i went to san francisco and i didn't get a t-shirt

(self-portrait in Japantown Center)

At the end of last month I took a solo trip to San Francisco to attend a conference for work. Classes had already started for the Papa Seal so he managed the homefront with the Seal Pup while I flew the coop. I missed my boys, but I have to honest, I had a really good time.

with knitblogging friends Risa and Rangsiwan

In addition to the whole professional development thing (which, admittedly was the purpose for said trip), I was able to meet up with knitbloggers that I have "known" for the last 2 years but I never really met (with the excpetion of 2 of them).

knitbloggers before the great Thai chowdown

I got a chance to hang out with my friend K who I saw in May and June, but whose company I never tire of.

taken after a REALLY good meal

I went to Chinatown with a colleague/library school friend, J, and we did a lot of shopping. (That's what Papa said when I came home and gave him receipts, "oh, you did a lot of shopping.") It was fun.

there are 3 bajillion shops like this one in a one mile stretch of road

Oh, and I ate.

lunch at Samovar Tea Lounge (right across the street from Imagiknit)

A lot.

pastry display at Tartine Bakery

With gusto, even.

ice cream consumption at Mitchell's

While I was gone, Papa and the Pup finished up their renovation project. They turned our old family room into a craft room.


Optimistically, I wish I could say it was done simply out of kindness; but, I think the real reason was that Papa Seal was tired of seeing all mechanations of craft spread out thoughout the house.


I sort of have a lot of stuff. Kind of.


Also, Papa Seal really wanted to try his hand at installing laminate flooring (the tile was kind of driving him nuts).


Obviously, the Pup helped too.


I won't question it, I now have a whole room dedicated to craft, all is right in the world.

And since I just realized that I failed to make mention of another project in development...um, here is a picture of Seal Pup 2.0. The Pup is very excited for you to know about his little brother, joining us in December (on the 2nd around 8:45 a.m. EST, to be more specific).

More San Francisco pics in the usual place.

we missed the dnc by thismuch

To those who are certain we have wandered somewhere in the last two months, you would be right. Long time no travel reports on our end. Apologies, we have been a little busy. Before I launch into tales of busy-ness (um, excuses), I thought I'd share some wandering we did at the end of July (I know). We went to Colorado for a weekend. It was, awesome.

We flew into the Denver airport and spent the evening getting aclimated to the altitude. When we travel, the Pup likes to get his stretch on by doing yoga poses (he has excellent form, R this shot is for your mom!).

The purpose of our trip to Colorado was a wedding of a high school friend of mine.

The wedding was in Breckenridge; and, it was a great place to have or attend a wedding (unless you suffer from altitude sickness, which I did). The scenery is stunning. And Breckenridge is a fun town. And there is a Continental Divide that you can dress up to visit, if that is your thing.

Since we were going to be "in the area" (or rather, the same state) we decided to take a "quick side trip" to Colorado Springs for another academic institution photo op with the Pup, the US Air Force Academy, the pup is a fan.

Clearly.

And since you can't go there and not get a picture with the chapel as a background...

For those family and friendly types that want to see more pictures, you know where to find them (click on the link, mom).

We'll do a couple of "things here" updates soon (there is a little matter of a missing camera to contend with, but it's bound to be around here somewhere). We are, as they say, back in the saddle.