Monthly Archive for July, 2007

AAA to the rescue

Published
by
wiz
on July 25, 2007
in just me
. 2 Comments

I had a bit of an “adventure” yesterday.

I drove to Vancouver to meet Estelina for lunch and a walk. The weather was such that we were able to enjoy lunch outdoors. We then went for a walk on the grounds and in the woods. Very, very nice.

I departed with plenty of time to make it home to get to soccer camp which I needed to do because I had the campers’ snack in my van.

Traffic moved right along on I-5 and on the spur into Longview. As I turned onto Industrial Way, there was something in the intersection which I could not avoid. I ran over it though I could not even tell you what it was. It sounded horrible.

I made my way through Longview and waited what seemed like an inordinate long time at the signal to turn onto the bridge. Finally, a green light. Making the turn I knew something was wrong. I was able to pull off the road before the ramp to the bridge. Flat tire. Whatever I had run over damaged the tire. The long wait at the light was probably a very good thing; it gave the tire enough time to deflate to get my attention.

So! Whip out the emergency cell phone and AAA card. I had a tow truck there within an hour. The guy changed the tire but only after we had to use the van manual to find the spare. It was under the van between the two front seats. The spare is just a “limp along” tire to get you somewhere so you can fix the flat.

Enter Les Schwab Tire Center, a mere 1/4 mile away. I queued up with the seemingly masses of people there and awaited my turn. It was determined the tire was not fixable. That did not surprise me so I authorized two new tires and waited for the installation to be complete.

On the road again at 5:20. Snack time at soccer camp is 6:30. OK, I can make that without any crazy fast driving. And I did make it, with two minutes to spare. I did not stay at the field to do any admin work, I needed to go home, I was pooped.

What a day! But it will not ever deter me from making another whirlwind drive to Vancouver to visit with Estelina….

Super Hero Day

Published
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wiz
on July 19, 2007
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Once again, Jerry shows his prowess at creating a costume at the spur of the moment.

Today is Super Hero Day at camp. He started out with a cape. As Peggy and I were digging it out of the boys’ closet, she suggested Gabriel’s baldric and sword. Then I headed to the sewing room for a strip of black fabric with two eye holes. Find a black shirt, turn it inside out to hide the writing, cut the tag off; add black soccer shorts and referee socks (inside out to hide the stripes) and you have…..

ZORRO!!!

End of an era

Published
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wiz
on July 18, 2007
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Today is day three of soccer camp. Each day has a theme, today’s being Water Day. This means you dress up in whatever water-type array you wish. Jerry is fond of wearing his swim suit, goggles, and a shower cap. Many kids come in water wings or life jackets; most wear swim suits, some even wear flippers. (Have you ever tried playing soccer in flippers?!?) Snack is watermelon and the kids have a water fight with their brand new camp water bottles.

As Jerry and I prepped for today’s session, we remarked about the weather. It’s raining. Now, this is not an unusual thing in itself. However, in the 11 years of camp it has not rained on us. Sure, we’ve had cold days but no rain.

It is fitting weather for Water Day and a signal that it’s time to retire. I’m always looking for retirement signs. :) We have one more week then that’s it. It’s been a good run: great fun for kids and a huge fund raiser for the league.

Soccer–it’s a kick in the grass!!

Shopping!!

Published
by
wiz
on July 13, 2007
in just me
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Yesterday, Jerry had to go to Portland for meetings.  I figured I’d tag along to keep him company on the four hour round trip drive.  I would have about four hours to ‘waste’ while he was busy.

There is  a large shopping center a few miles from his meeting place so I headed there after dropping him off.  I had shopping list firmly in hand (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek) as I entered the mall.  First stop, the book store.  Nothing on my list but I can not pass up a book store.  I did a little impulse shopping, buying two bookmarks.

I wandered the mall and completed my wanderings in one hour.  I am not a shopper.   I bought a cup of coffee and settled into an overstuffed chair and listened to my ROTK book on my iPod.  Very handy little thing, my iPod.  I think it saved my sanity yesterday.

