Christmas Spirit!

Busy, busy, busy is how things go this time of year. It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog so here goes............................

The last week was mostly spent on the couch trying to battle a silly cold. It almost got the best of me, but I'm on the upswing and will be back to 100% before Christmas :-)

Two Sunday's ago, Mary, Chris and I went to my parents to decorate their tree and cook them dinner. This has become somewhat of a tradition without trying and it is always a great day. I love hanging out with my parents - they make me laugh!

My Christmas shopping is done! Yahoo!!!! I had the joy of shopping for a single mom and her son. I adopted this family for Christmas, as they were struggling to make ends meet. I had more fun shopping for them - what a great way to spread the Holiday Cheer! I wonder what would happen if everyone bought one less present for someone who doesn't need anything and gave it to someone who did. Just an idea................

Shopping for this family and reading about what they wanted for Christmas, made me feel good and bad. I felt good because I knew this family would get some of the things they needed (socks, gloves, towels). I also felt good because I know this little boy would have a warm coat to get him through the cold season. I felt bad because the things they need are things I have an abundance of and don't think twice about the fact that I have them. I felt bad because it takes the Holidays for some of us to open our hearts a little wider.

This time of year also brings some reflection upon us - it does for me anyway. Mostly about all I have to be grateful for. I'm grateful for the fact that my biggest problem right now is getting over this silly cold. I'm grateful for the love and support of Chris, my family, his family and children (and Bear) and all of my friends. I would not be where I am today without them. I am grateful for my job, having the best boss and the amount of faith my company puts in me.

Then there are all the things you think about as minor issues, like "Where are we going Christmas Day?" Some people don't have anywhere to go and then there are most of us who are trying to juggle schedules so we can get to all of the homes with family and friends who love us. Some people could be so lucky!

My Christmas Eve will be spent with my family at Pat and Jaime's. A tradition that is always fun, relaxing and one of many constants in my family.

Christmas morning will be spent with Chris, Natalie and Morgan. We will open gifts, have mimosas, breakfast and relax. I am really looking forward to starting traditions with him and his family. I will spend some of the afternoon at my Aunt and Uncles in Lynnwood (another fun tradition). We tell stories about childhood, embellish a little I'm sure and laugh until our sides hurt. Christmas dinner will be at Marilyn and Gene's, which will be a perfect ending to a great Holiday. Their home is always inviting and fun.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday and will update my blog with photos of good times and good cheer!

The Twinkling Stars

To all the Divas who celebrated on Saturday morning, thank you! Tina - thank you for your great idea. It was so nice to see all of you lovely ladies and catch up with you. I'm thankful knowing I can pick up right where we left off on our visits and there are always many laughs to be had. We should try and do this again in a couple months or so!

Have a great Holiday and best wish for a great New Year. I love you all!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Is it too much to celebrate Thanksgiving for the entire weekend? The only thing that was missing from this perfect weekend was Mary and Adam.

On Thanksgiving I was at my parents. Of course I couldn't wait for Dad's mashed potatoes and all of the other good stuff :-) Dad - you out did yourself once again, even with only one good arm. It was a nice afternoon. I feel like Chris got a chance to visit with my family and get to know them a little better. Thanks to my family for making him feel welcome.

Friday I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving again with Chris and his family. There were 21 of us in all! Wow - Marilyn, I don't know how you do it??? It was a very fun day and great to meet more of Chris' family. They are all wonderful people. Gene and Marilyn are very gracious hosts.

Saturday we set aside the turkey for a rib feast back at the Walters. Jake made the sauce for the ribs - yum. Another fun night!

I feel blessed to have such a great family of my own and that Chris' family has opened their home and hearts up to me.

I can't wait for Christmas!!!!

My Favorite Little Friend, Carter.....

Carter Fabritious is about the cutest baby I've ever seen, not to mention very sweet. Carter is crawling all over, and I hear his most recent discovery is toilet paper. I'm assuming this means the toilet paper is now all unrolled onto the floor - ha! Carter's parents are Jen and Skip - long time friends who you can always go to for many great laughs and a relaxing time. It's great to see Jen and Skip loving parenthood and enjoying their time with Carter.

Baby Gilmore is Almost Here.........

My friend Melissa, at work, is almost ready for her first baby! Her temporary "shelf" should be going away in a few days if she has anything to say about it :-)

Melissa is so great to have in the office, and I will miss her when she is on maternity leave. I wish her and Mark the best and am sure their baby will be healthy and happy.

Fun at the Science Center

This picture of Chris, Natalie and Morgan is a clear indication of their positive relationship - this is how they look when they are laughing. Saturday we went to the Science Center to see the Dinasour exhibit and then to the Imax theatre. It was so much fun! We also saw a butterfly exihibit, which was my favorite! If you haven't gone, you should.

