Much has happened since my last blog post. I was able to get away from the ranch for a week and fly to Leavenworth to be with Michael. It was great to see Anita and Sue and Robyn and everyone at the Gingerbread Factory. Well, not quite everyone...Lisa was flying to Boston for a funeral as I was flying to Seattle. I was originally supposed to go and work at the Gingerbread Factory in October, but since I couldn't be there, Michael spent the last several weeks picking up the slack for me. He really worked his butt off. No, literally. He lost like 10 pounds.

It was a whirlwind trip. We were only in Leavenworth for 3 days, and we spent all of it in the midst of the craziness that is the Gingerbread Factory. We did sneak away to watch Christmas Lighting with Michael's brother Chris, his girlfriend Jill, and their kids, who climbed out onto the 3rd floor balcony of the Hotel Europa and lit themselves up with lights.

Here are the pictures:





We spent the next few days in Seattle cramming in multiple doctor's appointments and last-minute shopping. We were lucky enough to see Vanna in concert. This girl can really play the sax! She and Michael had called me a few weeks earlier so she could play Edelweiss over the phone. And it was really good! That is, until she bust up laughing half way through...

Live from Lake Stevens Middle School! It's Vanna Murphy on the sax:

"Low Rider"

"Play That Funky Music"

Then we were back on the plane headed to Idaho. I was so happy to have Michael with me. He brightens my day. We had a beautiful White Christmas. Mom had waited for Michael and I to decorate the tree. She wanted it "professionally done." And it turned out absolutely beautiful. I sang at the church for Christmas Eve to a full house. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of being home for 2 months aside from taking care of my dad and feeling, well, useful again....was singing at the church. The Malad Presbyterian Church has a very small, aging congregation... and no Reverend. But each week more people were coming to hear me sing. It was great to sing again for the Lord and for such an appreciative group of people. I love that church, and I'm not particularly religious.

On a side note...one morning Mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table having coffee and Michael came in. He immediately went for the coffee. But before that, he noticed that the paper towels were out and replaced the roll. Then he got his coffee and proceeded outdoors for a smoke. But before that, he noticed the garbage needed a new lining and replaced the lining. Then he went outside for his morning smoke and coffee ritual. I turned to my mom and said, "You know. I have dated other guys who were smart and funny and charming, like Michael. But none of them would have done what he just did." And it's true. It just wouldn't have occurred to them to do those things. But Michael did it without even being asked. What a sweetheart.

So, now it's January 6th, and we are in Alabama with Anne & Scott. I always look forward to visiting them. They genuinely seem excited to see us, and it is just so comfortable to be here. We all love to sit around and comment loudly on HGTV. I have long had a fear of overstaying my welcome with people. I just hate that feeling when you realize that someone doesn't want you around anymore. But I never feel that way here.

Cheers,
E