Lunch time rolled around and I went in search of food.  Did I mention the mall was  under major remodeling so there were not any eateries; the food court was non-existent.  I had passed a grocery store on the way to the mall so I popped in there for food.  And, oh, I can be a cheap date!  I hit the deli counter first: one slice of cheese and one slice of turkey.  The bakery was next: one roll.  Lunch cost me $1.70.  I had water in the car for my beverage.  I found a shady spot to park and ate my lunch then headed back to the office.

I was early so I got out my book, The Silmarillion,  walked across the street from the office and parked my bum on the shaded grass and read.  The temperature was probably in the 80s but there was a nice breeze so it was pleasant.  Jerry came out after a bit and we headed home.

If it were not for the four hours with Jerry, the day would have been a total waste.

Heat wave

Published
by
wiz
on July 11, 2007
in family
. 4 Comments

Not an original title but an accurate one nonetheless.

Yesterday, it was 80* at 10:00 in the morning; at 5:00 it was still over 90*. Way too hot for me. I was wilting all afternoon. I drank so much ice water I got my exercise making potty stops!

The pool was utilized and pictures were even taken. However, Peggy brought the camera down to her room last night to take knitting pictures (you have to go to her site and see the masterpieces she creates!!) so the swimming pics are still on her camera.

It didn’t cool down for bedtime. There had been a slight breeze in the evening but that died down making the air so still and stifling. Even after taking a cold shower, I was still steaming as I crawled into bed. I had taken the flannel sheets off knowing they would be far too much for the night. The cool cotton sheets were nice for about five seconds. I got out of bed, wandered downstairs where it was cooler and seriously considered sleeping down there but decided not to. On the way back to my room, I stopped off in the kitchen and filled an ice bag with ice and water. In bed, as I sat reading, I had the bag smack on top of my head in an attempt to cool me down. It helped a little bit.

All the windows in the house were wide open. About 10:00 the breeze finally returned. Of course, that made for doors wiggling in the wind and making racket. As it cooled down, I had to hunt up the blankets that had been unceremoniously strewn off the foot of the bed. Not a lot of sleep last night.

It’s cool and foggy right now. Another hot day is forecast….

Time flies

Published
by
wiz
on July 10, 2007
in family
. 5 Comments

Thirty one years ago today, I stood amidst the trees of the University of Washington Arboretum wearing a handmade, hand embroidered (by me!) dress. Beside me stood Jerry in a matching shirt. We were wedded among family and friends.

Through the years, our anniversary celebrations have varied but we hit upon a “keeper” about 20 years ago: a traditional lobster picnic at the beach. We have procured the lively lobster in a number of ways. A local grocery store had a live tank but that only lasted once or twice. Then the local fish market was able to get lobsters for us with a bit of notice. That fell through and we resorted to Jerry having the distribution part of the company special order the bugs. We utilized that source for a few years then another local store opened with a live tank. Perfect!! That was our source and we could get the bugs when we wanted them.

Yesterday was the planned day for the picnic. I drove across town and the store no longer had a live tank with lobster. So we did our picnic with all the fixings except the lobster. Did we go hungry? Not even close!

We went to Ecola State Park and feasted in the sunshine. The fog bank was hanging just off the rocks and was great to see it swirling about. We then drove to Indian Beach, the north part of the park, and walked the beach. Having worked up an appetite (ha!) we went into Cannon Beach and treated ourselves to ice cream. It was still relatively early so we stopped at the Lewis and Clark Salt Works in Seaside then walked to the beach. Lots of folks on the beach! We talked of how people come here for vacation, and we live here!!

Barney and Heather gave us a wooden plaque a while back and it states: If you are lucky enough to live at the beach, then you are lucky enough.  So true.

After a ‘light’ supper at Dooger’s, we headed home. We arrived in time to give good night kisses and hugs to the Hobbitses. From what their mom said, they had a very ‘water’ day. Chances are they will again today. The temps are supposed to be in the 80s.

Fourth of July

Published
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wiz
on July 5, 2007
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The day broke brightly; the sun streaming through dirty windows. “I really should wash them,” I thought. However, the coffee sipping sounded better.

