2nd Stop on the Max Marathon

Just Like Jesus, is the second book I read through on my Max Marathon. It was jammed packed with good reminders about what it looks like to be Just Like Jesus( go figure).

I have to say, as I read each chapter I was again reminded of how much I am NOT Just Like Jesus.! Truly by the end of this book I felt like having a lil pitty party because of how far from the reminders in this book I really am.
The past month has been one challenge after another. Maybe that is why I have felt so much like a schmuck because all my schmuckiness has been brought to the surface by these events. I could go into great lengths to tell you all the gorey details but despite the fact that I have been brought to a place of total exhaustion with these trials I am not giving up. I can't give up. I want to see the end of this movie that is my life and I want it to be a happy ending.


So, just about the time I was going to self this one again for it's ability to make me feel like a total schmuck I came to the end. The final chapter is called, Finishing Strong An Enduring Heart.
Max has such a great way of explaining the human plight. He opens the final chapter talking about unfinished projects and how we all fall prey to them from time to time. We set out to do something with the best intentions and somewhere along the way we lose the motivation to stick with it.
Just when I thought I was in for the final blow to my character, being that I just walked away from one of the biggest financial responsibilities in my adult life, he says it's probably good that we don't finish everything we set out to do. Wait, what? Yep, he says, " My desire is to encourage you to finish the right thing. Certain races are optional - like washboard abs and speed reading. Other races are essential- like the race of faith."



He then goes on to say, "How can our hearts have the endurance Jesus had? By focusing where Jesus focused: the joy set before him." Heb 12:2

This made me think of joy and what really brings me joy. What is the joy set before me? I have been thinking a lot about joy lately because it seems I have had many, many things that have tried to rob me of my joy but I am not going down that easy.
I thought instantly of my family. My husband. My children. My friends. But even more than all of them Jesus brings me joy. Knowing him not for what he gives or what he has done but just for him. Who HE is right now to me, is pure joy . Then I thought if I could have all the time in the world with all of them it would be so nice. Then it brought me back around to the joy that was set before Jesus. What got him through all the times when he sat across from Judas knowing full well what he was going to do? What got him through the time when he was spit on and beaten and he could have said one word to stop it all but he didn't?


In all my trials I am reminded I have not been tried as much as Jesus was, not even close. What got him through all of those trials? I think He knew there would be a day when he would have all the time(eternity to be exact) with the ones he loved and he wanted everyone to make it to that place. It reminded me of what is ahead of me as well as what is really important right now. Jesus had more than just the hope of what was ahead, he KNEW what was ahead having been there already and he not only wanted to get back there but to have everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE there with him to enjoy it even more!! It is a good reason not to give up, don't ya think?

My Fantastic 4

For some reason after Christmas and when our kids return back to school in the new year I start thinking of what lies ahead in the new school year. This year we will have two kids in double digits. This year we will have all of our 4 kids in full time school. This year we will have a Jr. Higher. This year the numbers go back to even 12,10,8,6. I like even better than odd. The odd years have been odd. For some strange reason my fantastic 4 have been extra bickery (not a real word, but one that should describe that constant sound that siblings make when they don't stop bickering with each other). Still, despite all the bickering I am grateful for these fantastic 4 because my life would be boring without them. Not entirely boring because I did marry an over the top entertainer in My Giant, but still life would be less full.
I am thankful for Emma's ability to write songs.
I am thankful for Chloe's ability to pay attention to details and organize any area she comes across.
I am thankful for Solomon's ability to make something out of nothing.
I am thankful for Isaiah's ability to make me smile no matter what the situation.

I will spend the rest of my life in awe and study of these 4 and I am grateful for who they are, who they will be, and what a joy they have been.

The Best Times

The Best time to clean out your fridge is when you are bare bonesin it waiting for the next payday and your fridge is looking pretty slim. Time to clean.

The Best time to say I love you to the ones you love is all the time, everyday, every moment without ceasing. Time to say I love you.

The Best time to eat popcorn is at home when the latest netflix movie has come in and you have plenty of real butter to drown it in. Time to Eat.

