09.14.08 … 09.28.08

[Disclaimer: This is a mom-blog-post meaning it's a giant blog post that probably only my mom will care to read. ;)]

I sat on the couch catching up on last minute work as the washer filled with water and the dryer began to dry the first load of the day. Corey grabbed his coat and headed to the ED (emergency dept) for a 10-hour shift. We commented about the wind that was howling outside. I didn’t mind it. I actually prefer bad weather when I have a to-do list that includes all in-home activities. Within moments my day turned.

I attempted to pack as best as I could with no electricity. My to-do list of ironing, washing clothes, sewing and catching up on last minute work (which I was able to do until my battery died) hit a major speed bump…err…road block when Hurricane Ike decided to send his cousin to the Midwest. The next day we cleaned out our warm refrigerator, rung out the clothes sitting in standing water in the washer, packed up what we could in a total haze and headed to Knoxville. The night wore on as we re-washed loads of wet and semi-moldy clothes, attempted to pack for a vacation that included 3 different climates, get Chili settled to stay with family and try to get a better night’s rest then we did the night before with no air conditioning. My OCD was in overdrive as I thought about all the things I was NOT able to do before leaving town. But, with no control of ours our flight was on-time and ready to drop us off in Denver where we would catch our final leg to Los Gatos, California.

It was all worth it. My sister, niece and nephew were standing just on the other side of the security checkpoint. Finley was beside herself. Her Uncle Corey was in town! Back to the house I’ve been blessed to visit four times in the past year (it really pays off to have a job such as photography where all you need is a few stellar clients and even family visits can be written off as a business trip) to a crazy-excited 4-year-old and the type of 16 month old that could easily make us all okay with overpopulation.

Corey and I left the next morning where we would spend the next 2 days romping around San Francisco – checking out the city, eating delicious Indian cuisine, walking across the Golden Gate and ending up at the Wharf where I scored myself a brand new pair of Ray-Ban’s as an early birthday gift. The next day was my birthday and I didn’t care one bit what was on our itinerary. I was just happy to be spending it with my favorite person. Between med-school and residency they both had managed to steal him away my past two birthdays. We ended the day at an ideal café surrounded by my family, presents, cupcakes and two other brave waitresses singing me happy birthday. It was perfect.


The weekend flew by as I feared it would. Time with Finley & Mercer is time I wish I could freeze. If I have ½ the love for my future children as I do for them then we’re all in for an obnoxious mother. I’m sure to be “one of them”.

...see Finley pics in previous post...

Why I love kids...the simple discovery of a wheel or spinning head can entertain for quite some time...

Gah. See what I mean? I just want to eat him.

The next three days were spent in our 4th city of the week…Tahoe - California & Nevada. It was all it was supposed to be and even more so perfectly stunning. It’s the type of place that makes you stop and thank God for being so wonderfully creative. We hiked, I pointed out animal paw prints, Corey called me ‘Daniel-la Boone’, we sang loud to Journey and Gym Class Heroes as we drove from the hotel to dinner, we ate with a sunset view of the most famous lake in the United States, and we slept with our back door opened so that the Tahoe air would make our room just cold enough to make our down comforter perfectly bulky.

Do you think his face says, "pleeeeaaaase stop taking pictures"? Yea, me neither.


On our way out of Tahoe on Wednesday we signed up for a morning poker tournament at one of the many casinos. At 10:02 a.m. I flipped up the left corners to discreetly view my two given cards and threw in my bet to join in. I love playing poker, but have never played at a table surrounded by people I don’t know looking as serious as you would imagine. I was incredibly nervous. With checks all around, I quickly picked up that everyone was making it quite obvious that their two cards didn’t do anything for them when the flop came. So, being in late position I decided to buy the pot. Folds all around named me the first-pot-of-the-tournament winner. Mid-way through I went all in with a set of 7’s and got called by two others. I was for certain that my fleece jacket was moving up and down by the beating of my chest. All cards were flipped, including the river card, pairing the board. Full House. Chips were swept my way. Shortly after Corey got out on a bad beat and I was moved to the final table. I made it to the final four and then we decided to chop the pot. I made both of our money back and then some. I was happy to say that I did not donate a penny to the casino’s crystal chandelier. :)


Two more days soaking in all of my west coast living family and then back on the plane to head to the opposite side of the country for the type of cook-out that can only take place in the city you grew up in, surrounded by the friends that know you better than anyone else. My “I’m soooo tired” was quickly forgotten over margaritas, a potluck dinner, smores and an open fire. Corey and I crashed that night next to a yellow-haired, floppy-eared dog that was finally at peace because her owners had in fact not left her behind.


The next morning we picked up our two friends that remind us the most of each other and headed to our favorite place on this earth: Banner Elk, North Carolina. Before the day was over, we sat in the living room with 10 others laughing hysterically to a piece of paper that was stumbled upon including a piece of embarrassing information about one of Corey’s brothers. Of course he and his lovely fiancé laughed along, tears strolling down their cheeks. The weekend looked like the first scenes of Home Alone and was filled with the perfect amount of dancing, singing, laughing, game playing, skeet shooting, football watching, cake eating, relaxing and the end of the weekend family picture taking (lucky for us all, my father-in-law is a photographer, too).

7 more hours in the car Corey and I arrived back at home with a few sticks in our spokes….the popsicles shared the love on the bottom shelf, the washer leaked when we ran a load, the garage took 30 minutes before we could figure out why it wouldn’t work……… But, right now I am in bed with him fading off next to me and we are both in agreement that we are thankful. Thankful for our family, our health, vacations and even this house – sticks in spokes and all.

To all 503 clients:

Sorry to you all for my MIA’ness. Ever since the electricity went off 15 days ago I have felt slightly behind, befuddled and extended. But, I have been spending the week getting myself reorganized before jumping on a plane again on Thursday. If you have an order to be placed, feel free to do so. If you need to talk to me, please call anytime! And, if you are waiting on a return email it’s coming your way!