Monday, October 30, 2006

MONDAY MORNING QUESTION

         

Can you see into a future time and be inspired? Question from Krissy at; http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/

Krissy's answer:  Yes I can.  I am excited about the future.  I look at the future with great hope and promise.  I believe John and I will have a good future together.  I look forward to doing things such as volunteer work, spending time with my family, 
learning new things, and personal growth.  I also look forward to the surprises the future will bring.

How about you?  Can you see into a future time and be inspired? 

 

For myself, I can look into the future and see me retired from my job.  I see myself volunteering at least one day a week and perhaps working a day or so a week, somewhere else to help supplement my retirement pay.  But it will be somewhere close to home and hopefully completely different than what I'm doing now.    I owe, I owe...so it's off to work I go,   Linda


Sunday, October 29, 2006

Out to dinner with the world traveler

Bob came by this afternoon and we headed out to the other end of town to Steamers for some dinner.  I was glad I had grabbed my camera, it was beautiful down there on the water front (as usual). Beautiful but cold, I might add.  I don't think the temperature got over 50 degrees today.

Bob has lots of pictures from Holland, Germany and Belgium. Hopefully since he doesn't have a journal....he'll let me do some entries for him and post some of his pictures.  They had a wonderful time and he has lots of stories to tell.  He said driving on the Autobon was certainly an experience he'll never forget.  Of all the driving he did, he said the traffic and drivers in Amsterdam was definitely the craziest. They were also impressed with the train service over there.   Anyway more on all that later....

It's Sunday night, it's back to work in the morning and I still have ironing to do, so until next time.........Linda

I was going to mow the lawn..

Click on the photo to start the video
I messed around and ran errands in the sunshine.  I came home, got the lawn mower out, gassed it up and I heard the pitter patter of little rain drops on the carport roof.  And then the next thing I knew the heavens opened up and down came the rain. Before it was over...there was hail.   Well, maybe next weekend.

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT #94

         

Photo Scavenger Hunt #94 from Krissy at; http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/

will be due on Sunday, October 29, at 11:00 PM EST.


This week go into your files and select a photo to post of sentimental value or special meaning.  Don't forget to tell us why it holds value for you. 

Please place links to your entry submissions in the comments section, including the full entry URL.  Interpret the subject any way you would like and have fun!!  Thanks for playing! ~ Krissy

I've thought about this all week and the one thing that coming to mind was my dad's Giant Print Bible.  After he passed away it ended up with me.   I do use it from time to time but can still see well enough to use my own.  I love it because the cover and pages are worn from use.  And I love to read the notes he wrote in the margins.  He loved to read God's word and I find comfort when I hold this Bible in my hands and read the pages he once read.   Linda

Saturday, October 28, 2006

JOURNAL LAND GIVING TREE

Please see the entry at; http://journals.aol.com/canyonsun04/the-giving-tree/entries/2006/10/26/introduction-to-the-giving-tree/155   to find out how this works.  It's a great idea...thanks to Angie for taking the time and trouble to get this together.  It would be nice if our friends over across the Atlantic would get something going like this over there. 

I worked until 3pm today and then went to see Robin William's newest movie "Man of the Year."  It was really quite good.  A little bit of Robin's humor, some suspense and an interesting story line.  

Today, Bob called my cell phone from New York about 12:30pm (my time here on the west coast) saying they were on the ground there and waiting for their plane to Salt Lake.  Then he called back at 3:45pm (I was in the movie) and said they had been delayed leaving New York and were just about to board.  So...I'm wondering now when they'll get into Sea-Tac, since they still had to go thru Salt Lake.   It's very foggy here at my house tonight, I don't know if that matters to the planes landing or not. And of course it may not be foggy 30 miles away at the airport. 

Well, I'm going to go warm up some soup, I'm starving...until next time,  Linda

FALL BACK

Don't forget to move your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tonight.  It's also a good time to chage the batteries in your smoke detectors.   Another hour of sleep tonight....how wonderful.  Right now I'm heading out to work, my last Saturday shift for awhile.  Yipee !!!!

Have a wonderful Saturday.......Linda

Friday, October 27, 2006

BACK TO SCHOOL (FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS ANYWAY)

I got an email late last night from a former high school friend that this morning at 10am was the Homecoming Assembly at my old high school.  So I got up, got ready and went over there.  What a fun time !!  I hadn't been in that gym since my brother's graduation in 1968.  And that was 8 years after I graduated.  It's funny how the gym looked much smaller than I remember. There were about 8 of us old people..several from 1958 and 1959 and then 2 of us from 1960.  The 1958 bunch donate money every year to the school and each year they pick a department to focus their support.  This year it was the school library.  They were able to give a check for $1,100.00 dollars to the librarian to use for books or whatever she needs for the library.  It touched my heart because I was a library assistant my Junior & Senior years of high school and have fond memories of those days.  I talked to the librarian afterwards and told her that if I ever get retired I'd love to come and volunteer a day a week.  She almost grabbed me and hugged me.  (Apparently, no one ever offers to volunteer in the library.)

Anyway, the whole experience was fun and I'm sorry to miss the Homecoming football game tonight but I'm not able to make it.  Anyway, it's going to be cold and I'm not in to sitting out in the cold like that anymore. 

Last night turned out ok, too.  Barbara did go with me and the weather co-operated (no rain) but the drive over was hideous.  It took me an hour and 10 minutes from my house (17 miles away) because of course it was during rush hour traffic.  But coming home it only took  20 minutes.  What a difference when everyone is home and off the freeway.  It was unbelievable to see the progress they have made on the new bridge just in the few weeks since Bob and  I went over that way.   They did say in the paper that it's reached the half-way point now, so I'm sure the changes from now on will be very noticeable.

