Goodbye Bianca, I really do miss you

I didn't know how much I missed her until I began this post. Friday night, I said goodbye to Bianca. She was my pal for three years. 52000 miles. Alyssa had a great time hopping in the expensive sports cars in the showroom.

Introducing Xyril. I plan to keep her for more than 5 years, so there won't be heartbreak again.

History: I had a Silver 04 Altima, Chaeli, that I loved and planned to keep, however, when Bianca came around in 07, it was a better deal to upgrade.

For the past 3 years, I planned to keep Bianca long term, so I was suprised by what happened this week. I started running numbers in my head, thinking deeply, and ran some thoughts by Jim Vach. Later Friday, I prayed about what decision to make regarding our family vehicle. I really didn't think financially I should continue with Bianca, yet I didn't think I could let go of her luxury. When I walked into Nissan, to figure out the end of my lease, my answer came; You should get a Sentra and save $7K.

I knew my credit was flawless, so I would qualify for their best offer. As a Microsoft employee, I was able to do have a haggle free 5% under invoice deal, so I saved a few thousand. 0% financing made the math easy to understand so that I wouldn't get confused by the car salesman sneaking in other numbers into the price. The car came to less than $20K and had most of the features I truly enjoy. I gave up only 2 perks, (garage door opener & power seat adjustments). Since Troy, Alyssa and I are small people, the lost cabin space/leg room suits us just fine. Being in the compact car category, also saves us money on insurance and will when we have a teen too!

This car could be a great car for Alyssa in 5 years, if she saves her pennies and wants to buy it from me.

Funny, I think I am over having tinted windows and don't plan to waste money doing them again. It's been about 10 years since I had no tint, but I feel I have outgrown that need. I like the changes I am feeling regarding wastefulness. This new monthly payment is less than I had with Bianca and it was the smarter decision for our family. I still feel sad abandoning her though. Goodbye, farewell, much love!

7 years ago...I bought my home

7 years ago at the young age of 27, I was preparing to buy this home. I started scoping out my first home back in November and so by March, it was nice to plan to get this process overwith. I was approved for a $250K loan on my measely salary. I was so scared to take on this 'big' risk to me and I felt so young and immature.

My real estate agent was Craig Roberts of Prudential and his wife Charlotte was my Mortgage Loan officer. I knew them since 1995 when I was their nanny in West Seattle. I loved them so much and totally trusted them. Craig had been bothering me for 6 years to buy a home and I kept putting it off, toooo scared.

The funny thing though is that I did all my own research and so did Craig and when we came together to view homes, he let us see all the homes I picked out first. We went to Covington and Maple Valley homes, about 10 of them. Then, when we were done, he turned to me in the car and said, "NOW, ARE YOU READY TO SEE THE HOME YOU ARE GOING TO BUY?". I laughed at his cocky statement. He showed me this address in Maple Valley. It had gone on the market just 2 days prior. It was exactly $249,900. Here were some crappy camera shots I took of our first walk through. The backyard sold me.. it was HUGE, over 10,000 sf. I put a full offer in and it was accepted. On March 12, we signed the papers. My stepdad co-signed for me. We took a chance and did an FHA loan which meant that I got a 4% arm loan, but paid in $100 per month insurance. It was my only option to make it work since I put down such a low down payment and maxed out my possibly loan.

The goal was to get a 20% increase in value in 2 years and I would get all my insurance returned to me, take my step-dad off the loan, and lock in on a 30 year rate.

It worked perfectly! PHEW!!!!

Just a few days after I signed on my new house, I was laid off from my job of 4 years. I couldn't believe it. I was a frantic mess and I immediately cancelled my 6 week Europeon Vacation that I was planning. Fortunately, I got a new job and I was able to keep my house. What a nail biting time in my life though. I didn't know if I was more happy my employer waited to lay me off after I got my house, or if I was more mad that they let me buy a house knowing they would lay me off. Oh well, water under the bridge now.

I still feel so lucky and I thank the Roberts for helping me. I also thank my step dad for taking a chance on me.

March 7 - two year anniversary

For those of you who forgot or never knew, Troy and I secretly were married by Bishop Lake on March 7, 2008.

Three months later on 06-07-08, we had a wedding in Oregon for our family and friends to celebrate with us. Few people knew we were already married.

WHY, you ask? 1) to give Troy and his girls insurance right away 2) importance of being married by Bishop in an LDS church 3) wanted a private ceremony

March ceremony attendees only included Bishop and his wife, Bennetts, Diane, my auntie and my mom.

I love looking at this picture because it was such a sweet and simple, yet super important day. Thank you to Diane who made us beautiful place to stand up in.

Who knew a relief society room could look this nice in a photo?