The Best time to call a friend or family member is when your heart hurts when you think of how much you miss them, love them, and are grateful that they are in your life. Time to call.

The Best time to read a good book is when it's raining outside and you don't dare step foot anywhere else but inside curled up on the couch with a great book. Time to Read.

The Best time to hug is when you can't remember the last time you got one and you need that reaffirming touch to know you are loved as well as giving it to someone else. TIme to hug.

The Best time to floss your teeth is after eating a wonderfully marinated steak that not only filled your belly but your heart and soul with the company you ate it with. Time to floss.

The Best time to sing loudly is when you are walking in the woods and no one can hear you and you feel so close to creation as well as the Creator. Time to sing.

The Best time to move on is when you feel you have nothing left to loose by doing so. Time to move on.

The Best time to ....

The Great White Ninja

He's Fast
He's Furious
He's hardly ever seen with human eye.
He's The Great White Ninja- aka Isaiah

Me " Isaiah what are you doing with your mask there buddy?"
Isaiah " Don't talk to the great White Ninja" he says with a monotone voice, sounding almost like Napoleon Dynamite is finally rubbing off (Yes!!)
Me "What did you say?"
Isaiah " Don't mess with the Great White Ninja" still with the mask covering up his whole face.
Me " Oh okay"

Maybe it was a moment only funny to me cause I am his mom or one of those you just had to be there moments, but hopefully you get the idea and get to LOL as well.

Picture Post

First Stop on the Max Marathon

Next Door Savior

I think this book stood out to me to read first in the Max Marathon because I don't know who lives next door anymore. It's a daunting realization that I had recently knowing that, "Toto we are not in Kansas anymore" or "Bella we are not in Sparks anymore". I chose the top picture to go with this blog because somewhere in the last few weeks it hit me, I live in a BIG city now. Not just a little city but a very BIG city with many people, places, and new things to behold and somewhere in reading this book I took great comfort in knowing that one thing in this BIG move that I made did not change, Christ came with me.

First, I have to admit that although my intentions were to go through three Max Lucado books over winter break I only made it through one. The reason for this is not so much that I didn't have plenty of time to read, I did. It has more to do with the fact that this book, Next Door Savior had many important reminders and I wanted to dig a little deeper into instead of skimming through the pages just to get to the other side. I also didn't realize the first time I read this book that in the back there is a study guide to help with said,"digging deeper" which I utilized fully this time.


I will start by saying that this quote sums it all up, " Nothing compares to " the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" Phil 3:8 The reward of Christianity is Christ. Fellowship with him. Walking with him. Pondering him. Exploring him. The heart-stopping realization that in him you are part of something ancient, endless, unstoppable, and unfathomable. And that he, who can dig the Grand Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you're worth his death on Roman timber. Christ is the reward of Christianity."
For me that above quote is what this book is all about. The fact that many things in this life can distract us of simple truths. Many things even in Christianity can distract you from Christ and this book reminded me, (as well as many, many nature walks while singing in the woods to my Creator) that I have been given my reward in this life. It's not who I am married to, or how many children I have(although I do consider those to be very BIG BONUSES) It's not success at my job or material possessions. It's not what kind of car I drive (let me tell you I have seen some spendy cars here in Redmond) or where I drive that car to every day. It's not how many people I know or accomplishing any earthly dream (of which I have many) but it is to know Christ and to be known by Him.




I think the older I am getting I am realizing this more and more that I will never fully know and understand him, but He knows and fully understands me and I take great comfort in that. He is the one person I don't have to explain myself to. I don't even make sense to myself sometimes but to Him that doesn't matter. There is a portion of this book that talks about Joni Eareckson Tada wedding day experience. For those of you who don't know who Joni is she is a girl who became paralyzed from a diving accident at the age of 17 but she didn't let her handicaps, handicap her. The portion Max shares about her life though, found in chapter 6, is on her wedding day. It tells of how she felt like the less than picture perfect bride all up until she saw the smile on her grooms face and forgot that she was going down the aisle in a wheelchair. This is truly such a good picture of what it is like to be known by Christ. You look to other faces and see disappointment, jealousy, doubt, but when you look to his face you see nothing but love baby! You listen to other voices telling you to do more, be more, have more, but you listen to his voice and you hear You are enough! Nothing but love baby!! " You can't just say I love you, You have to live I love you," sang Ben Harper. Indeed Jesus lived and died I love you.



