First Senior Field Day....Part One...

       Tuesday was my first senior day trip.  I didn't sleep well Monday night because I didn't have an alarm clock and I was fearful of missing my first adventure.  (My first real adventure should have been several weeks ago to a store to buy an alarm clock.)
                                                                                                           Heading out on my first senior trip
     With much excitement and a little apprehension (Who likes being the new kid?) I ventured out for my first morning drive, heading for the senior center.  I was all set since I had a practice drive on Sunday,and was pleasantly surprised there was very little traffic---until close to the senior center.  I had to pass through the Clark Community College parking lots. 
      The senior center had all the feel and appearance of a senior center.  There were two groups that morning.  One for our day trip and a hardier group all geared up for a hiking excursion.  (One of my goals is to get fit enough to join that elite group of hikers.) 
         
   Two vans of folks headed out by 8:30 for a full day of scenic enjoyment.  I took the  last seat in the very back of the van because that was all that was left by the time I boarded.  Not a bad seat except the view was limited and I couldn't get pictures of all the cool scenery that seemed to constantly be on the right side of the van. And a rather bouncy seat, kind of like riding an unpredictable donkey.  (Not that I am whining or any thing of that sort--just stating facts.) 


   We headed east of Vancouver, paralleling the Columbia River (I think).  Our first stop was the Bonneville Dam and Fish Ladders. 

                                                                                       part of the "ladders" for fish to swim up

It is a series of "ladders" for the fish (salmon) to swim up on
as in nature, but with help.  The tour guide told us the process from spawning to the mature fish returning to spawn.  Quite a remarkable man made ecosystem.   

Mural on the wall.....

 

 

 

 

       On the way to the fish ladders we passed Beacon Rock.  Beacon Rock is a monolith.  According to our tour guide it is one of the three largest in the world.  The other 2 are Gibraltar and Aryers. 

 

      How do YOU rank them?   First____________Second_____________Third_______________  

 

 Beacon Rock from a distance

                                                                                    Zoomed in view of Beacon Rock

 

 

      Several folk from out here (including fellow mother-in-law, Carole) have climbed Beacon Rock.  The trail is circular around the rock. I hear it was rather treacherous years back, but the path is more secure now.  One always has to be aware of the wind closer to the top.  Hopefully some day I will add my name to the list of successful climbers. 

 

 

      We had our lunch break at Skamania Lodge.  Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the beautiful lodge.  We ate a delicious lunch in a dining hall overlooking the Columbia River.  The meal was a wonderful time of meeting ladies, practicing their names in my mind, feeling connected with a common bond of surviving a half century and relishing the privilege of living.  

 

 

 

 

(Here's a little secret.  There is SNOW on them there mountains. OH, NO.  Locals call it termination dust.  It heralds the end of the autumn season and start of winter.)

 

   Come back tomorrow for more great pictures and stories.

 

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     Halloween Horror Picture #7 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       This has been a good "after my first senior outing" day in the life of Grandma G.

 

 

     "Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his rightousness endures forever."  (Psalms 111:2 & 3)

Mixed Weather...3 Days...

     Blame it on the downpour rain.  Blame it on the Cable guy.  He arranged on Friday to be here on Sat. between 8 & 10AM.   That means one has to be up and dressed BEFORE 8AM in case he comes at 8 rather than 10.  If one goes to bed past midnight and wakes up early one does not get enough sleep to function properly.  Such was the scenario most of Saturday.   
    I've been having trouble with my WIFI for several weeks. Finally called to have the rep come out.  He was professional about it and kept apologizing for defective equipment.  Hopefully all is resolved.

   The side effect of the morning visit was a not fully functional day.   I did take a walk late morning when the sun peeked out.  Nice walk and got some fall photos. 




                                                                                            Sun break in the clouds

                                                                                  I'm Feeling MOOSE better!

 

 

PNW Bunny

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The afternoon and evening passed with a nap, a trip to space (Star Trek), an hour of stretches, cooking beef roast with potatoes, carrots and LOTS of gravy, and kitchen clean up (including the floor).  Whew!  Sure glad for that nap!

