Uprooting two southerners who are used to 90 degree heat and 80% humidity - and expect them to survive in an upitty northwest bubble town.
We remember our first Christmas back in 2005.
The Seahawks were in the Super Bowl, everyone had family and friends over, and the power went out. Do'h!It wasn't a big deal for us - we aren't big football fans (Okay, okay... stop gasping!), and we weren't preparing a big dinner. In fact, I think we cooked frozen pizza on the wood-burning stove!
With no power, we decided to explore the island a bit. Just two blocks from our house, we walked past an older couple. They didn't smile, or say hello.
Despite our first encounters... we've come to adore this quaint little speck of land in the Puget Sound, and the wonderful quirky and compassionate people that make it a community.
While Richie gets to keep his job part-time, I will not be able to.
Teens often get a bad rap, but they are quite remarkable.
They persevere through some really tough stuff.
They are aware of the world around them, and are intelligent beyond belief.
I'm going to miss their spontaneity and goofy sense of humor... their curiosity and smiles... and I'm going to miss their friendship.
We are lucky adults to be working with these youth. I hope I get an opportunity to work in this capacity again.
Most adults say teens think of no one but themselves, but I beg to differ. A dynamic group of students visit the office daily during lunch or after school. January 14th was my official last half-day of school at BYS. This group decided to throw me a surprise party. There was no adult initiating the idea or planning. These students planned and executed the party all on their own.
I've never had a surprise party before! And I've never felt so loved before by people who aren't required to!
So to those students - you know who you are - thanks for making my job at BYS so memorable.
It has been a privileage knowing you - and I promise to get a facebook page.
This party sparked a second party...
This Christmas, we received record snowfall, which interrupted everyone's holiday plans. 
Fortunately, we decided to stay home and relax. We'd spent the last few months planning for our next adventure - we just needed the break. Blanche, our neighbor and "Mom," was planning a wonderful dinner for her daughters who were driving up from Oregon. With the dangerous road conditions, Blanche's daughters were not able to safely drive to Washington, and therefore unable to have Christmas dinner with Mom.
Fortunately, we decided to stay home and relax. We'd spent the last few months planning for our next adventure - we just needed the break. Blanche, our neighbor and "Mom," was planning a wonderful dinner for her daughters who were driving up from Oregon. With the dangerous road conditions, Blanche's daughters were not able to safely drive to Washington, and therefore unable to have Christmas dinner with Mom.
I forget how it came about... but Blanche invited us over for Christmas dinner. We arrived at 4pm and didn't leave until midnight! Laughter, salmon, adoring friends, a homemade apple pie, and wine make for one heck of a good time!
We talked about a "Send-off Supper" - and so it happened.
We had a glorious time! Everyone brought their favorite "tried and true" dish... There was great wine and wonderful laughter. Here are a few photos...
Holly, Esther, and Lynn - three of the cutest ladies you'll ever meet!
Tim and Veronica
Ms. Courtney (The life of the party!)
"Mama" Blanche (We'll miss her terribly!)
Karla and James (Okay folks, now we have a picture of James... so if he scratches our kayaks, you all know who to look for! Just kidding... or am I?)
The Yummy Spread
And the tulip that caught on fire... Sorry little fella!
And this party sparked a third party...
This time from our dear Island Fitness family - the group who helped us climb mountains - literally and figuratively. Ironically, it was held on Friday, February 13th, but it was a blast!Looks like people are happy to see us go!
Michael & Alexa Rosenthal, owners of Island Fitness wrote an incredible poem. We think you'll enjoy it - we did!
Aren't Muffolettos the things you wear,
When it's really cold, upon your ears?
Well, actually, if you google you'll see
The name means "soft spongy bread" from Sicily.
Is it Richie and Michele
Or Michele and Richie?
'cause finding rhymes can be a bitchie
Or am I trying to rhyme with Muffoletto?
That's a little tough from the get-go.
If I'm rhyming with the one named Richie
I can talk about the time I pulled him out of a ditch(ie)
Or the time he jumped 6 feet high
Ask his trainer, (he doesn't lie!)
