LaBellaMaison

A CALM STATE OF MIND

A calm state of mind...............that is what I am striving for!  And it has been working amidst all the crazy things that have been going on in my life.  I am surprised how I am just going with the flow................and it is working just fine.  When things get a little sticky or stressful, I just remind myself that I know God & my faith in him will help me in all aspects of my life.  Day to day, moment to moment.  He is my strength when I have none, my guide when I cannot see.  My trusted counselor.................yes, he is all things at all times.  So, I will lean on him in all things and he will bring me peace.

My home is still in a state of disarray.  Oh my gosh, so many things that need to find a place in different rooms.  My bedroom is still a mess and I wonder why it is not driving me crazy?  Charlie's brother Lenny is still here; but, we haven't made too much progress in the last two days.  We've gotta get on the stick because I have a list of things to get accomplished before he leaves on Tuesday.  I have to take advantage of having someone lift heavy boxes for me while I can.  And I plan on utilizing him to help me reupholster some chairs and a bench among other things.  Today was a busy with grooming for Zoei and a dental cleaning for Benzi.  These doggies sure cost me a lot of $$$$.

Saturday, we went to the Husky game against the University of Arizona.  Tough loss but a beautiful day.  The stadium sits right on the water and it is a very pretty setting.  This week was Homecoming with lots of alumni in attendance.  The sun was shining and it turned out to be a warm day.  I had to peel off my long undershirt at one point in the game.  Then it turned cool about 20 minutes later.  So, much for Pacific Coast weather. 

Here are some pictures I took at the game:

Lenny

Our Stadium

University of Washington Marching Band

Our fans

 

Smiles from the families even though we lost the game

We know we have to stay positive to keep the guys up.  Its tough to lose especially when the amount of hours they put in.  So we try to keep some normacy in their lives during football season.  Here is a picture of the coach (Charlie) and his brother (Lenny) after the game:

We were on our way home to enjoy a family dinner and of course watch more football.

Until next Saturday, when we start all over again..............................................

PIKE'S PLACE MARKET

Happy Day............a day of sunshine and sightseeing.  Charlie's brother Lenny and I decided to take the opportunity and enjoy a beautiful Seattle day at Pike's Market.  So many sights and people watching.  The weather was beautiful and we were in an uplifted mood.  So fun to be in the hustle bustle of the city...............pretty energizing to say the least.  Here are a few snapshots of our adventure:

There were many vendors and booths carrying a variety of items.  I especially love to look at the flowers and buy a bouquet.

 

And oh, the fruits and vegetables.................

of course there is a abundance of seafood..........

and lots of other sites:

A great place to visit...................Happy looking!

An UGG GIRL NOW

A little catch up......................on my new adventure in Seattle.  I haven't been doing anything too exciting.  I returned from Phoenix last Monday and since then I have been trying to make my house a home.  My brother-in-law is here from North Carolina helping me do everything under the sun!  He sure is more motivated than I am at getting my house unpacked.  I guess its something new for him.  For me it is the sixth move in 8 years so I guess you could say HELP!  No wonder I am near crazy...................

Last week I went to a baby shower for one of the coaches wives who recently had a baby.  It was a fun get-together and an opportunity to learn more about the people on our staff.  Thursday, we had a bad wind storm and the electricity went out for about 1 1/2.  Thank goodness it came back on because last year storm the area was without power for up to one week.  Funny, how we managed to leave our generator in Phoenix.  We bought a new one in Florida for hurricane season and its never been used.  I bet we can use it out here more than in Arizona!!  Live and learn!

Saturday, was the Huskie's game against the Oregon "Ducks."  I never met a "Duck" that was more annoying.  We played a good game up until the fourth quarter; but, those ducks were way bigger than us and really quick!!!!  They really had an explosive offense.  After the game, Charlie had a recruit visiting from California so we went to dinner with him and his mom.  Hope we can sign him.  Nice kid and super athlete!

Oh by the way, I was prepared for the game this time.  It had rained like crazy all day Friday but held off for most of the game Saturday.  I had on the long underwear, down jacket, and Ugg boots.  Did I mention I am a "Ugg Girl" now?  Yup, wear them almost everyday.  I now bundle up in turtlenecks and wool sweaters.  I guess my friends from Florida and Arizona wouldn't recognized me!  Maybe I will even turn into a Bohemian Chick!  Never say never.................You adapt a new attitude up here in these parts, come check it out.  And if you peek in my kitchen window, I have been cooking up a storm.  Beef stew, chicken pot pie, spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo-all the comfort food.  Just what I need....ugh!

The leaves are turning here and it is beautiful!  Love those fall colors.  I have missed this for the last two years living in Florida.  And my lovely pumpkins:

And the puppies staring out side dreaming about Halloween:

I'M STILL HERE

I am still out here...................somewhere!!!!!  Lots of stress and crazy stuff going on that's for sure.  I am in my house in Seattle thank the lord.  We moved in on Thursday, October 3rd with no working sink in the powder room, one sink in the master bathroom & no light fixture, cook-top hood missing in the kitchen along with handles on some of the drawers, and on and one and on!  But, were in...............yes sir re! 

