The year started poorly. Near the end of 2004, our condo on the Washington coast sustained water damage due to an improperly installed dishwasher in the unit above. Early 2005 was spent working with two contractors an d an insurance company. Ultimately, our entire kitchen was demolished and replaced. What seemed like a small amount of damage was actually quite extensive due to soaked wall boards, warped cabinets, and mold growth. Also, guiding such a project from Seattle was a slow process. But the remodel project was finished in spring and we are very pleased with the results.

In February, we took a four night vacation to Palm Springs. After flying into LA, we rented a car and made our way to the desert. The Nixon Library was an interesting stop on the way. Palm Springs proved to be wonderful. I wanted Gene to see that desert resort town because I thought he might like it as a possible retirement home in the future. Two of my co-workers own vacation homes in Palm Springs. So, instead of being alone the entire time, Gene and I had the opportunity for a wonderful evening at Margo and Susan’s home along with our school nurse, Ronnie, and her husband. Dinner and dessert were accompanied by lots of fascinating and exciting conversation.

Our trip also included a hike through Joshua Tree National Park and a ride up Mt. San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. On the way back to LAX, we had time to eat lunch at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, as well as a brief stop at the Huntington Library in Pasadena. Apparently, travel was going to be the recurrent theme of 2005, setting that year apart from all others in the history of our relationship.

Thoughts and plans for our summer trip kept us well occupied through the spring of 2005. Gene continued to work many extra hours in his position as Operations Manager in a new department at Qwest. But along with the extra hours came a few additional perks, like free admission to the Experience Music Project, and tickets to Seahawks and Mariners games in corporate suites.

For me, work during the spring was both wonderful and frustrating. I taught a new unit about the Amazon Rainforest. It was a big hit with both the kids and their parents. We constructed a full scale model of a rainforest in the classroom, complete with floor to ceiling trees, vines, branches, flowers and animals like birds and snakes. The success of the unit helped increase my popularity with parents and added to my reputation. However, there were other work, testing, and computer network duties on top of my usual teaching responsibilities. The principal asked that I head up a new initiative to define our mission in the eyes of the public by publishing a brochure and augmenting the school website. Add to that my home obligations and it leads to a lot of stress as well as great accomplishments.

In March we had the pleasure of watching construction of a new deck in our back yard. It was an idea born from small frustrations during the previous summer. In the spring of 2004, we purchased our first above ground pool. However, once the pool was set up on our large back patio, the degree to which the patio sloped (heretofore unknown) proved problematic. So, in spring of 2005, we had a level deck installed on top of the old concrete slab. The deck was designed specifically to support the weight of a small above ground pool. During the summer of 2005, we had no difficulties with tilting pools and strange water movements. The deck and pool were sources of relaxation and pleasure.

In May I turned 40. It was not the best of transitions, believe me. Just prior to my birthday, I started experiencing severe muscle spasms in my back. I could hardly walk. I spent almost a week off work (thankfully, I had a terrific sub in my class). All that stress manifested in my body, along with a looming mid-life crisis, and a vague sense that I was depressed led me to schedule a full physical and subsequently my doctor referred me to psycho therapy for depression and life changes. I specifically requested the referral. That decision was a smart one. Through the course of the year my depression lifted, my back pain came to an end (with minimal medication), and I was filled with new energy and a more positive attitude. I also lost about 15 pounds.

In late June, school ended and Gene and I set out on our first joint adventure through Europe. We spent much of the previous two years planning this trip, and the months of research finally came to fruition. Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door company was invaluable in the planning. In a period of five weeks (late June & all of July), we traveled through England, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, and Holland. It was, without a doubt, the trip of a lifetime and I loved it. We did have some problems along the way, but they were learning experiences which never came close to overshadowing the overall magnificence of the experience.

Ultimately, the trip taught me that 5 weeks is too long for me to spend away from home (3 would have been better). I think it’s possible that I could handle another 5 week trip if we weren’t constantly on the move. The stress of 30+ days continually on the road proved to be a challenge. Language difficulties were extremely rare, but displacement is still emotionally trying for me. The food and cultural experiences were fantastic, and our lodging was, for the most part, well chosen. The remainder of our summer was spent in Seattle, relaxing by our little pool, or spending quiet time at our weekend condo in Ocean Shores.

Fall brought the beginning of another school year. This time, I shifted to teaching 1st grade instead of 2nd. It was a somewhat difficult transition. The kids are much more dependent on the teacher than those just one year older. But it was not my first time teaching that age group, so the territory was not completely unfamiliar. At the same time, I joined a bowling league. It felt good to make new friends and work on developing a new skill. My involvement at Ascension Episcopal Church also brought changes. I was asked to co-host coffee hour, help with a special dinner to benefit the hungry in Central Africa, join a spiritual discernment group, and I also became a lector.

At the same time that changes were taking place at school and church, construction began on a complete kitchen remodel at our Magnolia home. The old kitchen had previously been updated in the 1970s. Later, in the early 1990’s, new countertops, flooring, and appliances updated the space. But the gloss of new paint could only extend the life of the kitchen by ten years. When 2005 came along, our kitchen was well worn. The room was stripped to the studs and custom cabinets, granite counters, and old fashioned Marmoleum flooring were installed. Gene and I are more than pleased with the outcome.

The remodel not only brought the kitchen totally up to date with modern style and convenience (including stainless steel appliances) but it also harkens back to the origins of the house in 1942. Part of the project was the inclusion of reeded glass doors on the cabinets, subway tiles, and retro style fixtures. I could not be happier with the results. In December, Gene and I traveled again, this time setting sail on our first cruise.

Gene booked a cruise in honor of my 40th birthday. Based on the advice of my sister, a travel agent, he chose Princess Cruise Lines and we set sail from LA to the Mexican Riviera. Overall, the trip was fantastic. The cabin (a mini-suite) was wonderful, the food excellent, and the entertainment fantastic. We stopped in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Coming up in February of 2006 we will fly to Fort Lauderdale and cruise the Caribbean in honor of Gene’s 50th birthday.

The year ended with Gene facing the loss of his job once again (he was laid off in 2004). Ultimately, he was transferred to another previously existent department. His most recent position had been in a department which was, at its essence, an experiment. The experiment failed. But when the lay off loomed, I was worried mostly because he was only 26 days away from a huge leap in his pension benefits. If he had been laid off, it would have meant a loss of more than $100,000 in pension funds after more than 25 years with the phone company. I’m grateful he avoided a pink slip. Others were not so lucky.

The year came to an end quietly. In 2006 we hope to visit Japan for the first time. We also plan on re-painting the living and dining rooms, as well as my office and the foyer. Though we hope for a quiet year and the opportunity to replenish our savings after so much travel, God only knows what blessings and challenges lie ahead. For now we’ll concentrate on work, finances, and planning for the future.