There’s this very unfamiliar and strange thing going on: Washington has already played in their bowl game, the class of 2020 is 99% done, and Chris Petersen is no longer the head coach of the Huskies.

It’s like waking up one morning and thinking, “I had the weirdest dream…”

But alas — it wasn’t a dream. 

Oh and did I mention I’m also about to become a grandmother? 

This lull of a week between Christmas and New Year’s is…surreal, for lack of a better word. 

For me, personally, the universe just shifted — and yet I’m still sitting up late at night, putting together spreadsheets containing the names of high school sophomores and juniors…most of whom I haven’t even spoken to yet, but several months from now I’ll be dropping hints and giving insider info on how they like their steaks and whether or not they want to go to a school that offers degrees in dentistry or not.

You see, Realdawg.com is about to turn 20 this spring, and if someone had told me back in the spring of 2000 I’d still be sitting up pouring over spreadsheets of recruit’s names, I wouldn’t have believed it.

Sure, I’m feeling a little melancholy right now — and despite the scent of lavender oil and the aura of peace in the universe, there’s still this one thing that keeps yanking me back to reality:

Who the hell is going to coach the tight ends and oversee the Husky offense next season?

 One thing I expect to see is for this all to be locked up tighter than a tick to the extent that even people like me (who has some of the best sources imaginable) can’t get a clue as to who will be hired. 

As I’ve said before; there will be names thrown out there and tossed around and someone might actually drop the right one, but I can guarantee you that no one in the media right now has the first clue as to what’s going on with Jimmy Lake and his choices for new coaches.

I do know this, however: The coaches convention is coming up and the bowl season will soon be over, so if it’s a college guy, then it shouldn’t be much longer.

If it’s an NFL guy, then we’re officially heading into Week 17 and there will be some staff shake-ups (as usual) either before, during, or after the playoffs. 

So, sit back, enjoy the ride, and be ready for a possible out-of-left-field type of surprise from The Lake Show.

As for recruiting, the only guy who is still in play is tight end Jack Yary (that I am aware of).

Yary told me this week that the departure of Jordan Paopao won’t sway him away from Washington, “They’re still a top school for me”, he said.

And with Xavier Carlton now signed and sealed to Utah, the only other guy I am wondering about is Kelee Ringo.

I know, I know — it’s a long shot. But I do know that Jimmy Lake reached out to Ringo shortly after becoming the head coach at Washington and Ringo still hasn’t signed anywhere. 

Never say never — and do not take this and run with it as if there’s fire behind the smoke. I just know Lake has been in contact with Ringo.

Do I anticipate any surprises between now and February? Sure, if my grandson turns out to be a granddaughter and the ultrasound was wrong. 

Other than that, I really don’t. 

But if I hear of anything interesting coming around, you know I will at least drop a hint or two and let you know it’s coming.

As we countdown toward the end of 2019, I want to tell you all how very much you are appreciated. I always ask the Lord to bless you because all of you have been a blessing to me and to this site. 

And as we get ready to celebrate two decades of Realdawg.com, I would hope that this ride has been as fun and wild for you as it has been for me over the years. 

When I started out, I had a little eight year old girl who used to play on the sleds at Husky Stadium and mooch Popsicles after practice off Ben Madavhi and Larry Tripplett.

She was Reggie Williams “little sister” and Anthony Kelly’s biggest fan. 

The guy we all call “Tui” was once “Mr. Yasasopo Sir” to my little girl, who is now becoming a mother, herself.

At the end of the day, I can honestly say that this has been a hell of a fun ride for me. Oh, I was learning as I went along — and am still learning.

I strive to always be right, even thought there are times when I’m wrong, and I strive to always outscoop my competitors, and most of the time I do. 

I make a ton of effort to always be kind and patient, and yet often times I get so annoyed I am ready to toss my laptop through my office window.

But as someone who – -at age two — was taken by the hand into this huge place called Husky Stadium despite only barely being big enough to reach the railing and not knowing the first thing about what I was seeing, I have loved the opportunity and privilege to cover this program for the past 20 years.

So I thank you.

,I thank my dad for forcing me to go to Husky Stadium with him, my husband for giving up many a date night and vacation so I won’t miss a breaking recruiting scoop, and I thank God for getting to do this job that I love. 

Happy New Year Husky Fans. Here’s to 2020! And if you’re in these pictures then you’ve been around way too long :-)