Starlight Parade

So. . .Russ, in a fit of generosity, decides to volunteer us to be chaperones of the Heritage cheerleaders at the Rose Festival Starlight Parade. I love my husband, but REALLY. . .did he KNOW what he was getting us into? He did not, and, as I began to pessimistically share what our life was going to be for the next several hours, he began to wilt. What a crybaby I was! How glad I am he committed us to the event because it was a lot of fun.

In years past I have gone as a spectator, but this time we were water carriers extraordinaire. Kade (the youngest of the four boys) was up for a visit. I was wondering how he was going to do with the march, but he was a complete stud. He kept up, and swooped upon glow necklaces that had fallen along the way and distributed them to children sitting on the sidelines.

Zak, part of the national championship winning team, and Davey did several tosses whenever our group stopped. We parents were at the tail end marshalling the wagon carrying water and several water bottles. We only had one wagon, and were fortunate that one quick thinking parent, in tandem with the generosity of a local restaurant, refilled the large water carrier so that we would have enough. It was a toasty night, and the band members (wearing their wool uniforms) got heated pretty quickly, as did our cheerleaders and color guard. The kids were troopers, and we'll hear later how they did in the judging.

The Starlight Parade is a much shorter route than the Grand Floral Parade, which I understand is six miles. It was a relief to learn that our route was going to be about half that--which is the amount of walking I do with our Great Dane, Lizzie. We got home around midnight, and every one of us was ready to tuck ourselves in and call it a day. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! It was a thrill to see our boy up at the front, tossing his flyer. I was also surprised at the number of parade watchers who were cheering for the parents who were following the parade--obviously, it was a bunch who had been there and done that at one point or another themselves. Not only that, I am now becoming a little more adept at squirting water into a moving kid's mouth without drowning them.

Priests, 80th Birthdays, and the Super Bowl

Once again, the weekend seemed to be the highlight. Russ spent the last two days of the week renewing his acquaintance with a colleague whom he respects and appreciates. His boss graciously supported Russ's desire to see how another extremely successful analyst does the job and picked up some insights along the way. He mentioned, though, that he discovered that he and his colleague are apparently sharing a brain--or at least the same tastes in breakfast. Their staple: two hard boiled eggs, a banana, yogurt, and a Starbuck beverage (at least the beverages are different). Given the talent of both of these men, we must conclude that THIS is the breakfast of champions.



Zak and his team competed at Jesuit High School this weekend. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling so stellar, so he had to compete without the benefit of me or his dad cheering from the stands. Our hearts were in it, though. He had to leave before he could see the trophies handed out, so he missed the awards and the immediate knowledge that his team had taken first at this tournament. It was a nice supplement to the state title. Also, it meant they beat some Oregon teams that they didn't see in Everett, but who have given them a run for their competitive money.


He was immediately whisked into the big car and taken to The Rheinlander restaurant--a good German eatery in Portland to celebrate Mom/Grandma Eade's 80th birthday. We were serenaded by Adam and a lovable accordionist whose tunes seemed to have the recurrent theme of beer--good German beer. Too bad we're all teetotallers. Props to Barb who suggested the idea. We enjoyed the time with Barb and Scott and their three closest kids, and our two (lovable) miscreants. This was followed by a rousing game of Outburst--which is always guaranteed to cause dissent. The girls won--although it would have only been good form for the men to allow the woman of the day a moment in the sun. We are thankful for good family who are also good friends. Not everyone is so blessed. It appears that all of our pictures will be overseen by portraits in the background. In this case, we were supervised by the head chef of the Rheinlander who, I think, looks suspiciously like Benny Hill.

The weekend was topped off by the Super Bowl. What a party! Because I was feeling so lousy, my wonderful husband went on a mission to round up the jolly, jolly treat most loved by each family member. It was quite a gastronomic--and, frankly, nuclear--spread. I believe that soda, chips and salsa, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Dominos Pizza, and various and sundry candies are probably not meant to be consumed together. Only one of us REALLY had heartburn, though. Russ had to eat humble pie as the Steelers (the overwhelming favorite of most of those in attendance--Barb, Scott, us, David and Zak) made a couple of impossible plays destined to make the game a nail biter to the very end. It's not an exactly scientific study, but we DID notice that when Zak left the room, the momentum shifted and the Cardinals began to manhandle the Steelers a bit. Quick thinking David (who had a side bet going with Russ) went and brought Zak back to the room, and that was all she wrote. Even Russ had to (grudgingly) admit that the Steelers played well. It was the same recognition I had to cough up (in spite of my bitterness over the Seahawks/Steelers game) when they roundly beat my Chargers. Somewhat disconcertingly, I predicted when the Cards had the ball in the end zone in the first half that there would be an interception that would be run back for a touchdown. Who knew it would actually happen AND be for a 100 yard run?!? Perhaps I should change my name to Fatima or some exotic sounding name and hang a shingle out as a psychic. I can see it now. . ."I predict that if you continue to waste money on getting psychics to tell you how to live your life, you will be poor and miserable."


More next week.

We are the Champions. . .and other items

This week was quite a week. Russ returned home from his off-site training at Las Vegas. He had the Will Smith suite. Fortunately, he got to pursue Happyness at home this weekend before flying off to San Francisco to continue the good work that he does.

