cruise for 2

Well for the most part the weather cooperated for our cruise to Port Orchard. There were supposed to be other boats joining us there but it seems like Sam and I were the only ones hardy enough (or foolish enough) to make the trip.

Saturday evening they had a Christmas boat lighting contest on the guest dock. I went with just plain small white lights but everyone else went all out. There was even a boat with an old fashioned popcorn maker on it. Boats had lights by the 100's, Xmas wreaths, decorated trees, garland, stockings, and even a boat with a large Santa, sleigh, and Rudolph. Guess we will have to work on our decorating for next year. I just decided we would be simple though now we will have to amp it up a bit.

They even had a fireworks show that was quite impressive - Carla, Dave, Sam and I were all very impressed. So what if it was December I think there is always a reason for fireworks on a barge over the water.

Later on Saturday the wind started to pick up and swing our lights about wildly. Sam was smart enough to take down the mast lights but then he left them on the deck and in the middle of the night had to go get them. It definitely got to blowing but fortunately he didn't wake me up and ask to go assist, excellent decision on his part. I will have to admit I could actually get into this winter cruising thing though I am even more grateful for the espresso machine.

fair weather boaters?

Black Friday is a shopping day for most but to Sam a day off especially on a Friday is an excuse to take his boat out. Why fight the shopping crowds when you can have the Sound pretty much to yourself is his way of thought. He would never pass up an opportunity to go sailing for shopping.

I invited other family members to join him on the water. I didn't even have to ask my dad I assumed he would definitely be there with Sam. After all he was the first mate on the maiden voyage from Bellingham with less than desirable conditions and thought it was a blast. I was just happy I wasn't along and was instead shopping with my mom - there seems to be a theme here.

A few other brave souls wanted to go as well. Friday didn't dawn with sunny clear skies but instead with rain but Sam was undeterred. They all headed out for a sail. Turns out on Elliott Bay it was also a bit windy. Sam definitely had to put up the sails since he had a hardy crew though he did tell me the sails were down by the time the wind hit 28 MPH. Yep that is right he told me about it later since I needed to accompany my mom and some cousins shopping.

Honestly I don't care how much it was blowing and if the sails were up or down as long as I am not on the boat in those conditions. After all one of the best sails they have had I wasn't on the boat and it was in 20+ MPH wind. But then if I was on the boat they wouldn't have been sailing if I had anything to say about it. I am the family sailing wimp. A bit ironic but then someone has to be the voice of reason at least in my opinion.

My mom didn't want to drive with all the traffic to take my cousins shopping so I offered. I passed up an opportunity to go out in rainy windy conditions on the boat to shop with everyone else. That is just the kind of daughter I am - offering to spend quality time with my mom and get a bit of retail therapy in.

Did I mention Sam and dad didn't even set the crab pot on Friday - turns out it was a bit rough to take the dinghy out in. Whenever those 2 decide to not go out in a boat (even if it is only 9') I don't want to be out in our boat.

Of course to prove I am not a total wimp I will be going to Port Orchard on our boat this weekend. But if it is blowing 20+ and choppy I might just be sleeping on the boat in Elliott Bay. Hey it still counts - the boat is being used. There is always Seattle shopping if it gets too cold.

happy turkey day

Happy Thanksgiving. This year Sam and I have even more to be grateful than ever before. His mom is continuing to improve and is even able to leave the nursing center for a turkey dinner. We aren't living in our library this year during the holidays since our dry rot has been fixed thanks for my dad's handy skills.

Since our house is no longer under construction with the bathroom remodeling and our bedroom is once again habitable we are able to have Thanksgiving at our house this year.

Am looking forward to spending the day with family and eating much more than I should. I think I will put on the loosest skirt I can find to give myself a bit more room for that extra slice of mom's pumpkin pecan pie.

sharing

I have a large extended family. And by large I actually mean huge. My dad has 7 living brothers and sisters and most of them have children and then some have had grandchildren. If you do the math it means large family reunions.

For holidays it would be a bit challenging to find a house large enough to hold us all. Before my cousins started having their own children we would have holidays together. These would involve figuring out a way to expand the table. After all I don't know of many tables that accommodate 35-40 people.

Luckily my family is pretty handy and quite a few are in the construction trade so this was part of the fun. Think large sheets of plywood which most of the family conveniently had around their shop.

My sisters and I have named these gatherings "Schober Fests". In fact we always said you couldn't marry into the family unless you had attended at least one Schober fest. We have fun together but lets be honest if you weren't born into it it can be a bit intimidating and loud, okay that is a large understatement.

Food is very important to my family so most of the day (and days before the event) are spent preparing the food, eating the food, eating some more food, and cleaning the dishes before the next meal. Yes in my family we have the holiday meal around 1 and then we somehow feel the need to eat again around 6 or so.

