Who says you can't go home again?

Friday I had the pleasure of joining a group of old friends for brunch in Edmonds. Some of these girls I haven't seen in almost 20 years!

An old childhood school friend, Jennifer was visiting her parents for a couple weeks and thanks to the wonders of modern technology we have all reconnected via Facebook. She decided that while she was here, she would like to get a sort of informal reunion set up. After weeks of planning and getting schedules coordinated, the day finally came.

I got Gracie off to school and headed out to catch my ferry. I was so super excited I was actually singing in my car. I rode the Edmonds-Kingston ferry across Puget Sound. Once I was there, I drove a few short blocks to the Pancake Haus. If you know Edmonds, you know this is a fantastic little place to eat breakfast.

I was a little early, so I popped into Petosa's grocery next door to see if anything had changed. Nope....it's all the same! Exactly as I remember.

It was time for the bruch date so I headed over to the Haus. I was the first to arrive because I have a really annoying habit of being punctual.

Shortly after I arrive and before I could remove my coat, Jennifer came in followed by her Mom and son. We exchanged big hugs and I was shocked at how grown up she looked. She was 16 the last time I saw her. She still looked like a little girl. Today, she is an absolutly georgous woman! Her Mom looks exactly as I remember and her son is a doll.

Kolleen quickly followed Jennifer. I have seen Kolleen countless times since I moved away as we have been better at staying in touch. But as always it was still great to see her.

Following her was Sarah. My childhood best friend. I haven't seen Sarah in years but we do keep in touch often. I was so thrilled to see her again in person that I almost cried. She brought her beautiful two month old baby Stella who I wouldn't let go for a second. Sarah looks the same, acts the same and IS the very same Sarah I spent every single day of my life from first through ninth grade with.

About that time Tatum, Libby and Liz joined us. Libby just looked at me and said "where the hell have you been the past 15 years" to which I could only reply..."everwhere" If you know Libby, you will understand when I say...Libby is Libby. I was glad to see time hadn't changed her a bit.

I was so excited to see Elizabeth again. She was one of my very best friends back in the day. She and my old best friend Catherine quickly because BFF's after I moved to Oregon...so I held some sort of anomosity toward her for a long time. (fueled by the fact that she looks like a Supermodel)
But those feelings have been long buried in the way back machine and I'm looking forward to making new memories with her in the future. She still looks beautiful and she brought her husband Jay who is a really nice guy and is from Poulsbo so they visit often!

I didn't get a chance to catch up with Tatum as much as I would have liked. She looks georgous and I hardly recognized her. She brought her adorable daughter Katlyn who was quite annoyed with me for not bringing Gracie.

Anyway, we spent 3 very quick hours chatting about where we've been, what we have done and our children and husbands. Gossip about friends who were absent (all good I promise) Sarah and I acted like giddy teenagers again and gossiped about Twilight and what our exboyfriends were doing. Turns out mine is a doctor!

I was sad that the party had to break up so quickly. We are planning another one as soon as we can. It was so great to see everyone again. This is one of the main reasons I'm so thankful that I live back "home"

Sarah and I are planning dinner soon. Kolleen and I...well, we see each other a lot anyway, but we are still planning playdates and Liz and I are planning coffee when she gets over to Poulsbo.
All in all, it was a fantastic day spent with some amazing old friends.

I guess you really can go home again.

Good Morning Parents, this is your 5:30 am Wake Up Call.

Ring, ring...when the phone rings at 5:30 am someone is either dead, something has blown up, OR....it has snowed.

Of course, when you are sound asleep and the phone starts ringing you jump out of bed to assess the time by how light it is outside. Because you can't read the numbers on the alarm clock. You are vaguely aware that it is earlier than when the alarm is set to go off...and judging from the pitch black outside you assume it is somewhere closer to 3 am.

Frantically you run around the house, like a chicken with it's head cut off, knocking over and running into everything trying to find where the ringing is coming from.

That was my morning. I didn't get to the phone in time so the answering machine clicked on and there I heard a very cheerful voice say "Good Morning North Kitsap Parents" My first though "oh God, the school has a gas leak or was attacked by terrorists"
The happy voice on the other end of the line went on to say "if you look out your windows you'll see that we have snow on the ground... so school will be delayed two hours today. Stay safe and we'll See you later"

"Stay Safe?" Terrorists for sure.

