Showery Saturday

(Jeannette sorry I copied your "Subject" line)  There was just nothing else I could title my entry for today.  It's 40 degrees and raining. Another fire in the wood stove type of day.  After a week of sun and 68-72 degrees this is quite a change.  However, all the plants I set out a couple weeks ago are getting a good watering. 

I still have that deep bronchitis cough going but am feeling better.  I am still on the antibiotics thru Wednesday so hopefully that horrible cough will gradually disappear.  I'll be back to work Monday, so once again will be way behind on my Alerts.

Yesterday afternoon I was really getting "cabin fever" so I went up the street to the theater and saw "Akeelah And The Bee."  It is a very good movie, one I would recommend for the whole family.   Then this morning long time friend (since we were in 6th grade) Barbara called and said "let's go to a movie."  So off we went to see the new Robin Williams movie "R.V."  It of course was not quite as intellectual as the one I saw yesterday but it was good for some laughs. 

This afternoon I did a little grocery shopping and now I'm home for the evening.  I was pleased that Safeway had broccoli for $1.00 a pound.  (You can never have too much broccoli,,,yummy.)

I wanted to share a website wilth you all.  It's actually a link to several webcams some aimed at nests of  Bald Eagles and their offspring.  Hope you enjoy the views. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/eaglecam/

Well, I hope everyone out there has had a good Saturday and that Sunday brings a special blessing to each of you. Oh I almost forgot..I took a big step today...I got passport pictures taken.  There's a Passport special next Saturday at my local post office.   If I have a passport maybe I can get up the courage to get in a big silver tube and allow myself to be hurled thru the sky at 500 miles per hour at 30,000 feet above the earth and land somewhere far away.  Until next time.....Linda 

Picture potpourri of events from the last couple months

I'm still coughing pretty  bad, last night it seemed like that's all I did.  So since I'm home, from work with time on my hands I decided to post some pictures that have been piling up for the last couple months.  

The first group of pictures I took the first of March on a sunny Saturday when friend Bob & I took a drive to Seattle.  We love to visit the world famous Pike Place Farmers Market.  Any celebrity that ever comes to Seattle always, always visits the Market.  Seattle is a fun town to visit but I would not want to live there.  Being 35 miles to the south is close enough.

Then just last week on April 19th my grandson spent some time with me in honor of his 15th birthday.  We visited the fantastic Military Museum at the Army's Fort Lewis.  The building that houses the museum dates back to the World War I era.  It was built to accomodate the needs of the soldier, his family and friends. As the Red Shield Inn run by the Salvation Army, it served as a hotel for visiting families and a recreation building for the soldiers at Camp Lewis.  In July 1921, the Salvation Army sold the Inn to the US Army for $1.00.  It then became known as the Camp Lewis apartments and when the Camp became a Fort in 1927 it was renamed the Fort Lewis Inn.   In 1972 the Fort Lewis Inn was saved to become the home to the Fort Lewis Military Museum.  In 1979, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This museum is the only cerfitied US Army Museum on the West Coast. If you'd like to know more about the museum, they have a website;  www.lewis.army.mil/lewis-redshield.asp

The next day, Harrison and I took a drive across the present Narrows Bridge connecting Tacoma and the Olympic Peninsula.  They are in the process of building a new bridge for traffic going into Tacoma (each bridge will handle one-way traffic).  The new bridge is scheduled to open this time next year and they seem to be making great process.  Those workers are very brave, working hundreds of feet about some very turbulent water.  To watch them, you'd think they were just walking along a sidewalk, instead of a cat walk hundreds of feet in the air. The traffic back up each morning and evening is a nightmare for those who make the daily commute. And if there's an accident out there (or a jumper and that happens sometimes, too) it could be backed up for hours.   We hope the new bridge will make it better for those folks. If you'd like to learn about our beautiful bridge, you can check out their website; http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/

And finally this last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday was the Puyallup (pew-all-up)Spring Fair. It's a mini version of the big 21 day fair each September. It's really geared for kids and my granddaughter has caught the "Fair Bug" from her mother. She had nine entries this year, there were baked items, art work and craft items.  She won 1st or 2nd ribbons on all nine of her entries.  The one I'm picturing is her darling little clothes pin doll.  As you can see she won 1st place for that effort.  She also entered some poppy seed scones and I even got to sample some of those when they were first baked...very good. I believe they earned her a 1st place also.

