We have have adventures our last 2 p days. Last week we took off to Seattle. We parked near Safeco Field about 9am. Then we hiked it to Pike's Place Market, about a mile. It's a walk through downtown Seattle. Some the the scenery and odors are not pleasant, but most of the trip has interesting shops, eateries and people to watch. We explored several shops at the market that we had not been too before, we bought an apple fritter and piroshky. The foods are multinational and they all smell and look good. It's hard to choose. I bought a large bouquet of colorful Dalia's. Pike's Place always has the prettiest flowers at a price you can't believe. My flowers were $4 and decorated my little space for a week.
We walked back to Safeco about noon. The Texas Rangers were playing the Mariners at 1:40pm. The stadium is beautiful, but not as nice as the stadium in Arlington, we wouldn't be prejudice would we. But I can say Seattle's idea of a family 4 pack isn't the same as Texas, but then again everything is bigger in Texas. Unfortunately the Rangers lost the game, but at least it was a good one. (We kindof thought we might lose since Kevin Millwood was pitching)
This weeks p day was a trip to the Puyallup Fair. We were told it was a nice fair, the best in the area. I can agree with the recommendation. We had a good time. They put alot of food and exhibits in the the acreage. I can alot say we sampled a variety of the fair fare. An elephant ear, scone with raspberry jam, BBQ, pecan pie, soda and a corndog that Larry said was the worst he ever ate (and Larry used to claim there was never a bad hot dog) Other than the dog it was great. I got my hand mink oiled, ring cleaned, tried dips, looked at livestock, watch a man being shot out of a cannon and various fair stuff. But while strolling Larry spied the Giant Slingshot thrill ride. Not that we wanted the thrill, but his cousin Melvin owns one and goes to various fairs with it. And low and behold it was his. We met up and visited for a while. Who would have thought that us from Texas and him from Idaho running into each other in Puyallup, Washington. All in all we had a great day.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Life on Vashon Island hasn't changed much. Larry usually works on the roof all day and I clean pavers for a few hours. One day a week I go and weedwack. I'm currently trying to find the gazebo by the former pond (a big hole).
We went to the Point Defiance Zoo with Jodie and the kids. We have a grandparents membership and can take up to 5 grand kids for a year.. It's a little zoo, if you compare it to San Diego or even Ft. Worth. But the exhibits they have are nice. It's close to the ferry and parking is free. I think we will go a few times. I enjoyed the puffins and walrus'.
Larry got a new bicycle and has been riding several days a week. The island has lots of hills. It's really working him out. My exercise is lifting those pavers from the ground, wire brushing them and stacking them on pallets.
It rained on Larry's birthday, nothing new here, but he still managed to get a good bike ride in with George. Der wiener dogs for the birthday lunch and Diary Queen.
We have wild blue and blackberries at the park. They aren't real sweet, but when you add pectin and sugar to make jam it's pretty good. The park also has an apple and pear orchard. The Asian pears are ripe, but the apples are still a little "green"
Larry smoked a brisket on Labor day and we shared with the other park missionary couple, the local Elders and a couple of other members. Larry out did his self with the "Q" and potato salad. The feast included an apple/pear/blackberry cobbler assembled by me. We have also enjoyed the leftovers.
The weather has been cool 50's-60's. If this was the August temps, I hate to think what fall and winter will bring. We try to enjoy the sun when it peeks through the trees. The humidity has increased and everything stays damp, I wash more frequently just to dry the towels. The Texas heat will initially probably kill us after 2 Washington summers, but as crazy as it sounds we look forward to the heat.
We went to the Point Defiance Zoo with Jodie and the kids. We have a grandparents membership and can take up to 5 grand kids for a year.. It's a little zoo, if you compare it to San Diego or even Ft. Worth. But the exhibits they have are nice. It's close to the ferry and parking is free. I think we will go a few times. I enjoyed the puffins and walrus'.
Larry got a new bicycle and has been riding several days a week. The island has lots of hills. It's really working him out. My exercise is lifting those pavers from the ground, wire brushing them and stacking them on pallets.
It rained on Larry's birthday, nothing new here, but he still managed to get a good bike ride in with George. Der wiener dogs for the birthday lunch and Diary Queen.
