3 Day Cancer walk; CPAP; Deutschesfest, all rolled into one!

Odessa, WA

Whew, these last few weeks have been a blur for me! Seems like we have been constantly on the go. Oh! Wait! WE HAVE! Let me start at the beginning.

Two weeks ago we headed to Spokane for the day to see our little great (grand?) nephew Joshua. He belongs to Kali, which is Gary and Jeannette's daughter. Kali and Scott were relocating from Louisiana to Olympia, WA and Gary and Jeannette kept Josh for two weeks. He is just a little over a year old and a real cutie. He sure has captured our hearts.

Joshua and Grandma Jeannette


Then on Sept 11 we headed back to Seattle for another round of doctor appointments and to support Ric, Jennifer and Sherrie in the 3Day Breast Cancer 60 mile walk! First, just let me say how proud we are of these three....they have been training for this walk since January and logged hundreds of training miles. Their dedication to this cause is wonderful.
Friday morning up at o'dark thirty for the Opening Ceremonies. Sherrie is a 5 year survivor of breast cancer and she was in the survivor circle. There were over 3200 walkers and six were chosen for the survivor circle. It was very emotional to see her up there. And my thoughts had to stray to Cindy, our niece who lost her battle with cancer three years ago. Anyway, back to the Opening...it was sure moving to see all those people, men and women, who were walking to support the breast cancer research cause.

Sherrie

THen while they were walking their first day, 22 miles in all, I had an appointment for an endoscopy in downtown Seattle. Daughter-in-law Janet took me to this appointment and good thing she did...I was wiped out for the rest of the day.

Saturday we were up early again. Denice, Sherrie's sister and our niece and I took off to meet Janet and "cheer" on our walkers. We were at the cheering station in Kirkland for over 3 hours, cheering on not only our walkers, but the other 3200 as well. What a experience....I can't really describe how you feel seeing all of these people walking for this cause and the thousands of people who turned out to cheer them along the route. It still really amazes me!

Part of the crowd at a cheering station


Then we headed over to the lunch spot for the walkers and met up with the kids. Jennifer was suffering from bone bruises on the bottom of her feet and gave up walking for the rest of the day. I took her with us to the next cheering station and then to camp and the medical tent.

Sunday Denice and I headed over to Green Lake for the first cheer station and was there at 7:30 a.m. UGH! Janet met us there and we set up our little cheering station along with some other early morning people. I must add that the weather in Seattle that weekend was amazing. Warm, sunny and beautiful. A LOT of people were out walking around Green Lake and they turned into cheer supporters as well...unintentionally. Jennifer was doing much better today after Ric "doctored" her foot.

Denice and I spent the day following the walkers in my car and finally wound up at Memorial Stadium to cheer them in to the finish line. TO see the thousands of people there to cheer in the walkers was amazing.

Ric, Jennifer and Sherrie crossing the finish line and the victory tunnel.

We were joined at the closing ceremony by several of the kids friends, plus granddaughter Cammie and our good friends Rowland and Kathy Brasch. Closing ceremony was very emotional...just looking down on the stadium field and seeing the 3200 plus walkers and survivors! WOW! And most importantly, over 8.6 million dollars was raised for breast cancer research...our kids raised over $20,000 themselves. So I say thank you to all of you who donated to them!

Monday was full day doctors for Al. He got good reports from all the doctors. Then it was my turn. I had an appointment to do a sleep study for sleep apnea. Oh goodie. I got to sleep overnight at the hospital, hooked up to all these machines. I had enough wires on me that I could get all TV and radio channels in the world! My goodness, how was I suppose to sleep with all these wires attached to me? I don't know how I did it, but I did sleep and the next morning I saw the doc and yes, I have sleep apnea. Oh goody! Of course I can't have the normal sleep apnea where your throat muscles relax and collapse when you sleep causing you to quit breathing...no, when I get into the REM sleep I just quit breathing...throat muscles have nothing to do with it! So, the next night I get to go back and do another sleep study and this time I get to wear the CPAP as well. Let me tell you, THAT did not go well. At any rate, to make a long story longer, I came home with a CPAP and I am not happy about it. I am having a horrible time adjusting to it...it still makes me feel like I am suffocating. Hopefully I will get used to it...maybe.

We had doctor appointments again on Tuesday and Wednesday we headed home. We decided to come over Stephens Pass through Wenatchee. The weather was still beautiful and the fall colors were just starting to appear. There was a feeling of "fall" in the air. We got home just in time to see our friend from Arizona Bob Grabow pull in with his motor home. He will be here for the weekend and possibly longer if we can convince him to stay a while. Bob and Al went to high school together here and have been life long friends.

Thursday was spent getting ready for our annual yard sale. What a job! The weather was hot, hot and hot. This is not unusual for this time of year here.

Friday Deutschesfest began in Odessa. This fall festival is always fun and this little town of 1,000 grows into 20,000 or more. Friday is the official start of "fest" and the campers and tourist were already rolling in. Our house was holding Denice, Jennifer, Sherrie, their friends Margo and Bob, and our good friends Kathy and Rowland. Denice and Sherrie went to high school in Odessa and lived here while growing up so it was like a mini reunion for them. Friday was in the 90's and we were all thinking it was going to be a warm weekend. Boy, were we fooled. Saturday turned out cold and windy. OF course, I had the yard sale going on, trying to keep things from blowing all over. The weather held down the people coming to the yard sale and we didn't have many purchaser's.

Saturday brought more of our family to visit. It was good to see them all. Niece Penny was here with her little granddaughter Riley, who is 10 months old and really cute. Nephew Jeremy was here with his family from California, including 3 year old Peyton; niece Michelle and grand (great?) niece Cameron were here as well. Gloria, our sister-in-law was here from Spokane, so our house was full yesterday. Last night we hosted our "rib fest" for 11 people...Al did his great bbq ribs..yum.


In some way, they are all Wraspir's!!!












Today dawned cold and rainy! What the heck? So I closed up the yard sale and went to breakfast with the crowd. Our church hosts a "farmers breakfast" at the high school every year for Fest so we enjoyed a good breakfast. Then it was time for all to leave....boy was this house quiet all of a sudden!!! Both dogs looked so forlorn...only two people to pet them! Too bad.

So, we have had a busy two weeks. Loved seeing all the family and friends. Now it is time to settle down a bit and start seriously thinking about packing and heading south. We plan on leaving for Tucson around the end of October, after Al goes deer hunting and I go on the "girls" week to San Francisco with Jennifer, Janet and Kathy. I do have my work cut out for me in the next few weeks getting the 5th wheel packed and ready to go. If this weather stays this way, I will be more than ready to head south -- probably before the end of October!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying life...until next time we are the
"UN-WROAMIN' WRASPIRS"

Hurricane Summer Cold

Odessa
I have been hit by a hurricane! Hurricane summer cold has laid me flat! High winds (blowing my sore nose); rain (running nose); wind gusts (sneezes); flooding (see rain)and general devastation has hit. In other words I have a rotten summer cold and I feel like crap! I have been down and out for 3 days now...no energy, can't concentrate, ache all over, etc. ARRGG...I hate being sick and I am not good a being sick. I fight it with every ounce of me (and that's a lot of ounces folks!) and sometimes sick wins, as it did this time.

Actually I have been fighting what I thought was allergies for the last couple of weeks. The wind has blowing every day here and who knows what it has stirred up..so I thought that was what was causing my nose to run like a greyhound at the race track! I shoulda' bought stock in Kleenex the way I am going through it. Any way, I kept resisting this plague. I sanded the front deck and painted it last weekend. I told Al I was going to have to be on my death bed NOT to paint as it has been on my "TO DO" list way too long. I also sorted through some more "stuff" and added to our garage sale pile (hiding all of this from AL, who usually buys more from our garage sale than anyone else!!). Then on Monday night, I was officially DONE IN. NO MORE. I was down for the count.

Okay, now I have been sick, I am ready to start on something today...however, my mind and body are not in agreement...and the body wins. I will stay down another day and try and get rid of this menace.

In other news, ah, can't remember any other news at this point...so I will say adios for now.

New pictures of Sophie

I couldn't resist. These are pictures of Sophie, my great (YES, great) grand daughter who lives in Kansas City. She is almost 4 months old and already has stolen my heart...along with the rest of my greats and grandchildren. I haven't seen her in person yet and it's killin' me! She belongs to David and Tiffany.

