Category Archives: Uncategorized
21 June, 2015 01:15
1954 chevy
Dinner
At the park
Ashton in my arms.
Car show
1954 Chevy
Friday June 19 2015 DAY 107 GREAT SHOPPING IN COEUR D’ALENE!
What can I say? A new place, a new set of stores. Today was a close to home day. Leisurely get up time this morning. Five year old Lilly stayed all night at her uncle’s house with all the cousins. It was a very quiet, unusual morning. Lilly is by no means loud but just not having her presence here was a big change. We just moved a little bit slower. So “mama” and me we decided to do a little shopping. That propelled us into “FAST MODE”!
The first clue that it would be a good day was when we saw a bright sign alongside the road that said “HUGE SALE”. Oh dear, I told Ericka that sometimes my car just had a mind of its own and I would have to see where it took us. Then we saw the next bright sign that said “MEGA SALE”. Oh, it was getting better. Where else to shop when you’re 2,000 miles from home, your car is already packed up to the hilt, and you don’t really need a thing. But that is where my little Silver Fox took me. It was easy to find and it was a “HUGE-MEGA SALE”. Come to find out the people putting on the “garage sale” had bid on a storage unit and bought the entire lot, sight unseen. They had no idea what was in the boxes until they unpacked them. And…they were still unpacking them. The driveway was full of displayed items and the garage was full of boxes that were stacked higher than my head that they were unpacking as fast as they could. They said they would have lots more out by tomorrow. It appeared that they had the entire contents of a household. Really it was rather sad to think that someone lost all they owned through an auction of their storage unit. But, I guess it was good for the couple who purchased it because a lot of items were being sold. Including to me!
No, I won’t go there. You can quit worrying Dave, I think I can still get it all in…barely. Oh man, I better hurry up and get home!
Well, then we went to shopping row. There were five places we stopped. All were different and all were within two or three blocks. The first store was called “My Favorite Things”. Then “The Hospice Store”, “The Idaho Youth Ranch”, “The Thrift Store”, and lastly, “Goodwill”. What a run! Ericka and I had a blast shopping! Did I buy some things? YEP! You see, where I shop is very exclusive and they have limited editions of most items. There are usually only one of a kind available and you must be very fortunate to find the “ONE” that is in your size. One kind in only one size. I hit the jackpot! But enough of that as I don’t want my husband’s eyebrows to raise off of his face. Speaking of my husband…Today is his birthday. I received a selfie from my son with my husband in the photo also. Check it out at the end of the blog. He has nine more days of actual “working days” until retirement. He has a paid holiday on his last day and doesn’t need to go it. When I talked to him tonight he actually sounded excited about the prospect of retirement looming so close. We know it will be a big change in our life and we look forward to the transition together. I am so grateful and thankful to have my husband by myside. As of next Tuesday it will be 42 years of marriage that we celebrate. I could go another 42 years with this man! There is never a day that goes by that he doesn’t make me laugh. I love you honey! Does it sound like I am missing him???
As we left the last store I turned to Ericka and told her to remind me to never take her shopping with me again! You see, everything I bought was ALL HER FAULT!
After shopping we came home to fix lunch for the hungry crew that was coming over, famished from a romp in the park. Where else do you go when you have four children under one roof? TO THE PARK OF COURSE! Fortunately I made a pasta chicken salad a couple of days ago. I quickly made a green salad, put out some fresh fruit and WALA! Lunch was prepared. Afterward the family left so that little ones could nap. Actually they just drove them around in the car for a few hours so they would sleep.
Five year old sleeping beauty napped here and then everyone came back for dinner. I prepared a stir fry consisting of Brussels sprouts, onion, garlic, bagged kale and Brussels sprout salad mix from Costco, pecans and pumpkin seeds cooked in coconut oil. It was delicious. Added some stir fried chicken and some fresh fruit and dinner was ready. David S. is cleaning the kitchen as I type so I can get to bed earlier tonight. What a great help he is in so many ways.
I am just so appreciative of the opportunity to be here with family I see so seldom. It is rejuvenating me and putting a desire in my heart to make attempts to try harder to see them more often. Night is winding down. It is 10:00 pm. And we must get up early in the morning as we are going on a hike around TUBBS HILL.
“ Tubbs Hill consists of over 120 acres and is bordered by Lake Coeur d’Alene on the west, south and east sides. There are several miles of hiking trails on the hill that provide spectacular scenery for everyone to enjoy.”The above is an excerpt from the web.