It's another beautiful sunny day here and it's warm enough to have the front door open for some fresh air.  Plus there's a man here cleaning my carpet, so the little air coming in will help it to dry faster.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Southern California.  My sister-in-law grew up in Santa Barbara, so she's experienced those awful fires first hand as a child.   And one of Bob's daughters lives in the hills of Pasadena.  The kids have told me that they've had ash falling on them when they were out in the school yard, during past fires.

Speaking of Bob, I think he and his daughter will be back Saturday night.  I understand from her boyfriend that they have really had a wonderful time.  They took a canal trip in Amsterdam, saw castles in Germany, took the train to Belgium and shopped until they dropped !   I'm anxious to see their pictures, hear the stories and of course see what kind of Delft items he managed to find.    :)

Have a wonderful Friday, until next time..........Linda

                            GO CARDINALS GO !!!!!

PRAYER REQUEST FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

I'm posting this so we get the word out thru J-Land.  It is fire season once again in Southern California, those Santa Ana winds come every year and unfortunately all it takes is one weirdo with one match to cause a nightmare for hundreds & hundreds of people.  Here's a request from Kathy at; http://journals.aol.com/kaydeejay5449/Yadayadayada/entries/2006/10/27/another-request-for-prayer/600

"If any of you read Jackie's journal, HOPE FLOATS, you know she is asking for prayer because there is a huge fire burning close to her home.  I want to add that prayer request to my journal, too, just in case some of you might not read her journal.  The news reports say the fire line is 15 miles long and has destroyed 40 structures.  It has killed four firefighters and left one fighting for his life.

I live about 40 - 50 miles west of the fire and the smoke is laying heavily over Lake Mathews which is about 1-1/2 miles south of here.  If the wind changes just a little we will have that cloud raining ash and smoke down on us.

It seems that every time the Santa Ana winds blow it brings crazy firebugs out of hiding.  We have at least one and usually more arson fires set in the hills where the brush is thick and very dry.  The force of the winds and the fact that they are warm winds pushes the fire out of control in just minutes. 

We live in a fire hazard area.  We have hills all around us and this time of year the thought of fire haunts me all the time. 

If you don't live in an area like this, you can't imagine how vulnerable you feel.  There is nothing anyone can do to prevent these nut cases from setting these fires.  This one started around 1:00 in the morning so it is very doubtful there were any witnesses.  We can only hope the person responsible has a big mouth and tells someone and that person turns them in.

I'm praying for Jackie and the rest of the people in that area and for all the firefighters and other people working so hard to put the fire out.

From Jackie; This morning I drove from Riverside to Murrieta to my son and daughter-in-law's home.  As I got into Lake Elsinore which is about 15 miles north of their home, the smoke from the fire was so thick that I thought the fire must be in the hills of Murrieta.  When I turned on the radio I was shocked to hear that it was so far away.

Shannon and I were going to take the kids to lunch and then to visit a pumpkin patch but the smoke was so bad we felt it wasn't good for them to be outside breathing it.  My son and his helper quit work early because the smoke was so bad they couldn't breath and keep the ash out of their eyes.  Keep in mind, this is at least 50 miles from where Jackie lives.  I can't imagine how horrible it is there.

Our prayers are with you!"

Yes.....to Jackie and Kathy and the fire fighters and other residents of this area, our prayers are indeed with you !   Linda

Thursday, October 26, 2006

HOME FROM WORK

Well, I'm home from my normal 7a-3:30pm shift at work and have to be over in Gig Harbor at 6pm.  My friend Barbara is coming to ride over with me.  It's not that I'm afraid to drive over that bridge...I just don't feel comfortable being out there on the freeway in the dark and the rain by myself.  Anyway, we'll leave here in about 15 minutes and head out.   The seminar doesn't start until 7pm but I'm scheduled to be there by 6pm.  Hey, maybe you can click on to the Narrows Bridge webcam and see me coming and/or going.  After dark it will be all lit up like a Christmas tree....http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/  

The bridge on the left is the new one that will open hopefully in July of 2007.

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

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Pumpkin Carving

I think everyone will have fun with this one.  Have a good day,   Linda

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/timages/page/pumpkin_sim.html

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The Wind Was Blowing

Ughh I just picked all this junk up with the lawn mower on Saturday.  Now look at it !! I hate that tree...I wish the Park Management would take it out.  And the rains are coming so I'll have no chance to go over it again soon.  Maybe I'll just wait until March 2, 2007. (Ya right!)  No, I can't do that because that debris kills the lawn.  I wouldn't even mind leaves because usually one good wind will blow them one way or the other and they end up in the neighbor's yard. (LOL)  But these things stick into the grass and don't blow away.

First snow in the mountains, they are saying on the local news. 6 inches today at Mt Baker.  Last year they had 500 inches there and the skiers were in "hog heaven."  They are frantically working getting the ski resorts in order for opening day.  Traditionally opening day is around Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday of November) but if the snow continues it could be sooner.  And then again Mother Nature can be fickle.  The 2004-2005 ski season was a complete disaster...not enough snow to even inner tube on.  The resort where Bob normally skis, actually gave a free season pass (to those who bought one in the fall of 2004) last fall because the previous season had been so bad.  Last winter he went skiing about 35 times  as I recall.

