February 14
The kids have been busy coloring and writing valentines, cupcakes have been sprinkled and I have cinnamon hearts on my mind. It’s February 14th, 2019 – my first Valentine’s Day without my valentine. In truth I didn’t think this day would shake me up, we’d never been big on the occasion, that said, it was […]
Facing the Day
I woke up this morning to the gentle rumble of my Boston terrier snoring beside me – an unremarkable start to the day. With my eyes still closed I listened for Chester complaining in his kennel downstairs to decide if it was actually time to get up. Silence. I took my usual moment to determine […]
Last year…
Last year at this time disaster was hanging over us like a sorcerer’s cloak – we had no clue what evil was afoot only that it was big and black and scary and we were ill prepared to face it. Last year at this time that sorcerer didn’t even have a name, he was hiding […]
Mt. Memorabilia
The attic has been emptied and now the rest of the house is a complete disaster. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn but I’m having a hard time even imagining the sun rising over all this clutter. I feel like I’m living in an episode of ‘Hoarders’ – there is crap everywhere. I’ve […]
Passing the torch
I spent a glory day on Mt. Baker last weekend. The sun was shining and the snow reflected the blue of a sky so clear even angels would have had to squint. It felt like coming home. Our kids grew up on Mt. Baker, it sealed the deal of what family meant to us; it’s […]
A lightbulb moment
I’ve never been keen on cooking for myself, it’s a lot of work and no one ever compliments the chef, after dinner I’m left holding the dishcloth, washing the dishes and wiping crumbs off the counter. Even a lackluster effort is a chore I’d prefer not to do. I’m almost three weeks into my […]
Buried Treasure
The yellowed newsprint is dated 1999, the treasure wrapped inside the brittle paper has waited twenty years for the light of day – now it’s spread across the kitchen counter. This is the first of the booty making its way out of the attic, the contents of one box – one of the many waiting […]
The dotted line
I was beginning to feel settled in my search for a new home, resigned to the fact it would take us a while to find something that met my criteria, and then it happened – we found it. In retrospect the hunt was a whirlwind, a frenzy – we are only in the third week […]
Downsizing
The house hunting adventure I’ve embarked upon this month has stirred up some unfamiliar emotions and shed light on thoughts I didn’t know I was thinking – I feel like I’m mid-section into a learning curve again. I came into this adventure reluctantly, uncertain – I didn’t know what the hell I was shopping […]