The Posse

My sister, Tomi got this email from a friend of hers which she sent to me a few months ago. With the visit from my mother not going well and the volitile relationship between Chris and his father regarding our quick courtship, this also pertains to us. I now wish my mother would have stayed in New Zealand so I would remember her as she use to be. I also wish that I would have the opportunity to have and get to know my father-in-law however as it says below, we must "grieve the old one and let it go - you cannot go back, you cannot get what you never got from them. But you can embrace the new family - your own special posse".

"You know that list I gave you last night, of your friends' names? I had a name for the group on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't think of it. Team - no, you said fan club, but that wasn't it either. Cheering section - no, just not quite it. It was something more horsy, more western - herd? No...no. What the heck was it? Finally this AM in the shower (where I do most of my best thinking...) it popped into my head: Posse! We are your posse. Supporting our sheriff (you) to catch and bring the bad guys (anything holding you back) to justice.



Just for good measure and because I'm such a word lover, I looked posse up in my trusty dictionary. "A body or force armed with legal authority." And we are! We have the authority to believe in you and love you and make sure you know how worthy you are. The totally cool part, though, is where the word posse originally comes from: It is the Mid-Latin root word for POWER or FORCE when used as a noun, and as an infinitive it means "TO BE ABLE, TO HAVE POWER." It is the equivalent of the word potent, which means MIGHTY. The word posse is all about VICTORY.



I love that. You have this power, this mighty force in your life that is committed to you and is at your disposal, for resources, for love, for ideas, encouragement. When you are up against anything that gets in your way, your have TEN (that's a big posse, girl!) deputies behind you, guns ready, as you ride your way to victory. What's really phenomenal is that your posse is not spread all over kingdom come, either. Most of us know each other so we are a pretty tight knit bunch. We can pool our knowledge to think about you even better. Combining our strength with the formidable strength, will, and intelligence you yourself already possess, you are unstoppable.



Your birth family may not have given you what you needed growing up, and they are still lost out there somewhere. But you have created your own family, a worthy one, a loving one, and a strong one. Grieve the old one and let it go - you cannot go back, you cannot get what you never got from them. But you can embrace the new family - your own special posse - as you move on to the wonderful rest of your life. It will be rich beyond your dreams."

Thanks for sharing, Tomi and thanks for Ellie!

Fart Hound!!!

I was sitting here trying to think of some cleaver title and then Loki, Chris' pride and joy, let one rip. This dog needs some Bean-o. They could make a sanitation worker drop dead.

Chris had his first Fathers Day on Sunday. We decided to take a road trip since we hadn't had one in a while. We drove along Chuckanut Drive and ended at a park with a toddler size water park. Hayden had a blast once he got use to the water and turned into Darth Hayden just as we suspected he would when it was time to go. Back home we went to some friends house for a BBQ of dead baby piglets. Chris didn't know baby back ribs are baby pigs so I think he wont be having much in the future.

My dad came over that weekend as well. He finished the gas line to the BBQ. It has really been great having him help out with the house. He knows so much. We got ourselves a Bob Villa. Sally, my stepmom, is going to college and has summer courses which sometimes are on a Saturday so she stayed home to study. She wants to be a teacher and will make an excellent one if seeing her with Hayden is any indication.

The same Saturday we had Heather and her posse over for a "going away" party for her son, DJ. DJ is going to be living with his father and attending school in California. I am getting very nervous (ALREADY!) about having a teenager. I am thinking the terrible two's are not so bad afterall.

Hayden and I started swim lessons last week. At first he wouldn't want me to let him go and now he is wanting to jump in with no one to catch him. We are also taking a Mom and Me Aerobics class once a week. It is mostly running around the gym but it is fun and fun to watch him be silly. Yesterday was his last day of pre-school and I am looking forward to spending time with him and working from home.

We also had a 4th of July Potluck which was a lot of fun and we got to see our friends. At night Chris and I got up on the roof and could see fireworks all around. I wanted to get Hayden up so we then watched from our cul-de-sac and there still was a pretty good view. Living on a hill isn't so bad, really.

More reflection...

My grandfather died when I was almost 18. Always warm, loving and fun. I have often wondered if my grandpa would be proud of the woman I've become. I know I have my answer. I have realized he always did approve of me; it is I who had to get to the place where I approved of myself. I feel like Grandpa is standing here with me, saying, "Honey, you've done good."

I've been blessed with wonderful people in my life. Both of my grandfathers who are now gone. My father who taught me hard work and a stick to it attitude pay off. A sister who shared in the happiness of every joyful event in my life and who gave me hope when none seemed possible. A husband I can talk to about anything and laugh about everything. With each of them we have shared our greatest triumphs, darkest moments, and most precious hopes and dreams. I cannot imagine my life without any one of these people. They have helped me to become the person I am and made my world a loving place.

