Monday Night 5/30

dinner conversation
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

A little dinner conversation. It was agreed by everyone that Lloyd's Kalbi Flank Steak is the very best ever! I love to bbq, I call Lloyd at Stadium Thriftway and he does all of my prep, then Chris always volunteers to do the grilling when its time to cook. My major contribution is driving from the store to home, one of my favorite ways to cook.

Is that Gino sitting at the table? He not only showed up, but he stayed for dinner and beyond. And during softball season. How do we rate? Maybe he will skip the batting cages from time to time to join us. BTW, Jewel, Katie says hands off of Gino, she's claiming him and she's not sharing.

back in the kitchen

tracy dishes
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

One of the best things about Monday nights is how everyone is fighting to do dishes. Tracy is a neat freak, he does dishes, packs up leftovers and cleans my kitchen better than I do. Hey Tracy, when you get done there, I have laundry upstairs that needs to be folded and put away.

Is there any more dessert?????

crazy tom
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Alright Tom, no more brownies and Ben & Jerry's for you!

Biker Chick, moi?

Ya know, when your alarm goes off at 4:30am, 5 days a week, for the sole purpose of going to the gym, you think that you'd be in shape. But, nooooooooooooo. I went for a bike ride with Tracy, the King of Cycling. He just wanted to do an easy recovery ride, since he rode 66 miles on Saturday and 40 miles on Sunday. So yesterday I finally took my bike (actually Katie's bike, shhhhhhh) to Old Town and got the pedals swaped out for the clip in kind, just so I could create the illusion that I knew what I was doing. And the good news is that I only almost fell over with both of my shoes clipped in once in the center of a major intersection. Quiet a sobering experience. So we rode from my house, to Pt. Defiance (Peter it looks like they are getting all set up for the Tacoma Flower & Garden Show next weekend), did the 5 mile drive and then down to the Mandolin Cafe for refreshments (didn't leave my phone there today, yeah) and then home. A whopping 19.23 mile ride. Am I still breathing hard? The answer would be yes. I think I need to do some serious training before I join Tracy & Chris on the 40 mile Sumner ride on Sundays. Tracy is training for the STP (Seattle to Portland) ride in July. I would be lucky to make the STP (Seattle to Puyallup) before collapsing on the pavement. STP, 206 miles total, 150 the first day, but the last 56 on day 2 are all hills. You go Tracy, and send me a postcard when you're done!

A Little More Shopping

condoms r us
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Just thought I would add in this little picture from our shopping spree. If you can't read the signs, this would be the girls standing in front of a famous Pike Place Market Institution, "Rubber Rainbow Condoms". You know it's a proud day when a Mom gets the priviledge to go condom shopping with her daughter and her friends. Such a special moment should rate a page in the baby book, but alas, Hallmark didn't see fit to add it. Oh well. I did get some choice pictures inside the prophylactic emporium, but this is the only "G" rated one of the bunch.

The girls left for college early this afternoon. I will miss them, they were so much fun to spend time with. And Katie woke me up with a fabulous boquet of flowers that she designed herself, a beautiful pair of green earrings, a balloon & a card. It was the perfect start of my day.

Have I mentioned that Katie is my most favorite person on the planet. And I feel truly blessed that she has shared her 19+ years with me so generously. Ankles don't lie.

A Shopping Saturday

Jen, Bethany & Katie
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

I was lucky enough to share my weekend with Katie and two of her college buddies. Jen is from Hawaii & had never been to Seattle. Bethany is from Portland and a seasoned Seattle shopper. They gave me a good workout from Pike Place Market to Westlake Center to Pacific Place and all shopping points in between. I'm typically not much of a shopper, but this group is very inspiring. It has been a great weekend & I am sad to say that tomorrow they will go back for dead week and finals. Though I probably couldn't keep up with them for another day.

Who are these kids & why are they calling me "Teacher"?