I Hear Wedding Bells!

My "Seester" is getting married!!! I am so excited for her and Adam. Congratulations to both of you!

Mary and Adam have been together for a few years now and watching their relationship change and grow has been wonderful. Adam is such a good person and treats Mary the best. Mary does so much for Adam and loves him unconditionally - she has even become a morning person.

I look forward to your wedding and watching your life transpire with all the good things that are going to come your way. You are two people who deserve the best and you got it!

Love you both!

A Camel in Friday Harbor???

Friday Harbor is a great place to relax for the weekend. Chris planned a weekend away for us. It was well needed and much appreciated. We ventured around the island on Saturday visiting a couple light houses, a couple wineries and...............a camel named Mona who was very sweet. We also saw several otters, sea lions and dear. The weather was brisk and sunny - perfect for an October weekend. The weekend ended by a visit at my parents and Chris' parents, which is always a good time.

Pumpkin Fun!

It was great to have Natalie (in the brown)and Morgan (in the orange) with us this weekend to bring out all the fun things having to do with Halloween that sometimes adults miss. Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch and ventured through the corn maze and the mud. From there we went to Gene and Marilyn's for some good family time and dinner. Sunday Morgan and I made zucchini bread in the morning and then we all went back to Gene and Marilyn's so the kids could carve pumpkins and the adults could watch football. It has been nice to be able to enjoy a family as much as I enjoy mine.

Seahawks

Sunday evening, Chris and I were able to go watch the Seahawks game. I am starting to think that I need to stop attending football games, as teams seem to loose when I'm present. My work rented a suite for the game, so there were lots of friends, food and fun. The weather was great. It was nice to spend the evening with Chris and introduce him to some of the people I work with.

Sun and Football

The sun was better than the football, but the company was the best. Angie, Jill, Lisa and I met at the hotel in Tempe on Friday morning and the fun started right at that moment. There was lots of laying in the sun, several drinks; even slurpy type drinks, which I wouldn't recommend. Friday night we found ourselves at a dueling piano bar, where "Sue Pat" was the hit of the night. Saturday there was more pool time and then the football game Saturday evening. Unfortunately the Huskies didn't show up for the second half. I think they flew back to Seattle early??? Other than the score of the game, the weekend was perfect. Thanks to you all for such a great relaxing weekend. Which out of town game are we going to next year??

Aprille!

Last weekend I was fortunate enought to take Thursday and Friday off and head to Arizona to see an old high school friend. The great thing about spending time with Aprille is we always pick up where we left off. Even if it's been many months since we've spoken, it's just like old times. Aprille - it was so great to see you and Brian and see how your life is. Thank you for letting me stay with you. I'm so excited you spent the Friday with me and my other great friends. I love you dearly and wish we were closer.

Happy Birthday My Dear Friend Amy!

Happy Birthday Amy! Thank you for all of the fun, the laughs, the tears, and of course the beers over the last 12 years. You are the absolute best and I can't imagine life with out you my dear friend. You bring out the best in people and I am grateful to you and all you have done for me. May the coming year be the best thus far for you - love, laugh, live!

Tailgating Fun - Hosted by G & J!

Garrett and Jill - thank you for hosting such a great tailgate! It was way too much fun! As usual a good time was had by all, thanks to................jello shots, trash talk, purple pimp hat, purple haze, friends, family, rain and some good ole Dawg Fans!

Congratulations Sharon and Matt!

I am SO excited for you both - Congratulations from the bottom of my heart! Matt proposed to Sharon last Thursday evening. This is great news for two great people. It is apparent you have the love and respect for each other that makes a relationship a success. I wish you the best always and will be here for you if you need anything.

Goodbye to "Hello Dawg Fans"

I'm SO bummed. Lou, the voice of the Huskies for the last I don't know how many years is retiring. His voice was like an all American thing - it's just part of going to a Husky Football game. The game on Saturday will be his last game. He will be inducted into the Husky Legends Hall of Fame at the Apple Cup this year. Hearing "Hellow Dawg Fans" is one of my favorite parts of the day when going to watch the Huskies play. He will be missed :-(

Missing A New Friend

My friend Chris is travelling all week to Georgia and LA, and I wish him a good week, productive meetings (as productive as they can be) and a safe return home. I had a great time with him this past weekend. It was awesome to just laugh, lounge, cook (well he cooked, I ate) and just get to know what it's like to be with him. It's fun to have him to think about and miss during the day. Thank you Chris for a great time and allowing me to be me. I look forward to your return.

Sun Valley!