Class Act!

My husband is the definition of a class act. No matter how easy it would be to get away with doing less, he always does his absolute best. This applies to everything: his family, his job, his yard work, his home maintenence and even the way he loves me and Hayden. I admire him more every day.

Our New Home!

On May 11th, the purchase of our new home closed and we eagerly moved in. I don't think we realized just how much stuff we had until it took us about 6 trips in our UHaul trailer to get everything from the condo. Our new house is over twice the size of the condo and we have managed to fill it up well. Already we have done a lot to the home. Chris has installed new exterior lights, changed some door knobs, installed our new appliances (micro-hood combination and dishwasher) and he and my dad worked on converting the dryer to a gas connection as well as installing a gas line to the deck for a barbeque. I have been organizing and putting things away. I also painted Hayden's room and it is right now my favorite room in the house. Having my dad and mom here the first weekend we were here was a huge help. Sally and I worked on the yard while Chris and Dad did the gas lines and Hayden has some new found freedom with a yard (but not too much until we get the fence up).

In other news I met my San Francisco Mom for the first time as she came up for a visit. I think she is a bit smitten with Hayden but, heck, can you blame her? She makes a great mother-in-law and that is a good thing since there are more than one.

Mother's Day we went to brunch with Chris' Mukilteo Mom and her husband at Ivar's Salmon House. It was fabulous and I should have wore looser clothes. Again, another great mother-in-law!

The first Sunday of our new residence, we had some friends and family over for a barbeque. We had quite a few people and it was so nice to have room for everyone. I am hoping we can have Thanksgiving here but I will have to discuss that with my honey!

Speaking of my honey, I have been so impressed with his "handyman" knowledge. For example, last night he didn't get home until 7:30 and after dinner and by moonlight was outside pruning trees. He seems to have all this new found energy. We both have so many dreams for this house but I have to keep telling myself Rome wasn't built in a day.

Last weekend we had free tickets to see the new Star Wars. The actor who plays Anikin Skywalker/Darth Vador is named Hayden so I think this is for a reason. Our Hayden does sometimes have a bit of the Dark Side (especially around noon) and the Force is strong in him. (LOL!!!)

Weekend Happenings

I spent another Sunday watching my client's daughter. Some clients I grow attached to and these ones are no exception. This is why I would offer my services to work on a Sunday when I could be home with my Honey. This babysitting experience didn't go as well as last week though. We headed to the soccer field where the Parents were playing and Baby was having some separation issues which didn't give the Parents all the time they wanted to play. She was pretty unconsolable for most of the time. I felt like I wasn't doing the job I was there for. I felt helpless. Furthermore, I could tell "Dad" was getting upset and at one point I felt it was directed toward me since I couldn't get his daughter to calm down. Luckily we all survived and went to lunch at a place called the Pig and Whistle (I think) in Greenwood. Chris met us there and we had a good time. I figured Chris and my clients would have a lot to talk about being "techie", loathing Bush and all.

Friday night we were invited out with Chris' boss and his wife. We had Hayden's teacher babysit which was fantastic. I knew he was in good hands and never worried one bit. We started the evening at The Red House which is a wine/beer house and tapas bar. We shared two bottles of wine and some appetizers there. We then went to another place (I can't remember the name) and ended at the Muckelshoot Casino. It was a pretty good time and our night out was long overdue.

Saturday, we didn't leave the house. Chris slept in and then I took a nap when Hayden did. I packed up some things for the move, cleaned and watched HGTV for inspiration.

Working Weekend

We all had a pretty busy weekend. On Saturday, Chris and I went up to the boat to get it all pretty. I never realized how much work a boat like this is to take care of. I use to think all the teak was beautiful and now it is a bigger pain in the ass than I am. Even though it was work, it was fun hanging out with Chris and doing something different. Hayden got to stay with Heather and play. He must have played really hard because he fell asleep on the way home and for the most part slept from 6:30PM to 6ish AM. When we picked Hayden up from Heather's we took her and her man, Ed, to dinner at Mi Tiera in Monroe. This was the first time we had met her boyfriend and we agree they look adorable together :o) I am so happy she has found someone and that he treats her well. They seem to really compliment each other.

Sunday I was asked to babysit for clients of mine. It turned out that it was a good idea that I took them up on the offer since Chris was going to hang crown moulding. Also, Hayden was able to go with me and I thought it would be good for him to play with their daughter. The babysitting went a lot better than the crown moulding. Luckily for Chris he had a friend help him and once they got it figured out, it went well and looks great! Too bad we will only enjoy for a few more weeks and then we move. Now he knows exactly what to do for the new house.

