The "ber" months Part 2

 Welcome to the blog update for November  2025. December will be it's on Christmas Season Blog.

Kicking off November the best way I know how- Massage on Saturday and Restaurant Week on Sunday.

This fall I found a massage therapist who takes my insurance and it's been life changing. I finally feel like the tension and pain that I've carried around and added to for years and years is finally starting to unwind. It's not a miracle it's not happening overnight, but it is getting better and after a week of Halloween chaos- wonderful costumes and tons of fun- but chaos never the less a massage was a warm welcome. 

Technically Seattle Restaurant week started last week but it was Halloween so I had more important things to do. So I will enjoy my fill of tasty food this week. Starting on Sunday with Hearth at the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland.  Honestly the starter and dessert are what drew me in, but it was all tasty. Slight hiccup in timing but the dessert had me forgetting any issues. 

This week I took a paperwork day to attempt to feel somewhat caught up on my work. Fully caught up isn't likely to be a thing I will ever feel this school year, but the goal is to not feel like I'm drowning. And for a brief few moments I didn't feel like I was. But the feeling starts to creep back in quickly. The overwhelm that no matter what I do it's not enough.  I'm sitting in class lecturing to students about how to not let the negative thoughts take over, while I'm feeling like its all I can do to keep them at bay. 

 

On Thursday I did another restaurant week. Didn't end up at the place I was really looking forward to because waiting in the rain for an hour for dinner didn't seem like a great idea. So we tried something else in the Capital Hill neighborhood- Uncle Dom's lives up to it's "old school Italian" vibes. The dinner of an app, pasta and dessert was reasonable for the $35 price tag, but I probably wouldn't pay any more than that- though I'm sure it is on a regular day. 

The red light doesn't help the food photos but the "When in Rome" cocktail was a nice addition to the meal. 

Friday means massage. Also since I missed out on the Cheese Supreme for restaurant week, and due to the massage couldn't do Republic of Cider with a friend, I decided to take myself out to one final restaurant for the week- Pomegranate Bistro in Redmond. And was that a wonderful decision? Yes Yes it was!!! Last night's pasta was good and honestly probably better day after for lunch today but tonights dinner really felt like I was getting a special treat. Starter- Cauliflower bisque, Coho Salmon with roasted winter veg for my main and a very very large very decadent Cinnamon roll Bread Pudding for dessert.  

I took home left overs of the veg and the bread pudding. I enjoyed a fancy pomegranate raspberry margarita along side it all.  If you have something to celebrate on the Eastside this place is worth the consideration.  The meal was $35 for restaurant week- worth every penny add in the drink, tax and tip and my total was around $60- so certainly more than I spend on a meal for myself normally, but not out of the question for a nice night out. 

This weekend is about me. It's about taking time for myself and figuring out what I need to do to re-set and re-store. 

Sunday I the ferry over to Orcas Island. On the advice of a local on the ferry took in a secret spot, off an unlabeled trail on an unmarked road.  This could have gone very very badly but given the fact that the view below is what I saw and I had the whole place to myself- I'm good with the choice I made.

On Sunday I also enjoyed the top of Mt. Constitution- the highest point in the San Juans with incredible views on this gift of a sunny day in November. 

 A more zoomed in look at Mount Baker and the twin sisters in the distance. You can drive almost all the way to the peak of Mt. Constitution. I frankly am glad for this option, because while hiking it is possible it would not have for me been possible do to that AND the secret spot hike all in the same day, so I am grateful that I didn't have to wear myself out right away. 

This month I've been dealing with a lot of pain, specifically what feels like electrical pulses through my legs and arms, feet and hands. It's at its worst when I'm laying down and is the least painful when I'm up and moving, so good reason to take hikes and keep moving. I ended my day at my hotel Rosario Village with a meal in for one. Rose, Cheese and Meat plate and a salad. Honestly probably ate better for half the cost than I would have at any place open in town since it's the off season.  

But the goal for day 2 is is to try a cafe and a brewery on the island. 

That goal was successful. I got breakfast and a latte at Brown Bear Baking which was just okay and over priced. - if you think what Starbucks is charging is bad- this is not for you. I will try something else tomorrow as my walk of downtown Eastsound gave multiple possibilities.  After my breakfast and walk about town I headed to today's hike- Turtleback Mountain.  Though I had zero interest in taking in the whole 8.4 mile trail, the south end sounded alluring 1.2 miles out to the high point (847 feet of elevation gain in that 1.2 miles) and 1.2 miles down the forested side for a beautiful way to spend a day. 

And that it was. I stopped at the first look out point to do some painting. I have been learning that you don't have to be "Great" at something or frankly even "good" to enjoy it. Painting and glass work bring me joy. So I do them.  The rest of the hike felt never ending- certainly steep but not impossible I just kept going. And the views at the top were breathtaking. 

On the way back down I made sure to look down as well as up and out and found several clusters of mushrooms.  My general rule is that mushrooms are "look not touch" especially when they are bright and colorful. So no touching was involved but I did photograph. I tried to imagine I was a fairy or a woodland nymph- how would I interact with these? What kind of imaganitive creature do you think could live in them? I really tried to channel childhood me to enjoy and be playful.