We drove Zak and one other cheerleader (Davey)to Everett, Washington to the Comcast Arena to watch the WIAA Cheerleading State Championship. It was a long drive and a longer day, but the squad of 25 came away victorious, pocketing another trophy and garnering another plaque for the Heritage High School gym. Only two of the squad are seniors, so it bodes pretty well for next year's competition as well. After one day off from practice, the team is back on the mats preparing for a competition at Jesuit this weekend and polishing their skills for the USA National Competition in Anaheim. Much to Zak's chagrin, he is going to have to go to the "Happiest Freakin' Place on Earth" and be surrounded by cute girls in short skirts. It's a heavy burden he bears. The team peformed flawlessly, and the crowd was awestruck. The Heritage High School squad has at least one other guy as big and strong as Zak, and between all of the rather buff guys, the girls who are flyers get some amazng height. It was an impressive exhibition, and the crowd sat in stunned silence for about 30 seconds with only a collective "WOW" to really do the performance justice. We're quite proud, but the adrenaline cost the lad and he is STILL trying to catch up on his sleep. Note the new pic FROM the event. Zak is in the top row--the dark haired one with the VERY wide grin. Also, the two young ladies to the left of the picture are true Dairy Queens. I believe they were officially crowned by the Washington Dairy Farmers.

David got his first freeway driving experience today. We drove the tank (otherwise known as the TE station wagon). He made it onto the onramp from SR500--which is always tricky--and then onto I-5 from 205. There are no bumps or bruises to the car, and there are no claw marks on the arm rest created by a tense mother. We made the trip up to Longview so I could prepare for Round 2 (second semester).

I am reading like crazy and trying to get caught up on all the YA review books I have stacked on the glass table at the end of our hallway. Since mid-December I have logged about eleven books on the review list, and feel pretty good about that. I am also starting to work out again, though slowly. I doubt I will be fully up to speed for some time; however, between the salads and the half-hour stints on the exercise bike, I hope to be back into fighting shape for the trip to Puerto Vallarte that my parents gave us as a wedding present. There are rumors, too, that IPA may send employees and their spouses to a training in the Bahamas. . .so. . .in spite of the Super Bowl that is to come, I am trying to behave. Okay. . .trying to behave a little at a time. I have just discovered the Bath and Bodyworks Black Amythest and have fallen in love. Fortunately for my sweetie, love is shared, never diminished.

Happy New Year from the Kruse Clan

What follows is a copy of what we are sending to those who don't get to hear from us as often. However, upon consideration, it also summed up our year pretty nicely.

Welcome to the first installation of The Kruse News. This was originally
intended to be a Christmas letter, but what with all the snow and excitement
(and editing) it has turned into a reflection on the year that was and what we
have learned.

Lesson No. 1- No Wedding is Perfect
But ours was
pretty close. Russ popped the question that changed his life in February, and
the rest is history. Our initial plan—get married at the Skamania Lodge and,
after the ceremony, tee off with Barb and Scott Miller on the 13th hole. Who
would have thought it would snow/hail/pour in April? The ceremony itself was a
stress free memorable event shared with a few close family members. We are now
embarking on the “and they lived happily ever after” part.

Lesson No. 2
- If You Want Adventure, Buy a House on Short Sale
A bigger family made a
bigger house desirable. The first house we put an offer on fell through the day
of closing. Fortunately, there was a Plan B (and eleven months worth of housing
inventory to choose from). We are now in our own home—the first one Jodi has
ever had in her name.

Lesson No. 3 – Dinner Parties Are Fun
Jodi
hosted her first family Thanksgiving in the new digs. The Hardys came to dinner
and survived the experience—which marked it as a success.

Lesson No. 4 –
Blogs Are Only Informative When Updated
If you want the long, entertaining
version of events in our lives, check out http://russnjodikruse.blogspot.com/.
It turns out there are two Jodi Kruses in the northwest. Jodi will try to keep
it more current, but makes no promises.

Lesson No. 5 – Good-byes Aren’t
Fun
This year Grandpa Kruse lost his fight with cancer. Barbara spent a lot
of time at the end caring for him and letting him know how much he was loved.
His death was as private as his life, but still leaves a space for those who are
left behind. Our prayers are with Joan as she begins to transition to a new
phase of her life.

And now. . .the short version of what is going on
with each of us and individual lessons learned:

Russ (49): Still works
for IPA and collects frequent flyer miles at a stunning pace. Jodi is becoming
an excellent travel agent when he gets stuck and needs a hotel and rental car.
Russ has learned that beauty sleep isn’t just a luxury.

Jodi (42): Still
works at R. A. Long High School in Longview. She is teaching Special Education
and continues to coach the Speech & Debate team. She is no longer
threatening to try to find a job in Vancouver. Jodi learned that a Mercedes
SL500 makes the bad commute go away. She no longer remembers what she used to
drive. . .it’s on the tip of her tongue. . .oh, yeah. . .an Eclipse.

Amber (25): Graduated from Sacramento State this December with a degree
in Business Administration and a concentration in Human Resources. “No more
retail,” she says gleefully. Her intensified job hunt resumes in January. She
continues to make incredible pieces of handmade jewelry. She learned that you
can walk in graduation without tripping.

Tyler (20): Is going to the
University of Nevada, Reno. He and some buddies decided to move into a house of
their own. Rumor has it that the house may double as a sled. It has a few cracks
and teeters alarmingly (okay—maybe not that dramatically, but we’re trying to
make this entertaining) on the hillside. T-Man has learned that Engineering is a
particularly good major if you need to figure out a way to prop up your
house—here’s to him successfully accomplishing that for the next two years.

Zak (16): Has become a valuable part of the Heritage High School
cheerleading squad. Under the direction of an incredible coach, Zak and his team
will be attending the USA Cheerleading Competition in Anaheim during Spring
Break. Zak has learned that a hit (in the face) from a flying cheerleader can be
almost as painful as a hit from a football lineman.

David (16): Has
finally found his passion—photography. According to his teacher, he is quite
talented. He is now saving his pennies for a digital SLR camera. David has
learned that there is life after getting stuck in Longview during a snow
storm—it is a quieter, less populated, one, though.

Zane (14): Is a part
of the Chandler High School Marching Band in Arizona where he lives with his
mother. Rumor has it that he will be marching with his band in the Fiesta Bowl.
He continues to be an avid reader and champion Scrabble player. He has learned
that, while puddles can be dangerous to band members, nothing stops a Kruse with
screws (in his ankle)!