Today I worked and it really seemed to kick my ass. I am so tired and I ache. When I was finished I met Chris and we toured the new furniture store near his work called Mor Furniture. They have some huge pieces of furniture and a few dinning room tables I could see in our house. I also got a call from one of my "employees" and she was asked by a client to travel to Italy with them in July to assist in their travel. WOW!!! It's rewarding for me to know I have great people working with me. We also may be getting a contract for a 13,000 square foot home. A few more gigs like this and we'll be movin' on up like the Jefferson's!

Limbo

This must be what pergutory feels like. Purchasing a new home is such a pain in the ass and you are at the hands of so many people...financing, the seller, the Realtor, etc. On top of that it is stressful on a relationship in the fact that we are both nervous, anxious, excited, blah, blah, blah. It is a great adventure and we are having a great time with it in spite of the above mentioned crappola.

Tomorrow Chris and I are going to head to the boat to clean it out and get it ready to sell. Hayden will be spending the day with my sister, Tomi. Tomi hasn't seen Hayden since Christmas and hasn't met Chris at all. It had to be on her time since she had issues with me getting involved in another relationship. I understand her concern yet it divided us and she wouldn't give Chris a chance. Hopefully, we can now move past that. Family, although sometimes annoying and difficult, is very important to me.

Chris is currently watching Kung Faux. This is a kung fu movie dubbed with hip hop beats and an urban story line. WTF?!?! Anyway, I think I have to check this out.

New House Fund

Chris beat me to it but I will do it anyway. We are creating a huge wish list for the new house. To that end, we have created a New House Fund through Home Matters, Inc. website. To donate, please visit http://www.homemattersinc.com (LMAO!)

We had the home inspection today and the house is not going to fall into a sink hole any time soon so we are good. The inspection was very informative and I learned a thing or two. Chris was pleased to know we can pick up the neighbors wireless network!

Hayden did not have his play date Thursday. His friend wasn't feeling well so we will try again next week. Our Realtor did bring her son over on Wednesday (he is 6) and Hayden had a great time playing with the Sockem' Boppers. I don't have to worry about anyone picking on Hayden. That kid can really hold his own

Condo sells in three days!

Yes, you read it right. Sounds like a lovely single lady will be calling our cozy condo home in about a month. This will make the crotchety old man downstairs happy. On the other end of the spectrum, our offer is being proposed tomorrow and now that we don't have to be contingent on the sale of the condo (just that it goes through) we are pretty confident that we will get it.

About the house...it is further than we wanted it to be but the further South we were willing to go, the more house we could get and the better the selection. Our agent showed us a house that is a rambler style but with a full finished daylight basement. On the first level there is the living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room (not a laundry closet - yea!), two-car garage, two bedrooms, one bathroom and the master with attached bathroom. The bottom floor has three bonus rooms, which we will use for a play room, media/entertainment room and office for Chris. There is also another bathroom and a hobby/craft/wine room which is unfinished and we will probably use it for just that. The yard is strange is size since it is on a cul-de-sac but I think we will be able to make of it what we want. Anyway, the deal is not sealed yet but we should know something tomorrow.

In other news, Hayden has his first play date on Thursday with a friend from school. His name is Josh and they go to pre-school together. I am picking them both up after naptime at school and they will come over here to play. This will be Josh's first play date as well. I am so excited and going to plan some activities for them.

House Hunters

Today instead of just looking on-line for our "dream house" we actually made an appointment to see one. From the pictures on the internet it was fabulous and we could compromise the lack of yard for the view of Puget SOund. We figured there must be something wrong with it since 1) it has been on the market for a while, and 2) the other houses for sale on the same street are anywhere from $400,000. to $1, 200,000. We were right!!! First, the first floor ceilings my 4'10" step-mother could touch. The kitchen, although remodeled was poor design with stairs going up to the second floor right where you would put a dinning table. Secondly, you have to walk through one of the bedrooms closets to get to the laundry room and you have to duck to get into the shower on the bottom floor. Lastly, the view is about to be obstructed by four homes that are going in across the street.

Last weekend we had Chris' mom and step-dad over for dinner. I have only met them once before at Christmas time so it was nice to see them again and we made plans for Mother's Day. Chris' parents are very nice and we had a really good time visiting with them.

We also took Hayden to the second movie he has ever seen in a theater. We saw Robots and he did great for the most part. He had his popcorn which kept him busy but half way through he started to get up and said, "all done". I thought for a minute there we may have to leave but I managed to coax him to staying. It is a cute movie and Robin Williams, as always, makes a great animated character.

Oh, and Saturday I went to the DMV and got my driver's license name changed! I am official now and the picture actually looks pretty good. I was so excited I kept showing Chris my new name. Tomorrow I hit Social Security.