Retirement, the myth

Odessa
Aug. 25

Yes, retirement, the myth is that you have lazy days and not much to do that you don't want to do. You don't have to WORK! Well, let me tell you, I know a few people that have flunked retirement (Yes, Gary W that means you) on a large scale basis and then there are the ones (like me) that have flunked on a minor basis. I have discovered I can't sit and do nothing. It is not in me! And I have tried, but after a few minutes I get figdety and can not sit still. I then either have to 1.) get up and do something, 2.) find something to do with my hands while sitting 3.)fall asleep (which doesn't come easily some times). WHY? Why can't I just relax? And I have enough projects going to keep me busy until, oh, 2121! And that is about the time I will finish them. Now, I am not saying that I WANT to do some of these projects (like paint the bathroom or the deck); but that until they get done I can't rest. I love some of my projects, quilting, scrapbooking, playing on the computer, reading, etc. However, I was brought up that you get your work done first and THEN play. DARN MOM! She instilled those values in me so deep I can't play until I get my work done. RATS! I may get my quilts done in 2010...maybe. I am hoping to get the baby quilts done before the babies I am making them for graduate from High School!

We got back to Odessa late Thursday. It was perfect traveling weather, not too hot, (except in Toppinish) and my car didn't explode or over heat...always a good thing. I really need to buy another car, but trying to make the Explorer last at least another year or so. Anyway, back home at the house, the cats had lots to tell us about how they were neglected (not) and other various cat tails, er tales. A friend called us and asked if we could dog sit her dog for the weekend as she and her kids were at the Lincoln County Fair with their horses, pigs, etc. SURE, I said. Well --here comes Brody, a rat terrier that isn't quite a year old! WOW, what a fun time we had with him. The dogs loved him and the cats hated him...situation normal.

On Sunday we had a luncheon for Al's cousin Christine and husband Denys from Australia; niece Claudia and husband Larry were here as well as Ardis and Jerry. WE had a short, but good visit.

Today is rainy and gloomy, which is nice for a change, as long as it doesn't stick around. AL isn't feeling well and I am trying to talk him in to going in to see the local doctor, but so far no luck. He has a bad cough and is congested and wheezing. I will keep after him until he goes to the doc just to shut me up!!!

I received this article from my cousin Ted in Colorado and I thought I would share it with you all. It made me laugh, and pretty much sums up the correct feeling!

WHO IS GETTING OLDER???
Column from Rocky Mtn. News)

I'm aging very well; so well, in fact, that I can do it in my sleep. I can wake up in the morning and see a face in the mirror that's decades older than the one that I remember putting to bed.

Like most people, I fight back against getting older, using medicine's most potent anti- aging agent: denial. So when my birthday came around recently, I told everyone that I wanted the passage of another year to be marked with absolutely no acknowledgement at all except presents. And OK, a party. With cake.

As I ponder my accumulated years, which I'm willing to admit is more than 30 - oh, who am I kidding, I'm not that old. Let's say I'm in my mid- to late 20s. In other words, I'm the same age as my daughter.

So anyway, as I ponder these years, which I've added the same way I've put on weight around my waist - surreptitiously, like a burglar coming into the house in the middle of the night, only a burglar who leaves stuff instead of taking it - I realize I've had enough.

That's right, when it comes to age, I'm good. I don't need any more. Give the rest of my maturity to someone who needs it, like, say, Lindsay Lohan. There's nothing to be gained by having me get older than I am right now. Indeed, as far as I'm concerned, we could have ended this nonsense 20 years ago, back when I could stand up without grunting like an Olympic weight lifter going for the gold.

I realize that if I stop aging, I might not be able to retire as soon as I want, which is last week. But columnists don't ever retire anyway, they just cease to be relevant. (By that standard, you could argue that I retired before I ever got started.)

Scientifically speaking, aging is the process wherein your body's cells decide they're tired of regenerating and want to do something else, like sag to the floor. Our cells are programmed from birth to undergo this transformation. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to halt the aging process, like die. If that strikes you as extreme, try doing an Internet search on "prevent aging." You'll come up with 625,000 articles. Read them all and you won't have time to age.

What I don't like about getting older is that I don't think I've done anything to deserve it. I'm not ready: Not only have I not accomplished everything I set out to do, but most of the things I've done I didn't set out to accomplish. When the Grim Reaper knocks, I'm going to have to tell him he'll just have to come back when I've finished my task list.

Yet as much as I don't like aging, I certainly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to do it again. There are about 8.2 million articles on the Internet about reincarnation - but don't worry, if you can't read them all in time, you can finish them in your next life.

I took an online quiz on a reincarnation Web site that informs me that when I come back in my next life, I'll be a rhinoceros. Great. Rhinos look old when they're born. I'll be even less popular in high school than I was last time, and my columns will all be late because I won't be able to type.

There are also more than a million articles about premature aging, which is ironic. Doesn't all aging feel premature? I realize the AARP wants us all to be old, but how about you - are you ready for it?

I expect I'll hear from a lot of people who will tell me they're "growing old gracefully." Well, I'm growing old the way I acted when I was 2 years old and my parents wanted me to take a bath.

Anyway, yeah, I had another birthday recently, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

I did like the presents, though. And the cake.

And on that note, I will close this blog for now....stay tuned...I may discover how to retire some day!

Seattle, Portland and beyond

Portland, Or
Aug 19

Whee...it has been a wild few days for us. Before we drove to Seattle last Tuesday we had company from Australia. Al's cousin Christine and husband Denys were in Odessa for a short visit. Also Aunt Helen, Christine's mother were with them. It was good to visit with them and we are looking forward to seeing Chris and Denys later in the month as well.

We drove over to Seattle a week ago for doctor, dentist appointments. It was HOT in Seattle...in the 90's, which confuzzled us (a new word granddaughter Lori coined not to long ago...confused and puzzled), but I was lovin it. We stayed with Jenn, which she had ONE fan going when we got there and by the time we left she had THREE fans going.

First day was a scurry of doctors in downtown Seattle, dentist, and cardiologist in Kirkland. Al had good check ups every where....however, the cardiologist didn't like his weight (tee hee...it isn't just me nagging him now!) and has scheduled him for a stress test next month. I told Al he was going to have to study for this test..so I will help by stressing him daily (just kidding). Then that night we had dinner with good friends Row and Kathy...we always enjoy being with them and lots of laughs. We went to Goldbergs, a Jewish deli in Factoria and boy is it good.

Thursday saw us at the neurologist and Al has improved some on memory (can't prove it by me!) and the meds are doing a good job. Then to Diabetes doc, a new one since our last one retired. We really like the new doc...she is direct and to the point. Put Al back on his Byetta, which he had been taken off of earlier in the year.

After doctor appointments we went to the Boeing Human Resources Retiree's luncheon that is held annually in Tukwila. We didn't get to go last year and Al had a great time catching up with old work buddies. Also, sad to note, we have lost a few this past year...Russ HOlly who always headed up the reunion died and a Jackie Evans, who was a friends wife and we were with in Saudi died in January. Really begins to tell you how mortal you really are.

Then we scurried to Kirkland so Jo could order new glasses. I broke my glasses 10 days ago and have been "BLIND" since then. I have been wearing 10 year old glasses...which really didn't do much for me.

We had dinner at friends Frank and Lynn Congers tonight. Frank made his famous Taco's and they were excellent as usual.

Friday up and at 'em. Al had an appointment in Issaquah for a hearing test...ha, it wasn't just me, he really has a hearing problem as we knew! Ordered new hearing aids (donations are gladly accepted for the cost!!! YIKES!) and then to pick up Jo's glasses. YEAH...I can see again!

We then scrambled back to Lynnwood to have lunch with Granddaughter Ashley and get caught up with her life. She is working two jobs now and learning living on her own is expensive!

Tonight we had dinner at Jenn's, Ric, Janet and Sherrie joining us for home made barbequed burgers. YUM. And it is still HOT.

Saturday dawned and we just lazed around for a while. Jenn took off for her walk. I might add she, Ric and Sherrie are doing the 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk next month and they are really training hard for it. And thank you to those friends of ours who have donated to them....really a great cause.


Saving Second Base Team Ric, Jenn and Sherrie

Saturday afternoon I had lunch with Granddaughter Cammie and had a great visit with her. She is always so fun to be around and makes me feel good. She is working at Starbucks and will be going to Shoreline Community College this winter.

