January has settled down, no more snow, no rain or flooding, but lots of fog. And when it's cold it doesn't burn off. I talk about the weather alot...It really does effect your moods. When it's dark and dreary all the time, your mood goes along with it. Even Festina acted sick. I was starting to worry that she was realy sick, except she still had a good appetite. We had a work group last saturday until noon. We then took off to go to Jodie's for the weekend. Seattle actually had sun and until we were about a mile from Jodies, then we hit fog again. I was really cold and was dreaming of a steaming tubby.
The boys all went to the Monster Truck thing. Us girls went to Olive Garden for endless salad, soup & bread sticks. Sunday brought sunshine, cold but sunny. And our moods got sunny again. We stayed outside as long as possible to soak in the rays. Festina's step had more spring in it too. We also stayed Sunday nite...MLK holiday so we could see George and the kids more Too. Monday we all went to the movies and saw Hotel for Dogs...it was fun. Later that afternoon back to Vashon and our little house at the big park. And yeas we hit fog again, today is the first day we have not been socked in. But our 2 days in sunshine is still working.
Tomorrow we go help the Grant's move into their new home in Bremerton. they left to return to AZ in Dec, the end of their mission, but they love Washington. There is talk of snow, just a little tiny bit.....we'll see.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
A New Year
December was an exciting month......not always fun but something always happening. As the news stated, Seattle had more snow than in decades. We decided to leave Vashon Island a few days earlier than planned for Jodie's. The 18th had a "good" snow . We kept hearing about the ice and road problems in Seattle, 2 buses tried to fly off the road down 20-30 ft onto the freeway. The pictures looked like something out of a action movie. They were talking about high winds and so on. We left for Jodie's 12/20. The interstate was clear, but the main roads were bad and the small neighborhood streets almost impassable. More snow was expected that evening. It came, and kept on coming thru Christmas.
Ever try to push a shopping cart in a parking lot with 5 inches of snow. Walking was a hazard. We read alot, worked lots of jig saw puzzles, played in the snow...ate. Something about cold weather and being stuck inside makes you think of baking bread...not to mention Christmas goodies. A part of our many waits, was for the delivery of the Honey Baked Ham from my sister. It was sent 12/16/08, it arrived 6:30 pm 12/24/08. Yes it was still good.
We came back to Morningside Farm 12/26. Not sure what we would find after all the snow. We found lots of snow, and it's a good thing we have 4 wheel drive, we have a .5 mile drive down a dirt road, not to mention another mlie of nonplowed road before that. A few fences were brought down by tree branches. But all building and our 5th wheel were all ok.
12/27 we went to Point Defiance Zoo Lights. It was a fun side trip.
1/4/09 brought more snow.. We were at the Branch Presidents for dinner, none of us realized how much it had snowed, the 10 mile drive home was a bit stressful. 1 we weren't sure how to get to the main road and the gps couldn't find the satellite. We did make it home, an hour later the power was gone, along with phones and DSL. Ever try to sleep with the loud hum of a generator...then the rain. Snow starts melting and falling off the trees over the 5th wheel..
GRRRRRRRRR, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, GRRRRRRRRRR. Well I didn't. And then the rains kept coming down. We are high enough and avoided flooding, but much of Washington is under water.
Today its foggy and drizzling, we were going to Jodies. On our trip to the ferry the water pump in our truck died, along with the brakes and steering. Good thing we have AAA. We are just waiting for the estimate. We have been blessed many times......I could have been driving when this happened, we could have been on the ferry or worse yet on the freeway. We do have use of the park truck, but we don't trust it too far.
But all is well.......we haven't started growing gills yet.
Ever try to push a shopping cart in a parking lot with 5 inches of snow. Walking was a hazard. We read alot, worked lots of jig saw puzzles, played in the snow...ate. Something about cold weather and being stuck inside makes you think of baking bread...not to mention Christmas goodies. A part of our many waits, was for the delivery of the Honey Baked Ham from my sister. It was sent 12/16/08, it arrived 6:30 pm 12/24/08. Yes it was still good.
We came back to Morningside Farm 12/26. Not sure what we would find after all the snow. We found lots of snow, and it's a good thing we have 4 wheel drive, we have a .5 mile drive down a dirt road, not to mention another mlie of nonplowed road before that. A few fences were brought down by tree branches. But all building and our 5th wheel were all ok.
12/27 we went to Point Defiance Zoo Lights. It was a fun side trip.