This weekend we are planing to go to the Tulip Festival. I have been before but it has been a long time and I have never been to La Connor, which is where Chris wants to go. They have a parade that Saturday and Hayden has never seen one before.

Meet the Nicholas'

Last weekend we took a trip east for Easter and for Chris to meet my father and step mother, Sally. I must say it was fabulous. My dad has a reserve about him that often makes him hard to read. This is why I had been reluctant for them to meet earlier. I wanted to be sure where his head was before he could scare Chris away. It wasn't that I was worried he wouldn't like Chris, I mean how can you not? I was more worried about Dad and I. I haven't had the best of luck in the relationship area before and even told Chris jokingly in the beginning that I was "relationship Anthrax". I figured I would get some lecturing, which I did, but not nearly what I expected.

We got to my dad's in the afternoon and visited for a bit before we had to leave. Sally set up a time for Hayden to visit the firestation and sit in some fire trucks. Afterwards, we took everyone out to Moses Point Golf Course and Steakhouse. On our way to Moses Lake, we stopped in Wenatchee and picked up our wedding cake so we had it at the restaurant as well.

Sunday we hunted for eggs, Hayden ran all around the six acres and rode horses with Chris while Sally and I headed off to Wal-Mart. We had a great salmon lunch/dinner and headed back home in the afternoon.

I must say, we think Grandma Sally is alright!!! She wore the pants off Hayden who slept through the night and clear past 7:00, as well as the entire trip back home!

The most romantic Valentine weekend ever!

With the change of events with last week (me changing my job scope with my business and Hayden's first week in pre-school), it was so nice to get away from it all. Chris made reservations at The Resort at Port Ludlow (http://www.portludlowresort.com) for the weekend beginning on Friday. Heather was more than gracious to take Hayden for the weekend and we took off for the ferry heading to Kingston that afternoon.

The hotel room was one of the best I have ever stayed in! It was on the second floor, overlooking the marina. There was a fire burning in the fireplace which we never turned off and a jetted sunken tub that had a shutter style window that you could open and connect to the rest of the room. There was champagne chilling in the mini-fridge and even a rubber ducky for the tub.

As soon as we checked in we went downstairs to the Fireside Lounge for dinner which was fabulous. Afterwards back up to our room for the champagne and a relaxing soak in the tub.

Saturday morning we woke and decided to go window shopping in Port Townsend. We had breakfast there and found some rubber boots for Hayden that look like cowboy boots. I thought he would love them since he refused to take his cowboy boots off this summer after his grandpa's wedding but so far has only wanted to wear his skateboard shoes. We saw some sights, came back to the hotel for a cuddle and some lame Saturday television and later went to dinner at the Harbormaster where we ate ourselves into a coma. I am still recuperating from that.

Sunday, we had the complimentary breakfast and traveled home to get Hayden. This was the first time I had been away from Hayden for so long and the furthest away as well but Chris was the one who could not stop talking about him. When we got him, it was obvious he missed us just as much as we missed him.

Monday, it was back to work but not without a stop at the store since I volunteered to bring something for Hayden's Valentine's Day party but had no time to make it. Chris got a fruit tray and for me, a dozen "Carnival" roses. After taking Hayden to school, we stopped at Starbucks to gather our bearings and headed off.

Hayden seemed to be enjoying pre-school last week but this week has had some separation issues. Additionally, he has came down with a cold. He really does not get sick too often but with the new environment and other kids around, it was bound to happen. He came home from school early today.

I have been busy making the wedding invitations. I got the assembly line sprawled all over the dining table and breakfast bar and hope to have them knocked out by tomorrow. Thank goodness for an intimate wedding. Sometimes my ideas are bigger than what I am capable of.

Chris, thank you for the most wonderful Valentine's Day/Weekend! Thank you for loving me no way any one has ever tried. Thank you for knowing all the little things that mean so much to me. Thank you for understanding that you and I need to take time together for fun, talking and just spending time together. For everything you are, and mean to me and everything I am becoming because you are in my life... Thank you! Counting down the days until we are "official"!

The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before.

I remember how it all started, I was killing time on-line and there he was. When we eventually met I took one look at him and knew that we were going to be together. He smiled at me, and I smiled back. From there, I was gone, lost forever in the dream I knew was going to come true, where we would eventually be together. The dream became a reality, and we are now together and getting married!!! Love hits you sometimes when you least expect it to. Maybe it's intuition,and there are things you just don't question. All I know is this is the person I dreamed of all of my life. The puzzle is now complete and my dream is not a dream, but instead it's like a thousand angels that are dancing around my head.

The first post! The first post!!!

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