When I was in Bluebirds growing up, we sang a song that said “make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver & the other is gold.
I’m not sure if the new friends are silver and the old ones gold, or vice versa… but this year has reminded me of this song because I have reconnected with so many long lost friends.
Through the miracle of Facebook, I have found several friends from my past, including my best friend from junior high & high school. Meeting up with my best friend again has been like we were never apart. Our conversations have been a melody of reminiscing and catching up on our current lives. I love it! Some relationships never die.
Most recently I have reconnected with my ex-sister-in-law. After 5 years of no communication, it has been a huge blessing to reconnect with her and my ex-extended family=) Though my ex-husband and I had many issues, I was very close his family, and his sister was my closest friend while living in Texas.
The exciting thing is that one of her cousins is getting married on the same day as me & Forrest, so we are trying to meet up the day after. How crazy, unexpected, and wonderful to meet up with my old family in-law the day after I begin my new family. It’s strange, but a beautiful ending to my new beginning.

Today when I went to apply for our marriage license, I had to wait 20 minutes because Snohomish County decided they should have their Administrative Offices closed from 12:00 – 1:00 for lunch.  I found this strange.  Can’t they stagger their lunch breaks so they could be open during the most convenient time for the average local resident to stop by?  Man, I miss being a county employee!

You might be asking yourself, what’s with the name CLyFnotes?  Well the answer is that in about 3 weeks my new name will be Carrie Lynn Fowler, or Clyf for short;)  

After getting divorced 5 years ago, the first thing I did was go straight to the courthouse to have my name changed back to Bailey.  At that time in my life I did not think I would ever change my name again… But now, as I prepare to commit my life to the most amazing man I know, I can’t wait to change it Carrie Fowler.  The idea of having the same last name as my husband is exciting this time around, and I am looking forward to starting my life as a Fowler.  

I will still always be a Bailey, but will be known as Fowler beginning May 30, 2009.