Could I tempt you...

... with a shake from Mikie's Drive-Thru? Doesn't that sound perfect for a suffocatingly hot muggy day? I'll have two.
OH!!! and PS Steevo will be here in less than 24 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In case you've forgotten who that person is or how distractingly handsome he is see the pictures below.You couldn't tempt me with one of those cheeseburger banana shakes but I could definitely be persuaded to go for one of these!!

Namesake

"Hi, nice to meet you. My name is Joe."

"Hello Joe. I' m Shelby"

"Oh, Shelby like the car?"

"Just like the car."

A familiar exchange I have with about 65.87% of men/boys/guys I meet.

This Shelby is one that pulled up in front of the restaurant while I was working and I waited on it's owner. I think he said it was '67 or '68... somewhere around there and it's all 100% authentic and restored exactly how Carroll Shelby used to build them. I've never seen an old one in person so it was pretty cool!

P.S. I went to the Carroll Shelby website and guess what. Carroll Shelby's wifes name was Jeanne. My name is Shelby Jeanne. I'm pretty sure my parents didn't do that on purpose.

Summaaaaaaa

Well hello my peeps.

So the summer here in the Pacific Northwest is the bomb. It is really just so so beautiful here. Warm, sunny and oh so lovely. Have I mentioned that already? Well it really is great, I recommend it to anyone.

Ready for a barrage of iPhone photos?
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Aren't I darling? I FINALLY got my hair done. I just couldn't wait any longer... 3" roots. I wasn't havin' it. When I get a good pic of my new hair color I'll send it yer way.


Ok, so Woodinville is only about 22 mins. (with no traffic) from here and is the heart of wine country. My friend Stacey had a meeting there and they all stayed at a great hotel. Above is a picture of the herb gardens. Be still my heart! A raised herb garden is on my wish list for "Someday when I have a house...."

This is Puget Sound looking out to the Olympic mountains (the ones waaaay in the back that are really light). I had the day off so I spent some time on Alki Beach.

I learned my lesson from the previous 2 sunburns this year and applied the 50 spf all over... ahhhh... except for from my kness to my feet. So I'm now the proud owner of a pair of reddish/tan shins.

4th of July parade with Kati (from work) and her husb Miguel and their daughters Kelbi and Peyton.

Kelbi was incharge of taking pictures.

Later Stacy (from work, not Stacey), Chris and I met back up with Kati and her fam for fireworks at Lynnwood High/Alderwood mall. It was pretty good.

Stacy and Chris.

And that brings us to today.

Sunning at Martha Lake with Kacey (from work) and Olive Kacey's daughter (who, by the way happens to be the most favorite visitor when she comes in. all the girls in the restaurant flock to the stroller when Kacey and Olive walk in.)

And could you blame us? Just look at the beauty.

And to top it all off it was the Annual Tri-Ward BBQ at Bishop Jenkins'. This is his front yard. Uh, yeah. It is that amazing!! All 5 acres of it.

Scenic-By-Way

Lastnight I thought about what I would be doing with my day off come morning time. I figured I'd wake up early, watch the Redbox I rented, get dressed, retun the Redbox then the bank.

I decided that I needed some thinking time and it was 90 smooth-sailn' miles to Canada so I filled the gas tank and set off.

The area just north of here is absolutely beautiful!! Rolling hills/mountains covered in HUGE trees, farm land, farm houses, little towns, lakes- all of it. Really pretty. It made me think about the path my life is taking. The Scenic route. I think I'm taking the long way to get wherever it is I'm going. I've moved all over the place had several jobs, done a bit of traveling but still don't have anything too perminant- that's how I know I'm not "there" yet. I sure am learning a lot along the way and am enjoying it (most of the time) so I suppose it's more like I'm on the scenic-by-way route. I'll get there eventually and as a bonus will have had some great adventures along the way.

Anyway... I got off the freeway at the last exit before the border (didn't have my passport) and admired Canada from Blane, WA. It was nice.

A quick video...

I took this video when Steevo and I were riding horses with the intent to post it but then neglected to do so. This is so you can see him as a real person rather than only a photo.

Everyone should have a boyfriend in Wyoming.

Well, I had a great time in WY with Steevo! I got all dressed up like a cowgirl and did my best to fit in in that little town.

We went horseback riding.

Went camping next to this perfect little pond.

Shot guns.

Got dressed up for dinner.