I am sitting in the airport in Sun Valley Idaho ready to head back to Seattle. I've been laying in the sun, lounging around, being totally lazy in the most beautiful place for the last four days. My friend Renee who works for McKinstry called Wednesday morning and said, "Pack your bags, we're going to Sun Valley." It was the first trip for both of us. It was a blast! We stayed in a condo with four other people. We walked, we shopped, we drank, we laughed and then we laughed some more. The people in Sun Valley are very friendly and we met some great people the last day. We even watched the Seahawks with some locals.

It was all about friends & family.........

Labor Day Weekend was just about perfect! This picture is of me and my brother Bill - he likes the Huskies in case you didn't notice :-)

Amy and Matt were in town so many laughs were had and I got to spend quite a bit of time with Amy, which is always a ray of sunshine in my day.

My Dad celebrated his 40th Anniversary of sobriety so we had a big BBQ at my brothers. It was great to see all of his friends from the AA and how much they love him. I'm so proud of Dad!

Sunday was a hike with the girls - very fun, with many more laughs, sore muscles, girl talk and PB sandwiches ;-)

Time for a New Work Out

What a fabulous morning it's been! I met Sharon and Lisa for breakfast in Bellevue, then headed to a dragon boat race Matt was helping with. I also went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer to get a new workout. I feel like I've been in a rut and have been wanting to focus on a core workout, but just wasn't sure what to do. I met with a trainer named Jenny - very nice. I had a great session, and feel like I have a new workout, that I'm not bored with. I look forward to trying to do this twice a week.

Fun and Soggy Sunday

I'm fortunate to have this great girlfriend, Lisa. One of the many things I admire about Lisa is that she is very disciplined and committed to things in her life (work, play, friends). A few months ago she decided to do the Danskin Triathlon, which took place this past Sunday in the pouring down rain. The picture is of her about to cross the finish line. Lisa - way to go!

I've been to this event before (only as a spectator) and love to see all of the participants, the support and inspiration. It's a great day, so without hesitation, I told Lisa I wanted to be there to see her start/finish/transition. Our friend Sharon joined me, as it is always more fun with company. I found myself just watching all of these women amazed at them and what some of them were accomplishing for the first time (especially the breast cancer survivors). We even saw a couple blind women doing the race - talk about determinatin. Watching all of this, put some percpective in my fun and soggy Sunday morning. As I was standing under a large umbrella next to a friend, with my Starubucks in my hands, warm fleece and rain coat on, I realized life was pretty perfect.

BBQ

So this picture is a perfect example of how the BBQ went on Saturday at my sister and Adam's house. A good time was had by all - as usual. There were people getting hit in the head with lemons, blue balls flying around, dancing to old school hip hop (or trying), not to mention the kareokee.

The next morning was a little slow on the uptake for me. My sister and I went hiking - or I should say walking at best. It was a pretty pathetic hike between me complaining and being certain there was a bear around. I didn' t have all my faculties about me for most of the day.

Finally Friday...............

Don't ya just love Fridays! It's like it is a whole new beginning to two days of pure enjoyment.

I have a budget to get off my desk at work and then the owner is providing us with lunch and a movie in our new "media room." Also a place where two beers are on tap and wine is stocked - I could probably live there - ha!

It will be a fantastic weekend. My sister and Adam are having a BBQ tomorrow so that will be fun - we'll play some Bacci Ball ;-) Sunday Mary and I are going to hike around Tiger Mountain. She is great to hike with - keeps me laughing.

Straight Up!

Sunday some of us planned to do the hike to Mason Lake. What a great idea for a nice Sunday. Sharon, Matt, Lisa, Tim and I set out for the hike around 9:30 and after almost taking Matt's muffler out on the way to the trailhead, we started out on the actual hike around 10:30. There was a steady incline for the first 15 minutes but nothing too terrible...........until the fork in the road. We were heading straight up - or so it felt like. Of course I was sweating out all the alcohol from the day before - ha! After it sunk in that the remainder of the hike would continue in this fashion, my mind focussed on the fact that it was a beautful day with great friends and perfect scenery. It was well worth the sweat and Matt made a great selection.

SeaFair Saturday

One of the greatest things about my life are my girlfriends and the amount of laughter and fun they bring to my days. Saturday I was able to enjoy SeaFair on a chartered boat with three of my very close friends and about 25 new friends. The food was plentiful, the drinks refreshing, the sun was soothing and the beads were flying - ha! It was a great day and a good time was had by all. Thank you Angie for the invite!

Finally Friday...............

Yahoo - I think Fridays are my favorite day because there is so much to look forward to over the weekend!


This weekend is SeaFair and my friend Angie invited me to join the festivities on Saturday on a 50' boat. Should be very fun - lots of laughs, lots of food, lots of drinks.

Hump Day

My wonderful sister introduced me to her blog a week or so ago. What a great idea. I'm going to give it a whirl. I'm sure the newness will wear off, but what a great way of recording moments, stories, laughs, etc.