and then school started

The first term of my MFA program began on January 6 with a 10-day residency. The winter residency is always held out on the Oregon coast at Seaside. I adore the coast during the winter, and I was not disappointed. There was surf and sky, rain, sun, and then snow on the beach. What a beautiful place to begin this adventure.

Rick was already working in Orlando, and I found myself telling him every night on the phone that it was amazing. Classes, workshops and readings went all day and I went to bed every night exhausted. And amazed.

One of the highlights for me was to hear Barry Lopez. Not only to listen to him read, but to meet him personally. I have been reading Lopez's work since I was in high school. I had purchased a book to give to my darling husband and was waiting with a couple other students to get it signed, when the hotel staff announced that we had to clear the room. Lopez said, "Follow me." He led us into a smaller room and then sat with us and spent another hour just talking and signing our books. He was so gracious. I was moved, not only by his beautiful message of hope and community, but by his humble and compassionate nature. Truly a great man.

And so it begins. Study hall at the kitchen table for the rest of the term. With tea.

I feel like I have waited my whole life to be here. It feels like a gift. All of it.

Sherri

quick-step the holidays

The holidays were a blur. Rick was home for most of December, gone for a week in California and then home until after the traditional New Year's Hockey game. We had a raucous holiday party at our house with about 40 of our friends and family, including the traditional white elephant hoopla. All the kids were here for Christmas - Nichole, Missy, Becca, James, Chantz, Ryan, Megan and Trey.

We are so blessed to have such a great family and a good home.

straight to winter

From summer in Utah to winter at home. A new home. We bought a house in August and moved right across the street from the old house. It was unexpected but such an opportunity that we couldn't refuse. We moved in and then Rick left for his latest work on the road. He was gone from mid-August to early November. I am so happy to have him home for Thanksgiving and all of December. He will leave again after New Years to return to Orlando and then possibly up to Georgia and Maryland again.

Nichole at the Art Museum in D.C.

Nichole was accepted into an amazing environmental program through her work that I think is with the Smithsonian Institute, and she spent ten days training in the woods in Maryland. I know she has spent a lot of time working to get into this particular program, and she said it was so fun, she didn't want to come home. While she was there, she also got to spend a couple days with Jim, Steph, Olivia and Theo, and they took her out on the town. We have such cool family in all parts of the country!

Olivia and Nichole out on the town.

Big hair left from the Tartan Princess.

Merissa has been uber-busy at work. She was promoted at her retail job to manager, which is so great. She also had an all-day modeling job with MAC cosmetics. She was the "Tartan Princess" and I have to say, those Tartans sure had big hair back in the day. She also just moved into a new apartment in Milwaukee not far from her work and school.

Becca seems to be happy in our new house, mostly because she gets her own "little" house - she moved her room into the studio out in the back. The only drawback is the hike into the house to the bathroom. Apparently, not enough of a drawback to motivate her to move back into the main house. She has her own TV, all the video game systems, and a little pellet stove to keep her little house warm and cozy. She is working at Old Navy at the mall and busy-busy for the holiday shopping rush.

Becca setting up her studio.

Ryan and Megan are still on the hunt for the right jobs, but they are happy and healthy. Trey is doing well in school so far - he spent a few days at Outdoor School and loved it so much he wants to be an Outdoor School camp counselor when he grows up.

Speaking of school, in September, I was accepted into the MFA Creative Writing program at Pacific University. Classes start in January. I am so excited for this particular program and have to admit I was surprised to be accepted - it's a really great program. So surprised, in fact, that I saved the first voicemail from the acceptance committee-person on my phone and played it a couple times over just to make sure. Yeah, I'm a nerd like that.

After being out of work from March until August, I also got a new job. I'll be able to work there while I go to school, so it seems to be ideal. The only drawback is the drive north to Longview, WA every day. A bit of a drive, but still better than the commute south over the bridge into Portland, but I still drive 80-100 miles per day.

Pumpkins with Ellie, Jayne and Batman Diego

Halloween and Thanksgiving both have come and gone and were happy occasions. We've had James up to stay with us a couple times - he is such a great kid and an amazing racer. We've also been able to spend some time with the Christensen Clan up in Redmond - love all them little rascals, too!

Happy Halloween at the Christensen's!

Rick and I are so grateful for the opportunities that have opened before us recently. We are grateful to both be able to be working in this sketchy economy and that we are both healthy.

Rick and I drove out to Long Beach yesterday and walked on the beach where we had one of our very first dates. It was late afternoon and the sun was already low on the western horizon. An older couple was clamming, and the woman showed me how to catch a clam (amazing - I never knew!).

We walked to the edge of the waves and got our shoes wet in the surf, touched the salt water. And held hands and kissed just like we did that day almost 15 years ago.

"We're so lucky!" Rick said.

I think we are.

Sherri