Reduced to tears by her brutal trainer,
Michele made one thing clear,
Getting to the top was a no-brainer
And she did it without any fear!
So maybe I'm rhyming with Michele
There's too much there I can not tell
Like the time she collapsed, climbing up Baker,
Turns out she was just a big'ol faker
Because Michele proved as strong as a climber can be
Even though the summit, we couldn't see.
We made up for that on Mt. Rainier
The end of a quest, they both made it there!
Yes and they're still happily married!
That's cause one would push when the other tarried.
But really, they're just so much fun,
If I had to pick a favorite, I couldn't pick one.
If the climb is like a metaphor
Then you work hard, you open doors
So you take this life, how we choose to live
Some are users but others give
They're traveling the country before they travel the world
Their lives open up like a flag unfurled
Doing things the rest of us can only dream
Like eating lots of MORA ice cream
So we're all here to wish them well
Richie Muffoletto and his Michele
You shared with us for too short a time
But friends we count you for a lifetime.
________________________________________
Honestly, we had been working on a poem for the last week... but we just couldn't get it right. 4 hours before this gathering, the creative process started. Here's what we came up with:
What an honor it is to meet here tonight
The poetry isn't that bad, so please don't take flight.
So we've been here 3 years, but where do we start
To thank all of you straight from the heart?
We'll start with what we know best
And that's Island Fitness.
Our first trainer was Jillian with a smile to light up the room
Sweet little lady went and had baby number two.
Without McCloud, we never could have lifted so many pounds.
Without Jillian, we never would have survived McCloud
(So thanks Jillian for the preparation!)
We've cried, whined, sweated, and laughed
Planked, squated, and worked on our abs.
McCloud, thanks for your great training this past year
And if anyone ever asks... Yes - there really are BOSU's on Mt. Rainier!
To the mountains we've climbed, it's been quite a treat
Afterall, the highest spot in Louisiana is only 535 feet!
A better guide service, we never could have picked.
And next time, Mt. Baker, we'll hold the eggs benedict.
To our climbing buddies, whom we'll never forget,
Man - some of you really do sweat!
Protected from lightning in the hut at Camp Muir
We all lay in anticipation and a little fear
The blue bag some thought was a landing pad
And then we all realized it wasn't so bad.
After all the Diamox, thank goodness the bathroom was near!
The mountain experience was so real and so clear.
Names we won't mention, in case you're not ready
To make an appearance in your little pink teddy.
We wish we could join you again this year
But we look forward to the photos of the after-climb beer.
To the club members that are here
I'll miss your smiles and making me laugh to tears
You are the ones I'll hold dear.
To the front desk staff, we've had quite a blast
From keys, to machines, to kissing ass.
Stinky, sweaty towels in the washer with bleach
There's water for sale, one dollar each.
Group Power tickets, you've got to ask nicely
We don't want everyone packed in too tightly.
You are the best crew,
And without you,
Members would never know what to do!
To Michael and Alexa, you are an adorable couple who love this community
And give all visitors diplomatic immunity.
We couldn't imagine you out of this picture
You and this team are an essential fixture.
And last but not least, to BYS staff and volunteers
Your hopeful spirit helps wash away tears.
I hope you can see
You make BYS the place to be!
Right now, it's really hard to show
That I'll miss you and the students more than you know.
At our core, we think we are nomads
It's been great having you as brothers, sisters, moms and dads
Throughout our life we are destined to roam
But Bainbridge has been wonderful, our home away from home.
Now, I don't bake for goodness sake,
But we tried and here's what I could make
So enjoy the cookie cars
They won't get you far
But they are cute, and good with milk, cold
And we're sorry they look like they were painted by a 3-year old.
We love you all, and good night!
________________________________________
When it's really cold, upon your ears?
Well, actually, if you google you'll see
The name means "soft spongy bread" from Sicily.
Is it Richie and Michele
Or Michele and Richie?
'cause finding rhymes can be a bitchie
Or am I trying to rhyme with Muffoletto?
That's a little tough from the get-go.
If I'm rhyming with the one named Richie
I can talk about the time I pulled him out of a ditch(ie)
Or the time he jumped 6 feet high
Ask his trainer, (he doesn't lie!)