At 5:30 am I couldn't tell you my own name let alone process the information "snow on the ground" Considering last night it was cold, but clear. Not a hint that white stuff would be covering the yard by morning. It didn't process in my brain.

So I looked out the window, trying to understand the foreign language I had just heard. Nothing up to this point had made any sense to me.
So, I exclaimed to my husband "hey look, it snowed!"
"Thanks Captain Obvious"

Gracie with her built in alarm clock woke up at 7:30. she was fed, dressed and ready for school earlier than usual (of course) so we headed out to Starbucks. The roads are fine. There is snow on the ground, but the road...dry as a bone.

Gracie finally did get off to school. her bus came at 10:55. two full hours later than usual. Happy as a clam at the novelty of going to school so late and I'm two hours behind on my usual routine...so I'm throwing caution to the wind and throwing out the schedule today. I think I'll reread Twilight.....again.

Fun in the backyard

Here are some old videos from the Abplanalp vault. I recently got a new shiny computer that loves me and when we downloaded all the old stuff off my hard drive it was kind enough to categorize it and put it all together in a shiny new folder. Then it makes my life super easy by allowing me to touch the screen and voila! Watch precious videos of my baby girl. So, I decided I would share the wealth. I thought you would enjoy some video of Gracie...age 3.
Enjoy!

Rest and Relaxation

This weekend my wonderful husband treated me to a mini vacation. Away from children, phones, computers and everything else that occupies my time.
We drove across the Hood Canal bridge and up the peninsula to Port Ludlow. The Inn at Port Ludlow to be exact.

Wow! What an amazing place. It was less than a 20 minute drive from our house but it felt like we ran away to another country. It was so unbelievably quiet and peaceful.

Being the off season, the small resort with only has 37 rooms, was extra quiet with Chris and I making up 1/6 of the population. It was as if we had the entire place to ourselves.

Our room was absolutely amazing. A Fireplace, deck with a sweeping view of the harbor and a jacuzzi tub with a wall that opens up so you can see that incredible view!

This was my very first night away from Gracie. Well, that's not exactly true. She has had sleepovers before. Albeit very few, but I was always home...worrying. Chris has been away from her because the Navy for some unknown reason, doesn't allow children to go on deployment. But me, I have never left my home for the evening without her. So it was a little strange at first...but the resort was so peaceful that I quickly accepted it and moved on.

There is something truly amazing about the water around here. One day feels like 10. But in a good way. Saturday we were sitting on our deck and realized we had only been there for a handful of hours but it felt so relaxed that we could have sworn it had been days.

Chris will be deployed for our 10th anniversary...so this was our celebration. Just a little early. So when we returned home he had a gift waiting for me. A super, incredible all in one HP touch screen computer!!!
Now that he is back on duty, I'm spending all my free time learning my new shiny super computer.
My gift to him wasn't nearly as jaw dropping. I made him a mixed tape.... Ok, CD. All the songs that have somehow attached themselves to our life these past 12 years. Starting with the song that started it all. Pachabel's Canon in D.

So that was my wonderful weekend. If you ever get over this way I highly recommend the Inn at Port Ludlow!

Off on the Wrong Foot

I have been weary of writing about Obama because, while I didn't vote for him I am of the mindset of "give the guy a chance." I want to like him. I want him to succeed and lead our country well. Really I do. I keep thinking if I click my heels three times, I can somehow make the news change.

But alas, I can't. I simply can not understand how in less than a month in office he can break just about every single promise he made.

I won't go into the cabinet choices. Some I think are spot on and amazing choices. Others I scratch my head and wonder what was he smoking??

Let's simply focus on the stimulus package. Or as I have been told by a few of my liberal friends "the bill that will get us back on track"
How exactly can we get back on track when he is spending almost 900 billion....with a B, in pork?
Here are some links so you don't just take my word for it.

http://www.propublica.org

http://3.bp.blogspot.com

http://www.ireport.com

Let us start with where the money is going. Because most people are surprised to know that it isn't going into their wallets. No kids, it's not. No rebates for the middle and lower classes, students.
No, every penny of this colossus mistake WILL be paid by you, me, your parents, children, grandchildren and perhaps your pets someday, when they figure out how to tax them too.
I'm not even going to comment on the absurd and silly of the list. Things like

$500,000 for dog parks
$4.5 million for butterfly gardens
$6 million for water slides
$1 million for a frisbee golf course
$25 million to rehabilitate off-roading (ATV) trails

No, I'll focus on the big ticket items.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

(Is this a joke? Really. Does Hollywood REALLY need more money? I mean seriously!)