Kolby (12): Started his first year of junior high
in Chandler. He is becoming quite a baseball player. He also has an impressive
command of the NFL workings. Kole has learned that stopping line drives with
anything other than your mitt can open up a whole new technicolored world.

Kade (7): Is working hard at being the best youngest brother he can be.
He can play a mean Guitar Hero, but doesn’t let that success go to his head. He
is just as lovable as ever. Kade has learned that tubing behind the Miller’s
boat is a good thing.

As you begin your own new year, we pray that yours
will be as blessed as ours has been.

Jodi, Russ, and the Kids

Happy Birthday, Baby!

It's official! Russ is knocking on the door of the BIG ONE. . .the birthday that means he has been on this earth for a full half a century. In one year, he will be 50! As one who turned 40 not long ago, I can say with confidence, that, aside from the fact that it is harder than it used to be to work out, it doesn't really feel like we are getting older. Our kids do seem to be getting taller and have deeper voices, though, so I suppose we must be aging.

On the actual DAY that Russ turned 49 (December 18), we were in Sacramento celebrating Amber's graduation (look for the blog titled "Amberific" in the next couple of days). As is Mom Eade's tradition, she and Ray host a lunch or dinner at the restaurant of the honored person's choice, and Russ loves Benihana. The unusual amount of ice and snow (which kept us all pretty much housebound save for Christmas day when Scotty rescued us in the four-wheel drive and chauffered everyone to the Miller home on Prune Hill in Camas) precluded much of a celebration on Russ's behalf, so when a night of rain thawed our part of the world sufficient to get out, we all made the most of it.

We ate until we could eat no more. We took doggy bags and enjoyed the fruits of those leftovers today (well, at least I did). The picture tells the tale. We have, however, promised Scotty that we will attempt to PhotoShop the picture at some point so it doesn't look like he has a Japanese man licking him upside the head. Now. . .all I have to do is make a cake. I'm thinking lemon with chocolate frosting. . .

Amberrific

Do not adjust your screen. This picture that you see is Amber on the big screen at Arco Stadium, home of the Sacramento Kings and temporary sanctuary to a several hundred undergrads and graduates of the Sacramento State School of Business.

I wish I could claim some credit for the amazing young woman that is Amber Kruse. On December 18 I flew down to join Russ, Tyler, and Amber in celebration of her graduation. To truly appreciate how incredible this accomplishment is, one must appreciate the strong, independent streak Amber inherited from her mother, Sheila, and the natural aptitude for math and business that she inherited from Russ but has honed all on her own.

What was initially planned for a 7:30 pm dinner at Red Lobster had to be bumped back an hour and a half in the mess that was Portland International Airport. All flights to Spokane were cancelled as a result of the weather (this was the first wave of the ice and snow that blanketed Washington), meaning my plane, which was supposed to come from Spokane, was significantly delayed. Russ picked me up at just before 9 pm, and we hustled to the restaurant to enjoy a meal that EVERYONE now was looking forward to consuming. As it turned out, it gave Amber and Tyler a little more time to o their Christmas shopping.

Russ presented Amber with our gift to her: a Visconti Opera pen. The cap of this particular pen can be customized, so an AK (Amber Kruse, not Alaska) is on its way to grace to top of her pen. Amber has developed an appreciation for fine pens. It is our hope that this pen will be the one that signs her first contract. We also exchanged Christmas presents with Amber and Tyler.

For those who have not heard me go on and on about Amber's talents, Amber makes custom jewelry. If you find that you have lost a jewel in any of your jewelry or a mate to an earring that renders the jewelry less than what it once was, Amber is able to turn it into something beautiful. She and Tyler gave Russ a great pen (with German directions--well done-- in the father tongue no less) and a wooden cross puzzle. They presented me with the beautiful green bracelet and earrings pictured below. To say that I was touched would be an understatement.

As graduations go, it was a nice ceremony befitting all the hard work that we know Amber put into her achievement. My parents wanted very much to provide a college education for me, and so they invested in my own undergraduate degree. I contributed a little, but my mom and dad were the heaviest contributors. Amber did it on her own while living independently. She now hits the street with management experience at Office Depot as well as a bachelor's degree in Business Administration specializing in Human Resources. When we asked her what she plans on doing, she indicated that she is considering a lot of different options, but was looking at hospital administration as an option. We couldn't be more proud of her!

NOTE: For those wondering what is going on with Tyler, he is following in his sister's footsteps. He is attending the University of Nevada at Reno where he works at Office Depot and shares a house with several young men who are also attending UNR. He is driving a Chevy Camaro that is his pride and joy and is considering Engineering as a degree program. He knows the stats on cars the way some young enthusiasts know the stats of their favorite sports players. We're pretty proud of him, too.

Thanksgiving

Marriage makes for changes. As a part of a married couple, I am now beginning to create my own family traditions apart from those of my parents. This year was the first year I hosted a real, live Thanksgiving dinner in a home that is bigger than a postage stamp and has my name on the paperwork as an owner rather than a renter.



Dinner was scheduled for early afternoon with my parents, brother, and his family as the guests of honor (for a grand total of 11 of us eating). If I had been a little more proactive, my dining room furniture would have been refinished in time for the occasion. As it stands, if I had been a little more proactive, this blog entry would have been a little closer to the actual date of Thanksgiving, too, but the hustle and bustle of life and work seem to conspire to leave me less than motivated to wax eloquent about life in our corner of the world.

In a side note, as you look at the table, the china is a combination of dishes that both Russ and I brought to our marriage. When we were first getting to know each other, I mentioned that I should show him my china pattern. The Noritake Halifax was a pattern I selected in 1989 when I first got married. In the initial stages of our relationship, he and I happened to be unpacking some items he had gotten out of his storage unit in Sacramento, California. Lo and behold, the newly uncovered china revealed that he ALSO had the Noritake Halifax pattern. It has been discontinued; however, a couple of years ago I was able to find some incredibly good deals on it on eBay, so our china has been rounded out sufficient to entertain.