There is a freedom that words cannot express when you realize the Savior you are looking for is not so far off , not so hard to get to know, not so hard to receive love from, and not so easily offended. "There is nothing that can separate me from the love of Christ " this is in fact my reward. I give my life again to honor Him, My Savior King.

Max Marathon

I used to only ever read self-help/spiritual books or the bible. A while back I realized that was the same with music. I used to only listen to Christian music. Secular/Non Secular call it whatever you want, but over the years I have realized it's all the same to me. That is my 2 cents worth about that topic, take it or leave it. It's funny when Moses and I talk about music because many of the bands of the 80's and 90's I have no recollection of because of this. He will say something like, "Don't you remember that song" to which I will respond " Nope never heard it" to which he will say, "Man where were you?" and I will think in my head I was in a bubble. I am glad in many ways to have bursted that bubble. Who did the bursting I am not exactly sure but all the same it has bursted wide open.
So anyway, that was a rabbit trail thanks for following back to the topic at hand... back in the day when I was inside the bubble my favorite author and still he is one of my favorites now is/was Max Lucado. I used to work at a Christian book store and every new release of his was quickly purchased, read through, and placed on my self at home. I just love the way this man writes in pictures. Well, since outside the bubble I haven't picked up any of his new releases and or read the old ones in a long time
SO.....(the whole point of this blog is coming.... wait for it... wait for it....)

I have decided over the course of the next few weeks of Christmas Break that I am going to go on a Max Lucado Marathon. While studying the shelves of books that my hubby so masterfully assembled from Ikea I realized that I have almost everyone of this man's titles(except new titles as stated above). After realizing it has been a while since I have dug deep into one of them I thought it's about time, so I am going on a Max marathon. His books always make me cry so I will make sure I have kleenex nearby.

The titles on the road map are as follows:

Next Door Savior

Just Like Jesus

And The Angels Were Silent


I will report back in a few weeks if I survive this marathon without a bucket load of tears and hopefully a good reminder or two.
Until then please enjoy some more new pictures.



The pics are of the Space Needle in Seattle, A butterfly that Landed on Sol's hand while in the Butterfly garden at PSC, and one from Sol's birthday party in October right before moving(seems so long ago now).



When I look at all the boys in that last photo my heart aches to think of the next time we will see them all. I sure do feel a case of homesickness coming on. Good thing this city has many distractions to hold me over until the next time we all are able to meet again.

Selah and Joy

The word Selah in the bible means to pause, stop and truly reflect. I am having that kind of day today where I am reflecting about the scripture in the bible that says, "Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength."

Last night our pipes froze. Moses woke up this morning to not having any running water for his shower before work. Thankfully, me and the kids had bathed the night before but all the same it made for a stressful morning.
Then the night before we heard from a friend that he is getting a divorce. It came as quite a shock and deeply saddened both Moses and I.


Today I received an email from a very close friend that her youngest is in the hospital and they are running tests to find out what might be the cause of some frightening symptoms.
Life and all its joys and sorrows comes in waves. These events have surely brought about a wave of sadness. The odd thing is that just today I was praying out loud with only the ears of my precious 5 year old around to hear me. I was walking around saying, "Thank you Father God for a happy healthy 5 year old named Isaiah, Thank you Father God for a happy healthy 8 year old named Solomon, Thank you Father God for a happy healthy 9 year old named Chloe, Thank you Father God for a happy healthy 11 year old named Emma, Thank you Father God for a happy healthy husband named Moses." I hadn't finished my list of things I was thankful for when Isaiah chimed in with, " And Thank you Father God for a happy healthy Mommy that's named Noel"



There are some things in life that can bring momentary happiness and this time of year the commercials are filled with those things, but something that brings true joy is to hear your 5 year old pray for you and to know that the Creator of Heaven and Earth heard that thanksgiving. There is nothing quite like that, and that, I believe will give me the strength and the true Joy the bible talks about.
Our pipes freezing in comparison to the emotional and physical trials of friends pales in comparison and puts it all back into perspective again for me. I am thankful for a healthy dose of perspective today and also for true joy.

