A year end review 2008.....Happy New Year!

How did we spend our last day of 2008? A Everett Silvertips hockey game that's how! We were in the 4 row right behind the penalty boxes! Awesome!

Let me tell ya....I LOVE HOCKEY!!!!!

If you look in the back all the other players have cleared the ice to let these 2 fight!

3 Red Deer Rebels (from Alberta Canada) in the penalty box.

4 Everett Silvertips in the penalty box!


The final score was 6 to 3 Silvertips.

Ahhh.....hockey.

So Terry and I were talking about how fantastic this past year has been. We have done more in one year in Washington than we did the whole 8 years we lived in Virginia. We bought a house, got pregnant, suffer a miscarriage, discovered a love of hiking, I finally got a job in photography, explored far & wide, gone to concerts, been to a hockey game, whale watched, been to drag queen shows, traveled across country, got to spend a holiday with my parents, and I've probably left out a few things but you get the idea. I was afraid that we wouldn't like it here but it just keeps getting better and better.

Here's to a wonderful 2008 and a blessed 2009!

Merry Christmas to all!

I wanna talk about the snow for just a second. Yesterday the temp came up above freezing so the ice on the road started to melt. Yippy!! You can see the road. You can drive at a normal speed. I can drive myself to and from work! Sweet. Side note: Terry's car, Lucy, has been hit twice since it started snowing. Not bad mind you but still.

We woke up this morning to this.....

Terry went out to measure and there was about a foot on the ground. I think it has snowed around 2 feet in the last 2 weeks. Just saying.

Anyway, Terry and I really don't have a whole lot of cash this year so we decided to post pone the presents for few weeks. However I couldn't wake up this morning and not have something to open. Can I guess what I got him?

And yes I am 31 years old and love Spongebob Squarepants!

So what?

A few other things. My next door neighbor had a baby boy yesterday. I haven't seen him yet but as soon as they're settled in at home I'll go meet the little guy. And my brother got to spend Christmas with my parents. I wish he'd have come for Thanksgiving I'd love to see my whole family together at one time.

I'm not at all jealous. Merry Christmas!

Be careful what you wish for!

So it started snowing like a week ago....Yeah it hasn't stopped since! We have had 3 storms back to back. And they say it's suppose to keep it up till the end of the year. I love snow and I'm super glad it's white and pretty outside but come on!! People don't know what to do with themselves with weather like this. This is just so not normal around here. The worst they've seen in 12 years, I hear.

Storm #3 started last night.

We woke up to a fresh new layer (6-8 inches) of the white stuff! Terry's car is in the garage.

Poor Phoebe.

We proceeded to shovel the back porch for Snoopy (he doesn't like to walk in it) and the front sidewalk and driveway. Both of our neighbors are pregnant so we thought we'd do them a favor and do their driveways, too. (Like my pants?)

We finally finish and come inside to rest our bones and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. We're not even in the house 10 mins and it starts to snow once again! Hard!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

Here's a picture that has nothing to do with snow I just think it's really funny and I wanted to share it with ya'll. Poor Pepper! tehe

Blessed Yule

Your Pagan Holiday Lesson: The Winter Solstice aka Yule

WINTER SOLSTICE December 21st:The celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It is the celebration rebirth of the Sun, which is the promise of spring and life even on this the darkest day. Therefore some consider this the new year. The burning of the log is to give the Sun strength. Mumming (plays) such as "St. George" is a Pagan survival , it represents the rebirth of the God. Wassailing or is also a Pagan custom. The Roman festival of the Solstice was Saturnalia, which lasted from December 17th to the 24th.

Yuletide, Alban Arthuan, Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. It is from this point that the days begin slowly to become longer and longer. The sun is at its most southeastern point over the Tropic of Capricorn in the northern hemisphere and has no apparent northward or southward motion. In the time of the ancient tribes this was a time of celebration, for it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return of spring. Yule is the time when we honor the Goddess for giving birth to the sun once more. It is the time when the Oak King is victorious over the Holly King. The Holly King represents death and darkness that has ruled since Samhain, and the Oak King represents rebirth and life. The waning (diminishing) sun is overtaken by the waxing (increasing) sun, thus the days become longer after the victory of the Oak King.