Well,my dinner is ready...so I guess that's all for now.  Until next time.......Linda

 

Monday, October 23, 2006

Monday Night

Well, my long weekend is over....it's back to work tomorrow.  I got alot done but didn't totally finish everything.  I even have the vacuum cleaner sitting out in the living room...still not plugged in but it will be soon.   I worked hard (when I worked) and had some fun too.  I went to another movie this afternoon.  After seeing Kirsten Dunst on Ellen this morning, I decided to go see "Marie-Antoinette."  The costumes and the settings were fabulous but you know.....I was very disappointed in the story line. And the ending......ok, so is there going to be a sequel? I know the real Marie-A was eventually beheaded but the ending of this movie was weird.  If you haven't seen it in the theaters, I'd say wait until it comes out as a rental and save your $$.

It was another sunny day here in western Washington today, but cool.  I didn't even open the door like I was able to yesterday and get some fresh air in the house. I don't think it got above 55 degrees all day.  Winter is definitely around the corner.  They are talking about a cold front moving in, with rain behind it...and snow in the mountains this next weekend.  Of course it won't snow down here so that's fine.  I have to go to another seminar across the Narrows Bridge this coming Thursday night and my "driver" is running around Holland and/or Germany with his daughter.  So, hopefully I can find someone to go over there with me so I'm not making that drive alone.  (Hmmmm, I wonder what Barbara is doing Thursday night? )  I then have Friday off and have to work Saturday, my last I think.  Which is fine with me.  It will be good to get back to the Monday thru Thrusday schedule for awhile. 

Well folks, that all for tonight..hope everyone had a good weekend and a not too bad Monday.  More later........Linda

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Can You Sleep When The Wind Blows?

Click on this link, turn your speakers on, sit back and relax...the story will move along on it's own...

http://www.hall4bc04.org/Storm.htm

ENJOYING THE OCTOBER SUNSHINE

My sweet little Gabi Lin, sitting in the sunshine at the front door.  It's up to about 65 degrees but the sun is shining right on the porch and front door so it's warm there right now and she loves it.

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT #93

Photo Scavenger Hunt #93 from Val (for Krissy) at; http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/2006/10/17/scavenger-hunt-93-subject.../1832

will be due on Sunday. October 22, at 11:00 PM EST.


The subject this week is:
  "broken, torn, or run-down"

Please place links to your entry submissions in the comments section, including the full entry URL.  If you have any questions, please email me.  Interpret the subject any way you would like and have fun!!  Thanks for playing!

I actually took a hint from my friend Jeannette in England and dug back into my Alaska cruise pictures for this one.  It really touched me that day, as we pulled away from their beautiful new dock in Hoonah...the remains of a very old dock...with moss and the beautiful Alaska state flower, fireweed, thriving out at the end of the old rotten timbers.  Linda

Sunny Sunday

It's only 1pm and I've been to church (with my son) and got my weekend grocery shopping done and put away.  I went to Trader Joes to get the cereal and the other stuff I get there (they have a wonderful Lavender liquid dish washing soap & I don't have a dishwasher).  I asked Jim if he wanted to go out to lunch but he wasn't feeling good, so just wanted to go home.  (I now have a little gray and white cat on my shoulder...what does she want? She's purring and rubbing her furry little cheek on my cheek) Anyway, back to what I was saying...Jim didn't feel good so just wanted to go home.  And I was starving...so I stopped at Taco Bell (just a couple blocks from my house) and got one of their Double Decker Taco Supremes.  They are quite good and will fill the void until I fix dinner later this afternoon.  It's a gorgeous day, I would love to go for a ride but not really something I enjoy doing by myself.  So I guess I'll stay home and stick to business, hopefully finishing  the tasks that remain on my list. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday....Linda

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Saturday Evening

Saturday got off to a slow start but I finally got out of the house and started my day with a movie at 12:40pm.  It was called;  One Night With The King and it was excellent !!  Here's the write up about it; 

"Gener8Xion Entertainment presents the beloved Old Testament story of Esther as never seen before. One Night With the King is an epic motion picture set in an ancient and exotic world of adventure, intrigue and romance, that follows a young Jewish orphan who rises from peasant to Queen of Persia only to face the annihilation of her people.

At the height of ancient Persia, lovely Hadassah grows up in Susa, capitol of the empire, sheltered under the watchful eye of her Uncle Mordecai, a scribe in the royal palace. Orphaned by the murder of her parents at a young age, she spends her days reading to the local children and dreaming of returning to Israel, the homeland of her people.

Unbeknownst to Hadassah and Mordecai, Haman the Agagite, descendant of the Jews mortal enemy and the man responsible for the slaughter of her parents, capitalizes on a palace culture beset by treachery and intrigue, setting in motion a series of events that will bring about a centuries old blood quest to destroy the Jews. Using the ruthless plotting of the princes to his advantage, Haman baits them into trapping King Xerxes into banishing the Queen for her stance against a looming war with Greece.

With the King left alone and desperate to live up to and avenge the battles of his father, the princes press upon Xerxes that a king soon to depart for war must leave behind a queen to keep the people unified. Thus word is sent out and every young maiden through out the empire, including Hadassah, is rounded up and taken into the palace for a season of preparation before being presented before the King.

Warned by Mordecai to keep her Jewish identity a secret, Hadassah changes her name to Esther and adapts quickly to life as a Queen’s candidate. Her innocence makes an immediate impression on Hegai, the King’s royal eunuch assigned to oversee the candidates’ preparations. While the rest of the harem plot and scheme over the potential riches that lay before them, Esther wins favor by seeking not what she can gain, but what stirs the passions of the King himself.