So there you are....I'm all caught up with some recent pictures that I've taken.  I hope you enjoy looking at them.  The purpose of my journal, after all,  is to share what's going on in the corner of the United States that has been my home my entire life.

I'm going to go make some popcorn, until next time..........Linda

Sick Old Woman

I woke up Friday morning with the unmistakable sore & scratchy throat, feeling basically yucky.  I thought at first it might be the start of a good old sinus infection as the left side of my face (even my teeth) hurt.   By Saturday it was down  in my chest and by Sunday it was really down in my chest.  So I called in sick for work today & made an appointment with the doctor.  Well, she says "Linda, you have a sinus infection and the start of bronchitis."  So I get a prescription for an antibiotic and a new prescription for an Albuterol Inhaler and off I go to the pharmacy.  The doctor said she also wanted me off work for the week and to rest and drink lots of fluids.  So does that mean I can't be on my computer?  No...I think being on my computer comes under the heading of "rest"....what do you all think?  

 At least the weather is nice,  I can have the door open and get some fresh air.  We've been in the high 60's and today I think it got to 72 degrees during the warmest part of the afternoon. My little flat faced cat, Gabi loves to sit at the screen door and sniff the fresh air.  And I picked a big bouquet of lilacs when I got home from the doctor, so that should make the house smell nice.  

  I stopped on the way home and filled up my car again.  It was only half down but I found a station where unleaded regular was $2.79 a gallon.  Tomorrow it could be over $3.00 so thought I'd take advantage of the lower price.  

 When I'm home sick like this I can't stand to just sit around so will have some sort of a project going.   I'm thinking of a particular closet in this house that I haven't seen the back of for a long time.  I think I'll get into it tomorrow and get it straightened up.

I just finished another great book.  I had already read the three volume "Yukon Quest" series by Tracie Peterson.  A very exciting series, taking place during the 1800's Alaska gold rush.  The story continues in her "Alaskan Quest" series. Last night I finished book one ("Summer of theMidnight Sun") which starts in 1915 and was just released the beginning of this year.   Book two  will be released in July, just in time for me to read as I cruise to Alaska (how appropiate).   Meanwhile, I anxiously await the arrival of author Jane Kirkpatrick's newest book "A Clearing in the Wild."   Jane lives in central Oregon and you can order her books directly from her website (www.jkbooks.com).  She'll even autograph them for you if you request it.  Jane, a lovely Christian woman writes historical fiction.  Her book "All Together in One Place" got me hooked. 

Hope you'll come and visit me while I'm home sick...I promise not to breathe on you !!    Until next time,  Linda  (sniff, sniff, cough, cough !)

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question from Krissy at;

http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/entries/1075

If you were dropped off on an island for one year, and you couldn't get off, and you get to pick three (and only three) food items to eat all year, what would you choose?  Keep in mind that the items would be dropped in for you, so they would be fresh. 

I would choose;

1. Chocolate anything

2. 1% cold milk

3. Gala apples

The way I see it, if I were on an island, I could cast out & catch fish for the protein part of my diet.  So I'd just bring along a beverage, a fruit and a treat.   That's my list and I'm sticking to it !     Linda

Your Age By Chocolate Math

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH



This is pretty neat.

DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute .
Work this out as you read ...
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun



1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate
(more than once but less than 10)

2 Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5











4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator











5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756 ...

If you haven't, add 1755.












6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.









You should have a three digit number










The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).










The next two numbers are :







YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2006) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS

The Friday 5'er

 

From Robin at; http://journals.aol.com/robinngabster/Thesearethedaysofourlives/entries/1539

      Hi guys!!! 

