Happy Holidays!!!

Hello everyone!

First of all, congrats Crystal!! I am so completely proud of you for getting licensed. You are such a good example and leader for the rest of us (or at least those that are continuing down the route of MFT)

I am going to be up in the area at Christmastime for about a week. Matt and I will be visiting his family for part of the time but I will have time to visit with my buddies as much as possible. I miss you all so much!! Feel free to email me your current phone numbers if your interested in getting together...mjarrett@mgc-gc.com.

So what's new in CO....Matt and I are doing well-not engaged yet-and we're both completely fine with that. We are both working on our own businesses as well as working full time so we are busy!!! Matt is still with a real estate/construction company building high rises downtown. He is working on doing his own thing in the real estate investment side of things. (sort of flipping houses type of dealy). I am still with Westaff although I hope by the time I come up to WA, I can say different. My company has had a lot of changes at the management level and I have seen a lot of my dearest friends get pushed out of the company and I feel guilty about sticking around. I have been actively looking elsewhere and have had good response from two companies I've interviewed with-both for recruiting roles. I am loving the path I am taking and my business venture is taking me in the same direction as Suse. I have decided to pursue my love of photography and start a business doing portraits, and eventually weddings (I'm not ready for that yet). I do not want to step on Susanne's toes at all because she is AMAZING at what she does but I feel safe to share my work with you since I'm in an entirely different state. My hope is to eventually leave the workforce ("damn the man!") and work for myself but I am not ready for this yet. My webpage that I'm working on is meganjarrettphotography.com

What is new with everyone else? I cannot wait to see those of you that I can. Can we plan a lunch or something?? Matt and I will be there the Mon before Christmas and leaving the Sat after so I would love to plan something.

I miss you all-I'll post some recent pics soon.

Megan

P.S. Anyone checked out this whole "twilight" hysteria?? I have completely embarrassing photos to share of my friends and I going out for drinks and to this movie (we have all read all 4 books) and my friend decided it would be fun for us to all wear T-shirts and buttons pronouncing our love for Edward (hopefully someone knows what I'm talking about) we had a blast!!! from what little I can remember....)

LMFT

I just got the news today, I passed the MFT exam and am now a LMFT!!! I will be getting my official license in 10-14 days. I am so excited!
I apologize for my lack of posting. This summer was spent studying for the exam and lately work has been non-stop, I cherish when I can practice some self care! I also have finally become an aunt like many of us. I get to visit my new nephew over Christmas. Susanne, I wish I could afford to fly you out to South Carolina so you could take gorgeous pictures of my brother and his family!!
Jeff was out here in October and we have plans to see each other again next month. We are still working on ending up on the same side of the country!
I miss everyone and hope you are all doing wonderful. Please e-mail or call if you want to catch up more!
Always,
Crystal

I'm so sad

It sounds like everyone is doing well. Congratulations Joy! Maybe Megan will be next?

My kitty died this past Thursday; I posted his picture. He became ill really quickly with Pancreatitus. He got sick and was gone within a week. His name is Chattee, pronounced "Shatty". I'm sure most of you have met him or heard about him. It is amazing how much we can miss our pets when they're gone. I had him for exactly seven years and was able to see him be born; I considered him to be my son. He was incredibly special and will always be missed.

On a more positive note...I love being a homeowner and Michael and I continuing to try to get pregnant. My boss had her baby last week. He was nine pounds! Nine pounds! No one should have to push out nine pounds. I cannot imagine that is one of the "joys" of motherhood.

Joy and Janett-Please continue to keep us updated on your wedding plans.

Is Shannon still dating her boyfriend? Does Shannon even post on here anymore? Is Shannon still alive?

I am thinking about doing a reunion like party for us. Is anyone interested in this? Let me know some dates if you are.

Engaged!

