Look for Me Here

http://isthisthingon-ckd.blogspot.com/

The End

This blog was created as a way to document my great adventure on the East Coast. Sadly, that chapter of my life (and this blog) has come to an abrupt, heartbreaking end. Certain facts about my relationship with Mike have come to my attention, and I need to leave this relationship, this house, and this area right away. I am incredibly lucky to have family and friends supporting and helping me transition back to California.

I do not regret a single decision I have made over the last year, and my love and respect for Mike's family, especially his children, remain in tact in spite of what has happened.

There are no regrets on my end about my part in all of this. I entered into this relationship and made decisions with an open heart, good intentions, and the greatest hope for the future. There is still a bright, happy future ahead of me...just a different one than I thought I had a few days ago. There is no master plan at the moment, but I know that once I am surrounded by friends and family the answers will become clear.

I am forever grateful for the love and support of my family and friends throughout this journey. Knowing that all things happen for a reason gives me strength as I try to make sense of all that has happened.

Potomac Point Winery

Winos? Why, yes!

Saturday evening Mike and I ventured to a relatively new winery just a few miles from our home. Potomac Point Winery here in Stafford opened June 8, 2007. Coincidentally, this weekend marks the first anniversary of my Big Visit to see Mike after we met in New York. What better way to mark the occasion than by indulging one of our favorite activities: boozing! OK, we were a bit classier than that. But still, it seemed very us to spend our time surrounded by alcohol. Lushes!

The drive to the winery was gorgeous; I have dismissed much of Stafford as an unending string of strip malls. Who knew such a beautiful place existed a few minutes away from a Wal-Mart?

It Doesn't Have to be This Way

This is what a happy bridesmaid looks like. The best man doesn't look tortured, either.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/06/09/lw.too.broke.maid.honor/index.html?eref=rss_latest

This article gave me a bit of a flashback to 2005-2007, otherwise known as "The Years of Bridesmaiding." You'd think my sense of indignation would be directed at the Bridezillas who know that their grad student bridesmaids cannot afford the $500 couture gown and yet expect it anyway. Well, yes, I think these women are selfish, delusional freaks. But my real sense of "What are you thinking?" is directed towards the bridesmaids who say "Yes!" with a smile and then go on to complain about taking out a home equity line of credit or selling organs to wear peach taffeta for four hours.

I have had the honor of serving in four weddings and the horror of serving in one. In retrospect, I should have told my Bridezilla to shove her tacky wedding where the sun don't shine, stay home and save myself the headaches and the money. But... sometimes I need to touch the stove - and maybe shove my face against it to drive the point home - before I learn my lesson. So, while her behavior was abhorrent and inexcusable, I allowed it to happen and never put the breaks on the whole fiasco. Not shockingly, I have not spoken to this woman since her wedding day.

In all fairness, I have to give credit to the brides who had reasonable expectations* (buy the dress, show up, be sober for the photos**) and didn't make me feel like garbage when I said, "You know what? I can't do XYZ." Because these women are true friends, they listened and realized that friendships should not be collateral damage in the course of planning a wedding. Lili and Eileen: You Rock! Mom and Judy: I'm sure you were nice because you figured I'd play a part in choosing your nursing home one day. Well played ladies. You are safe. For now.



*None of my friends would ask me not to hit on fellow wedding party members because they know that's not how I roll.
**But once the bar is open and the dancing starts all bets are off!

I Hope She Doesn't Resent Me for This One Day

Juno's first bath and an adorable shot of Daddy-Daughter Nap Time. Can you handle this much cuteness? Can you?

You want a piece of me? DO you?

Come on, watch the hair.

I can't say for certain but I think she's going to be a Daddy's girl.

Because I Am Too Hot and Uncomfortable to Come Up with My Own Material

From "Guest Blogger" Boy Chris:



Here's how I think the conversation went down when this picture was taken:


Rebecca: "Christen, I want that bouquet. Seriously. It's mine."

Christen: "Well I just want another drink. This marriage thing is overrated."

Rebecca: "I think that girl is eyeing me. You want to go throw down?"

Christen: "Whatever....as long as it gets me closer to the bar. Let's roll."



What can I say? The kid is familiar with our work.

Nice to see the DeFazio Name in the Headlines...

and the words "hign speed pursuit" or "court sentenced to..." do not appear in the article.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1210312510265440.xml&coll=7

Isn't She Lovely?

Our new Mama gave me the go-ahead to post pictures of sweet Juno. I am so glad, because Bubba has been dying to see pictures of his future wife.

These were taken in the hospital and as much as I am dying to see a new picture every day, I know I shouldn't expect the new parents to bother with things like cameras when they are hypnotized by her beauty and sweetness.

I love her so much already and cannot wait to do all of the girly things with her, and then take her to a baseball game and let her get dirty and be wild. Being an Auntie rules.

Juno and Mommy getting acquainted.

Mommy provides a nice place to rest after a day of adjusting to life on the outside.

"Who put this hat on me? Hello? I am my mother's daughter and will not stand for anything less than stunning."