Our lives changed forever when Cousin Angela sent me an email asking if we would like to be her agent here in Seattle. Boeing was getting ready to relocate her to the Emerald City and her husband Cliff was on his way to being transferred with the big plane company a couple of months later. Angela became a fixture with our #Saturgays and we were out and about having fun. Then boom —–> Angela was pregnant. Instead of going out on the town with Noel, we started going over to Chez Hall every Tuesday night. Christmas use to be about watching movies with friends and then going to someone’s house for dinner. Now we spend the time opening presents and looking for the pickle on the huge Christmas tree at Chez Hall.

Last week, little gal Alex celebrated her fifth birthday. It feels like just yesterday when Tracy, Kim, and I were left alone with Cliff’s wine cellar and Alex. Alex seemed fine with the arrangement. But the three of us ladies were terrified. Not only was her diaper put on backwards but one of us (probably Chavi) left her glass of wine in Alex’s room. Years later Alex has gotten use to her adults and manages us appropriately. We are very grateful that the Halls live here in Seattle and Alex keeps our very Diva lives grounded in some semblance of reality.

Here is Angela, Alex, and Cliff’s Diva Dweller Story as told by Angela.

Diva Dweller Wall of Fame
Hood:  East-side burbs (Newcastle)

1. How did you meet the Divas? We had heard stories of the Real Estate Divas of Seattle for years and during a corporate relocation, there was no doubt who we were going to consult with on our greater Seattle house-hunt!  Oh yeah, and Chavi is my cousin!
2. What type of home did you purchase?  Single family home on a nice size property in an excellent, safe, family-oriented neighborhood.  House has a three car garage (to accommodate vehicles and toys), a dog-friendly yard, and a great school district. Lots of homes that fit these requirements at the time of our house-hunt, but most had lacked our biggest unwritten requirement privacy.  Our nest is in a great little wooded lot on a half cul-de-sac.  The orientation gives us the opportunity to host a sizable crowd in the yard without bugging the neighbors too much.
3. What was your first “OMG” house moment? I moved in while I was about 6 months pregnant and Cliff was living in another state.  There was a series of one OMG moment after another in that first year one stand out was when the Divas hosted a Gay-by Shower for me at the new house.  One of our favorite boy-pals arrived dressed in drag as a Bavarian maiden.  I was pretty sure we were going to get kicked out of the burbs as he marched down the side-walk in red heels it was awesome!
4. What is your greatest home extravagance?  I used to think it was our spa in the backyard. It’s always hot and ready to go and I use it often.  I think I would now have to say that it will be Cliff’s new mini-home-brewery he is installing in our garage. Prost!
5. What is in your junk drawer? Take out menus, rulers, princess band aids and girlie hair-ties
6. Would you rather:

mow lawn / paint the fence – Mow but we don’t do either
untangle computer cords / sort socks – Socks – less frustration
test the smoke detectors / fix squeaky doors – fix the squeaks I just like playing with the spray-lube
plunge the toilet / clean out the refrigerator – plunge not sure why, my fridge is not that bad!
clean the gutters / take down holiday decorations – I love the process of putting up and taking down the decorations – many items have wonderful traditions and family memories.

1.  What is your favorite Hood hangout spot?  Tapatio (Mexican restaurant) – great friendly service, decent food, cold beer and great margaritas!
2. What is your favorite local organization/non-profit? Goodwill – appreciate their mission to get people back on their feet through jobs and training and it gives me a reason to keep our closets clean.
3. What do you love the most about your house?  First and foremost, it’s occupants.  I love having my family under one roof and being hermits when we are home.  As much as we love being hermits, we also enjoy sharing our house with our family and friends when we entertain.  I also love our back yard.  I can gaze at the forest view and get lost in thoughts only to be interrupted by Cliff hunting for Bigfoot!!

Angela, Cliff and Alex have gone way beyond family. They are also some of our closest friends. Thank you for making the big move here to Seattle and being Diva Dwellers.