We have wild blue and blackberries at the park. They aren't real sweet, but when you add pectin and sugar to make jam it's pretty good. The park also has an apple and pear orchard. The Asian pears are ripe, but the apples are still a little "green"
Larry smoked a brisket on Labor day and we shared with the other park missionary couple, the local Elders and a couple of other members. Larry out did his self with the "Q" and potato salad. The feast included an apple/pear/blackberry cobbler assembled by me. We have also enjoyed the leftovers.
The weather has been cool 50's-60's. If this was the August temps, I hate to think what fall and winter will bring. We try to enjoy the sun when it peeks through the trees. The humidity has increased and everything stays damp, I wash more frequently just to dry the towels. The Texas heat will initially probably kill us after 2 Washington summers, but as crazy as it sounds we look forward to the heat.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The Vashon Life
I've sitting here for a couple hours trying to add up receipts for tax time next year but I can't seem to focus on them.
The morning started out rainy, but stopped as soon as we cancelled our morning walk to get he newspaper. 1 hour with The Doctrine & Covenants and Larry off to work on the roof of the manor house. While looking for the receipts I got distracted with a couple of Chris Daughtry videos. Then I looked up Kelly's blog, then Jodies, Jennifers, & rebeccas.
Jodie and family were coming out, but then decided not to because of the rain, it was pouring there, then I called back to say it was now beautiful here. They are now coming again. Hopefully the rain will stay away.
I have traveled off the island a few times. We are at the mercy of the ferries, boats not winged creatures. On our p day this week we ventured to see a cpa, visited Carl's Jr and waited for the 12:50 ferry, only that ferry only runs on the weekends and actually had to wait for the 2:40. We wandered Tacoma for a bit. We did see some dolphins on our trip back. We have to have a lot of patience with these trips. I crochet and Larry brings a book. The boat trip itself is 15-20 minutes, but the waiting in line, boarding and unboarding adds to the time.
We went to dinner in town, people watching here is interesting. We were told people here are a little different. They are often referred to as hippies. It is kind of a flash back to the 60's. There are stores for most of our needs, if you don't mind paying a bit more, but if you add the ferry fees and time, I guess it's worth the extra $$.
The big project here now is getting the roof on the manor house, garage and pool completed before the heavy fall rains come. I'm still cleaning pavers and will be for a while yet.
The morning started out rainy, but stopped as soon as we cancelled our morning walk to get he newspaper. 1 hour with The Doctrine & Covenants and Larry off to work on the roof of the manor house. While looking for the receipts I got distracted with a couple of Chris Daughtry videos. Then I looked up Kelly's blog, then Jodies, Jennifers, & rebeccas.
Jodie and family were coming out, but then decided not to because of the rain, it was pouring there, then I called back to say it was now beautiful here. They are now coming again. Hopefully the rain will stay away.
I have traveled off the island a few times. We are at the mercy of the ferries, boats not winged creatures. On our p day this week we ventured to see a cpa, visited Carl's Jr and waited for the 12:50 ferry, only that ferry only runs on the weekends and actually had to wait for the 2:40. We wandered Tacoma for a bit. We did see some dolphins on our trip back. We have to have a lot of patience with these trips. I crochet and Larry brings a book. The boat trip itself is 15-20 minutes, but the waiting in line, boarding and unboarding adds to the time.
We went to dinner in town, people watching here is interesting. We were told people here are a little different. They are often referred to as hippies. It is kind of a flash back to the 60's. There are stores for most of our needs, if you don't mind paying a bit more, but if you add the ferry fees and time, I guess it's worth the extra $$.
The big project here now is getting the roof on the manor house, garage and pool completed before the heavy fall rains come. I'm still cleaning pavers and will be for a while yet.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
One Week Later
Well we've been at Morningside Farm for a week now. I like to say we are still trying to get our sea legs since we are on an island. This Park is pretty big and it's taking us a while to figure out where things are and what to do. Not that there isn't alot that needs to be done.
At this time Larry is helping Elder Grant with reroofing the main house. Red tile is being removed and replaced with a steel one. Larry will have scars to remember his work. He basically sliced off most of a knuckle yesterday. I added super glue to my shopping list, It may come in handy in place of sutures. I have been cleaning (wire brush) paving bricks so that they can be set again.
