R is for Ronnebeck!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21 I think GOD is trying to smack me in the forehead. I have had this "Christ Note" delivered to me via e-mail for the past week. Same verse, every day, for a week. Either the system at " Christ Notes " is broken or GOD knows I am a compulsive shopper. Okay, so maybe "Compulsive" is a little strong, but I love to shop, I love to buy new things, it makes me happy, giddy even! We've been reigning in our budget recently so we can have some fun moneys on our " Workcation " (I made up that word) to Washington DC. Eric's really good at saving; in fact I think he'd be perfectly pleased if every red cent of...

You’re probably thinking I’m crazy for liking this kind of weather. No joke, this is what Seattle looks like today – grey, rainy and well, just like fall. I know it’s August 31 st , but it’s more like October 31 st outside today. Even though I slipped and slid my way to work this morning on the wet, slippery Seattle sidewalks, I enjoyed every drop of rain. Welcome Fall… :o)

Friday was a highly anticipated day for us; Jackie was coming for a visit! She was coming through town after an Alaskan Cruise with her in-laws. We were looking forward to the visit! After work, we went over to the Mariott and met up with Jackie and her Cruising crew, Christie, Sherrie and Les. We visited around a table in the atrium for awhile and then loaded up and headed to Azteca for a delicious Mexican meal, and then back to the hotel to visit some more. The time got away from us, and pretty soon it was 11:30pm! We needed to get home to feed Aquaman , and let Jackie and family rest for their flight the next day, Jackie walked us to the door, and we ended up standing by the doors to the parking lot for another couple hours chatting! We finally called it a night around 1:30am. It was so much fun to see Jackie and to meet her extended family! We Love you Jackie!!!

I always kind of dread the 28 th of August. I hate the "anniversary" of another year passing with out Kerry. I remember the day it happened like yesterday, and I think about that night every day of my life. But more importantly, I think about the amazing person Kerry was every day of my life. It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years. The devastation of losing him is still fresh in all of our hearts. You were an amazing man Kerry, a man who cared and loved everyone, always. We miss you. My words are escaping me now So I'll leave you with his Obituary - Peaceful Memories. 4 year anniversary KPB Kerry P. Bronson Kery Paul Bronson, the son of Kevin and Katherine (Nielsen) Bronson was born on June 23rd 1979 in Watertown , South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Hope Lutheran Church in Summit. He grew up in Summit and graduated from Summit High School in 1997. Kerry served in the U.S. Army from 1998-2000. After serving in the military he was employed ...

These boys were off to school on Tuesday (which I just remembered last night - bad Auntie). Troy's hitting Kindergarten & Carter's headed to 3rd grade! I just love this pic below of them waiting for the bus... I remember doing that, it was often cold, and seemed like it took FOREVER. I also love how unenthusiastic Troy is about taking this picture. And one of the little guy, because he's NOT headed to school... Yet. Miss these faces!

When I was going into 7th Grade in 1998 I got the news that I was going to be an Aunt for the first time! I was really excited and on March 16th Erica Rae was born! She's 12 now, and headed into 7th grade herself, it's so weird to be at the stage where she's the same age I was when she was born. Today's her first day of Middle School! She sent me the top picture last week to show me what she was going to wear for her school pictures; and I stole the bottom one off her Mom's Facebook - it's her getting ready to go! She's getting so grown up!! And she's probably going to be completely embarrassed that her Auntie blabbed like this on her blog, but really, I'm proud of her! I hope you had a fantastic first day of Middle School Erica! I love you! Also, I looked at my post of this very same thing last year... CHECK OUT HOW DIFFERENT SHE LOOKS!

In a moment of insanity yesterday I signed myself up to go on the 7 th grade retreat in September. I love the 7 th grade retreat/cruise and had to miss out on it last year ( went in 2008 ), and I found myself actually missing it. When you truly think about the Blake Island Cruise/ Retreat virtually no “promise”; picture yourself on a beautiful antique Criss Craft boat with a couple dozen 13 year old kids, and then this glorious boat drops you and the 24 kids off on an island with nothing but your sleeping bag and hiking shoes. You find a campsite, set up your bed on the ground (In September), and ward off Raccoon’s and Deer while you try to sleep. Then, 6 am when the sunrises those 24 7 th graders wake and start to whisper, then talk, then they can’t help it anymore and have nearly everyone on the campgrounds awake. The beautiful people from the boat feed you, but leave you on this island with the teens and tell you to take a hike, so you find yourself on the other side of...