And pretty much had a perfect long weekend!!!

Steevo is such an amazing guy!!

Yesterday I was a tourist.

Yesterday I spent the day on the streets of Seattle in the sun (with a hat and SPF and no exposed winter white flesh) with friends from back home. Hailey and her husband Brett spent the weekend with the Jorgensens at a beach house down on the Hood Canal and made it up to Seattle to see the sights and to visit me (I'd like to think this-visiting me- was their main objective). Hailey and I were roommates back in SLC before she got married last summer.

Here's what we did...

The Troll. This is a sculpture that is under the 99 bridge at Lake Union (I think that's what it's called). Totally a random sculpture but the plaque said that the neighborhood was really brought together by it's being built.

(Between the Troll and this pic we spent 4 hours walking around the Market and downtown Seattle hitting all the major stores. They live in Northern Idaho which only has an Old Navy and Wal-Mart so they were in serious need of some retail therapy).

Then we went to a Mariners game. The Mariners are a big deal up here. I'm afraid to cheer for Boston when they play together for fear of my life. Between the 8th and 9th innings some guy sprinted onto the field over on the 3rd base side and made it all they way to the 1st base side (dodging 2 umps and 2 'Alcohol Enforcement' dudes before a fan tackled him 1/2 way up the aisle. Totally worth the 8 bucks.

Hailes and I. She was one of the very best roommates ever! (um. hello! look at how long my hair is getting!! The pic in my banner was in December so it's grown quite a bit in just 5 months)

Brett, Hailey and I.

You can't really tell in this pic but Hails is 6 months pregnant with a little boy. Due in August. This pic was this morning at the temple grounds.

It was a good day.

Proof...

... that there IS sun in the Northwest. To all ye nay sayers, I say "HA! It isn't all doom and gloom here." Although the joke is on me because I've been eating ibu like candy and have struggled to get aloe and lotion on my crispy back. This is the result of a sunny day and a 3.5 hour bike ride. Ya know, I've been fair skinned my whole life yet I still underestimate those pesky UV rays.

Ah, hmmmm.... the following post is based on the pictures I have in my "Random pics" folder.

Hello from the soggy Northwest. It still amazes me how great it smells here- ALL of the time.

Below is a picture narrative... I guess this is what I've been up to.

I was on a run a sometime in the last 4 weeks and I noticed that there are miles and miles of Dandilions here and they are GIGANTIC!! See that one I'm holding? Massive.

Then they go to seed like this one did and become wishing vessels.

I REALLY hope that wish comes true!

Is this flower/tree Dogwood? I love it. I've seen them all over the place and have seen a few in UT too. I'd like one in my yard one day.

I had a little birthday money come in the mail and I bought a few random items.

1: Butterfly Flower lotion from B&B Works. Definately and impulse buy. I don't even use lotion that often but something about the smell reminded me of being on vacation.

2: Have you seen "He's Just Not That Into You"? If you haven't you SHOULD. It's great! The main loveable character has some fabulous jewel-tone purple polish on the whole show. I hunted high and low for it for a few weeks but to no avail. UNTIL the Everett Mall came trough. O.P.I makes "Purple With A Purpose" polish and I just love it.

3: I always get suckered into buying Martha's semi-annual Weddings magazine. They're just too tempting. Take a look at the length of the dress on page 50, bottom right photo. Beautiful!

4: Value Village had these perfect S&P shakers offered at a mere $.99/ea. I stood and debated for about 5 minutes and walked out empty handed. It's not like I really need a set of S&P shakers right? I sent a "you'd be proud of me for walking out empty handed" text to my man (I'm trying to be frugal). He said (without even asking the price) "just get them, I'll buy 'em". I went back the next day and aquired them. They're awesome. Thanks Babe!

Dear HP,

Is it normal for your computers to freeze up, end all programs in the middle of what I'm doing an make my screen look like that?

Please advise.

Thank you,

Shelby

On my trip to the Everett Mall I strolled through the bookstore looking for a good read. I always have good intentions of being well read. Then I spotted this book. Yup. Really. It's on the shelves at Borders ready for your perusal. Notice how well worn it is yet it's still on the shelf. It just dawned on me that I didn't even think about looking at it's contents, that's how serious I took this 'book'

Sea-Town from what I would think is a great make out spot in West Seattle. I'll let you know...