We plan to do several miles of hiking in the morning. I have a date with a young man for lunch at McDonalds, and then we are going to attend a car show, “Car d’Alene”. That is what it is called. I kid you not. Car d’Alene is an annual car show that takes place in Coeur d’Alene. So, I say good night. Sweet dreams!
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
by Kathleen Martens
Shop til you drop
Is not my style.
I just do it
For a long while.
So much to browse
So much to see,
Bringing Ericka
Is the key!
She pumped me up,
Liked it all
When I walked out
I was 10 feet tall.
She pointed out
Bargains galore
All the reason
For me to explore!
And when I hunted
I found too much,
Blouses and pots,
Knives and such.
But I only bought
Just what I needed
And that inner voice
Was not heeded.
Oh me, oh my,
I still have far
To travel my road
In my Silver Fox car.
I hope I still fit
When my packing is done
And when I unpack
I hope its still fun!
So, I say good night. Sweet dreams!
19 June, 2015 23:38
Raining umbrellas. On the ceiling of one of our “exclusive” shops.
Sleeping beauty.
19 June, 2015 00:39
Ashton flying through the air.
Five year old with wings.
Sitting in the back of the boat.
Brian lost his hat so borrowed his five year old niece’s hat
Brian and aunt
By the lake.
Brian.
The boat
Saturday June 13, 2015 DAY 100 HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON
Morning came and I had to leave the beautiful Island of Vancouver. So many, “I wish I had known” thoughts go through my head. I wish I had known how much there was to see and do in Victoria where I was staying. Had I know I would have stayed longer at the Airbnb there. The island is beautiful with lots of forests, wonderful shops, the farmer’s market, downtown Victoria, The Empress Hotel, the wharf, and oh so much more. But…I accomplished what I went there for and I will never forget my day at The Butchart Gardens. And so soon my time at the lovely Airbnb drew to a close. After leaving the residence where I stayed I drove down to Victoria, walked around on the wharf, bought two entrees to eat over the next couple of days and then headed out to the BC Ferry. I missed getting on the Ferry that was next out by one minute. So I waited an hour in line and took the 1:00 p.m. ferry back to Vancouver. The ferry layout is very interesting. The Highway you are on actually ends at the ferry yard. You drive through one of many ticket booths, pay your fee (for me it was $71 one way which included my car. You are then instructed to go to a certain lane number. The ferries stop at more than one place and how you are loaded is how you are discharged so you better be in the right lane to get where you want to go. I ate my lunch in the car while I waited, used the restroom and it was soon time to load up. The crossing takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. The road on the opposite shore begins where the ferry drops off. As soon as you get out of the ferry yard you are on the highway and away you go. Missing that first ship was my first delay for the day.
I never think it is going to take long to get someplace but I can always count on adding about two hours to any trip tick time. And it was more than true yesterday. I arrived late evening to the little town of Hope BC. My host, Ruth, was a single lady with three sweet cats, none (referring to the cats) of which took a liking to me. That was too bad because I love cats and they really missed out on some good petting. Because my car was loaded with “stuff” my host allowed me to park in her garage. Apparently there are a lot of drug users in little towns scattered in the back hills and she did not want anything to happen to my “stuff” while on her property. I thought that was very considerate of her. Ruth was an excellent host and interesting to talk with. She is a passionate woman and has some decided opinions. I found it very interesting to listen to her and get a better understanding about what is going on in Canada and its environment and the political arena in regards to the environment. I only wish I could have talked with her longer.
Ruth had created a wonderful retreat for me. Her yard was lovely and she had lots of blooming window boxes full of flowers on her back deck. Everything was charming. She showed me her garden and guess what! She picked raspberries out of her garden for my breakfast. WOW! More fresh garden fare. She also baked some delicious carrot/pineapple muffins without sugar that tasted delicious. She also made some delicious granola bars for me to take with me. They had some chocolate chips in them but ate around the chocolate and enjoyed every bite. I didn’t have much time to enjoy her house and grounds as I was there late, up early and had to leave again. It was a very comfortable place to stay and the bed was wonderful.
If you read this Ruth I want to thank you for opening your home to me through Airbnb.com. Everything was lovey. I enjoyed our short time together. Who knows, I may be back your way someday!
14 June, 2015 00:16
Dinner time sanctuary
Love my outfit!
Only me on the entire carousel
Looking up.
No words to describe
View from rock.
View from rock
Visions of Poetry 