 

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     Sunday dawned a bit cloudy, but no rain.  After a wonderful church service I went scouting out the senior center in downtown (old) Vancouver.  On Tuesday I am going on my first senior day outing to what is called The Gorge.  I need to drive there early (7:30) so need to know where I am going.  I was very pleased to discover the senior center was just up the road a few miles from the church.  Of course that doesn't mean I didn't get turned around a couple time.  But, hey, that is what "scouting out" is for.  So now that I know it is a 20 minute drive from my house and only 8 turns (3 once on the main roads) I am well prepared for my first Vancouver, PNW senior day trip adventure!  Life is good!    Check it out come Wednesday morning.

                                        Redwood tree in senior center parking lot

     I drove to Deb's Sunday evening for a home cooked meal of meat loaf (Deb couldn't stand it as a child) and mashed potatoes, preceded by and followed by pumpkin cleaning, carving, baking seeds  AND Trader Joe's pumpkin cheese cake for dessert--well, mine after I paid for it.

    I drove home peacefully and successfully in the dark later in the evening.  Imagine my surprise on Monday afternoon when I peeked out the front door to check temperature and spots of blue sky.....

 

                                                               ..........................

 

                   ....To Find My Set of Keys Hanging in the Lock.....

 

                                      ........OH, MY..............

 

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     Into every life some rain must fall---literally and figuratively, but still real.   That happened on both levels to me today----Monday.  While the rain was pouring down from super sized buckets, my former life relationship was ending via the telephone.  I knew this day would come.  I kept ignoring it; maybe it would just go away.  But decision time had come.  Lou and I worked with lawyers to settle financial issues in order to finalize our divorce.  That is such a tragic word, though at times it is necessary.  How I wish I could tell a "happy ever after" story, but I can't.  "Peaceful ever after" hopefully will be my story.  

    We all know that this doesn't happen just over night.  Years of turmoil proceed the final decsion.  Yet that actual time is a shock.  Today was my actual time.  We settled the facts as best we could and signed the paper.  I am sad for me and I am sad for Louie, because I still love him and deeply wanted something better for both of us.  Now all I can do is make the better for myself and learn to remain a friend to Lou.  Here's to celebrating family--7 kids, mates and 18 grandkids.  

   

GeoLou Schmidt Family at Mt. Rushmore National Park,

June 2012

Debbie, Gerry, Burt, Chuck, Bill, Al, Angie

 

     This has been a good 3 mixed weather days in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  (Psalms 34:18)

RAIN......

     Today I am experiencing the PNW...RAIN...It is different from mid west rain.  There is no thunder or lightening, just a downpour of RAIN.  Though it is chilly outside, it is not COLD. 
     This was an indoor day for me, except to go to the chiropractor who made my sore shoulder hurt even more.  He said it was a necessary pain to get the scare tissue dissolved.  I guess it is getting better, but still achy.  (I am learning about exercise stretch bands.)

     Handyman Bob was here to put together several pieces of small furniture.  I now have a dandy bench for folks to sit on as they take off their wet boots or shoes---and for strawboy to sit on for a season. 
    Also have 4 red stools for company, plus book cases and end tables. 
     I have a goal of my house being completely set up by Thanksgiving when some family is coming to visit.  The first phase moved along quickly.  This second phase is a little more time consuming. 

     I made some phone calls to Park Falls to inquire if any of my new CD's have sold.  One did!  Was hoping for more than that.  It was nice to talk to a few people that I know from there. 

    The day was productive until 4:30.  Then I vegged in front of the TV for most of the evening.   Since the weather was conducive to a fire in a fireplace I did just that. it didn't burn as nicely as when Deb lit it for me.  I opened the flue (I thought).  It burned ok, but just ok.  In the late evening  when all was cool in the firepit I tried the flue again.  THIS time I got it open.  I knew that when the air suddenly turned quite chilly.  It's all part of the learning process. 

 

 

 

      FLASHBACK/AUTUMN IN MIDWEST

 

Doesn't it just blow you away?