Dennis and and I are getting married! It's been a crazy week and I'm still wrapping my head around it! We had been planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago when hurricane Ike derailed out flight so we can to cancel the trip. We were so bummed but decided to head to the San Juan Islands for some R and R. On Tuesday night we decided to drive to the other side of the island to watch the sunset and lucked out with finding a private little beach with no one around. The next thing I know, Dennis was on his knee! It was so romantic! I cried, he cried--it was unbelievable. We, like Janett and Mike, are wanting to just enjoy the engagement and have not set a date yet.

In other news, I still love my job as an adoption worker, I've taken up knitting, and Dennis and I hope to get a dog next summer!

I read the blog all the time, I'm obsessed with Susanne's blog, and can't believe how long it's been since we all finished school! I am always excited when I read the blog and hear the updates congrats to everyone for the many, many wonderful things that are happening in your lives!

Here are some pictures of the engagement event and there are more on my Facebook.

Hello Everyone!

OK-so I don't know what I am doing wrong-I have been trying to log in for weeks to comment on people's news and for some reason, I was having trouble doing that!!! So-CONGRATULATIONS Janett!!! I am so excited for you and Mike-you're going to have to post pictures from Hawaii soon!! (I'm so jealous of you between your trips to the San Juan Islands and then Hawaii...geez!) I'm excited to hear that you're near licensure-that's phenemonal!

Kellee-congrats!!! I know it's scary to mail off that mortgage payment but also such a nice feeling!!! I'm still waiting to hear the news of babies but I don't want to be one of "those people" that are always asking about the next step-just enjoy where you're at and the practice for making baby ;)

Suse-I keep meaning to add comments about your photos. I'm astounded by your talent!! You are such an inspiration to me as I am trying to get my own footing in gaining more experience with the professional photography realm and portraits and weddings and such-you're really doing it and I could not be prouder of you. I think you've found what you are meant to do and the people in Tacoma are lucky to have you around to capture all of their memories...I'll have to call you again soon to catch up and seek out more advice.

Matt, Larry and I are still doing well...I'll try to post a couple of pics here for an update. Not too much is new with us which really just means that everything continues to be going well. We are actually flying to Wisconsin tomorrow for the weekend to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary-60!!! I really think that's unbelievable and I'm looking forward to seeing all of my family. (My brother will be there with Dutch (his son) who I posted about awhile back while he was in the NICU-I"m glad to say that Dutch is now full weight and happy and healthy and I can't wait to see him and post more pics like a proud aunt would.)

Like everyone else-I check in often but somehow have been having trouble posting comments. I'm so appreciative of the folks hat take the time to update everyone on here as I still think about all of you and miss you and regret that I don't live closer to get together for lunch or a bbq on our deck!

Here's a couple of pics and then I will sign off for the night-I miss you all!!!

We're Homeowners!!

Is homeowners one word or two? I guess it doesn't matter that much!! Michael and I bought a house up on South Hill off Canyon. It takes both of us about 15 to 20 minutes to get to work. The house was built in 2001 and has three bedrooms and two and a half baths. It has a perfect size yard for us (not postage stamp but not two much yardwork) and a two car garage. We had the entire inside painted and it has new carpet. We just mailed our first payment off! I'm not sure how I feel about that yet; I guess I will find out when it clears the bank :( The next step is kids!

I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well!

Engaged!

It has happened, boys and girls : ) I am engaged! (I'm sure most of you are frantically scrolling down to see who posted). Mike proposed on July 24th and I happily said yes. I actually thought he might propose while we were in Hawai'i visiting my mom and turned out he was but couldn't wait, aw! So yes, we are en-fianced. I'm working on enjoying the engagement part, though I do have some general ideas about the wedding. Other than that, nothing has been planned.

In other news, we are leaving for Hawai'i tomorrow! I am so excited as I haven't been there in a couple of years and really, truly miss it. I kept having dreams about snorkeling but in my dream always being too busy to actually do it; perhaps that's the Jungian way of trying to tell me something. Interpret as you wish. I'm lucky enough to be over there until September 4 but Mike has to come back on the 24th because of work. I guess that's what it's like to be busy at work, unlike the dog days of August where no one, not even the court ordered, show to session.