Like a fairy tale come true, Esther’s intelligence and wonder capture the heart of the King like no woman ever has. But becoming Queen is nothing like she dreamed. She quickly finds herself in a dangerous world of politics when a plot is discovered to poison the king. This is only the beginning, however, for just as Esther has risen to favor and honor, so too has Haman, who through a series of Machiavellian double crosses, has maneuvered himself into the powerful position of being named Prince. Now with the war against Greece in jeopardy due to a shortage of funding, Haman launches his ultimate plan, convincing the King that the necessary funding can be raised by the slaughter of the Jews and the confiscation of their wealth and property.

Meanwhile, Esther discovers that Haman was indeed the one who killed her parents, but finds herself helpless to do anything to stop him. Her own relationship with the ever-more-paranoid Xerxes has crumbled to pieces due to her inability to disclose the secret of her background and she is dangerously close to seeing the former Queen’s fate befall herself.

With time running out, and Haman himself becoming more suspicious of her secret, Mordecai informs Esther that the Jews only hope is for her to risk her life and go before the King unsummoned (a crime punishable by death) to intercede for her people. It is then that Esther utters those fateful words that have rung through out the centuries, “If I perish, I perish,” as she races off with one last chance to save her people."  It starred;
Tiffany DuPont, Luke Goss, Tom "Tiny" Lister, Jr., Omar Sharif (he's looking old).

Anyway, after that I went to J C Penney's and paid my bill.  My gosh the traffic was horrendous.  Don't people stay home anymore ?  It took me almost 30 minutes to go about 38 city blocks.  I took a different route back so didn't have to spend another 30 minutes trying to get back to my neighborhood.  Then I stopped and got a pedicure.  Yup, I did it !  Haven't had one since the first of August and even though it's almost winter....I decided I didn't get to go to Holland so I deserve a pedicure.  :)       Then I came home, let my toes dry another hour then put on my socks and yard shoes and went out and mowed the front lawn.  It's green again...it was covered with brown, dead debris from the cedar tree and looked terrible.  We're supposed to have another beautiful day tomorrow but I have other stuff to do, so I feel I at least accomplished a little something today.  Hope everyone had a happy and safe Saturday............Linda

Now I'm excitied !!

Well, I guess I'm a moody person.  Now I'm excited !   I found this Delft windmill music box on eBay the other day and the auction just closed...I'm the winner.  I got this little number for $13.78 including postage.  The ad says it's from Delft, Holland so it must be the real thing.  Won't Bob be surprised when he gets home and finds I have one. That's ok, I have room on my entertainment center for more Delft items.   This one is older however, and the windmill blades are made of metal.  So it may different from the one he brings me, if he even remembers that is.   I'm off to a movie and will mow the lawn this afternoon.  Happy Saturday...............Linda

I'M GETTING REAL SICK OF IT !!!!!!!!!!!

It's been going on since the end of July and I'm so sick of it I could scream !!!!!!!!   What is it, you ask ........... those political TV and radio commercials.  One guy says "she said this, did this, didn't do that, etc. etc." And then she says, "well, he did this and that but didn't do this and he should have done that."   I don't know if I can take another week and a half of this non-stop blasting of the other candidates.  I really think this country needs some reform in that area.  They are spending millions of dollars on TV air time and 99% of the people already have their minds made up anyway.  I think they should be limited as to how many total TV and radio ads they can have (1 per week would be wonderful) and limited to only one flyer going to each household in the mail.  IT"S OUT OF CONTROL !!!!!   If they have so much money to spend on this stuff  they should be required to donate it to a local food bank, Rescue Mission or Battered Womens Shelter.     There was a debate on our local TV the other night between 3 people running for a US Senate position from the state of Washington.   Their rules stated that they couldn't participate in this debate unless they had raised one million dollars in campaign funds.  So there was the Democrat, the Republican and the Libertarian (who by the way liquidated all of his assets to raise his 1 million dollars) at this TV debate.  The candidate from the Green party tried to get in to be apart of it but since he hadn't raised his 1 million, he was not allowed to participate, he was angry and was actually hauled off by the police and arrested for attempted trespassing.  It's no wonder some people no longer vote...they have driven us crazy with all of the smear campaigns on every TV and radio station.

Is it just me that feels this way or do some of you out there feel the same? 

Friday, October 20, 2006

Friday Evening

Well, after a few days of icky rain and rather cool, windy  weather it was sunny today and quite pleasant.  And...it's supposed to be nice all weekend.  I think I'll be able to get the lawn mowed again.  My front yard is a mess with all the debris from that darn big old cedar tree.  It's easier on my back to run the lawn mower over it and pick it up that way, than to rake it.  Plus I like to keep mowing as long as I can, so I don't go into the winter months with tall grass.

Last night my grand angels spent the night with me.  I took them to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory (yummy) and then to their church youth group and when that was over we came back here...pulled put the hide-a-bed and watched the newest Garfield DVD.  It was very cute.  Garfield is a very cool cat plus he likes lasagna.    This morning, after one of grandma's special breakfasts I took them home. 

My friend Barbara came over about noon and we went to lunch at Azteca and then on to The Grand theater to see "Keeping Mum."  It was very enjoyable.  Here's the little write up about it; 

"KEEPING MUM stars Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr Bean) as an absent-minded vicar of a rural parish who is so distracted by the pressures of his job that he fails to notice his wife’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) dalliance with her brash golf instructor (Patrick Swayze), his daughter’s parade of new boyfriends, and his young son’s regular trouncing by the school’s bullies. Enter their charming new housekeeper, Grace (Maggie Smith), the answer to the family’s prayers: a sweet, grey-haired old lady with her own distinctive definition of cleaning house. One by one, the family members find that Grace is able to solve their problems, but they don’t realize that her means are leading to a lot of ends and the population of their sleepy hamlet is rapidly diminishing."   It's worth watching if it comes to a theater near you. 