It's Friday and it is time for what I call "THE 5'er!"     

If you want to play all you do is cut and paste these questions into your journal. (there is no deadline as to when you can do "The 5'er) When you have answered them come back and leave a link in my comment section.  On the following Friday I will have a new set of questions! Have fun!

 

This week's theme is mish mash!

LET'S PLAY!!!

 

1. If given the choice to go up stairs or up a ramp which would you chose?

It depends...if I've got eight 12 packs of soda & water for the office on a hand truck..I'll take the ramp.  If it's just me, my creaky old knees go up the steps.

 

2. What is the worse kind of weather you have ever been in?

In 1949 this town was hit with a blizzard, I was 7 years old and was sent home from school (10 blocks).  My dad was at work and my mother didn't drive then so myself and Patty, the neighbor girl headed out on foot.  I have no idea how long it took but I remember being very cold and very scared...and very glad to finally get home to the warm arms of my mom.

3.  When I move to California who is gonna come visit me? Meet me at Disney Land!!! 

I come to Pasadena frequently...so I'll meet you there, or Downtown Disney or at Universal City walk.  I love both places for shopping.

 

4. Do you like peanut butter chunky or creamy?

Hmmm..."choosy mothers choose Jiff" either creamy or crunchy.  Depends on what you're using it for.

5. What was the last bill you paid late?

I haven't had that happen for years & years.  I don't have a huge income but thank God I have enough to pay the bills. And I keep track of them real close, so they are not late. If gas prices keep going up there may not be any $$ for anything but gas.  The last gas I got on Wednesday was $2.71 a gallon for unleaded regular...YIKES !

 

Easter Sunday

Since I was a little girl I can remember singing this Easter hymn every year around or on Easter Sunday.   It was written by  Robert Lowery.  I quote the first verse of this  precious hymn of hope.

"Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior !  Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord !  Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign.  He arose ! He arose!  Hallelujah ! Christ arose!"

Saturday afternoon, my grand daughter and I went to "The Songs and Scenes of Easter" at a large church here in town.  Once again the choir and actors gave a very moving program of the Easter story, reminding us all the true Easter story, one of great love, sacrifice & grace to all who believe.

I'd like to post the chorus of another great old hymn written in the 1930's.   "Living He loved me;  Dying He saved me;  Buried He carried my sins far away;  Rising He justified freely forever;  one day He's coming -oh glorious day !"

Have a blessed Easter Sunday......Linda

4 Months From Today....

.......I will be on the Royal Caribbean's "Vision of the Seas"  heading out of Seattle on my Alaska cruise.  Gosh, I'd better get busy on that diet !!   All of us that are going are very anxious for that day to come.  

I got my copy of "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" today.  I had ordered it a couple months ago from Good News on line store. Even on the small screen of my TV it is truly amazing.  The special effects are something else.  The DVD has a section of "Bloopers", which happens making any movie.  Of course they didn't show those in the theater, so having the DVD...you get that little bonus.

The planning of the "________ Chevrolet" reunion is coming along nicely.  We've set the date of June 3rd at the local Elks Club.  As of today, we have talked to over 90 former employees who are very eager for this event.   We are planning a small program, a tribute to the owner of the company, who's now in his 90's and a tribute to those who have passed away, that we are aware of

The weather man is forecasting rain for the 5-6 days...so that means all those little ones will need an umbrella for their Easter egg hunt, at least in the Pacific Northwest.  I've heard that "April showers bring May flowers" so I guess we can work around the rain.

Well, the movie is almost over and it will soon be time for me to head down the hall with my book and my kitty.  I've been reading Debbie Macomber's "Promise Texas"  this last week or so and I want to finish it tonight so I can start a new book that's sitting here waiting for me. 