In work related news, I'm a CMHS and am nearing completing my hours for licensure. Exciting but daunting. I can't say I have too much advice just yet. I know there are others who I will get looking to get advice from soon.

Mike and I have been busy; spending the 4th of July on Sucia Island in the San Juan's. Let me just say boat trips can be a story just in themselves : ). It was fun and so relaxing, I could have searched for rocks for days and been perfectly content. I want to upload my Picasa album so you can all check it out but apparently I'm not as tech savvy as I thought I was : )

I honestly check this blog daily and I love finding that people have posted!! I often wonder "what are they up to?" and sometimes I get to find out : ). Keep the news coming!

Janett

Hi all, Slow days in client-world, the worst week yet for productivity!! So, who has gotten MHP status? Is it 2-years of treatment or 2-years of treatment post-grad? I think I remember Kellee getting her MHP status not too long into her job at AYR, right? I'm still glad I have this job.

Hope all goes well! Let's hear some news from out there. When are we having lunch? Or coffee? We must all be too busy.

Loving summertime, just not getting outside enough. Finally getting a jewelry web-site made, should be ready by September. Now I just have to get some jewelry made. I'll post it when it's done. xo K

Well Hello!

Well how funny!! I know that everyone reads this blog everyday like I do and we have been reading the same posts for weeks (Thanks Janet for the info on the Dali Lama....that kept us going for awhile!!!) Just as I was really antsy to start making some calls and touch base with everyone...everyone starts posting!!

Well first off....Suse! I have been reading your blog to the point that Matt makes fun of me and I am absolutely in love with your family. I will call you soon to check in, but I hope you can somehow feel my love and support coming across to you as I find you AMAZING!!! (so jealous of your photography skills...)

Next-Kellee...I'm so excited for you! I know you are going to make such an amazing mother-I'm just waiting for the day to hear that you are expecting. I got your message and I really miss and love you...I will call you this week...

And my dear Katherine....I read your posts and honestly have to go back and start at the beginning and read it again...I just think "huh? Is someone really lucky enough to live this life!" I miss you so much and really do think about you daily. I love you and am glad to hear that all is going so well!


Well now onto important matters...me!! (haha...totally kidding...)

I think I have delayed posting because I am in a severe situation of transition! I don't even know where to start. Matt and I are still LOVING Colorado...just missing all of our buddies! We have a lot of good friends here but it just doesn't compare...

I am still working with Westaff as a recruiter-I know the last some of you heard was that I was applying for a family services coordinator. Well-things have changed a little bit. After a lot of contemplation (and meetings with the CO association of MFTs) I really made the final decision to move on from MFT. I am actually tearing up a little bit as I write this (especially reading that you all are moving on towards licensure-that's amazing!) I have decided to stay in the human resources field as I really feel that it is a good fit for me. I went back and forth quite a bit, but I realized that much of my pull towards staying in MFT was guilt that I had the degree and should be helping people. I struggled with this a bit in the end, I know that while I value my degree and the time I spent with all of you-I know I need to persue something different for myself. I feel very confidant in my decision and am excited to see what is ahead...I have some things in the works but am holding off on telling anyone until I know some final details.

Moving on...

Matt, Larry and I are doing well...I need to take some updated pictures and post them (Larry is literally a horse...words cannot describe) We are still living in a townhome just north of Denver. We were talking recently about moving up to the Vail area but plans with that fell through. No talks of a wedding yet...always sometime in the future...but no date as of yet. We've had a lot of sress/change with both of us considering new jobs/places to live, etc. that I think once everything settles down-we can start looking toward the future a bit more.

What about you Joy...married yet??

I love all of you and miss you! More updates to come soon!

Megan

Hi All!

It looks like everyone is doing well. It sounds like we all are gainfully employed and enjoying it. I spoke to David the other day and he seems to be his usually cheerful self.

