Just minutes after I clicked publish, Andy's phone rang and we were informed that the seller accepted our offer! WAHOO!! I feel like dancing! :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Waiting, waiting, waiting
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| Not the actual house we're considering :) |
This is the house. Around 9:00pm Sunday evening, our offer was faxed over to the seller's agent after meeting with our realtor at Starbucks (ironically, the same Starbucks where we met our wedding officiant to hash out ceremony details). I guess life's entrails come with coffee! On our offer, we stated that we'd like to hear back on a decision by 9:00pm Wednesday, however, the seller and seller's agent met today at 1:30pm to review the offer and we were hoping to here something by late this afternoon.
*Cue the crickets*
Cross your fingers for us! House details include 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an over sized 2 car garage, a massive unfinished basement, and pretty big front/back yards. Lots of room for entertaining, along with a 1970s era kitschy yellow double oven and matching dishwasher. Weeeeeee!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
December meme
1. Best moment of January: the following conversation with Tommy...
In the car on our way to dinner...
Tommy - "I can't wait until King Jr.'s birthday!"
Andy and Cara - "Who?" (while thinking he said Ken Griffey Jr.)
Tommy - "Martin King JUNIOR'S birthday, on Monday!"
Andy and Cara - "Ohhhh!"
Cara - "Does that mean we get to make him a cake?"
Tommy - "No, because he already died."
Andrew - "Do you know why he died?"
Tommy - "Because somebody didn't like the words he used."
Andy - "Fair enough!"
2. Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors):
Landing in Maui to 80 degree breezy warm air, meeting up with Jason & Amy at the luggage turnstiles, renting a car at the last moment via our smart phones, and then driving a few miles to the Geste Shrimp Truck to eat the most delicious meal we'd had that day.
3. Best moment of February: bowling with Andy, my Dad, and Cailyn.
4. Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?
I did not follow through with my goal of reading as many books as I wanted for this calendar year. My next step is to give myself a little more time. I still engaged in a lot of reading, but there were large blocks of time where other life issues arose (mom's health, change in jobs for both Andy and I) and took major precedence. With that, I'll keep trying and make reading happen!
5. Best moment of March: Finding out my mom was going to be okay after a week long stay in the hospital (via the emergency room and ICU). I somehow managed to keep it together 99% of the time, kept dozens informed of her status via phone calls/text messages/Facebook updates, and took care of Tommy for the week, A true hero, he saved his Gammy's life by pestering her to call Aunt Cara. Even now as I read back through my Facebook status updates, a lot of it seems like a very long blur. My mom lost a few days of her life as she was intubated and sedated, but came out stronger and with the knowledge that her time on this earth is not yet up. And for that, I am truly and deeply thankful.
6. Everything's OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright?
To follow up on what I just wrote, the answer would have to be when my mom said it was okay for us to go to Maui. We knew she'd be in good hands with close friends and family nearby, and it was the much needed vacation to a previously stressful two weeks.
7. Best moment of April: Accepting my new position as a transitional housing case manager!
8. One Word. Encapsulate the year 2012 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word.
Surprising. When things looked bleak this year, there always seemed to be a silver lining. There was always somebody close by on which I could count. A lot of people came through to help, lend an ear, be a support person, or just be. I am again, quite thankful.
Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2013 for you?
Beauty. Not sure why yet, but it's what I foresee.
9. Best moment of May: Tommy's 6th birthday was quite fun!
Another moment - From my Facebook status on May 3, 2012: 14,426 calls later (yes, I calculated), my tenure at 211info is about to come to a close. I'm taking the last 30 minutes to fill out an exit interview worksheet.
10. 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2012 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2012.
Any time spent with Andy and the family. Vacations, Tommy's t-ball games, new jobs, weddings, running. It's been a good year!
11. Best moment of June: my birthday was pretty good. I was more ready to turn 31 than I was 29, that's for sure! Andy and I also took a 14 mile bike ride out to Vancouver Lake and got back into hiking and running.
In the car on our way to dinner...
Tommy - "I can't wait until King Jr.'s birthday!"
Andy and Cara - "Who?" (while thinking he said Ken Griffey Jr.)
Tommy - "Martin King JUNIOR'S birthday, on Monday!"
Andy and Cara - "Ohhhh!"
Cara - "Does that mean we get to make him a cake?"
Tommy - "No, because he already died."
Andrew - "Do you know why he died?"
Tommy - "Because somebody didn't like the words he used."
Andy - "Fair enough!"
2. Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors):
Landing in Maui to 80 degree breezy warm air, meeting up with Jason & Amy at the luggage turnstiles, renting a car at the last moment via our smart phones, and then driving a few miles to the Geste Shrimp Truck to eat the most delicious meal we'd had that day.
3. Best moment of February: bowling with Andy, my Dad, and Cailyn.
4. Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?
I did not follow through with my goal of reading as many books as I wanted for this calendar year. My next step is to give myself a little more time. I still engaged in a lot of reading, but there were large blocks of time where other life issues arose (mom's health, change in jobs for both Andy and I) and took major precedence. With that, I'll keep trying and make reading happen!
5. Best moment of March: Finding out my mom was going to be okay after a week long stay in the hospital (via the emergency room and ICU). I somehow managed to keep it together 99% of the time, kept dozens informed of her status via phone calls/text messages/Facebook updates, and took care of Tommy for the week, A true hero, he saved his Gammy's life by pestering her to call Aunt Cara. Even now as I read back through my Facebook status updates, a lot of it seems like a very long blur. My mom lost a few days of her life as she was intubated and sedated, but came out stronger and with the knowledge that her time on this earth is not yet up. And for that, I am truly and deeply thankful.
