The Wahrmund Family: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Thursday, October 28, 2010

This past weekend, Trev and I headed south to Arizona to visit some dear friends and had a truly wonderful time. The intention wasn't to go for a "vacation", I just hadn't seen them in so long and had an opportunity to go. But as I lay by their pool soaking up the 80+ degree rays (they thought I was crazy by the way, as this is their "off season" and they think it's too cold for the pool....HA!) I did truly relish the moment. How lucky was I to enjoy such a lovely four days in the warm desert sun with people I hold so dear to my heart? Referring to them as "friends" hardly fits, as they have always been more like family. Outside of family, no one has known me longer than they have. It all began in San Diego in the early 80s when my dad got stationed aboard the USS CLEVELAND. My dad and Mr. Jim (yes, I am in my late 30s and still address them as Mr and Ms...) were shipmates and our families lived in the same phase of Navy housing at the time. My mom and Ms. Janet hit it off and thus began what will nearly be 30 years of friendship. Sadly, my dad has fallen out of touch with them, but that was not an option for me. My mom's death has brought me closer to them and I think with Ms. Janet especially, we are an extention of my mom for each other. Jay and I had taken a trip down there for Mariners spring training in 2004 and that was the last I'd seen them. They had not met any of my boys in person, so it was really fun to introduce Trev to all of them. I thought this was the best time to travel with him because he is not mobile yet. He did great and was a very good house guest, but I am thankful that I didn't wait a day longer to take this trip with him as he was on the brink a couple times of a major meltdown on the flight. I picked this weekend in particular because they are all Arizona Cardinals fans and this was the weekend Seattle happened to be hosting the team. Thus, Ms. Janet planned a big party and we had a fun day of football, food, games and playful banter, although I confessed that I was really not educated in the game of football and honestly not a true Seahawks fan, but it was fun to represent anyway and oh, Seattle won :) I have to admit, I did take a little pleasure in the fact that it was wet and cold in Seattle during the game whilest I watched it down south in the sunny warmth....all in all, it was a trip well worth taking, even though I hate flying, and I just hope that it isn't another six years before I see everyone again. But even if it is, it never seems as though that much time has passed when we're together.

The party people

(Ms. Janet is in the recliner, as she is recovering from back surgery, and Mr. Jim is far left)

Kristi, Susan and Stacey, the daughters

(their brother James and his family were not able to make it to the party)

Trev and Kalisse (Susan's daughter)

a fantastic babysitter in training

Princess Bella

(Susan's other daughter, who truly runs the household)

Nick (Susan's son) and Anthony (Stacey's son)

I can only hope my boys are as respectful and charming at age 16 as these two

Mr. Jim holding Trev

Proof I was sitting poolside in October -

Had to take a picture by myself since no one else joined me!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Had our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and this year Jay was finally able to join us. We headed out to Hunter Farms in Union, WA, which is a huge farm with a hay maze, animals to pet and a wagon ride to take you out to the pumpkin patch. It was a perfect warm sunny day and we had a great time.

Trev's first pumpkin

Zac, the chicken whisperer

Monday, October 11, 2010

Softball Girls

Lady Pirates Fastpitch

2002-2003

Eight years ago when Jay got stationed aboard ACTIVE in Port Angeles, WA, I quit my cushy job with the federal government to go to school full time at Peninsula College. I was really into recreational softball at that time and learned that PC had a fastpitch team. So I signed up. I was about 10 years older than most of the girls on the team (some were fresh out of high school...) and I had a lot to prove, but I was determined. Well, it wouldn't be a girl sport if there wasn't some sort of drama....long story short, the team which started with about 13 players ended up with only six. After a set of new coaches and four more players, we had our team that would make it through the entire season together winning only three games. Bad news bears for sure. However, the bond that was formed between these girls and myself will always be with me. I wish I had played more sports as a teenager because there really is something amazing that happens between teammates. The comaraderie that develops is so special, I will remember it forever.

School sponsored Mariners game 2003

Hanging out in Port Angeles 2003

Cassandra and Ruth came to visit me in Juneau in 2006-

Danielle aka "Juno" is from Juneau and played for PC the following year

Bowling for my birthday 2009

Cassandra, Ruth and Ruth's sister Emily at a Mariners game 2009

Sadly, one of the girls, Loriel Phillips, died in a car accident in 2007, but there is a group of us that have stayed connected to this day. This past Sunday, our star second baseman, Cassandra Simpson, married her long time boyfriend, and fellow PC basketball athlete, Mitch Snyder. It was not only a wedding to be celebrated - finally - but a fine time to reunite with some of the softball gals. They are growing up (sniffle...) and I'm just getting older. A great time was had by all!