Monday, May 16, 2011

Kate At 48

Happy Birthday to me. My birthday landed on Mother's Day this year so we packed up the kids and headed to Leavenworth, WA, once again. We stayed two days and had beautiful weather except for the freak shower that hit just as we arrived - we must have dragged it along with us for 6 hours from the coast. Waking up to the beauty of Wedge Mountain gleaming in the sun ... what a gift! At no other time can I wake up at 5:30 so refreshed. I wish I could take that snow capped peak home with me. The word of the day on the opening page of my computer today was "alpenglow" which means the red glow on mountain tops at sunrise and sunset. I was thinking about that glow when I turned on the computer this morning and now I can put a name to it. We shopped, played golf on the hotel's mini green, used all the hotel's recreational facilities, enjoyed the terrific breakfast. And, as always, we looked for land to buy "someday". Two days of putting real life on hold - fabulous. A perfect birthday and Mother's Day gift (Thanks, Todd!) The kids slept well this time - an absolute first! They have difficulty getting to sleep at hotels but I guess they are growing up. I love my family.

When I got home, I found out that I was going to be on the front page of the Business section of the Oregonian newspaper. No, not because of my birthday. I've been trying to resolve a telephone issue for the past year and I finally contacted a writer who does a column called, "The Complaint Desk" to help frustrated consumers. Boy, that was where I was at, for sure. She was instrumental in getting this phone issue resolved and she ran the column yesterday. She also posted it on their blog, which (if you are interested) you can take a look at here.

I was so happy to have this issue resolved, I hadn't really thought about this story being printed. She quoted some of my conversation with her and Todd took the photo that they used. It's hard for me to see myself in print (too critical, you know!) but, really, no one cares. My kids are very excited to see their Mom in the newspaper and Todd is also excited a photo he took got published. I am happy all around and very much appreciate this lady's help. I love her column. Hopefully, this phone issue will not return.

All in all, it's been a busy week!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Let's Rewind A Bit - Wedding Thoughts

I want to move on from that last post.

The Royal Wedding! This was one of those times I wish we could have TV only when we want it. I would have loved to have watched the coverage of the wedding. I listened to the BBC on radio and scanned newspapers and the Internet for coverage. I think this couple is so adorable - he is SO taken with her, it's sweet! That's what it looks like to me, anyway. Of course, I loved her dress, it was perfect for her and appropriate for the setting. I love how these two are playful, not stiff and stuffy. I hope they enjoyed their special day (weekend, really) and wish them all the best. This wedding came at a time when we needed a good diversion from the woes of the world.

I can think of many times in my life where I was glued to the TV for coverage of something. It's been 13 years since we've done that. When we find ourselves glued to the radio for coverage (like when we had the tsunami warnings after the Japan earthquake) it's a bit different. When you just have to listen, you can still function. Only one sense is being used. When the TV is on, no one moves. You really are stuck to the screen. I think I prefer the radio.

Of course, last night we were glued to the radio listening to coverage of a different topic. Everyone just stopped what they were doing and we all stared at each other in disbelief. Well, Carmen was clueless which is good. But Alec knew what was going on. We also have talked about how we do not celebrate the death of anyone, which I think is important, but how the consequences of someone's actions can lead to death. Geez, it's been a busy weekend!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

OBL is dead.

It's 10:00 p.m. and we are listening to the radio special news. I wish I was in NYC right now, hugging policemen. We are amazed and still not quite believing that this man responsible for so much suffering is dead. I can't say I feel like celebrating really, just feel relief that he can no longer hurt anyone. I got out my diary from 9/11 and read what I had written back then. You know, I actually prayed for this person before I knew who they were? And now, I just wrote that he is dead. End of story.

We are hearing how NYC crowds are gathering together, it's after midnight there. I wish I could be there, too. I hugged my sons when I heard the news. We just happened to turn the radio on briefly when we heard someone saying that people were cheering and crying. What? Then we heard why. I really don't want to include his name in this post, I don't want it on my blog. But he is dead. Let's hope there will never be another one like him. Praise God that no American was hurt in the attack and the mission was successful.