-Pros and *Cons

In every life there are good and bad moments, pros and cons, sweet and sour... you get the idea.

Here is my list as of lately;


-I am feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude these days and it's not just cause it's that time of year. Of all the scenarios, and paths we could have taken after the biggest financial failure that we have ever experienced in our marriage, I still feel grateful.

*Because we live in the trees and by a lot of water there are flies in our house in the winter. Strange but true.

- The feeling of not being stressed about money or where it's going to come from, or how it's all going to work out, has FINALLY left the building. This building is stress free. This cabin is stress free from money issues. Our fireplace heats this place crazy good, we live on a septic tank for water, we have an endless supply of natural resources to live off of and finally the stress has left the building. It is good.

* We have a shoes off at the door policy now because of the mud that gets tracked through otherwise. Still, on a daily basis I have to shake the bathroom rug from dirt. THE BATHROOM RUG, not the rug at the door or even in the kitchen but the BATHROOM rug!! How is this possible?

- When I go to take kids to school in the morning around this time of year I expect to give some time for scrapping windows from morning frost. Not so here. Only a fresh morning dew or of course if it's raining then I have to put on the wipers. Still getting used to the weather here.

* I miss my peeps. There are so many things around here that I wish I could share with all my peeps but they are 700+ miles away and so that makes it kinda difficult.

-One of the above said "things" I can' wait to share with my peeps is the drive around Lake Sammamish that is right down the street from where we live, or Pikes Market Place, or the Thrift stores that have treasures beyond measure, or the hike in my backyard.

* Thanksgiving without my family was still good, but not the same. I missed our abundant supply of olives. I should have brought them myself but wasn't thinking.

- Moses now has a job that provides enough for me to do the job I love most; taking care of the home-front. So thankful for this. SO yes, that means I will be quitting the job at the preschool but not completely. They have so graciously made a place for me that fits just right.

* Not being able to meet my friends for coffee, or watch their kids play with mine, or have people that just drop by really sucks!! I miss this more than I can even express.

Overall, if I were to make a real list the Pros far outweigh the Cons but ya know what? That is because even though I have moved to Washington I am still the eternal optimist that I have always been and so in life I am determined to find more good than bad.

Pikes Market Place

The Scofield clan decided to finally venture into Seattle this weekend. We have only been here 3 weeks well almost a month, and so when I see the do list my family has made I have to remind myself that we are not on vacation and that we have plenty of time to get all these sight seeing adventures done.
One of the first places I wanted to go when we knew we were moving up to Washington was the famous Pikes Market place. I had heard about this place for many years. I have seen it on countless television shows( mostly cooking shows) and other movies and stuff but never got to visit when I came to Seattle 15 years ago. That's how long it has been since I have been back to Washington and let me tell you folks A LOT has changed, but that's a story for another time.

Anyway, my good friend Jentry Day told me she and her family were going to be headed into the city with even mom Sandy who was visiting from Tahoe on Sunday and so we decided to join forces. Jentry has twin baby girls, Bryn and Chloe so her and the girls, hubby Joe, mom Sandy, me and my 4 and of course the big man all walked through the booths of Pikes Market Place this past Sunday afternoon.
IT WAS AWESOME!! Seriously, all those that do plan to come up for a visit be sure to put this on your list of things to do and see. The smells, art, music, people, views, music, free entertainment from the fish market, did I mention the musicians around here that are off the hook good, colors, beautiful flowers, crafts, clothes, and food were all reasons why this place has become so famous.

Anyway, a good time was had by all and my kids finally got to try Turkish Delight. They have wanted to try this ever since the Narnia movies. There was a mom and pop shop that made everything from Baklava to Turkish Delight treats. They were oh so good. They had flavors like Rose, Orange, Lemon, Strawberry, Cherry, and Lime. I think the general consensus was that lemon was the best.


