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

and again

Back to Utah for another week. And what a busy week it was.

There were hairdresser appointments, nurses visits, dog medicines, dinners, movie, shopping, zoo, lunch. I got to grocery shop, chauffeur the dog, run errands, clean carpets, pack boxes up and down the stairs, bake some pie. I might have even worked out on purpose once or twice.

Girl's night was dinner with mom, Aunt Marilyn, Ann the Fabulous Neighbor, and Grandma Farrell. Lori had us all over for dinner one evening. Jamus got to tell us about catching his first fish. I also got to play volleyball and soccer with him, see the Five Greatest Fight Moves (that's not quite what he called it, but I can't remember), and read many books. Caleb wasn't feeling his normal happy self, but Peter was crazy busy. And Jamus ate almost the entire giant piece of lemon meringue pie that mom had cut for Jeremiah. That's my boy!

We all went to the bird show at the zoo one morning. And went to see the new Twilight movie. After Uncle Rulon's funeral on Weds in Groveland, Cousin Lee joined us for dinner and a raucous game of Mexican Train - I'm quite sure grandma and mom were totally cheating. Breakfast one morning at Eggs in the City with cousins Marne and Lee. It is Em, Sophia and Gwynie's favorite restaurant because, as Marne said, "How often do you get to eat a place that has part of your name?" Especially when it is Eggleston.

Linda came up on Friday and took us all out to lunch at Ruth's Diner. Good to spend some time with her as well.

Saturday I drove to Willard to see my old high school friend, Edela Murray Irvin. Alas, I forgot to take any photos. But we caught each other up on life, had breakfast, swapped photo albums, and laughed a lot. Our next visit will not be after another 27 years. Geez.

Papa came home from Ghana on Saturday, and we celebrated by going up to Park City to the Windy Ridge Cafe. Brad was on call nearby and joined us for dinner, and Susan was able to carve out a few minutes for dessert. It was beautiful and unseasonably green in the mountains for July. We drove back through East Canyon via Jeremy Ranch to avoid a massive traffic jam going back into the city, a nice drive despite the porcupines and deer on the road.

Flew home Sunday and slept a full 12 hours that night. Nothing like a Utah visit to stir up a whirlwind. I was saddened at the death of Uncle Rulon. Mom continues to recover from her surgeries. Grandma told me some amazing stories. Grateful to have been able to visit so many dear family and friends. Grateful to be home in the end.

As it should be.

The Momgoose

world cup

We're cheering for Ghana in the World Cup. Cheering. Cheering.

End of regulation. Tied.

End of extra time, and it's still tied. Oh, and it's breaking our hearts, every second that ticks off the clock, the failed strikes, so close.

Final shootout. Ghana misses the third.

Uruguay misses the fourth.

Ghana misses.

In Ghana, they've shut down all business. Closed the shops and markets. Diverted electricity to accommodate every single television in the country. They're all watching.

I almost look away during Uruguay's fifth penalty, invested in the outcome for the state of an entire people, the hope of a continent, collective held breath, hearts laid open on the line.

Both teams are in agony, hands to their faces or held out in an entreaty of prayer.

Ah.

Ah.

Papa is in Ghana on this day. We are here, so far away. Bound for a few short hours to the hope of an entire nation.

The Momgoose - fan of World Cup