After the movie, I introduced Barbara to the Goodwill Outlet store in our town.  She promptly dubbed it the "Goodwill Rack."   I got a matching top and fitted bottom sheet,8 cloth napkins, 1 receiving blanket (for Gabi to lay on at the end of my bed), two books and a Royal Caribbean wine glass (they were $8-$10 on the ship with a fancy drink in them) for a total of $5.78.  Their soft cover books are 25 cents, and the other stuff they weigh and charge $1.29 a pound.  The sheets are pretty and like new, and even tho I could find a matching pillow case, I don't care because I have solid color ones that I can use.     Barb found some Dr Seuss books for her grandson and a copy of "Cane River" for herself.  I have read that book twice and assured her it was very good...for 25 cents even if she doesn't like it..it won't matter.   

From the Goodwill we went to Sears so I could pick out some  frames as I need new glasses.  I hate to do that by myself because when I take my glasses off  I can't see...So I wanted her opinion.  My prescription has changed slightly and since Medicare does not pay for glasses (and I'll go on Medicare after January) I figured I'd better get new ones now while I still have insurance to pay for them. 

Bob and his oldest daughter Cheryl left Sea-Tac Wednesday morning on their last "flight fling."  They were worried about getting on the plane to New York because the night before when she checked..it was filling up.  But they went out to the airport and there was 1 seat left in First Class (which he let Cheryl have) and several in coach.  They had a 2 hour layover at JFK in New York and then they both got into Business Elite for their flight from New York to Amsterdam (yup he's back in Amsterdam)   I got an email from Cheryl (she was in an internet cafe in Amsterdam) and she said the flight across the pond was very bumpy and being in Business Elite doesn't really matter when it's bumpy on an almost 5,000 mile flight.  The only plus was the 3 or 4 meals and snacks.  She stated that the weather there was 68 degrees and overcast.  They'd only had about 4 hours sleep when she wrote the email but they had taken the train to the central station and were just kind of looking around.  They were going to pick up their rental car today (the 20th) and hopefully be more rested for the start of their touring the country side.  Bob took an empty bag and a big bunch of bubble wrap and promised to bring back more Delft items.  I requested a Delft windmill music box this time.  They are hoping to actually visit the town of Delft, Holland.  I explained to him that those pretty little blue and white pieces would make excellent and unique Christmas gifts for his daughters and grand daughters.  His other 3 daughters flew out Thursday morning to Paris.  Again the last of their discount flying.  They'll all be home the end of next week. 

I have a little longer weekend this time..I don't have to be back to work until Tuesday as I work Saturday October 28th.  And I have lots of little projects that I hope to get done plus I have one more movie I want to see this weekend.  Barbara is busy the next couple days but I don't mind going alone.   

 I hope everyone has a good weekend...have fun, get some extra rest (oh well if you don't get it this weekend, we'll get it next weekend when we go off that stupid Daylight Savings time, right?) and take time to enjoy your world. 

Gabi's sitting over on the couch staring at me...I think she wants to snuggle.   So until next time...................Linda

Thursday, October 19, 2006

TAG YOU'RE IT !!

I got this from Kathy at; http://journals.aol.com/kaydeejay5449/Yadayadayada/entries/2006/10/19/tag-youre-it/589        I'm also tagging anyone who wants to play along,

1. Grab the nearest book. If you are currently reading something, that'll be fine too.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your Blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet I know that is what you were thinking!

6. Tag 5 people

"But the fact was that Dmitri was simply not equipped to deal with such emotions in any other way but to push them aside and get on with his life.  Yet with the loss of his wife and child, he had also lost the lifestyle that  he had come to depend upon.  Scarcity of ready cash only added to his problems. He had left Russoa with all the money he could get his hands on-which did not amount to much, considering his expensive tastes."

Heirs of the Motherland

by Judith Pella ("The Russians " series book 4)

Tag....you're it !! 

Monday, October 16, 2006

MONDAY MORNING QUESTION

      


What is your favorite chore to  do?  Least favorite?

The idea for this question comes from Merry, who, apparently, LIKES to do a lot of chores.  LOL  Why, Merry, why??  LOL  Thanks, Merry!

From Val (for Krissy) at; http://beta.journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/2006/10/16/monday-morning-question/1830

I don't mind ironing, washing the dishes, doing laundry, folding clothes & putting them away, mopping the kitchen floor,  dusting or vacuuming...BUT I absolutely hate to clean the bathroom(s) and to top it off...I can't stand a dirty bathroom.  So I have a problem.  If I could afford a maid, it would be to clean my two bathrooms.  I have paper towels, rubber gloves and all kinds of spray cleaners for the icky job.  That's it for me...my least favorite chore is cleaning the bathrooms.       Linda

JOURNAL DIRECTORY

Today in Jeannette's journal is the following information;

"One of our journal friends has offered to set up a new journal directory so that people can find journals much more easily.  There used to be a journal directory, but due to the passing away of the author, it is no longer updated.

Kate has taken on quite a task here for the benefit of us all so please back her and make sure you leave the URL of your journal. 

Thank you.  Here is the link http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/20062007-journal-index/ "  

Thank you Jeannette for this news and hopefully everyone will head over and register their journal with Kate.

