ONLY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Only in the Pacific Northwest can the weather change from moment to moment.  The four pictures I've posted were all taken within 30 minutes of each other. It's unreal.  And now as I'm writing this....the sun is shining brightly once again and the snow that covered the road has melted but my lawn is still a little white.

Well, tomorrow is my 1 month anniversary of being retired.  I don't feel I've accomplished all that much but I did get all the insurance stuff taken care of and I feel more rested.  Today is the last day my medical insurance from the hospital is in effect so after today....it's Medicare and the Humana supplement.  And I must get busy around here and do some of the things I planned to do in the house.  Gabi seems to think since I'm home, she needs to sit on my lap all day...

It's "hump day" today, hope you've all had a good week so far.  Only two more days until the weekend.   Take care....until next time,  Linda

COLORFUL VIEW

I got this from Barbara, who got it from Marina.

Things You See While At Your Computer-Color Pyramid

Name 6 red things that you see from where you sit.

1. my red & black check, warm & cozy flannel shirt

2. red quilt squares in the quilt hanging next to my computer, made in 1939 by my great grandmother

3. the red pants that Mickey Mouse is wearing on my mouse pad

4. red balloons from my retirement party

5. red glow from the wood stove across the room

6. a pen with a red cap laying next to my computer

Name 5 blue things you see from where you sit.

1. blue balloons from my retirement party.

2. a blue package that came by UPS, something I ordered.

3. blue quilt squares in the quilt hanging next to my computer, made by my great grandmother in 1939.

4. blue Shirley Temple cream pitcher sitting on one of my end tables

5. the blue sweats I am wearing

Name 4 green things you see from where you sit.

1. green leather chair

2. green balloons from my retirement party

3. green quilt squares in the quilt hanging next to my computer, made by my great grandmother in 1939

4. green ivy in the floral basket I received as a retirement gift

Name 3 yellow things you see from where you sit.

1. a yellow ruler next to my keyboard

2. yellow strip on a clown that one of my grandkids made (years ago) hanging on the wall next to my computer

3. yellow flowers in that floral basket I received as a retirement gift

Name 2 purple things you see from where you sit.

1. purple stripes in several of my retirement balloons

2. the purple moose laying, staring at me from the top of my monitor.  Purchased at a shop called the Purple Moose in Skagway, AK

Name 1 black think you see from where you sit.

1. black phone sitting here on my computer desk, next to my monitor

Come play along !  It's fun but can be harder than it looks.

Thanks Barbara for sharing this one.     Until next time...Linda

HOW MUCH IS YOUR BLOG WORTH?

My blog is worth $14,113.50.
How much is your blog worth?

                          How Much is yours worth?   

I've done this before and it was worth more.  Guess, I'm just getting lazy and my Blog (Journal) has depreciated just like my car.  So who out there is going to give me the $14, 113.50? (Don't forget the 50 cents) 

Thanks to Guido for bringing this website around again. 

MONDAY PHOTO SHOOT

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Fridge Magnets from John

For this week's Photo Shoot, it's time to use your camera to reveal -- your refrigerator!

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show off your refrigerator magnets. Because you know you have 'em. 

I had more but "cleaned house" about a year ago. My whole refrigerator was covered.  It was just too much.  I also have a few magnets on my range hood.  But didn't include them here.

The Party Was A Blast !

I had so much fun !   The food was good and it was great to see old friends again. Like I told those gathered...they were there because each and everyone of them were special to me.  I will always remember our times when we worked together, the good times and the times when things were a little rough but we got thru it. It was just a delightful evening....that sums it up in a nut shell.

Today I went over to Wal Mart with my SD card and got the pictures printed out.  So I have them down loaded and printed out now. I was disappointed that some of them were so dark you couldn't make out who was in them. 

This afternoon Bob and I went to see "The Astronaut Farmer."  This was his third time to see it, mind you...but the first time to see the finished product.  He liked it and I liked it.  It is a good, clean cut movie.....so there will probably be some who won't like it.

I'm really looking forward to the Oscars on Sunday evening.  For once I have actually seen most of the nominated movies.  Plus Ellen will be hosting the awards and I love her humor.  I've picked my favorites but you can never out guess those that do the voting. 