Sunday started with a brunch at Ivar's Acres of Clams to celebrate Sherrie's 5 YEARS OF CANCER FREE. WHOOPEE!!! We are so glad to able to celebrate this point with her and pray for 50 more years of cancer free. She has struggled so hard with the breast cancer and the side affects of all the treatments. She is such a strong woman and I admire her so much....I am amazed at all she has gone through and came out of so strong. YOU GO GIRL.


Jo, Sherrie and Al


Jenn and Sherrie

Of course I shed a tear for Cindy, our neice who died from cancer a few years ago. I prayed so hard for both of them to survive.

It was still warm in Seattle, but it was time for us leave and head south to Portland. We are in Portland visiting daughter Melanie and her family; husband Ron, grandson Vic and granddaughter Lori.

We arrived in a warm Portland and met them for dinner at our favorite Chinese place. When we left the restaurant it was RAINING! WHAT????

Monday we awoke to a loud boom and two dogs in bed with us. THUNDER! We had a great thunder and lightning storm and a downpour of rain, of course, the dogs had to go out potty just when it rained the hardest...so I got a refreshing au natural shower!

Monday Melanie, Lori and I spent the day playing. We went downtown Portland to Powell's Books to snoop around and to get Al some books and Lori a book she needs to read before school starts in two weeks...(nothing like having all summer to read it..) I love Powell's Books...it is so fun to roam from room to room and see all the different types of books. It is such a unique book store. After that we went to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes after picking up Al from the hotel. We barbequed ribs at Melanie's house for dinner...in the rain.

Lori is quite the horse person. She is competeing the the Jr. Rodeo's and also she has lettered at Oregon City Highschool in Rodeo. Vic also competes -- he is a bull rider (not my choice) or as I say he likes falling off the bulls!

Vic ---- Falling off the bullLori carrying American Flag at Rodeo

We will be leaving here on Thursday heading back to Odessa, where I hear it has been very hot...112 one day -- yup, that's hot! AHHHH...it feels so good!

So, until next time....we are busy and lovin' life..hope you are too!

Odessa has never looked so good!

Odessa
Aug 4, 2008
87 degrees and SUN

HOME! Yeah! We arrived home late yesterday evening after a long couple of days. I will start at the beginning.

Aug 1, Friday
We closed up the trailer on the Kenai and by noon we were heading towards Anchorage with luggage and two boxes of frozen salmon. Now the trick here is to keep those two boxes frozen until sometime late on Sunday. Hmmm
Trip to Anchorage was uneventful..sunny most of the way until we reached Anchorage and it was cloudy, but not cold for once.

Aug. 2, Saturday
First on the agenda today was getting some dry ice for the fish boxes. Relatively easy, one trip to Fred Myer did the trick. I was fighting mosquito's as I packed the ice in the boxes...grrr...won't miss those damn pesky things.
Dinner tonight was at Henry's in Anchorage. EXCELLENT! I had salmon cooked on a cedar plank and I was sure surprised when my dinner arrived and my salmon was still cooking on a cedar plank. I finally smothered the cedar plank to put it out...too smokey for me. But my salmon was so darn good, so now I have to try this at home.

Arrived at the airport and unloaded our 4 suitcases and 2 boxes of fish. Since we had booked out tickets in March we were still allowed 2 suitcases each, and since we carried on one we only had to pay for one extra fish box at $25...not a bad deal. We were in for a great surprise when we checked in however. The ticket person asked us if we would like to be upgraded to first class since there were two seats left and since Al travels in a handicapped capacity the seats were offered to us. WE jumped on them. What a nice flight that was! Wheelchair waiting for us in Seattle as well. We finally arrived at our hotel at 2:30 a.m. and immediately fell into bed. Of course, I was too wound up and couldn't go to sleep right away.

Aug. 3 Sunday
Ric and Cammie picked us up at the hotel this morning around 11:00 a.m. since Cammie had kept my car while we were gone. The hotel actually had a freezer for us to put our fish boxes in...so far, so good. Fish still frozen! We met Janet for lunch and then followed all of them home to pick up some stuff there and we headed for home. We were very anxious to get home to our puppies and kitties. After a quick stop in Ephrata at Safeway we were home. Odessa sure looked good...and it was sunny and warm. YES! We quickly unloaded the car and took off for Jerry and Ardis's to pick up the dogs. But not before both cats gave us a mouth full on how they were upset with us for being gone.

I think our dogs missed us...I have never seen either one of them so excited. They danced and pranced and talked to us for hours after we picked them up! Neither dog will let us out of their sight...and last night all four of the animals were in the bedroom with us. Schuster actually slept with his head on the bed watching us most of the night! Beau moves each time one of us moves and follows us everywhere and Schuster is always right beside me. Both cats aren't done with us yet...they still have a lot to tell us apparently. Our un-vocal cat Jose hasn't shut up! WOW...guess we will have to reconsider what to do next year if we go back to Alaska.

We had a nice surprise when we opened the door to the house yesterday (that is after we found our keys...long story) -- we had new flooring in the kitchen and laundry room! We had ordered it before we left and they told us if they could get access to the house they would install it if it came in before we got home! WOW...does it ever look nice. Now I have to paint the cabinets in the kitchen...arg, it never ends.

Al is in getting his hair cut right now and I am heading that way in a few minutes. I look like a very shaggy dog!

Some things we noticed now that we are home. Food is relatively inexpensive here compared to Alaska. And so is gas. We were paying $4.79 a gallon in Alaska for gas and I got it at Safeway here yesterday for $3.89 a gallon. OF course that was after I got my 30 cents a gallon discount...I told Al that was like hitting the lottery!

Weather is to be in the high 80's to low 90's for the week and that big, yellow, bright thing we can the sun is shining. Sure feels good. Al says I am leaving little puddles of water everywhere I go...me thawing out!

Tonight Jerry and Ardis are coming for dinner...halibut tonight. Can't wait!

We will be here for a few days before we have to head to Seattle for doctor/dentist appointments again. I just hope my Explorer (the exploder) will make the next few trips. I am taking it in to the mechanic on Wednesday for a tune up, and some minor things that need to be done. Still a great car, just very old.

Until next time, we are finally
UNWROAMIN'

Dead animals and other thoughts

Sterling, AK
July 31, 2008

July 26
All I can say is this must be the wettest place on earth! Rained ALL DAY.

July 27, 2008
No change from yesterday. No fish either. We went into Soldotna this evening for dinner at Frosso’s. Boy, that place is good! I had a halibut dish that I am going to have to figure out the recipe to, it was wonderful.
On the way to Soldotna we passed a dead brown bear in the road that had been hit by a car. Sure would like to see what the car looked like as this was one squashed bear! Bear pavement anyone? He was bearly there! Okay, enough, the rain has gotten to my brain. Stop already!

July 28 Monday
Dan and Ken fished all day…came home with their limit finally. Red’s are slowing down in the river. And not many have passed the escapement this year, less than 400,000…which is way down. That tells me that either the run is really poor this year; the dip netters and commercial fishermen have gotten too many or that the fish are still out in the ocean and will come in strong later. Who knows?

July 29, Tuesday
Rain and a little sun today. The guys went to Homer tonight to go halibut fishing tomorrow. I am starting to gather things up and make my packing list.
One of our neighbors in camp hit a moose on his way back from Seward yesterday. Completely totaled his rental car, but he and his passenger weren’t hurt with the exception of a few minor cuts from the wind shield collapsing on them. He said the moose jumped out from the brush on the side of the road about 10 yards in front of him and there was absolutely nothing he could do. It happened about 5 miles from here, just off the wildlife reservation. He asked the state trooper what they will do with the dead moose and he said they will give it to the native Indians here or to a institution. Hmmm

I cooked a huge pot of spaghetti today and had the “doc’s “ over for dinner. Jerry Boggs is from Roseburg, Oregon and is a neurologist and Vinnie is from Williamsburg, VA and is an anesthesiologist. Both really nice guys and we enjoy them.

July 30, Wednesday
Today was absolutely gorgeous…sunny and warm. The locals are calling it “hot”; I however, beg to differ. Hot is anything over 100; not 75! What ever, I enjoyed it! I inventoried the trailer today and made lists of things to bring up next year if we come; plus I know what I have here.

