Lorraine Smith:  

Thought I would go to college, but after a year at U of W, I decided to marry Terry in Germany before he left the army. Travelling turned out to be very difficult, Germany was not what I expected--not fun. After 6 months there, I came home & kissed U.S. ground. 1972 was not a good year for the economy. While attending Community College, I decided to learn typing (against my high school pledge not to be a secretary)& worked while Terry finished a degree as a draftsman. The best thing we did was move out of Seattle to Edmonds. There we had Rhode Island Red chickens, raised rabbits for meat & bred German Shepherd dogs, grew a huge garden. Got involved in organics, teaching community classes with Rodale press. The rental house was falling down after 7 years there ($105/mo!) so we finally moved to a real house in Arlington on 5 acres on the Stilly --where our well gave us nearly continuous grief for 17 years. We progressed! joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)& witnessed a miracle with the birth of every child! 3 boys, then finally a girl. I loved it there even without the horses, despite the water problem but Terry worked so hard & travelled so far driving for the county, we couldn't insist he continue 6 miles out of town while coaching for youth football & holding 2 jobs. I gave up my lovely country life down that mile gravel road for the boys too--who needed part time jobs after school to start buying cars etc. We tightened our belts as far as possible, I started a real estate career & Hagen left on a mission. We lived in town in a decent neighborhood unti...Expand for more