39.66 hours

Ok. Check this out.
900 is the number of minutes I have in my plan.
737 is the number of minutes I've used from my plan in the current billing period.
119 is the number of mobile to mobile minutes I've used this billing period...so far. (thanks Jana)
1,524 is the number of unlimited night/weekend minutes I've used in the current billing period.

Now. The thing is is that my billing period began only 10 days ago. TEN.
What it the world do i talk about for 39.6666 hours in 10 days? That's like a full time job.
It's a good thing I have 3,441 rollover minutes (57.35 hours) to last me till the 23rd.

I don't think I've ever spent this much time on the phone... well maybe. There was the one skinny guy I dated on the phone from Washington a few years ago. (Ash, you remember "Bonnie") Well, I must say that the bulk of these minutes are again because of a man in another state. Yes, he's totally worth using up all my rollover minutes!!

Today I went to Alki with my new friend Stacey. It's a great place in West Seattle (where Stacey lives) that has shops and cafes and restaurants. And on a day like today a ton of people out on the beach and on bikes going up and down the boardwalk. Forgot the camera so no pics but believe me when I say it is just a perfect beautiful place.

I've Encountered a Problem.

Things are still going great. I start training at my new fancy server job tomorrow, the weather is still absolutely beautiful and I'm happy. There is however, one small problem. It gets light here starting at 5:30. It's crazy. I didn't even think about it and with the weather being so nice there aren't any clouds to block that pesky sun at 6 am. I have been combating the light with pillows over my face but that gets tricky proping things just right so there's a good air flow. Well, I think I solved my problem. I have been wering a black beanie to bed becasue my room is pretty cold. I started pulling the rolled up cuff over my ears then realized that it's the perfect sheild from the sun if I pull it over my eyes too. Problem solved. See below.


This nasty guy thinks he belongs here. Wrong-O-buck-O!! Goooo, he was big and gross.

I've Arrived.

Ok. I know I got here a full 7 days ago (7 days and 8 minutes to be exact) but today I arrived. This great city I'm "living" in(I say "living" because I'm in a suburb but you get what I mean) has such a great feel and energy and life. The whole area the environment the weather- all of it makes me feel more at home after a single week than 26 years in Utah- 26 years today in fact.

This place is fantastic! Really. I'd recommend it to anyone. It's not too big, easy to navigate, beautiful and really feels like where I'm supposed to be. I'm so glad I came here and I'm glad I'm daring and brave- well, I am. Who else moves to a city they've never been to, where they know no one and where they don't have a job? (oh, I got a serving job! Isn't that great?!)

I saw my mom and Charlie today. What a lucky coincidence that they'd planned to be here this weekend and now I live here. Charlie and I hit the streets and walked around and got some lunch- he's so great! My mom got misty when I said good bye, I did too a bit. She's been my biggest cheerleader through all of this (and the other huge spur-of-the-moment random decisions I make) and it means the world to me. She's got a sense that THIS is IT. I'm where I'm supposed to be, which works out well cuz I feel it too. I guess mother and daughter aren't so different after all.



Today I received a package from a distant admirer, very much appreciated!! Thanks Steevo!!

Charlie and I spent the afternoon wandering around the city and talk talk talking.

Me. 26 years old. Today.

And of course, the fish market.

sunny day and oh's

Today I slept in. I don't sleep in anymore. My body is programed to wake up at about 7:30 and it takes some serious effort to sleep longer. But today. I slept in till 9 or some ridiculous hour like that. I think that with all the moving and settling in and stress of picking up my life and ploping it down in the Pacific Northwest has caused my body to need for sleep. It's odd because I don't feel streesed or worried or uneasy or anxious but I must be.

Well today while most people in Ut made comments to me like "It's like seattle here today" I had to fish for my sunglasses and went to the park to let the UV rays coax out my freckles. It was lovely. I got a job interview at Boston's to be a server. I swear, one of these days I'll quit the server life. Promise. Then at Safeway I found my fav cereal on sale- Oh's- definately the best cereal ever. I hadn't been able to find them in UT for several weeks. I had a teriyaki burger from Teriyaki & Burger Stop on Rucker per Dave's reccomendation and it was amazing as promised. After dinner Z, R and I went to the beach for a sunset walk. It was cold but pretty.

I'm THERE!!!