The guys got home about 4:30 p.m. and they didn’t do to well. They said the ocean was rough and very choppy with waves of 8-10 feet and the fishing was rotten. They each got one halibut; which they had filleted on the boat and brought home for me to cut up into steaks and vacuum seal. So we each got about 25 pounds of halibut…not a very good catch, but halibut is halibut. I figured these cost us each about $45 a pound!

July 31, Thursday
Dan, Rod and Ken left camp early this morning to head home. I am at my favorite spot here, the Laundromat doing my last wash. I will be packing today and getting ready to leave camp tomorrow morning. We will go into Anchorage to visit with my brother tomorrow and Saturday until we leave late Saturday night. We are both missing our dogs and cats so we are anxious to get home and get back to a somewhat normal routine.
Today is another pretty day. The camp is emptying out quickly and probably more will leave after this weekend. The newspaper said that the sockeye fishing is closed as of tomorrow. The run was too small. Of course this happened last year and after a few days a huge run came through and the fishing was opened up to a limit of six a day. Won’t matter for us this year, we will be gone and we have plenty of fish.


I was tagged by The Pink Crazy Woman for this. I’ve not answered one of these for awhile, so here it goes.

1. What is your occupation right now? RETIRED...I don't have time to work!

2. What color are your socks right now?Socks? For once I am not wearing socks...so I would say very white feet!


3. What are you listening to right now? Washers and Dryers...I am at the laundromat.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Coffee?


5. Can you drive a stick shift? No Way

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Hmmm--guess it was Ardis, yesterday.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I have to, she's my kid!


8. How old are you today? 60.777777

9. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football, followed closely by golf.

10. What is your favorite drink? Water or a Manhattan


11. Favourite food? Hmmm --- Cheeseburger!

12. What is the last movie you watched? Bucket List, which was very good and I have now made my own "Bucket List."

13. Favourite day of the year? Any day is doesn't rain or snow.

14. How do you vent anger? Out the trap!


15. What was your favourite toy as a child? Uh...that was so long ago....I guess it was my bridal doll.


16. What is your favourite season? Summer in Washington and all the other season's in Arizona.


17. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries! Cherries please.

18. Do you want your friends to add this meme to their blogs? Yes!

19. Who is the most likely to respond? Uh...good question.


20. Who is least likely to respond? See above


21. Living arrangements? Where? Here in Alaska a 33 foot Terry Camp Trailer that is getting way too small right now. In Odessa a 3 bedroom manufactured home. In Arizona see previous. In between...a 35 foot 5th wheel...any more questions?

22. When was the last time you cried? A couple days ago.


23. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes. Lots and lots of shoes.


24. Who is the friend you have had the longest relationship with that you are sending this to? Peggy....we were high school friends...


25. What did you do last night? Cooked, and visited with Bruce, Dan, Rod, Al and Ken. And swatted at mosquitos


26. What inspires you? Good question! DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW.

27. What are you most afraid of? Right Now? Bears...there are way too many around here.


28. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Pass the Cheese please. Though it depends on where I’m getting said burger.


29. Favourite dog breed? Well, I couldn't answer this any other way but STANDARD POODLES...namely Beau and Schuster


30. Favourite day of the week? Any day...I am retired.

31. How many states have you lived in? Oh boy....Oregon, California, Colorado, (and Jennifer you forgot Colorado in your reply) Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Washington, Alaska, Arizona.

31. Biggest Life lesson? Listen to my intuition. Going against my gut feeling has always led to the wrong decisions for me.

SUN!!! Well for a moment....

Sterling, AK

July 22
Rain, rain, rain…again.
July 23
More of the same
July 24
Do you know what “termination dust” is? Neither did I until I saw the news on TV today. “Termination dust” is the first dusting of snow on the mountains indicating the termination of summer. And yes, there is termination dust on the mountains, but my question is, how can you have the termination of summer when there has BEEN NO SUMMER? Don’t you have to have summer first to end it? GRRRRR! And it rained again all damn day! Even Al, who doesn’t mind the rain, is ready for it to end. And it is cold as well. Today’s high was 47! Again, I will repeat…you can’t terminate summer if there hasn’t been one!!!! Only the hardiest of fishermen were out today. That left me out!
Dan, his dad Rod and his uncle, Ken arrived today from LA. They got in this evening and we met them at Suzie’s for dinner. As usual, Suzie’s was packed and the food was outstanding. After we got home they all put on their wet gear and went fishing. CRAZY MEN! But the fish were asleep for the night evidently as they came back with none. We had some in the cooler to package already however. The rain finally stopped about midnight….we need some sun to dry out things.
July 25, 2008 Friday
As I write this I am at my favorite place here….the Laundromat. It is sunny out right now and I am sitting outside enjoying every bit of the little bit of sun we will have as big, black clouds are moving in quickly. Is this summer???? I sure hope not, but since we are only here for another week, maybe I will find summer when we get back to Odessa. But what will these poor people who live here do for summer?????? Of course, one could argue that point that they are used to this; but they really aren’t. This is being reported as the coldest, wettest summer on record (since 1908)….hmmm…and you tell me this is global warming? NOT!
The boys are all down on the river fishing, and after I am done here I am on my way to Soldotana to do some grocery shopping, then to the little café I go to so I can download my email and send this blog.
OOPS, summer is over, I have to move inside now…it’s starting to rain!

How Many Ways can I say BRRRRR

July 22, 2008
Sterling, AK

Okay.....it's officially COLD! We thought it was cold the other day when the thermometer registered a little over 40 degrees....however, this morning it was 38 degree's. IT IS JULY! Even the locals are hollering "NO FAIR!" And how many days or wet, rain, gray, cloudy can I take in July? Well, I am on 22 and counting. Oh, we did see the sun for a minute the other day and this morning when I got up there was something bright in the sky, but it didn't last long! One of the locals said there have been only 4 days of weather over 70 this year. That is just wrong!

Here is a copy of my daily log...you can tell how I feel!

Jul 17 Thursday
Rain, rain, rain! Rain and more rain. That is all we have had today. We dropped Randy off at the airport and we took off back to the river. Al drove the rental car and I drove Bruce’s motorhome. I really enjoy driving that motorhome. Wish we would buy one and trade off the trailer. On the way down I saw a brown bear and then a moose with her calf. It rained all the way down and traffic was terrible. The red salmon have started to run and everyone wants to come down and fish. 68000 went through the counter yesterday!
We have had to run the heater in the trailer tonight. It was 40 degree’s…yes, 40! I have had to check the calendar to make sure it really is July! It is so damn cold and I am so cold I am miserable. I am questioning our reasoning for being here.



Jul 18 Fri
I did my favorite thing today—laundry. I enjoy visiting with the lady who runs the Laundromat. After that I picked up our mail and when I left the post office I saw a moose and 2 calves walking along the highway. The calves were twins and they are still all fuzzy since it is so cold around here and they haven’t “slicked out” yet!
It is raining again today…no surprise there! And it is cold. Only 52 for a high today. Haven’t seen the sun in 3 days…no, that’s not true, last night we saw the sun for about a minute. I want to go home.
Fish are running strong. Doc Jerry and Vinnie are here and have caught their share of fish for the day. So we have some Salmon in the freezer.
Jul 19
I spent part of the day processing fish. Al and I got a system going; I cut the fillets into serving sizes; wash them; then he helps me by pulling out the plastic wrap in freezing size, I put the fish on it and wrap; then I vacuum seal it. DONE. Right now we have 80 pieces of fish in the freezer. Not 80 fish or 80 lbs, but 80 pieces. I will feel comfortable when we have another 80 in the freezer! Then we will have plenty for all.
The day gave us a mixed bag of weather. We actually saw the sun twice today! And it was warm; well, warm is relative for here…it was all the way up to 64 today. WHEEE!
Jul 20 Sunday
Again, a mixed bag of weather. However, we did see the sun for over an hour today…I think that is a record for this summer. I am really tired of this weather,..I want to go home!

July 21, 2008 Monday
We went in to Soldotna today to do some supply shopping. As I write this it is raining and gray; no sun at all today. I don’t think I want to do this next year….I need my sun. Besides, I miss my kitties and puppies.
As I was going back into town later today to get propane I saw a huge moose along side our road. Of course I couldn’t get to my camera! He was standing in the rain looking very regal…as if to say “don’t bother me”.
It was so cold this morning I went back to bed and crawled in my sleeping bag to get warm. Billie you would have never survived this summer up here.

Back to today, July 22
We shipped 115 pounds of salmon today! Some went to Tucson, some to Seattle and some to Odessa. Fish are still running strong, so hope to have more to take home with us when we leave in 10 days.

