Catching Up

It's the day after Thanksgiving. I'm getting ready to go pull out the leftovers for tonight's dinner. I did manage to go out and do some Christmas shopping today at the Super Mall. I did a quick trip to Hobby Lobby and that was really fun. Christmas was 50% off.

The Super Mall was busy, and I had to stand in the check out line at Carter's for probably over 20 minutes, but it was worth the sale.

Summer has flown by and I sit here now with our Christmas lights turned on outside. No tree up yet, maybe next Saturday. In the summer I did a quick trip to Utah the end of July. I was able to attend the temple with my college room mate Susan, take a trip up the Manti canyon to the family cabin, go four wheeling in the mountains with my cousin's son-in-law and his kids, and celebrate Natalie's birthday by having brunch at Stein Erickson Lodge in Deer Valley. It was a really fun weekend trip.

With Aunt Margaret at the Manti Cabin July 2016

In September I went to the fair with my coworker and her brother and his friend. We went to the Tim McGraw concert. It was great. I love sitting outdoors in the late summer at the fair.

Work has been keeping me busy. Wally had back surgery in mid-September. Successful surgery I should add. Looking back we now realize that a lot of his pain and limitations weren't from his arthritis, but from the pain of his pinched nerve. He's back to climbing ladders and full activity around the house.

Also, in September we had a super fun visit from my niece Serene and her family. They drove up from Sacramento. We did a fun trip up to Snoqualmie Falls. Seneca and Levi were really fun and loved watching my squirrels out the patio door.

I recently lost my Aunt Margaret. She was one of my Dad's sisters. He was the oldest of 7 and she was the second to the youngest. Living this far from family, I was unable to attend her funeral with airfare being too expensive. I really wanted to go but just couldn't make it. My cousin sent me the program and stories that were shared. I'm fortunate that I got to see her twice this year.

I love this time of the year. We had Wally's girls over for Thanksgiving dinner along with Tim and Gisele. Gisele will be turning 16 in December, it's hard to believe it's been that long. Now it's countdown to Christmas. I'm planning on enjoying the next four weeks of this holiday season.

I love the lights, the sounds, the colors of Christmas. I already have bought my Christmas cards and my Christmas postage stamps. I have things that I can start wrapping now. Next week kicks off concerts, Victorian Country Christmas and a fun filled December.

I'm excited to start making my chocolate covered caramels for the season as well as mint patties and truffles. It's a fun time of the year. We have been enjoying pretty decent weather. Some rain and lows in the 40s in the mornings.

I'm really enjoying the hummingbirds in the front of the house at the feeder. If I keep the bedroom door open, I can look out the window while standing in the kitchen and watch the cute tiny birds.

I'm taking photos when I get a chance. There have been some gorgeous sunrises on my way to work since the time change.

Here's hoping you can enjoy the next four weeks, whatever they have in store for you.

A Fantastic Summer Day

What a great Saturday it has been. It's been all about the beautiful weather and wonderful friends.

I started my day visiting with Barbara. I loaned her my serger and helped her set it up. We visited for a little bit.

Then home for a clothing change and off to the church to the baptism of two young women. It was so nice and the talks were so good.

From there I ran to the store and also put gas in the car.

Came home, changed clothes again, picked up Wally and went to the Smith's home to return some folding tables that I borrowed earlier in the week.

We wandered through Sue's beautiful flower garden, visited the chickens and came home with seeds from the hummingbird plant and fresh picked cucumbers and zucchini. Yum.

From there we stopped at the street corner and bought some Yakima peaches and nectarines. Then on to the gas station to put gas in the truck and to fill the gas can for the lawn mower. For we all know it won't be much longer before the green lawns return and we'll be mowing the lawn for a couple more months.

Took Wally home and picked up my layered bean dip which I had made at 8:30 in the morning.

Went to some friends new home for an open house and barbecue. Had a nice visit and was happy to see little Emma who used to be in my Primary class. It was just relaxing sitting in the backyard in the shade with the wind blowing. Just beautiful.

On the way home I stopped at Carpinito Brothers for some fresh corn on the cob, squash and bell peppers.

Here I am home again and in an hour we are heading to Black Angus for my free birthday steak dinner. Just the first of many birthday dinners in the next few weeks.

I'm loving the sunshine and the breeze today. Grocery shopping will wait till next week!

Hope all of you are also enjoying this beautiful summer day wherever you are!

And as I'm writing the radio is playing "Knights in White Satin". Brings back a ton of memories.

A Very Productive Friday

This is how my Friday went:

Woke up at 4:00 a.m., puzzled as to what day of the week it was. Figured out it was Friday and that I would have to get up for work, went back to sleep until 6:00 a.m.

Out of bed, showered and out the door by 6:30. Quick stop at McD's (breakfast burritos are 1.00 and they have the best chocolate milk). Arrived at office did some work till meeting started at 8:00 a.m. From 8:00 to 1:30 p.m. I was in day three of a meeting. It was a requirements gathering workshop for a new computer system. It was fun, but it's what we call a brain drain.

A little more work at the office then home by 3:15 to get my computer up and running in time for a 3:30 meeting which ended up taking place at 5:00 p.m.

Then it was open three days worth of mail, make dinner, a trip to Walgreen's and Top Foods, do the dishes, mop the kitchen floor, clean the bathroom.

Ahhhh, all done now. Time to go to bed so I'll be refreshed in the morning for the Kent Cornucopia Days 5K. Then in the afternoon it's off to the carnival and street fair with our 8 year old grand-daughter.

I love summertime!

Dragon Boat Races

Today I experienced Dragon Boat racing for the first time. I first heard about it 4 or 5 years ago when they started a group in Kent. I've wanted to go see what they were about for the last two years. Last year when I arrived at Lake Meridian I was on the wrong day!

Today I went to Lake Meridian about 12:30 and stayed for two hours. It was blissful sitting at the edge of the lake. It was so beautiful. There was shade when you needed it and lots of sun.

The races had been going on all day long. When I arrived they were in the semi-finals. They race four boats at a time. Once they get in position on the lake the race lasts less than three minutes. It looks like a lot of fun.

I have a friend who belongs to the Kent Women's group called Ladies of the Lake. In the summer they practice three days a week on the lake. They can sign up to participate in the races or just enjoy the practices.

Groups came from all over the place to participate. Here is some information on Dragon Boat racing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dragon_boat&oldid=198269374