Today was 46 degrees and sunny. We actually drove with windows down a little. Yesterday we woke up to snow. But the sun came out for a while. Larry rode his bike in the afternoon, it was 38 and came back frozen. Again the weather plays on our moods. But it turns out that my whining about the sun is not without cause. I found out 2 wks ago, I have a vitamin D deficiency. The best resource is sunshine, but when you are covered head to toe in clothes and the trees hide the sun when it's out, it's hard to get the benefits. So now I'm on 50,000+ units of vitamin D per week and we see if that helps. Larry said he wouldn't mind if I laid out naked when the sun does shine. But I'm afraid 1) that would not be very missionary like of me 2) I would probably scare every living thing in the Park between the super white and sagging skin.
We had our Washington grandchildren over the weekend, while Jodie & George went to Vegas. We had fun with them. We went to the zoo, had pizza, worked pruning the forest, lots of ferry rides, and just a good all around time.
We went to see our CPA about getting our taxes done. This is always scarey. Just a few notes for those of you thinking about a senior mission. If you rent your house out, you cannot claim your living expenses. Lucky for us that is not the case. Our return may trigger an audit because of the high amount in contributions. But our CPA said when they notice it's an LDS return, they know that the contributions are usually higher than the norm. I hope we don't get to experience that adventure though.
Thirteen month down five to go.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
One Year
I'm sitting by my dining room window. I think it's the first time in months that I've seen sunshine come through it. It feels wonderful. The temp is 48, but in front of the window it must be at least 50.
Saturday Jan 31 was our 39 wedding anniversary and we left Texas 1 year ago. In some ways the time has flown by, and in other ways it has drug by. We've had many wonderful experiences and many trials. But many of those trials are fading in time. Before we know it Aug will be here and we will be driving home.
Saturday Jan 31 was our 39 wedding anniversary and we left Texas 1 year ago. In some ways the time has flown by, and in other ways it has drug by. We've had many wonderful experiences and many trials. But many of those trials are fading in time. Before we know it Aug will be here and we will be driving home.
Friday, January 23, 2009
And the beat goes on
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.
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.
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
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