Is that a hippie in a suit?

What do you do when your hippie-husband launches a struggling company and wakes up one morning to find that he's a successful VP? Why, you go shopping, of course.

Now, for those of you already versed in the consumer world, this may be no big deal. But for those of us who Value Village (pronounced Vuh-loo Vi-laj) is the largest department store we enter, the prospect of "dressing for success" is daunting.

It took several trips to the mall (the nastiest 4-letter word!) and one fitting at MWH. We even had a midnight fashion show last night to cull the rifraff and to determine which outfit was the most powerful power suit. (The black suite with b&w striped shirt & shiny black/grey/white tie.) And THAT is how a mild mannered laser man becomes a Super World Class Business Man!

This morning, he departed for a 3 week international business trip; and he LOOKS GOOD! Hopefully he finds all the tags to remove before he gives his presentation on Frdiay :)

Sorry, folks, I had hoped to have pics of the fashion show, but the camera was already packed.

God-speed, sweetie! Knock 'em dead!

PS - He sent a pic of him in his most powerful Power Suit! Feast your eyes on this!

The Best Day EVER! ... in the whole world!

Thanks to all who helped create a truly magical weekend! We have some great photos we hope to be posting soon. But, we are missing a few "moments." If you happened to capture some good shots, it would be great to see them... email works for us!

Summer Time

I had to post simply for these photos...

I've been busy... planning my wedding & honeymooning, mostly. You can check out all the details at www.after15years.blogspot.com.

This was the MOST amazing rainbow I've ever seen, and right out my back door on August 1st. A full rainbow that spanned the lake. Very unsettled weather that week.

It seems to me that this year's weather is about a month behind. The Farmer's Market's produce was slow to get started; the thunderstorms of early August were more reminiscent of early July; and now a heat wave ("thermal trough" they call it). I think we're in for a summer that lasts easily through September.

I love that thought.

Olympic Park Institute (OPI)

Let me just tell you how lucky we are to live in the Pacific Northwest. Man and Woman have been to a lot of places in this world and not many compare to the natural grandeur of the mountains, trees and water found here. We're also lucky because we have great families. When Man and Woman first found OPI, they told people they were going to take them "camping" for the Big Day. Man and Woman were met only with slightly raised eyebrows, long pauses in conversation, and "Well, it suits you."

Along the way, people have imagined pit toilets, cold cabins and tents. C'mon, people! Did ya think we were CRAZY?

Back on a cold, windy, blustery spring day Woman invited all the Mom-Types to take a look and begin planning. Here, I share a few pics we snapped that day so you can get a flavor of the place.

Mom Types Being Tough











View of Lake Crescent from OPI Grounds











Friday Night Gathering Place











Lakeside Shelter / Fire Pit











Typical Cabin Exterior










Typical Room Interior










Typical Cabin Bathroom (see, water & everything!)

Stay tuned for Things To Do...

Our First...

Wedding present! Woman was very excited about the first box to show up on our doorstep. She waited until Man got home from work to open it. It took 20 minutes to convince Man that it was okay to open it before the Big Day; indeed that it was necessary to open it and enjoy it for its special place as the First Gift!

While Man has always gone above and beyond in gift giving, he does not want anyone to EVER feel obligated to get HIM a present. After all these years, Woman still doesn't understand his logic... maybe he was just too lucky as a kid & got all the presents he ever needed for his entire life. How could that be? Woman does not understand.

So, after convincing Man that it would make Woman so very happy to open it, we did so. And it is SOOO cool! And Woman is having a hard time putting it down. We will definately have to practice to attain the status of "Artisan." But, this tool is a beaut and, let me tell you, it is balanced for the perfect stroke and has enough weight to really mean business. Thanks, Shaleah! We love it!

Things To Do & Items to Bring

Sometimes when you're in a hurry, the details get left out. Woman was so proud to have invitations for the Big Day completed in what must have been record time! And yet, when Man and Woman were discussing how our Guests will entertain themselves before the ceremony, we realized that SWIMSUITS are not on the "Essentials" list. What? And, the invitation doesn't really say much about the gorgeous spot we've chosen on the shore of Lake Crescent. Olympic National Park

Declarations - of a sort

Despite the fact that it took Man & Woman 15 years to get married, they were head over heels within weeks of their first date. It was our college years, when we felt like we'd experienced enough to make grown-up decisions, but young enough to think about the decision before it was made. Woman's Mother, upon hearing Woman's excited chatter over a "new" man, was cautious. Mothers know that youth is impetuous.

Man turned to Woman and declared his love; "I think I might love you." Perhaps Man was experienced enough to realize the folly of youth, or perhaps he had been burned before and was simply being cautious. Woman, scared that it was too soon to be so crazy about someone, responded "I think I might love you, too."

Man and Woman were driving around one night, without a plan. Or perhaps Man had something on his mind. We wound up on river bank. Woman never really knew where we were. We climbed out onto large rip rap and shared the evening.