Close Call!

Today I listened to the wind howl. Most of the time, I like that sound. It just makes you want to curl up with a blanket and read a good book. This time was a bit different. We have some bamboo privacy shades that hang out on our covered patio that tend to fall down when it gets windy. After listening to them bang around for a while I started to think that perhaps I should go take them down before they blow out of the yard. I was instantly inspired to take action when I heard this loud cracking sound. It lasted for at least 5 seconds. I thought, "Crap I think I lost one of them." So I look out my window and see that two had fallen and the third had flipped up over the covered patio and was banging against the top of it. I put my shoes on to take care of it, walked outside my house, looked to my left and BAM! 

What I saw, were two 50' Fir Trees from my neighbor's yard lying across our backyard. That loud crack I heard was the sound of limbs snapping. Standing there, I was overcome with relief because if that tree had come down in the other direction, I'd probably be looking for a new place to live. I'm also relieved that Jason took himself into work this morning because if he hadn't, our car would have been seriously damaged...Jason seemed a bit bummed by this. He wouldn't mind to have insurance buy us a new car. I laugh.

The rest of the afternoon became a neighborhood party. Everyone came over to see our backyard. We all laughed about the fact that it took a natural disaster to have us all meet like that and perhaps we should have a party on purpose next time. And then my neighbor Peggy, who happens to be one of our landlords, got all excited because being the master gardener that she is, saw this as an opportunity to redecorate. I love it. We're all safe and will have this memory to look back on as our close call.

As you can see, the root system wasn't all that dee.

Our poor apple tree...

p.s. tomorrow, there's a chance of snow. I don't get it.

Spring in Seattle

Spring is my absolute favorite time of year. I've never been a fan of the cold so spring naturally lifts my spirits. Yesterday was beautiful in Seattle! Jason and I decided to enjoy it so we packed up our cameras and headed to the Arboretum in Seattle. If you have the chance, I highly recommend it. The gardens there are made up of plants native to this area, which means there are Rhododendrons everywhere along with majestic Douglas Fir trees intermingled with Japanese Maple (one of my personal favorite trees) Right now, the gardens are beginning to show their color. Pink blossoms, yellow daffodils, crimson rhododendron, are everywhere! I'm in heaven. It's good to escape the city for a while and be able to appreciate the beauty of God's creation. Sure, the Arboretum is within earshot of interstate 520 and there were a number of planes that flew overhead so you didn't forget where you were, but it does feel like you're in a secret place. I'm a fan. I took a bunch of pictures and once I upload them to my computer, I'll post a few here to share. Happy Spring!

Nigiri Camera

Happy St. Patrick's Day

     Am I Irish? A little... I love holidays like this in America, because pretty much everybody comes from such a diverse heritage that the chance you are a wee bit Irish is pretty darn high. I used to have more than I do now. How is that possible you ask? A few years back, one of my mom's sisters was doing a little geneology searching and came across this man in Missouri. He claimed to be of Irish descent, black Irish I believe, and was given the right to a stake of land. This guy must have been a clever bloke because he in fact wasn't even remotely Irish. Not one hair on his head. Nope. He was just a really convincing Native American who wanted a piece of the pie but knew that his chances of succees increased dramatically if he passed off as an Irishman.

     I need to find out who in my family was responsible for uncovering this story because in my book, that's pretty legendary behavior and I don't want this story to be lost to time. This is one I'll be telling my grandkids. Mostly, I just want to know this guy's name.

     That's my one Irish story. My dad's family has some Irish in it, so I can somewhat claim today as a holiday of my own. But the posing Irishman is my only Irish story. Sad...Oh well! Have a beer! Happy St. Patty's Day!

Jason's Photography www.jasonfukura.com

Jason and I recently went to the park and had fun with the camera. Here are two that I enjoy.

Fun portrait.

Jason does let me hold his camera!

March Madness

This month marks a lot of new beginnings for me. First of all I feel like myself again thanks to the treatment I'm on after last months fiasco. Not only do I have more energy, but I actually want to get out there and work. It's also amazing that all of this is happening while the lilies and daffodils are starting to bloom marking that spring is finally here. I've missed the sunshine. It makes me happy.