My life seems to idling right now as Michael and I are waiting for the Fall to come. We are waiting for our house to be released for sale by the builder. As soon as this happens and we are moved in we will start trying to get pregnant. It seems like the women all around me are pregnant and babies are popping out all the over the place. This is making my "mommy" hormones go crazy! My time will come; I just wish sooner rather than later!

I am preparing for my licensure exam right now. I have to have all the documents in by July 7th. This is close to the two-year post masters date and I started working full-time prior to graduation. I'm crossing my fingers they let me take it. This was the situation with another AYR therapist and he was able to, however, I have heard mixed things. Wish me luck!

I'm glad to hear you are all doing well!

I will update you when I am finally pregnant!

Well, so good to read posts and comments and have some time to catch up with this and Susanne's blog. I have been too busy but enjoying work, feeling perfectly entitled to totally veg out during the hour I have between when I get home and go to bed.... I really need to get out of there earlier. This weekend I helped my girlfriend in Seattle do a big catering job for UW Med School residents at Mt Baker Community Center and we're still eating the leftovers, yummy. Also went to the Pt Defiance Garden Show today and bought hostas to grow in the shade... I'm very excited about them. I always thought they were kind of ho-hum plants, big leafy green things, but the leaves are totally amazing!!! Every plant has a different color combination and the leaves look like they were individually painted by a watercolor artist!!

I also made a ruby, gold, and watermelon tourmaline bracelet today that turned out really pretty, and am planning to make a necklace and earrings.

I went to my college reunion in Southern California in early May. It was fun, great weather, and lots of good connections with old and new friends. Bob and I went to visit friends in Bow/Edison a couple of weekends ago and ended up at a wake for a musician (Coyote George) whom we didn't know, but our friends encouraged us to go and we were glad we did. Coyote George worked in the mental health field in addition to playing guitar in the Poor Man's Jug Band, so there were lots of interesting people there who also worked in mental health. At the end of the evening we did a ceremony and then they lit this 10-foot wide metal eagle with kerosene-soaked fiberglass rope and made the wings flap while it was covered with foot-high flames!!! Totally amazing!!! I want something like that at my wake!!! Like a giant phoenix bird. The next day our friend's girlfriend invited us to go to a little gourmet picnic on the deck outside Taylor Shellfish on Samish Bay, with caviar, oysters, clams, mussels, nice salads.... it was a really great weekend.

We have a book group at work and just read Winter Dance by Gary Paulsen about the Iditarod, which was a fun read and increased my respect for dogs and made me want to go to Alaska. I'd love to be able to see the sights he describes in the book, without freezing my nose, face, or toes off. I just started another book by Pete Dexter called Train, which is so good I don't want to put it down.

I'm also walking some, trying to get ready to walk the Virginia Mason 1/2 Marathon at the end of June again. It's hard to find the time to walk as much as I did last year. I'll just have to use determination to get through it, and moan and groan later.

I'm going to the Behavioral Health Conference with a few people from work, over in Yakima, which will be nice, since it promises to actually feel like summer over there. Anybody else going? I miss seeing all you people at our monthly lunches or the occasional party. I hear Charlie is retiring in the Fall. Will there be a party like for Cheryl? I'm sure there will be.

And did Crystal take her licensing test, yet? I guess I need to read more posts. :) Time for the book and the bed. xo K

A life out side of my kids :)

Life has a funny way of working things out. I've told some of you just how difficult of a transition it was for me to go from working woman to stay at home mom. As important of a job it is, being a full time mom can feel very monotonous and I really really missed the stimulation of non mom work. I feel like I'd finally come around to really and truly accepting that it was going to be a long time before I did any sort of "real" mental health stuff and then all of the sudden this totally random and unexpected door opened for me!

