R is for Ronnebeck!

If you've been following this Blog at all you know that we've been picking a LOT of Blackberries. A LOT. We kind of got to a point where we either had to make something with them or Eric was going to get sick of eating them raw & as ice cream topping. It's just so much fun to pick them, that I can't help myself so we went for the first option - Make something with them! I went over to Tim & Kat's yesterday and picked about 5 cups and then came home to pick another couple cups for good measure. Eric had been googling pie recipies all week, and so that's what we started with. a "fresh" pie crust, some flour, sugar and 4 cups of black berries later, this is what the goo looked like. I can almost smell the oven when I look at this picture. And our finished product. We were pretty proud because neither of us have really made a pie before with out the help of our wonderful Mommies. Eric then went on to make an entire jar of blackberry preserves and ...

Eric and I spent a couple hours at the waterfront today. We went and walked around the Aquarium where there was a LARGE amount of people. I was getting a little claustrophobic but it was worth it. The Aquarium has made a lot of really neat changes since the last time we were there which was almost 3 years ago now. They still had a few of my favorites like the "Jelly Donut" which is a donut shaped tube full of jelly fish and they have it lit up so the Jelly's look cool like the picture above. And my other favorites, the Seals & otters. The otters weren't cooperating for a photo, so you get these two of the seals. And Eric said his favorite part was when I manned up and touched the sea life in the touch ponds. It was kind of scary I'm not gunna lie, I don't love touching sea life . Now we're home for a movie, Hope you all are having a great weekend.

Here’s the face we’re all missing today [and everyday]. Thank you for the life you lived Kerry. Thank you for loving us all so much. We love you too. Word’s can’t express, how much we miss you. We're all very thankful Nick, Savanna & Carrie are here smiling today. Wish you were too.

I normally don’t use this blog to bitch about things, but I’m currently sitting on the bus and if I don’t vent just a little bit, the lady one row back and across from me is going to get my fist in her mouth. Let me explain, I’m generally a non-violent person and wouldn’t [under normal circumstances] consider punching this woman but this lady is driving us all crazy. By ‘us’ I mean the early morning commuters. Every morning we march out to the bus stops blurry eyed and wait for the bus. Once we get on, we find the most comfortable seat possible and snuggle in to nap for the next [in my case] 45 minutes; because, who wouldn’t want to nap for another 45 minutes in the morning? The atmosphere on the bus is understood that everyone is always quiet as a mouse and even if you ruffle to get more comfortable you may get a dirty look or two from the people in your vicinity. It’s that quiet on the bus as it should be, it’s 6 AM! This morning the lady in the red jacket got on the bus as she does ...

Berries... Berries... EVERYWHERE! Okay well maybe not everywhere, I just keep going back to the same bush in the alley. It's a very meditative thing to stand and pick berries. I could have for longer this evening, but Eric and I have picked this poor bush over and I might have to take a hiatus just to let some of them ripen. I crawled over the fence and then reeled Aquaman right along with me to pick the backside of the bush... the berries weren't as plump as they looked from the other side of the fence... So I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence, or in this case the berries aren't as plump as they look from the other side of the fence.

Eric and I went out for pizza tonight with our good friends Tim & Kat. After pizza Tim & Kat dropped us off at home and Eric and I wandered back into the alley to pick some more berries. We've both been struggling with getting to church in the morning and as we were standing in the alley picking berries we both agreed that this is the kind of place we see God. There are so many ways we can see God in our daily life and in something as simple as picking blackberries. Look at these beautiful berries. each little bulb filled with juice and all crafted by the same hands that made us. These are the humbling moments in life - the moments when you realize everything around you was made by God, when you remember that everything in your life is beautifully created for you. In picking black berries and being with Tim and Kat tonight it made me want to share a favorite camp song that I haven't sang for years upon years. Awesome God... Awesome Love "He's an awesome Go...

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him, think about what happened, or think about how it changed us all. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him, don’t pray for his family or wish things were different. I am completely amazed that it’s been 4 years. That night is still so vivid in my memory; his smile is still so vivid in my memory. I have relived that night over and over again in my head. Still, nothing makes sense and it hurts just as much hearing it the first time as it does thinking about it again. The fact is we can’t change what happened that night, so we live; move on, with a void in our hearts. A void only Kerry could fill. We know that he will meet us again in heaven, smiling that Kerry smile that we all have etched in our memories. We remember you this week because this week 4 years ago our lives changed forever, but we remember you every day because we love you, miss you and will never let you go. We pray every day for Peaceful Memories of ...