If the success of a celebration is measured by the people you enjoy leaving not much in the way of potential leftovers, this event could be deemed a success. I fixed two kinds of turkey breast for those in attendance, a cranberry sauce made from scratch, a stuffing suggested by my wonderful sister, Barb (whose culinary/hostessing activities are legend), mashed potatoes and gravy, a green bean casserole, and some peas and carrots in a honey glaze. It is a fine art to be able to have all the food prepared and hot for when everyone is ready to sit down and eat. It's something that my mother, Russ's mother, and other hostesses I admire seem able to do with ease. I came close--but that only means I need to continue the efforts in order to become more proficient. Mom Hardy provided TONS of delectable desserts.

There were a couple of people who asked for my recipes. . .so. . .for your cooking pleasure, here they are (and credited to those who contributed--all but the stuffing came from http://www.allrecipes.com/):


Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey (contributed by The Mad Russian)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Thanksgiving-Turkey/Detail.aspx
5 - slices bacon
1 - 5.5 lb. bone-in turkey breast (skin removed)
1/2 t. garlic pepper
1 - 10.5 oz. can turkey gravy
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. dried sage

1. Brown bacon and crumble it
2. Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Place turkey in the slow cooker. Season with garlic pepper. In a bowl, mix the bacon, gravy, flour, Worcestershire sauce, and sage. Pour over turkeyin the slow cooker.
3. Cover slow cooker and cook turkey 8 hours on Low. (I put it on high and wound up cooking only a couple of hours before the turkey button popped and it turned out just fine--in fact, it was so tender it was falling off the bone.)


Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts (submitted by Esther Nelson)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Stuffed-Turkey-Breasts-2/Detail.aspx
2 - boneless and skinless turkey breasts
1 - 12 oz. pakage herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix
1.5 c. sweetened-dried cranberries
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. pecan halves
2 T. olive oil

1.Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions, set aside and let cool.
2. With a sharp knife, butterfly breasts open to lay flat. Place each breast between two sheets of waxed paper and flatten with a mallet.
3. On each breast, spread prepared stuffing to 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle with most of the dried cranberries and all of the chopped pecans. Roll up "jellyroll" style, starting with the long end and roll tightly. Tuck in ends and tie in sections with string, about 4 sections around middle and one running the length of the roll to secure the ends.
4.Place the olive oil in an oven proof skillet and heat. Carefully brown rolls on all sides. Place skillet in oven, uncovered and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 1 hour or until a knife inserted draws clear juices. Do not allow these to get overly dry. Allow rolls to set for 15 minutes before slicing into 1/2 - 3/4 inch circles. Leave one roll whole and slice the other for presentation. Stuffing will be spiraled into meat. Present on your prettiest platter on a bed for curly lettuce, garnish by sprinkling with the whole pecans and some dried cranberries.

Cranberry Sauce (submitted by Toni with variations by other contributors)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Sauce/Detail.aspx
12 oz. cranberries
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. pineapple juice
6 oz. raspberries
14 oz. crushed pineapple
1/4 c. Grand Marnier
1/4 c. crushed (or chopped) pecans

1. Boil cranberries, sugar, OJ, pineapple juice until the cranberries pop. (I added sugar until it tasted sweet enough for me--I think we wound up using about 2 cups total)
2. Add raspberries and mash.
3. Add Grand Marnier, pineapple and pecans.
4. Cook until thickened and refrigerate.
(I did this the night before)

Barbara's Stuffing
1 pkg. seasoned stuffing mix
3/4 lb. ground pork sausage
1/2 med. yellow onion
2 stalks of celery
1 can water chestnuts (chopped)
1 - 2 cans of chicken broth
1/2 c. pecans
1/2 c. dried cranberries

1. Brown the pork sausage.
2. Chop onion, celery, water chestnuts and add to the seasoned stuffing mix.
3. Add the pecans and cranberries to the seasoned stuffing mix.
4. Mix in as much chicken broth as you want so it is as moist as you like it.
5. Bake in a 9 x 12 inch pan for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Campbell's Green Bean Casserole (submitted by Campbell's Kitchen)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Campbells-Green-Bean-Casserole/Detail.aspx
2 - 10.75 oz cans Campbell's Condesned Cream of Mushroom Soup (I used Cream of Celery)
1 c. milk (I used half and half)
2 t. soy sauche
1/4 t. ground black pepper
8 c. cooked cut green beans
2 2/3 c. French Fried Onions
1/2 can of water chestnuts* (my addition--but the idea came from Barb Miller)

1. Cook beans (don't overcook--you want them to be slightly crunchy still)
2. Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, beans, waterchestnuts and 1 1/3 c. onions in 3-qt casserole dish.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until hot. Stir.
3. Top with remaining onions. Bake for 5 minutes more.

Honey Glazed Pea Pods and Carrots (submitted by Michele O'Sullivan with additions by others)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Honey-Glazed-Pea-Pods-and-Carrots/Detail.aspx
1 pkg. baby carrots
1/2 lb. trimmed snow peas
3 T. butter
1/2 t. cornstarch
2 T. honey
1/2 t. garlic salt
1/2 t. oregano (I used sage since I already had used that with the turkey)

1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender crisp (10 - 12 minutes). Add pea pods and cook until tender crisp. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in the same pan and stir in cornstarch. Return carrots and peas to pan and stir in honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

South Beach, FL

IPA knows how to do its trainings in style, and this time, Robyn (Russ's boss) made it happen in her own inimitable way. I boarded a plane on Friday, October 24, for a trip that was going to be two legs--PDX to Houston, and Houston to Miami. I managed to read one completely awful review book and was well on my way through the second one. I would have read more, but my seatmate was on his way to Virginia to see his ailing wife. We had quite a nice visit, and I told him I would be praying for him. I then got off the plane. I was one of the last people to deboard since my seat was at the back of the plane. As I was going up the jetway, I was greeted by the hugely smiling face of my husband. What a great surprise!!! I was able to fly with him the rest of the way to Miami. We caught a cab (nearly the cab of death. . .our cabby, Remy, was distracted. . .or tired), and, after one close call and several mini-heart attacks on Russ's part (I couldn't see anything since my seat was right behind our cabby--so I was spared any potential terror), we arrived at our destination, the Regent Bal Harbour. It was absolutely GORGEOUS. To get a sense of the rooms, the link is: http://www.regentbalharbour.com/accommodations/.

