saying goodbye

With the close of my business during a horrible employment market I made the decision to sell my condo in order to get some capital out of my investment. You see the self employed experiencing a down turn in business just can’t go refinance with the banks. So as I stage the home for sale I am reflective and falling in love with it all over again.

Why is it so hard to let things go? Why am I having such a hard time in saying goodbye? Why do I find it impossible to call the realtor and sign the contract? Maybe it’s because this home holds a significant place in my heart as the first place I was able to own since my divorce in 1993. I worked hard to get a broken life pulled together and to focus on achieving some pretty lofty goals made in 2000. This place is my sanctuary, a place where I feel both safe and free.




It is a place where I had my own business for five years. I enjoyed much success before the eventual fall of the furniture industry…….





I will miss this yard, the second garden I have designed, and the beautiful sunsets on the back patio. I will miss my hydrangeas and clematis collections which I adore and Connor will miss his only home and favorite place to stretch out in the sun…..



I will miss this Rose. David Austin’s Shrub Rose “Evelyn” was planted shortly after arriving in 2001. It shares the name of my mother who is responsible for planting the gardening seed in me many years ago. Mom’s ashes are sprinkled beneath this rose among the campanula.......




My family has shared many holidays here and I have attempted to form new traditions.


Intellectually I can recognize that career and living changes might be good for me now. But I am just waiting for my heart to follow my head. Because the heart is hurting just a tad right now……

2 hallelujahs & a LOL

Yesterday I was the happy recipient of this big beautiful Energy Star front load baby.....

It may be white on the outside but inside she is all green! I was a happy lady watching the action of a front load for the first time. Listen to me, I'm like the female version of a guy and his car. But I'll never admit to petting the top as we bonded..... Back to the point, my kids gave me this beauty for my birthday this year. I do have the coolest kids, pretty thoughtful and nurturing of their Mom. Thank you Mel(inda), Sarina & James!


Right as the evening news started I heard a familiar clunk at my door. Already in splendor over the hum of a washer I think I actually ran to the door.....







I think Connor knows he'll be spending a lot of time in the office this weekend!


Finally I was so rolling in bed in laughter over the SNL Weekend update Thursday.... Does anybody out there know how to insert UTube videos onto Blogger sites??? Please please email me so I can link last nights episode.... The economist just had me rolling. They need to FIX it! Go Fix it! Just FIX it!

Oh Baby it is so cold outside it calls for a night of scrapping by the fire! Have a great weekend everyone!

Katie 1, Dad & Home

This is a rare photo of Katie 1 - my Dads best buddy. I think this picture perfectly reflects their relationship; pretty much inseperable. She was an awesome dog that after dads passing, became Mels companion. This photo also brings back many memories of sitting on lawn chairs in front of the garage doing such things as snap beans, gather flowers to dry, eat ice cream, have watermelon seed spitting contests, or to just take in the country smells while visiting with family or friends. I can close my eyes and see with clear memory that view, even as it changed over the years and homes would replace fields of tall grass. When James was a baby and I was a stay at home princess, we would go down to Ridgefield (where I grew up) as soon as Mel got done with her softball season. We would enjoy a couple of weeks during August having fun with Grandma & Grandpa. Days would be filled with canning pickles & tomatoes, swimming, helping in the garden, and visiting with friends. It was a magical time with the kids enjoying such simple pleasures, so different than our experience in Kirkland. These days have supplied me with my favorite Mom memories too. I really did enjoy learning about canning produce and I became a sponge for her gardening knowledge. Any way happy happy happy days....



August & September remain my favorite time of year and I spend a lot of time here........



Note the cucumber price for last year. This year I paid $1.99 a pound. That's right. Double.




I love the colorful hand written signs that you just don't see in grocery chains anymore. What a shame. Love the outdoor aspect of this place too. Just Love everything about it and have been shopping here since James was a toddler and would push his own mini cart around.

And the tradition I am trying hard to pass on is ...........

This batch is now gone and boy were they good, crisp and HOT! I hope this years turn out as good.....

When I was down visiting Mel and Sarina last month, we roamed Oakland/Berkeley in order to stock up on canning equipment and we made their first batch of Gma's pickles. Me the usual photo bug was to into teaching (experiencing the moment) and forgot about the great photo opportunity. oh well.... it was still a Perfect day with the girls......