What a day... We started out by bumming around the house. I really didn't want to go anywhere, and was kind of having a "I want to eat worms" kind of day. Eric finally convinced me to go out for a little while, and I'm really glad he did. We started out at the Starbucks down the street - we drove down to Salt Water State park, and then down Redondo boardwalk and then ended up on 320th in Federal Way somehow. We then hit the freeway and ended up back at the Kent/Des Moines freeway and Eric suggested that we take Aquaman to the Dog Park. So we ended up letting him run free at Grandview Dog Park and he got played with a little rough by a few dogs, so we decided it was time for us to go. The park was beautiful though, a great view of Kent valley and Mt. Rainier . At the dog park we could smell the ripened black berry's. We couldn't reach them because they were beyond the fence line; I suggested that we stop at the blackberry bush before we head upstairs that...

I deleted my last post because we talked about going to the waterfront yesterday and then decided against it and headed to Claim Jumper instead . Great choice, but didn't feel the prior post was accurate or even pertinent to what actually happened. Any ways - we had a great night, we went to Claim Jumper and had food bigger than our heads and then ran a few errands and then came home and cuddled on the couch with the pets and watched 300 & Anchorman. It was a much needed quiet night at home. Happy Saturday everyone!

Favre... pending ... physical.... Oh... tough break Viking Fans! ♥ You Brother!

We usually don't clean all weekend, but we did this weekend, and this is what Aquaman did... laid patiently and watched us clean. Eric took this picture while I was out BUYING MY NEW SPOOKY TOWN PIECE!!!! Sorry, I'm just THAT excited about it! And then I thought I'd share the next picture that had me laughing so hard I cried . We normally don't torture him like this, but I came across the batman outfit this morning. I put it on him and then Eric said lines from Batman. Too funny for words... I love my family! If you find Monday a little strong, come back here and look at this face... It will help. I promise!

I haven't regaled you with tales live from Metro transit recently because nothing blogable has happened in a while. Today, I met Tracy. He told me that it was a Y not an IE because he did not want me to confuse him with a girl that may spell it with an IE. Tracy is a mentally handicapped 56 year old man who rides the bus everyday (so he tells me) but today he sat next to me. He sat down and said "boy you are a pretty girl, your husband must be very happy with you. Can I be your friend? I like to meet friends." How could you say no to that? Tracy sat next to me from Seattle to just outside of Des Moines. We had a great talk and as people passed to get off the bus he wished each one of them a great weekend. Before his stop he asked me if it would be okay if he prayed for me when he went to church on Sunday. Then he pulled the stop chord gave me a nice pat on the back and told me to have a good weekend. God put Tracy with a Y here today to make me smile... Thank you God for...

Eric and I live in one very spacious apartment, it's a one bedroom one bath, with a huge living area, smallish but open kitchen and a couple of closets that would make you jealous. Oh yah and have I mentioned the view before? We don't plan on leaving here for quite a while, we're very happy with the place. We shared our first kiss here, Eric asked me to marry him here, we have made this place our home. However, the walls are starting to burst at the seems... well maybe not quite yet, but we have a lot of stuff. If you ever thought I was a pack rat, try putting two of us in a one bedroom apartment - no matter the size. We have talked about moving some where larger, and have talked about reorganizing to make our place seem bigger 1,000 times over again, but the bottom line is that we don't want to move, so the organization thing has GOT to happen before we're crawling over things just to walk from one room to the next. Now, don't get me wrong we're no Hawkin...

I'm a little crazy as most of you who read this blog all ready know. My friend Dawn and I are starting yet another (count em that's 4) Blog for the Halloween season . We're not sure what's to become of it yet, but mostly we plan on posting craft ideas, recipes , decorations, easy costumes, and movie lists. I hope to get a little input from a lot of people which is where Dawn comes in, she's really great at finding things that are Halloween oriented. I am also planning on posting most of my homemade creations there instead of bogging down this blog as a dumping place for all of my Halloween goodies, because let's face it I get a little out of control with that. So, even though it's still in the newborn stages of it's little Blog life, pop on over to http://www.spooky-scary.blogspot.com/ Let me know what you think! If you'd like to contribute to the blog, e-mail me at mrs.ronnebeck@live.com ! Love you all! Abby

Makes me smile bigger than my face allows... I needed her today (and didn't even know it)- and her positive words and attitude and with out fail she was there... I'm so glad she's mine :)

This morning as I was making my way to work from the bus stop, I was stopped by a little old couple, and they said "you look like a local gal, could you help us find a Starbucks?" I don't know what triggered to them that I was a local, but I walked with them to Starbucks and they paid for my cup of coffee in exchange for my directions. I was blown away by their generosity, most tourists here just ask for directions and then when you tell them where to go they often walk off in the opposite direction. Tourists!!! I was also pretty flattered that they recognized me as a "local" it made me beam with Seattle Pride. So, as I was walking to work with my warm cup of Starbucks, I found myself smiling because I am a local, because I know my way around this city, because of their kindness, but smiling mostly because of my Grande White Mocha... mmmmm coffee....