The first time I had Thanksgiving with Sam's dad and stepmom I experienced a bit of culture shock. When only his dad, stepmom, brother, and the 2 of us were the only ones there at noon I started asking when everyone else was going to show up. Turns out it was just the 5 of us. Wow - growing up in my house at dinner we had a minimum of 6 for dinner every night with just my parents and sisters. I had a hard time wrapping my head around this. You can have a holiday with less than 25 people - I had no clue.

Then I started thinking - Sam had already attended several Schober Fests and survived and was still with me. I can't even imagine how he felt the first time he got together with my family. I had told him we had a big family but I don't think that even came close to preparing him. I mean tables going throughout different rooms of the house to accommodate all of us, multiple turkeys, serving up 3 plates of each items so the food would make it around the table, having to borrow silverware.

Sam doesn't even have a first cousin - not even 1. I on the other hand have 17 first cousins. I do feel badly for him but then really this is one more reason it works between us. I don't think I would want him to have a huge family - I probably have enough and we can share.

It means I get to have small intimate family gatherings occasionally with large bashes thrown in as well. In reality I get the best of both worlds - large boisterous noisy family events with smaller ones where we can actually hear each other talk. Sharing is good.

apple cup - how sweet it was

All Cougs want a winning season but ultimately we want to beat the Huskies. Even with our losing season a win over the Huskies suddenly makes it a much more successful season. The season we went to the Rose Bowl and lost to the Huskies still holds bitter disappointment for me. Sam didn't even try and speak to me all Sunday that year after the game, he just knew better.

I must be honest and admit I had my doubts and was nervous to watch the game. It wasn't looking good until my new buddy Ty chose to punt when the Huskies were on their own 36 yard line. Now I have really liked him for a few years now since the Huskies have sunk to new lows under his leadership but he really upped his stock on Saturday afternoon. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to take it into overtime - Ty you are definitely on my Christmas list now! Maybe some of that yummy Cougar Gold cheese?

It wasn't pretty but it was a win over the Huskies. I have to say though watching it the second time was even better. I even taped it for Sam since he was with his mom in New Mexico so he can relive the game that for just a few hours made us forget the rest of our pitiful season. I am certainly up for watching it for the 3rd time.

A whole year of bragging rights once again! Thanks Cougs for never giving up even when I had almost nailed the coffin shut.

caffeine fix

The death of our espresso machine 2 weeks ago was a truly sad event. Sam then had to make the decision of what kind he would purchase to replace it since this is a necessity in our house. The coffee maker is only used for guests anymore like the true Seattleites we are we must have espresso, well lattes really, not coffee.

This is serious business at our house - anyone in doubt should spend an early morning with Sam and then you would understand the extreme importance of his espresso machine.

The first purchase Sam made for our boat after we purchased it before it even arrived was an espresso machine. He chose a Nespresso one since he figured the pods would be easier on the boat. It was a great choice and we start the day and often end the day while on the boat with a latte, or two.

Now he had to decide if he would get the same brand we had on the boat or the one we had before. After a stop to look at the option he opted for a Nespresso one. Of course we had to get the upgraded version so now Sam will definitely be using it every morning to pay for it. Of course with our caffeine intake it won't take very long. And best of all when anyone visits they can ask for a latte - Sam is happy to show off his new toy.

As for the pumpkin lattes those are still a work in progress. Hey I got my latte this morning while blow drying my hair - I can wait on the pumpkin latte for a bit. Mornings are a much more pleasant experience around here now so those holding off visiting us can now show up knowing Sam will have his caffeine fix.

forget football its basketball season

Finally I can switch gears and move on to college basketball season. I love college football but the Cougar season has been so painful I have stopped watching and listening to the games though I still check online, I just can't help myself. It has gotten so bad that I am surprised we even got the one win. When your team has to hold open tryouts at the college because the 3 quarterbacks on the roster are injured they are in sorry shape. Oh and it seems #4 was hurt this weekend.

Instead I have been wishing and hoping for Cougar Basketball season to start. A few years ago I dreaded and often ignored our basketball team since they were almost as bad as our football team but the past 2 years have changed all that. March Madness anyone? Now basketball has kept me sane and hopeful during our miserable football season.

The first game was Saturday evening and the Cougs beat Mississippi State 75-25. At first I felt a bit bad but then I remembered the beatings we have suffered in football this season. When USC takes a knee a few yards from the end zone in the second quarter you are bad. At least Mississippi State scored unlike several of our football games this season. When was the last time the Cougs didn't score - well I am too embarrassed to even bring it up but trust me we had the 2nd longest scoring streak in the nation until this year.

So I think it was time we were on the other end of the beating - we were so. Thanks to our Bball team giving me hope during the past few miserable months of a football season one I typically wait for all year. I just kept saying and thinking at least Basketball season is coming soon.

Go Cougar Basketball! Oh did I mention the Husky Basketball team lost to the superpower that is Portland. After all the best Coug weekend for me is a Cougar win and a Husky loss.