ALOHA!!!

What an amazing gift.....8 days and 7 nights in Paradise! Thank you Tim for my relaxing birthday present! We just returned late last night from our vacation to Hawaii. It was sunny and 85 each and every day we were there. It was tough to take! We were at the beach every morning by 9:00 and spent a few hours playing in the water (or trying to surf if you were Tim) then we'd just spend the afternoon walking around, shopping, driving around the island, snorkeling, whatever seemed to be enjoyable at the time. Not having to be anywhere or do anything for an entire week, was a much needed break from reality! I don't remember the last time I could just sit and do nothing and not be freaked out by that - it was so un-type A of me!

I climbed a tree one day, mostly just to prove to Tim that I could. We took a sunset catamaran cruise one night - all the free drinks you could handle....some could handle them more than others! We also did a snorkel cruise one afternoon. I don't like fishies swimming around where they can touch me, it kind of freaks me out, but Tim enjoys it. I did get in the water for one quick picture and then out again. I enjoyed just lying in the sun on the boat. Thank goodness for SPF 30! No repeats of my last trip to Maui with 2nd degree burns. Whew!

It's back to work tomorrow after a day of grocery shopping, laundry, and the dentist today. I think my batteries were recharged this week to make it through the end of the year, the holidays and two more securities exams - at least one can hope.

Surprise Party

Last night Tim & Dani, with help from Terri and Chris, executed my 40th birthday surprise party at The Parkway in Tacoma. The "red room" was filled with my friends and family to help me celebrate.

Dani & Chris created this amazing scrapbook of photos from the last 40 years. These photos were also playing on a big screen TV throughout the night.
A BIG Thank You to everyone who braved the bad weather (and some long drives) to join in the fun.
Tim & Dani - Thank you for all your hard work and for making me feel like a princess...even if I am an OLD one!

Aimee, Lisa & Per

Larry & Brian (with Tim in the background)

Lisa & Darren

Triple Threat (Dani, Kris & Chris)

Gayle, Karen, Mom & Joni

John, Pam & Terri

John & Celeste

Me & My Hubby

Homecoming 2007

40?

1967 to 2007....no matter how many times I do the calculation, whether I use new math or old math, I can't come up with any answer other than 40.


Math doesn't lie....today has to be my 40th Birthday. How the heck did I get to be 40?

My day started off with a bang when my alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 6:47 (I need to leave at 7:00). Tim's wish to me this morning was "Happy 40th - Only 10 years to 50!". Gee, thanks honey!

I got to my office to find it decorated in black streamers, with big 40's on my windows, two birthday cakes (one chocolate and one white with lemon filling), and lots of birthday cards. About 1/2 hour later, I get a delivery of a dozen roses....not just any roses....BLACK roses. The management team at work is a little over the top! Not only did they send me black roses, but my boss even climbed on my desk and unscrewed the lights so that it would be dim in my office. He thought that at my age the bright light would bother my eyes. Most of the office wore black today, in my honor. Nice!

My friend Aimee took me to a yummy mexican lunch and when we got back I found a beautiful bouquet of pretty pink flowers on my desk from my friend Dani.

When I got home this evening, I found black streamers hanging from the doorway and black balloons all over the kitchen. Tim even bought me black jelly beans (my favorite flavor ever!).

Is anyone sensing the theme for today.....black maybe?!

Tonight it's off to dinner with Kaitlyn and Tim. We're headed to Red Robin for my free birthday burger!

Thank you to everyone who made today so memorable and my leap into this decade bearable!

~Rest In Peace Aunt Norma~

A BIG Day

Thursday, September 27, 2007 - A BIG day in the life of little Miss Katie Sue!

Kaitlyn finished 13th in the cross country meet today with a personal best time of less than 24 minutes. She's not real good with the whole stop-watch thing yet, so exact time to be determined by the "official" clock for the meet, but we do know it was 23-something.

Big News -
Kaitlyn was asked to Homecoming today.....by a boy!

I am SO not ready for this phase of parenting yet! All I know is that his name is Charlie, well its really Gregory, but he goes by Charlie. It's really hard to follow 15 year old girl giberish.

Anyway, we are now in the whole....dress.....shoes.....hair.....make-up panic. And the best part is....Homecoming is next Friday - I have a whole 8 days!

Happy Anniversary

Can you believe its been 6 years since Tim and I got married on the beach in Maui?
Honestly, it seems like a lot longer than 6 years. Is that a good sign?

When Tim and I got married we commtted to 50 years together. Well Honey, we've got 6 down and only 44 more to go!

Happy Anniversary Sir Timothy. I love you!

