Into the Wild

Last week I watched the movie Into the Wild. It was fabulous. I was especially drawn to it because it seemed like something that most of the guys I've known would want to do. I could see any of the coatis playing that role in real life. If you haven't seen it, you must.
www.netflix.com

By the way, I haven't blogged for a while because no one was commenting. I guess it's complicated. I'm trying to find a different host to make communication easier. It's not very fulfilling to blog without comment. I'll keep you posted if I move to a different site.

Magic Carpet

After today, we're one step closer to putting our house on the market. Yes, during these uncertain economic times, when no one is buying or selling real estate, Lynn and I have decided it's time to move. You see, I can't take another summer without a pool and there are a few other things we're looking for -- bigger kitchen, bigger yard, bedrooms together. So we're in the market for a new abode.





And who do you call when you need new flooring???? Our friend, Bart.




Bart's cracker jack team pulled up the old carpet to reveal the concrete.





Before we knew it, the beautiful new carpet was in. Thanks, Bart, for the excellent customer service. We love our new look.





Our house smells like a model home. Tomorrow we're talking to a cleaning lady and if she doesn't run away ... my dream will finally come true. A cleaning lady. A girl couldn't ask for anything more.

Hey if you know anyone looking for a new house, let us know.

Coatis on Estrogen

I spent last weekend in Los Angeles with my two best friends – Janice and Mary Beth. They are the equivalent of my coatimundis (if coatis liked to shop, drink pink martinis and gossip). We’ve been friends since the 3rd grade. Mary Beth lives in California now and is the director of HR for one of the cities near L.A. She picked me up from LAX. First stop lunch -- in Hermosa Beach (photo above). It was so fun going to Bob McC’s old stomping grounds. We ate at Maggie’s which is right on the main street and seems very close to Bob’s old apartment.

Visiting Bob in Hermosa Beach in 1983 was my first road trip with Lynn. Sam came down from Oxnard. It was very fun getting to know Lynn through his California friends. Bob took us sailing – what a great afternoon. (Although I spent most of the time stressing about the uncertainty of bathroom facilities.)

Back to those pink martinis. I would recommend the 4th floor bar at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. Sublime.

Some of my favorite pictures from April

Shout Out to Denny H.

Just remembered that Denny celebrated a birthday the other day. Lynn says the 3rd, I say the 2nd. (Lynn is usually right about these things.) So happy (belated) birthday, Denny.

Here's what makes Denny special.

1. He has not gained any middle age weight -- what's up with that?
2. I have honestly never heard him say anything bad about anyone at least not about anyone we know. He may have mentioned something negative about a politician or an athlete or other public figure but never a bad word about anyone else.
3. He always asks about my family, about Leah or seems genuinely interested in what I'm up to.
4. He is never judgemental.
5. He is smart. We graduated from college at the same time but Denny's GPA was much higher than mine!!!
6. His family is important to him. He comes from a nice, big family and you can tell that there is genuine respect and love among him and his brothers and sister.
7. And from Lynn: He is a good friend. Very loyal and always available to help out.

So Happy Birthday to our good friend.

Happy 2008 AZ Coatimundis

Ever since our wonderful 20 year reunion in Cottonwood last April, I've wanted to set up a blog or Web site or something to help the Coatimundis stay in touch. I just set up a blog as an outlet for other posts and when I realized how easy it was to get started on that, I knew I had to try something coati-related.

So here is my attempt to keep in touch with all of our wonderful friends. I'll keep you updated on our life (fasten your seatbelts) but I look forward to posts from all Coatimundis. As soon as I figure out how to add pictures, I'll download some of mine from our April Reunion.

We have received a few emails from Annette looking for backpackers to accompany her later this Spring. I am sure I will not be able to make the trip and as I gaze over at my beloved in all his weekend splendor, snoring away in front of the tv (drag races!) I suspect he will not make the trip either. But you never know. We have vowed to make 2008 our year to get in shape so he might surprise us all.