Hasta La Vista 2009!

Anyone else in disbelief that today is December 31, 2009?! Seriously? We already had 365 days of 2009? I really feel like this year just started. Where did it go? Let's take a look...

We moved. Who can spot Chloe?

And the work began all over again. New windows.

Cleaning up the yard.

New patio.

New fence.

New shed. And now with winter we have moved to inside projects.

We caught a LOT of fish.

My sister went to Antarctica to work.

I ran in six races including my first half marathon.

We traveled to Italia! Here we are with Zio Dominico where my Dad was born. (Not literally in that wash basin.)

Jay and one of the many Fiats. I love those cars! Look how tiny it is.

On the bus to Pieve.

We had our first anniversary! Crazy.

Overall I would say that 2009 was a good year for us. We worked hard both at our 9 - 5 jobs and on our house. We also got to play. Sometimes I still can't believe we went to Italy. It was the

best to be able to share that with Jay. I don't know where we will go in 2010, but Jay has the

travel bug so you can bet we are going somewhere.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Peace and Love

Sara

This is What a Remodel Looks Like...

A microwave, a vanity, a light fixture, tile, texture...piled in the dining room.

Flooring for the entire house piled behind the couch.

The UGLY bathroom.

I LOVE this paint color.

Gross, I know. The old tub and Jay ripped off the old shower surround.

There goes the tub! Yes, with a sledgehammer. That was a 1945 cast iron tub.

Tile!

Nice work Jay - I love it!

Beadboard on the walls, new light, new paint, new vanity/sink...TA DA!

Pictures of our bedroom coming soon. So far Jay has textured the walls, we painted (once - didn't like it and we will paint again tonight), and ripped out the carpet. No relaxing 3 day holiday weekends for us - work, work, work!

Animals!

Jay and I don't have any children yet so bear with me as I show off our animals and my friend Lindsey and Carl's 3 month old puppy Jaegar. I mean really, how cute are these three?

Where's Chloe?

All bundled up for a day outside...it didn't last.


Who's a snuggler? Ralfie!

Looooooooooong kitty.

Trapped...momentarily.


"I'm breakin' out!"

Christmas is hard work!

Did You Know My Alarm Clock Works at 4:30 a.m.?!

I have a policy that I do not get up before 5:00 a.m. unless I am catching a flight. I mean really, who does that?! It is inhuman. Well, I am a sucker and can be guilted into things very easily. So when my friend Cari sent me a message earlier this week about a 5:10 a.m. functional class at the gym I said "Sure! Let's go!" Then I told my neighbor about it and she wanted to go. Then we roped in another gym buddy. I was dreading getting up that early but there was NO way I could back out. I would be ostracized. :-) All of us woke up every hour last night because we were so afraid we wouldn't wake up. I guess 4:30 wouldn't be sooooo bad if you got a good night's sleep. We all made it and I am pretty sure my eyes were open. Class was taught by Lyle who is a P.T. that works at BioSports. One word: WHOA. It was fun. Minor detail that I could barely lift my arms to blow dry my hair and no promises I can get out of my chair, but fun! I am glad I went. I don't think I will make any promises yet about making this a weekly occurence...but maybe! I am sure someone could talk me into it.

Now bring on the Christmas goodies! Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope your holiday is fun.

Ringing the Bell

Last night my friend Diane and I volunteered to man the Salvation Army Kettle and ring the bell at the Wenatchee Safeway. She brought me the Santa hat, which I think helped donations. :-) We were there for 2 hours and luckily we were inside! Still cold, but not as bad as being outside. Overall people were generous and it was a great experience. We learned that if we were friendly and talkative to folks on their way in they had their change ready on the way out. We also heard that if we have cute kids or puppies with us the donations double. I am taking notes and already planning for next year. My favorite donation of the evening was the elderly gentleman who said "Well if two nice ladies can ring my bells I guess that is worth a dollar." Ha!


Following is a brief history of the Salvation Army.

