Welcome to Issue #273
by Rachel Brandes
Quote of the Week
“August girls are sunshine mixed with a little hurricane.”
– Unknown
Feline Tomfoolery
with Brady & Belichick
Dear Human Mother,
We remember the day you brought us home. We were scared and you gave us comfort. On your birthday (8/15), during a huge life transition, we hope to give you comfort, too.
The pictures we selected this week are from the day you brought us home in July 2023 and then in August 2023 when we could both fit in the sink together still. We rock the whole being cute thing, don’t we?
With two-ish weeks until we arrive Utah, things are getting crazy around here.
Much Love, Brady & Belichick
Brady & Belichick are Rachel’s adorable felines. These two cute boys turned two on May 4, 2025.
Random Photo of the Week
This brilliant beauty was photographed in the Dahlia section at the Point Defiance Rose Garden. Photo by Rachel.
Mental Health Minute
Birthday Blues
Does anyone else get the birthday blues? Rachel does. She experienced a traumatic event on her 9th or 10th birthday (she can’t recall which) and it always seems to resurface when her birthday rolls around. Why her brain needs to remind her of that day is beyond her. There have been plenty of good birthdays since but trauma sticks and doesn’t like to let go.
She celebrated her 52nd birthday with friends this past Friday and has nothing but amazing memories for this year. She got a good laugh when she revisited her birth announcement and thought she would share.
Sunday FunDay RunDay
with Tacoma Run Club
There are only a couple of run club Sundays left for Rachel. This photo was taken on Sunday, August 10, 2025. She’s been searching for run clubs in Utah but hasn’t found anything that compares to the Tacoma Run Club in size. Not yet.
Where’s Blake Been?
He’s back… Blake (Rachel’s oldest son) was last featured in Issue #250 when he was stationed (USAF) in Tel Aviv this March. He made his way to Qatar and recently did a quick stink in Turkey. Rachel is always excited when Blake shares photos from his journeys. Enjoy these photos from Eskisehir.
52 Never Felt So Good
The Pre-Birthday Walk
For several years, Rachel has had the privilege to meet up with her friend, Kasa, for a weekly walk along the beautiful Point Ruston in Tacoma, Washington. The darling furry friend, Nemesis, came along and has joined each week since she was old enough to venture amongst others. She is about to turn two. Wow, how time flies. Rachel enjoyed a pre-birthday walk last Thursday with Kasa and Nemesis while rocking their stylish sunglasses (and sash), courtesy of Kasa.
The Birthday Burn
Rachel started her birthday off with a workout at Orangetheory Fitness (OTF). She was happy to see Coach Marcus and some of her early morning workout pals. Unfortunately, the OTF in University Place has really gone downhill when it comes to celebrating members and they have all but stopped taking member photos, so there is no photo from the gym, but we do have her stats from the workout. She had a great pain-free workout.
The Birthday Morning Stretch
Sporting her birthday sunglasses, Rachel enjoyed a birthday morning stretch session at Fitness Quest provided by her friend, Angeline. Her buddy, Bill, showed up for his stretch as Rachel finished and the three posed for a birthday photo. Normally they would hit the sauna after the stretch sessions, but Rachel needed to head to both Starbucks and Wanna Cupcake for her free Birthday goodies and prepare for her lunch date.
The 80 Ladies Birthday Lunch
Ahh, the birthday club luncheon with these gals… what a gift. This year, it just so happened that the birthday club was able to plan their gathering to celebrate Rachel on her actual birthday. The group enjoyed a lunch at Anthony’s at Point Defiance in Tacoma, Washington.
Pictured above left to right: Carole, Kyungja, Rachel, Jackie and Janice. They opted to sit in front of this great piece of artwork to celebrate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
If this is your first time hearing about the 80 Ladies Birthday Club, here is a quick summary. Back in 2018, Rachel met these amazing ladies at the YMCA while taking a Zumba class. They became fast friends and would gather outside of the gym to enjoy time together. A few years ago, the birthday club for this small group came to be. Rachel affectionately calls these gals her ’80 ladies’ when talking about them and the name stuck.
Rachel can’t express just how much the friendship of these ladies has meant to her over the years. She waited to read her birthday cards from them until she was home and could have a proper cry in private. She vows that this will not be the last time she enjoys spending time with these ladies and can’t wait to get to see them again when she visits Washington next year.
Year 53 Begins
This year’s birthday was a fun one. Now Rachel can begin telling people that she will be 53. Yep, she always rounds up when talking about her age. She received wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family and got to spend time with amazing, special people. Of course, Ben and Jerry were there, too. Cookies & Cream was a great way to end the day. Until next time, be well.