14 1/2 days & counting
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Do we look ready for summer or what??? Or does this look more like the most casual police line up in Tacoma??? Actually, we are the Special Ed Para's at school waiting patiently for our children to arrive on their buses. The weather forecast was for a high of 78 degrees today, so we busted out the beach chairs, smoothies and paper drink umbrellas. Boy, did we take some major abuse from our bus drivers. One driver even asked me if we our smoothies were spiked. Paleeeze, we don't need any chemical help to act crazy, that just comes naturally for us. Especially this time of year!

Raining Pink Martinis

Raining Pink Martinis
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Feast your eyes on this beautiful scarf from my new bestest friend, Debbie. She is not only one of the nicest people that I work with but, as you can see, she has exceptional taste. I have no idea where she spotted this fabulous scarf, but when she saw the shower of pink martinis, she thought of moi. Obviously, I have her well trained. Pink is not a color that I normally wear, but this could very well change everything. And I am sure that it will also look spectacular with green. I will definitely be wearing this to Chateau San Michelle on August 19th!

Friends & Pink Martinis

tom & jewel
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Go Jewel, go! Go Jewel, go!

I thought the theme this week was no theme, or bring whatever. It seems that without my knowledge or consent a sub theme was cooked up last week. So surprise, surprise the table was covered with artichoke dishes and food that was green. The decorations were all pink martinis, with giant martini glasses filled with fresh fruit and pink cool whip. Mmmmmmmmmmm. It was too much fun! I must admit that I loved it.

I'm so glad that my Monday night buddies appreciate Monday night dinners. And no thanks are needed because, to be totally honest, Monday night is a selfish endeavour on my part. It's my way of getting a group of very incredible people to come over and keep me company one night a week. I feel very lucky that I have friends who are willing to do this.

Another Saturday Night Out on the Town!

cutters
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

And not just any old town, this was a night in the big city of Seattle, woooo whooooo! The occasion: A surprise b day bash for Miss Jessica. And our super stealth organizers, Agent Jenn & Agent Sarah pulled it off. Good work girls. I got the primo job of chauffering the boys. After they mooned the WA state trooper, I didn't think I could outrun those sirens and lights, but we did. Whew! Lots of secret cellphone communiques and highly classified code talk brought it all together at Cutter's Bayhouse in Pike Place Market. The food was great, the company even better.

And lucky us, it was prom night in Seattle, so we got excellent teen watching. Oh to be that young and stuffed into one of those dresses. Since the beginning of time, I don't think high school boys ever look happy wearing tuxes. They only hope that their hours of practicing pays off as they strategically pin the coursage to "that" place on the dress. Nothing like pinning the tail on the donkey, that's for sure.

Bizzy Week

I guess I just need to reconcile myself to the fact that the last weeks of school are going to be busy, crazy, hectic and I just need to go with the flow. Only 17 1/2 days left until school's out for summer, but who's counting...that would be ME!!!!!

A four day week next week & the great news is that Katie may be home next Friday. Just for the weekend, not yet for the whole summer. She & her buds think that shopping in Seattle would be a great way to spend Memorial Day weekend. & I couldn't agree more. It will be so fun to see her (I do miss the little booger) and great to have her friends to entertain (witnesses so that we behave ourselves).

Hot & Spicy Recovery

Finally, I can say my mouth is no longer burning from dinner last night. Yeowlza, Hot & Spicy Monday night dinner was a 5 alarm experience. Ouch. But I think I have found the ultimate diet solution: Ric & Tiffany's jerk sauce. Oh the pain. My mouth hurt. The chicken was good, but my mouth was in too much pain to take another bite. Talk about portion control. What an easy diet to follow. Jerk Sauce on everything. 3 bites & I am done. Doesn't matter if I think I am still hungry, there is no way another bite is going into my mouth.