I'm off to work, have a good Monday...........Linda

Saturday, October 14, 2006

SATURDAY

I went to work today for a 6 and a half hour shift.  It wasn't too bad but the talking got me coughing real bad at one point.  Gosh I wish I could retire.  I hate having to go to work when I'm not feeling well.

The weather is a little cooler today.  Sort of gloomy and I think it may have reached 52 degrees.  They say the rain is on the way.  At least I've got all the grocery shopping done for this weekend and can hibernate in the house all day Sunday if it's nasty.

I heard that my friends Bob and Claire are in town from their home in Oklahoma.  They also have a little house here and their son and his family live here, so I imagine they'll stay for a couple months before heading back to OK.   They are at her class reunion today, so I'm sure they are having a wonderful time. As always, I am anxious to visit with them.  They lived here in town years ago, we went to the same church, the kids went to the same school, etc.  Then his job took them away. 

My co-worker Susan only has two more weeks of radiation therapy.  She's feeling better than she did at first and after the last treatment is over, she'll go in for another P.E.T. scan to see if the lymph nodes that were affected have shrunk.   Hopefully, that will be the case.  She's at peace, she's a wonderful Christian lady and knows her life is in God's hands. 

It seems friend Bob and his oldest daughter are planning to take off Wednesday for one last fling on Delta before the flight priviledges end October 31st.  Their plans aren't firm yet but they are thinking they'll fly into Amsterdam (2nd time for Bob) and stay there a couple days and then rent a car and drive to Germany, Belgium and back to Amsterdam and then back to Seattle.   His other three daughters are going to Paris October 19th for about 6 days.  Then they'll all be grounded unless they get out their money.   I'm sure they'll all have a wonderful time and have many stories to share when they get back.  I've asked for more Delft from Bob and postcards of Paris from the other girls.  Oh maybe I should ask for Belgium chocolates, too.  And a Black Forest clock. Hmmmm !

An "old" journal friend is back under another name.  Check her out...http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/Pollyannascorner/

Well, that's all for now...hope everyone is having a marvy weekend.   Until next time.........Linda

Photo Challenge #92

  


Photo Scavenger Hunt #92  from Val (for Krissy) at;  http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/2006/10/10/photo-scavenger-hunt-92.../1824 will be due on Sunday. October 15, at 11:00 PM EST.


The subject this week is:
  "Trees, leaves, and anything
                                               
changing!"

My entry contains pictures I took today in my own yard.  The colors really are beautiful on the deciduous trees.  But western Washington, especially, is blessed to have lots and lots of evergreen trees that have needles rather than leaves.  In my own yard I have a huge cedar tree in the front and several Douglas Fir in the back.   They are green all year long.  Incidentally Washington is called "The Evergreen State."   I'm not sure if that's in reference to our thousands of acres of fir type trees or because of our rainfall. Which, by the way, is less than the state of Florida.   (I read that in the paper the other day) 

Thursday, October 12, 2006

FALL IN THE NORTHWEST

Well, I stayed home from work today.  That bronchitis I came down with on the cruise has never really gone away and this last week the symptoms have gotten continuously worse.  Yesterday, I coughed so hard all day, it was diffcult to even work (I work in a call center, you know). I coughed all night, was up and down...got up this morning still coughing, plus my voice was almost totally gone when I greeted Gabi this morning. I started to get ready for work, put my lunch together, fixed my breakfast, took my shower (still coughing) and finally called the boss at 5:30am and told her I was sorry..I just couldn't make it in today.  I had an appointment with my doctor already, at 3:45pm today so just hung out at home until time to go to my appoinment.  I had my camera in my purse as I was going to take pictures on the way home from work today.  So after my doctor's appointment  and on the way to pick up a prescription I took the pictures I have posted in this entry.  I'm off tomorrow (Friday) but do have to work from 9a-3p on Saturday.  I have high hopes of  feeling  much better by then.  I hate to call in sick as we have been busy and when one member of the team is gone...it's all the more difficult for the others.  I know...I've worked many days by myself, lately, when others have been out.   I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I live in such a beautiful area..I love sharing it with you.   Until next time...Linda

Gabi's quote of the day.......... "Cats regard people as warm-blooded furniture." - Jacquelyn Mitchard

 

 

Weather Dog

Thanks so Cybersalt ( www.cybersalt.org) for the following;

Weather Dog

To tell the weather, go to your back door and look for the dog.

If the dog is at the door and he is wet, it's probably raining.

But if the dog is standing there really soaking wet, it is probably raining really hard.

If the dog's fur looks like it's been rubbed the wrong way, it's probably windy.

If the dog has snow on his back, it's probably snowing.

Of course, to be able to tell the weather like this, you have to leave the dog outside all the time, especially if you expect bad weather.

Sincerely, The Cat

Monday, October 9, 2006

MONDAY MORNING QUESTION

   


From Val (for Krissy) at; http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/2006/10/09/monday-morning-question.../1822

If you could wake up tomorrow morning being suddenly proficient in any musical instrument, which would you pick?


I would love to be able to play Ragtime on the piano.  I watch with awe as some piano players run their fingers up and down the keyboard.  About all I can play is Chopsticks  and Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star.  But one of the things on my "Life List" for after I retire is to learn to play the violin...at least learn to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on one.  The harp would also be fun to learn.