I love this city.
I have thoughts like, "HOLY CRAP, I can't believe I live here now!!" I suppose this is normal. Dunno.
Still feels like I am on vacation.
I will let you know when I no longer feel as though I am on vacation, just in case you might be wondering when that might happen, because I am wondering when that might happen??
I shouldn't be surprised by this feeling that is so strange and foreign because after all I did live in Nevada for 34 years. I feel like I am not ready to go back which I suppose is a good feeling since I am not going back until this summer. The scenery is exactly what my heart and soul needed at this moment in life.

More Pics of Redmond

More Pics of Redmond for you Non-Facebookers

An Update and Some Late night Ramblings

So here I sit after countless hours of unpacking and work work, school work, driving, kids school work, traffic, more traffic (did I mention the traffic up here?) and I am finally able to update my blog. What a whirlwind this adventure of moving 700+ miles has been. I still feel like I am on vacation, even though I have a job and my kids are in school it still feels as though at some point I will have to head back to Nevada.
I was telling Moses the other day that I honestly believed that although I have always loved the Northwest area I didn't ever think I would get to live here until I was an old lady and not even able to enjoy it. I now realize how silly that was to think that way. He thought I still had some kind of weird leftover Catholic guilt that wouldn't allow for me to be happy.
I can honestly say that although this cabin is ever so humble there is no place like home.
It feels like home to me.
It's not because the surroundings are familiar, they aren't. Let me give you a list here of the unfamiliar things; It's wet. It's green. It's wet and green two things Nevada was not. There are so many trees and plants, and things growing around me that I am in utter amazement about. Our neighbor has plants growing on their roof, on the ROOF people!! Oh and it rains a lot. Did I mention that? Seems silly to mention that as being something that is unfamiliar but have you ever tried driving in the rain in lots of traffic, that is something a person has to ease into. There is a little water creek that runs outside my front door. The sound of running water makes me want to do two things, go pee and take a deep breath. Let me also mention the unfamiliar aspects of this cabin. Pitched roof and windows everywhere, beautiful but my home decor is not so much for this kind of house. We gave away almost every piece of furniture we owned so even that is unfamiliar(except our Bed-thanks be to Jesus and the Judy's that feels familiar) No dishwasher, garbage disposal because we are on a septic tank.
No, nothing here is familiar... still it feels like home.
I think it has more to do with the fact that I have dreamed of this being a reality for so long that now that it is a reality it seems vaguely familiar. Does that make sense?
I was talking to a longtime friend the other day about moving up here and she reminded me that I talked about moving up here so long ago but that back then I would say, "God won't ever let me go there. I will probably dry up and die in this desert" When I heard her say this it made me feel kind of silly for thinking like that. God doesn't make us do things like stay in a state we don't really want to live in, we do that to ourselves. And it wasn't really that I chose the state as much as the people. Despite the fact that the people were not easy to walk away from the state that I was in however was.
So here's to moving out of whatever state(whether it physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional) you are in, and not blaming God for your own choices to live out YOUR truth.

7 Days

To Do List:

Finish packing closet
Finish packing shoes
Pack underneath sinks in the house
Move as many boxes out to the garage as possible
Call Lockes about table

BREATHE

Drop off at Savers
Put some stuff on CraigsList
Paper due tomorrow
Get ahead on quizzes for the move
Store run for plastic tubs

BREATHE

Make Appointment for Bella to get stitches out and cone head off :)
Take Bella to said appointment
Get medical records from Dr. Zucker's office, find out if he knows a pediatrician as amazing as he is in WA
Get thank you cards/gifts for kids teachers
Transfer wireless internet to WA so it's there for online classes when I arrive


BREATHE

Finish packing kitchen
Use and eat as much food as possible
Shut off Electricity, Garbage, Water, Internet, and box up cable stuff
Reserve U Haul Truck
Call Gores

BREATHE

Pack up pantry
Pack up Fridge
Pack up Lamps we are still using
Pack up Toiletries and Towels still using
Pack up Jackets, Sweaters, Hats, Scarfs- still using


Travel bags for 6 people
Clean and make ready the Fordster
Figure out what my kids are going to dress up like for Halloween and get costumes
Maintain a sense of normalcy and composure so as not to frighten the children with my holiday costume this year;
Frantic Mom moving 700 miles away from the only home she has ever known

Whoops, I forgot to BREATHE in there somewhere I just know it!!

