Since we're talking...

This week, John underwent a procedure called brachytherapy for prostate cancer. There. I said it. He came through fine and the recovery is pretty smooth-going.  It involves internal radiation, so no surgery occurred. We're grateful to have a team of very skilled doctors and anticipate this will do the trick for him. He will have check-ins every 3-6 months to confirm that the cancer has been properly eliminated, but we anticipate a full recovery. We have known this was coming this since the first of the year, so we're glad to have it completed. He will be staying home for the next month which is a bonus.

The peas are in and the Head Gardener brought in a nice bowl full yesterday. The rabbits have been nibbling the stalks so it's good that we can harvest some before they do any lasting damage.What's interesting about these peas is that they have purple pods (and flowers) and yet the peas inside are a brilliant green. We visited some friends yesterday who have a very nice garden. The secret is that they enclose it in plastic for much of the time to get that much needed heat. But they have beautiful lettuces and more. That project has been referred to the gardening department here at the Grant residence for further study.

We got our errands run yesterday and even took time to go out to Big Beef Creek in Seabeck to see if any eagles were about. We saw only one. Next year we must remember that they are usually plentiful just before Father's Day. But the weather was stunning and the views were crystal clear. Today it's cloudy and showering lightly. We'll do a couple of things in the garden, but it looks to be an inside day primarily.

And John is not the only one who is doing hard things for the sake of his health. I have been participating in a supervised dietary regimen and have lost 17 pounds so far. In 5 weeks. It's pretty restrictive (about 700 calories per day), but it's doing the trick and I feel very good. Much better than before I started on this adventure. My fasting blood glucose has normalized since the first week.  I have quite a bit more to lose, but it looks like I'm well on my way! And speaking of that, it's time to get going. We'll talk later...

The Boys are Back in Town ...

I talked about the problem we are having with rabbits in my last post. While they are very cute and interesting to watch, they have started to destroy the garden. That means war! The Head Gardener has taken to throwing stones at them. But we needn't have worried as the clean-up crew has gotten wind of them (literally) and are on the job. Two young coyotes walked down the driveway this week and began to sniff out the small invaders favorite spots. We haven't seen or heard any active "rabbit meets coyote" incidents, but the number of rabbits we are seeing seems to have gone down. Perhaps they decided this wasn't the idyllic resort they first thought and have decided to move on. Oh, John' s still throwing rocks, but hopefully they will continue to seek refuge elsewhere. Next up: planning for a fence around the garden. The honey-do list seems self-perpetuating at his point.

Earlier this week, I saw a deer standing among the fruit trees when I arrived home. She was quite large. It looked like there was a face-off happening between the deer and a rabbit who was standing firm at the base of the plum tree. She saw me through the window and seemed undecided about which way to go; toward the bushes on the road side of the house or to the ones that lead into the woods. So, I went out on the deck and she went back into the woods. We are discussing having a dog, but to be fair to the dog, we really need to be home more often.

John was away last week, but arrived home Thursday evening.  Always nice to have him back. He will be home for about a month now before he returns to California for an office check-in. During that time, we anticipate the visit of one of my sisters and brother-in-law over the July holiday. Just a kick-back and relax sort of visit. Our summer begins properly on July 4 when the weather stays consistently sunny and warm through September.

Here are some more pictures...

Rabbit Math

Rabbit Math. You know. Where 1 + 1 rabbits don't equal 2. We seem to have grown into a rabbit resort. We have rabbits any time of day in every place in our yard. Big ones, small ones, and in-between ones. Apparently they live about 8 years and are here for the duration. We have looked on the Internet for ways to get rid of them and are offered several suggestions: planting marigolds and lavender, spreading bone meal around, putting up fences (dug 8 inches into the ground), spraying coyote urine around (and just who is going to make that coyote spray anything anywhere?) and, finally, getting a dog. Maybe...
Meanwhile, Roosevelt watches these new invaders from the windows and he doesn't seem too pleased about the situation.