By the time we arrived, I was pretty hungry, so I indulged in a cheeseburger delivered via room service. It was a TRUE indulgence--$42. Fortunately, I didn't cost anything to feed for the rest of the weekend, or we would have been in the poor house. It was also VERY worth it.

The next morning started early. The hotel laid out an amazing breakfast buffet, and spouses were invited to join their husbands on the patio overlooking the view we had from our room: the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Bal Harbour on the other. IPA employees then went for a series of training and planning sessions and a working lunch--while spouses were on their own to either hit the Rodeo Drive like shopping that was nearby, or go back to the luxury of the rooms. Each room had both a bidet and toilet as well as a walk-in, tiled shower, and a free-standing canoe-like tub. I (and many other wives) opted to indulge in the tub prior to boarding a harbor cruise.

Miami weather at this time of year can be pretty capricious, so we started in sunlight that was quickly replaced by thundershowers close to the end of the trip. While it wasn't a guided tour as such, there were several opulent homes and examples of unique architecture. The cruise was a wonderful time for me to get to know several of the wives of Russ's team. They were an amazing collection of women. Lynn will remain in my prayers. I appreciated both her life's story and her positive outlook.

After the cruise came to an end, we all went to a fabulous dinner at the hotel. It was my first time tasting risotto, and it was quite a decadent treat. It was also a night of hilarity. Robyn's coup de gras was a hypnotist. Russ was among the twelve initially chosen, and became part of the final four who were hypnotized for over an hour and a half. He was pretty compliant with all the hypnotist's suggestions, but had some difficulty when part of the directions were to shift in the sports car that he (and the others) were supposedly driving. We had just traded my Eclipse for a SL500, and it's automatic. He did what he was directed to do, he shifted, but he couldn't understand whe he should since his car was an automatic. Apparently, his dreams run German rather than towards the Italian Ferrari that everyone else chose. We also got a peek at Russ in high form as he would have been when talking to a client. We had to be impressed with the passion with which he tackles his job. He woke up rested and slept the best he has in year.

That's not to say we weren't pretty worn out by the time we left. We were all packed up and had just walked out when four ladies got into the available cab. I have to admit, I was a little envious. . .until our cab (which was about fifteen minutes or so later) passed theirs, broken down, on the side of the road. If we had had room we would have invited them into ours. I returned home, exhausted, but refreshed. It's an oxymoron, I know, but I was well pampered, read three to four review books and to commemorate the event, Russ and I picked up two souveniers at the Miami airport: Russ found an amazing Visconti pen that he got at an incredible discount, and he purchased the most beautiful jeweled pendant for me. I call it my "bauble." I think at first he thought I was belittling the gift until I explained the history behind the term. The cat I had growing up had been an indoor-outdoor cat all her life. When I moved into my college apartment, I took her with me. Based on the experience of having lost a family cat in an apartment complex, I determined to put a caller and ID tag on Boopers. She was having NONE of it. That was until I got a reflective heart that looked somewhat jeweled. I made over her and her pretty bauble, and, believe it or not, she visibly acted as if she were a more beautiful cat. My bauble makes me a much more beautiful woman. . .at least I feel like it does.

Skamania Lodge and Golfing

Once again, we returned to the scene of the crime: Skamania Lodge. This is the third year we have done a twilight tea time followed by the incredible Friday night buffet. What made this trip different? Two things. For one, this is the first time we went as a married couple. The second: the clouds poured buckets upon us.

Not that it mattered, really. It was the first time Russ and I had gone out golfing since we returned from our honeymoon. I was able to blame my abysmal performance upon both the weather conditions and my lack of play--I really couldn't blame the lessons that Barb and I had taken at Broadmore following my honeymoon. You'll notice that we started with umbrellas. The showers were supposed to be intermittent. Actually, I think there might have been one or two sunbreaks. It was the most sustained intermittent activity I have ever observed.

Eventually, we gave up and went umbrellaless. It was just too much hassle to try and golf, not blow away, and keep the umbrellas centered above us. With the wind, the rain was hitting us anyway, so it seemed wisest to simply concede defeat and Barb and I resigned ourselves to the idea that we were going to have curly hair when we went in to primp prior to dinner. We had enough time that, just for giggles, we redid a couple of our favorite holes and skipped some of our lesser favorites. That is one of the benefits of unlimited holes at twilight tee time. Thank goodness for the invention of hairclips. It was the only thing that saved me from being banned from the dining area on the grounds that other diners would lose their appetites. As usual, the fare was delicious and we had worked up an appetite worthy of the third annual trip.

In the Summertime

Okay. . .so I have been REMISS in this whole keeping up with the Blog thing. Pictures will follow I promise.

There are a couple of big projects we are working towards:

• landscaping
• refinishing a hope chest
• refinishing an entire dining set (table, chairs, china hutch, and tea cart)
• finding a "free" hot tub and dragging it to our lair

We currently have Kolby and Kade visiting us (pictures to follow), and that has precipitated some of my projecting.