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

(I understand the need for this. I know why it's being done. But simply adding cable will fix the problem. $650 M is a tad bit excessive)

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

(I understand this too, but right now the Coasties need a new Arctic ship like I need a hole in my head. How exactly does this help the economy?)

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

(you remember them right? That very same department that the dems and the Obama camp deems UnAmerican)

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

(Considering Homeland Security has been in existence since 9/11, I'm pretty sure their furniture isn't falling apart yet not to mention, can't they use SOME of the $448 M for desks and chairs? So in total, they are getting $696 Million to decorate. Not actually fight terrorism)

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

(noble and necessary HOWEVER, the majority of federal vehicles are vans and trucks. Not exactly fuel efficient. But, for arguments sake at least if they give them all Prius' them maybe they will stop using them for personal use or, are they going to buy all of us who are federal employees personal cars to set the example?)

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.

($400M for STD's? are we serious?)

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

(I have no problems with this one. I for one fully support the arts and museums and think America's Attic which is free to the public can use the funds, however I do wish they would take the frisbee park, water slide and butterfly garden money and spend it here as well)

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

(this rubs me the wrong way. Because it's not only for the census, but the redistribution of district lines)

• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."

(Look, people need to quit smoking. I agree however if they want to kill themselves that is not the governments concern. If they have health insurance of their own. I'm sick and tired of the government stepping in and holding our hands on every single decision we make.)

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

(uh...which community colleges? Considering they receive tuition they usually have computer centers. Besides, "college expenses" which your financial aid covers, includes computers. So a little redundant)

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

(Seriously, it's time the government takes a hard stand here. Either let them govern themselves or fully fund the tribes. I'm sick of the government spending billions on the reservations, yet receiving not a penny back in taxes from the casinos, and other business ventures we can't stay on the fence forever.)

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

(the Mississippi floods people. Why on Gods green Earth do I have to pay for stupid people who build homes next to places that historically flood ALL the time? I live in an area that floods, so I have to have insurance. Why don't these people?)

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

(state issue. Not a federal issue)

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.

(I am all for going "green" but how does this help the economy again?)

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

(another one I have no issues with. But I would like to add that the stations aren't where the money should go...it SHOULD go to the firemen who work there. But it won't)

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

(I lived in Eastern Oregon, in the mountains. So this I understand when many, many others do not. Underbrush burns. Cluttered underbrush is what causes the devastating fires. The problem, the "go green" set don't like people coming in and "destroying" the natural forest. So, while they earmarked money for it....it will never go to what it's intended. The tree huggers will see to that)

• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.

(24 is not YOUTH. I have problems with this one in general because it's targeted to a select few. I think it's excessive and will fail.)

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

(more redecorating for federal buildings)

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

(someone in Senate must have an interior designer for a second cousin and they REALLY need a job)

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

(redecorating AGAIN)

• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

(more "green" buildings. Ok, that's good but again it's not going to help the economy. I'm seeing a trend here. )

• $850 million for Amtrak.

(Why? Please tell me why? Amtrak pissed away all their money the LAST time they were given a handout. What was that...15 years ago? Right after the handout the canceled service, not expand it. No, check that...they did expand back East, and they cut 90% of their service in the West)

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

(where? Military housing? Doubt it. I've lived in a home with lead based paint. Military housing, I didn't lick the walls. Problem fixed for free)

• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

(They are trained already at perfectly good facilities. Quantico is decent..ever heard of it?)

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

(how about instead of upgrading the computers, we help out....here's a wacky idea...the FARMERS)

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
(again these are federal vehicles. I think this has been covered already to the tune of $600 million. That money would be far better spent on military paychecks, upgrading the substandard housing (especially for low enlisted families who can't afford off base housing) build more homes, so people aren't on waiting lists for two years)


So while I want more than anything to say "way to go Mr. President" I simply can't. I don't understand why he can't tell us about the earmarks in this package. This package isn't going to help anyone except some contractors and Hollywood. The rest of us will suffer for it. NOTHING in this package will "restart" the economy.