I hope everyone had a good Saturday.  Here in western Washington it was cold with off and on rain showers all day.  

Until next time....Linda  

 

PARTY TIME

This evening at 5pm is my retirement dinner at a local restaurant.  I am really looking forward to seeing former co-workers and old friends.  I understand that about 60 people have called in their RSVP.  I've made up a photo collage out of the many, many pictures I've taken over the years. What was really bizarre was that out of the 9 years I worked in the Admitting Dept of the hospital, I could only find one picture.  Maybe there's more somewhere but I couldn't find them the last few days, when I was getting these pictures together.  Luckily, the one I found is of a gal I shared an office with for about two years.  And I understand she and her husband are coming tonight....I haven't seen her in years !!  The only non co-workers who are coming are my friends  Barbara, Lynnette and Bob.  Bob & Barbara are going to be armed with cameras to get pictures of everyone that comes thru the door. 

I actually worked for the Health System two different times in the 1970 when I was still married.  Then I went back the 3rd  and last time on January 25, 1982.  I've worked in various departments, the Switchboard, Mailroom, Admitting Dept, then at the Family Practice Rural Medicine Residency Clinic and finally the Customer Service Call Center.  The last two departments were both great experiences.  I feel I've worked with some of the greatest doctors and nurses on the planet. I've seen young doctors come in out of medical school, go thru their 3 year family practice residency and then go out into the world (literally) to use their knowledge and skills to help those around them.  The last 6 years I've worked in the call center shared with the 24 hour telephone advice Registered Nurses.  They wear headsets and use a computer to help those folks calling in with questions about something as simple as a headache to heart attack symptoms.  They are as caring and compassionate as the nurses we encounter in the doctor's office or hospital but their work is all done over the phone. Their part of the office is staffed 24/7 so that there is someone available 24 hours a day, 365 days a week to answer the public's questions. Anyway, I'll report on the party later.

I hope everyone will go see the movie that's coming out today called "The Astronaut Farmer."   My friend Bob has a cousin that lives in Carson City, NV.  His cousin's daughter Wendy is married to Mark Polish.  This film, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Dern, Bruce Willis and Virginia Madsen is Mark's latest creation.  He's being trying to break into the film business for years and it looks like he may have made it.  Mark & Wendy's own daughter, Logan, is Sunshine in the film and it also stars some of Mark's other relatives.  This last Tuesday evening Bob's daughter and family that live in Pasadena, CA got to get all dressed up and go to the premier and the after party.  I talked with Bob's daughter yesterday and she said it was so much fun and even their teenage children enjoyed the whole affair.  The ads for the movie, say it's a movie good for the whole family.  A movie about following your dreams.....If you see it, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.   I would have liked to go today, but decided to wait until Monday (don't want to fill up on popcorn today, when my dinner thingy is in just a few hours.)  Billy Bob Thornton was on the "Regis & Kelly" show today and even Kelly asked him if this was a true story.   He said no it wasn't but he stated that there are several people in the U.S. who have built their own space rockets with the hopes of shooting them into space.

I'm hearing on the news at noon about heavy snow fall in some towns north of here. I know it's colder today than it has been and thankfully there's no snow coming down here in my area.

Well, that's all for now....until next time, Linda

SOMEBODY'S HAVING A BIRTHDAY TODAY

I hope everyone will hop over to Robin's journal and wish her a very Happy Birthday. today.  She and the father of our country (George Washington) share a birthday,  The only difference is that this is George's 275th birthday and only the 40th for Robin. 

So Happy Birthday Robin......and may you have many, many more.

California Biker

This is what happens when your kids take away your driver's license.......  

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

It's a very rainy day here in western Washington but it didn't stop our lunch get together at Applebee's.   It seemed like we'd just seen Joni a couple weeks ago and I know it's been several years.  The three of us had such a good time reminiscing the good old days.  Like I've mentioned before, Joni, Barbara and I went to the same grade school and high school and lived within bike riding distance of each other all those years.  After our good lunch (I had the Santa Fe Chicken salad and it was very good) we drove just a couple miles away to visit Barbara's mom & sister. There we continued remembering the good old days and the crazy things we did.  Barbara's mom was especially pleased to have us come visit.  She was like my second mom.....and after high school when I had a disagreement with my folks I actually moved in with them for about a month until I got my job at the phone company and moved into an apartment at the other end of town.   Anyway...it was a great day and when Joni retires later this year there will be more like it.  We even talked about a sleep over, perhaps here at my place in the new future.  A time to bring out the old pictures and year books...that will be fun.

Hope you all had a good Monday !   Linda

 

MONDAY MORNING QUESTION

From Krissy at: http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/

         

If you were invited to a dinner party, and could choose who you were going to sit next to, which one of the following persons would you choose, knowing that you would have a chance to talk about their occupation with them?  A general in the army, a dentist, a phlebotomist, a medical social worker, a campaign manager, a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, an astronaut, a daycare owner, a garbage collector, an engineer, a pilot, or a priest. 

If there is somebody that you would really rather choose that is not on the list, feel free to make your own choice.  Or pick two answers.  Anything goes!  Have fun, Krissy :)

I'm going to pick two also.  And I'm going to pick two unlikely ones.....a garbage collector and a daycare owner. 

The reason ?  Because I know these two people have seen the world from a perspective that most people don't see it.   I'm sure there's a lot of things you can tell about people when you have access to their garbage.  And I did daycare for a couple years back in the 1970's and I know for a fact there are things you find out when you care for other people's children !!! 

Those are my answers for Krissy's Monday Morning Questions.

It's cold and rainy here again today and the weather man said there will be at least 12 inches of snow in the mountain passes.  The freezing level is down to 2,500 feet.  So I'm glad I don't have to go to eastern Washington in the next few days.

Happy President's Day and for those of you across the pond...have a good Monday!     Linda

Sunday Evening

I did a little shopping this afternoon.  I went to my favorite department type store (Gottschalks) and got a new top to wear with my black slacks to my retirement dinner this coming Friday night. Then I went to deliver a little birthday gift & card to my friend Candy.  And on the way to her house I stopped at the newest Wal Mart in my area and ordered some pictures off my digital memory card.  After leaving Candy's house I went back to Wal Mart to pick up my pictures and do a little shopping.  This store is not a "super" store but they had eveything I needed in the way of groceries including milk & bread.  It's a very nice store and not very far from my house.  The other two I've been shopping at are both about 12 miles from here in different directions.

It was cold and windy here today but at least the sun was out.  The weather forecast is for more wind and rain in the next couple days.

I talked with my son this afternoon and he's getting settled in his new place.  He will now have about a 5 minute drive to work each day and I know that will help, especially because he works a lot of 12 hour days.  Nothing like working 12 hours and then having a 20-30 minute commute each way.  He's so close to home now, he can even go home for lunch if he wants to.

Monday afternoon I'm having lunch with my friends Barbara and Joni.  Barbara and I are both looking forward to seeing Joni, we went to grade school and high school together and it's been quite awhile since we've seen her.   We are meeting at a local Applebees and I love their food.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend.  Here in the U.S it's a three day weekend, Monday is President's Day.  They have combined Abraham Lincoln's birthday (Feburary 12th) and George Washington's birthday (February 22nd) into one day.  The schools, banks, post offices and all government offices will be closed.  It's even one holiday that's an extra day off at the hospital.  But I keep forgetting...I don't have to worry about that anymore because I'm now getting paid to stay home from there.  (BIG SMILE)

Until next time, Linda

 

I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

Now don't laugh at me if this is old news but I learned something new late last night.  I have been so frustrated with my huge, long list of Favorites.  I've added *** and ~~~  and @@@ and ### to the ones I use the most so I can find them easily in that long list.  Anyway, last night as I was scrolling down thru this list looking for the U S Postal site,   I decided to click on the HELP button up in the right hand corner of the Favorites list.  They don't have a way to just click a button and alphabetize the list but they said you could do it manually.  Well, that would be a huge task but I did use AOL's directions to move the Favorites I use the most all up to the top of the list together, so I can find the darn things.   So here's the way you do that, if you find that you're experiencing the same frustration as I was.  Again, I didn't alphabetize my list I just used these directions to move the ones I use the most to the top of the list so I can find them.

Sort Favorite Places Alphabetically

The ability to sort Favorite Places in alphabetical order is currently in development. However, there is a workaround which will help you manually sort your Favorite Places alphabetically.

Manually sort your Favorite Places:
1. On the right side of the AOL tool bar, click My Favorites or Favorites.
2. Double-click the folder containing the Favorite Place you want to sort.
3. Click the heart-shaped icon next to a Favorite Place, then drag and drop the highlighted item in the appropriate location on the list.

Well, that's all for now...my son is moving this weekend and he'll be here soon to get some stuff he has stored here and then I'm going to help him move a vehicle that he has for sale to my driveway (of course).   Until next time..Linda  

SUNNY FRIDAY MORNING

I forgot to mention that I took myself to the movie on Valentine Day afternoon.  I saw the delightful new film "Music and Lyrics" with that naughty boy Hugh Grant (he's so cute) and the always sweet Drew Barrymore.  It's a wonderful movie....very sweet, the music is good, and Hugh & Drew are really good together. It's mostly a "chick flick" but there were men in the audience and they seemed to enjoy it too.  (Well, maybe their wives/girlfriends had coerced them to go because it was Valentines Day.  LOL)

Today I'm off with my grand daughter Meghanne, to do a little shopping.   Thankfully it seems the heavy rain from yesterday subsided...so we won't get drenched as we are out and around today.

I hope everyone has a good Friday.....until next time   Linda

Words To Live By

I snagged the following from Yada Yada Yada, who snagged it from Love For WildAutumn Rose;

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits, they become your character.

Kathy said "I really like that - it's so true.  We need to be aware of our behaviors and their consequences as we rush through this life."  I agree Kathy and I hope you don't mind that I copied this out of your journal.  Our goal here is to share what's going on in our lives and learn about others.  And to be there for support and encouragement when needed.  I cherish my "electronic pen pals" and I thank both parties listed above for these reminders on how to conduct my life.

Linda

I'VE ADDED TO MY SIDEBAR

Taking a cue from Guido, I've added Weather Pixie to my sidebar.  Now, you can all see what's going on weatherwise here in the great Pacific Northwest corner of Washington state.   Thanks Guido....I look at yours everyday.

This afternoon, I'm off to a retirement tea for my dear friend Judy.  She's been with the healthy system for 34 years, Friday February 16th is her last day.  She and hubby Phil (he retired from Boeing on January 31st) are hoping to hitch up their travel trailer and head south to the warm weather. 

Friend Bob did bring me a beautiful day lilly for Valentine's Day.  However the fragrance is starting to get to me.  He's not here to smell it, so I guess he didn't realize how strong they smell.  I don't want it to freeze to death, but I may have to set it outside from time to time.

Have a good Thursday...until next time, Linda

LARRY....a "love" story

Just in time for Valentines Day from my dear friend Charlotte down in Vancouver, WA

 

Larry, a loving husband, was in trouble.

He had forgotten his wedding anniversary and his wife was furious with him.

She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds flat.  AND IT BETTER BE THERE !"

The next morning, Larry got up real early and left for work.

When his wife woke up a couple of hours later, she looked out the window, and strangely enough, there was a small gift-wrapped box sitting in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her robe, ran out to the driveway, and took the box into the house.  She opened it up and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Larry is not yet able to have visitors....!

 

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT #104

Krissy is having a very, very busy week and has asked me to help her with this week's Photo Scavenger Hunt.  We have had few players the past two weeks (only a total of five) and have decided to pick an easy, fun subject that almost everyone can participate in!  We hope you all are as excited about this subject as we are!

       


Photo Scavenger Hunt #104 will be due on Sunday, February 18, at 11:00 PM EST.

Our subject this week will be:  my pet or pets

We are very, very excited to see your furry, winged or scaled creatures (or do you have a pet rock?)!  

I think everyone is probably getting sick and tired of seeing my pet, a short hair Persian (Exotic) cat named Gabi.  But if I participate in this weeks' Photo Scavenger hunt I have to show her picture again because she's the only pet I have.  All 5 pounds of her......Linda           Thanks Val for helping Krissy out this week, while she's with John.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Even though it's still Tuesday evening here in Washington, I wanted to get this entry posted so my journal friends across the pond will get this alert when they wake up the morning of the 14th. 

I don't really have a Valentine, so I went to the garden center this afternoon and bought myself some primroses to plant .  I actually put them in some hanging baskets that are hanging near my front steps.  I'll move them into the flower beds later this spring and replace them with hanging geraniums.  But for now they add a little bit of color as I step off my porch. 

I'm going to spend Valentine Day morning with an insurance lady going over the different Medicare drug plans and supplement insurances.  However, we are meeting at a local Starbucks so I may have myself a little treat.

I have two friends who are celebrating their birthday's on the 14th.  My friend & cabin mate on the Alaska cruise last year, Lynnette and a former co-worker, Stacy.  Then on Thursday the 15th is my former co-worker Susan's birthday.   My late mother-in-laws birthday was also on Valentines Day. I remember when I first met her she told me how she disliked those Happy Birthday/Happy Valentines Day cards.  So you know that all the years she was alive,  I always made sure she got a Valentines Day card and a birthday card...always in separate envelopes.

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentines Day....Until next time........Linda

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BATH

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BATH    <Click to start video

 

Gabi says that her friends Nina & Katinka should be doing this while their mom is at work (especially Nina) instead of getting into stuff around the house.  

Update on "The Secret"

I was able to get the book on eBay this evening.  I'm sure it would also be available at your local library.  I can't wait to get mine in the mail.

"The Secret"  by Rhonda Byrne

IF YOU MISSED THE SHOW

Here's a link to the information discussed on today's Oprah show.  "The Secret" is available on DVD.  It was a great show....a new beginning... if I can take at least half of the advice I heard today.  

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200702/tows_past_20070208.jhtml

Thursday's Oprah Show

If you have the opportunity watch the repeat of this afternoon's (Thursday)  show tonight.  She and her guests are talking about  "The Secret."   Some of it is a little hard to admit...but it makes sense. It's only 16 minutes into the show and I'm fascinated.  The commercial is over...I'm going back to the show.   Later........Linda

 

I'M READY TO TEAR OUT MY HAIR

I've been going thru the piles of printed material I've received from the various insurance companies the last few months.  I'm covered by the insurance provided by the health system thru the end of February but after that the Medicare will kick in and I have to have a Medicare supplement and a drug plan in place by March 1st.  It's all so confusing and so very expensive.   It really ticks me off, I don't know how our senior citizens have dealt with all this confusing paperwork. I am looking at anywhere from $250 to $500 a month for premiums and co-pays.  How do people pay for this ? Especially when their retirement pay is low.  I can see that I may have to find a part time job just to pay for the insurance and co-pays.  Plus they tax your retirement pay...so there goes some more money. 

What a nightmare !!!!!  

I feel so bad for the people in the mid west and on the east coast.  Temperatures down in the single digits.  Here in western Washington we've been running in the middle to high 40's with a little sun and a little rain.  With foggy conditions in the morning. 

Last Saturday Barbara and I went to see a movie (Notes on a Scandal).  I love Judi Dench but I thought the movie was very bizarre. 

Monday I met a former co-worker at the Olive garden for lunch.  Carolyn and I shared an office for a couple years at the clinic where I worked before transferring into the call center in May of 2000. She is the sweetest lady and is not going to be able to come to the retirement party on Feb 23rd, so took me to lunch instead and gave me a Regal theater gift card.  She's off work now after having a medical procedure done last week...so I brought her a big bunch of beautiful pink tulips.  She was so surprised.

Today I went to a couple used book stores.  I have book 1 of a series of 3, so am looking for books 2 & 3 before I start reading book 1.  No luck....the books are out of print and so I may never find them at a reasonable price.  I found them on line for anywhere between $25 and $100 a piece but I'm not paying those kind of prices for a book of any kind. 

Well...that's all for now.  I hope everyone is well and keeping warm.  Only 16 more days until Robin's birthday !!   YA HOO !

 

MONDAY MORNING QUESTION

Monday Morning Question from Krissy at;  http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/entries/2007/02/05/monday-morning-question/1236

                  

Did your team win the Super Bowl last night?  If you didn't watch the game, what so important that you were doing instead?

No, "my" team did not win.  I'm not really a sports fanatic but had the Seattle Seahawks made it to the Superbowl, I would have rooted for them.  I did have the game on, I did not sit glued to the TV, it was mostly for the commercials.  And some of them I missed because I was busy doing other things around the house while the players rolled around in the Florida rain.

Indianapolis Colts Win It: 29-17

I've had the Superbowl game on today while I went about my tasks. The Colts just won 29-17 playing the Chicago Bears.  The game was played in Florida and it rained like crazy during th entire game.  Although, I think they said the temperature was 70 degrees.   The commercials were great, that's my favorite part.

I went out in the car earlier and did a little grocery shopping.  Came home, paid some bills and finished getting the necessary stuff together to have my income taxes done next Friday.   Now I have to get out the box of Medicare supplement and drug plan information I've been collecting for months.  I will be covered by my medical insurance from the health system thru the end of February but then I revert to Medicare and whatever supplement I can afford.

It was a fairly nice day here today...a little rain, a little sun...and I noticed this afternoon the temperature was up to 50 degrees.  Is spring really just around the corner ?

That's all for now...have a good Monday....I think I'll call in sick.  LOL       Linda

SATURDAY MORNING

THE HALF WIT........

A man owned a small ranch in New Mexico. The New Mexico Wage & Hour Dept. claimed he was not paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent out to interview him.

" I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them," demanded the agent.

" Well," replied the rancher, "There's my ranch hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $600 a week plus free room and board.

The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $500 per week plus free room and board.

Then there's the half-wit who works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, and I buy him a bottle of bourbon every Saturday night."

" That's the guy I want to talk to, the half-wit," says the agent.

 "That would be me," replied the rancher

TIRED AND RETIRED

Well, Thursday was my last day on the job and my last day with the health system where I've worked for 25 years (this time around).  I may have mentioned that I worked there two other times back in the 1970's.  My mom worked there as a Registered Nurse back in the 1940's and I was born at the main hospital.  Today doesn't feel any different because I normally have Friday's off.  And people have told me it will take a couple weeks for this all to sink in.  The first couple weeks will just feel like I'm on vacation, after that...then I'll realize that I don't have to get up at 4:45 every morning and drive 10 miles across town to the job. No more worries about snow, ice, fog, rain, etc.  I've noticed the last couple months on these dark mornings that my night vision is getting worse...and that has concerned me.  Anyway, no more worries about any of that stuff.

I went in at my usual time Thursday, then I had to have my yearly evaluation at 11am.  Weird I know but it was due and the boss said we have to do it.  So we sat in her office, I looked over the paper work, she signed it and then I signed it...then she said something about there going to be a surprise and she really wasn't supposed to tell me but my co-workers were planning a surprise buffet luncheon.  The boss said when we go out of my office, don't look in the conference room...so after I stole a quick glance (into the conference room) I went back to my desk, put my headset on, ready to work.  Just a little before 12 noon, one of them came and logged me off my phone and said you need to come with me.  So away I went into the conference room, acting surprised and thrilled...actually I was thrilled.  You should have seen the food....they really went all out. Everything was so good and there was even Costco cheese cake for dessert....yummy !  The rest of the afternoon, I tied up a couple loose ends that I'd been working on and then finished packing up my stuff.  It's amazing, how much stuff you can collect when you sit in the same spot everyday for years. Now I have to figure out what do with all the "stuff" here at home.  It was suggested that I should have had a "cubicle sale."   There's still the retirement party on February 23rd at a local restuarant.  Already a host of co-workers and former co-workers have called in their RSVP for the evening.   By then reality will have sunk in.  LOL

 

Today I'm off to Costco and then this afternoon friend Bob is taking me out to eat (along with his brother and sister in law) to the Red Wing Casino (http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1960/LindasWorld/entries/2006/07/05/july-5th/1038)  for their seafood buffet this afternoon. 

Well, I'm off to Costco so until next time..............Linda

P.S.  I must add that I had mentioned being hungry and that I was going over to the hospital and buy some lunch, so that's why the boss mentioned the surprise.