Landsberg Park

Just took a few minutes today to scope out Landsberg for our upcoming family photo shoot. I love this site and took some photos of Alyssa and her bestest friend Kaitlyn. Posting because I know Kaitlyn's parents and Alyssa's grandparents will enjoy seeing these photos.

Phew, Just In Time

Phew.. just in time. Good thing I found me a husband, because this has been the year of fixing appliances. In the last 6 months, we have given four of our appliances love.


First, we had the thermostat go out on our 1 year old hot water heater, Thanksgiving Weekend. Fortunately, that was on a manufacturers warranty, so that was free. We went without hot water for 5 days over the 4 day weekend, IT WAS GREAT! Troy's brother in law got us the heater at plumbers cost, so that was nice. Troy installed with my brother so we saved big!

The dryer's heating element went out and Troy was able to fix that and the part was $80 at Reliable Parts. Then, the washer needed a new water pump. Troy fixed that one himself too. That part was $76. The fridge thermostat went out this week and that part was only $56, but we didn't know how to find it or what to do. So that repair was $232, but we have a 1 one year warranty now on the fridge, so that is cool.
In addition, Troy has done some work on our dishwasher too but it better be too new to need a true repair.

So lessons learned: 1) good to have husband to handle these things 2) do yearly maintenance on appliances to avoid basic problems. Usually, it is cleaning out the filters and is very simple.

Thank you Troy for being so handy and for earning your keep!

Green Thumb

I asked Troy where he got his Green Thumb from... unless you knew him 10 years ago, you don't want to know what he said! It was very very funny but it relates to his 'old' life. If you ask me in person, I will tell you! However, I know that he enjoys talking gardening with his Dad since Iowa can grow some great veggies in that humidity. Phew, Troy fixed the greenhouse this weekend since it broke 2 days after he built it from the rain puddling up on the roof. BUT that was a blessing in disguise because now it is even stronger and better than it was before.

Today it got mighty toasty in this little sauna. Alyssa wanted to grab a book and lawn chair and just breathe in the warmth. He is trying to tell me what is where.. I just wanted the photo.

Our tree blossomed in just 10 days. WOW. I love this pink and it only stays a few days before it turns red.

Babysitting Class completed

Alyssa has had 10 babysitting opportunities now, netting $120 , but I felt it was important for her to attend an official class. She completed the Better Babysitters Class. Now, she will take CPR/SAFETY on 3/13.

http://www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/better-babysitters/

HIGHLIGHTS:
Surprised there were 5 young boys in the class with 15 girls.
Alyssa learned about cloth diapers. She never knew they existed. FUNNY.
Most importantly, NEVER SHAKE A BABY or you can cause brain damage.
Never walk away from a baby in a bathtub.
Don't yell at the kids, be kind.
Give options to kids such as, "you want to wear your red coat or your blue coat" as opposed to "do you want to wear your coat?"
If they don't want to brush their teeth, try to use fun methods to get them to want to such as, "race you to the bathroom".

Braces

Just needed an official posting of Alyssa's braces!

Before pictures.

Spacers put in 1/25/10

Braces put on 2/2/10 with estimated time of 18 months! I sure hope she appreciates this sacrifice. I am proud of her so far, for doing her 30 minutes of care for them each night.

I love WORDS

I love ordering Vinyl lettering from Amber Puzey's Pineplace. These are all the rooms in my house that have words. I don't like to hang many things on the walls, so instead, I like motivating words.

Master bedroom. "Where their is Faith, there is Love, where there is Love, there is Peace, where there is Peace, there is God. Where there is God, nothing else matters". Master Bathroom - Mosiah 4:9 scripture

Alyssa's room - Light fades, Stars appear, evening Angels, gather Here

Upstairs beam where we all exit our bedrooms and walk down the stairs. - I will go and do the things that the Lord has commanded. - 1 Nephi 3:7

Hallway by guest bathroom - Cherish yesterday, Dream tomorrow, Live today.

Kitchen - A person's true character is revealed by what they do when no one is watching.

The laundry room to garage, the last thing we see each day.

Now, I have this great big looming wall in the great room that I am digging deep to decide what can go here? Ideas?

Grand Canyon of 15 mile creek hike

This hike was by far, my most adventuresome one yet. I do not know how I did it, but I did! Words will never be able to describe what my 4-hour, 7 mile hike was like.


I had never driven up Tiger Mountain Road (off of Issaquah Hobart Road) and so I was excited to see if there was a place to park and hop on a trail. I knew I wanted to see this infamous Grand Canyon of 15 mile creek view.


