Monthly Archives: July 2007

We had a really great family friend.

He taught me to like lime (at the Hotel Bel Air no less) with Perrier. He made my Auntie Eva pretty happy. He would make my Mom and me laugh to no end. I can hear his voice in my head, especially his laugh. You have heard the laugh. It was unstoppable. Last night it stopped.

There is a lot more I could say, but right now- I can’t.

He was a great man, his contribution went way beyond making me happy. Had I known who he was when I was young, I doubt I could have thought he was any greater.

Hoping you are enjoying the pictures flying by, Tom.

I am off to Fire up the Colortini.

God Bless and all my love. You are missed.

In the middle of March 2000, there was a death in our family and Craig could not attend the services which were in the mid- west of the continent, so I went to represent and help with the arrangements. From there, I went onto Brooklyn to see my best girl friend from college (I was more than half way to Brooklyn anyhow. And no I did not sleep on the plane! Ha- I crack myself up!).

I walked into Heidi’s apartment in Bay Ridge and very tactfully said: “Oh my GOD! What are you cooking? It smells AWFUL!” She asked if I was okay and I said that I was really sore. She took one look at me and said: “You’re pregnant.”

My reply: “Get serious! I am not!”

For the next several days both she and her husband, Mark, encouraged me to take a test, finally on day 3 I relented. I dug a stick out from under her bathroom sink- yes it was still sanitary and wrapped. I did what I had to do. I went down stairs and talked to Heidi & Mark. Then I went up stairs and phoned home (Yes, “K.T., Phone Home” has been popular ever since the movie came out). Here is how the conversation with Craig went:

KT: “Hey Babe, its me. How are you?”

Craig: “Great, my brother is here and we are just hanging out, doing computer stuff.”

K: “Do you have a sec?”

C: “Sure, what’s up?”

K: “Are you sitting down?”

C: “Yup.”

K: “No, really, you should sit down.”

C: (somewhat exasperated) “I am sitting down!”

KT: ” I’m pregnant.”

Craig: (dead silence, then…) “Oh my god, I need to sit down.”

I love that story.

When I was pregnant with Angus, Craig bought me a sewing machine to replace my great-grandmother’s Singer that I inherited. It was not as ancient as it sounds, she bought it in 1982 and she passed in 1992. Pearl Nile Rappaport was her name and I miss her every day. She was married to my Boppa (Julius Rappaport) for over 50 years (Mom, is that right?) even though he was her 3rd husband. The first 2 went out for a pack of smokes or a carton of milk and never came back (as family legend has it). Anyhow, they were really my true grandparents and so much of who I am is because of them. Boppa & I had a garden, Grammy painted a beautiful sign that said””K.T.’s Garden”. I spent a lot of time with them when I was growing up. We had Sunday dinner almost every week. Pearl was a very accomplished seamstress, painter, very devout in her faith and loved me with all her heart. I can still feel her aged hand in mine when I said good bye to her. She was so happy that I told her, if she wanted to – she should leave the planet.

Anyhow, Craig bought me a sewing machine when I was pregnant with Angus and I did sew with it but because it was bought online, there was no store I could go to for support, classes, etc. We made a deal right before we moved back (after 7 years of me struggling with the blasted machine)- If I could not find the support/classes, etc that I wanted/needed then I could buy a new machine. At first, I think he was pretty appalled that I wanted to forsake my machine that HE bought me. Once I said to him: “What if I bought you a computer and there were no updates, support or software- would you want a new machine?”

That sold it. I would like to introduce you to Althea Pearl. She is a gorgeous Bernina 730E and we are currently having quite the fling.

The store I bought her from is taking wonderful care of us and offers a great many classes. I took a Stack N Whack Spinners class from the lovely Pat French.

Also I start my mastering my Bernina class series today. Very exciting!

Another exciting thing- On Sunday I went to a fête for a certain Buddhist Monk, thrown by his cousin and her partner.

Have a great day and I send my love to all of you.

I just had the BEST day. And I want to share it with you and capture it for myself. So, the blog is a natural solution.

I don’t even know where to begin, my heart is so full. I could make this really long or really short- I am just going to write and see how she turns out.

People, you are my community in a lot of ways and today I got to be back in another community that has been a part of me and I have been a part of for a great long time.

