Finally Free!

The snow is melting, my car is free and yesterday I was able to go play in the woods. I was SOO stinking excited to get out!

See how excited I am? I really did feel like one of those dogs that's locked up in a kennel all day and now I was out and about. It was cold, snowing, windy, wet and I was so excited to be there!

And with me is my best friend, outdoor companion and all around favorite person, Diane. We decided to a do a trail close to home and right off a main road - I mean, they did just declare a State of Emergency in King County so I suppose we shouldn't push it. Besides, Diane and I are known to get into "situations" on some hikes. Yes, we've had to hike out in pitch black before and yes, something did growl at us. *shudder*

So I think this trail was only 3 miles to the top and had a healthy, gradual incline. Usually this trail is quite crowded and we avoid it but yesterday was perfect.

I was in such glee that I went "Timber!" sideways into the snow. Diane caught the moment. I was suprised at how numb I quickly got!

I really don't think this picture does the scene justice. I felt like I was hiking in a Robert Frost poem. It was just so peaceful with the snow all around and the fog swirling among the trees. Here's Diane representing her Bank To Bay shirt - woot!

And finally we get to the top. It was super windy and cold but we still took our moments to reflect. Here is Diane, being one with nature.

And I was still so excited to be out and about that I started doing cartwheels and roundoffs! I was doing so well that I asked Diane to videotape me. And of course, once she pushed "record" I couldn't stop falling on my face. Perfect.

OH - and I have *no* idea how to turn this video vertical so you're going to have to sit sideways to enjoy it.

House Arrest

All of this snow is beautiful - why just look at the street below in my neighborhood. But it's been holding my car hostage and I'm going stir crazy. After getting rides all week I was S.O.L. and had to call in to work today stranded on my Redondo island once again. Of course this was after I watched my neighbor get his car stuck and, can I just say, truly has perfected the art of cussing - I was in awe of his articulation and grammar skills.
Well, in 8 hours I will be free from my snow/slush/ice prison and will be up at the mountains with my buddy! I'm so stinking excited that I can't sleep. Like at all. This is better than Christmas presents - I'm so excited to get out of my prison! So why not a Mom story? Those are always fun...



DISCLAIMER: I am not going to point out my political views - this story is for humorous purposes only. So in theory, let's just say I have *no opinion* when it comes to politics (although I'm sure most of you can guess where I truly stand...)

*ahem*

So my Mother has a fondness for putting her political views "out there". She can be forceful in her delivery so much so that I've asked that she give the newspaper her maiden name when writing in her opinion.
Of course there was one day when a co-worker called me after running into my Mother canvassing in his neighborhood. He was able to give me direct quotes from her as I cringed in my chair. But he said she was "very sweet" about it. I think he was being sweet...

But anyway, she likes to put window decals on her car so the world can see just where she stands politically. For instance - she has/had this one sign that said something intolerant and hateful like "Save Marriage; One Man & One Woman = Were a Christian and You're Not" or something like that. So obviously I'm in fear for my Mother's safety (and in fear that someone will recognize her as "Krista's Mom" in the intolerance-mobile) so whenever I get the chance I take the window decal down and hide it.
The best was when she got her car worked on and couldn't find it. She proceeded to make a HUGE SCENE at this place of business accusing everyone of taking it. Then it occured to her that I took it. When she called me after her tyriad, and I let her know where to find it in her car, I had the pleasure of hearing her apologize very quietly to those she accused.

So of course on Christmas when I see this sign: (see below) you know what I felt my duty to do.



I thought I had gotten away with it, the window decal safe in my purse. As were about to leave the driveway she remembers something she wants to show us. "Stay right there - I want to show you my new sign!"

Crap.

Minutes later she comes out, pouting and yells "Krista Rose! Where did you put it!?" Well, I'm getting rusty in my older age and didn't even plan on her having a back-up window decal. The one that I saw in her hands. So, she's getting wiser in her old age. She's picking up. But I will be back. It's for her own good - for her protection of course.

Merry Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle Christmas!

Merry Merry Christmas!! I of course can't sleep. I'm staying up to track Santa's progress so far! And guess what - he's done! Everyone has their presents and their coal. My family isn't exchanging presents this year due to the economic crunch so hopefully I'm not just getting coal!