Sunday, October 8, 2006

October 8, 1939

"October 8, 1939, Miss Edythe Irene Stern became the bride of Mr. William Henry Smith in the garden of the bride's parent's home, as family and friends looked on.  The bride wore a lovely navy flared skirt dress and the groom wore a navy suit."  That's the way the account of this wedding written in the Sunnyside, Washington paper  read.   I always wondered why she didn't have a white dess..she told me it was during the depression and they felt it was wasteful to spend money on a dress she would never wear again.  She was a registered nurse by then and he was a telegraph operator on the Milwaukee RR.  Her parent's were hop farmers and didn't have a lot of money and his mother was a single (divorced) woman supporting herself.   Their first home was in Hyak, WA.....up in the mountains.  No running water or power.  She'd haul water in a bucket from a stream and heat it for baths, dishwashing, whatever on the wood kitchen range.  She passed money and their grocery list to a passing train crew and a day or two later another crew would bring back the groceries.  That life only lasted about 6 months however, then they moved to a real city and into a house with electricity and all the things needed to live a normal life.  He had been promoted on the railroad and she went to work as a RN in the local hospital until she became pregnant with yours truly.  They became parents of a little blonde girl,they named Linda,  on January 4, 1942.With war recently declared, he joined the Army and left in July 1942 for Camp Shelby, Mississippi. So for a few years during World War II they were seperated on their anniversary.  She was working in a hospital in Yakima, WA (raising a little girl) and he was in various locations in Europe or North Africa...doing what he loved...dispatching the trains of the US military railroad service.  After he came home, they moved back to western Washington and settled down...she became a stay at home mom, he continued to work for the Milwaukee RR until he retired.  They had one more child...my "little brother" (they told me I was getting a surprise, I thought it was a puppy & it turned out to be a brother) in June of 1950.  Bill always fancied "farm life" so in 1952 they moved out of the city onto 10 acres and he became "Farmer Bill" and continued to work on the railroad because we needed to eat, etc.  There were cows, chickens, pigs, ducks (Mr & Mrs Quack) a black cocker spaniel named Skipper and numerous barn cats.  We sold milk to the neighbors and always had plenty of milk and butter for ourselves (thank you Daisy!) they continued to celebrate those anniversaries and the kids got older and left home.  They were active in their church, they dearly loved each other and my brother and I always knew we were loved, even when we made a mess of things. And they loved their 5 grandchildren, with all their hearts.   The afternoon of their 48th anniversary  October 8, 1987, she passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father. She had congestive heart failure and that big, loving, caring heart gave out that afternoon.  He was devestated as were the rest of us.  He kept saying "but it's our anniversary and we're all going out to dinner."  I know that when she died a part of him died, too. He was still Bill Smith, devout Christian, loving father, devoted grandfather but he was never the same after that day. He was with us long enough to see the oldest grandchild (Julie) married and then 11 months later in Sept 1990, he joined mom in Heaven.  This year, they once again celebrate their anniversary (their 67th) at the feet of their Heavenly Father.  Happy Anniversary mom and dad...I love you and miss you!

Again, I took this entry  from my entry of last year.  There's just nothing more I can add in regards to the memory of my parents.  I miss them still, wish they were still here and healthy to see their 5 grand children grown and all but two of them married with families and their 6 great grand children...but they are not.  Someday, we will join them in a big family reunion.  Until then I will continue to remember them on their birthdays and this most important day..the anniversary of their marriage.  Until next time........Linda

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Happy 17th Anniversary to My Daughter & Son In Law

Picture #1.. shows my little (6'4") brother, Steve, bringing the bride down the stairs from the bride room to the sanctuary of the church.  He and my sister-in-law have three daughters that are younger than Julie so this was like a "practice run" for him.  Two of the girls have since married and have children of their own ....but the youngest is still single.  So, someday he'll be taking his last trip down the aisle with her. 

Picture #2...a view from the church balcony.

Picture #3..shows the bride and her "little" brother hugging...I'm sure that was the first & last time they hugged, so I'm glad it was captured in a picture.  A week or so after the wedding, Jim left for San Antonio, TX and his Air Force basic training.

Picture #3..Julie and my dad..her grandpa. Their wedding was the day before what would have been my folks' 50th anniversary.  My mom had passed away two years earlier on their 48th anniversary.  I know this day was bitter sweet for him.   Julie  was born on his 48th birthday, in 1961.  She was the first grandchild, and the only one for almost 10 years, until  my son, Jim came along.  She was always the apple of grandpa's eye.  Just less than a year later, he passed away. We were so happy that he was well and able to be there for this happy occasion.

 I have to admit this is a nearly duplicate entry to the one I did last year in honor of their anniversary.  But, felt I just couldn't change it much, because the events of that day and the wish today are still the same...Happy Anniversary and may you have many more !!


Wednesday, October 4, 2006

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT #91

     


Photo Scavenger Hunt #91 from Val at; http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason/entries/2006/10/03/photo-scavenger-hunt-91.../1820   (on behalf of Krissy)

will be due on Sunday. October 8, at 11:00 PM EST.


The subject this week is:
  sunrises and sunsets

This idea came from Greg at Photo Trek.  If you can't get a sunrise picture because you are not an early riser and can't seem to get a good sunset shot, how about any skyshot
?!   Let's see the sky in all it's glory this week!   Thanks for the idea, Greg!!



Here's mine...a picture I took in July along the waterfront and next to Steamers Restaurant here in my hometown.     Linda

UPDATE ON DAVID

I talked with his mother on my way home from work (yes, I'm one of those...who occasionally talks on her cell phone while driving.  But not on the freeway at 70 miles per hour).  She told me she sent out an email today so I'm going to paste part of her email into this entry so it will be straight from David's mom.