Yule is a time when we do Rituals and celebrate the increasing daylight, to renew, and to see the world through the eyes of a child. Spells done at Yule tend to raise our spirits, and bring harmony, peace, and joy. During Yule we see the wisdom of past experience begin to glimmer. The experiences we yielded over the harvest season of the times gone past begin to be reborn as wisdom, new light, to guide us further down the Paths we have chosen.

It is customary for Pagans to decorate the Yule tree, and adorn the house with holly, ivy and pine. It is time when Father Winter, a white bearded chap dress in red, fur trimmed robes, arrives bearing gifts and exchange gifts.

This is the eve when the Yule log from the previous year is burned in the fire. Symbolic of the newborn sun, each year's Yule log is of oak, charged in a Magic Circle and kept in sacred space the following Yule. This not only celebrates the oak and places it in a place of distinguished honor, but also ensures there will be fuel for the remainder of Winter.

Resources: © Copyright 1996, Christina Aubin; used by permission

SNOW!!!!!

Oh how I love snow! I can remember when we first moved to PA when I was 15, a kid coming from Texas having only seen like 2 inches of snow (at 2 different times) in her whole life. The temp only getting to about 30 degrees in the dead of winter. That first winter we were there it snowed 3 feet......twice!! And the temp was like 5 degrees or lower sometimes. And there was a wind chill factor....WTF? I was convinced we were going to die. We were going to be trapped in that house forever. FOREVER!! Oh the humanity.

Well since then I have grown the love PA & snow. I'm a winter person. I love coats, sweaters, boots, seeing my breath, how stunning it looks first thing in the morning after it snows before it gets dirty. Terry says it's my Scandinavian (Viking) blood. Who cares why! I love winter and it is upon us.

It snowed for the first time this season yesterday and it is awesome! Terry's out shoveling right now! I probably could have helped but why would I take that away from him. I know how much he loves to do it. I'm such a good person! He's a lucky man.


We've also put up our tree. It's so pretty. This is our first Yule in our first home. The last tree we put up didn't stay up long. Right after we put it up last year Terry got the job in Washington and we had to moved. Oh well. I'm glad we're here.

Lights on....

Lights off.....

I naturally went out first thing this morning to take pictures. Dragged poor Ter out into the cold to pose for me. He got me right in the middle of the back with a snow ball as payback. I really just can't help myself. It's SNOW and I take pictures!!

Our Pose

Terry enjoying a nice cup of coffee in his undies (cause his pants were wet and he hadn't made it to the bedroom for the other ones) after shoveling snow. I don't know how he puts up with me sometimes. He's a good man. I'm a lucky girl!

Down with PC

Some of you may know some may not but I am not a Christian. I'm a Pagan. However I do believe that this PC bullshit has gotten far out of hand. I believe in freedom of religion. ALL RELIGION even Scientology. My cousin Karen Clark sent me this and I thought I could post it here. Merry Christmas everyone!!

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*

Please join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Yule at Sears Portrait Studio

You know I almost wish I had more to bitch about (it would make this blog more interesting) but truth be told it hasn't been near as bad as I thought it would be. Sure do we have the pissy customer here and there....yes, but for the most part it has gone pretty smoothly. I'm much more confident then I use to be. People request me, I get great surveys (they say I'm awesome and I have the paperwork to prove it) and I think my work is pretty darn good. We have a great crew that shows up to work and do their jobs. Really how much more can you ask for?

On a sad note, my friend/boss Trae may be leaving us come Jan. We are all devastated. Just when things are going so well a blow like that. He's having some personal issues. I don't think he really wants to leave so we've been doing all we can to make him want to stay. I hope it works. I will miss him terribly if he leaves. I don't think anyone could replace him. Who will take me to Drag Shows?

Terry and I may not be celebrating Yule 'till Jan. or Feb. Funds are kind of slim and since we don't have kids yet we'll be fine to postpone the holiday a few weeks. Plus he needs to save up, I have a really long list!!

Until next time....

A Wonderful Weekend

This Thanksgiving was the first one I've spent with my parents in 12 years and the first one Terry and I have ever spent with them. It was so great. We ate way to much, played Scrabble, I learned to crochet, got a few chores done for my folks and just had an all around awesome time. The only thing missing was my brother. I would love for all of us to be together. Stupid living-in-3-different-states! Someday.