Long, long ago I moved to Seattle (1989) and spent about a year here. I lived on Capitol Hill and went to art school for painting (Cornish) and worked in a pie shop (Peerless Pie) that I could walk to from my $350 a month BEAUTIFUL studio apartment. I took a trip to Berkeley to see a girlfriend and met a guy who was for the record and in hindsight a total loser and decided that I need to move to the East Bay and live with him, which I did. (who she of course had a crush on but none the less she said “go for it” and then never talked to me again). Don’t even remember how long it lasted- a year- ish maybe. I left and rented space in a loft (makes it sound glamorous- it wasn’t) that was also a glass blowing studio. It was fun and boho and I dated and tried to figure who and what I was. I got an retail job (Whole Earth Access) that I could walk to from the loft/glass blowing studio which, oh by the by was located inside a bronze foundry (in Emeryville). Got an office job that I could also walk to.Then I was making enough money that could move out of said boho space and rented a beautiful mother-in-law in Kensington. It was so sweet the view was fantastic. It was a 3 bridge (Bay Bridge, Golden Gate, & Richmond), 2 prison (Alcatraz & San Quentin) view. For you who are not sure why this is great I could see ALL of the San Francisco Bay while laying on my bed. The MIL apartment had a view, a patio, was close to North Berkeley – it was a real step up and I was so happy and proud because I had done it myself. I got a job in San Francisco and then, I was a commuter! So fantastically grown up and professional. I worked for a firm that did Instructional Design and interstitial programming. I ended up moving to San Francisco and living on 14th & Geary (right around the corner from House of Bagels).

During that time I met Robert. No not a flame. Robert became a confidant and good friend. He was a support and a joy and on some level we just clicked. Another way to say it is that we just were. Robert asked me to be part of his commitment ceremony and I was- what a great honor. And I wore the HOTTEST red dress- well to be honest- I made it hot. Must find picture.

I got a new car and drove by Robert’s apartment with the top down (the car’s, not mine) the day I got it and leaned on the horn until he stuck his head out the window. You get the idea. I adore Robert.

Then through some wild turn of events- oh I remember- I realized that I wanted to get married and have a family and could not really picture raising a family in San Francisco. To those of you who do- right on! I just realized that Seattle was more my style and I moved back. No job, a bit of savings and a spot on the fold out futon of M&M- I stayed three months- they are a generous people and are my friends to this day. M&M (who move to England very soon- bon voyage!) and Robert are friends- they introduce me to P&P. Robert moves to Seattle and meets a wonderful man, D. (The commitment ceremony guy turns out to not to be such a good fit) I found a job working in a wholesale rose warehouse for the craziest boss ever and not crazy in a good way (accosting the pizza delivery guy that the pizza was too greasy by picking up a piece and thrusting it at him. So glad that is in the past.)

So now we have Robert & D, M&M and P&P and me. These are amazing people. And they in turn introduce me to M&A, who are a great couple who live in a little house on a lake WAY out in Redmond. I get a job (contracting) at Microsoft and eventually meet the most fabulous husband ever, Craig. I introduce Craig to the whole lot of them. Craig and I buy a house WAY out in Redmond and get a very nice 4th of July invite from M&A to come to there lake house for the 4th.

Craig & I went there every year on the fourth, eventually including Angus- until we moved to Virginia.

Well, today we went to M & A’s (which they have spectacularly remodeled, renovated and built an entire top floor on) (women who are general contractors- gotta love it) for the fourth. It is precisely 2 minutes from our new house. I walked in and A greeted me with a huge hug and a tour of the gorgeous house. Then I saw the female P, who I have known for almost 13 years, and Angus was talking to quite excitedly. While I was talking to her somebody came up behind me. It was Robert! The whoop that coma outta me was so happy, so involuntary and so perfect. I could barely pry my arms off of him. That hug felt so, so good. Then onto D who I adore! They have been together since there first date- it will be 11 years on July 7th! Congratulations- you are so good together.

Then I saw the male P and then I found M. Hugs all around. These are my people- they KNOW me- they know all the 800 shades of me and just get who I am. I got to show them my kids as big kids and what fine young boys they are. D took Angus paddle boating on the lake for almost an hour today. Craig showed up- more big hugs all around and eventually he took the boys and they did secret Eisler boy stuff and I got to sit and chat and cry and connect with people who have know so many versions of me.

I was talking to M, Girl P, Robert & D and I just welled up. I looked at each of them and realized I was exactly where I needed to be. With people who have known me forever and love me no matter what and without whom I would not be the person I am today. I told them that I never ever expected to be sitting on this deck on the 4th again (we thought we’d stay in Virginia forever- HA!) and that it was a honor and a joy. M raised her arms and said “Welcome Home”.

You know- I turn 39 next month. I have known Robert since I was 25.

Coming home is good.

So very very happy to be here.

Love to you all- I have missed you- KT