Denee's Baby Shower

Today was the baby shower for Denee, my dear friend and trusted colleague. Denee and her husband are adding to their brood with a baby boy due in April. We celebrated with a fiesta-shower at La Costa Mexican restaurant. This may not be a traditional setting for a baby shower, but who can argue with good Mexican food and Margaritas (non-alcoholic for those who were so inclined). We did our best to turn the restaurant into the "baby zone" and the La Costa staff were quite obliging. Thanks!

With just two months until Denee's due date, I have yet to face the reality of life at work without her. Although I send her with blessings into the next phase of her life as a stay-at-home mom, Denee's absence from the counseling office will be a personal loss. As our drug and alcohol counselor, Denee's support and guidance, both professional and personal, has had a profound impact on my life. I will miss her. Her shoes (and all her cute hats) will be impossible to fill.

Best wishes Denee and Terry.

Urban Cowgirls kick up their heels

Last night was Emily's Bachelorette Party, hosted by her big sister Alison. It was a fun evening which started at Alison's house with drinks, appetizers, games and door prizes. Then we were off to Mona's Bistro for drinks and dinner followed by some two-steppin' fun at the Little Red Hen! YEEE HAW!!!! The guest of honor was dressed in Cowgirl chic (compliments of her sister) and wore a matching skirt and vest with stars and fringe and a red cowboy hat with "bachelorette" tiara. Our Em looked smokin' hot and her dance card was full at the Hen!

It was fun to celebrate with the bride and her friends, both new an old. I look forward to seeing everybody again at the wedding in Port Angeles in two weeks.

Congratulations Mini Me! Best wishes to you and Brett.

One, Two, Tea

Over the weekend I went tea tasting with Carrie and Wenmei at Vital Tea in the Pike Place Market. We spent well over an hour and half tasting and learning about teas, including green, oolong, red, white, and black teas and various hot steeped herbal beverages. We sampled about 15 of the hundred or so teas Vital had in the store. Maybe we'll go back some weekend and try some more.

After tea tasting, we all ran to the restroom and then spent the afternoon eating lunch and shopping in the market. It was a great Saturday with good friends.

Whistler 2007

What happens when you get a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a psychiatric nurse, a health risk manager, a social worker, a counselor and two adolescent mental health specialists together for a ski vacation at Whister? No, we did not sit around the condo and play a game of Charades and act out diagnosis from the DSM IV (although...that could be fun). Last weekend was pretty much your typical 3-days at Whistler. We skied until our legs were jell-o, then we soaked in the hot tub and drank to ease the pain, then we ate fabulous food and had more to drink, and then we got up the next day and did it all over again! Karen's birthday was Monday and we celebrated with an Italian dinner in the village on Sunday night, then Karen and John hit the zip-line Monday morning for an adrenaline filled birthday rush. The weather was beautiful with clear skys and bright sun. I hope to have pictures from the top of the mountain to share with you soon, but I didn't bring my camera along while skiing (I'm a novice skier and I was too afraid that I'd fall and break it).

Happy Birthday Karen!

In the picture left to right: Cindy, Jim, Me, Eric, Karen, and John. Missing: Rich and Brian.