"David was very lucky to only have the tumor removed which was a little larger than they first thought, but they DID NOT have to attach the ostomy bag, they were able to  re-attach the colon together.  His liver has involvement in both lobes, and they will be doing further studies in that area. The doctor said Chemo is the best option. We will be waiting for further talks with the oncologist, which he will see after recovery from this surgery.  Pease keep him in your prayers, as he has a long haul in front of him." 

 
She told me on the phone that David has a good outlook, and has the "just take it one day at a time attitude."
 
Thank you again, for remembering David, his wife, children and extended family as they travel thru this rough territory. 
  
It was another beautiful sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest.....cool last night but very pleasant today.  And I still haven't had to take my coat out of the closet.  Of course there's a good heater in my Toyota if I need heat in the morning on the way to work.
 
Until next time     Linda

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I was late getting home last night, so didn't know all about the sad news in Pennsylvania until this morning.  I had heard just bits and pieces.   This just breaks my heart...more innocents killed in their one room school house in Pennsylvania.  The Amish are such a peaceful people...this must just be so shocking to them.   My heart and my prayers go out to these precious children, their families, their community and to the family of the shooter.  I am sure they are horrified as well. 

Sunday, October 1, 2006

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT # 90

     


Photo Scavenger Hunt #90 will be due on Sunday, October 1, at 11:00 PM EST.


The subject this week is:
  "Autumn"

Interpret this any way you like and have fun!

 

Here's my entry...I took the first picture up at Sunrise Park.  I thought that would be it.  But then we stopped at the grocery store on the way home last night and I spotted the items in picture # 2.  I couldn't resist....Linda


Fryingpan Creek taken from White River Campground


Fryingpan Creek taken from White River Campground

Click on the picture to start this video.  Before watching...to get the full effect, you should probably light a campfire, place your outdoor easy chair so you can see the fire and the video and then it will feel like you're out camping in the woods in Washington state.  Linda

Sunday Morning

First of all let me start with Friday evening.  Barbara and I were in line at The Grand theater waiting to buy our tickets, when my cell phone rang (vibrated...I do turn the ringer off when I go to a movie).  I looked at the caller ID read out and it showed Bob's cell number.  I answered and he said "hi" and I said "hi, where are you?"  I didn't think he'd be using his cell phone from Holland. He stated he was at the airport.  He had mentioned when he called the other day he was having some symptoms of the long drawn out bladder/kidney infection he's been dealing with since April.  And he'd forgotten to take the antibiotics he'd had refilled a couple weeks ago in case the infection hit him again while he was away.  Apparently, after he talked to me the other morning, he did manage to sleep about 5 hours but woke up not feeling good at all.  He tried to get back to sleep but couldn't, so contemplated his situation.  He was upset about the price of everything..the Holiday Inn room was $274 (American) a night, etc. He knew if he got sicker and waited until the weekend to try to fly back standby, he'd be stuck there.  Remembering the pain and agony of his two previous episodes with this infection, he checked out and headed to the airport.  He just told them at the counter that he had a "medical situation" and would like to fly back to anywhere in the U.S. if possible.  They were very kind and he was put on a plane to Cincinnati, Ohio and then from there he later flew on to Seattle-Tacoma.  So anyway, he's back. Back on the antibiotics and  feeling a little better but defiantly needs to see the doctor as soon as possible.   Even though he was only there a few hours, he saw a little of the area the first day he arrived and  he took some pictures and got me the Delft windmill I asked for.  See picture #30.   

Saturday morning was so beautiful, I called and suggested we go for a ride.  So when he got here we took off to somewhere I've wanted to go to for years and have never been.....the Sunrise side of Mount Rainier.  There's all these areas around the mountain and I've only been to Paradise which is just about 60 miles from home and the most popular part of the mountain for visitors.  It was a lovely ride and coming back we found a campground (White River Campground) we may visit next summer.  Unfortunately even though the weather is still very nice...the campground and all the facilites at Sunrise have closed for the winter.   I've posted some pictures...imagine the warm sun on your face, the air just faintly crisp, but pure as can be.  And a gentle breeze ruffling the giant trees along the way.  The entry after this one will be a video I took from the White River Campground, of Fryingpan Creek easily viewed from many of the campsites.  Enjoy........

On the way back we stopped in Enumclaw to see his youngest daughter, her husband & their 2 1/2 year old boy.  They have just moved into a new house and Bob had been helping them with some plumbing and other issues before they moved in and apparently there are still some remaining, so he'll be back up there to help with those.  We didn't get there until about 6pm so ended up staying for a lovely dinner and PaPa Bob had time to play with little Lance.  He loves his PaPa !!! When we left, he kept saying "me,too, me too" like he wanted to go with us.  When we told him he had to stay with mommy & daddy so they wouldn't be sad...he stuck out his little pouty lip, got this very sad look on his face and finally said "ok."  

I requested prayer awhile back for my friend Ruth's son David.  David will be having major surgery this coming Tuesday morning, at 7:30am Pacific Daylight time.  They are saying anywhere from 15-18 inches of his colon removed.  They still are not sure about the spots on his liver but will investigate that during the colon surgery.  She also said David (only 51 years old) suggests that everyone over 45 or so, see their doctor about a colonoscopy.  I know I have put it off all these years, but have one scheduled for Novemebr 3rd.   Please remember David and his family Monday night/Tuesday morning.  Thanks and I'll keep you updated. 

Enjoy the pictures, the video and have a wonderful rest of your Sunday.  I have mail to go thru, I need to submit my Avon order, have ironing to do and I need to go fill up my gas tank for the coming week.   Until next time,   Linda