1/4/09 brought more snow.. We were at the Branch Presidents for dinner, none of us realized how much it had snowed, the 10 mile drive home was a bit stressful. 1 we weren't sure how to get to the main road and the gps couldn't find the satellite. We did make it home, an hour later the power was gone, along with phones and DSL. Ever try to sleep with the loud hum of a generator...then the rain. Snow starts melting and falling off the trees over the 5th wheel..
GRRRRRRRRR, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, GRRRRRRRRRR. Well I didn't. And then the rains kept coming down. We are high enough and avoided flooding, but much of Washington is under water.
Today its foggy and drizzling, we were going to Jodies. On our trip to the ferry the water pump in our truck died, along with the brakes and steering. Good thing we have AAA. We are just waiting for the estimate. We have been blessed many times......I could have been driving when this happened, we could have been on the ferry or worse yet on the freeway. We do have use of the park truck, but we don't trust it too far.
But all is well.......we haven't started growing gills yet.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Cold Days and Snow
Well the weatherman was almost right. We did get the cold and snow but a day later than predicted. We woke Sunday morning to snow, not alot at Morningside Farm (we are right on the coast) but more as we got to Snohomish. WE went to Jodie's after church. We had to watch out for icy roads, the temp was in the 20's. Festina really likes the snow, she stays out longer than we want and romps around. Monday we went Christmas shopping. We went toUniversity Village, it's alot like South Lake Town Center. Again it was about 30 degrees, but the sun was shining and bright, the first time we had seen it in weeks.
When we got home about 6pm Larry noticed at once the lights weren't on....the power was out! And then our water froze. Larry started up the generators and the rest of the night had the loud hum of power. The noise was tolerable since my little trailer home was warm and my electric mattress pad was working.
Tuesday moring saw the power restored, but extremely cold, too cold to work outside. We went into Vashon that evening to go to the movies. The Island has a theater built in 1947 and has been restored, although the sound system is not dolby. It didn't quite do 007 justice but it was fun .
Yesterday was warmer, 37, Larry took out more fence and burned more. I stayed in and wrapped presents and putter around, as much as you can putter around a 5th wheel. Larry came and got me and we went to the game room or a few games of pool. The gameroom used to be a garage, no heat, no insulation but a very used pool table. Larry found a couple of portable heaters and wearing several layers we had fun. Ever shoot pool wearing gloves. I didn't play any worse than usual.
We woke up to more snow this morning. This evening we were going into Tacoma for the Zoo Lights. But this trip is postponed until tomorrow or Saturday. Larry has the intestinal thing I had last Saturday. I guest just about everybody has had it by now.
We are planning on going to Jodie's on Monday and stay through Christmas. May everyone have a wonderful Holiday and remember what the real reason for the season is, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
When we got home about 6pm Larry noticed at once the lights weren't on....the power was out! And then our water froze. Larry started up the generators and the rest of the night had the loud hum of power. The noise was tolerable since my little trailer home was warm and my electric mattress pad was working.
Tuesday moring saw the power restored, but extremely cold, too cold to work outside. We went into Vashon that evening to go to the movies. The Island has a theater built in 1947 and has been restored, although the sound system is not dolby. It didn't quite do 007 justice but it was fun .
Yesterday was warmer, 37, Larry took out more fence and burned more. I stayed in and wrapped presents and putter around, as much as you can putter around a 5th wheel. Larry came and got me and we went to the game room or a few games of pool. The gameroom used to be a garage, no heat, no insulation but a very used pool table. Larry found a couple of portable heaters and wearing several layers we had fun. Ever shoot pool wearing gloves. I didn't play any worse than usual.
We woke up to more snow this morning. This evening we were going into Tacoma for the Zoo Lights. But this trip is postponed until tomorrow or Saturday. Larry has the intestinal thing I had last Saturday. I guest just about everybody has had it by now.
We are planning on going to Jodie's on Monday and stay through Christmas. May everyone have a wonderful Holiday and remember what the real reason for the season is, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Half way to Christmas
The wind is starting to kick up and the weather people say a big cold snap and storm is supposed to be coming in. Freezing temperatures are predicted and maybe snow. But I distrust the weather reports here more than in Texas. Larry tried to ride is bike today, he got all bundled up and stepped out but between the wind and rain he changed his mind about riding.
I worked hard to get my Christmas cards ready and sent out early, along with our Christmas gifts to Texas. The USPS has been pretty good here, so I sent out the box Priority on Dec 1. Well as of today it is missing in action......they have no idea where it is. So today I remailed the gifts, they do know it's a check...but they don't know how much, just not the extra goodies. Maybe they'll show up sometime.