Jerry was at work early for a few hours and Peggy and Gabriel were up relatively early. The three of us were in the front room visiting. Nikolai came up about 8:00 but does he want his usual ‘good morning’ hug and snuggle?? No! He is excited: There is a doe and fawn in the back yard. He awoke, looked out his window, and there they were. He was thrilled! So we sat and watched the fawn nurse then gambol on the lawn. Pretty darn cute. Jerry came home shortly thereafter but missed the show.

First major project of the day? The swimming pool needed emptying, cleaning, then refilling. As that chore went on, I made brownies. As the boys played in the clean, cold water of the pool, Gabriel had a meltdown so he was removed and brought indoors, much to his dismay, anger, chagrin? He was mad! He finally calmed down aided extensively by his dear mother.

A yummy lunch was had with brownies for dessert, a special treat. Jerry took his nap, then the boys went downstairs for their quiet time. It was still very sunny and warm. It got up into the 70’s; not seemingly warm for the world but for here, that’s a rare summer day. After an hour of napping, I woke Jerry and we headed to the beach for a walk. The tide was rather high so we had to contend with the drivers on the beach but a pleasant walk nonetheless.

Back to the house to lounge in the sun. But, oh! Sunscreen was applied too late! Jerry and I both burned in the course of the day. Hence to cool off, we climbed into the pool! Alas, no kids to play with. Nikolai did come out but Gabriel continued to sleep. Jerry finally complained enough that he should be out there with us that Peggy woke him. The two of them came out in swimming suits. The whole family had a splashing good time. No pictures, of course, as we were all wet.

Jerry BBQed burgers for dinner with a special requested Jello for dessert. Two desserts in one day?!? Very special indeed. No need to stay up for fireworks, we would hear them as we snuggled in our beds. The sun drained the adults’ energy, well, the old generation of adults, so sleep came quickly.

A fun, busy, family day.

old folks redux

Published
by
wiz
on July 1, 2007
in family
. 1 Comment

Jerry and I had a pleasant trip to the Big City. We were able to leave home a bit earlier than expected and took a different route that put us on the interstate quicker so we had time to stop for a nice lunch on the way north.

The day was warm and after a quick ‘hi’ to my folks, Jerry planned to head off to the zoo to pass the afternoon. I was planning to take Mom out for coffee and a good chat. Didn’t happen that way. Daddy wanted to go shopping. Jerry did go to the zoo while I took the folks shopping for a new, different style of walker for Daddy. He found one that would serve but did not want to make the purchase as he does not need it yet. Mom looked at me pointedly and so I voiced the fact that he would be needing it and I was here with the van to easily transport it back to the Home. He relented without much arguing.

Then it was off to Office Max. I followed their directions and ended up going east on 45th instead of west. After some time they said if I’ve passed over the freeway, I’ve gone too far. Well, we were going away from the freeway and they realized I had been given wrong directions. You must understand, I have not lived in Seattle for over 30 years. Anyway, we found the store but I knew Daddy would not find what he was looking for…and he didn’t. I started to suggest another store and Mom again looked pointedly at me and shook her head. So I followed her lead and clammed up.

Back to the Home to go over paper work. It turns out some papers that they thought I had have never been filled out and/or filed anywhere. So they’ll contact a lawyer (grandson Matt) and get that going. In the meantime, I can do nothing as the paperwork is sequential.

We went out for Chinese food for dinner. It was barely 5:00 so we beat the rush which was good as we had a ferry to catch. After dropping the folks off at the Home, we headed through town to the terminal. The day was gorgeous and warm. The hour ferry ride was delightful. However, it did take a wee bit longer than the hour. As we approached the shipping channel in the Sound, a container ship was steaming north from Tacoma. They obviously have the right of way over a ferry so we had to slow down to allow them room to pass. That was kind of fun.

We moteled in Bremerton then hit the back roads home. We came upon a driving range and as we had our golf clubs, we stopped and each hit a bucket of balls. Then down the road again, stopping for lunch in a little town and ice cream in the next little town.

All in all, a pleasant two days.