Speaking of new invaders, John has happened on some mice in the yard which jump. Yup. That's right. They jump. And there's a species of mice out here that are actually called Pacific Jumping Mice. I wouldn't make this up. If one of these ever gets in the house, I will be staying at the local hotel until it jumps right out the door. My trusty mouse-catching mixing bowl isn't going to do it for this one. I will be looking at nets fairly soon.

John has been here the past two weeks. He will disappear to California on Monday for a few days. It's been nice to have him here. We have eaten on the deck nearly every night as it's been very mild, in the 70s. He will miss the return of chilly temperatures when they return this week. He has been gardening up a storm. He planted some blue peas this year and they are putting on quite a show. Unfortunately, he discovers two of the plants had been chewed clean through at the bottom. Those pesky wabbits are pushing their luck now.

The weekend is flying by. Tomorrow, I will plant some annuals that I bought today. Some will go out in our little memorial to Zoe and some will go into a big blue pot on the deck for some summer color. I also bought a nice tomato plant and will put it in a pot near the deck where it can get lots of sun. We actually do get lots of sun. It just starts a little later here. Summer will suddenly be here on the 4th of July and will last until well into September. And when that happens, there truly is no more beautiful place...

Just Smiles...

Our anniversary was Wednesday! John made dinner for us and we reminisced about these past 14+ years. A lot has happened. We feel very good about where we are in life right now. And yesterday, we gave ourselves the gift of a new dining table and chairs (and one bench). It's a lovely Amish-built set, built from maple, and should hold whatever number of family or friends come to dinner. We weren't expecting to buy one as we went in "to look". The electronics store where we were dropping off an old printer for recycling wasn't yet open and this took our eye. Once inside though, the table and chairs were there and the rest is "history". They delivered it 3 hours later.

We also did our errands which involved a drop at Goodwill and a stocking-up visit to Costco. After the table delivery, there was still the banking to do, groceries, a trip to the office supply store, and to the Home Depot. And just to make things interesting, as John was mowing, he got mired in a still- too-wet spot down near the woods. After he tried for way too long to get the damned thing unstuck (pushing, pulling, placing this and that under the wheels), we brought the little Honda 4WD down, through the rock cairns, hitched up the tow rope which I had in my just-in-case kit, and pulled it out. That was pretty easy and did the job quickly. The bigger question was how I was going to get the car out of that small area through the cairns. Team Grant came through as John navigated me with lots of arm waving and sign language and finally we got the car positioned  to squeeze forward through a pair at the end of the yard. The day ended with dinner on the barbie, a video, and bed.

Today, we are having breakfast with friends at Port Gamble. John will take his camera "just in case" we spot any whales. Maybe I'll get some weeding done today. It promises to be a beautiful day, around 70 degrees. The rabbits are still here. Apparently they have found refuge under the shed. They can be seen nibbling here and there most any time of the day. One coyote walked through the yard one morning last week, but we haven't heard them in the night recently and they haven't found the rabbit hotel. We haven't put up any bird feeders this spring in hopes of deterring the bear from making us a regular fast-food stop on his spring wanderings.

Finally, we went to California over the holiday weekend to spend some face-time with the grandson. An absolute delight! He trued 9 months on Wednesday. He's doing all the things he's supposed to do at that age; pulling himself up, finger-feeding himself, putting everything in his mouth for close inspection. And his personality is lovely. He's a sprite. He will soon have words to say and will be more mobile as he figures out he can move laterally around furniture and, finally, independently across spaces. It won't be long. John and I enjoyed just holding him and interacting with him; just to get the reward of one of his twinkling smiles. I can't wait for the next opportunity to "play".

A Little Behind....

