The Mountain looked beautiful from Tacoma as well, but way out there, you could see snowflakes and wrinkles.

I hadn’t been to Northwest Trek since I was a kid and had NO IDEA how awesome it is! This is not a zoo. Check it. This is the coyote exhibit:

It’s like walking in the forest out there. Like, the ACTUAL forest.

We were also treated to an exceptional tram tour. Our guide kept telling us how lucky we were to be seeing so many of the animals up close. I think even they were thrilled about today’s stellar weather.

It was just a lovely day all around. Locals, don’t let the drive dissuade you. Just do it. You won’t be sorry!

Ahhh…..

best. party. of the year. even in the rain!

I ran across it one day a week or so ago, and thought, Oh yeah! I wonder when I was supposed to send this back? TODAY? Oh.

So, Flat Stanley and I had one fabulous weekend together. He accompanied me where ever I went and I photographed him playing along, curious onlookers be damned. I worried that I would be letting my poor North Carolinian child down, but I think we did a good job in the end.

Behold! The adventures of Flat Stanley in Tacoma, Washington.

The park!

At my favorite pizza joint!

I explained that my neighborhood is called “Stadium” after this school, and this, uh, stadium.

Flat Stanley came out for brunch with my Ladies:

And of course, he visited the Puget Sound:

I hope he has some good stories to tell when he gets back to North Carolina, and forgives me for that whole, darkness-of-forgotten-envelope period.

One of my new year’s resolutions was to expose Clark to more live music. But I’ve found that most music takes place after bedtime. You can find things on the weekends, but they’re almost always during his nap. It’s been harder than I thought to find stuff I can take him to. But then I remembered the Mandolin Cafe!

They have live music most nights of the week from 6:30-8:30! Which is PERFECT. We’ve been picking Clark up from my parent’s house and heading straight over there for dinner and entertainment. Clark will say, “I wanna have a date. See some music.” It’s the best thing ever. The timing is just right for those nights when the last couple of hours before bedtime seem long and tantrum-filled.

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” – William Congreve

Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

Our fine city is so lucky to have the Amocat Cafe. It’s pretty much the most perfect place. The coffee and tea are delicious and local, they have a wide variety of beers and wines from around the PNW, and if you’re hungry, a panini.

Coffee? Beer? Panini? That’s all anyone could ever need!

They’re also a wonderful community gathering place. Throughout election season, they hosted many political events, and even Senator Murray!

In addition to all the local yumminess, Amocat is THE place for all the best merch to let your 253-lovin flag fly. You can get the 253 heart stickers there, a variety of awesome Tacoma T-shirts, and even music and books by Tacoma artists.

I love these buttons, all Tacoma landmarks, both famous and obscure. I mean, the Ill Eagle? SWEET.

I don’t know why anyone would go corporate with their coffee when this place is around.

Small businesses, as American Express is highlighting, are the backbone of our economy, and such an integral part of a healthy community. I can’t wait until I once again work in the city in which I live, so that my buns can be permanently attached to a cozy seat at Amocat.

Non-locals, if you’re still trying to suss out that name, does this help?

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

After weeks and weeks of lovely weather, Saturday dawned gray and foggy.

The allure of this race is getting to run across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I had imagined the spectacular views I would enjoy, the sparkly blue water stretching for miles…

Um…yeah.

The “view” turned out to be a couple hundred yards of shoreline. In the middle of the bridge, you were in such a fog ball you could barely see the water.

Not exactly what I was picturing. It was also doing that unique to the PNW, heavy spitting mist thing, where it’s not really raining but you’re soaked anyway.

Nevertheless! I kept a really good attitude throughout, and just tried to do my best, despite the conditions. Being in T-town was fun because Officer Sister was directing one of the intersections and it’s always entertaining to passersby when one runs up and hugs a cop. A couple of her friends were wo-manning other intersections, so I got high-fives from them, as well. We even got to run inside Cheney Stadium and see ourselves on the big teevee.

I felt like I was going lots slower than last time, so when I saw the race clock reading 2:30 as I approached the finish line I was SHOCKED. Subtracting another 2 minutes for a potty stop, I shaved FIVE WHOLE MINUTES off my previous time! Yay me!

Wet and soggy, but quite pleased with myself.

I stole this bit from Erik’s blog. Am too lazy to type.

The requirements for the film include:

* a map
* something breaking
* the line of dialog “Should I know what that means?”
* and in the first minute, someone has to find a bag that contains something important to the film

These things all prove that you made your movie in the allotted time. We came up with our idea on Thursday night, secured locations and costumes on Friday, filmed on Saturday, and edited on Sunday. It all went really smoothly! Due of course, to my TacomaFunPals and their awesomeness.

It’s a hoot, and it’s only 5 minutes long! Oh, and BTW, that foxy lady at the end? Marilyn Strickland, the Mayor of Tacoma.

I feel like Target is unfairly judging Tacoma. Why can’t WE have a fancy Target? It’s not like ours is small, it’s your standard Anytown, USA giant complex thing.

Anyway, if you happen to be a connoisseur of fine Targets like I am, I recommend checking out a big city’s or rich suburb’s Target ASAP. It’ll blow your mind.

The fair Murray Morgan

Pretty Boat

Our Beautiful Bridges

Everyone taking pictures with their phones of the Bridges

Salmon Beach

Boat with Mountain

Ye Olde Castle

Oh, Elks. *sigh* What will become of your beautiful old bones?

Ahhh…Tacoma. How she sparkles! The weather is supposed to be spectacular this weekend, may you all get out and enjoy her!

From their website:

“The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,334 groups with 4,872,000 members across the globe. It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.”

The first time we used it, we had this table that someone had given us, that was perfectly nice, we just finally got to have something WE picked out. (an important milestone in adult furniture aquisition) I had it up on craigslist for a week for $100, then at $50, than at ‘make an offer’ and we got nothing. Nothing! Why didn’t anyone want our perfectly good table? 

I put it on freecycle, and within a couple of hours, I had at least 30 people offering to come get it RIGHT NOW!  Since then, we’ve cleaned out the basement and freecycled a bookshelf, a microwave, a giant mirror we couldn’t use, and an old TV. It’s so awesome! Someone who needs what you have to give away, comes and PICKS IT UP. How cool is that?

There are two kinds of posts, either OFFER or WANTED. People post all kinds of random shit. I’ve seen spare building materials, boxes, old electronics, and even empty plastic laundry soap containers and someone, somewhere will have a use for this stuff. Likewise, someone will post, “WANTED: Boys 2T clothes” or something like that, and someone will pipe up with an offer.

Last week, I posted my first WANTED post.

“WANTED: Bowling Ball 10-12lbs – Tacoma – I’ll put your ball to good use, if you’re not! Thanks for considering it.”

And look! Not only did a nice lady respond, saying she had one and needed to get it out of her attic, she had a men’s ball too! 

Aren’t they the coolest bowling balls ever? And check this out, mine’s name is Sharon. 

So, if you need something or have something to give away, go sign up for your local freecycle group. You can make it so you get just a couple of summary emails a week of what is wanted and offered. GO GREEN TEAM! 

Also, who wants to go bowling?