Until next time........Linda

FELINE FRIDAY

I found this Blog, thanks to Val at; http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/1673

Feline Friday is at; http://sepintx.blogspot.com/2006/04/feline-friday.html

I'm using a picture of my Gabi Lin, taken a couple months ago. She loves to sit on the back of the recliner and check out the bird & squirrel activity in the front yard.  Gabi was found by the Human Society abandoned on the streets of Seattle, last August.  She was dirty, matted flea infeasted & malnourished.  The Human Society people took her to a lady that raises Persians & Exotics (short hair Persiains) who also fosters cats of those two breeds.  She was cleaned up, taken to the vet for a health check and started on the road to recovery by this dear lady.  The first of October a co-worker called the lady looking for a new Exotic kitten.  The lady had several but they were newly born and not ready for adoption...but she said "I have this approximately 2 year old rescued Exotic that is ready to go to a new home."  My co-worker knew I was looking for a cat and so..to make a long story short, Gabi (Hebrew for "God Is My Strength") came to live with me on October 4th.  She is very small, about 6 pounds now and still on Kitten Chow dry food and one third can Fancy Feast twice daily. My vet wants her to have the Kitten Chow indefinitely as she still needs a little weight. She's settled in nicely and is a dear sweet little companion.  She sleeps at the end of my bed at night and doesn't bother me until the alarm goes off, then she walks round & round my head, purring loudly and making her little cat noises.  I think she's saying "Linda it's time to get up and fix my Fancy Feast." I have to believe that no one just threw her out...somehow she was lost and her owners could not find her.  I know the foster mom placed several ads in the Seattle papers and of course the Human Society has long lists of animals found either dead or alive, so people can be connected with their lost pets. I feel blessed to have her.    Until next time...Linda

Photo Scavenger Hunt #69

The entries for photo scavenger hunt #69 from;

 

http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/entries/1055

 

will be due on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 11:00 PM EST

Category:  Spring thing

Place the link to your entry in the comments section below.  Thanks for playing.

 

Hi there Krissy...this is my entry.  This is  beautiful rhododendron just to the side of my front porch.  The flowers are a cream color with pink centers.  I wish they'd bloom forever...they are so beautiful.  Did you know the state flower for Washington is...the lovely rhododendron ?  There is a certain variety that grow wild.  The bushes people have in their  yards are not usually the ones that grow in the wild, they are ones that have been propagated for landscaping purposes and come in many, many colors.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Years ago, actually from 1968 thru 1970 I worked in a Chevrolet dealership, first as Parts & Service cashier and then as secretary to the Service Manager.   I had been with an Oldsmobile dealership for 4 years prior to that, my time there was just OK.  But the  two years with Chevy were great and I still have contact with some of the gals that worked there at the same time.  About six weeks ago, on a Saturday, my door bell rang and there on my porch stood the husband of one of those gals...he also worked at Chevy as a mechanic during the same time period.  Needless to say I was surprised to see him and it wasn't long till he told me the reason for his visit.  "Linda" he said..."we've been talking for sometime about a reunion with the bunch that worked at _________ Chevrolet, would you like to be involved?"  "Absolutely" said I..."it sounds like great fun."  So he left promising to get back to me.  Well, let me tell you... this thing has mushroomed !!  There's one other key guy that's involved, too and he sent me a list of people he could remember, some with phone numbers, some with not.  Then one of the former used car salesman called me and he's involved, coming up with lots of numbers and names of more people.  As of today I think we are up to almost 80-90 former employees of this Chevrolet dealership.   A lot of them I don't even know, they were before or after my time there.  Anyway, this morning...former used car guy called me and asked me if  I would make a list of the people we have so far ("a Word document would be nice Linda...so you can email it to me" he says.)  Meanwhile I got a copy of his 4 page list in the mail today...so I have to combine his and the one I got originally.   So folks, I guess I'll be off-line from time to time getting this list in order.  I am really excited about this upcoming event...it looks like they've chosen a banquet room at the local Elks Club on a Saturday in May...it should be fun to see my former co-workers (from 36 years ago) again.  Of course a lot of them have also passed away and they are planning a tribute to them too, which will be touching.   So...tonight I'm off to the land of WORD...to begin this task.  I'll check back later and catch up on Alerts.....Linda