Okay, I am done whining for the day....more later.

Moosecapade 2008

July 12, 2008
Anchorage
I am in Anchorage for a few days to help clean out my brother’s storage unit. He sold his house here a couple of months ago and put everything in a self-storage place. Now, the time has come to clean it out. Al and Randy are still at the river and will “batch” it for a few days. I rode up from the river with my nephew Bruce today and it was nice to be able to ride and see the scenery for a change, since I usually do all of the driving here.

The last few days at the river have been quiet. I did my favorite thing on Thursday – laundry. At least it gets me away for a few hours. The weather has been so miserable that I haven’t felt like doing too much. Since we have had a bear in camp I can’t walk down the road and feel comfortable; so I try to walk around camp every day for exercise—but that gets boring quickly. I could also go up and down those $#%^&* stairs to the river, but I am not sure how many trips my knee’s will stand!!!! However, today we had a bright, yellow orb in the sky for about an hour…I am not sure what it was, some say it was the sun! I think the sun just hides behind all these clouds and lets the clouds filter the 18 plus hours of daylight we have a day now.

I have been busy scrapbooking my pictures – I finally finished 2006 pictures and I am working on 2007. I am saving them to a memory stick and will print them when I get home. Oh, for those of you who don’t know, I do all my picture scrapbooking on the computer.

Randy has been going out with Bruce in the boat fishing and they have caught some nice trout. However, anything OVER 18 inches can’t be kept here. I know, screwy rule! They did bring home 2 dolly vardens and a rainbow so we had those for lunch the other day….yum…I do like those dolly’s. I think Randy is having a good time, even if the red salmon aren’t running yet. Here is a picture of Randy and his Halibut.



The mosquitos are still strong around here….I think I saw one carrying a bear on it’s back the other day…yes, they are big and vicious! I had heard somewhere that if you get bit to use Listerine on the bite and it will instantly quit itching; so I tried it and I’ll be darned…it worked. Wonder if you used Listerine as your body lotion the mosquito’s would stay away? Since I hate the smell of Listerine I doubt if I will try it…however, if the mosquito’s don’t slow down some I just may give it a try!!! 

July 13 2008 Happy Birthday Peggy

MOOSECAPADE 2008


WHEEE….I found a moose today…er, or, he found me! This morning Dick and I decided to go out for breakfast. As I was backing Bruce’s Mercedes out of his drive way I glanced in the rear view mirror and lo’ and behold a moose was behind me! WHAT??? Okay, Mr. Moose! He ambled across the road and into the neighbor’s yard and began munching on a tree. Hmm…I think I want a picture – and NO I DID NOT get out of the car. However, I had Dick roll down his window. Mr. Moose didn’t like that at all; he shook his head and started to charge the car! SO off we go down the road. But I still wanted that picture. So I turned around and came back; this time Mr. Moose is on my side of the car. I rolled down the window and the moment I did he charged the car again! So I take off down the road which is now a dead end and I glance in the rear view mirror and the damn moose is behind me! NOW WHAT TO DO ??? Here I am almost to the dead end…I have to turn around. DO I play “chicken” with the moose? Undoubtedly he will win. But I got lucky and he turned off into another yard and began to butt his head against a cement bird bath in the yard! I do believe he was upset! And I still have no picture. Oh well, I am not about to try again. On the way home from breakfast, we turn on to the street adjoining Bruce’s and who should we meet but Mr. Moose. He was eating a tree along side the road. The minute he saw our car, he shook his head (I understand they do this to show their foe’s the size of their antlers..which he was a young bull and only had knobs for antlers) and he comes after the car. Apparently he doesn’t like the color or something about Bruce’s car! I finally get Bruce’s car back into his drive without any moose damage.

I spent most of the day at my brother’s storage unit beginning to plow through 50 plus years of accumulation. I at least put a dent in it today. We got back to Bruce’s about 3:30 this afternoon and not before being chased by that damn moose again! He really doesn’t like Bruce’s car!

I am staying in Bruce’s guest bedroom, his motor home which is parked right outside his front door. This afternoon I was in the motor home getting ready to go in the house to take a shower, when I looked out the window, guess who was staring back at me? MR. MOOSE! Holy crap, does he want in here? Now what do I do? I did the only logical thing I could think of…I honked the horn! Ya, that did no good! He finally wandered over to a bush and began to eat it; however, he was between me and the house still. Bruce came out and tried to chase him off (where were you Ted???) but there was no chasing this moose off. I did get a picture of him through the window of the motor home however. Finally he moved off behind the house and I made a mad dash for the house. So far that is the last we have seen of him today, however, he does live around here and I am sure I will encounter him again before I leave!
Is this the end of Moosecapade 2008? Knowing me, NO! I get a real thrill when I see a moose and they make me laugh, especially if I watch them walk or run; just not AT me! Even when this moose shook his head and started to charge, I got the giggles (Dick didn’t think it was too funny)…it reminded me of Simon and how sometimes he will shake his head and “charge” you…however, a poodle doing that is really different than a moose!

Weather was really icky today….low clouds, foggy, rainy, cold crap! Even the locals are complaining about this summer, or lack there of! The sun hasn’t been out more than 6 days in the last 30! BAD record.

And an Eagle Posing on a Stump

Sterling,
July 10 2008

SIX HALIBUT CAUGHT A FISHING; FIVE DOLPHINS SWIMMING; 4 BUNK BEDS FOR SLEEPING; 3 SAND HILL CRANES A-STRUTTIN’ ; 2 MOOSE A GRAZING AND A BALD EAGLE POSING ON A STUMP! (sung to the tune of a Partridge in a Pear Tree)

HOMER
We arrived in Homer a little after 4:00 p.m. after a nice drive down the highway. On the way down we finally saw a couple of moose grazing just off the road, our first moose sighting for the trip. And there was a bald eagle sitting on a stump along side the road that was absolutely majestic. It was our first eagle sighting as well. When we left the fishing camp it was spitting rain and cloudy…and it is no different here except it isn’t raining.

Bob’s Trophy Charters is where we booked our charter for tomorrow…and they also have a guest house which we booked a room. Imagine our surprise when we opened the door to our room and discovered two sets of bunk beds! The thought running through my mind was “I guess I get the top bunk” and I wasn’t wrong. Very interesting night of no sleep.

Up earlier than I like and on to the boat. WOW….what a nice boat. It’s a 52 footer, the Nauti-Lady and she is beautiful. They had refurbished her last winter and so it was nice and modern and clean..didn’t even smell like a fishing boat. Our captain is “Fred” and the deck hand is “Jake”. The boat usually carries 16-18 people, but today only 9 of us were on board. That made for a very pleasant fishing day. The others on board were Paul from Massachusetts (complete with accent); Chuck from Salt Lake; Scott and Tyler from Michigan; Taryn and Jason from Edmonton, Alberta; and us. And the sun has came out to shine today --- yeah. The sea’s were fairly calm (as calm as they get up here where you have 6 tides a day and the tides can vary up to 35 feet!) and as usual the scenery is breath-taking. Our first stop only resulted in us seeing a couple of whales in the distance—we were in about 80 feet of water and no fish. Next stop we were in 100 feet of water and I was hoping for halibut in that shallow of water so it wouldn’t be so hard to pull them up, but no fish. DARN! Next stop we are in 250 feet of water and there are dophins all over the place playing with the boat. Finally they moved off and the halibut started to bite. After casting in, I wasn’t in the water for 30 seconds and I had a halibut on the end of my line; pretty soon all on board had one. UGH….pulling this baby up I thought I had a whopper …but just a 24 pounder, which I kept! I was pooped dragging that thing in, but back in the water I go. Al had already landed one about the same size and Randy had thrown back a smaller one. I was trying to rest, but darn, I had another fish on! This one was a little bigger and after reeling and reeling and REELING, I finally landed it and said “GOT MY LIMIT—I’m DONE!” Pretty soon Al had his limit as well. Randy had one in the box and had just thrown another one back (too small). Al and I went in to the cabin to rest and all of a sudden I heard on the boats radio “may-day, may-day, boat taking on water and sinking.” NO!!! NOT AGAIN! Last year we were part of the rescue of a sinking boat on our halibut trip!!!! A 16 foot aluminum skiff was sinking 4 miles west of Anchor Point with 3 people on board. I spent the rest of the time listening to the radio as these people were rescued. One thing for sure, you don’t want to spend much time in this water (at 42 degrees). Finally we heard that they had been rescued and didn’t need medical care. WHEW! Good deal. Oh, and by the way for you readers that read my account of last year’s boat sinking, The Fat-Kat was pulled up, refurbished and back on the water….amazing!