So here's where we are:

• Russ made some scale maps of our yard so that we could put our ideas on paper. Now the negotiating begins. Actually, we have the ideas, it is strictly going to be a matter of starting the process.
• The hope chest was started. I stripped it and, to use Kolby's description, "fabricated the top." Perhaps that would be re-fabricated. I am doing some repair work (where a corner was nibbled on) before I finish the staining process. It's definitely coming together and a picture will be forthcoming.

The other two projects will get their own pictures. Right now, Russ is installing our pool with the help of the boys. The first one was on a tilting slab. . .not the best. . .we have gotten a new, improved version, and the birthday boy is helping to dig a less uneven foundation even as I write.

That's right. . .in case I didn't mention it a while ago, Kolby turned 12 today. We get to enjoy him for his birthday. Lucky us! We are thrilled to be getting the visitation. And we're looking forward to David getting home from a visit with his dad in Boise, ID.

Okay. . .we're caught up for the moment. . .well, almost. . .I'm off to make chicken enchiladas and twisted mac and cheese for our big 4th of July celebration tomorrow with Scott and Barb.

Oh. . .and did I mention? Pictures will follow.

Mariners v. Padres

Once again, thanks to Scotty, the Millers and the newly married Kruses donned their Mariner regalia and made the trek to Safeco Field's Hit-it-Here Cafe for our annual Mariners game. Okay, actually, I couldn't lose--either the Mariners would win or the Padres would--and as a former San Diego resident (and hopefully, retiree) there could be no possible downside.

We stopped at our favorite vendor outside of Safeco Field and stocked up on fairly cheap jolly, jolly treats (which included Bottle Caps--a perennial favorite of ours) then made our way to the field after our traditional half-mile hike from the free parking zone. It was a beautiful day and a great game as the Mariners clinched a 4-2 win in a relatively winless season. We had a blast, though, and are already looking forward to next year's game.

The Great House Race

Who knew that buying a house could be so exciting? Once upon a time (before we were married just one short month ago), we made an offer on a very wonderful home close to Mom and Pop Eades. We were excited. It would have been PERFECT--a master suite, two bedrooms, and one large bedroom that would have become the bonus room. It was wonderfully situated behind a little common park. It was a short sale, and our real estate agent extraordinaire (Kathy Karr--360.571.8383) let us know that these can sometimes be tricky. Before the property can be sold, the bank must approve the selling price because it is left having to go after any residual monies owed by the former owner. We got the answer back from the bank in record time, and all seemed to be moving forward in surprisingly smooth fashion. In fact, Kathy commented on how smoothly all things seemed to be falling into place. We were commenting on that right up into our signing at the title company on Friday at 4 pm.

All this was compounded by the blessing of having our current home rented as of May 1. We knew it was going to be a tight turn-around (close on Monday--start moving in on Monday finish moving on Tuesday--clean on Wednesday, give the keys to our new tenants on Wednesday night), but felt it was a blessing that we would not have a lot of down time trying to rent our place. We have a wonderful Russian family moving in, and they are quite excited about living here.

Friday at 5 pm (with what in retrospect were small hints, but in reality was NO warning), we got the call that the sellers of our new home have retained/talked to an attorney who has advised them to NOT "abandon" the property which (s)he states will put them in a tough spot when negotiating with the bank. This meant that our family had one of two options: choose to not honor our agreement (in spite of the deposit given) with our new renters or try and figure out how to move all our remaining stuff as well as the items purchased specifically for our new home into some temporary facility for however long it might take for the home sellers to resolve their issues with the bank. Neither of those options was appealing.

God is SO good. Both of our insides were churning, but I can tell you that I understand the "peace that passes understanding" part in the Bible. I have come to understand that God is amazing, and because I KNOW how much he cares when any of his children hurts, I had utter confidence that he was looking out for us. On Saturday, when Russ and I woke up, we had a calm discussion about what our options were, and, I believe, God inspired the solution. We would find a vacant house (preferably new construction) that had sat on the market for a while, and would tender an offer. Because we had completed our part of the requirements to purchase the new home, we already had our down payment and the loan in hand and in escrow. The only thing we would be lacking is an appraisal on the new property, and that can be done rather quickly. We were going to offer to pay the owner of the house $50 per day to rent it until it closed and move in on Monday, as planned, IF our other deal fell through. It also means that our closing time is greatly reduced since all of our documents are in order and current.

So. . .as of Monday. . .we don't know WHERE we are going to move, but we do know WHEN. I keep likening it to Abraham's experience. God told him to get moving, he just wasn't sure where. Add the kink that, once again, I am fighting the flu. . .and it's been a hoot.

Stay tuned sports fans to find out how it all turns out. The good news is, we KNOW that all things work together for good for those called to God's purposes (Romans 8:28--thanks Mom Hardy for teaching me). It gives us all the more reason to make sure that we have a purpose in His plan.

UPDATE: The first photo is of the landscaping of the "house that got away." The photos that follow (the empty house) is the house we subsequently moved into. It is located off of Padden Parkway. It has proven to be the better house for us at the moment AND we have been blessed with some amazing neighbors--an important feature when you are sharing flag lots.

The Wedding

Our story begins with an online ad that I posted that read:

Everything I know about life, I learned on Match.com. . .
1. No matter what they say, people are looking at the pictures not reading the articles.

2. A picture IS worth a thousand words--especially if it is recent and doesn't feature a friend who is cuter than you are.

3. Attractiveness is not always conveyed by a picture. It's something you know when you see it--although if the item isn't as pictured, no great personality is going to help you out.

4. Attractiveness is inversely proportional to the maintenance level. If I'm high maintenance before you meet me, it's all downhill from there.

5. Patience is a virtue. The older I get, the more minutes I need to catch up on my e-mail.

6. ISPs don't always play nicely with each other. If I haven't answered, I may never have gotten the message.

7. Variety is the spice of life, but as you mature, too much spice can give you heartburn. I prefer to think of myself as salt. It's in all kinds of sweet things (cookies), it's the kind of thing you like to have around every day, it's pretty versatile, and you really miss it if it's removed from your diet.