Reasons why this weekend was awesome... *Eric returned home safe and sound from LutherHaven ! * Getting to see all the camp crazy kids get off the bus... they're always so excited! * Seeing Ivan & Dawn Saturday morning for an hour or so * Free Seahawk Tickets! * Seahawks Game! *Sleeping in * Family Time * Spinach & Caramelized Onion Lasagna ! For the LOSE? * I may have broken my pinky toe * Seahawks lost to the Pack * Batteries were dead in the camera once we got to Qwest Field (alas, No pictures) * It's over already

My house feels like a home tonight. My pets are restful and at ease, and I'm loving every moment of my mohawked husband sitting next to me. What a wonderful feeling!

I picked our first round of Blackberries tonight. I actually snuck them out of my neighbors yard. Last year no one lived in the house where the great blackberry bush resides... however, someone moved in this year, so I have to be sneaky... maybe I just need to knock on the door and ask. Any ways, Yes; here's the crop! Glad Eric will be home tomorrow to enjoy them since I can't eat them... I just like to pick them! See? We're Sneaky!

My Dog... Such a sweet happy soul. I have been missing my husband a ton this week, but I have to say that Aquaman is a good companion to have in his absence. We've been spending a lot of time together - parks, walks, and sleepy time. He's a snuggler , he's a happy happy puppy. I hate the face that he gives me when I have to put him in the K word (kennel) for the day, but when I come home he is absolutely insanely happy to see me, and I him. Thanks for the love little guy. I couldn't love a little puppy any more than I love you!

I was super excited to hear that Mr.President was coming to Seattle! Whenever I hear someone "Famous" is in town, I try to sneak a peak. Most of the time I get a big F for failure, and I guess you could probably just give me a C for this one. I didn't get to SEE The PRESIDENT, but I did get to see a couple secret service men and his Motorcade in action, which was actually pretty amazing! Please excuse the photo quality, this was from 28 floors up at work. I work in the building connected to the Westin Hotel where the President came to speak in support of Senator Murray. When I walked into the Hotel Tuesday morning, I was greeted by 3 or 4 men in black suits with ear buds. How handsome we dress our secret service men! Right after the motorcycle police dropped off the President at the Westin Hotel they parked up all the way up Virginia (Picture above). After He was done speaking the motorcycles met with the SUV's , Limo's , Vans and emergency vehicles and es...

On Monday I was so sleepy, I was standing at the bus stop day dreaming when my bus pulled up and I didn't really notice, a gal that normally rides my bus at night tapped me on the shoulder and told me the bus was here, so I didn't miss it. She said I looked like I was day dreaming... I told her thank you and she said "I didn't think you would want to miss the bus, pay it forward." So I thought, next time I get an opportunity I'm going to! I didn't really think about it yesterday afternoon when I was getting off the bus there was a guy sleeping pretty hard, and he normally gets off my stop, so I shook him (gently) awake and told him our stop was coming up. He was so thankful. So I told him what the gal told me... Pay it forward. The bus pulled into Seattle this morning and I saw the guy I woke the day before wake someone else because their stop was coming up. It made me smile. Sometimes I think this city's too big to be noticed in, and that if I slept t...

I have been getting random picture texts from the adults at LutherHaven with Eric this week, it makes me very happy to know I have such a loving community thinking of me while they’re having a blast with my husband. It looks like they’re having the time of their lives! I got this picture this afternoon with a caption that said “It’s twin day”! It made me giggle. I love that they’re each holding a water bottle as well, can’t get more TWIN than this! All Valerie needs is about 2 feet of height and a mohawk… You read that write… your eyes aren’t deceiving you … Eric let the kids give him a Mohawk. Awesome. (insert sarcasm here). I am excited about that one! Looking forward to them coming home with all their camp stories!