Where does the time go?? At last entry, I was off to Las Vegas for a conference. I went and was sick the entire week, finally persuaded to visit a doctor down there where I received a load of meds, including a shot in my backside! I attended the conference every day, though. But it was no fun, even with a roommate who likes Vegas and took me here and there each evening. That little bug hung on to me for two weeks. I was not alone as three other people who had been in an event with me on the Friday before, also came down with the nasty thing. So, that accounted for a couple of weeks with no desire to post. The past two weeks, I have spent some time doing work while at home and otherwise keeping up with whatever life presents.

We have had some beautiful weather over the past month. Sure, it comes for a while and then leaves and returns to rain. But I think that's Seattle's version of Spring. John put the garden in much earlier this year and it has responded very positively. It's sure to be a bumper crop of peas and potatoes this year. We also harvested some rhubarb which I dearly love. But I have put it in the freezer until I can find time to deal with it. It will make some tasty jam and maybe a pie.

Our yard has been identified as a safe haven for rabbits. At least the rabbits think so. We have gone from a rare Mr. Peabody sighting  (as we would call the single rabbit seen once in a while) to seeing multiple rabbits of varying size throughout the day. I'm sure they're doing what rabbits do and we'll likely have more of them. They drive Roosevelt wild as he runs from window to window to follow these new invaders. They haven't bothered the garden or perhaps they were hoping for carrots.But they munch and munch on the grass. They also are not frightened by the car as I back out of the garage. Hopefully they don't cross paths with the coyotes.

We are going to visit the grandson in California this weekend. I'm excited. He is just about to turn 9 months and is pulling himself up to the coffee table and using a sippy cup. How quickly the time goes.

We have a lot of "life stuff" coming up which will keep us occupied for a few weeks. But soon it will be summer and we'll be sitting on the deck in the pleasant evenings. It's all good...

Here and there...

It's been a week of travel for both of us. John has traveled to California for the past two weeks, arriving home for the weekends. I am off to Las Vegas this morning for a week to attend a conference. We'll meet up next Saturday before he takes off once again to California for 4 days. These are busy days. It will settle down next month.

We went to the city yesterday to see Jersey Boys. I grew up with and loved that music. John didn't know anything about them. We had a good time, even having lunch at the Rock Bottom Alehouse.

I am a little under the weather; sore throat, achy. Hopefully, it will continue to lift as I make my way to Las Vegas. John will enjoy the best weather of the year up here while I am away. Lots of sunshine and moderate temperatures (even hitting 70 degrees) are predicted. The Ocean Spray is in full bloom. Perhaps the rhodies will be out by the time I return. Till then...

Oh Wow!

Spring has arrived. In fact, it's doing its best to imitate Summer! We might reach 70 degrees today and the sun is brilliant. Truly, when the sun shines up here it's hard to beat the beauty of this place. March will definitely go out as a lamb today.

Nice weather brings the urge to get some things done outdoors. I'm going to believe that Spring is actually taking hold and I'll put the chairs on the porch after I give it a good cleaning. John has been working in the garden as much as he can and is rewarded with peas coming up and leeks and garlic well on their way. He will plant potatoes today. We bought two rhododendrons last weekend and perhaps they will find their way into the ground today. Our lilac bushes look like they will take off properly this year at last. They seemed to have a tenuous hold on life for a couple years. And we're talking about creating a nice planting area in front of the porch, maybe a semicircular kind of space. I planted primroses in bloom around our dogwood tree last weekend and they look quite merry there. The bushes and trees in the woods are starting to burst with green without any help from us. 

Slithering Simon

Our resident garter snake, called Simon, was out sunning himself last week. Mind you, we don't really know if it's the same snake as last year and we don't actually know if it's of a gender to appreciate being called Simon. It's like our friend Mr. Peabody which is what we call any rabbit that comes calling. I have no idea why we even name them. Just seems friendlier, I guess. That's probably why I never ever refer to mice with a name. I don't intend to be friends with the critters. Knock wood, we have had a successful mouse-free winter.