The whole point of this trip has been to connect with a part of myself I feel like I've lost. 

So it was joyful to bring back childhood me. 

The hike concluded after 847 feet of elevation gain and around 2.6 miles hiked- because I went on any higher point or detour I could find. I drove back into town and took myself out for a beer or 4 at a local brewery.

Don't worry the four were in a flight so only 1 'full' drink. But I enjoyed the company of visitors and locals a like at Island Hoppin' Brewery I got the Amber, Red and Rain shadow and then the huckleberry cider guest tap.  I also ate up some local smoked salmon by Lummi Island Wild it was all very tasty.  

There was a super cute dog visiting the bar that very much enjoyed the salmon skin and helped branch into some good bar conversation. The brewery is kid and dog friendly so it's certainly a must visit if your on the Island with your family. 

The goal for day 3 is to visit a preserve or 2, a cafe or 2 and to make my ferry on time. will post more photos at home.  But this trip has helped to solidify some feelings and re-discover myself. I've got some hard work to do, but I'm ready to do it. 

Day 3- I made it to one cafe and honestly probably the only one I need to know about- All the Gilmore Girlies will appreciate this one. The Dragonfly - I know its a coffee house not an inn, but the living room like vibes are totally on point. I could curl up with papers to grade and stay here all day.  It was warm and welcoming the latte was tasty and you know what I didn't mind that it was $6 because its a local small business and not a starbucks. I also got a ham and cheese homemade hand pie- the flaky crust wins!

After a very tasty and slow paced breakfast I headed out to Judd's Cove based on how the local who sent me to the secret spot had described it, I thought there would be more to see. There wasn't but it was interesting to learn about the history albeit brief of the Lime industry in the area. 

Then I remembered her last recommendations to do both Obstruction Pass and the waterfalls at the base of Mt. Constitution so I headed back to the east side of the island to take in both of those.  Wish I'd given myself more time for the waterfalls but both my need for a bathroom and to not miss the ferry had me moving a bit faster than I wish I'd had to.   Walking down to the water from the Obstruction pass parking lot is a steep but short hike and I got a picnic table to myself. It was so serene. The waterfalls are an almost accessible trail the first fit is really steep and then it flattens out. I think there is a bike option section that may be flatter. I did a total of 151 flights of stairs over 3 days (probably more my phone is usually about 20% under the actual amount), and more than 28,000 steps. I feel really good after that and hope this can help me keep my body moving. 

I got back to the ferry in plenty of time- honestly could have spent more time exploring but my anxiety as it usually does got the better of me. I picked up a really good sandwich and soda from the local grocer and enjoyed a pretty spectacular view as I waited for the ferry. During this time I sent a note to the Orcas Island School district letting them know I am a special ed teacher interested in work on the Island- Honestly I think 1 person has that job and probably is very happy with it, but you never know unless you put it out in the universe.  

On the topic of putting things out in the universe. The people I am in relationships with don't fully choose if they end up here or not. During relationships I ask, after well-that's my call. Many of you probably started following me during my divorce blogs. I have a lot of things to say about my ex husband (As I am sure he does about me too), but today I hurt someone I love. I will not speak a single ill word, because there aren't any to say. This man did nothing wrong. He is respectful and kind. He didn't treat my health issues as a burden. He always listened. He is thoughtful, always remembering my favorite flowers and rarely leaving my vase empty. He was a fantastic partner, and he is still a good friend. I changed. What I wanted changed, or more I guess I went back to what I'd always wanted before I met him. I have so much respect for him. I am so grateful for what he and our relationship brought to my life over the last year and I am so sorry I can't be the future he wanted. Right now my heart hurts, because there is love there. Not sure how much else I'll blog this month, just need time to heal. 

I finally for the first time in months felt like I had energy to really clean. 3 loads of laundry, 2 loads of dishes and vacuuming the apartment later. Its not perfect but it's a huge step in the right direction. 

And better yet- I maintained it for 2nd weekend. Especially with my current pain levels this is a win. 

Going into the end of the month just trying to make it to break. 

Made it to break. I had Thanksgiving for 1. I was really exited for it, but when it came I was pretty sad. I had a rough day. But it was only 1 day. And my food was good. Especially the Smoked Salmon. I bought way more than I need so this is my food moving forward for the next week. 

Friday was a day of Joy. I did very good and only put in 1 order for things I needed-like Mascara because I am totally out of my favorite and some stocking stuffers for friends. But more importantly than all of that I celebrated women in professional sports.  

Because women belong at every table and professional hockey is no different. Thank-you to the Seattle Seahawks and our schools Flag Football Program for supporting girls sports and my access to the Minnesota Frost in Seattle. I do think it was unfair to the new Seattle Team to have their home opener be against the 2 time National Champs, but it was fun for me to watch Minnesota win 3-0 and have their Goalie have a 30 shot on goal shut out. Good Hockey was played today. It gave me a spring in my step I have missed the last 2 weeks. It certainly doesn't erase that I'm sad a relationship ended, but it was a glimmer of happiness being possible without that person next to me, which I was struggling to find. 

Signing off for now,

Claire