Venting

* So I am pretty sure when your dog attacks another persons dog causing $500 worth of damages the proper response would be to apologize profusely and offer to pay for any damages.
Apparently my dog attackers owners didn't get that memo. They just cussed me out for the second time just because I asked if they removed the dog yet. If my children were not there within ear shot... I would have had some choice words for them as well.

* Also don't you think if a dog has only been living in a neighborhood for a month and there have already been two attacks that should be enough for Animal Control to step in and stop this vicious animal. Again, apparently Animal Control didn't get that memo either.

* One more final thought on the matter. Do you think the solution to this monster of a dog is to place it in a home with little children running all over and then just hope and pray for the best? Well.... that would be what these women think is the solution to this scenario.
What is the saying; "The elevator doesn't go all the way to the top on that one" yep, that would be appropriate in regards to these idiots who are placing there whole family in danger for the sake of a four legged monster of a dog!!

The icing on the cake to this scenario is that I get to see these lovely women/dog owners every school day until I move because our children go to the same school.
Needless to say, this is now one reason I am happy I am moving!!

My Reality 3 weeks from D-day!!

The hugs are a little bit longer now.
The times are a little more special.
My living room looks a little barren.
My heart is exploding with emotions.
The strange sensation to apologize has taken a hold of me.
The thought that I have made the wrong decision has reared it's ugly head.
My hopes are that I didn't.
My days are becoming very dream like.
The mountains that surround this area suddenly look so beautiful.
The time is getting short.
My eyes have taken to tearing up all day long for random reasons.
My soul still knows peace that surpasses all understanding.

A Perfect Fall Day

Today was an absolute perfect Fall day here in Northern Nevada. I love this time of year so much that I when it starts coming around my heart almost skips a beat in anticipation.
I am not sure if it is the smell of pumpkin candles, the candy corns that are one of my favorites, or just the amazing colors that the trees turn that takes my breath away. Whatever the reason, every year I think I fall more and more in love with this season.
Today I had the thought that I might miss the falls here as compared to the fall season in Washington. It's so hard not knowing exactly what to expect. I am sure there will be slight differences but I am expecting that it will be just as grand as it is here. One thing I have to give credit to Nevada for, and that I have always loved about Northern NV is that we do get a full dose of every single season. Sometimes they are extreme but for the most part they are the typical seasons protocol. I wonder if that will be the same in Washington? It's not that I want it to be the same in Washington it's just some things kind of anchor you as a person. You get used to things being a certain way.
I have never felt more ready in my life for this big change, but now that it is finally here, I am a bit weepy about it all. Strange, but true.
I feel prepared but at the same time overwhelmed if that is at all possible to feel together.
I asked Moses the other day if he was getting excited about getting up there and his response was perfect; "Yeah, that's one of the emotions that is in there."

Okay so here is the song that comes to mind with this thought process

Lyrics go like this;

Seasons change...
People change...

You guess the rest??

Pictures were taken last fall underneath my tree. I would say that I might miss that tree but where I am going is tree country and I will have 5 acres of them :) to enjoy.

Foreclosures

My neighbors across the street from me left yesterday. With the U haul hitched to the back of their truck they were relocating to Texas where they will be starting over after losing their home of 20 years. I remember when my neighbor came over some months ago and told me with tears in her eyes that they would probably be losing the home. This was due to bad financial decisions that their son who owned many Dominoes franchises had made and it some how involved them. I remember thinking then how sad that not only this son has the guilt of this on his shoulders, but now this couple that should be settling in for retirement has to uproot and relocate. I can't imagine my parents having to do this.
20 years is a really long time. It's longer than I have been married to my husband. It's longer than I have been out of high school. It's longer than any of my children have been alive or even my younger brother for that matter.
They drove away from 20 years of memories and hard work on that house. They were really good gardeners and always kept their yard in perfect condition. They would go out early in the morning and trim the rose bushes that surrounded their front yard. It's going to be sad to see the lawn begin to die and the roses go unkempt.