I've been "tagging" myself in photos of the grandson when they get posted to Facebook. He is growing and changing daily it seems. We're hoping to get a Skype session in with him next week. Hardly a substitute for real live cuddling, but it will still be nice to see and hear the little fellow.

Work takes up a large chunk of time during the week these days what with the lengthy trip to and fro. I'm not complaining as I enjoy the ride and I enjoy the work. Just observing. John has been home for several weeks which has been great. April promises to be more hectic as he will travel a few times and I will also go to a conference (in Las Vegas). We'll meet up in May! So, for today, we'll be outside if you're looking for us :-)

Seattle Skyline from Kingston

Is that you Spring?

The peas are up! Planted a week ago and they have already sprouted. John prepped two more beds yesterday and is awaiting the arrival of the potatoes and the leek starts. The daffodils are open and we have some hyacinths that are ready to burst. It's properly Spring (or nearly there). The weather is a little "mixed" at the moment, but that's how it is up here at this time of the year. Spring is anxious to begin and Winter is reluctant to go.

It was a quieter week. No wildlife to report. Work and the commute were uneventful. John came over to the city a couple times for appointments and we enjoyed traveling home together. We have changed our health care providers since my job (and insurance)  change and are very happy with the care. I'm really disappointed in the level of health care on the peninsula and so glad it's an easy trip across the water when we need the experts.

Not much else to report for this week. I had a rummage through my quilting bin yesterday and see some projects that could get underway soon. I also took a large photographic print to a local frame shop and am having it placed in something nice. It's a limited edition from an artist who lives in the San Francisco area. I went to see him when we literally "found" this and other prints of his to learn about the history. I had the other smaller ones framed while we were still in California and this one has been patiently waiting its turn. It's a photo of a place in France and will be a nice addition here. That's about it for now. Spring is waiting...

It's a Wild and Crazy Life...

What an unusual week it was. On Sunday John discovered a dead deer in the creek where it comes on to our property from the road. It's about a 5 -6 foot drop there, so perhaps it just didn't see the drop through the fairly dense foliage and fell. We really don't know. It appeared to have been there only a short while, probably happened in the night. This was a new experience for us city folk now living in a wild place. How do we get it out? Who do we call? Well, we called 911 as directed by the police department recording. The operator said she would notify the county road people and they would come out Monday. They didn't. John called them directly and they had a wrong address. They would try to get out Tuesday as their priorities allowed. They didn't. Meanwhile, the local coyotes were much faster. By Tuesday, there was little left of the deer except bones and offal. We were concerned about the water and contamination. So, John contacted a service that removes dead animals and, as luck would have it, they had a truck in Poulsbo on another call  and would be out before 4:30. And they were. John helped them retrieve the poor thing from the creek, and disposed of the "innards". Not the "country life" he had envisioned. My lovely man is more the gardener type than the hunter type. We hope that doesn't happen again.

Monday, my 2 hour commute home turned into a 4 hour trip. There was an accident that closed the only bridge connecting the ferry landing on Bainbridge Island to the Kitsap Peninsula. It was closed from 2 - 6 pm. No bridge = no bus home. It also means no cars crossing the bridge so asking John to fetch me was out of the question. So, we waited. And when the buses were finally able to get to the ferry terminal after the bridge opened at 6, imagine the back-up of people and cars that were all pointed in the direction of my house. The amazing thing was how calm and pleasant people were as we stood around waiting for the ride home. Some folks had been waiting since the 2pm ferry crossing. My ferry arrives at 5:15, so I only waited about an hour before boarding a bus. The buses were full and standing room only, and yet no one was loud or belligerent. It was a day to make new friends! John met me at a park & ride lot in Suquamish (about 5 miles from the house) and drove me to my original park & ride to pick up my car. We arrived home at 8pm.