I know where the post office and grocery store is. I went on a 2 block adventure to a lavendar farm and cut a bouquet. I've been to the local dump for recycling (we don't have trash service). Larry did get our direct tv set up for the comforts of home.
Everyday is an adventure and we try to enjoy it.
At this time Larry is helping Elder Grant with reroofing the main house. Red tile is being removed and replaced with a steel one. Larry will have scars to remember his work. He basically sliced off most of a knuckle yesterday. I added super glue to my shopping list, It may come in handy in place of sutures. I have been cleaning (wire brush) paving bricks so that they can be set again.
I know where the post office and grocery store is. I went on a 2 block adventure to a lavendar farm and cut a bouquet. I've been to the local dump for recycling (we don't have trash service). Larry did get our direct tv set up for the comforts of home.
Everyday is an adventure and we try to enjoy it.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A New Adventure
Tuesday we got the call that we were being transferred. All the major work at Cascade Park is basically done and we are needed elsewhere. We are moving to Morningside Farm on Vashon Island. Where Cascade Parke was one of the least developed parks in the system, Morningside Farm is one of the most developed. There are major repairs in process and we are to work on this now.
We look forward to the change, although we may not be able to see Jodie and family as much. We must take a ferry to get to the island as there are no bridges. We need to rework our budget and hopefully our truck will squeak into the 20' space to allow a few monthly trips. I've been told it's so beautiful that they will want to come and visit us.
The property used to be a horse ranch and was given to the church upon the death of the owners. It currently is not open for use until the improvements are completed. To see more on the property go to lds.org. Look under a-z, then "c" for camps, then western properties, then northwest. In the general paragraph click on propery. It will bring up all the Puget Sound properties, click on Morningside Farm and you will see about all that we currently know.
Initially they wanted us to leave asap, but when I said Kelly was coming this weekend we are now leaving Monday or Tuesday. So until then we are going to enjoy our visit with family.
Our new address is POB 13410 Burton Wa 98013
We look forward to the change, although we may not be able to see Jodie and family as much. We must take a ferry to get to the island as there are no bridges. We need to rework our budget and hopefully our truck will squeak into the 20' space to allow a few monthly trips. I've been told it's so beautiful that they will want to come and visit us.
The property used to be a horse ranch and was given to the church upon the death of the owners. It currently is not open for use until the improvements are completed. To see more on the property go to lds.org. Look under a-z, then "c" for camps, then western properties, then northwest. In the general paragraph click on propery. It will bring up all the Puget Sound properties, click on Morningside Farm and you will see about all that we currently know.
Initially they wanted us to leave asap, but when I said Kelly was coming this weekend we are now leaving Monday or Tuesday. So until then we are going to enjoy our visit with family.
Our new address is POB 13410 Burton Wa 98013
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunny Days
Summer has finally come to Cascade Park....for a few weeks. We are both getting good farmer's tans, if you think a farmer tan is good. Our vegetable garden has started growing and there is hope that we may actually have green beans and corn.
The infamous bathroom was completed and authorized to use on July4th, and our first young womens was July 7th. I can say everyone was glad to see them done.
We did manage to survive our first camp, and just 3 more to go in the next 5 weeks. It is fun to have the girls here. We have been told the Park looks the best it ever has. They aren't used to seeing it so manicured.
I house sat for Jodie while they went on vacation. I commuted everyday to work at the park. But Pesto their dog became very sick during that time. He has us worried, but he is doing much better now.
Jeanna had a swim meet and we were able to watch her come in with 2 first's and 3 seconds. She is so much like her mother, a little slow on the starts but really fast once started.
We have a mother deer and 2 babies that comes into camp once or twice a day. She was originally lame, but is walking only with a slight limp. Larry kind of keeps an eye on her. She must know it is a safe haven for her. Other than the deer and birds we really don't have wildlife, a little strange to me. (has anyone read Twilight or Eclipse)
Kelly, Steve and Nathan come to visit this week....we're excited
The infamous bathroom was completed and authorized to use on July4th, and our first young womens was July 7th. I can say everyone was glad to see them done.