I was nervous of where I parked, not knowing if I was blocking an important gate, but it didn't say NO PARKING, so I went for it. It was near street 260th on TM road. When I was loading my bag, a man startled me by saying, "Good Morning". I was already on edge about this day, parking where I didn't know, hiking alone, worried about my route, so I was super jumpy. This man and I spoke a bit about the day and trails and he offered to head me off in the right direction. So, in my nervousness and haste, I left without my sunglasses and Garmin, but I did make sure I locked the car. So, this man makes me go past the trail I wanted to hike on and he leads me to a bridge. He shows me all the storm damage from 2 years ago and what the creek did to the area when it split and created new paths. It was quite amazing to see what kind of forces had to be going through this area back then. He tells me non-chalantly.. "just head up this creek bed, you will cross it about a dozen times, see the waterfall, every now and then, look up to your right and you will see the washed away trail, now if you are brave, then when you get about 'here' there won't anywhere else to go in the creek bed, so mozey through the bushes (there might be red flags tied to trees) and you will come upon another trail, stay on that a while and then when you get to the end of that, you will take this unofficial deer trail through the bushes and you will come up to Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT). From there, you can do this or that or even this.. all are great, good luck". I ask, "now, why wouldn't I just go back and take the real trail and just get a view of the creek?" He explains, 'no, you want to do this creek bed, it is beautiful, fun, adventurous, you will see sandstone along the way and get the full impact of this canyon". Anyhow, off he goes up the West Side road and I am left shaking in my boots!


My pink highlighted route.
So, off I go, with some courage that I don't know where it came from. Roxy and I make our way up the sides of creek bed of Fifteen Mile Creek. You can see the little creek in this very large creek bed, with lots of storm damage. We cross the creek every so often when we run out of room on a side. The whole time, I am looking up the sides of the banks for wild animals peering at me. I was trying to decide if the Holy Ghost was telling me this is a VERY bad idea. I had my alarm around my neck, my cell phone in pocket, my gun on hip, I really was a wreck.

It really was pretty and I was trying to enjoy this experience.

I started to get more brave as time passed and as I crossed the creek. I kept remembering that Troy was more worried, I would break my ankle while hiking alone. About less than an hour into my hike, I was crossing the creek and I fell in all the way up to my hip. My cellphone did get wet and stopped working for about an hour. Both feet were sloshing. I couldn't believe it, but I laughed outloud. OF COURSE this would happen. Both elbows and ankle bones were scratched up. It really was a funny scene. I got out and kept on trucking along.. I was not turning back now.

This shows a hill slide of massive destruction from the storm. I am looking up the hill from the creek bed.

When I saw this, I thought, please tell me this is not THE waterfall. I mean, really...

A last... the waterfall. It was quite wimpy. So, I got to this point and thought... now what did that man say again? Keep going or do what? I couldn't figure it out, so I climbed a big boulder to get a different perspective. I looked around and sure enough, saw the real trail end where 'normal' people stop to view this silly waterfall. Well, for some unknown reason, I decided to keep going up the creek bed. It is probably a good idea I went alone since I could listen to my intuition and not be persuaded to do something that could have lost my way.

From this point, I hiked until I couldn't go further. Then, I found some PINK tied ribbons and Roxy had already spotted a scent, so we went up a VERY steep brushy hillside. I had no idea what we were doing. I wasn't scared, I knew parrellel to this creek was a trail somewhere. Eventually, we came upon a trail and I assumed it was Hobart Middle Tiger Railroad Grade Trail. It was nice and big and open and calming. Very easy walking through this area. Then, the trail just ends after about a .75 miles, so I find some more ribbons going up another steep hill. I climb this area too, thinking how funny and brave this all was. Finally, I see a TMT sign 1/4 mile more.. I hopped on the TMT and walked another .7 miles until I came to Charles Custer's Bridge. I crossed over to the West side of 15 mile creek. I just happened to run into 2 women who were doing the TMT from North to South. COOOOOOOL... now I have to put that on my list.

Finally, another sign.... so I hopped off the TMT and onto 15 mile Railroad Grade Trail, then onto Hidden Forest Trail. I ran into a family of 4 and said hello.

At this point, I was finally fully relaxed and enjoying this beautiful meadow hike. I could finally listen to my music since before I had to listen for growling bears and cougars. Now, that I was away from the water and there were no berries flowering. I wasn't worried since now other people were out and about too!

Self-portrait, relaxed and happy, the hardest part was over!

This is MIDDLE MOUNTAIN peak, that I basically walked around the base of it. I want to do this peak now, pretty easy only 1800 feet gain and easy to get to, now that I know my bearings there.

I finally came out on West Side road and ran into a Father/Daughter team. We chatted a bit and parted ways.

I do not recommend doing what I did, unless you are adventurous and want something crazy to live and tell about! BUT you should definately do the real trail and walk along the creek bed and enjoy our little "Grand Canyon" here in the PNW. However, f you want to do this, I will take you on this hike later this summer, by special request!