So I wanted to clear up some Christmas rumors. One of the biggest one is does your tongue *really* stick to a pole when it's cold outside?
The answer is Yes it does.
I know from personal experience.
I can't remember if it was a dare, double dare or the dreaded triple dog dare but I think I did it because I was very curious. We were waiting for the bus early in the morning and had time to spare. Until I got stuck!
I remember my friends pulling me hard with no luck to free my tongue. Finally I had to jump up and down and heard half my tongue rip off. I spit up as much blood as I could before I hopped on the bus but really couldn't taste anything for days and days.

And you see how in the below picture it's just the tip of his tongue? Oh no, I was more dedicated - I put the flat of my tongue, tastebud side, all up on that pole. I meant business. It's not a good business to get into though.

In fact, one of my friends that was at that bus stop that morning recently sent me an email:



"Hey girl... I had to write you ... my friend here at work, just out of the blue, asks me if I think it "really works" when somebody sticks their tongue to a frozen pole. Can you guess what came to mind? I had to laugh and tell her a really big YES it does really work... I told her all about a friend of mine and that when we were kids waiting for the bus to come one frosty morning... she stuck her tongue to the big metal electric pole...(do you recall any of this?)... then as the bus was coming, she still couldn't get it off and therefore ripped it from the pole with just enough time to climb on the bus. Your.... I mean.. her... tongue bled all the way to school. We saw the skin on that pole for WEEKS until it finally went away."

I often wonder if my palette is now flawed because of that whole experience...




So the snow/slush/ice is *still* holding my car hostage! After staying at the Schmucks for two nights so I could get rides to work I came back home today and will still not have any luck leaving.
Out of boredom the other day I made a fire (picture above) which I've never done here before. OK, from the picture you can tell I made the fire from a duraflame - still counts!
Anyway, perhaps I don't remember this from fireplaces as a young girl but after an hour of relaxing and hearing my fire crackle all of a sudden I heard loud "thuds" coming from my fireplace.
I instantly started picturing something combustible about to explode inside my chimney walls. Then I started hearing a VERY loud waterfall. Had a pipe burst behind my wall?
After running to the kitchen and getting a full bowl of water to take care of the flames I proceeded to call every reliable guy I knew to decide whether or not thuds and waterfalls were normal coming from fireplaces.
Well, it was pointed out to me when there is a foot of snow on your roof, and you light a fire, and the snow heats up....you get the point. I'm not building another fire until this snow melts though.

I hope everyone out there has a VERY Merry and Funky Christmas! Drive safe and don't shoot your eye out!

Happy Birthday Joshie!

My oldest nephew Joshie turned 8 years old today! Look how handsome and daper he is. He is such a cute little gentleman. He is very thoughtful and very honest. Wow. This is sounding like a children's book huh!

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"See Josh be a gentleman"

"Josh is very thoughtful. See Josh be thoughtful"

"See Josh run. Josh is a honest runner."

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Anyway...

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He wants to be a safety officer when he's older (previously a police officer but I think it's changed a bit). In fact for his birthday this morning he got: Caution Tape, a Reflecter Vest and some Orange Cones. Since there's a lot of snow right now I asked if he was going to use his safety gear to help out his neighbors and he replied "Auntie Krista, you don't get me." What??? He went on to explain "Those are for playing not for helping the neighbors. The neighbors have to help themselves." So he's a lazy Safety Officer. Perhaps if the neighbors get donuts he'll lend them a helping hand.

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He would make a good Officer though due to his strong ethics and strong sense of what's right and what's wrong. For example: Josh is not allowed to watch PG or PG-13 movies (I know, I know...I feel the same way). One time when I was watching him I wouldn't change the channel to something "G" despite his protests. I tried to explain why it was OK. Well he got furious with me and left the room. A few minutes later he came back with a colored piece of paper and gave me my pink slip! It's all about the rules with him.

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In any case - I remember when Joshie was born and waiting all day and night at the hospital with the rest of the family. Once he was officially born I called every person I stinking knew to tell them the good news. I couldn't wipe the grin from my face for months.

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Thank you Joshie for being born. You always make Auntie Krista very proud! I love your guts!

Cheese and Christmas Cheer (don't forget the beer).

"Cheeeeese!" Look how cute Baby Rambo is - a good way to start off my blog. He's just the happiest little kid ever...and so good at his cheese!