Wednesday, we met up in Seattle for an appointment at 3:30 and didn't leave until 5:30 in time to catch the 6:20 ferry. Another late arrival home. Things finally settled down on Thursday and Friday. Today we will take some things to a local organization which holds an annual rummage sale. And then it will be groceries. John planted peas last weekend and will likely spend the day outside as the sun is going to shine today!! Tomorrow, we will go into the city for the annual AKC dog show. And it's time to set the clocks ahead tonight! We will have light until at least 7pm now and by July it will be 10:30. I will hold on to that thought. Springtime...

Hard to Tell a Lion from a Lamb Up Here

March has arrived. In California, I would say it came in like a lion, but up here it's more difficult to tell. It rained and it was windy, but less so than winter rains. I guess I'll know for certain when it exits and can make a comparison. The temperatures are varying more now. Some nights it gets down to the 40s, today it's 31 with warnings of black ice for the commute tomorrow morning. John is actively working the garden now to prep for planting. He is going to try setting the peas in today, I think. He pruned the fruit trees back yesterday. That pile of horse pooh is dwindling.

Last evening at dusk, we saw a black tailed doe in the yard. She was enjoying a casual dinner at the edge of the woods. She also looked quite pregnant! We had not seen a deer quite like this one. Her coloring was darker and she looked shorter, but that could be because she was downhill from the house. We left her alone to munch. Two eagles were also sighted yesterday. It was a good day.

Taxes are done and shipped out to the accountant for review. Today I'll make a sweep through the house for items to donate to a local rummage sale. We'll drop them off next weekend. We've been here nearly 4 years so it's a good time to eliminate things we don't really use, things that have been sitting in closets since we arrived.

I finally hung a small quilt that I made years ago. It's in the pattern of Wild Goose Chase and made from material that was in the kids' clothing when they were small. Good to have it out in the open finally. Since beginning the new job, I haven't worked on any new projects. As I settle in to more of a routine and find the spaces, I'll pick it back up. There are some that are calling me. The house cleaning service has been a real gem. At least I don't have to think about those tasks on my all-too-short weekends. We enjoyed the monthly Farm Breakfast with some new friends yesterday. Good times...

Rites of Spring...

The end of February is upon us. That went fast. But there are hints of Spring here in the Brown Dog Hollar. The daffs are almost in bloom, crocus are up adding their merry color to the landscape, bushes have just started to bud, and there's a pile of horse pooh in the garden. Seems like we only just got rid of last year's generous delivery, but horses are horses and in the interest of helping out a friend (who has horses) we happily take a portion of their "product". It's become a ritual of Springtime.

Speaking of the garden, John noticed hoof marks in the garlic patch. The skittish deer have likely found their way across the driveway now and we will see how it goes this year once the garden is planted. We haven't replaced the bird feeders all winter and I miss the many birds who frequented them. But although I enjoy seeing a bear, it seems like a wiser decision to avoid tempting them to be frequent visitors with the offer of a snack bar.

I made it to my week-long workshop in Bothell this week. The commute turned out to be fairly routine after the first day. The workshop itself was a fairly intense experience, bringing together a diverse group of people to dissect and improve a process. Next week brings 3 days of classes which I missed in my orientation (when the flu hit). So, I won't be back to my regular state until Thursday. John returned last night after a Tuesday to Friday trip to California. We met up at the ferry and rode home together to begin a proper weekend.

Should be a low-key weekend. I have some shopping to do and some projects I want to address. If the weather holds, John will work outside. After all, horse pooh doesn't shovel itself! Traditions....

Up Early...

Heard in the hallway today: "One of these days, we'll sleep in till 6 o'clock". Our present regimen is to be up by 4 or 4:30 and on the weekend dear Roosevelt doesn't know there's a difference. So, yes, we are still up way too early on the weekend days.

John was in California most of the week, returning Thursday evening. So we lived our long-distance lives this week: emails and phone calls, abbreviated dinners, and early to bed. I'm not complaining. The week goes along quickly.

The housecleaning service began this week. On Wednesday, I arrived home to a happy, fresh house. Not that we're particularly messy, but there were windows washed and the shower was cleaned and a myriad of other things that added up to a "new house" impression. Worth every penny.