The Grants (the co missionaries at the park) finished their mission and went home on the 3rd. It's just us here at the park now. The hillside I started clearing 2 months ago is scrub brush free and now I'm clearing Scotch Broom. Soon more blackberry bushes will meet their maker. Larry has been cleaning and clearing. He's removed alot of fencing and trees. We have had alot of "campfires".
We picked/cut a tree for Christmas, our home doesn't one inside, but we have a 12 foot one just out side our door. It took cutting a couple before with got the right one. Part of our cleanup is thinning some of the over growth of trees.
This week we got to see Glenn Beck's The Christmas Sweater. What a treat for us. I've been a fan for 5 years and Larry since reading An Inconvenient Book last year. Early the next morning we were off to the Seattle Stake center to help set up for the Nativity Program. It gave me ideas for next year. As I said no room in the 5th wheel for decorations.
Well hopefully one of these giant trees doesn't fall on us and the power stays on
Merry Christmas everyone
I worked hard to get my Christmas cards ready and sent out early, along with our Christmas gifts to Texas. The USPS has been pretty good here, so I sent out the box Priority on Dec 1. Well as of today it is missing in action......they have no idea where it is. So today I remailed the gifts, they do know it's a check...but they don't know how much, just not the extra goodies. Maybe they'll show up sometime.
The Grants (the co missionaries at the park) finished their mission and went home on the 3rd. It's just us here at the park now. The hillside I started clearing 2 months ago is scrub brush free and now I'm clearing Scotch Broom. Soon more blackberry bushes will meet their maker. Larry has been cleaning and clearing. He's removed alot of fencing and trees. We have had alot of "campfires".
We picked/cut a tree for Christmas, our home doesn't one inside, but we have a 12 foot one just out side our door. It took cutting a couple before with got the right one. Part of our cleanup is thinning some of the over growth of trees.
This week we got to see Glenn Beck's The Christmas Sweater. What a treat for us. I've been a fan for 5 years and Larry since reading An Inconvenient Book last year. Early the next morning we were off to the Seattle Stake center to help set up for the Nativity Program. It gave me ideas for next year. As I said no room in the 5th wheel for decorations.
Well hopefully one of these giant trees doesn't fall on us and the power stays on
Merry Christmas everyone
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Fall
Fall is really here now. The trees were beautiful, and soon the earth and roads were also colorful. Here at the park having lots of golden leaves on the ground means few fir needles tracked into the house. But for others raking and blowing them out of the streets and drains is a real chore. It rained pretty heavily this week and resulted in a lot of flooding. (But doesn't always rain a lot in the Northwest?)
Since it was raining on our Pday Larry didn't get to go for a bicycle ride in Snohomish as planned. We instead went out to breakfast with Jodie and then drove out to see Cascade Park. We were told they had moved one of the sheds down a hill and we wanted to see. The Stillaguamish River was higher than when we were there during the spring thaw and rains. Other than that much had not changed since we were there 'til July. I can say Morningside Farm has had many improvements since July though.
A couple of weeks ago we went to the zoo again. This time we saw more animals than last time. The elephants put on a big show that had numerous people from all over the park running to see what was up. Apparently that morning before the beasts were let into the enclosure, the zoo keepers rearranged the grounds and the elephants let them know they were not happy. They wer growling, trumpeting, running around, throwing and hitting things.
All is well. I have to end and greet people coming in to serve, and get them started. Larry and I am in charge today. Our co-missionaries leave 12/3/08 and we will be on our own until 8/09
Since it was raining on our Pday Larry didn't get to go for a bicycle ride in Snohomish as planned. We instead went out to breakfast with Jodie and then drove out to see Cascade Park. We were told they had moved one of the sheds down a hill and we wanted to see. The Stillaguamish River was higher than when we were there during the spring thaw and rains. Other than that much had not changed since we were there 'til July. I can say Morningside Farm has had many improvements since July though.
A couple of weeks ago we went to the zoo again. This time we saw more animals than last time. The elephants put on a big show that had numerous people from all over the park running to see what was up. Apparently that morning before the beasts were let into the enclosure, the zoo keepers rearranged the grounds and the elephants let them know they were not happy. They wer growling, trumpeting, running around, throwing and hitting things.
All is well. I have to end and greet people coming in to serve, and get them started. Larry and I am in charge today. Our co-missionaries leave 12/3/08 and we will be on our own until 8/09
Friday, October 24, 2008
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....
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....
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