There are many things that I can't do and one of the things that I'm REALLY good at not doing well is baking/cooking/frying. Just anything to do with the kitchen - including cleaning. So last year for my friends' annual Christmas party I decided that the best gift I could give, that showed the most thought, would be cookies.
But last year I did it *all* wrong. I started off the day with a very long run and then gave myself 6 hours to bake about 7 different batches of cookies. Clearly I'm unexperienced. Somehow I had convinced Alan the Ogre to come over and the poor guy was put to work in my sh*t storm of a kitchen. I ended up setting off my smoke alarm twice and sent him to the store more than once (but no more than 3 times if I recall correctly).
So this year I did it differently - I decided to bake a different cookie batch (or two) every night for a week until my party. Clearly better. Oh, and by the way, my cookies last year were not that great. In case you were wondering....
Also this year I spared Alan the Ogre and didn't drag him into my mess - I figure leaving him alone is the best present I could ever give him.



So this is what the counter of my kitchen looked like all week. Some of my main ingredients waiting on the sideline, ready to be called for action.

So the first batch I made were Mexican Wedding Cakes. I never ate one but watched Rambo eat one tonight - when half of it crumbled to the floor in several pieces I decided that they were too dry. Figures.



Now these were actually pretty good! They are called Cranberry Hootycreeks (I chose them for the name of course). The green and red you see are white chocolate chips. Safeway was cleaned out of the regular ones so I had to buy the "festive ones". I actually think it adds more character.

These were so gross! To me at least. These are 7 Layer Magic Bars. I'm sure they're actually pretty good when cooked correctly. But I don't think I cooked them long enough. My co-worker Amanda said they're perfect if you drink a glass of milk after each bite (they're really sweet). And my other co-worker Melody said it took her an hour to eat just one. I threw most of them away.

These I like a lot. They're called Candy Cane Crisps. On some of them I got a little too excited about the candy canes which made them a bit too crispy. But still a crowd pleaser.

These get first prize. Soooo stinking good: Knock You Naked Brownies. Again, another one I chose from the name. But when I cooked them last night I bit into them and the caramel and chocolate chips were still gooey and I was in instant heaven. I made sure not to keep any of them. My hips can only take so much.

My how this scene has changed over the years - look at all the kids! Just when I was getting used to the rings. I have the best pals ever (with the cutest kids no doubt). And you know what makes them the best? They eat my cookies. And they say they like them. Even if I don't think it's true - they encourage and are gracious.

.....this is a big change from our years in college when they bought me a beginner's cookbook then proceeded to make fun of me all evening when I brought over my soupy banana cream pie. Jerks.

And on a unrelated note: I'm SO stinking happy that she posted some of the draft from her 5th book. It's made my Christmas complete http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/midnightsun_partialdraft3.pdf

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas!

Edward and long-lost hikes

So I finally finished the TWILIGHT series and now have my life back. I can start doing my laundry, cleaning my kitchen and get more than 4 hours of sleep at night. But I saw this picture of Hugh Jackman on the internet and couldn't help but think that if Edward had become a vampire at an older age this is what he'd look like. SWOON!

And I know I take a risk of being mobbed by a bunch of 14-year-old (and 30-year-old women for that matter) by saying this but I wasn't completely won over be Edward. There were no flaws to love and adore. I like Jacob because he would challenge Bella...guys like Edward don't last forever. Guys like Jacob are more realistic. Sorry - I'm head over heart little girls - please take your pitchforks and go back home despite my opinion!

But in other thoughts - I totally miss summer hikes right now. I have this race tomorrow and it's going to be STINKING cold! Perhaps even snowy. I don't even know if my muscles will ever get warm enough. So here is a picture for me to hold on to: This is from the Tatoosh Ridge hike that Big D and I did. We parked a car on each end of the trail so it was 11 miles of one-way wonderment and sweaty bliss. Getting up the steep switchbacks to this point were so worth it. Our trail was dug into the steep slant of the hillside and we could see Rainier (pictured), St. Helens and Adams. Bliss I say...

Massage Etiquette

This picture has nothing to do with my blog, I just thought it was funny. Besides, if you're going to take the time to dress up and find just the right wig to go with those bright pink flip flops then you want to make sure people appreciate your look...right? That's what I always thought.

