My Best Friends Bleed Crimson

The blood in my veins runs purple.  The Love of My Life and I are Husky Fans.  In fact, I love my alma mater so much that I returned to work here as a grown-up.  Because UW is awesome.    

However, I have a confession to make.  I should be reclining on a leather couch in a therapist’s office right now.  Major disclosure in 5-4-3-2-1… WSU is a kicking good time!  I recognize that my UW colleagues are busy excelling in academics, finding cures for pandemic diseases, and receiving Nobel prizes.  All the while, the Cougars are chuggin’ hammers, reppin’ slutty tops, and roofying minors.  Party!

Two of my bestest friends attended WSU while I was at UW.  The girls and I frequently made the five hour odyssey to see the boys in Pullman and partake in the raucous.  Within their comfortably grimy home, we turned up the Trick Daddy, experimented with basement moonshine, and fed on ghost toast (bread, toaster, butter, sugar, tummy-ache). 

Most college coeds yearn to spend their vacations in foam parties on sun drenched beaches.  Nope, Dund, Wacky, KTO, Bidda, and I packed up the Lysol and road-tripped to Pullman.  A pet snake living in the heating vent.  A wrench instead of shower knobs.  A transient named Captain Ron sharing the couch.  That same couch burning in the front yard, Buddy’s unsuccessful attempt to start a classic WSU riot.  We uncontrollably giggled through it all; we were never fearful.  We had each other (and a secret spy window in Botham’s room).  We were at ease knowing that our rowdy group of coeds was above all else, Best Friends.         



Not taken in the Alpha House, Rainy Park or the Turquoise Palace, but still Best Friends!



College days inevitably come to an end.  Of course most Cougars prolong the end for 6 or 7 years before they actually graduate.  Nonetheless, the end of the era is inevitable. 

Tara Lee is now passing through the era of college graduation and transition.  Brett and I are so proud of Tara’s accomplishments.  She left for WSU with little experience outside of Cle Elum.  She walked across the graduation stage this month having excelled in school, studied abroad, and earned her own group of Best Friends.  Brett and I decided early on that we would make the pilgrimage back to Pullman to honor her grand accomplishments. 

The celebration compounded when we learned that Brett’s brother Jeff would also be walking in the graduation ceremony in Pullman.  Jeff truly earned his degree in Business.  He put in the long hours, late nights, balanced his full time job, and maintained his new marriage to his amazing wife, Sarah.  Jeff’s determination and superior intelligence prevailed.  In the face of numerous commitments, Jeff was recognized as Magna Cum Laude.  Jeff is a genius!   

After hours and hours on the one-lane highway, the Golden Dragon arrived in Pullman.  Mom, Gram, and Brett patiently listened as I recalled my favorite Pullman memories.  Along the way we created a new set of memories:  watching two of our Best Friends walk across the very same stage on the very same day.

As we drove away watching Pullman fade in the rearview mirror, I reflected on what that city has meant to me.  Sure, WSU has a lousy football team, it is surrounded by hay, and its greatest contribution to society is beer sales.  But, to me Pullman means Best Friends. 

Congratulations to our Best Friends, Jeff & Tara Lee.  GO HUSKIES!  

   

Happy 33rd Birthday Brett!

It’s not every day that the Love of My Life turns #33.  I wanted to celebrate his birthday in a way that combines our different perspectives on gift giving.  My gift giving style aims for sentiment.  I prefer to give and receive gifts in the form of intimacy or inside jokes.  For example, my childhood bathroom was invested with ladybugs.  To this day, I hate ladybugs.  Creepy red beetles.  Thus, my mother frequently purchases ladybug themed gifts.  Giving a gift of something that emanates hate may not make sense to y’all, but it tells me that Momsie cares.  Ladybug gifts acknowledge that she knows me to the core.   

In contrast, Brett’s gift giving style aims to create memories.  He prefers to give and receive gifts in the form of experiences.  He has gifted me trips, vacations, and get-a-ways.  Over the last three years, those experiences have created the memories that make us the ooeey gooey couple that we love to be.  Spoiled wifey!

This year, I listened closely to Brett’s unintentional hints to plan his Birthday present.  He insinuated that making his own whiskey would be way cool.  I combined that suggestion with his love for luxury hotels.  We ended up in Woodinville, WA whiskey sipping with his best pals, eating fine steaks, and snuggling in Egyptian cotton sheets. 