If you got a chuckle out of my profile, GREAT! That was the intent. I don't take myself too seriously, but I take my deep friendships VERY seriously. My ideal friend would be an attractive guy who is willing to put up with my warped sense of humor but otherwise laid back attitude. I also believe that attractive is in the eye of the beholder. I am a supportive friend who has a history of sticking with the ones I love regardless of the personal cost. I would like to find someone who appreciates my qualities and balances those parts of my personality that I would like to change. I especially admire a good sense of humor coupled with good common horse sense. I enjoy a wide range of activities; however, I do not dance or ski as a public service.

Yes, folks. . .that was what started it all. A list borne out of the aggravation and wisdom I gleaned from almost a decade's worth of online dating. And then. . .at long last. . .I met my knight in shining armor. After almost three years of dating, Monday, February 18 dawned like any other day in the life of our relationship. Russ, for whatever reason, wound up with some unexpected time at home. We agreed to take the car into the shop and then meet up with his parents, Betty and Ray, for his favorite Pork Noodle Soup at Imperial Palace. After that he suggested that we run into Portland and do some things at Best Buy and then take a walk along the river. It was a clear day (unusual given this year's weather), so he took me to the east side of the I-205 bridge off of Marine Drive. The view of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River were spectacular. He told me that he wasn't sure what his future or life had in store, but he knew that whatever it was, it would be better with me in it and then asked me to be his wife. That was shock enough, but when I turned around to face him and say yes, he reached into his pocket and pulled an engagement ring with the most beautiful emerald center stone (because green is my favorite color). Talk about memorable!!!

When we got to Russ's home, we called the boys into the entry and told them we had some news. David took one look at my hand and noticed my ring finger, then blurted out, "I'm going to have a family!" and pretty much threw himself at Russ in a big bear hug. Zak wasn't too far behind. We had a celebratory dinner at Boppin' Bo's.

Not one to try and push things--especially when things are going well--I didn't pressure for a date. Russ suggested that we go out to dinner by ourselves to celebrate on Tuesday evening. It was then that he casually asked when my breaks were. We looked at Spring Break and Summer Break as possibilities. There were some definite financial benefits to getting married sooner rather than later, so we determined that March 29 was the magic date, but no venue was set. The more I thought about it, the more I thought I would like to be married at the Skamania Lodge. Barb and Scott, Russ and I have an annual golf outing and it overlooks the Columbia River Gorge (the site of the proposal). It is a spot that I love for its beauty as well as the memories that we have created there. We decided on a small wedding--family only. I recommend it highly. It was intimate and imbued with things that were meaningful to both Russ and me. There was limited stress.

That is not to say that my colleagues from school didn't send me from my life of a bathroom all to myself to a shared bathroom without some celebration. Joan Enders hosted a wedding shower with a little help from our friends. I was amazed and touched at both the generosity as well as the number of partygoers who came to wish me well and celebrate the fact that I would now be known by one last name only.

How does one even begin to describe the emotions that are evoked when she is surrounded by friends and family all wishing her well? I tear up a little bit just thinking about it. From the amazing card that Jaylene made to the delectable (in more ways than one) gift basket from Cheryl, Cheryl, and Sheila to all of the nighties and lotions. . .and, did I mention FOOD?!? It was what every other shower aspires to be.






All weddings are bound to have glitches of some sort. Ours was finding an officiant. The wonder of the Internet provided a ton of possibles, but this seemed too solemn an occasion to risk a hiring a yahoo. . .sooooo. . .we decided to get married by a judge at the courthouse. Now everything was all out of whack because we had reserved the Mt. Hood Suite at Skamania Lodge for our family to witness the exchanging of our vows. So in the spirit of multicultural exploration, we decided to extend our wedding to two days instead of just one. We had the "legal" ceremony at the Clark County Courthouse on March 28 and the ceremony where we exchanged vows (and I got to wear a beautiful gown for the occasion) on March 29.


I've heard that rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck (unless you are having an outdoor wedding). We had snow. Who would have thunk? When it is supposed to be springy, it was slushy. Perhaps it portended a slippery slope of some sort, but we plowed ahead.



The Honorable James P. Swanger (trivia alert: Judge Swanger graduated from Brigham Young University--Russ's alma mater) officiated. In all the excitement of moving and preparing for a wedding while still working full time, I managed, as is my tradition, to get sicker than a dog. In spite of it, Russ agreed that he would take me in sickness and sealed it with a kiss. Our vows were witnessed by our Best Man and Matron of Honor, Scott and Barb Miller, my parents (who braved the inches of snow on their hill at home), and our sons David and Zak. Am I looking a little hefty in the pictures? It would be because we took the boys to Olive Garden thereafter to celebrate our nuptials.


The next morning we all got up and prepared for the big day. We picked up the most decadent Nougat Tort cake from Larsen's bakery (http://www.larsonsbakery.net/cakes.htm) and headed on up to the suite to set up for our guests. We originally planned to say our vows (a copy of mine is after the blog) and then take Barb and Scott out to the 13th hole and tee off. Mother Nature wasn't too cooperative, showering us with rice sized hail instead. . .so we took the coward's way out and took our wedding party to the dining room for a meal instead. Afterward, we all trouped upstairs, made our sparkling cider toasts, indulged in our sinful cake, and then said good-bye to our guests. I get warm fuzzies just thinking about it.

All the guys. . .

From left to right: David, Russ, Zak, Scott (Best Man), KJ, Greg, Max, Ken, Dayne, Ray

The ladies may have been outnumbered, but we put on a good showing. . .

From left to right: Barb (Matron of Honor), Susan, Me, Laura, Betty, Brittany, Amy, Marissa

My brother, Ken, and I reprise a photo from younger years.

Hair was much bigger in the eighties.