I don’t know if I’ve ever expressed just how in love I am with the Harry Potter series… I keep trying to urge my sister to read the series and she says she’s not interested. In fact, Erica had the 6 th book (“The Half blood Prince”) home with her from the library a couple years ago, and she read the last 2 chapters just to “see how it ended” I told her I was appalled and that at first, I wasn’t interested either… but no one had really tried to “Sell” it to me. I grew up during the beginning of the creation of the movies. I saw the first movie (The Sorcerer's Stone) with the ARC guys at NeSoDak the summer I worked there on a 19 inch black and white TV – needless to say I didn’t pay much attention. I vaguely knew that HP was a “big” deal but it wasn’t until the release of the 7 th book in July 2007 that I realized that HP was more than a “big” deal… it was an institution! Eric had read the entire series and was ecstatic to get started on the 7 th book the second it was relea...

(Pardon the Double Chin & Random neck shot.) My Co-worker Diane brought this little guy back for me from the Lavender festival. I didn't really know what to do with the baby Dino till I realized it had a little itty bitty hole in him, he's obviously a bead for a piece of Jewelry ... So I gave the Baby Dino to my co-worker Mindy who made me this lovely piece. I've always wanted a random necklace with something completely unsuspecting on it, so I guess here he is! I would never pick it out, but I'm pretty much In Love.

Outside my Window: A bustling Seattle on a Monday morning, nice and sunny out, going to be a scorcher today! I'm thinking: about what Aquaman and I are going to do to cool off this afternoon. I'm Thankful For: my husband working hard to make sure I eat healthy this week, if it were up to me, I’d be eating Mac and Cheese every day! From the Kitchen: for lunch? Leftover tuna noodle casserole! Yep, I turned on the oven last night for dinner- I’m nuts. I am wearing: My gaucho pants, and my “hippie” sweater, It’s a nice “Transition” outfit from work to riding home in sweaty bus seats – all I have to do is shove the (wrinkle resistant) sweater in my backpack and voila – 90 degree weather here I come! I'm going: to not worry about Aquaman spending time in his kennel, to not worry about Aquaman spending time in his kennel, to not worry about Aquaman spending time in his kennel. If I say it enough It will come true! I'm hoping: For a semi happy pup when I get home. I'm Heari...

I had a couple days off of work so Eric and I have been busy running errands, getting him ready for LutherHaven and just having some much needed and deserved relaxation. I wanted to get my crafting bug under control so after a shopping trip to Joann's Fabric I had all I need to get started on my Decoupage project I've been lusting after. Gracie was obviously so ready to help me accomplish anything... or not. After some cutting and pasting here's the finished project in all it's "Wizard of Oz" glory. The "Wizard of Oz" also hit it's 71st anniversary this week, which makes me happy! Decoupage by the way is totally a "Something New" craft for me... Giddy Giddy! Friday afternoon we went to a little Mexican market near our house, and found delicious breads! Later in the evening Lee and Jess came over and we went out to eat at El Sabor De Oaxaca! Lee, Jess and Eric all wanted to go see "Inception" but I really had no inclinat...

I really have a hard time with the Hooters Restaurant chain. I know they give girls decent opportunities (in some cases), but there's something about a girl carrying a beer on her head to serve it to a man that just gets to me. Two times a year I put these feelings behind me and I go to Hooters, Anti Valentines day , and Tim Oleson's Birthday! We often choose to go to the Hooters location on South Lake Union, because the view... Is... So... Amazing! The open window breeze coming through the restaurant is enough to distract me from what I don't like about the place. We always tackle 50 wings between the 4 of us, and more often than not the boys out eat the girls. But they're so good. And they make our guts turn upside down. And then we finish off the meal with some veggies to make ourselves feel a little bit better about all the grease and hot sauce we just ate. It's a Ronnebeck - Oleson "Family" Tradition ... just like Thanksgiving, and Easter... We lov...

I don't think I realized how much I needed a night of girl time till now. Mariya planned to come down tonight and I was looking forward to hanging out, but wow was this a breath of fresh air. We ate Proletariat Pizza, Full tilt Ice cream and then walked down by the beach near the Fauntleroy Ferry docks and talked about a little bit of everything, from Harry Potter to our cats, to our latest vice. I miss having her right down the street, and getting that little bit of girl time every week. But this works too. Thanks for the evening, It was fantastic!