Back on land we sent our fish to Coal Point for flash freezing and shipping home (with the exception of one fillet, which is dinner tomorrow night.) We went to the Elks for a great halibut dinner and then headed home. While at the elks we watched 3 sand hill cranes parade around on the lawn. Fun to watch. The entire day had turned out to be fairly nice, sunny and warm (well, warm for here..in the 60’s…I didn’t take my coat off!) We arrived back at our camp around 9:30 p.m.; tired but happy to have some fish. Bob’s Trophy Charters was the best charter we have had…as I said, great boat and crew and good equipment. If we do this again, we will book with them.

I wonder if this is our last year here. Al had a good time on the boat today, but had to struggle to fish and everyone on board was watching out for him as he was so unsteady on his feet. And getting him in and out of the boat is a challenge. We will see what the rest of the month brings and then make the decision to either wait a year or put a for sale sign on the trailer here now. Saddens me to think that he may not be able to come up here anymore as he loves it; but it is getting pretty hard on all of us, including him. Perhaps we should sell the trailer and just come up for a week or so each summer……something for us to think about for next year.

Alaska, July 5-8

July 5, 2008
Sterling, AK

We got to the river (Kenai) around 2:00 p.m. yesterday. We picked up friend Randy Rahbar from the hotel at 10:00 a.m.; went back to Dicks and loaded the rest of our stuff in the car and we headed for the river. We were expecting heavy traffic, however, we were surprised that the traffic was very light. Usually this time of year the traffic is heavy on the Sterling Highway any time of the month, but guess gas prices are keeping some people home. We have noticed the lack of RV’s this year…usually the roads, parks and parking lots are clogged with RVs, but not this year.
It was raining when we got to the river….no surprise there. We unloaded and then Randy went down to try his luck fishing….however, he says there are no fish in the river yet.

This morning we got up and went to Soldotna and the city of Kenai; just to explore. It was raining again, but it didn’t stop us from stopping at a craft fair…don’t worry Suzi, you didn’t miss anything at this one! The rest of the day was spent doing nothing! I boy did I enjoy it. We bbq’d farmer style ribs for dinner and now we are getting ready to watch a movie. And the sun came out this afternoon and it is fairly warm…68 degrees. Warm for Alaska.

July 8, 2008
BEAR! That is what we heard the other day. So of course, my next words were “WHERE?” .. yes, folks the bears have returned to the Fish On Inn Camp. We were watching a movie when the caretaker of the camp knocked on the door and asked if we were okay. Apparently a “pair of bears” had wandered (yes, Jennifer that is wandered) through camp and had been in back of our trailer and had gone behind us and over to the motor home next to us. Upset their garbage can and rooted through their belongings outside, then went through another camper’s site and then wandered off into the wilderness. So now we are definitely on bear alert.

Other than bear and a few rabbits (by the way, rabbits are dark brown and huge) we have seen no critters, including fish. Randy has diligently gone down to the river twice a day to fish, and came back with nothing…not even a trout. The fish aren’t running yet, period. The only thing that is running around here is me from the mosquitos. And yes, they are big, hungry and aggressive. As usual, my new body lotion is deet and even it isn’t doing its job! Which brings to mind a question…how in the hell do these mosquito’s survive the winter here? Do they fly south with the rest of the birds? I assume they would have to hitchhike on the back of a duck; just how in the hell do they survive and why? What good purpose do they serve? Other than to aggrivate me and they are doing a great job of that!

I have been sick for two days with the stomach flu. Not very pleasant. All day Sunday all I did was sleep and run to the bathroom. Yesterday I was feeling a bit better, but still wasn’t sure I wanted anything to eat. Finally around 2:00 p.m. we drove to Suzi’s restaurant for a late lunch…I ate about a quarter of my lunch and decided that was enough! At least it stayed in place.

So far, since the fish aren’t running, it has been as boring as hell here. However, on a good note, we are getting plenty of rest and down time. I have managed to read 2 books so far and working on a third. Randy is about to go crazy I think with nothing to do. Al is doing his usual, reading and resting. I am not sure he will be able to negotiate the steps down to the river. Always my big fear is that he will fall and I don’t know who will help get him up. Of course, when Bruce is here I don’t worry so much and now that Randy is here for a while I don’t worry as much.
Speaking of the stairs, they are really in good shape. Last few years they have been in pretty poor state, but we have a new caretaker of the camp and he has done miracles around here. Since the owners died a few years ago the camp has gone down hill; one of the owner’s sons had been taking care of it and hadn’t been doing the best job in the world. But now that we have Tony (friend of the owner’s and the new caretaker) here we are completely satisfied with the way the camp is being taken care of. And Tony never fails to check in on us at least once a day to see if there is anything he can do.

Weather…UGH! How many ways can I say cloudy, gray, overcast , rain and cold. Right now (11:00 a.m.) we are working up on 46 degrees. Yup, you read that right – 46 whopping degrees. Needless to say I am bundled up in long pants, long sleeve top, socks, honest to god shoes, and thinking about where I put my gloves! I have the heater going in the trailer and I am sure the guys think I am nuts, but darn it , it’s cold.

We are headed to Homer this afternoon for a halibut fishing trip tomorrow. I am looking forward to the trip, but really dreading pulling up those halibut from the depths of the ocean. A 30 lb halibut feels like a 300 lb halibut when you are trying to pull it in! My arms are already aching.
More from Homer………….

Alaska 2008

Alaska 2008

July 1,
Anchorage
After a busy day of getting ready to go; driving from Odessa to Seattle which the Exploder decided it would give us some more problems; having dinner with Janet, Cammie, Jennifer and friends Rowland and Kathy; we finally climbed on an airplane bound for Anchorage at 9:00 p.m. We were already tired, actually, it was time for bed for us, but we still had a few hours to go. We arrived in Anchorage 20 minutes early and I am thinking we are going to get to our hotel a few minutes early as well, but it was not to be. FINALLY our bags arrived (5 flights arrived at the same time, overwhelming the baggage carriers) and I sat Al out on the curb to wait while I went to get the rental car. And oh, by the way, it was a little cool out here…only 55 degrees. Where else could you get up in the morning (in Odessa) and leave there at a balmy 100 degrees, go to Seattle where it was 77 degrees and end your day at 55 degrees. My body was already starting to rebel!
At Avis is where the trouble started. First of all I was just a little on the tired side, I had been awake for over 18 hours and I don’t do that very well. Then Avis said they didn’t have my reservation, but, since I am always prepared for this, I had printed a copy of the reservation. They explained that they were a franchise and that their computers didn’t “talk” to the other Avis computers!?! HUH? Okay, but regardless of that, they still had the name AVIS on the door. Finally they called somewhere and, oh, I did have a reservation. But now the real trouble began and by this time I was just a little cranky. I rented the car through my Boeing Corporate rate that I am still entitled to. However, when AVIS drew up the contract for me to sign here, it was twice the amount I was quoted. Uh, NO! So we went round and round about the price and finally, after another call to the AVIS wizard, I got the price I was quoted. Then they wanted to give me a lesser car….round three. After 45 minutes, I finally got the price and the car I had reserved and by this time I was just a little more than cranky.
I pick up Al who, by this time, thought I had abandoned him (don’t go there) and we load the luggage in the car and take off for the hotel. I had made reservations at the Travel Inn for the night and we would move into my nephew’s motor home for the next couple of nights tomorrow. As we are driving to the hotel I look at Al and said “Remember a few years ago when we had reservations at the hotel from hell…The Rodeway Inn here?” He says “yes…where we slept with one eye open all night?” Yup..that one. Glad we aren’t staying there again. Uh huh. As we are pulling in to the Travel Inn, I look at Al and said “Does this look familiar?” and he says “oh-oh”. DAMN! Same damn hotel as the last time only the name had been changed. The hotel from hell was now the Travel Inn! DAMN, DAMN, DAMN! We have already paid for the night (I had tried to save a few dollars and went to the cheaper end of the rack rate) and we are so tired neither of us wanted to go looking for another hotel at 1:30 a.m. So I go to the desk and the same person who only speaks marginally better English then the last time I was here. It was like reliving a nightmare! I asked if this used to be a Rodeway Inn (Still not believing this was happening all over again) and he said yes, it had, but that Rodeway Inn had dropped their franchise a year ago and that they had changed the name to Travel Inn. ARRRGGG! Okay, we are here, give us your ugly room. Into the room we go, at least it was on the first floor this time. It looked clean enough. We drop our luggage, do our nightly cleaning ritual, and I pull back the covers on the bed and the sheets are brand new, never washed, right out of the package and on to the bed. Okay, I am too tired to worry about it. My head hits the pillow and immediately comes up again. WTH? This pillow was like putting your head on a bag of rocks it was so lumpy and hard. Shove the pillow aside and try to go to sleep. Wait! What was that noise? Sounds like a bear! No, it is just the guy in the room next door snoring! You have got to be kidding me? I lay there and toss and turn, and listen to the snoring, which has no rhythm at all. So all night I lay there, sleeping very little…between listening to Mr. Snorer next door and getting up to check and see if the car is still outside. Al got just barely a little more sleep than I did. Finally, at 8:00 a.m. I give up, get dressed and go in search of a cup of coffee. I find a Starbucks and get two venti coffee’s to go and have mine almost completely gone by the time I get back to the hotel – and it wasn’t that far! Al by that time is up, packed and ready to go. I put a note in my Palm Pilot to NEVER make reservations at a hotel that isn’t a major chain again….and if we have to pay more for it, so be it!
We arrived at my nephews a little worse for the wear, but we are here. My brother has sold his house of 40 years here and is staying with my nephew for the summer. My nephew had just finished washing our bedroom when we arrived…we are staying in his motor home since he has a 2 bedroom house.
After visiting a few minutes my brother, Al and I jump in the car and head for the store to pick up groceries to take to the river on Friday and to get our fishing license. We also did a Costco run to get needed paper supplies. My nephew drove to the river tonight taking all of our supplies with him and we are hanging around Anchorage waiting for our friend Randy to arrive from Florida. He comes in late tomorrow night and is staying at a hotel for the night (the Hilton, not the Travel Inn) and we will pick him up early on Friday and battle our way down to the river with the other thousands of people that will be heading down that day. But that is okay, it will give Randy some time to see the scenery. We are in no hurry.
Weather today was beautiful….mid 70’s and sunny and clear. It is suppose to rain/be cloudy for the next 4 days. As I write this I can look out to the west and over Turnagain Arm and see the clouds already starting to roll in. Perhaps today was summer?
Tomorrow I am going to go find a wifi spot. Somehow I had misplaced my air card for the computer (heck…I lost the darn thing!) and besides it doesn’t like to work up here in Alaska. So I am back to checking email only every other day or so.