6. Everything's OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright?
To follow up on what I just wrote, the answer would have to be when my mom said it was okay for us to go to Maui. We knew she'd be in good hands with close friends and family nearby, and it was the much needed vacation to a previously stressful two weeks.
7. Best moment of April: Accepting my new position as a transitional housing case manager!
8. One Word. Encapsulate the year 2012 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word.
Surprising. When things looked bleak this year, there always seemed to be a silver lining. There was always somebody close by on which I could count. A lot of people came through to help, lend an ear, be a support person, or just be. I am again, quite thankful.
Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2013 for you?
Beauty. Not sure why yet, but it's what I foresee.
9. Best moment of May: Tommy's 6th birthday was quite fun!
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| Presents! |
Another moment - From my Facebook status on May 3, 2012: 14,426 calls later (yes, I calculated), my tenure at 211info is about to come to a close. I'm taking the last 30 minutes to fill out an exit interview worksheet.
10. 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2012 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2012.
Any time spent with Andy and the family. Vacations, Tommy's t-ball games, new jobs, weddings, running. It's been a good year!
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| On our lanai in Maui |
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| Shave ice! |
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| Tommy was a little cold while we watched the Apple Blossom festivities in Wenatchee. |
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| Aunt Vivian marries Uncle Buddy! |
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| Tommy's first Mariners game |
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| Orange saltwaters |
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| One of our many nature walks in the Columbia River Gorge |
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| Not Gucci, but still awesome! |
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| Dasya and Tyler got married! |
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| I met Meiko! |
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| My 11th Alanis Morissette concert! |
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| The Palouse and Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, WA. |
11. Best moment of June: my birthday was pretty good. I was more ready to turn 31 than I was 29, that's for sure! Andy and I also took a 14 mile bike ride out to Vancouver Lake and got back into hiking and running.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Foods, events, etc. Part 4
August 2012: more beer, more food, lots of sunshine. From July 21 until September 9, we had no measurable rainfall here in town. These were the glory days of summer. More recently, the rain has returned but so has the warmer weather; a pineapple express of sorts (as my brother-in-law would say).
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| Grins in the grass |
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| First annual Vancouver Brewfest! We volunteered and earned free admission, tickets, and a tee shirt. |
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| The band that played our wedding reception: Hot Audio! |
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| Bowling pin table |
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| The beer is brewing |
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| Beer supplies |
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| Oh, shucks. Andy wasn't looking when I snapped this photo of him... or of the guy with the epic mullet! |
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| Epic mullet part 2: Vancouver bugaloo. |
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| Ha! We're not in Portland, silly. |
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| Yellow saltwater sandals and my purse that a put a bird on it before that was ever something to be said. |
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| A strawberry delight concoction with fruity pebbles on top. |
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| Bus + Beer = Brewvana |
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| We bought a juicer... we bought some produce |
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| WOW! Burger |
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| Andy's burger with onion straws at Wow! Burger |
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| Sweet potato tots |
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| Breakfast juice |
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| Orange, carrot, apple |
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| Heavy duty beet juice |
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| Apple, carrots, and other mystery ingredients |
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| Okay, back to the food. Gyro and fries at Two Brothers Cafe and Grill |
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| Andy's platter of awesome |
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| Um, vegan fish sauce? Partial menu from Dick's Kitchen in Portland, OR |
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| Not-fries, slaw, and a bacon burger from Dick's Kitchen |
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| Tommy and his lemonade |
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| Chef salad from Pacific Crest Pub in Cascade Locks, OR |
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| Andy's burger and fries |
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| Silly Tommy at Pacific Crest Pub |
Restaurant (and other) food photos: part 3
In July 2012 we made cheese, went camping, and took care of business at the Oregon Brewer's Festival. Pro tip: do not visit the OBF on the last day. I don't know of the best time to visit (prolly the first few hours on the first day), but I'm sure if you arrive early, you'll be able to select from more beer options.
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| Thai Mojito from Ginger Pop in Vancouver, WA |
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| Chicken wings with sweet chili sauce. These taste like candy! |
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| Larb salad with chicken and rice; spicy, crunchy, hot! |
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| Teriyaki chicken, rice and salad from our favorite teriyaki joint in town, Kim's Grill in Vancouver, WA |
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| Andy, master cheese maker at the Portland Culinary Workshop |
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| Blogger will not rotate this photo, so please tilt your head to the right. |
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| Cheese curd |
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| Letting the cheese drain |
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| Cheese ball |
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| Delish |
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| What a cheese ball! |
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| Rolled basil/tomato mozzarella on top and mozzarella balls in the first container. Thank you, Andy, for the awesome birthday gift! |
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| Found these at the supermarket in Ocean Shores, WA. Samoa 's cousin? |
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| Green and white jungle animal cookies |
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| Fish sticks and chips from the Lighthouse Drive-In in Aberdeen, WA |
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| Clam Chowder |
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| Cara 's chef salad from Burger Claim in Ground Mound, WA |
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| Andy's pound of chili cheese fries |
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| Andy's burger |
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| Nothing like a strawberry milkshake to end the weekend |
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| Drinks at Shanahan's in Vancouver, WA |
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| Give me some of your tots! |
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| Oregon Brewer's Festival wristband, tokens, and mug |
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| Jason and Andy |
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| Darn you, blogger! Tilt your head for tokens. |
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| Blurry photo, post beer. |
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| Peace, Laurie. |
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