Puyallup Fair

We took 5 teenagers to the fair...and survived! We had our 3 kids, Rose's boyfriend Jordan, and Kaitlyn's best friend Mackenna. We even picked up another one at the fair, Kaitlyn's friend Rochelle.
Saturday we spent 5+ hours at the fair in the morning and afternoon, came home for a few hours to get a break and then headed back about 7:30 to "do the Puyallup" even more. Tim and I pretty much ate our way through the fair with Krusty Pups, Corn on the Cob, Scones, Onion Burgers....yes, it was that sickening. Our favorite surprise of the fair was the Beer & Wine Garden. Yes - its a purely adult attraction. Saturday night when we went back to the fair so the kids could go on the rides in the dark (apparently that's more fun!) Tim and I hung out with a very expensive beer ($9) and a decent glass of wine.

She made VARSITY!

Kaitlyn has run track the last few years, but this is the first year she has gone out for the cross-country team. She's typically a sprinter, but has been preparing all summer by running 2 or 3 miles every other day with Tim.
Yesterday at cross-country practice, the girls had a time-trial to find out who would run on the Varsity team and who would be running on the JV team. When I picked Kaitlyn up her cheeks were red and I could tell she'd been running hard. When I asked her how it went, her first comment was "Mom, only 5 girls were able to finish the run". Trying to be supportive but not too pushy, I asked if she was one of those 5. A big smile swept across her beautiful face and she joyfully told me she finished 3rd, completing the 5k run with a time just over 24 minutes.

Congratulations Kaitlyn on making the Varsity Cross Country team!

Good luck at your first meet on Thursday in Orting. Run like the wind - but have fun too!

Rest In Peace Daddy!

Today we laid my Dad to rest next to his beloved wife, Darlene, at his family gravesite in Shelton.

The weather was beautiful, ordered up especially for Dad. The service was a perfect fit for my Dad, a man of simple tastes, and included some memories provided by each of the 5 kids (mine is below). He was a very loved man!

The service ended with Vince Gill's rendition of Go Rest High on that Mountain, followed by the Military presentation of the United States Flag. It was extremely emotional to be presented with a flag from our nation with their gratitude for his service to our country.

I have shed lots of tears over the last week and am so thankful for the time that I got to spend with my Dad. He will be greatly missed!

Dad's former bosses, Arne Vemo and Rodney Broome, from The Vemo Company, were at the service today, along with Dad's nurse, Virginia, from Dr. Kleeman's office at St. Francis. I know Dad would have appreciated their presence, just as I did.

Thank you to all my family and friends that attended the service today. It is an incredibly long drive, especially considering some of you had never met him. I truly appreciate your taking the time out of your busy schedules to help support me. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am loved! It was evident by all of the caring faces in the crowd this afternoon. It was your love and support that enabled me to make it through today.

Only time moves on to the next scene;

memories remain part of the heart forever.

Dad, you will be in my heart forever. I will look forward to our next Wednesday night dinner, when I join you in Heaven one day!

***********

I remember my Dad as a very strong man; not only his physical strength, but also his strength of character. I always felt safe when I was with him.
Dad and Darlene used to love to dance. When my sister and I were little, we would go to these big ballroom dances held at the Seattle Center. We’d sit and watch them dance for awhile, and then it would be my turn. Since I was young and didn’t know the steps, Dad would pick me up and set me on top of his own feet. He’d do the dancing and I’d go along for the ride. I remember feeling very grown-up, but also very safe and secure.
My Dad could build almost anything and he could fix almost anything. If he couldn’t fix it, he could certainly jimmy-rig it to make it work. The man was a master with a roll of duct tape.
The one thing he couldn’t fix was his broken heart after Darlene died. Although his passing has left a huge void in my life, I take comfort knowing that he is finally happy again, and dancing in Heaven with the love of his life.

In Loving Memory

Oscar W. Lundberg

May 23, 1929

to

August 19, 2007

It's been a really tough week with the passing of my Dad or as I referred to him so often "Daddy". A simple graveside service is being held next Tuesday in Shelton where most of his family and beloved wife are buried.

It's been a really sucky week with lots to do. My friends and family have been great. You really know who you can count on in times like this, and I have an AMAZING network of people in my corner! I have the love and support of a wonderful husband who is helping me as much as he can. My Merrill family has been extremely generous and supportive allowing me to grieve and plan without worrying about work. I have some of the world's most incredible friends who just want to make sure I'm OK and are willing to help out in any way possible. Although I'm going through a really hard phase of life right now, I realize how fortunate I am to have these people in my life.

Last night was Wednesday, and as anyone who has been around me for the last year knows, Wednesday was "dinner with Dad night". In the year since his wife passed away, we've had dinner every week. We probably only missed 6 weeks total all year due to illness or my travel schedule. Having the opportunity this last year to spend quality time with my Dad has been an amazing gift - memories that I will cherish forever.