So, I have the great honor of being appointed the leader of the "Family Readiness Group" for Greg's Company at work. Along with this volunteer spot has come some incredible opportunities for me! I'm getting training on Casualty Assistance, which is something I'd been really interested in since Greg's deployment. Essentially I'm getting training on how to work with families during those first few hours, days and weeks of finding out their soldier was killed while deployed. Another interesting training I'm getting is on Traumatic Brain Injury, which has become very common in soldiers, as well as PTSD. Hopefully I can tell you more about it as I really get into them.

I'm trilled to death that I actually get to use my education for something and get some free training......LOL. I think it's funny that it's called "training," but I'll take what I can get, what ever they want to call it.

Gainfully Employed....at last!

Hello all you fellow colleagues! I'm happy to report I am gainfully employed at Good Samaritan Behavioral Healthcare in Older Adult Services .... with Shannon! WooHoo!! It's very nice to have a friendly face around, as starting a new job can be stressful and overwhelming. Shannon is very good at helping diminish both the stress and the whelming.

I have had some great opportunities, and for a person with deficits in the decision-making department, choosing can be a very difficult thing. Thankfully, I have done it. Decided. Accepted. Begun the daily grind. It's good. I'm heading toward licensure at last. My eye is on the goal. Unfortunately, this new employment experience has taken a chunk of time and leaves very little for fun and association (not that I was doing a whole lot of that before anyway), so I will continue to check this blog and keep connected as best I can. I am also still transcribing at night, just not as much, and feebly keeping up the yard. Life is good.

I hope you are all doing well, and I look forward to more of your tales and adventures.

Margie

The Dalai Lama and Dog Parks

Hello all!

I feel like I just posted way back in February and I was hesitant to post since Susanne is the only who has posted since. I check this blog almost daily, along with the original Blog of Loki, and always look forward to reading what's new!

Mike and I had the opportunity to go see the Dalai Lama this weekend and it was amazing! Not only was it the most beautiful day, sunny and close to 80 degrees, but OMG the freakin' Dalai Lama!! OK, I won't sit here and act like I'm a wanna be Buddhist. Of course I'd heard of him but I was a bit fuzzy on the specifics. First off, aside from his simple, yet powerful words, he is adorable! Second, he has a great sense of humor, which I wasn't expecting. I'm not sure why but given what he has experienced, I assumed he would be much more serious and grand, dispensing his "wisdom to the masses" kind of man. But no, it was his simplicity, his humor and his frankness (even replying to "I don't know" to a question) What a great message.... We don't have to know everything! We can be honest in our ignorance but yet still be motivated to learn! Third, he talked about nonviolence, to dialogue for understanding and, one of my favs, "inner disarmament", not letting negative emotions like fear, jealousy or suspicion take control or get in the way of having compassion for others . He talked about the importance of family, the many roles it served when teaching compassion, having compassion not only for those people we like but those we don't (which sometimes might be family!). To see him bow to us, hear him say "six million beings are my ultimate source of happiness", how do you not get a bit teary!? The simplicity of his messages yet the magnitude...Wow! I would love to find a transcript of his talk to re-read when feeling like I don't have the energy to give compassion or am about to lose hope (which in our line of work can happen quickly!) All in all, it was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon!

In other news, which feels a bit odd to follow the Dalai Lama, but Mike and I are interested in getting a dog. So we have spent our last couple weekends at the Marymoor dog park, secretly scoping out all the dogs, looking for the "perfect" dog. Now, I realize, voyeuristicly checking out other's people's dogs isn't the best way to pick a pooch. But its pretty fun! Watching how dogs interact with their owners and other dogs of all sizes. Today there was a huge group of Great Dane owners (and dogs), I was squealing! It was a beautiful site, them prancing and playing like horses! Now whether or not we will get a Dane of our own is another matter. I'm still doing research into different breeds, taking into account temperament, activity level, ease of training, etc. Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what dog it is as long as its a good fit for us...

Janett

Reading

Is any one or has any one read "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle?? I totally recommend it, as does Oprah;) . It's almost a blend of IFS, experiential, and maybe a little solution focused. AND It's under $10!!