We did manage to survive our first camp, and just 3 more to go in the next 5 weeks. It is fun to have the girls here. We have been told the Park looks the best it ever has. They aren't used to seeing it so manicured.
I house sat for Jodie while they went on vacation. I commuted everyday to work at the park. But Pesto their dog became very sick during that time. He has us worried, but he is doing much better now.
Jeanna had a swim meet and we were able to watch her come in with 2 first's and 3 seconds. She is so much like her mother, a little slow on the starts but really fast once started.
We have a mother deer and 2 babies that comes into camp once or twice a day. She was originally lame, but is walking only with a slight limp. Larry kind of keeps an eye on her. She must know it is a safe haven for her. Other than the deer and birds we really don't have wildlife, a little strange to me. (has anyone read Twilight or Eclipse)
Kelly, Steve and Nathan come to visit this week....we're excited
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Busy Days
So far this week has been busy. Monday we worked some more on the apple trees. Saturday we had an arborist trimmed some of our really old, over grown apple trees. Monday we rented a chipper to create mulch and get rid all the cut cut branches. And I worked on 2 more of those trees. I tried to imitate the professional with a ladder, lopper and pruner. 8 hours later the big bushy trees were thinned out and more mulch for the park. Most of the day the primary song about the birds in the lofty tree tops and not sitting under the apple tree with anyone but me went through my mind. And trying to not fall off the 8 ft ladder. I kept remembering that a good share of the level one traumas I viewed were from falling out of trees. I managed to survive with only a few bruises and scratches.
Tuesday Larry and I dismantled some old cafeteria tables that date back to the 1960's. We burned the disintegrating seats and tops and saving the metal to take to a recycler. Again lots of hard work and a little bit of excitment. They had some sort of a piston on them and when one end was unscrewed it slammed shut with a startling bang. The saying one man's trash is another man's treasure doesn't apply here, it's just another man's trash.
Larry has taken on the cleaning out the another man's trash from the park. The dumpster is always full, the burn rings filled and burned, and somethings I'm told I don't want to know about. But people have been telling us the park looks better than anyone can remember.
Wednesday the Everett Washington Mission came to Cascade Park for a super "P"day. President and Sister Showalter bought the fixin's for a big barbeque and the games again. What a thrill to have almost 200 elders and sisters here.
Thursday, our p day. Larry rode his bike from the park to Jodie's. Needless to say I drove.
We went with Jodie and the kids to Tacos Guaymas. They have great Mexican food. We then went to the Reptile Zoo. We got to see all kinds of snakes, frogs, and lizards. I made Larry hold a boa constrictor. After we enjoyed our time there, back to Jodie's and then Larry rode his bike back to the camp.
About the weather. Monday sunny. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday cloudy and a little rain in the am and a little sun. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice (depending on your definition of nice) then rain Saturday and Sunday. At least it appears to be improving.
Tuesday Larry and I dismantled some old cafeteria tables that date back to the 1960's. We burned the disintegrating seats and tops and saving the metal to take to a recycler. Again lots of hard work and a little bit of excitment. They had some sort of a piston on them and when one end was unscrewed it slammed shut with a startling bang. The saying one man's trash is another man's treasure doesn't apply here, it's just another man's trash.
Larry has taken on the cleaning out the another man's trash from the park. The dumpster is always full, the burn rings filled and burned, and somethings I'm told I don't want to know about. But people have been telling us the park looks better than anyone can remember.
Wednesday the Everett Washington Mission came to Cascade Park for a super "P"day. President and Sister Showalter bought the fixin's for a big barbeque and the games again. What a thrill to have almost 200 elders and sisters here.
Thursday, our p day. Larry rode his bike from the park to Jodie's. Needless to say I drove.
We went with Jodie and the kids to Tacos Guaymas. They have great Mexican food. We then went to the Reptile Zoo. We got to see all kinds of snakes, frogs, and lizards. I made Larry hold a boa constrictor. After we enjoyed our time there, back to Jodie's and then Larry rode his bike back to the camp.
About the weather. Monday sunny. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday cloudy and a little rain in the am and a little sun. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice (depending on your definition of nice) then rain Saturday and Sunday. At least it appears to be improving.
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