Tonight we went to Tom's first solo recital. It was wonderful. Tom put a lot of time and energy into learning some very tough music & it really paid off. Tom, your singing was beautiful (and you didn't look too bad in that tux either). Thank you for inviting us. Next time, for your french selection, may I reccommend a little pink martini??? Just a suggestion.

boys will be boys?

nunsense
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

I spent Friday night with the girls, so I thought it was only fair that I spent Saturday night with the boys. The secret to happiness is a well balanced life! Thanks to Tracy & Robert, I was invited to the Birthday party of the Emporess of Tacoma (that's "her" in the middle with the nuns habit on). She is the Reigning Emporess of the Tacoma drag community, her birthday celebration was a fund raiser for their scholarship fund and softball team. BTW, the softball team is in first place in the Seattle League. Dinner was good, the show afterwards was great featuring over 30 local stars! If you look closely at this picture you can see that the two ex-nuns have belt buckles that light up with words that scrolled across. I can't remember exactly what they said, but I can assure you that they were truly inspiring spiritual thoughts.

bette

bette
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

tina

tina
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Dominique du Bois

Dominique Du Bouis
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Isn't she stunning??? That dress! Those legs! Don't cha just wanna hate her??? A man who looks better in an evening gown than I do is motivation for me to drop those last 18 lbs. He's not going to have better legs than me this summer. And Robert, I must thank you for the great visual reminder that Monday Night's theme this week is "Hot and Spicy".

Do we know how to par-tay or what?

spa party
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

You'd never see this in the 60s at a Tupperware party, but this is a new millineum. It's proof that it has been a long week when women get together just to drape a warm lavendar soaked wash cloth on their faces and just breath deeply. Luckily, I have a lot of friends and co-workers that are willing to do this (& likely they had no idea what so ever that I would take this picture). Note the empty bottle of wine. That might have had a bit to do with their willingness. A few such bottles generously gave their lives for the cause. I would mention everyone pictured by name, but there may be reasons that they put the wash cloths on their faces when I snapped this picture. I am so very glad that I can create the environment where this can take place (mostly because it means that I don't have to drive home afterwards). Actually, I had so much fun, and was so glad that so many people came, that I have to that you all for the great end of my week!

Now Jane ...

cindy's spa moment
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's not nice to laugh at your boss when she's not looking??? Cindy, we love you enough to tell you that if Don Lloyd ever saw you doing this in your office, you sure would have a lot of splainin' to do, you crazy red-head! And if you think that this wash cloth could keep Mrs. Johnson quiet, you would be wrong.

playin' footsies

foot soak
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Now is this the way to end your Friday or what? No husbands, no small children, just the girls and their own private foot soakin' tubs. Personally, I could end every Friday night like this. A bunch of friends, tidbits on toothpicks, nice beverages and a whole lot of pampering. Sarah, Jessica & Michele, thank you oh so much for coming.

Charlie's balls

Charlie's balls
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

If you know my friend Doug, you know his buddy Charlie. Charlie is a mentally unstable french poodle, who has a small obsession about tennis balls. So, of course, whenever I get an opportunity I like to mess with the mind of the mentally unstable. Last fall I got a hold of this very large bag of free tennis balls from the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club for Charlie. Really, I meant to send them to Florida, but never got around to it. Boy am I glad I didn't send them. Today with Doug & Charlie on the front porch, I stumbled out the front door sending tennis balls flying everywhere. Poor Charlie. didn't know which one to chase. When the balls stopped rolling, Doug, Rob & I just kept throwing them up into the air. Poor Charlie. But as you can see by the picture, Charlie got the last laugh as his well trained humans gathered all of his balls for a fun photo shoot.

Is it June yet?

I knew today would be a long day when I awoke at 3:15 and decided that going over all of the things I need to get done in the next 3 days was muuuuuuch more productive than wasting my time sleeping. Duh!

Wednesday is my favorite spin day because Beth is my favorite spin teacher. Alas, she was sick and we were left with no teacher. Luckily, one brave class member took over and rode our butts off. Tracy, if you are reading this, imagine doing a set of 4 spin ups then looking up to see that there is still 25 minutes left of class, how is that possible? Obviously it wasn't a Monday.