Reduced to tears by her brutal trainer,
Michele made one thing clear,
Getting to the top was a no-brainer
And she did it without any fear!
So maybe I'm rhyming with Michele
There's too much there I can not tell
Like the time she collapsed, climbing up Baker,
Turns out she was just a big'ol faker
Because Michele proved as strong as a climber can be
Even though the summit, we couldn't see.
We made up for that on Mt. Rainier
The end of a quest, they both made it there!
Yes and they're still happily married!
That's cause one would push when the other tarried.
But really, they're just so much fun,
If I had to pick a favorite, I couldn't pick one.
If the climb is like a metaphor
Then you work hard, you open doors
So you take this life, how we choose to live
Some are users but others give
They're traveling the country before they travel the world
Their lives open up like a flag unfurled
Doing things the rest of us can only dream
Like eating lots of MORA ice cream
So we're all here to wish them well
Richie Muffoletto and his Michele
You shared with us for too short a time
But friends we count you for a lifetime.
________________________________________
Honestly, we had been working on a poem for the last week... but we just couldn't get it right. 4 hours before this gathering, the creative process started. Here's what we came up with:
What an honor it is to meet here tonight
The poetry isn't that bad, so please don't take flight.
So we've been here 3 years, but where do we start
To thank all of you straight from the heart?
We'll start with what we know best
And that's Island Fitness.
Our first trainer was Jillian with a smile to light up the room
Sweet little lady went and had baby number two.
Without McCloud, we never could have lifted so many pounds.
Without Jillian, we never would have survived McCloud
(So thanks Jillian for the preparation!)
We've cried, whined, sweated, and laughed
Planked, squated, and worked on our abs.
McCloud, thanks for your great training this past year
And if anyone ever asks... Yes - there really are BOSU's on Mt. Rainier!
To the mountains we've climbed, it's been quite a treat
Afterall, the highest spot in Louisiana is only 535 feet!
A better guide service, we never could have picked.
And next time, Mt. Baker, we'll hold the eggs benedict.
To our climbing buddies, whom we'll never forget,
Man - some of you really do sweat!
Protected from lightning in the hut at Camp Muir
We all lay in anticipation and a little fear
The blue bag some thought was a landing pad
And then we all realized it wasn't so bad.
After all the Diamox, thank goodness the bathroom was near!
The mountain experience was so real and so clear.
Names we won't mention, in case you're not ready
To make an appearance in your little pink teddy.
We wish we could join you again this year
But we look forward to the photos of the after-climb beer.
To the club members that are here
I'll miss your smiles and making me laugh to tears
You are the ones I'll hold dear.
To the front desk staff, we've had quite a blast
From keys, to machines, to kissing ass.
Stinky, sweaty towels in the washer with bleach
There's water for sale, one dollar each.
Group Power tickets, you've got to ask nicely
We don't want everyone packed in too tightly.
You are the best crew,
And without you,
Members would never know what to do!
To Michael and Alexa, you are an adorable couple who love this community
And give all visitors diplomatic immunity.
We couldn't imagine you out of this picture
You and this team are an essential fixture.
And last but not least, to BYS staff and volunteers
Your hopeful spirit helps wash away tears.
I hope you can see
You make BYS the place to be!
Right now, it's really hard to show
That I'll miss you and the students more than you know.
At our core, we think we are nomads
It's been great having you as brothers, sisters, moms and dads
Throughout our life we are destined to roam
But Bainbridge has been wonderful, our home away from home.
Now, I don't bake for goodness sake,
But we tried and here's what I could make
So enjoy the cookie cars
They won't get you far
But they are cute, and good with milk, cold
And we're sorry they look like they were painted by a 3-year old.
We love you all, and good night!
________________________________________
Below are some photos of our car cookie bake-off. This was more challenging than you might imagine. See - we sold most of our kitchen items - no fancy mixers or spatulas. We mixed dough with our fingers, and worked our biceps to stir the icing. Lovely!
This is the first place where we really felt part of the community.
We are going to miss everyone!
We are going to miss everyone!
1 comment:
OMG I look ridiculous in that picture! I like the other pictures though!
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