Other changes are the fact that I am on the job hunt. I haven't lost any job or anything, but I think it's time to get a job that will keep me on a full schedule. Working on a schedule helps me focus and right now, my schedule revolves around eight hours of teaching per week and other commitments scattered here and there. Another reason for the job hunt is that Jason is changing careers soon and is unsure of his future career path. So by me finding a job now, it'll take the pressure off of him when he's able to start his transition. 

I know I can't be too picky, but ideally, I'd love to get a job working for one of the local theater companies. I've missed the theater environment and would love to get back into that scene and since I need benefits, auditioning for shows is not the way to do it. If I can't find a job in that arena, then I'm open to pretty much anything. So if you have any ideas...

Some of you are probably wondering, "Cari, what about babies?" My doctor told me to hold off on pregnancy for at least 9 months in order to let my body completely recover. And I'm emotionally ready for a break from this idea of being a mom. In 9 months, we should be well established in our new working situation and can then discuss the possibility of having another baby. I do want to be a mom someday, but right now, I'm trying to find the bright side of why I'm not hugely pregnant right now. This time I have right now, is like another chance for me to make things happen in my life before children become the primary focus. I still want to perform and make a living on that and I still love Arbonne and am excited to see where that will take me. Why not go for it? It sure beats sitting at home.

Pray for me...

Minnesota healing trip

I'm home now! Yay! I had a fantastic trip to Minnesota, but I'm happy to be home and see my honey. It's nice to be away from the one you love the most so that you remember just how amazing they make you feel. There's no doubt that I love my Jason.

So the trip. If you're reading this, you're probably curious how it went. The trip as a whole was exactly what I needed. In the last week I found out that the miscarriages I had weren't my fault but the fault of a deer tick. That's right, Lyme disease. It's curable, but shocked the pants of me none-the-less when I found out. Talk about being from left field. My doctor said that when you have Lyme, your adrenal glands are so overworked trying to keep some balance in your body that I was just too tired and sick to carry a baby. The loss of our two children will always be a sad thing for me, but with this new knowledge, I'm free of the guilt of this being my fault. And with that a huge weight has been lifted off of me. Thank God! And I mean that. Thank you God!

The frustration came because my doctor is not your average MD. He's actually a highly skilled chiropractor who practices applied kinesiology. Therefore, he is unable to write prescriptions. There is a specific antibiotic that I need to take, but I spent 8 hours in clinics being tested for everything from mono to my thyroid and no one would treat me for what I have. I'm still waiting on that one to pan out. Knowing what I need to feel better, but not being able to get my hands on it is devastating, but I'm trying to be patient.

This trip was also an emotionally healing adventure. I got to go visit Bethany Lutheran College, my old stomping ground and visited with some old friends that I adore. The best moment there was with Jake. I'll never forget this moment and the impact it made on me. He's the lighting designer now for the theater department and has his office in the lighting booth of the theater. I went to see him and we talked and talked like no time had passed. Then after a while he took me down on stage, but note that before doing so, turned off the house lights and put a spotlight on center stage. I walked out on that stage with tears welling up in my eyes. That was my home while I was at BLC and it had been six years since I had stood there. As I approached to circle of light, the lump in my throat got bigger and the moment my feet entered into that spot, I lost it. I was so overwhelmed that I lost it. Jake smiled and said, "Step into it Cari. Come on! You know you want to." As I stepped forward and the warm light hit my face, the faucet was turned on even higher and I couldn't control the sobs. Jake, so sweet, came over to me with open arms and I buried my face into his shoulder. That moment is going to last my whole life. Thank you Jake for being such a good friend to me. I needed you that day. I should mention that Jake was sick as a dog that day and when I called him, he was warm and cozy at home, but because I was on campus, came in to see me. That's a true friend.

That's just one story, but there are many more. Perhaps, when I have more time, I'll tell more of them. Just know that I'm so much better than when I left and I will be completely healed soon...  stronger than before.