"The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, a London minister, gave up the comfort of his pulpit and decided to take his message into the streets where it would reach the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.His original aim was to send converts to established churches of the day, but soon he realized that the poor did not feel comfortable or welcome in the pews of most of the churches and chapels of Victorian England. Regular churchgoers were appalled when these shabbily dressed, unwashed people came to join them in worship.
Booth decided to found a church especially for them — the East London Christian Mission. The mission grew slowly, but Booth's faith in God remained undiminished.In May of 1878, Booth summoned his son, Bramwell, and his good friend George Railton to read a proof of the Christian Mission's annual report. At the top it read: THE CHRISTIAN MISSION is A VOLUNTEER ARMY. Bramwell strongly objected to this wording. He was not a volunteer: he was compelled to do God's work. So, in a flash of inspiration, Booth crossed out "Volunteer" and wrote "Salvation". The Salvation Army was born.


By the 1900s, the Army had spread around the world. The Salvation Army soon had officers and soldiers in 36 countries, including the United States of America. This well-organized yet flexible structure inspired a great many much-needed services: women's social work, the first food depot, the first day nursery and the first Salvation Army missionary hospital. During World War II, The Salvation Army operated 3,000 service units for the armed forces, which led to the formation of the USO.Today, The Salvation Army is stronger and more powerful than ever. Now, in over 106 nations around the world, The Salvation Army continues to work where the need is greatest, guided by faith in God and love for all people."

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Thoughts

What does Christmas mean to me? I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Well really, I think about it every year at this time. When I was little it meant presents, cookies, decorating a tree, and playing all day. As I got older it meant spending some time with family, but also going skiing that day or going to a friend's house. And now? I am still trying to figure it out. I know for sure it means this:

• Tortolacci for dinner.



• A Christmas Eve hike with Jay and Chloe.



• Gluhwein



• Relaxing...sort of. It is also usually accompanied by a feeling of being overwhelmed



• Wanting to give to those less fortunate.



• Wanting to volunteer when and where I can.



• Having a hard time saying no. (Okay, I always have a hard time saying no, not just at Christmas).



• Not knowing how to celebrate because I am torn between two families, my desire to help others and the pressure (self imposed) to make sure that everything is perfect and everyone is happy.

How do I make it special for Jay and I? How do I balance giving to the community and to my family? I feel pressured to buy buy buy. And yet I hate spending money on something they wouldn't use or want. But if I don't get them a gift I feel lousy.

I think this year I might be on the right track. I am joining a friend to ring a bell for the Salvation Army (which I think I might turn into a tradition for Jay and I). Jay and I donated to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society and the Women's Resource Center in our families names and are giving that as a gifts instead. I am trying to remember it is not about the STUFF. At least not for me.

I don't think my journey will end this Christmas. I am pretty sure it is something I will struggle with every year, but I hope to make progress. I do love Christmas. I love the lights, smells, and sounds.

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...means a little bit more." ~ The Grinch curtesy of Dr. Suess

You Know it is Cold When...

It is warmer in Antarctica! Carla talked to her this morning and it was 39 degrees. A regular heat wave down there. Maybe she can send it our way.

This cartoon has nothing to do with it, I just thought it was funny.

Gina

We got to talk to my sister on Thanksgiving. She called, I missed the call, I sent her a message on Facebook and she was able to call back. The wonders of technology. :-) This is the first time any of us have heard her voice since she left. I think she had a slight cold, but otherwise sounded great and it was so much fun to talk to her. It is light there 24 hours a day now - no sunrise or sunset. My favorite story was this one:

"We will leave the bar at 11:00 (or whatever) and go outside tired

and ready for bed. As soon as I step outside

I say 'Dang it! I forgot my sunglasses!' "

It just cracks me up that her first thought at night is about her sunglasses. Makes total sense of course, it is just funny.

This is sunset about a month ago when they still had them.

Hiking at 10:30 p.m.

Working on the runway. They have to quit using this runway now b/c the sea ice is melting.



Whoa.

Love you Gina!

Jay's New Hobby

Who would have thought going to Italy would provide Jay with a new hobby and our latest idea for a coffee table book. It started in Florence where people were pretty much shoulder to shoulder. I thought October might be a little less crowded, but no such luck. After getting off the train we muscled our way over the Ponte Vecchio hoping for fewer people on the other side. Again, no luck. We walked up to the Piazza Michelangelo and here it began. Jay had the camera and I wasn't paying much attention. Then I noticed him pointing it straight at another person. Me: "What are you doing?!" Him: "Taking pictures of all these people taking pictures." Ha Ha! He informed me that it was an art because you have to make it look like you are really taking a picutre of something else. In the very touristy areas this is not difficult. The picture below was taken later in the day and some of Jay's best work: he got a picture of the picture taker and the poser!