Let me know if you've read it or read it!!

Ohio

Wow...where to start?

Things have been a bit crazy around here for Mike and me. His mom has been up visiting for a bit and we have spent the last two weekends in Sequim. It's so fun to visit his sister and play with Rhino but I'm so tired of being in the car! For him, work is really busy as he has deadlines due and is working 10+ hours a day, ick. Work for me is going well even though I have recently found out, that with a near-perfect yearly review, the agency does not give raises (or any other kind of compensation) based on performance. How motivating is that?! It is the complete opposite of basic behavioral theory!! Anyway...I have had some time to get used to that idea though I'm still not happy about it.

Some bad news...We didn't get into UW : (. Then why do they give interviews? Why can't they see Mike will the best doctor? Sigh...So if med school happens this year, we will be moving, double sad face.

Mike and I just returned from the quickest trip ever. He had an interview at Ohio State and we flew out Tuesday morning and back Wednesday night. We obviously didn't have much time to see Columbus, OH but managed to see some of the campus. We were supposed to spend a couple more days out there but Mike's work really needed him. Our flight back was delayed in Minneapolis. Once they got a pilot, true story, we left around 10pm. The flight was turbulent most of the way but nothing too crazy until we arrived closer to Seattle. Now I consider myself a pretty seasoned flyer but I was practicing my "calming strategies" like nobody's business. All I could envision was scenes from LOST...I tried to think of puppies and kittens (Rhino and Capone)...plane ripping in half...breath in through the nose, out through the mouth, deep breaths...Swimming in the ocean...Guy two rows up getting sick...Laying on a beach relaxing...Sudden thrust to the side. Now apparently there is something called a wind shear, which other than feeling like a carnival ride gone bad, effects the plane's ability to land safely. Between making sure I didn't get sick like the guy in front of us, envisioning a fiery wreckage and crushing Mike's hand, the pilot aborted a landing attempt. WTF?!How can that be good?! Hundreds of feet from the ground and the plane shaking like it’s in a blender, the pilot pulls us up. Now I thought the worst would be over but the fact that we have to undergo making a landing AGAIN is not cool. So we circle for 20 minutes, just long enough for the anxiety level in the plane to rise along with our temperatures, we make another go at it. Oh, and did I mention it's 1am? The captain isn't providing us a lot of details at this point which doesn't do much to reassure us... Upon our second try, through all the turbulence and 30 mph winds, we had the smoothest landing imaginable. We never even felt the wheels touch down. Everyone was clapping, thankful for being on the ground at f#@%ing last. We unanimously agree the pilot earned every cent of our ticket money, even if he/she doesn’t get it all. But Tuesday night he/she should have. : )

We are glad to be back.

Janett

I'm an aunt!

Well Hello Everyone!
So Matt and I are not quite at the point of wanting to have our own children so I am happy to announce the next best thing....My brother Dan and his wife Ellie just had a baby boy!! I am reaching out because I can use all the good thoughts I can get! The baby was due in April but Ellie was having some bouts with high blood pressure....turns out that she had a tumor the size of a small apple on her kidneys...the baby was not getting enough blood so it was determined that an emercency C-section was necessary-keep in mind that Ellie was only 29 weeks along. Needless to say we were and continue to be on alert. They decided to name him Dutch Braylon Jarrett (long story) My brother always wanted a "tough name" and he wanted to keep a tradition of the same initials DBJ. He decided on Dutch because (don't laugh) it was Arnold Schwartzwagner's name in the movie Predator....feel free to groan-My mom was praying for a girl when she heard that was the chosen boy name...

He was born weighing 2.5 pounds and 15 inches long....long limbs!! I've attached a pic of him and my brother. Any positive thoughts/prayers that can be sent out into the universe for him would be wonderful-I'm flying out to Phoenix in a couple of weeks to visit so I'm really excited.


