Downs and Ups

We have had a variety of experiences the last week+. The 15th we took our Pday. What a disappointment. We left for the ferry and after waiting until it should have left, we were told the ferry was broke down and didn't know when it would be running again. Although all our planned activities were in Tacoma, we opted to get off Island via the other ferry. This added 40 miles to our day and leaving later. We planned the Glass and State Museums. On our way, less than 1/4 mile from the museums we were stopped by a monster train, that actually stopped blocking the road. After 10-15 minutes it starte moving again. Then there is no seeable parking for our hugh truck. We did find a garage we would fit in and had to pay for 4 hours. The Glass Museum was not worth the $$$ or time. Grapevine has a better exhibit by the train station. At this point we opt out of the State Museum. It was late and we were hungry. We did have a great steak for dinner and caught the Tacoma ferry. But apparently if had been closed until shortly before we got there. I would have hated to add another 40 miles to total trip that should have been about 20.
Saturday we attended a Fireside presented by Gladys Knight and SUV. What a spiritual uplift. The music was great (I've ordered CD's) The testimonies we heartfelt and touching. If you have this fireside come to your area, do what you can to bring a non memeber or less active. We went to a local diner for dinner following. We immediately ran into a pair of senior missionaries. We ordered our meal and soon more elders appeared, with investigators. They invited us to jion them. Soon more elders appeared. I had one of the investigators sitting by me, he said he wasn't quite ready for baptism as he still had some questions, but several times stated he wanted to go on a mission. I said he just needed that immersion in the Waters. What a great night that was.
This Wednesday we leaft early for our Pday. We took a drive, thank goodness diesel prices are down. We caught the ferry early and headed for Port Townsend. We crossed the Hood Canal , too bad it was foggy and didn't see anything. We took the Port Townsend ferry to Whidbey Island. What a beatiful cruise. Stopped a the oint Deception State Park for pictures and a 2 mile hike to the bridge. We headed to Mt Vernon, then Jodies for an hour. We picked up our dog Festina for a short visit. We do miss having her around all the time. We made the Seattle ferry timely. As bad as our previous pday was this one was good.
Now off to the dentist, I had a crown fall off last night....

9 Months Done

We have been gone 9.5 months now. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we've been gone that long, and then at other times it seems like forever. Maybe because some how we missed summer. We had spring come in late July and now it's feeling like winter. 40s-50s brrrrrr

The driveway has been completed. All the bricks cleaned and relayed. I have been filling days weed wacking and mowing...105 acres requires alot of that. Soon I'm going to tackle blackberry brushes.

Last week we took the Island Elders to transfer day. That is always a great feeling being around all the Seattle Mission missionaries. It also gives me a chance to go to Deseret Book and spend a small fortune. Larry and I get alot a reading in, and I get books on cd from the library and I listen to them while working.

Saturday the Seattle Stake youth came to do a service project. 75 kids and adults can move alot of brush. We found the earth that has been covered for years with ivy and berries and a road was recovered from nature gone wild. Its amazing what fun work can be.

We went to Black Angus with Jodie and family for my birthday. We really wanted a Salt Grass ribeye, but this should hold us for a while. I got my rubber boots (polka dotted), a big fluffy robe and slippers to match. Everything I wished for.

Tomorrow we are going to the Glass Museum in Tacoma for our pday. Again being a senior couple has it's privileges.