Hi, I'm Abby and I'm addicted to Halloween. On a very rainy day here in Seattle I can't help but to let my mind wander to September/October and all the amazing things I plan to make and do for my favorite holiday. I realize it's only mid-August but since the weather hasn't shaped up in a few days I feel the urge for some Halloween goodness. This year, since my blog is established and not a fledgling project I plan to share the projects that I am working on / intending to work on as soon as I get everything together. So, since it's rainy, crappy and icky out here's my first Halloween project on the chopping block. SPIRIT JUGS I've started to collect jugs and started to think of a really great place to let these guys haunt. I will be sure to take pictures as I create to post on here later. I think I get all this crafty need in my body from my Mother whom around Halloween would always have something fun in the make, be it popcorn balls or a wooden craft to ...

Some weekends I stress, some weekends I vegg , and some weekends I just get a whole lot done and don't even realize it. This weekend I had a little bit of everything. I tried not to stress to much but sometimes my mind gets away with me. I have been trying to get my mind right but summer time makes me lazy and I tend to lose myself just a little bit. I am working on getting back on track for the fall since the fall and winter are when I flourish. I think that's why I start counting down for fall in the beginning of August. I also vegged a lot this weekend. Eric had his friend Reiner over on Saturday so I spent the first couple hours of Saturday making a Relay for life book for my Mom. I had gotten pictures developed from the walk; one set for me and one for her, and after talking to her we decided that they'd just end up in a shoe box somewhere if I sent them loose. I'm looking forward to sending the book in the mail for her this week. And then this morning Eric and I ...

For Friday... a little installment of Happiness! Because... It's FRIDAY! Happiness is... my husband saying "let's go to Joann's" Happiness is ... the halloween things hitting the shelves Happiness is ... casual day at work Happiness is ... Mom feeling better Happiness is ... a warm cup of coffee to start the day Happiness is ... having nothing planned for the evening Happiness is ... an entire day of scrapbooking planned for Saturday Happiness is ... Organziation Happiness is ... life

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!!!.... SBTB REUNION!!!! MUST ... GO ... BUY... PEOPLE MAGAZINE!!!!!!!! Click here for details! PS: Yes, it's August which means I have no season to celebrate, so I drop into celeb excitement I.E Jon & Kate post yesterday and the fact that I Spent my evening last night watching Dog the Bounty Hunter... I am ashamed... Kind of.

Okay, so I finally have to weigh in, I was watching the reruns from Jon & Kate plus 8 this morning on my break and wow has that show completely jumped the shark. I have to admit here that I was a huge fan of this show and could barley ever turn the channel when it’s on even when Eric was less than excited to be watching “Kate’s world F*CK you” as he calls it. I have stayed relatively silent through the whole divorce / Jon’s cheating / Kate’s cheating tabloid reports that have been going on, but I have to admit even I have gotten a little tired of their whole scenario. I understand that we’re probably not getting the whole story from either side, but I have to admit that the evidence that Jon is a cheating SOB is hard to deny as is the fact that Kate became even more of a bitchy diva than she was when he probably first proposed. I understand that the family is going through tough times and I’m not trying to be [too] judgmental here; but what else is a blog for if you can’t talk abou...

In continuing my posts about my family and how wonderful they are my thoughts are wandering today to my Mom, which most days my thoughts are on my Mom. There was a short phase in my life where My Mom was “the enemy” that phase could be known as “teenage”. However, my Mom is and has always been my Hero. She is the one who always humors me – no matter how outrageous my ideas become. She is the one who when I was about 3-5 years old when she no longer carried a diaper bag for me would help me carry a diaper bag for my cabbage patch kids, that had to go EVERYWHERE! She was the one who would help me wash off the fly poop when the cabbage patch kids spent too much time in the car and she was the one who gave me my “first born” Rita Annette- whom I cried when I met because I wasn’t sure I was a good enough Mom for her. She was the Mom who would hand craft Christmas presents, allow us to eat cookie dough raw, and dance in the kitchen while we cleaned. She would help me create things she taught...

I ended up "baking" a birthday cake for my dear kitty yesterday! It consisted of "Fancy Feast" and Greenies (good for kitty teeth) treats. She ate it up pretty quickly but she wasn't so excited about me forcing her to take a picture with her birthday treat! The day was lazy just how she likes it complete with laying infront of the fan and trying to keep the dog away from her as much as possible! Yep, I'm the crazy cat lady... what do you want from me?

Happy Birthday to Gracie! She was born August 1st (by our calcualations) and came home to me in 2006! Her "birthday present" was to roll around in some cat nip, it's her favorite thing to do! She continues to fill our lives with love and joy just like she did three years ago when she came home to us. She is my first pet outside of family pets and though Eric jokes around about getting rid of her because she's not cuddly, I would never get rid of her ever! She's the best cat in the world. Now only if I could train her to sit on my lap!