But moving on:

So I bought some massages last year when I thought I was going to be running a lot more than I ended up being able to in 2008 (See March 2008 blog - An Ode to Vivi).
But now I have to use them all up before the end up this month! So after finishing up returning my Monday phone calls from work this evening I evaluated my to-do piles. There is the "Do ASAP" piles, the "Check if needs to be done ASAP" piles and the "Not so much ASAP but definitely do Soon" pile. Feeling my body slouch down in my chair I decided to make a phone call "Ok God, if there's an opening then I know you're telling me that I shouldn't stay late." And what do ya know - there was one opening left this evening for a massage. Me=Gone immediately from my office.

So I let my masseuse know about my achy shoulder/neck before I laid down for her to work her magic. And she's just amazing as always. Always within the first ten minutes I have that moment of clarity when I realize it's easy to be single when all I need are massages like this to keep me happy.
But she never really got to the guts of my problem spot within the first 30 minutes...do I speak up? I don't want to offend her. As I was contemplating I heard his sniffle "Are you sick? Do you need to take a minute?" She informs me that she has a horrible sinus ache behind her eyes. Oh poor girl...now I REALLY don't know if I should tell her re-evaluate my problem spot. So I keep silent.
She goes on to massage my achy calves (courtesy of 6.7 on Mercer last night) and even my fingers. And let me interrupt here and say that when I was in high school my little crush used to massage my hands during class because they would ache from working at Baskin Robbins the night before. How cute is that? But I digress....
So she keeps sniffling as she works out my quads "Are you feeling OK?" I'm trying to feel her out. She insists she does but is fighting off a sneeze. So I guess in my head that we have about 15 minutes left as she makes her way back to my head. Finally - she's going to save the best for last and work out that brick in my shoulder...right? Hmm..well, that head massage feels nice....Oh, and I didn't realize my neck was so sore there - thank you....but still...should I say something? And then *ding* - time is up.
Dang it. So what is proper massage etiquette? Do I speak up and say "Hey lady, wipe your nose and then get your hands back up here and show my shoulder who is boss!" ??

So I did the next best thing: I scheduled a massage for next week with a fella. Because I figure since guys don't have feelings and enjoy hurting women anyway....well, you know where I'm going with this.

To be continued!

The Truth About Buford

Shortly before I turned 13 my sister came home for the weekend from College. She wasn't at home long before the doorbell rang - it was our neighbor. Before he said anything she noticed the gun he was holding to my dog, Buford's head. "Keep your dog away from my horses or this is what's going to happen to him."

The night before I turned 13 I heard a gunshot coming from my neighbor's house. This wasn't unusual except for the fact that I never saw Buford again. Over Thanksgiving dinner I found out the truth about Buford...

Let me just pause here and say how much I adored Buford. He was my pride and joy - he seemed to be a mix of Shepherd, Lab and adorable mutt. I spent hours with him outside playing fetch and teaching him other tricks. Now for a little girl who had no cable TV, siblings away at college and friends too far for walking distance - Buford was a dream. *sigh* But he loved to chase the neighbor's horses along the fence. I'm certain in Buford's head this was just a fun game since they would run along the fence with him. Back and forth for hours while Buford barked the whole time.

So for years I've been haunted by the mystery of Buford's disappearance. Was he buried just next door? Was it a quick death? How long would he have lived - been mine? It's not fair to compare dogs to Buford that I'd had gotten since his disappearance. But when something is taken away from you prematurely you can't help but compare. (I'm sorry for saying that Mattie, RIP).

So over Thanksgiving dinner somehow we start talking about Buford and my Dad casually asked me if he ever told me what he found out from our other neighbor. "Noo....what happened to Buford? He wasn't shot?" Turns out my gun-loving neighbors had some dog-loving friends that lived in the country and saw Buford as a good-looking dog. So. They took him. Buford didn't die and the horses were never barked at again since that day. I had spent my whole 13th birthday in mourning not knowing that at the same time Buford was getting used to a new home.
So Buford. I hope they treated you well. Now my mind is drifting to many other questions now that the truth has come out.

Hmmm...see what happens when I listen to too much Tori Amos? But really - 1000 Oceans tugs at my heart so much!

So to end on another optimistic note below is a picture of my nephews below on Thanksgiving. How stinking cute! Josh and I talked about his future career in being a Safety Officer while Colin kidnapped my camera and took pics of everything. He was doing a very good job and when I told him that he exclaimed that it was because he's getting "Smarter and stronger every day!" Of course!