Influx of Nice

I don't know if it's because it's the holidays and I feel all warm and cozy and fuzzy on the inside, or if it's just certain circumstances of life right now, but I'm experiencing a an influx of niceness. Do you feel it too? And I just feel so lucky. So lucky in the sense that I wonder what I did to deserve all of these situations in which kindness, love, and selflessness prevail. And it's directed toward me. Like, whoa. So thanks everybody! Your actions, small or large, are having an impact on me, therefore making me a kinder, more loving person. It will keep going, on and on and on. I'm one big sack of mush today, and I know it. But I like it!

Vacation is lovely, lovely, lovely and started with a trip to San Francisco. I found parking (yes!) and wandered around the Haight/Ashbury area. I realized that I don't really fit into that neighborhood. I wasn't cool enough/urban backpacker enough/rich enough/poor enough to be hanging out there. I did enjoy the exploring though! There were a ton of vintage shops, one that I really loved in particular. Their going price for a dress very similar to one my grandmother has? $300. For a very simple dress (from the 50s mind you, but still!). Crazy. I'm glad that shopping in my gran's closet is free.

I also ventured south to see my college roommate (she put up living with me for 3 years, but may as well have been 4) and her beautiful, smiley kiddo (the older cutie-pie was in school). Always so good to see her, and so nice to experience a friendship dynamic that hasn't really changed all that much. I love the friendships where you can pick up right where you left off. She always has such a great, laid-back outlook on life. I need that, sometimes desperately.

Then it was to Sacramento where I went and saw Auburn CA for the first time. It's a small but beautiful town that grows delicious mandarin oranges. I also got to go hiking in a canyon filled with amazing fall colors. Who would have guessed? Not me! I got out of there just in time though. There's a big storm hitting that area now and I was afraid that I would be stranded in the airport. That was not the case at all!

Now it's PDX time and I'm super happy to be back. It really does feel like home, and I'm getting to see all my favorites. Last night, against all of my better judgement, we crafted! I blame the wine, and my friend, Phaedra. It ended up being good (as all of you know, crafting and myself are not a good combo).

Pretty Christmas tree in downtown PDX