal. He is now almost a year old and so dang smart! Too smart for my own good! He's very high energy which keeps me on my toes! For your enjoyment, here is a plethora of pictures of Duncan from the first year of his life. :)

The day we brought him home:



The first few days after that:




The first few months of his adorable little life:





And now that he's getting a little older:




So there's a few cute pictures of my little fluffy man. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Let's see here...what else have I been up to? Ooh! I've become a gourmand! I was seriously considering culinary school for a while, and haven't yet given up entirely on the dream. However, I'm having a hard time justifying spending $50k on school and not doing something with it. I literally want to go simply to have that extra skill.

I had taken up the hobby of crocheting when I saw most of you last...I am now pretty darn good at knitting! I've knitted many sweaters for myself and the people I love, and they always turn out pretty good! Here's a picture of me wearing the first sweater I ever knitted...



I've also been to Disneyland again twice since I last talked to all of you. Yeah...you're jealous, right? Don't lie, I know you are!! Jeff surprised me with a trip a couple weeks ago to The Magical Kingdom to see it all beautified for Christmas. It was McGorgeous!! If the Kardashian's were there, they would have given it a GORGEOUS AWARD!

I've been singing in The Everett Chorale under the direction of Lee Matthews. It's been such a treat to be musical again. This year I am the section leader of the Alto group. It's so much fun, and it helps me to feel super important. December is a crazy month for the Chorale. We have so many sing-outs and concerts planned! If you have any interest in coming to hear us sing, we'd be delighted to have you! You can find out more information at www.everettchorale.org

Jeff and I will be traveling to Austria with The Everett Chorale. I am excited. I'm going to have the opportunity to see where my favorite composer (Mozart) lived his life. Get to see the piano where he played his music...all sorts of awesome stuff. I get chills just thinking about it. In addition, we'll be doing "The Sound of Music" tour. I can't wait to dance in the gazebo with Jeff singing "I am 31 going on 32!" Heh.

Well, I think that's it for now. I hope that everyone's having as happy of a time as I am!

Love to all ya'll,

Racheloni

Oh wait..I almost forgot...I went back to being a redhead...



And now for your enjoyment, here is my favorite picture of Jeff Bridges: