Getting Ready To Ship Out

Another hot day in Pasadena.  We'll be getting packed & ready to "ship out"tomorrow afternoon.  They request that you be there 3 to 4 hours before departure time and we're scheduled to leave at 5pm.  It's about a 45 minute drive from here to the Los Angeles Cruise Center in San Pedro.  Our cruising schedule will be; departure Monday about 5pm, Tuesday we'll be in San Diego from 8am to 5pm, Wednesday we'll be   at Avalon on Catalina Island all day and then Thursday we'll be in Ensenada Mexico and Friday morning back at the Los Angeles Cruise Center.

We checked the mileage on the truck yesterday afternoon and we drove 1,380 miles from my place to Bob's daughter's place here in Pasadena. Had we come straight down I-5 it would have been much shorter...but certainly not as scenic.   The big Chevy with the camper on the back...gets about 10-12 miles to the gallon.  We were able to find gas for less than $4 a gallon all the way down the coast. He spent $441 total on gas so far.  

Well, that's all for now.  We're going to go to Target because I'm totally out of batteries for my camera & we all know Linda needs her camera to work! 

Have a good week.....I'll catch you when I can.  Linda

Arrived In Pasadena, CA

Hello, hello !!  We arrived in Pasadena Friday evening about 7pm.  The last two days have been very long and we are exhausted.  But we've had a good trip so far...the weather's been great (however it's a little warm here~about 85*).  We spent two nights on the Oregon coast, one night in the Redwoods and Thursday night in the parking lot of a Mc Donald's in Soledad, CA (just down the road from the prison).  We could find no rest stops & no RV parks between San Francisco & there. We spent a couple hours on Fisherman's Wharf but we knew if we were to get to Pasadena by Friday evening...we could not stay there. 

Today we stopped along the way at Pismo Beach and then along with 5 or 6 lanes of bumper to bumper commuter traffic..we finally got to Pasadena.

That's all for now...hope you are all well.  Will write more when I can.  We leave Monday on the 4 night cruise......Linda

Tags: Oregon Coast, California Redwoods, San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf, Pasadena CA

LEAVING MONDAY MORNING!!

They decided not to get the sailboat after all.  They went for a sail this morning and decided at this time they are going to pass.  Bob said if it's still for sale when we get back he'll consider it again.

So we're leaving  Monday morning for sure.  The camper is packed, my bed out there is made and we'll head out at the break of day.

I think I forgot to mention that Joann who writes "Joann's Weight Loss Journey" is going to come to the pier in San Pedro on October 12th and see us off.  She said she's bringing her camera so there may be some pictures posted in her journal later that day or the next.  So watch for that....

My dear son said he would absolutely come & mow the back yard in a couple days after the rain stops...so I don't have to worry about that. 

OK....that's all, I'm dead beat & I'm going to go read my book.   Linda

                              

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5 Things

This is going around JLand.  The last one I read was on Joann's  Weight loss Journal.  

~The 5 List~

5 Things You Collect

I used to collect but not anymore (no room in this mobile home); Barbie Dolls, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Teddy Bears~ but I do still collect dust.

5 Things About Your Hair

blond, straight, short, turning white, boring

5 Things about Your Pet (the one I have now)

soft, gray & white, sweet, loving, smooched face

5 Things In Your Junk Drawer

birthday candles, jar lids, clothes pins, rubber bands, chip bag clips

5 Things You Love To Eat In The Summer

watermelon, cantaloupe, anything from the BBQ, potato salad, ice cream

*******************************************************

 

Ok, it's Sunday and I'm still here. It seems a 28' sail boat on Craig's List has caused us a delay.  Which is a good thing  I guess because, yesterday he was gone all day with his brother climbing around all over  & looking at this boat. And I was here with stuff piling up to be loaded into a locked camper for which I had no key.  I was getting more anxious by the minute.  I could visualize him getting back, throwing everything on my bed in the camper (which is not made up yet), taking off driving until 10pm or so and when he finally stopped..I'd spend at least an hour putting everything in it's place so I could make up my bed all this while he was up on top snoring away.  So today the sail boat negotiations continue and I have the key to the camper.  This also gives me a chance to go thru it and clean out any unnecessary stuff that's in there. 

Meanwhile, there's no TV here today, I was talking to Comcast & found out that if you're gone for at least 30 days, they'll shut your cable off & there's only a $5 fee for the time you're gone. So I scheduled the cable to be shut off today & by golly they are right on the ball!   It won't be back on until October 29th.

So I'm off to church with my son and then back home to clean out & pack the camper.  And hopefully all sail boat business will be taken care of & we will leave town Monday morning along with thousands of commuters........

                           

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While I'm Gone, Will Someone Please Water My Flowers?

             

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FOOD FRIDAY

Taco Soup

½ pound ground beef, ¼ cup chopped onion, ½ chopped green pepper, 1-8 ounce can tomato sauce, 1½ cup water, 1-16 ounce can stewed tomatoes, 1-16 ounce can kidney beans, 1 package taco seasoning, shredded cheese and corn chips.

Brown ground beef & onion, drain fat. Add water, green pepper, tomatoes, undrained beans, tomato sauce & taco seasoning,  mix well. Simmer for 30 minutes.  Serve soup in bowls topped with grated cheese & crumbled corn chips.  Sour cream may be used as an additional topping.

Note: as you can see, this will only serve 3 or 4 people. To serve the whole gang, just increase the amounts on the ingredients.  Also, if a full package of taco seasoning is too much for your taste, just add a partial package. 

This soup is so good !  And with fall and winter coming...I'll be making it again, myself.  And the best part...it's really good warmed up the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ayyyy, mateys are ye ready fer tomorrow?

Friday, September 19th is the original Talk Like A Pirate Day. 

So check out the official web site, get your dagger and your eye patch and let's all talk like a pirate.

If you need a little help in talking like a pirate, please watch the following instructional video.

 

Have fun....Until next time, Bloody Anne Kid (my pirate name)

Tags: Original Talk Like A Pirate Day, September 19th, Ayyyy matey

Thanks to Nancy !

Nancy at "Nancyluvspix" has graciously promised to email me after the last show of "America's Got Talent."  My son is going to record "The Office" for me while I'm gone, so I've got all my TV bases covered.  I usually watch "Dancing with the Stars" too but I will see where they are after I get home.

I went to a movie this afternoon after all.   Barbara & I talked about it yesterday and decided to skip it this week.  But around noon I got the urge to go...so hurried just up the street to see "The Women."   It was ok!  

I was pleased to see that they've made a movie out of the book "The Secret Life of Bees."   I've read the book and it's a great story.  I can't remember all of the cast members but Queen Latifa is one of the main characters.  It should be good.   If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. 

My brother and I are going to Olympia this evening to meet our cousin & his wife for dinner. They are visiting there from Utah.  He had a high school class reunion this last weekend in Sunnyside, WA and he and his wife are working their way back home.  So it will be fun to see them for a couple hours.

Another beautiful day here in western Washington.  I think it's in the high 70's maybe even 80*.  They were predicting rain starting Thursday but now say it will be dry until next week. (We'll see!)  

I got the ironing board & iron out today...was going to start ironing clothes for the upcoming vacation.  Well, so I got distracted by the thought of going to a movie~it will still be there tomorrow.  

                    

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Happy Birthday Judy!

Today is the birthday of another dear friend of mine. I first met Judy when I worked at the hospital in 1978.  At the time, we were both married, had two children and lived about 10 blocks from each other.  One of the first times I was ever at Judy's house it was for a Tupperware Party. Now why would I remember that, you ask.....she served banana splits for refreshments!  She even had the little plastic banana boats like you get at the Dairy Queen.   I'd never had a banana split at a home party before and never since then. So you can see why it's stuck in my memory all these years. LOL

After a year I quit that particular job at the hospital to stay home again.  Judy continued working so we sort of lost touch.  But towards the end of 1981, I started going to a new church.  One Sunday I walked into the sanctuary and there was Judy.  In comparing notes we discovered we were both going thru the agony of the divorce process.  This church had a huge group of adult singles so Judy & I started going to their Sunday School class and their social events. We had so much fun over the years, we even went on a couple week long trips with the group.  Our friendship grew and continues today. 

3 years ago Judy was remarried to an old friend of mine. She retired from the hospital shortly after I did. And her husband is also retired.  I don't see her often but we catch up by phone or online frequently.  And last October~ when little Peyton came into the world 2 months early....she became a grandma for the first time. 

Happy birthday Judy, I know you're babysitting Peyton today & I hope you have a wonderful day with your precious little grand daughter.    

Judy with Peyton in March 2008. 

Look at that adoring grandma!

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"America's Got Talent"

I had the same dilemma last year...we left town just as "America's Got Talent" was winding down.   I'll be able to watch it this week but then ~ no.   If any of you are watching it, will you please email me & let me know who wins? 

I know there was someone last time who filled me in on the winner and I hope there's someone out there this this year too.

Thanks so much !    Lsfp1960@aol.com    

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Another Sunny Day

Another sunny & warm day here in western Washington.  I went to lunch with 9 other gals from my high school graduating class today.  We had another afternoon of reminiscing & laughing. So much fun !!  I'm so glad I still live in my home town and that so many of my high school friends are nearby.  I feel sorry for those that live in far away places.

Barbara came here and rode with me, so I didn't have to go across town alone.  After we left the restaurant I had to go by the pharmacy and pick up prescriptions to last me while I'm away.  Yikes !  Some I had to pay for out of pocket because Medicare only allows 30 days refill at a time...and they were not due for a refill at this time.   I get my meds at the hospital pharmacy so it's difficult to get refills while on the road.     After we left there I went downtown by the Travel Agency and picked up the cruise documents.  Now we can go ahead & do our online check in, which speeds up things once we get to the terminal in San Pedro.

I'm only 5 days away from leaving on this road trip. So.... I'm going to have to start turning off alerts as the week progresses, or else I'll be sitting here at my computer as Bob is driving out of the driveway.  So, if I seem to disappear from JLand this week~that's the reason. 

Gabi will be going to stay with my grand daughter on Wednesday.  She (Gabi) told me she can't wait to get over there & torment their cat Madeline.  I want to shampoo the carpet before we leave & it will be easier with Gabi out of the house.

I promise to check in from time to time and will update as I am able while I am gone.  I will check my email as often as possible while I'm away, so you can always send me an email.

I will post one last entry before we take off~Linda

Sunny Sunday

It was such a beautiful day.  I went out in the car today....a lady I shared an office with from 1984-1988 had surgery on Friday and she had called me last week and asked that I come see her today.  We worked like crazy everyday admitting out-patients at the hospital~anywhere from 100 to 150 people a day came thru our little office.  She retired in 1988 but we've kept in contact all these years.  So I left here about 12:30pm, drove to the hospital...went to the cafeteria and had some lunch.  I saw several people I knew and it was nice to catch up with them.  Then I went up to the 6th floor to see the patient.  She was so happy to see me and we spent about an hour & a half "catching up."  The first thing she asked me was "so how's Jimmy?"  She always loved my son~and when she retired he was 17.  I informed her that "Jimmy" was now 6'2" and was 37 years old.  Fortunately I had a recent picture of him & she couldn't believe how he'd changed.  She also wanted to hear all about my daughter, Julie, and my grand children.  She of course had pictures of her grandchildren and her two little great grand daughters.  It was a delightful visit.

After I left there I took my car out of the parking lot and went around the corner to the building I retired from.  I called in to the consulting nurses and one of them came & let me in the building.  There were four working today that I knew well the last few years I worked.  They were super busy with calls but we got some "catching up" in between calls and after about 30 minutes they let me out of the building and I continued on.

From there I went to our local "Goodwill Rack"  actually it's the Goodwill outlet but "Rack" sounds more sophisticated~don't ya think?  They have these huge rolling bins in this big warehouse and you have to paw thru the piles of stuff to find what you're lookingfor.  I found some neat stuff today....some will go on eBay when I get back from vacation and I got some stuff for the camper. The clothing, towels, etc is put in a bag and weighed...they charge $1.29 a pound. There was a brand new skirt in there...still had store tags on it~that will go on eBay. Also I got a bunch of books...they had a lot of new ones there today~hard backs are 20¢  and soft covers are 15¢.  Again I got some for Bob, some for me and some to be listed on eBay eventually.  I came out of there with 3 big bags of stuff for $16.   The stuff available at this outlet is overflow and stuff that didn't sell from the 4 Goodwill stores in my area.

I continued to head toward my end of town, stopping at Safeway for a gallon of milk and a case of bottled water, then home...just in time to feed my meowing kitty.

At 5:30pm the thermometer on the porch was at 80* now 5 hours later it's still about 62*.  Very pleasant...but the long range forecast shows rain starting about Thursday.  I kind of figured that would happen...we're leaving Saturday or Sunday and when it rains here it's not just for one day.  So that means as we head down Highway 101 along the coast~it will be raining probably into southern Oregon.  Oh well.....

TOP 8 IDIOTS OF 2008

thanks Barbara for sending this~ 

Number 1 Idiot of 2008

I am a medical student currently doing a rotation in toxicology at the
poison control center.
Today, this woman called in very upset because she caught her little
daughter eating ants.
I quickly reassured her that the ants are not harmful and there would be
no need to bring her daughter into the hospital.

She calmed down and at the end of the conversation happened to mention that
she gave her daughter some ant poison to eat in order to kill the ants.
I told her that she better bring her daughter into the emergency room right
away.
Here's your sign, lady. Wear it with pride.

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Number Two Idiot of 2008

Early this year, some Boeing employees on the airfield decided to steal a life raft from one of the 747s.

They were successful in getting it out of the plane and home. Shortly after they took it for a float on the river, they noticed a Coast Guard helicopter coming toward them. It turned out that the chopper was homing in on the emergency locator beacon that activated when the raft was inflated.

They are no longer employed at Boeing.
Here's your sign, guys. Don't get it wet; the paint might run.

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Number Three Idiot of 2008

A man, wanting to rob a downtown Bank of America, walked into the Branch and wrote this, 'Put all your muny in this bag.'

While standing in line, waiting to give his note to the teller, he began to worry that someone had seen him write the note  and might call the police before he reached the teller's window.

So he left the Bank of America and crossed the street to the Wells Fargo Bank.

After waiting a few minutes in line, he handed his note to the Wells Fargo teller.

She read it and, surmising from his spelling errors that he wasn't the brightest light in the harbor, told him that she could not accept his stickup note because it was written on a Bank of America deposit slip and that he would either have to fill out a Wells Fargo deposit slip or go back to Bank of America.  Looking somewhat defeated, the man said, 'OK' and
left.

He was arrested a few minutes later, as he was waiting in line back at Bank of America .

Don't bother with this guy's sign. He probably couldn't read it anyway.

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Number Four Idiot of 2008

A motorist was unknowingly caught in an automated speed trap that measured his speed using radar and photographed his car.

He later received in the mail a ticket for $40 and a photo of his car.

Instead of payment, he sent the police department a photograph of $40. Several days later, he received a letter from the police that contained another picture, this time of handcuffs. He immediately mailed in his $40.

Wise guy........ But you still get a sign
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Number Five Idiot of 2008

A guy walked into a little corner store with a shotgun and demanded all of the cash from the cash drawer.  After the cashier put the cash in a bag, the robber saw a bottle of Scotch that he wanted behind the counter on the shelf.  He told the cashier to put it in the bag as well, but the cashier refused and said, 'Because I don't believe you are over 21.'

The robber said he was, but the clerk still refused to give it to him because she didn't believe him.  At this point, the robber took his driver's license out of his wallet and gave it to the clerk. The clerk looked it over and agreed that the man was in fact over 21 and he put the Scotch in the bag.

The robber then ran from the store with his loot. The cashier promptly called the police and gave the name and address of the robber that he got off the license.  They arrested the robber two hours later.

This guy definitely needs a sign.

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Idiot Number Six of 2008

A pair of Michigan robbers entered a record shop nervously waving revolvers. The first one shouted, 'Nobody move!'  When his partner moved, the startled first bandit shot him. This guy doesn't even deserve a sign

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Idiot Number Seven of 2008

Arkansas : Seems this guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run.

He lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back knocking him unconscious. It seems the liquor
store window was made of Plexi-Glass. The whole event was caught on videotape.

Yep, here's your sign

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Idiot Number Eight of 2008

I live in a semi-rural area. ( Weyauwega , Wisconsin )


We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road.

The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.


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STAY ALERT!

They walk among us...they REPRODUCE...and they    VOTE!!!

 
LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS..... IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN!

Bats

                           

    The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then,
                 your body and your fat are really good friends.

FOOD FRIDAY

Wow, I almost forgot that it's Food Friday.  But since it's still Friday here in Washington state, I decided to go ahead and post an entry. 

With fall approaching, many of  us have access to windfall apples.  The following recipe is great for this often free bounty because the apples have to be peeled and cut up anyway. So imagine the smells in your kitchen when you make a batch of~

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

crock pot full of apples, peeled, cored & quartered

2 cups cider or apple juice

2 cups white sugar (I have not tried this with Splenda)

½ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¾ teaspoon ground cloves

1. fill pot to 1 inch over the rim with prepared apples (they will cook down)

2. add cider and put on lid and cook on low for 12 hours (I used to turned it on in the morning before I went to work).

3. after 12 hours, stir well and add rest of ingredients, stirring well. Leave pot on low, put lid back on with window open or lift the lid to one side if you have no window on yours. You need just enough of a crack to allow moisture out.  Cook for 12 to 24 hours on low, stirring occasionally until proper consistency.  To test for proper consistency, put some on a plate.......liquid will not accumulate more than ¼ inch around the edge of apple butter when done.

4. your apple butter should be a rich, dark brown color.  Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal in a water bath. Or it can be frozen.  This recipe makes about 4 pints.

I know it's time consuming but the end result will be worth it.  I have made this in the fall, took the lid ring off, added a cute piece of fabric, screwed the lid ring back on and it makes a nice littlegift for a family member, neighbor or friend over the holidays.

This jar is a ½ pint jar....

 

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The Puyallup Fair

I guess you could say I went 1½ times to the Fair this year.  The first day, Friday September 5th Bob & I went out for about 4 hours.  Then this last Tuesday I went again with my grandson Harrison.  We stayed a little longer than Bob & I did.  Both times we went on the bus from the nearby mall transit center.  They have special buses that go from the different transit centers directly to the fair grounds.  The fare is $3 each for the round trip.  So much easier than battling the traffic & getting in and out of the fair parking lots where they charge up to $10 to park.

Both days I was there is was sunny and warm...about 75* with a breeze.  Perfect fair going weather !   The first day is was free admission until noon so there were a ton of people there.  Over 73,000 to be exact.  There were long lines for everything.  Tuesday the attendance was about 35,000 so it was very pleasant. 

Usually both of my grand kids enter a lot of things in the fair but Meghanne took this fair off.  She had so many things entered in the Spring Fair...she decided not to enter anything this fall.  Harrison did enter on kit model but that's all. 

Some fair facts; Over 100 years old The Western Washington Fair (or Puyallup Fair because the grounds are located in the town of Puyallup) is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington.  It continually ranks among the top ten largest fairs in the world.  It sits on 169 acres in the Puyallup Valley. There are 55 year round staff but the number swells to 1,900 for the fair in September.   If you're interested in more history of our fair, check out this web site; http://www.thefair.com/utility/about-us/history.php 

The grandstand shows have many big names preforming each year. Among those artists this year are; Casting Crowns, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Fergie, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Carrie Underwood, Michael W Smith and Steen Curtis Chapman.  The shows are pretty expensive and the seats are uncomfortable so I'd rather buy a CD than sit in a cramped uncomfortable seat for 1½ hours.

I took pictures both days and I hope you all enjoy them..........

Tags: Western Washington Fair, Puyallup WA, Casting Crowns, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Fergie, Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons, Carrie Underwood, Michael W Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Pierce Transit, Red Hat Society, Spirit 105.3

Happy 70th Birthday, Jan !

I first met Jan in 1982, when I went to work at little Doctor's Hospital after my divorce. I don't remember our first encounter but I'm sure she greeted me with one of her big friendly smiles.  Because that's just the way she is...you're only a stranger for a few seconds when you meet Jan.

In the last 26 years we've been thru alot together...some bad and some good.  But no matter what it is...Jan always can conjure up a smile.

When she retired from the health system, she took a part time job to supplement her retirement.  As time went by, she met a nice man and eventually remarried.  They live just about 6 blocks due north of me in another mobile home park.   Jan is the one who introduced me to the Readers Group I go to the first Wednesday of each month.    She's also the Godmother to my two Cabbage Patch Dolls~ Jennifer & Josh (but that's another story~LOL).

Today, on a day when the world is remembering that awful September 11th some seven years ago....I'd like to wish my friend Jan a very happy 70th birthday.   She will always remember what happened on her 63rd birthday....and I know her heart aches for those lost that awful day.

Jan, have a happy day and I hope you win BIG at BINGO tonight !    Hugs to you....

 

September 11, 2001

Mary Teresa Caulfield~a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and an aunt was among those who lost their lives in the north tower of the World Trade Center that sunny & clear morning September 11, 2001.  She was an executive assistant working in her office at Marsh & McLennan, an insurance company.

                    

On September 11, 2002, one of my co-workers went to the Y before she came to work in the afternoon.  As she entered the Y, there was a table that held business size cards of tributes to the victims of 9-11-01.  Julia gathered up enough of them for those of us at work and when she came in she stopped at my desk first, and let me have my choice of "victim" cards.  I chose Mary Teresa Caulfield because she was very close to my age.    Mary Teresa...you would be 65 now, probably you'd be retired or planning retirement.  You'd perhaps be planning that trip you and your husband James always dreamed of taking.  But all those dreams were cut short in an instant by the senseless acts of a few.  A senseless act of hatred, that most of the people of this world can't even understand. 

Mary Teresa, I still carry that little green card with your name and the fact that you were confirmed dead in the World Trade Center that day~ that horrible day~09-11-2001.

To the family and friends of Mary Teresa.....please know that as long as I live, I will carry this card with me...I will pray that God continues to comfort you and bring you peace as the years go by.

May we never forget those who left us on that day. 

                                          

Tags: September 11 2001, Mary Teresa Caulfield

Mystery Blogger IV

So the news is out....I was indeed the Mystery Blogger IV posted by Donna at "This and that, and hockey." 

I love looking at all the pictures in my mom and dad's photo album....my dad left to go overseas (WWII)  in July 1942 when I was just 6 months old.  He returned just before I turned 4 years old.  My mother and all the relatives took a ga-zillion pictures of little Linda because her daddy was away and they all wanted to keep him updated. 

This picture was dated Christmas Day 1943....just a little over a week before my 2nd birthday. Mom must have taken me outside to take a couple pictures (no flash in those days) and then right back in.  This was taken at my grandparent's home (I posted that picture a week or so ago) and they lived in Sunnyside, Washington..which is on the east side of the state and really cold in December.   I noticed how mom had braided my hair.  I've always had a lot of hair and she loved fixing it in different styles when I was young.

        
Thank you mom for taking this picture, so dad could see what his little girl was doing on Christmas day...

Someone said in their comment they remember the old galvanized tubs.  I do too...they became "outdoor pools" on hot summer days.

I'm sure I speak for Donna, when I say thank you to all who ventured a guess.  Keep watching Donna's journal for the next "Mystery Blogger.

 

 

Tags: Mystery Blogger, World War II, Sunnyside WA, ironing

FINALLY~THE WOMAN'S REMOTE

                       

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Something Fun

Donna at "This and that, and hockey" has started something new.  Besides her beautiful tags and her own entries, she's started a new game of sorts...Mystery Blogger.  She's posting pictures of our friends here in AOL JLand and it's up to us to guess the identity of the Mystery Blogger.  I actually just guessed the identity of Mystery Blogger III.

But in order to make this successful, she need the readers to submit a picture of themselves along with 2 or 3 hints.  In other words, the game can't keep going if she has no pictures to post. 

So if you want to join in the fun, send Donna an email, with a picture from your younger days, along with 2 or three hints for the rest of us.   http://journals.aol.com/nightmaremom/Thisandthatandhockey/

We went somewhere today~

~but only for a few hours.  Today was free admission before noon day at the Fair!   We came by there last night on the way back from Enumclaw, where we'd gone to celebrate the birthday of one of Bob's sons-in-law.   It was all lit up and so inviting....but not open to the public yet.  But today it was...so we went to the local mall, parked the car and hopped on a bus that for $3 took us directly to the Fair grounds.  No parking hassels and no paying $10 to park and walk for blocks to get to the gate.

We didn't do much.....just kind of wandered around. Had some lunch and then we were back on the bus & leaving the Fair grounds at 3:30pm.  I needed to be home so I could take my darling grand daughter to an appointment late this afternoon. 

But, I have two discount admission tickets and we'll go again next week.  It was really crowded, with thousands taking advantage of the "free admission before noon on the first day."   After we go again, I'll share all my pictures.  But for now here are two....that I can't wait to show you. 

Aren't they cute?   There's a total of 8 piglets....There was another sow in the adjoining pen who is due next week.  She was all stretched out, sound asleep but her belly was moving like the waves on an ocean. 

this little guy was starting to wake up~truly a face only a mother could love.

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Food Friday

I didn't have a chance to post this entry this morning but it's still Friday here in Washington so here goes.   An easy one~

French's Crunchy Onion Chicken

1½ cups French's French Fried Onions, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken chests, 1 egg well beaten. 

Crush French's Fried Onions in a plastic bag.  Dip chicken into beaten egg, then coat in onion crumbs.  Bake at 400° for 20 minutes until cooked through.

Note; of course this could be done on a larger scale, by increasing all the ingredients.

Life Explained~

Thanks to a former co-worker Richard for this one;

On the first day, God created the dog and said: 

'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.' 

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?' 

So God agreed. 

On the second day, God created the monkey and said:

'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.' 

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?' 

And God agreed. 

On the third day, God created the cow and said: 

'You must go in to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family . For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.' 

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?' 

And God agreed again. 

On the fourth day, God created man and said: 

'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.' 

But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back,and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?' 

'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.' 

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone. 

Life has now been explained to you. 

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service. 

Tags: life explained

Teachers & Policeman

Thanks to my friend Candy for this one;

These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded (but, boy, are these funny!) 1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. 2. I would not allow this student to breed. 3. Your child has delusions of adequacy. 4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. 5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them. 6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together . 7. This child has been working with glue too much. 8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell. 9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming. 10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week. 11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others. 12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.     These 16 Police Comments were taken off actual police car videos around the country: 16 'You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through.' 15 'Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while.' 14 'If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document.' 13 'If you run, you'll only go to jail tired.' 12 'Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you.' 11 'You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?' 10 'Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?' 9 'Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket.' 8 'The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?' 7 'Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop.' 6 'Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven ' 5 'In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.' 4 'How big were those 'two beers' you say you had?' 3 'No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can.' 2 'I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.' AND THE WINNER IS.... 1 'You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign here.'

Tags: teachers, policeman

October Reader's Club

This being the first Wednesday of the month, was Reader's Club day at the local Round Table Pizza.  I was good going in~I took some books to leave for others...vowing I would not bring any home.  But then I was bad and went thru the books out on the table and brought about 8 of them home.  But, some are ones I thought Bob might like so they're not all for me.  I told my friend Jan, that I'm afraid before long, my floor may cave in with the weight of all these books.

 

Our guest local author was Susan Andersen.  She writes romance novels.  I went to a local used bookstore last week and got one of her books so I'd have it for today's meeting.  She graciously autographed my copy of her book "Baby, I'm Yours."  She has another book that came out earlier this year called "Cutting Loose."  One of the gals that shared our table had a copy of that book.  Susan stated that she is writing a trilogy, the first book "Bending the Rules" will be out in July 2009.  This trilogy will take place in Seattle.  Just like all the authors I've heard at these monthly meetings, Susan is a great down to earth gal.

Next month, New York Times Best Selling and local author Debbie Macomber will be the guest author and I will be in California~so will miss her.  I have read her latest hard cover book "Twenty Wishes" and and am presently reading the latest book in her Cedar Cove series " 8 Sandpiper Way".  I am sorry to be missing her appearance in October.  She's a delightful lady ! 

Tags: Round Table Pizza, Susan Andersen, Seattle, Debbie Macomber, 8 Sandpiper Way

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ONLY FOUR MORE DAYS.....

......until one of my favorite events begins.  The Puyallup Fair starts this Friday and runs thru 10pm Sunday September 21st.  I don't know which day we're going...since I've retired we just go when we feel like it and depending on the weather in the morning.  I know that this year there will only be one trip out there...what with my sore knee and trying to save $$ for the upcoming vacation...one trip will be enough. 

I have not missed a Fair since I was a little kid.  Even pregnancy and a new baby didn't keep me away.   When I was in high school, we'd report to our home rooms, attendance would be taken, they'd hand out our free tickets and then we'd be loaded on our regular school bus and taken to the Fair.   At a certain time, we'd go back to where the busses were parked, climb on and they'd take us home, along the regular route.

See the web site video for this years Puyallup Fair.  Y'all Come !!

http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/fair-experience/video.php

One of the old Fair pictures from my high school days.

By the way, for those of you new to my journal;

Puyallup, is a lovely little town very near to me, about a 15 minute drive~it's a farming community known for the growing of tulips & daffodils, among many other crops.  Puyallup was named after the Puyallup Tribe and means "the generous people."  It's pronounced; Pew-all-up

 

Tags: Puyallup Fair, high school, daffodils, tulips, Puyallup Tribe