The trip from Seattle to Reno took 14 hours! I slept a lot and poor Terry did most of the driving. We took both cats & Snoopy. I'm happy to report they all did very well. The cats cried a bit but all in all a pleasant trip was had by all. I still have no idea what Oregon looks like. When we moved to WA we drove through OR and the fog was so thick you could only see about 100 yards. Same thing this time. But I hear it pretty there.

Here are a few pics from the trip. I didn't get any of my parents cause neither of them like getting the pictures taken but I did take some on the way home.

Mt. Saint Helens. It's not the best shot.

The thick fog in down town Seattle.

The "Betty Page House" at exit 170 on the I-5. I love random art!

Sorry that my blogs have been mostly pics lately I just haven't had that much to write about. It gets dark at like 4:30 here and I've been working so much that we really haven't had time for much on the weekends. I will say that Terry & I are "trying" again so ya'll keep your figures crossed for us.

Thanks Mom & Dad for a perfect Thanksgiving.

And Thanks Trae for allowing it to happen.

Another Drag Show!

I got a better seat for this one so the pics I took were much better. More action packed! I liked the Kings a lot better at this show as well. A King even danced with me a little! Good Times.

The Kings: Mike Infusion, Jay Stroker & Charlie Normas

Paloma

Athena Kiss & Jenu~Wine Beauté

My Wonderful Boss & Friend, Trae

HOLY S@#T!!!

How excited am I? I'm going to Reno to spend Thanksgiving with my folks.....

.....for the first time in 12 or 13 years!!!!!

You see, they moved to Reno after I had meet Terry and still lived in PA. Up until 10 months ago we still lived in Hampton Roads, VA and plane tickets are expensive. But now we are a short 14 hour drive from them and my amazingly wonderful boss gave me 5 days off! He says my ass is his for the rest of the holiday season. I'm cool with that.

WOO HOO!! GOING TO RENO!!

Mostly Pictures

We "hiked" a trail the other day. Not so much a trail as a concrete walkway. No real excitement but here are a few pictures for ya. The first is just a bridge on the trail. The second is some local wildlife. The third is a sunk boat in the Snohomish river that runs next to the trail.

Here are a few pictures of some random things. The first a snow capped mountain. The second the same mountain over the Puget Sound. The third the moon through my Pear Tree.

Don't forget to look a the next blog. I posted them at the same time. Enjoy.

A Mukilteo Sunset

A Wasted Weekend

So I got the whole weekend off! Sweet, right? Yeah, not so much. I had the whole weekend off and did......well nothing really.

Let's see. Saturday Terry & I were play fighting and he fore armed me in the face (accident) and I had a headache for the rest of the day. Not even Excedrin helped and it ALWAYS helps me. So Saturday was shot. On Sunday we were going to go to Chili's for lunch. Well Google Earth said that there were 2 "close" to us. We drove to the first one in Bellvue (26 miles from our house). Closed! We drove to the second one in Issaquah (33 miles from our house). Closed!! AHHHH! Let me tell you when your mouth thinks is gonna get something then it doesn't nothing taste good after that! All I kept thinking about was Southwestern Egg roles. :( Come to find out there's one close to the airport. Balls! So anyway just kind of drove around after that. Exploring. Oh and did I mention it was raining too! So I didn't even get any good shots. But here's a couple.

Railroad bridge over the Skykomish River.

Random art under a bridge. You find that a lot here.

This one isn't from this weekend I just thought it was pretty.

Bla Bla Bla

Well life (and my girly parts) finally seem to be returning to normal. If my calculations are correct Terry & I can start trying again in Jan. Oh I'm having a baby! I told my mom today that, "I'm like a lion who's tasted human blood and is now a man eater. I've now been pregnant and I want to be pregnant again!!" I know that kids can be little pains in the ass but I don't care. I think it could be cool to have 1 or 2.

Anyhow. The Northwestern Rains have started and it looks like they have crushed our weekend plans. You see, I never get a full weekend off and this one coming up my wonderful boss was kind enough to give me Sat. & Sun. off!! Woo Hoo! We were thinking of finally going to the Olympic Peninsula for some site seeing. Mother Nature clearly had different plans. The rain is here. We now may have to wait till spring. :(

On a completely gratuitous note: Here's something most rarely get to see. Me in a picture with ALL THREE of my babies. I hate being in pictures randomly. I'm very controlling with pics. But here it is.