So ends my political rant for today. I don't like discussing politics because quite frankly, it's exhausting. I will attempt to limit how much politics I have on my blog because I don't have the energy to discuss it.

Birthday Luau or the truth about Hawaiian Pizza

42 and cloudy is not your typical weather conditions for Hawaii, but nobody seemed to mind. Our living room and dining room here in Washington State were transformed into the sunny shores of Hawaii for Gracie's Luau birthday party.

We had a beach cake, palm trees (some complete with monkeys...though I'm not sure what that has to do with Hawaii) grass skirts (even one for the table), lei's, flowers for the hair, Hawaiian breeze (brought to us by my Mother-in-Law who graciously stopped by the store and bought tropical breeze air spray) and of course Hawaiian music.

For the "luau" portion of today's events, we had Hawaiian Punch and Hawaiian Pizza. Yes, it is a little like saying French fries are from France, but MOST of the kids didn't seem to mind. One very bright party goer did point out that "It's not really Hawaiian because it has Canadian bacon on it" she then went on to add "but it's my favorite so I don't mind"

After the luau, the kids played games. Hula Hoops of course! We had a hula hoop contest which somehow progressed into a jump rope contest. Which then naturally progressed into Hide and Seek....Hawaiian style.
It is amazing when you get a group of kids together the games take on a life of their own.

Hawaiian style hide and seek by the way, has very simple rules I was informed by another one of party. Once you are found, you and "IT" have to race for the base while Hula dancing. Of course!

About this time the sun decided to make an apperance at the Luau. So for a brief time, and if you wore a jacket, it was bright, the sky was deep blue and the sun was shining like the beaches of Waikiki.

After Hawaiian hide and seek they came back inside (because it was still 42 degrees out there) and decided to...what else....hula dance! Surprisingly, one of the boys was pretty good!

Then it was time for presents. What a haul!! These kids brought puzzles, games, dolls, one girl brought two beautiful sweaters from Nordstrom!

Then naturally they were ready for cake and ice cream. Chocolate with cherry filling and their choice of vanilla or tropical sherbet! But first we had a very rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" complete with popping sounds, monkey noises and beeps! And considering half the party goers call her Clare and the other half call her Gracie they decided before the singing portion of the event began, to all sing "Gracie Clare" at the appropriate place in the song.

On a side note: I have to say, Central Market has the BEST cake I have ever tasted. Just an FYI for anyone in the area. They actually used real cherries for the filling. So good I almost had a second piece!

Anyway, about this time the parents started arriving and the kids said their goodbyes. The Luau was a hit.
I can best sum it up with the parting words of one of Gracie's little girlfriends, "Mrs. Clare's Mom, this was the best birthday party ever!"

Birthday Girl

Yesterday was Gracie's 8th birthday. Eight years old. I can vividly remember the day she came into the world. It seems like yesterday. A beautiful tiny little baby who couldn't even hold her head up.
I remember the first day she smiled only three weeks later. A real, not from gas smile. She has continued to smile that same sweet smile every single day since. And now, she is officially a "tweener" That place between little girl and teenage girl. God help me.

She loves all the tween things. Tinkerbell, Barbies, Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers, iCarly and so on. I have to listen to Radio Disney every morning during breakfast now that she is old enough to work the XM radio. She dances and sings along to all the tween songs. She is growing up so fast.

So yesterday she had a fabulous birthday. She of course had school, but afterward she wanted to go to Outback for her birthday dinner. She ordered steak. A first. Usually it's their absolutely amazing mac n' cheese. But yesterday, a grown up meal.
We came home after a quick stop at Starbucks where she ordered a Chai Tea Latte. Then home to open presents.
I think her favorite was the Tinkerbell music box/jewelry box from Angela and her family. Followed by the $100 in Barnes and Noble gift cards from various other people. See, the only thing she asked for were Barnes and Noble gift cards.
She also loved her Tinkerbell and Nintendogs games for her Nintendo DS. And the money from her Grandpa and Aunt were icing on the cake. WAY to generous. Thank you.

After the presents, we sang a very lively rendition of "Happy Birthday" and she blew out her 8 candles on her Chocolate Cherry birthday cake.

Finally it was bedtime. Where my half grown daughter takes my hand and says "Mommy, I'm not THAT old yet, can I sleep in your room tonight?"
Of course we let her....we're not going to let her grow up to fast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE!!!!