So now it's off to tackle my tadu list, go to work, volleyball after work til 4, pick up a rug at the cleaners on my way home to feed the dogs and then back to school for literacy night from 5:30-7:30. Anyone jealous of my glamorous life?

Eva

Eva
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

MMMmmmmmmonday night dinner. Betcha can't guess what Eva is hiding behind her head. I'm not telling. We had a nice mix of appetizers, salads, desserts & of course, Peter brought a VAT of turkey tettrazini. Peter has this thing for cooking for 35 people, anything less is just not worth his time. So we all get dinner & lunch the next day, not a bad deal.

20 down, 128 to go

it's growing
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

I know I said my goal was to be wearing this sweater on June 1st & I am confident that I will, only June 1st, 2006. Hopefully, the more I do, the faster they will go. So that's the theory.

I went to a wonderful all day Danish Domino knitting class today in Seattle taught by Susanna Hansson. I took her color class in March and it gave me the courage to tackle another project that I am currently working on. It's a doll purse & I will post a pic of that when it's closer to being done. Check out her website and see all of the cool projects she teaches. http://www.oneofsusannas.com/

My knittin' buddy Jessica came too. She is only working on her 2nd scarf and she really jumped off of the deep end doing dominos, and she did great (knitted more of them than I did). Danish Dominos are very similar to these mitered squares and I picked up some great tips that will make my squares look better and go quicker.

Now it's off to listen to Tom sing with the NW Lutheran choir ..... can't keep Peter waiting or he will leave without me.

ttfn

Duncan & Sydney

Duncan & Sydney
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

The proofs are in. Duncan & Sydney, aka Mr. & Ms. Photodogenic got their pictures back today. And they are too cute, but of course, we all know that.

If you want to see the rest of their pictures check out this website https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/517599 Let me know what you think and which are your favorites. I can still change the graphics around before I order the final products.

These pictures were done by a photographer out of Fremont who has named her company "Cowbelly". To check out the rest of her site go to my links list and click on Cowbelly. If you are interested for yourself and your own 4 legged family member, she will be back in Tacoma on May 14th.

Happy Friday to Me!!!!

I know it is Tuesday for the rest of you, but it's Friday for me. After work today I will be whizzing up to Blahvue (Bellevue) for a 3 day Early Childhood conference. I will be taking workshops on working with autistic preschoolers. I may be making a job change next fall and returning to the world of 3, 4 & 5 year olds. But with public education these days, you just never know what will be available and what won't.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to enjoying new ideas, a nice hotel and eating out (but still being good). I may even get some serious progress on the sweater that I'm knitting. The dogs are excited that Rachel will be dog sitting. Out of everyone that they know, they think that she smells best.

And speaking of dogs, I got an email last night from "Cowbelly", the Fremont Photographer who took the kids pictures a couple of weeks ago. It looks like she will be sending me proofs of their photo shoot on Thursday. As soon I get the pictures, I will share. I can't wait to see how they turned out!

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Cena De la Noche De Lunes

Cena De la Noche De Lunes
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Ole! Just a bunch of happy amigos around the dinner table. The food was great, the company was even better. Thanks to Mac for being the Margarita Man.

As you can see, Senor Doug is back from Florida for the summer. For those of you who don't know Doug, he is a contractor and owns the house across the street. When I wanted to get a tile ceiling ripped out of my living room, he said, lets just remodel the whole house. I said, "Ok." And the rest, as they say is history.

Obviously no one in Florida knows how to cut hair and Doug doesn't seem real happy about that. Oh well, Senor Chris looks happy enough for the both of them.

the new & improved sweater #2

the new & improved sweater #2
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Ta Da! Isn't it cool. I love these mitered squares, they are so fun to knit. They better be, I have done 6 so far. The front of the sweater is made up of 69 squares and the back 71. Hmmmm, doing the math. That means I only have 134 to go. (I'll let you know how I feel about these after I do the first 50). Well better get knitting, this sweater isn't knitting itself.

ttfn