I know, super flattering, right? They (my pets) are almost never this close to each other. And on my lap none the less. Pepper (middle) hisses at everyone (the pets) when they get to close, Snoopy (left) is scared of Smoke (right) and I (top) don't like everyone on top of me. Very rare pic indeed! Count yourselve lucky.

Happy Halloween!!

As some of you know I am a Pagan. I'm not a Wiccan. I don't practice witchcraft nor do I cast spells (not really anyway). I DO NOT worship the devil (I don't even believe in the devil). I don't drink kittens blood or sacrifice chickens. I certainly don't dance naked under a full moon or anyplace for that matter. As a Pagan, in very simple terms, I don't believe in one all powerful being (God) I believe in a God & Goddess in equal parts. The God "rules" over Fall & Winter. The Goddess, over Spring & Summer. There cannot be one without the other. I won't bore you with details. If you would like to know more there are countless website to peruse.

I will however give you Pagan Sabbat (holiday) lessons.

First Lesson:

SAMHAIN (aka Halloween) - Cross-quarter day - October 31/ November 1
Death, the third of the Harvest holidays, the ending of the cycle, death, but with the hope of rebirth and the New Year.The traditional time for the annual slaughter to ensure food throughout the winter months. Take this time to remember departed ones. In some traditions the end of the year . The separation between this physical world and the spiritworld is thin. Halloween customs are a part of this element of death, the thin line at this cycle and remembering the dead and the hopes of rebirth. On this night Magick is more powerful .

Halloween is my very favorite holiday. Although this year you wouldn't think that. I've done nothing. I just have been in no mood.

Anyway. Thats your first Pagan Lesson.

Happy Halloween & Blessed Be!

Another Weekend, Another Adventure!

The weather has turned colder now (Woo Hoo) and the Rains of the Pacific Northwest have not started yet so we thought we would take advantage of the nice weather. I don't have any good hiking shoes yet so I really didn't want to take on a trail but I really wanted to get outdoors. There are lots of rivers and creeks in the mountains and so we thought we'd go walk a riverbank. I don't know the name of the river but it sure was pretty. We saw a bald eagle but I wasn't quick enough to get the shot. We think it's so cool how you can be doing almost anything and see awesome wildlife. Oh...we also went to a salmon hatchery (Terry's idea). So here are a few pics for ya!

Baby Salmon. I never got a good shot of the big ones.

Our "signature picture". We take this shot every time we do something new.

Terry showing me diving technique.

Me trying to convince Terry I'm the queen of the mountain!

Just a nice shot of us and the background. I love Fall!

Ahhh. It was a nice day. My feet and ankles hurt a bit 'cause the bank was VERY rocky. I can't wait to get my new shoes!

WARNING: May get a little graphic. Sorry it's my blog! *:P raspberry*

On a little more personal note the miscarriage is starting to takes its toll! Normally a woman will bleed for about a week or so after but I had what's called an incomplete miscarriage. It means that my body didn't clean everything out at one time. It's taken for ever it seems like! It's been almost 3 weeks since it happened and my body is still not finished. I almost feel like Mother Nature is kicking me while I'm down. "Sorry you don't get to have this baby and oh by the way you're gonna be "out of commission" FOREVER!!! HAHAHAHA!!" And what makes it the worst is that because my cervix is still open Terry and I can't.....you know... because "IT" may cause infection. It's been rough, let's just say that! With all this taking so long it makes it a little harder to get past. I'm okay and we are looking forward (to say the least) to trying again, but I just want it to hurry up and be done already!

Granite Mountain

With the holiday season upon us I'm a lot busier at work than normal. That gives Ter time to do all the "Difficult" hikes that I don't want to do. He's so cute! He's slowly accumulating all the proper hiking gear for us both. New shoes (Keen), backpacks (Camelbacks), shirts (polyester), coats (Northface). He says things like if you really want to be a North westerner you need to do.....insert what real North westerners do here! I'm pretty sure that's why we bought the Subaru, Lucy. Anyway here are a few pics from his latest hike to Granite Mountain.

Starting to go above the cloud line.

The Fire Tower (the top). Still like a mile or so away.

Twin mountain lakes.

The view from the tower. (pieced together from 3 pics)

The tip of Mt. Rainer.

On the way back down.

The poor guy is feeling it today! (hehe) His legs are so sore. I know he would have it no other way!