July 3, 2008
We finally rolled out of bed this morning around 8:30 a.m. – I think we were tired, but at least we got some good sleep. Dick, Al and I went to a local café for breakfast that is just down the road from the house…the “Southside Grill” and boy, was it good. YUM!
After breakfast I went in search of a wifi spot and found one at Borders Books. Then I decided I would go visit the AT&T store and see if I could get a new air card for my computer. Yes, they had one in stock and it is now installed in my computer. It is the new and improved version and they claim it will work anywhere you get a cell signal. Down at the river will be the test!
It is raining and cloudy here today….summer was yesterday, today is a typical Alaskan summer day. UGH! Mt Iliamna Volcano is spitting and spewing lava today….we may be able to see it from the Kenai Peninsula tomorrow. I guess it spits and spews every once in a while. It is in the Aleutian Range and on the other side of Prince William Sound from where we are.
Tomorrow is down to the river day. So until next time we are fishin…and catching fish I hope.

Another Graduate

Odessa
June 29, 2008

We have another graduate in our family. Son Jerry graduated from Big Bend Community College on the 13th of June. Jerry works for BLM and during the winter he has a 2-3 month break from work; and for the past 17 years he has been taking a class or two at the college. Well, he officially has his AA in General Studies. WAY TO GO JERRY! Proves that persistence and determination pays off!


In other happenings around Odessa, Granddaughter Cammie got her drivers license FINALLY. I had taken her to get it last week, only the Explorer failed the safety test and I have spent the last week waiting for a part for the middle tail light. She was so excited and I must say, she is a good driver.

AL and I attended his high school school reunion yesterday. He went to school in the small town of Marlin, WA and his high school has an all school reunion every three years. The school closed down in 1964 and the alumni are beginning to dwindle; however there were at least 100 attending yesterday. HE had a good time and enjoyed seeing everyone. THen we came home and had a graduation party for Jerry. Ric and Janet came over from Seattle and Gary and Jeannette were here, so we had a lively crowd. Al bbq'd ribs (Yum--eat your heart out Cortney) and I made baked beans and potato salad and a white cake with peanut butter frosting. I sent a lot home with everyone as we are leaving for Alaska on Tuesday.

Now I am in the throws of getting organized and packed and ready to go. We will be gone for a month and I am trying to scale back on what we take with us. But, last year I about froze up there, so I am throwing in some long sleeved shirts and long pants. However, it was 101 here today and tomorrow is suppose to be hotter....yehaw! I am loving it...and I am probably the only one in town that is! I am finally warm.

So until next time from ALaska...see you in the funnies as someone used to say!

What color is Sandy Pebble and other mindless things

Odessa
June 25

For those of you who are counting, 6 months until Christmas! :-)

I have been busy for the last few days. Cammie came home with us and I have put her to work. You see, I needed to paint our bedroom and I knew Al would not help (he hates to paint) and I also knew I couldn't do it alone and get it done in this century. For what ever reason, my arms don't work as well as they used to. The last time I painted I blew out my shoulder and elbow and it took months for it to recover. So cammie and I started to paint. Sandy Pebble is the color...a pinkish, tanish, rosy kinda' color. Very pretty, but I am getting ahead of myself. Since we are painting on paneling, you first have to either a.) sand or b.) paint it with Kilz. So of course, I opt for b. However, painting with Kilz is like painting with liquid rubber. UGH. First day was Kilz day. Second day was first coat of Sandy Pebble...and third day final coat. It looks very nice now, but what a chore. We also painted the ceiling, which was a very dirty, icky color, and is now a beautiful white. Cammie had to do the ceiling, I knew I couldn't do that. And if that wasn't enough messing up the house; we had new counter tops installed in the kitchen, so for the last 3 days my house has been a disaster! But now the new counters are in and it sure does look nice. Tomorrow I am going to put my house back together.

While Cammie has been here we have tried, unsucessfully, to get her drivers license. It seems that my Explorer (exploder as it is fondly called) has a problem. The third brake light (middle light) is out. Now, it would be only too simple to just replace the bulb, however, we tried that and it still didn't work. Found out we need a new brake light assembly. Easy enough, right? WRONG! Ford does not stock parts for a 94 Explorer any longer at any dealer ship. We had to order the part. It was suppose to have been mailed to us last week, only to find out it wasn't mailed until yesterday....grrrr! Now, you can't take the drivers test if you have "faulty" equipment. DAMN! Her test is scheduled for Friday morning and if I have to borrow a car I will, but she will take the test. She is more than ready...an excellent, safe driver and a parallel parking ace! I am so proud of her.

I also have gotten her hooked on quilting..kinda. She has picked out her material for her quilt and tomorrow she will start to sew. We cut it out last Friday night at the quilt shop (it was free sew night) and she is all fired up to go. It has been so much fun having her here.

Today we went to Spokane to Costco and also took the cats to the vet for their annual shots...which is always fun. I am still getting the evil eye from Juanito! I can't believe my cats are 13 years old...seems like just yesterday they were kittens and bringing me treasures from the outside like mice, moles, frogs, wood rats, snakes, etc.

I recived this from a friend via email the other day and I really thought it was appropriate to share at this time in my life. I can really relate to this.


OLD AGE, I HAVE DECIDED, IS A GIFT

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother/father!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.


I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?


I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things..

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!

Another one graduates...2 more to go!

Seattle
June 16, 2008

I can hardly believe that another grandchild has graduated from high school. Who told these children they could grow up AND when did it happen???? Heck, I'm not much older than they are (I wish)..at least I have moments that I don't feel any older than them, however, those moments are becoming farther and farther apart!!!
But back to the graduation. Cammie graduated on Friday from Nathan Hale high school, the same high school that Al's sons all graduated from. The ceremony was beautiful, albeit, COLD! It was held outside in the stadium and it was cold, windy and trying to spit rain. But I persevered and stayed .. I had to, with a name like Wraspir you can guarantee you are at the last of the line! However, I digress...Cammie is now officially out of high school. We are so very proud of this young woman...as we are of all of our grandchildren, however, this week was Cammie's turn to shine.