Last Thursday, I went to Phoenix for the Arizona State vs. Washington Huskies game.  I brought with me a nasty cold.  I cannot remember the last time I have had a cold.  Well, Seattle's cold and rainy weather certainly didn't help.  But, I made it to  Phoenix on a wing and a prayer.  After I arrived in Arizona, I crashed and slept a good couple of hours  My girlfriend Jacqui arrived Thursday evening about 11:00 p.m.  We stayed up talking and didn't go to bed until 1:30 a.m.  After that our remaining time was spent getting pedicures, shopping, and eating!  We did hook up with her niece Nicole and hit the bar where she works called Flicka's.  It definitely was a different experience.  We had great hamburgers there that later gave us tummy aches.  We also enjoyed a nice dinner at Sapporo's a funky sushi restaurant and took in the football game( which we lost)........................boo hoo!  Nicole and her friend Katelyn accompanied us to the game and were cheering for Arizona State in the Huskie parent & alumni section.  Definitely, not cool.  One former Huskie player who sat near us went to the concession stand and was spit on by 3 Sun devils.  Of course a fight ensued and he came back to his seat with his shirt ripped off.  Love those classless schools.  Here's a cute photo of Jacqui and Nicole.

When I left Phoenix to return to Seattle, I arrived at the airport to discover that when I changed my airline ticket it was changed to depart a week later.  Nice......................... when you get to the airport and find that the ticket agent made a major error and you are screwed.  The Us Airways agent told me that all the flights were sold out for the entire week because of the Huskie's game and parents weekend.  She said that they had also overbooked all their flights so if I could come back tomorrow I would have a better chance of getting a seat.  Well, that didn't sit well with me since they had made the mistake and I had been left at the airport by Jacqui and Nicole.  I didn't pay a $300.00 fee to change my ticket to have it incorrect.  Ms. Us Airways informed me that if it had been changed correctly the fee would have been $700.00!!!  Unreal!

So at the mercy of Ms. US Airways, she said she would do me a favor and give me the last seat on the 1:00 p.m. flight.  I asked her if there were any chance I might get on the 10:25 a.m. flight if I went stand-by.  According to her, my chances were slim to none and she had already done me a favor!  The nerve..........so I went to the gate and pleaded my case and still didn't make it onto the flight.  I guess I wasn't as elite as the four people they let on the plane.  What's a girl to do?  Go to the FOX News Sports Bar and hang out for an hour or so................until it was close to the time for departure for the 1:00 p.m. flight.  And by the way, almost all of their flights were overbooked and their passengers were getting re-routed all over the place.  Oh well, I don't love you US Airways!!!!

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

Sleepless in Seattle........that's only the beginning of the story.  Let me give you a quick update on my Destination Seattle!  My contractor informed us a day before I was to arrive in Seattle that they were a day behind in completing our renovations.  This was because (according to Darren) that our furnace blew so they couldn't complete painting the house with no heat.  Apparently, without heat the tape wouldn't stay on the wall so they could spray the woodwork.  Without the painting completed Darren said that they had to reschedule the carpet installation, completing the kitchen cabinets/ and the bathroom vanities, the plumbing (sinks & toilets), the electrician, the appliances, counter-tops, and on & on & on!!!

So, anyway we arrived on Thursday and went to stay at my cousins home.  After too many puppies everywhere we decided that having 4 dogs in someone else home for more than a day was a bit much.  We decided to board then since we were not going to be able to move into our house for a week( 7 days later)!!!  Paradise Kennels is the place we found and it turned out not to be paradise for my 4 doggies.  I decided to go pick them up on Monday, because I was worried about Jazzi.  Well, it turns out that I should have been worried about Zoei because she got pretty sick when we took her home.  That night she was throwing up and had diarrhea........all over The Residence Inn.  After a  visit to vet number one & a day in her crate, things seemed like they were calming down it started all over again. 

This morning with my agenda of meeting the movers at 8:30 a.m. for an all day adventure and a bed delivery I had to get her & Jazzi to tvet #2  I found a vet that opened at 7:30 a.m. and I was waiting in my car for them to open.  They decided to keep her and Jazzi overnight for observation.  After talking to the vet this afternoon-Zoei wasn't doing well. 

On a mission, I went over to the house to meet the 4 movers, and was joined by 3 electricians, 2 plumbers, 2 tile guys, 2 cabinet makers, and 2 contractors.  Oh joy!!  And then there was also 2 fellows who came to deliver my bed.  It was a crazy hectic day.  And did I mention that Charlie flew out at 7:00 a.m. to Los Angeles and will not be back until late Friday night?

No help for Lisa for all the stuff in the 2 semi-trucks, over flowing garage and things unfinished in the house.  So what if the power was cut for the dryer, that we had only one sink working in the master bathroom, & no running water in the kitchen, workmen going to the bathroom in my toilets, and much much more.  Upward and on ward with this adventure.  I have no choice, I must trudge on!

A DISASTER

The move has not been going well...............let's say its more of a disaster!!!!!  More later, I am on the run..................