Inlaws and Outlaws

From left to right: Russ's parents (Ray and Betty Eades), Russ,

Me, and my parents (Ken and Susan Hardy)

wedding photos courtesy of Dayne Miller

My vows:

Russ,
In August of 2005, I sent you an e-mail that described what you could expect of me when I told you I loved you. In that e-mail, I made a pledge. Today, I have the privilege of renewing that covenant. I am taking my vows from I Corinthians 13.
I vow to be patient both with you and with the circumstances of our lives. When stress comes or things in our relationship are not going my way, I will give it to God and trust Him to handle the timing.
I will be kind. Instead of going first to hurt or anger, I will think about the way to say and do things that will foster growth in our relationship.
I will look out for your best interests. I will put you and the needs of our family before my own.
When good things happen to you, I will rejoice with you rather than be envious because I rest secure in the knowledge that your good fortune enhances my own.
When good things happen to me, rather than look for opportunities to boast about them, I will share the glory of those accomplishments, knowing that we are a partnership and that it is your support that helps strengthen me.
I will write your many kindnesses in marble and your frailties in sand.
I will be joyous in integrity and make that the foundation of our relationship. I will not look for or spend time remembering hurts or wrongs, but will gently bring them to your attention with prayer, and then let them go.
I will be supportive of you through the good and the bad, the successes and the defeats, believing in God to bring us through the challenges and thanking Him for the many blessings we enjoy.
I will be loyal to you, and will believe in you as you strive to do those things which are best for our family.
I will not give up on you or us.
Before God and our families, I make these promises to you—trusting in His strength to help me keep them—for as long as we both shall live. This ring is a symbol of that commitment to you and our family. When you wear it, remember my love for and appreciation of you as a man, and as my husband.

Bachelor Parties

In the time honored tradition of Bachelor Parties, Scotty (aka the Best Man) took Russ out for a final fling of freedom. The festivities started at Big Al's, a haunt here in Vancouver that we have staked out for the playing of pool and the observance of BYU v. UO (that would be University of Oregon, not the Oklahoma variety) or Seahawk games. The food is always artery clogging and particulary tasty. Reid (Barb and Scott's son-in-law) joined Russ and Scott in a stunning display of prowess.

The evening then took the gents to Dayne's bachelor pad where Sam (the "original" redhead on the Shasta trip) and Dayne hosted a poker game worthy of Russ's skills.

Though it wasn't a rousing success in terms of winnings, the guys had fun.

Houseboating on Lake Shasta

This was the summer bash to end all summer bashes. I remembered Shasta as the town we went through to get to the Northwest from San Diego as a kid. We would stop at Redding and have breakfast as Mom and Dad would drive straight through. At one point I remember them taking us through the caverns. We would measure the rainfall of the year based on how high the water was or wasn't along the banks. Nothing prepared me for how wonderful it would be to actually spend a week on a houseboat. There were many preparations, since each member was responsible to prepare dinner at least once, so we packed up a cartload of sodas, two chicken enchiladas (one hot, one mild--Scotty is like me and David--give us the spicy foods!!!) and some taco pie along with various and sundry jolly, jolly treats.

This trip was also a wonderful break from the craziness of the summer. I misread my transcript, which meant I had to cram 70 clock hours of learning into about four weeks in order to have sufficient time for my teaching certificate to be in order. It was a nail biter. I got it just in the nick of time. . .so then it was a matter of ESD and Olympia to go through the required approval.

There was general fun and merriment all the way around. Dayne had some friends who were competitive wakeboarders, so the "kids" had plenty of time to refine their skills on the wakeboard. Young David (seen at the front of the boat) was of the opinion that the skill must be as easy at it appeared. Not so much, alas. He was unable to achieve upright status on the wakeboard. He came close but, in spite of enthusiastic coaching and a few wagers, he was unable to make it happen. I was pretty content to hold the waterskiing flag. . .which I did enthusiastically while absorbing all the vitamin D the sun was willing to provide.

There could be nothing better than turning 40 on Shasta Lake--especially when it is at a party hosted by none other than Barbara Miller. As you can see from the shindig, there were a total of four "big" adults (Barb, Scott, Me, and Russ), three semi-big adults, seven teenagers, and 1.3 babies (Christina was 3 months pregnant at the time) on a fifty-one foot houseboat. I figured if we could survive those small quarters without killing one another, we were meant to be family. The boat was decorated in preparation for the luau that was to be, and I opened 40 cute gifts and danced with Russ on top of the boat. It was wonderful. As if that weren't enough, we were treated to a small family of otters playing in the water near the end of the evening. They slipped underneath the boat and continued along their merry way. The wildlife was one of the highlights of the entire experience.

Our final days were spent waterskiing--which I finally tried. I had about as much success with the waterskiing that David had with wakeboarding. Barb, on the other hand, was a complete STUDETTE. . .as was Russ. He is amazing at pretty much any athletic endeavor. David did eventually master the Jetskis and was zipping around quite a bit on those.

Scott was no slouch, either. This picture really shows the houseboat--which we moved to a different location nightly. You can see the tent on top. The teenage boys were able to sleep under the stars.

As an experience, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The car ride back was relaxing and beautiful. Of course, I started school the next day--or at least preparing for school (it was the day before students arrived). It was amazing, though, that all the excitement didn't matter. It was a fun, relaxing time to be with people who would become family in just a little over a year and a half. Lucky me!!

Mariners v. Detroit

In our second trip to a Mariner's game with the Millers, we once again enjoyed a warm July day at Safeco field. Attempting vanity, I managed to have my hair loose and flowing, but it did absolutely nothing to keep the sun out of my eyes or to provide an unobstructed view of the players. This necessitated a trip to the souvenier shop and the purchase of a baseball cap to augment my official Mariners jersey.

Alas, my purchase did not seem to inspire the Mariners, since they went on to another loss in a long, sad string of losses. I think I miss Sweet Lou Pinella.