We have been busy while in Seattle. On Wednesday I met up with girl friend Nancy for lunch and catch up on each others lives. Wednesday night we had dinner with friends, Frank and Lynn Conger. Thursday brought doctor appointments for both of us and dentist for Al. Friday of course was graduation; Saturday was the graduation party and yesterday was Father's Day celebration at Rics. I bet Ric and Janet are ready to collapse after all the excitement of graduation and then hosting not only Fathers Day but the grad party on Saturday. And Janet was the head volunteer for the all night party for the seniors, so she didn't get much sleep and Ric pitched in with her for all the prep for the all night party. I think they were glad to get this weekend over with so maybe their lives can return to a dull roar.

Doctor appointments have gone pretty good, nothing new has turned up so far for either of us. Al has two more appointments tomorrow; the big ones are tomorrow, so we will see what comes out of those.

A little more grand child bragging for me....Lori, our youngest grand child is a real horse woman. She competes in several rodeo's; has trained her own barrel racing horse and competes with the pro's at times. I tried to insert the article that was written in the paper about her, but it was so small you couldn't read it. Darn!

The dogs have enjoyed this trip as well. I have been taking them to the dog park every day and they are having a blast! Beau keeps stealing every one else's tennis ball or will con another owner into throwing the tennis ball for him. Schuster is Mr. Social and has to meet all the other dogs..sometimes right at the gate. We have nicknamed him the greeter!!!!

We will head home tomorrow. Sure hope the exploder makes it. We did have some trouble with it on the way over...it decided to over heat on us after climbing a hill. I think it needs a tune up and a radiator flush as well. Can't remember when that was last done. Guess I will put that on my list of things to do before we leave for Alaska...oh goodie!

Gas prices are really unreasonable...(as if you didn't know that)...$4.33 a gallon here in Seattle...and if you can find it for less that is a bargain!!! Makes me furious that the American public is being raped at the pump and no hope for relief...ever. I think we should vote anyone who is in office--OUT, including Obama and McCain and start with a new bunch of idiots in Congress, etc. Apparently the ones in office now aren't doing their jobs well. And don't get me started on what is happening in Iowa...that poor state is just about all under water, yet, amazingly, I haven't seen one person with a sign that says "HELP US" like we did during Katrina. What, you say? People are helping them selves? Outrageous! Oh, wait...that is possible! Haven't seem FEMA bringing in house trailers to sit and not being used yet either....nuff said.


So, until next time....hope you are all happy, healthy and living life the way you want.

It is June, isn't it?

Odessolet....
June 9 (at least that is what the calendar says)

Okay, here it is June 9 and I still am wearing long sleeves and long pants. What is wrong with that picture? Nothing if you are in Odessa...it has been cold, wet, windy, repeat. This morning it was 39 degrees....no, I don't have dyslexia, 39 degrees! WHY? My brain has been frozen! We both were scrambling for more covers last night...brrr. AND THE WIND! Good grief...does it ever stop blowing? As I write this another gust just hit the house making the house shudder! Even our house is tired of the wind!

Since we have been home from Seattle, not much has happened here. I cleaned out another closet yesterday and managed to get 9 more boxes of garage sale stuff; plus 10 years of personal record that needed to be destroyed. I could have burned up a couple of shredders, but Jerry suggested we burn them. Okay,good idea...however, where? He brought over a burn barrel and we had ours, so yesterday when the wind wasn't blowing a gale, I burned, burned and burned. Burned tax records dating back to 1988....don't think I will need those. So now I have one closet that is clean, clean, clean. Now to tackle the other one when we get back from our next trip to Seattle. I am trying to get this house ready to sell if the mood strikes Al to sell. There is enough "stuff" in this house to keep me busy sorting for the rest of the year. And I am being ruthless...if it hasn't been used in the last year, it's gone! And I hope to keep Al out of the garage sale pile!!!! :-)

I did have a fun trip last week to Spokane. I picked up my sister-in-law, Gloria and we went to the mall and met up with Jeannette, Gary, Kali and Josh. Oh my, Josh has grown so much since I saw him in March...and he is so darn cute and a good, good baby. He and Kali will go home this Wednesday and I am not sure Jeannette won't be in their suitcase!

So, until next post, we are heading for Seattle tomorrow for doctor, dentist rounds and the graduation of our granddaughter Cammie. I just don't understand how these kids grow up so fast....I haven't aged..have I? Don't answer that!

I just got this from my daughter in law -- pretty much says it all.

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)



Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so v ery appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have talle r buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up to o tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. W e plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build mo re computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that litt le person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Snakes, Funerals, Proms and Engagements

Odessa

It has been an interesting few days -- to say the least.

Last Thursday I went out to Jerry and Ardis' house to see if I could get Jerry's computer back working. After a frustrating hour, I gave up and told him to take it to the repair shop. On my way back home, first on the dirt road and later on the paved road I ran into a HERD of snakes! My first encounter was just a short distance from Jerry's...snake on the road...run over it! That was one gone...whew! Not much further on the road snake number two met its death. By this time I was having a bad case of the creepy crawlies.... around the curve and snake number three was trying to cross the road...bump..one dead snake. About a half a mile later ANOTHER SNAKE... but this one I actually had to aim for as he was almost across the road -- I am getting mean by this time. FOUR DOWN. I get on the highway at this point and I hadn't gone 20 feet and there was another damn snake...I ran over him twice...thought I may have missed him the first time! Less that a quarter of a mile guess what...yup, another snake in the road...okay -- you are number six! SIX DEAD SNAKES IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES! WOO HOO...I'M A KILLER! Needless to say, by the time I got home I had goose bumps and shivers....too many snakes for me for one day...or year. ICK

Friday we loaded up the car with dogs and us and headed for Seattle. That was after I had to go get the windshield wipers (Swipers for those of you who knew Gene) fixed...there was no way I was going to Seattle without windsheild wipers. We arrived at Jennifers apartment around 6:30 p.m....dogs howling because they knew they were going to get to see Jennifer. HA...fooled them, she is in Florida! They ran into the apartment and looked everywhere for her. Pookie (or Spookie as I call him) her cat just about had a heart attack....whoa...where did these big beasts come from? He finally came out from under bed about 3 hours later.

Saturday we attended the funeral for Josie Totusek, Al's cousin Pauls wife. She was truly a fine lady and I adored her. She was the epitomy of a fine Southern Lady. At the funeral I actually met more of Al's relatives that I didn't know. You would think after 30 years of being together I would have met them all, but no, there were still more out there! I can't believe how big of a family he has -- especially when you get into the cousins! YIKES! However, I did enjoy meeting this side of the family.

Then last night we got to have a bit of fun. Granddaughter Cammie's Prom was last night. Her group of friends were going out for dinner before the Prom, so we met them at Azteca and I took some pictures of them. How beautiful Cammie looked...as so grown up. Brought tears to my eyes.
Cammie and Prom Date


Cammie and Grandpa AL
Then Al and I had dinner with Ric and Janet...which was a short visit, but fun.

We headed home today. Left Seattle it was 57 degrees....I was shivering. Got home to 80 degrees...this is why we live on this side of the mountains. Our trip was short, sad, fun, all rolled into one.

We had some very good, exciting news today as well. Al's cousin Christy, who lives in Phoenix called to say that she is engaged. We are so happy for her. She deserves some happiness in her life. So to Christy and Bill....congratulations -- we are so very happy for you both. Christy, Bill and Christy's four children will make a wonderful family unit.

Now I have to take my car, the Exploder (1994 Explorer) into to the shop...it has decided it wants to run rough (ruff) and the "check engine" light keeps coming on. I can't understand why....this car has 155,000 miles on it and everyone and their dog has used it at one time or another. It has been a wonderful car up to now...just hope it is nothing serious because I am not prepared to buy another car right now. Besides, I think with gas prices the way they are a horse might be a better investment! Ya, like I could ride a horse. I save that for granddaughter Lori.

And on another note...new picture of great granddaughter Sophie


On that I will end this blog for the night...stay tuned for the snake count...I am positive there are more lurking around here. EW