Hello Everyone!!! Washington is beautiful! My room has a soft bed, wireless internet and closet space. I think I'm going to make it here. I'm really excited to start this new part of my life and can't wait to see what it brings. I'm living with Dave's parents and they're great, very generous and kind. I spent the day today with Robert (Dave's dad) going around town to his job sites and getting a bit more familiar with Everett.

The drive wasn't so bad. I thought it'd be totally miserable but I kept myself entertained by singing outloud and dancing in my seat. I had a great nap in the parking lot of the Walmart somewhere in the middle of Oregon, sipped on a few Rockstars (I don't do long trips in cars very well. Long ride=nap in my world) and POOF! I was here. It's going to be great.

Moving Sale

Moving sale is just a fancy way to say I'm trying to get rid of all my crap and hope you (or any random passer-by) will be willing to buy it. In total I bet I've spent barely $700 on EVERYTHING I own (shoes and clothes excluded). I'm talking about dishes, pots and pans, dining table, bookshelves, decorations, "art", accessories, rugs, sofa, loveseat, coffee table, dining table, end table, night stand, dresser, headboard, mattress set... you get the point. That's pretty good if you ask me. I can think of two items that I purchased at full price or didn't pick up off the side of the road or out of someone's DI pile. My big mirror and my old trunk. The rest of it was nearly free.

So, I'm having a "won't you buy my old stuff that was old when I got it but you'll feel like it's new" sale on Saturday. I've already sold my sofa and loveseat for $120 when I only spent about$40... that's what I'm talking about!!!

271 5th Ave. Salt Lake City
8am till whenever

A very important announcement....

My dearests. The time has come for me to leave the SL valley and head to soggier pastures. Thursday I made the decision to move. To Seattle. Yep. Seattle. I'm planning on being there in the next few weeks and between now and then will just have to unload an apartment full of stuff, stuff the civic and head out. I'm so ready for this new adventure. I'm not all sorts of rollercoaster excited but just settled on it and it's sitting calmly in my chest. Dave makes this possible and I could hear the smile on his face when I told him I was going for sure. Wish me luck!

Boring, boring...

...why is my Blog so boring? Ok, I should have a stellar Blog these days since my main responsibility in life right now is just making it to the gym which leaves 22.5 usable hours to blog away. The problem is my lovely laptop decided to quit connecting to the wireless internet we're stealing from who knows who. Now I have to drive all the way out to T-Ville to PLUG IN the internet. PLUG IN??? What is this 1999? Needless to say I haven't made it out to T-Ville too often to keep up on el Blog lately.

Now that I'm in T-Ville the scoop is as follows...

I have started making muffins a lot
I go to the gym almost every day.
I fell down the stairs at work- I'm ok, thanks for asking- and the best part is it got caught on survallence video. HILLARIOUS!!
I am coaching high school track and field. I love it!!!
Still no unemployment money coming in but I'm hopefull.
My brother Jeff married his girlfriend Andrea in Las Vegas last weekend.
My little brother Calvin is on he way to the war
I sat and listened to my mom tell me stories about what I was like as a young child. also hilarious.
The job hunt continues.
I really like not working a 9-5 these days. I wasn't made for that kind of structure.

Alright, peace out.

Thank You

Today marks the 1 week anniversary of me loosing my job. (Oh, now now, don't cry for me Argentina. It's fine. Really. The boss had to do what she had to do in order to save her company. Damn economy.) If you're someone who's close to me you know that I thrive on change. Why else would I have moved 19- yep count 'em- 19 times since high school/2001? Or why don't I care about cutting my hair? It grows back. I love change. Perhaps I get bored, well, yes I do get bored, I admit it. So this means that I have a myriad of options ahead of me for my next step in life. I have few if any ties keeping me where I am now and so I've decided to head to Alaska for the summer. Why not? Three men to each woman I'm told. I'll be in a beautiful little town called Skagway (hopefully) giving people bike tours or hiking tours or taking them on a dog sled excursion from their cruise ship (that is if anyone goes on a cruise this summer, damn economy). I could work at the local gardens planting flowers and learing the art of glass blowing. Who knows. So, that is my plan. I'll be a waitress till I leave then spend my summer out of doors where people belong. Not in an office with no fresh air. So... thank you economy.

Lucky

Here I sit in my best friend's room listening. Listening to he and his little brother play original music. And Justin can't keep his fingers off the iPod touch. It reminds me of before when best friend and I would sit in his basement bedroom and he'd play for me. It was all new back then and now it's all familiar. Lucky to be listening.