The LOOOOONG awaited weekend visit finally came... and went- very quickly. Steevo and I have been looking forward to his visit to Seattle for weeks and it turned out perfectly!! The weather was perfect (not like this week- 100+ degree heat).
Early Friday we went to Alki beach. This was something Steevo wanted to do very most during his visit, that and the Mariner's game. (I think something is wrong with my camera...)

Here's the difference between having a grandma with red hair and not. Between working in a restaurant and working construction.

Steevo's first visit to Seattle! I was really worried that he wouldn't have a good time in the city with all the people and crowds but he REALLY had a great time and I was so happy. It was fun to watch him see things for the first time, things that they don't have in a little town in Wyoming. Things like homeless people digging through the garbage, or crazy people talking to themselves as they walk down the street or the street performers. He even drove us to dinner on Saturday night- in downtown Seattle. That's something I'd suggested a few weeks ago and he swore I'd never convince him to do it but...

The market. Of course.

Ride the Ducks. A perfectly touristy "To do" when you're in Sea-town. (what do you think about my camera?? what's the deal with that dark patch?)

The Space Needle.

We lucked out and had a clear day and could see Mount Rainier way off in the distance.

We had a great sunset (this pic is a little effed up... it's time for a new camera).

Awwwwwhhhh.... precious.

I kinda like how the camera messed this one up. We were in the Pioneer Square neighborhood before the Mariner's game on Saturday afternoon.

Breakfast at some little underground cafe in Pioneer Square.

I scored some GREAT tickets for the Mariner's game and since Steevo had never been to a real baseball game so this was something we were really excited for. He ALMOST caught a fly ball. Really. It bounced out of his left hand. He had taken his hat off to catch it but then realized that the ball was headed right for my head (I was holding garlic fries so naturally I couldn't catch it) so he stuck out his left hand to try and catch it. But those things are coming pretty fast and hard and it bounced right out of his hand right into the old man's grabby little hands a few rows in front. I didn't realize that it hurt his hand as much as it did till he leaned over and whispered in my ear "my hand really hurts". He had to hold his cold drink to help.

After dinner on Saturday (which, btw was FABULOUS, everyone should dine at The Dahlia Lounge) we walked around and surveyed the aftermath of the Torchlight Run that had happened earlier in the night.

We had a fabulous weekend. I loved every second of it. And better yet Steevo loved it too. Seattle is now his 2nd favorite big city.

Oh, how I miss him!!

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.