 

     This has been a good, very rainy PNW day in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "Love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart  and with all  your soul--then I will send on your land in its seasons, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil."  (Deuteronomy 11:14)

Sunshine and Trader Joe's...

     Today was forecast to be the last day of ....SUNSHINE.  So after a day of window washing yesterday I figured this would be a great day to be "out and about".  I have been wanting to explore Trader Joe's grocery here in east Vancouver.  It is a slight drive, but not too bad.  Turns out it was an enjoyable drive--not much traffic, sunshine and colored leaves. I spent over an hour checking out the store before I checked out---my organic groceries, that is.   

 

 

 

 

fun healthy food, including

Pumpkin Cheesecake

from Trader Joe's

 

 

 

Trader Joe pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns AND roasted Pumpkin Seeds!  YUM!     

 

There aren't all for me.  Five are for Deb's family.  Carving party this weekend!

 

 

       After bringing my groceries home, having a bit of lunch I was "out and about" again.  This time to Fred Meyers to snatch their bargains before the weather turns bad.  I was all excited because framed art was 40% off.  I had seen a great picture of the Oregon coast at the store last week.  I figured I would wait until it went on sale to purchase it.  So that is what I planned to do.  Nope.

Couldn't find it anywhere.  Someone else must have figured the same as me. 

 

      Remember the light pink curtain on a long skinny window?  Well, I am anxious to be rid of it and find something suitable that fits.  I stopped at a home store to look at possible window treatments.  Decided on look-like wood blinds.  Ordered them special made.  Paid for them and they will show up at my house in 2 weeks.  Then handyman Bob can install them for me.  Yeah!

 

      By 8:30 PM the rain began.  It is forecast to continue for about a week.  But not full force all that time.  I can handle 30% chance of rain.   

 

     This has been a good, sunny "out and about" day in the life of Grandma G.

 

    "For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the works of your hands, and your joy will be complete."  (Deuteronomy 16:15)

 





Clean Windows/New Floor!!

         After a brief time of fog we were blessed with abundant sunshine today!  The "locals" are calling it a bonus day.  I am now a local so I reckon was a bonus day of sunshine for me as well!  It was the perfect day to wash windows--or have them washed.  Handyman Bob showed up at 10 o'clock  and promptly started washing outside windows.  I was so caught up in the moment that I washed the inside windows.  I LOVE clean windows.  My house is almost new, but not quite.  There was a lot of dried paint drops on the windows and dirt on the frames.  I am one project closer to having a completely clean house!

 

Hi!

 

 

Two jets racing off under the sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Shortly after I moved in here the piano movers discovered a "soft spot" in the floor right inside the front door.  Recently the seller came over to check it out, then sent over a repair man to see what had happened. It is called dry rot from water seeping in and soaking the underfloor.  Today 2 fellows (dad and son) came to clean out the spot and to install new vinyl in the entrance.  They discovered that the door had not been caulked so water was getting inside the door frame and running down.  So they also caulked around the frame.  Initially Steve (dad) recommended me getting something called a "storm door"--an outside door to help keep the rain out when the front door is facing south.  I told him I am quite familiar with storm doors.  They aren't used much out here. He replied, "Oh, yah, you are from Wisconsin.  You don't sound very Wisconsin."  (Later we were chatting and he said now he could hear the Wisconsin accent. ) I am sort of a curiosity around here, with me being from the east.

     I now have a nicely repaired entrance and new vinyl. No more worries about dry rot.

(Ignore the pink curtain, it will soon be replaced with something more appropriate.)

 

     I spent sometime this evening getting familiar with e-coupons that can be uploaded to my Fred Meyer reward card.  This is a new science to me.  Also the world of reward cards and club cards is new and is fast giving me a handful of plastic to carry around. 

 

     The weatherman said there will be one more day of sun and then the rain and cold weather will return.  The weekend will be chilly--in the 50's.  Burrr.

 

     This has been a good "wash windows/get new floor" day in the life of Grandma G. 

 

     "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 8:12)