A note to my Dad (I doubt they have blogs in Heaven, but I'm sure he can see into my heart.)
I loved you Daddy very much and know that you are in a better place, back with Darlene, and finally out of pain. May God keep you in His care and may you eternally rest in peace!

Welcome Lorelai

There's a sucker born every minute and I had my moment today. It's hard to be strong when your two teenage daughters gang up on you to adopt this stray cat.
I wasn't feeling well today and my Dad called and said he wasn't feeling well. We went to his house to check things out. While I was taking care of my dad, the girls were making friends with the stray cat that started hanging around his house about a week ago. Kaitlyn, little miss resourceful, called the two telephone numbers on the cat's tags. After some detective work, she got the name and address of the owner. We drove to their house and Kaitlyn let them know we had found their cat. They didn't seem all that heartbroken that she was missing and offered to let Kaitlyn keep the cat. I said no - twice! I even made her take the cat back to their house. It was so sad. The cat clearly did not like that environment and immediately ran out of the house. We drove off, and Rose and Kaitlyn did not let up and I was weak! Needless to say, we turned around and went back for the cat. Loralei is now living in our laundry room and trying to figure out who we all are and what the heck that little furry barking thing is that we keep calling Bailey. So far, the two have not seen eye-to-eye, but hopefully they will become fast friends, without too much fur flying!
BTW, Tim is not thrilled about this at all!

Vacation Update

We spent last week on beautiful Hayden Lake in Idaho with Tim's family. His parents, Don & Char, Sister Kelli and husband Sean along with 3 1/2 year old Evan, Sister Monica with 3 1/2 year old Kendall and 6 year old Chase joined our crew of 5 for the week in a rental house right on the lake. Unfortunately, his sister Tonya wasn't able to make it at the last minute. Tim and I drove over last Thursday with the boat. After a brief stop in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene for a little work, we headed off to the lake on Friday and Tim's family arrived that night. We had a great week of wakeboarding, poker, an amusement park, go-carts, food and family fun. Rose continued her success on the wakeboard and looked like an old pro. Kaitlyn and Derek improved their skills over last summer and are now giving Rose a run for her money. My brother-in-law Sean was determined to master the wakeboard before week's end - and finally succeeded. Yeah! Even "almost 40" year old Kris conquered that dumb wakeboard and was able to get up and ride the thing. (Hit the link on the word "wakeboard" and watch my 1 minute & 7 second ride!)Truthfully, I was pretty impressed with myself and I think Tim was too. Who knew! The house was beautiful - with enough room for all 13 of us. The only bummer was the 88 stairs we had to climb from the dock on the lake to the house. Thank you to Tim's family for making the trek from Chicago, Michigan and Las Vegas. We love you and hope you come see us again soon!

San Juan Islands Adventure

Tim and I spent this weekend aboard the 110% with our friends John and Pam exploring the San Juan Islands. We stayed overnight on Lopez Island and spent the days boating around the islands. Pam's goal was to see some Orcas, but we searched and searched to no avail. We did see lots of other wildlife including tons of seals and a few porpoises. Since none of us had ever boated through the islands before, it was quite an adventure. We even assisted in the rescue of a Kenmore Air seaplane that had a little trouble coming into Friday Harbor and had to unload its passengers in the middle of the water.

Here are some lessons learned: 1) charts are a necessity, not a luxury! 2) checking the tide charts before leaving would be smart, 3) Tim is the only one who knows proper radio protocal and likes to point that out, 4) even Mr. Coastguard (Tim) can read a chart incorrectly when there are tons of little islands that all look the same, 5) Nextel's navigation program with lattitude and longitude comes in handy, and one that none of us will ever forget 6) "Red, Right Return".


We had a great time with no major injuries to us or the boat. We did have a minor run in (literally) with the bottom of Fisherman's Bay, but it didn't look too bad when we pulled the boat out of the water this afternoon. Whew!


Thanks John and Pam for risking our lives and your Cobalt for a weekend of fun in the sun.

John & Pam Block

The sunset coming out of Friday Harbor on Saturday.

Kris & Tim aboard the 110%

The Kenmore Air unloading in the middle of the water.

She's Back!

28 days after that rude young man ran into the back of her and caused over $7400 in damage, Patrice (the Acura, as named by the kids) is safe and sound back in her own garage tonight. I wish I could say she was as "good as new" but that's never going to be the case. She looks good, but will never be the same, which is so sad when she was only 6 months old when she was violated.
I hated having to deal with all the stuff associated with the accident, like insurance claims, body shops, and rental cars, but am again thankful that no one was seriously injured. Things could have been much worse so I will count my blessings and get reacquainted with Patrice. It was so weird to drive it home tonight after not driving it for a month. It feels like a new car and I have to learn all the controls over again.