China Anniversary

Jumping from one family tree...

into another!

Pretty good yield, huh?

Traditionally, the 20th anniversary is the China Anniversary. You either buy yourself a new set of china or go on a trip to China. We chose instead to buy a leather sectional and have a spa weekend in Scottsdale. Tradition, be hanged.

I feel like I should write something sappy, but if you look through the archives, I've said it all before. All I can say is that I can't believe it's been 20 years. There are lots of things in life that have been hard for me, but marriage has not been one of them. I'm lucky.

**Current photo by Christie...wish she'd been around for the original shots. Early '90s wedding photography should be a federal crime.

Things Are Moving

This is really happening.

Our house sold in a quick ten days. I didn't realize how stressed I had been about the whole thing until I signed my name to accept the offer. Suddenly the phrase weak with relief took on a completely new meaning.

And, in the meantime, I put twenty years' worth of marital trust into Brad's capable hands and allowed him to choose a house for us. All. By. Himself.

I'm not totally crazy. It's just that the market has been picking up and Brad had found THE ONE on his last trip out. We had to act fast. So we did. I guess it's meant to be.

He loves it because:

1. It was a good deal.
2. It has a big backyard which is completely unfinished and will thus allow him creative expression in creating his own desert oasis.
3. There are plenty of bedrooms, including one for the mother-in-law. On a separate floor.
4. It's a "project" house, which means lots of trips to Home Depot.
5. Most importantly: a man-sized garage. Big enough to live in. (Which of course he will if I hate the new house.)

Brad's New Girlfriend

My husband has a new love in his life.

And I couldn't be happier.

Who cares if she's European, ubersexy and a whole lot younger than I am? This little cutie will do things for Brad that I haven't in years. Things like taking him to the airport at four in the morning and telling him which way to turn on a roadtrip to Lancaster County. She'll warm his buns anytime he likes.

The thing is, Brad has been completely faithful to a solidly built Japanese gal for the past eleven years. (Well, except for a brief infatuation with the petite, vintage German number. But she was expensive and high maintenance and mostly pouted in the garage, so she doesn't really count.)

Anyway, Ms. Solid has been good to us, but she's starting to show her age. Her rear end is sagging and she makes embarassing noises. I told Brad I don't want to be seen with her in public.


And, after an absolutely agonizing selection process, he found his new love just in time for his birthday.

Sooooooo much better than the gift he got last year.