I am taking credit for this one. Two in one!





Photographer in the making.

Now, nobody steal our idea for a coffee table book, but next time you are on vacation try this. It is actually very entertaining and you can get some funny photos.

Firenze

I. Love. Florence. It holds a special place in my heart. I have been each time I am in Italy and I will continue to go each time I go back - as long as I rub the bronze pig's nose, which we did. There is not one specific thing that draws me to Florence, although the excellent shopping and delicious gelato don't hurt! I think maybe it is because I have so many memories in this city.

The first time I went was on a tour while in high school. My Dad was a chaperone and we were planning to meet up with the Monacos who were on a family vacation and would be in Florence at the same time. My Dad didn't call Mike, Mike didn't call my Dad - they said "Oh we will just run into each other." Well something was working in their favor. As our group exited the Galleria Academia the Monacos were attempting to enter through the exit. Hooray! I got to spend the rest of my first time in Florence with childhood friends, Angie and Nicole. Our favorite story to tell from that trip is how we all got huge gelatos, had taken two licks, and when Kailen went up to pet a horse it knocked hers on the ground! We laughed, she cried.

The second time I was in Florence I celebrated my 19th birthday. I still wear the sandals I bought myself that day.

The third time I was with Angie again. It was HOT. We were pretty miserable. And we were broke. I remember sitting on the sidewalk, both of us digging through our pockets and coming up with just enough change to buy a gelato. To share. We stayed in Fiesole, just outside of Florence, a 10 minute ride on the number 7 bus. Angie's parents both worked in Fiesole years ago. It was the number 7 bus when they lived there too.

The fourth time I got to spend with my husband. I was so excited to share something that means so much to me and has played a big part in my life with Jay. We accidentaly ate our first meal out at an "Italian" restuaraunt run by Indians. Oops. We walked to the Piazza Michelangelo and went and saw Michelangelo's David. I made Jay rub the pig's nose. It was a great day and Florence lived up to its potential.

View from Piazza Michelangelo.

The Duomo

My first picture of me and this statue is with Angie and Nicole. I have continued to take a picture each time I go back. It is tradition.

Pontassieve

We didn't sleep very well this week. It could be because we took a nap upon arriving breaking the number one cardinal rule of avoiding jet lag. It could be because Italian beds have nothing on American beds (even our crappy one). It could be because we were consuming copious amounts of wine. My Dad referred to this as "wine-lag". :-) Whatever the case, we spent most nights awake from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Since we didn't really have an agenda this didn't prove to be too much of an inconvience. Well, I take that back. By the time we woke up and were ready to go out and about it was always 1:00 p.m. which meant everything was closed until at least 3:00. Oh well!

On our first full day we went and had cappucinos - delicious - and just started walking. It was a beautiful day, probably in the high 60's low 70's. I saw a sign for a cemetery and I thought that might be neat. We ended up on one of their "wine roads" walking through vineyards and lots and lots of olive groves. Neither one of us had seen a producing olive tree up close and Jay tried one - he did not recommend it! I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face. Pretty sure these olives are not any good until they are pressed for oil.

Mmmmmmm. :-)

For the record: I knew EXACTLY where we were...HA!

Vineyards, with an olive grove in the top right.

Pontassieve ended up being perfect for us. It was a 5 minute walk to the train station from our B&B and then a 20 minute train ride to Florence. Florence has a large train station that is a main hub so from there you can get pretty much anywhere you need to go. We spent one day in Florence and one day in Siena. The rest of the time we just enjoyed being in a small town in Tuscany. We walked a lot, ate a lot of bread, cheese, salami and wine and just relaxed. The weather was great - a little chilly, but sunny every day.

The grocery shopping was always interesting. They actually had a big supermarket, which is very uncommon for Italy. They had baskets that you could carry or roll! (Please see the picture of Jay below.) We thought they were pretty funny. We also got in trouble one day for picking out fruit without putting a plastic glove on. This cute old man who didn't speak any English came up to us with a glove and put it on my hand. Oops! At the check out stand we typically just held out a handful of change and let them take what they needed. :-)

Check out the room colors! Maybe that is why we couldn't sleep!