Afternoon in Portland, Baby!

     Zach and his friend Amanda took me around Vancouver to check out a few music stores.  My little store in Park Falls would fit into one cubby hole at Beacock's, the largest.






 













 We had lunch 30 stories up at the Portland Grill in the US Bank Corp Building.  The views were incredible---and a little mysterious.

     After a tasty lunch we ventured up to the 41st floor.  There were 2 higher, but we weren't allowed there.
On the elevator leaving the 41st floor a gentleman joined us.  He told us there are 2 more floors to which we replied, "We know. We tried going up there but couldn't."  He indicated that he had just come from there.  So I said he could take us there, to which he replied that he couldn't even take his wife and kids.  Though I told him I am  a world famous blogger and Zach told him I am a professional pianist, he still refused.  As he looked at my hands he muttered something about exquisite hands.  I think he was being a bit sarcastic.  His loss.

Portland from the 41st floor.

     This has been a good afternoon in Portland in the life of Grandma G.

    "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (1John 4:7)

    

MY BIG day......



  
  Today is my BIG day to view the real possible new home for me here in Vancouver!  I will take pictures and get a feel for the surroundings.  I am nervous and excited!   More later this evening!






       I like the prospect of living in a 55 and older neighborhood--though at first I didn't think so.   There are several events happening each month if one cares to participate. (I asked if they offered group trips, bus tours,etc.  They said no, but that they are always interested in individuals providing new opportunities.  Maybe I sense "travel agent" specialist in my future.)  The manager was quite enthusiastic about me giving piano lessons.
       The community is called a mobile manufactured park.  It is quite cute, though I didn't take any outdoor pictures.  (Bummer)  There are plenty of trees and shrubbery around.  One of their "rules" is that each lot have an evergreen and a deciduous tree in the front yard.
       I looked at 2 houses, both close to the same size and near each other.

     Of the 2 choices, one has a small office for a teaching studio; the other has a much larger room with outside entrance.  The first house has mostly carpeting, the other mostly laminate flooring. The 2nd one has a fireplace and "open" concept in the living room.  The first has 2 bedrooms and an office.  The second has 3 bedrooms and an office.  The second also has more lot space, though it is covered with pebbles

        I did have the unfortunate event of sliding down a set of 4 steps--my shoes were slippery on the steps surface.  I "fell" slowly, so there are no serious injuries, but I think I will be sore tomorrow.  The irony of this is that I had no falls on the ice in Park Falls this past winter.

      I have much to think about---mostly financing.  I think I have decided I want to live in Creek Side Mobile manufactured park in the 2nd house.  I don't want to do anymore house hunting.  I need to rest my mind and  sore body and see what tomorrow brings!

    This has been a good "viewing houses" day in the life of Grandma G.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

(Proverbs 16:9)

      



Happy Easter!

     Happy Easter Everyone!   It is a beautiful spring day here in Vancouver.   The temp is near 70 and the breeze mild. 

     The Millers and I enjoyed a ham dinner. I had a cake in honor of Zach's 21st B-day and also for Angie who will turn 18 on the 18th. 

I went for a walk in the afternoon and got more photos of spring blossoms.



There was a mini adventure as well when I checked out this house lined up behind Deb's.  (She thought it would be great for me to have that location.)   It's been vacant and abandoned for a LONG time.  I wanted to see the back yard.  I felt like Indiana Jones (actually,Indiana Schmidt) as I snuck through a broken wooden side gate.  The back yard is literally overgrown with blackberry bushes.  I feared encountering my third spider--one crawling on me. Sorry. I don't have what it would take to make this one inhabitable.



view of back of Deb's house from backyard of potential home

   This has been a good Easter Sunday in the life of Grandma G.

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here: he has risen, just as he said'." (Matthew 28:6)



Photo Day....

Grandma G's dream job----entertaining in the Portland airport!









full moon Friday night





                                                   


"thatching"-- several little plugs of dirt
pulled out to aerate the ground 





SPRINGTIME in Vancouver

snow on the distant mountains

       Deb and family arrived home from a week's vacation in California.  I don't understand why they all slept away the afternoon.  I went for a half hour walk in the warm sunshine, while "visualizing" VC as my new home. 

     This was a good resting day in Vancouver in the life of Grandma G.

"So the son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

(Matthew 12:40)

    

FLYING HIGH....AGAIN!

     It is 7PM CDT--probably 6PM CDT wherever I am.  I am flying high on my way to Vancouver, WA. I am more content now that I can fly high with Gogo in flight.  I was disgruntled about an hour ago.  I thought I was going to get a $400 bump but then  was told to board at the last minute.  (A "bump" is money for tickets in exchange for taking a later flight because the present flight is full.)
    In reality this flight is very BuMpY.  I am in a middle seat--don't know how that happened.  Guess there weren't any aisle seats available when I booked this flight.  Try to picture 3 "guests" in an area ergonomically designed for 2.  Picture all three of us tapping away on our laptops.  Picture the passenger in the middle seat right in front of me having reclined her seatback as far back as it will go--it goes into the personal space of the passenger right behind her--ME.  Picture (and listen) to the lady to my right who is not only tapping her laptop but has loud volume music to go with it.  Not that I am complaining or anything.  Just picture, that's all. (and listen)  (Her headphone jack was not plugged in.  "We" determined that when the passengers across the aisle started wondering where the music was coming from.  All is quiet now.)
   I started off this day feeling quite fatigued.  It went that way most of the day.  The drive to Wausau was pleasant.  Just south of Park Falls I spotted 2 eagles soaring.  I tried for pictures, but couldn't.   Further  along there were 2 occasions of big fluffy birds perched on treetops.  You have to take my word because I was too fatigued to stop and get photos.  I did get this one, though.  This beast pulled out in front of me, puffing away like a black horned devil--the exhaust smelled like it, too.  I thought such engines were outlawed long ago. I slowed down enough to be free of the smell.  (If you ever want to do me in, just put me in a room full of fuel oil.  That will do it.)  Fortunately the truck turned off about 10 miles down the road.
     While waiting in Wausau for Burt to drive me to the airport I had a nice visit with him and Jen.  They just returned from a week in Cozumel, Mexico.  There they hung out and snorkeled with their 3 oldest boys.
    I am grateful to be going to Deb's.  The decision to go came about quite suddenly.  It will be nice to get away from the pressure of the store closing and all the personal choices that have to be made.  I am excited to look at the possible house and scout out the neighborhood.
     Deb and her family are still vacationing in San Diego.  Carole is picking me and then we are off to dinner--about 8PM PNW time--10PM my body clock time.

Mt Rainier

    For all of us Christians today is Good Friday, the day we remember the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is a memorial day in which we remember and are grateful for the sacrifice of himself on the cross to redeem us and grant us forgiveness of our sins.  It is a peaceful day.

Columbia River

 






  We are making our initial approach to PDX.  Need to use my last few minutes (of Gogo).  My sister Kate sent me an email while I'm in flight.  I have sent her emails from the heavenlies! 

What greeted us in the kitchen at Deb's house.  About 1/2 dollar in circumference.  Spiders seem to be after me these past few days.









This has been a good travel to the Pacific Northwest day in the life of Grandma G.

"Jesus said, 'It is finished'.  With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30)