Whiskey Tasting



Woodinville Whiskey Company

 I rewarded myself for the great idea by bringing Harper along. Willows Lodge was extemely accommodating and relaxing.  The Rafuse Family will return soon! 

Brett and I are both so grateful for our loved ones that joined us in Woodinville.  You all contributed to filling Brett’s #33 with sentiment, inside jokes, experiences, and memories.  Happy Birthday Baby!   

Just the Right Formula

We like to think of the Old Walnut Tree as a protective umbrella over our little cottage on Issaquah Creek.  Our lawn disagrees.  Along with other grand trees in our yard, the Old Walnut Tree deprives the grass of live-giving sunlight.  During the fall, its homicidal leaves cloak the grass in a strangle hold.  By spring, the grass has heroically perseveres in sporadic clusters.

  

Backyard (Before)





Plant Cemetary (Before)

 

Front (Before)



The Love of My Life is a man of action.  We were both tired of the embarrassment of being “those” neighbors.  You know “those” neighbors.  The neighbors with skeezy front yard.  Last year’s Christmas tree, a pile of bricks, and a dilapidated wheelbarrow. That was us.  But, not anymore.    



Side (Before)



Side (After)

Brett worked with the landscaper to clear the debris, define the flower beds, and fill the mud pits with gravel.  We were so pleased at the results.  It is extraordinary how such simple remedies can brighten your perspective on arriving home.  Since then, Brett has been diligent about maintaining the work.  He approaches those balding clusters of grass scientifically.  Just the right formula of water and sunlight has encouraged curious blades to peak out of the dirt.

 

  

Front with Harpie the Gardener (Before)



Front (After)



There are some challenges to living Under the Old Walnut Tree.  But, with just the right formula of dedication and love, we thrive.            







We Roll with It

Muscular dystrophy consists of a gradual atrophy to the muscles.  As my muscle strength deteriorates, physical functions become increasingly difficult.  The gradual nature of the deterioration means that new challenges arise with time.  Such is life, nothing is permanent.  We literally have to “roll” with it.   

In 2002, my Mom came to the realization before me that we needed an accessible van for my scooter.  She had her fill of lifting the scooter in and out of her Four Runner.  That thing was heavy and I was a busy girl.  Mom researched and purchased our first accessible van.  The basic electric ramp enabled my independence, driving to work, and moving out on my own. 

Linds & I in the original van.  Probably headed to Castle Superstore.

After a couple years, the ramp had reached its twilight years.  The final straw broke when Gus the Dog snapped the electric lift.  Let’s not blame Gus.  He was a good boy, though stinky.  He was just trying to join the ladies on another hike.         

Such a good pup!

Just beginning law school, unemployed, and broke… I was not in a position to buy a new van.  I hopped on public transportation as a last resort.  Then one afternoon, I was trekking with a lap full of textbooks from the bus stop to our apartment in Kirkland.  I heard a blaring horn, cat calls, and saw a Yorkie hanging out a car window.  My Mom had saved the day yet again.  She purchased a new van and truly eased my struggles.

Thank you, Momsie!

The Vangina was with me through some of life’s greatest milestones: law school, graduation, moving to Cle Elum, my first law job, my first home, road trips, and marrying the Love of My Life.  She was just one of the girls through years of wonderful memories.  She was a good friend.

Tor, Biff, & Dundas: the van's best friends.

Shoe: plenty of room for napping in the van.  What ever happened to that pink coat?

Collywater: a frequent passenger.

At Wellrose Place.  Heading to Seafair.

Natalie: on our way to Pearl Jam at the Gorge. Hot!

Linds: usually laying on the floor with Natalie. 

Camping with Bax and the ladies.



Tam & Biffy: always a dance party in the van.



Becca: roadtrip to Whistler for Maureen's Bachelorette. Beads and leopard print?!

Roadtrip to Canada with my "friend", Brett. 

Shelter from the wind and cold in wine country.

Biffy & Megan: don't worry we keep a corkscrew in the van.

Under the Old Walnut Tree.

Such is life, the Vangina was not permanent.  Brett and I began to witness a gradual deterioration as she aged.  Last weekend, the time came to let her go. 

Thanks for all the great memories!

Allow me to introduce the newest member of our family:  The Golden Dragon.

Muscular dystrophy will always deliver new challenges.  And we will continue to roll with it.  But, at least we will be rolling in style!