It put into perspective the loss of our home in comparison to theirs. It makes me grateful for a whole lot of stuff, but one of them being that this was never our forever home. We knew when we bought this house that more than likely it would not be our forever home. Don't get me wrong we had many plans for the place and even accomplished some of those plans but we never thought we would be here forever.
We will leave behind only 4 and half years of memories here in this home which in comparison to 20 seems like nothing. When we leave, it leaves this neighborhood in a sorry, scary position. There are several foreclosures and auctions all over this neighborhood now and it makes me wonder, what in the world is going on?
These homes are being auctioned for pennies on the dollar, and still people aren't even buying them. It is really just so sad. I sure hope that the state of Nevada puts some laws in place so that this kind of thing can never happen again here.

My neighbors had some parting pearls of wisdom before they left though, "It's just four walls and a roof over your head and as long as you have each other you can find that anywhere"
Here's to Doug and Donna, yet another family who is making lemonade with the lemons they have been given!!

Pre Qualifications for My New Friends :)

Here is my thought, are you allowed to have pre-qualifications for new friends? My good friends Marie and Lolita said tonight that we do indeed do this anyway, but my thought was more of like and interview process. Not the civil once over we give people before we decide whether or not they are worth our time.

When I get to Washington can I just ask as I am being introduced to someone; "So tell me do you like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Billy Holiday's music because if you don't we should just end this conversation right now?"
Or can I say, " Oh you don't appreciate the beauty and novelty of old VW bugs, that's too bad!" SLAM DOOR!!
"You have never seen the movie What About Bob? Well, come back and talk to me when you do"


I realize that this is not at all something I would be ballsy enough to actually do and that more than likely my best friend for quite some time will be my GPS- Gloria Paige(Thank you Jeni) still I would like to think I could be this brave or colorful at some point in my life.

I lead a rich fantasy life.

IT hit me today and IT hurt...real bad

It really hit me square in the jaw today what I will be leaving;

*(I say square in the jaw not literally, but figuratively of course because it hurt so bad it made me cry as though I had been hit hard, like square in the jaw hard, not that I have ever been hit like that but you get the idea)

-Family (Not just any kind of family but the kind that you choose as friends)
-Blue Sky Country
- Friends( Not just any kind of friends but the kind you consider to be family)
-Support (Sewn together as tight as a quilt that you can blanket it around yourself whenever life gets too cold)
-Children at Little Lites (That I love and have already become so attached to and don't want to stop being their teacher)
- VW Slo-Going Club
-Knowing a City so well that I don't need a GPS to navigate me(Which I would like to ask all those reading to be thinking of a name for my GPS girl voice, she will I am sure become a beloved new friend... also if I start talking about her too much in future blogs after I have moved please call my mom Ellen with concern :)
- My Children's Friends (all of which I adore and who's sadness makes it so hard to be happy)
- Nevada Day and the Parade that I love oh so much!! (That's right people I will miss this tradition with my Mom and kids)
- Being only 3 classes away from my degree (only to have to start all over again. I am being a bit dramatic with that because I am sure some classes will transfer it's just it never ENDS. Well, here's to me for trying!!)
-The community of people at Hillside, really good... no great people who have been nothing but supportive and generous with me and my family.
-Granite Counter Tops(wondered if Mo could take those also? just kidding!!)
-My Neighbors( I have really great neighbors, even mean old guy next door has been nice lately, prolly cause he's happy he will have a little peace and quiet now)
-My brother coming over to use our garage every so often
-People who come over unannounced(this is truly, truly something I will miss because it means people not only know where you live but that you love them)
-My new found Gym instructor who kicks butt and takes names, Shalisa
-2 bathrooms( at least I got to have this luxury for a little while)
- The group of newly tattooed people who kept my family a float this summer with their purchases of new ink


I walk slowly away from all of this and so much more, knowing that what the future holds is promising, but the past can't be replaced.

Some Places that Victoria Traveled this summer

I have yet to find anything blog worthy these days so I am reduced to posting more summertime pics.

ENJOY!