I'm happy to hear all of the good news from WA. Congrats to Mitch on the new baby-that is WONDERFUL!! And I am really happy to hear about you new job Joy!! (and jealous...I can't wait to hear more details once you get going there)

Finally, I have an interview coming up this Wednesday for a grant position through Colorado State University as a family coordinator with a program that is developing programs to build healthy marriages in Colorado. I am really excited and want to thank those of you who gave such glowing references-I will keep you posted on the status of the position.

I miss all of you so much!! I hope to see you soon!

Megan

I'M FREE!!!!

Yesterday I I had an interview at an adoption agency and a few hours after the interview they called and offered me the job! I went straight to Ryther and quit my job! Oh happy day!!! I'm going to be an adoption therapist! I start in two weeks!!!

I must admit that I have grown very close with the women I work with at Ryther. I will be sad to leave them. . .and the kids. . .it will be different but I have not felt this hopeful about my future in long time. I just feel like shouting "I'M FREE" from the roof tops!!!

Joy

Hello all!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and joyous New Year! I, for one, am a bit glad to have it all behind us and resume life as normal. It was draining having two Christmas' this year... We spent a couple days with my family and then it was off to Sequim to spend time with Mike's family. Lots of driving but it was nice to catch up with everyone! Joy and Dennis were nice enough to visit Capone while we were gone and she loved every minute of it! Last night, Capone had quite an enjoyable time playing with toys so Mike (like Joy used to do) has decided she won't sleep today until we go to bed...One thing we did discover while at his sister's is that Mike has an uncanny ability to connect with her dog, Rhino (below). Spending time with Rhino makes me yearn for the day my Great Dane and I will be united : )


As for other goings on...Mike interviews at Ohio State next month and UW next week. The med school process has been very stressful for us, the waiting, the interviews, the costs, the discussions, the what-ifs...I thought it would get easier after the studying and application essays but if anything, the waiting, which I am not good at, is stressful. Given my profession, I should be able to use lots of "feeling" words about this but I'm at a loss.

Mike and I have began "Brain Training" lately (with the help of the DS game). When I first started, my mental age was 80. It should just have said "You might be in a coma, dumb ass." Since my ego took such a hit, I have been "training" diligently and have increased my age to a respectable mental age of 27. Mike has an advantage with his math skills (especially with the Serial Subtraction, ie 105, subtract by 9 until you reach 6) but I'm quickly on his heels...

Here's a picture of Capone since I can't let Rhino take the cake....

Janett

The Polar Bear Plunge

Have you heard of this? Probably so. Have you seen it? Have you done it?


For the New Year celebration I went up to Bellingham to see my friend Charles. On New Year's Day we went to Birch Bay to watch the traditional New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. I had heard of this phenomenon going on in other states like Michigan and Alaska, but for some reason I didn't think of it happening here. Among us.


Again, have you seen this?


We got there and saw the crowd standing around in flip flops, aqua socks, and bare feet even, some with their towels wrapped around their shoulders, some without. Some wore full body covering, such as the cute dad with his little approximately 9-year-old daughter in matching pirate costumes complete with eye patch. Others wore almost nothing at all, such as the red, white, and blue very skimpy bikini. Charles said that bikini girl was a regular.


I was bewildered. Why would anyone do this? The wind was blowing. It was seriously cold. Not as cold as last year, evidently, as I overheard one mother's attempt to calm her fearful and shivering maybe 5-year-old daughter with, "At least there's no snow. Remember last year and the snow?" This little girl was clinging to her mother for dear life, dressed in a purple swim suit, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around her mother's body and her hair blowing in the arctic wind. Her mother was similarly clad.


I looked around myself at the people. Charles said they were brave. That is not the word I would have used. So, I thought about it. What is the point of running into freezing cold water and then running back out? Conquering self? Being able to say you did it? Most people got wet up to their waist or even their upper thighs. Very few actually dove in or got themselves completely wet. Bikini girl did. On the way to the car I saw her, little bikini, no towel, the skin of her entire body bright red.


I don't get it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!