Remembering what its like to be a Seattlelite: (Some of my favorites from Jeff Foxworthy)

You Know You're From Seattle If...

• You know the state flower (Mildew).
• You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
• Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.
• You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
• You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
• You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
• You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Veneto's.
• You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon.
• You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette.
• You consider swimming an indoor sport.
• You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
• In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark-while only working eight-hour days.
• You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
• You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."
• You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
• You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
• You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
• You notice, "The mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
• You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
• You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
• You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
• You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
• You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.
• You often switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day.
• You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
• You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk Season (Fall).

Our new condo is finally taking shape. We have made a tradition of visiting it every Sunday - and I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. When we visit so often it seems that progress is going so slowly and its easy to grow impatient and doubt that we will be able to move in by July.

On the other hand, its hard to stay away. The excitement and intrigue of seeing our new home come together is too much for us to stay away.

Although it will be small at about 700 sqf., we are fortunate to have hardwood floors, granite countertops in the kitchen, and tile in the bathroom. Russell and I picked out all the colors, and amenities in the record time of about a half an hour.

Everyday I am so grateful, thankful, and blessed to have a husband and a best friend to share my life with. As cliche as it sounds, we really do make a great team. It is amazing how God gravitates people towards one another who are so different on the surface but share the same heart and dreams. How would I have ever found someone who is strong when I am tired, who is confident when I am unsure, and who loves me even when I can't love myself? I never would have found this on my own.

And HE is before all things. and in HIM all things hold together. - Colossians 1:17