The point of having the house cleaning service is to free up some time on the weekend. So, yesterday John and I scouted out a route to Bothell where I will need to travel for a week's workshop soon. It's across the water, so I wanted to at least set eyes on and practice my route once as I'll be on my own that week. We used the Edmonds ferry and I managed that well enough. And, as I wanted to avoid freeways, we took the local route through town to get there. We agreed to try the freeway route on the way back and it's much easier and much quicker. I really have to stop indulging in this notion that I don't like freeways. I didn't live in California for 30 years without learning a thing or two about driving on them after all.

The weather is supposed to be dry for a few days this week, Hopefully, some sun will appear as well. The lilac bushes have budded.Today, we're going to catch up with our breakfast friends who were MIA at least week's Farm Breakfast. And I'll fit a much needed massage in the day as well. I enjoy my commute but I find that my shoulders complain about carrying a bag to and fro. And then we start over again tomorrow!

February Begins...

Is that Spring I see? It's getting light earlier and dark later. I think (hope) we are out of the snow zone with days being a little warmer (it reached 51 degrees on Wednesday last week). The trees haven't started to bud, but there's hope on the horizon. The darkest days are behind us.

Finally, I feel like I have actually started my new job. That flu virus really knocked the stuffing out of me and John has felt the effects too long as well. Still, we mustered on. He will return to California this week and I will go on my merry way each day, crossing the water to work in the big city. Actually, Seattle, as cities go, is pretty nice. Lots of people about and interesting buildings to look at. I have discovered (with help from a work mate) some of the shortcuts through buildings to navigate the hills. Escalators and elevators. To get from 1st to 2nd Avenue, the elevator in the Exchange building will take you those four floors that is the equivalent of the hill between them. Two (long) escalators in the Wells Fargo building will likewise get you from 2nd to 3rd. San Francisco has nothing on Seattle when it comes to hills.

We went to the monthly Farm Breakfast yesterday (sans our usual breakfast buddies). Once home, I interviewed and hired a house cleaning service. They will begin on Wednesday! That will free up some time on my precious weekends. Oh, there will still be laundry to do and groceries to buy. But to have the house maintained will provide some breathing room. Ahhh...

I drove in the city last week! I was assisted by a colleague who navigated us through the rainy traffic to go to Kirkland, crossing a floating bridge as well. The hospital has loaner vehicles so those of us who commute on foot can get out to one of the satellites when necessary. I won't have to do that too often, and I'm sure it will get easier as it gets more familiar. It was an adventure ala Thelma and Louise. We'll repeat it again this week as we need to go out to another satellite, this time to Bellevue.

Today is the Super Bowl; lots of ads, some beer, buffalo wings, and chips, and a little football American Style. It's the second biggest "food day" in America behind Thanksgiving. Tailgating at home. It's a tradition based on consumerism. We'll be watching and cheering on the San Francisco 49ers.

Odds and Ends: My iPad and I are getting on better these days. I have found a jigsaw puzzle app that keeps me company on the ferry, and all my Kindle books are there for me as well. It's not handy for doing real work (no MS Office capability), but it's handy for staying connected while traveling as long as I find some free Wifi. And it's quite compact for packing in a purse. So, life has changed a little and we're rolling along with that. We have refinanced our mortgage, dropping the interest rate to a fixed 2.87% and the term to 15 years. We plan to have it paid off by the time we retire. Meanwhile, working had some advantages as it allows us the cushion to travel. We booked our flights to Italy in the Fall. Once again, we will go to Il Casolare di Libbiano and are looking forward to it! Life is pretty good...

The New Normal...

Well, we are adapting to a new order. With my change in jobs came a change in commute. I now travel by bus, ferry, and bus as I get across to Seattle and up the hill to the hospital. I don't mind the commute. In fact, it's a pleasant way to go. And there's a whole community of people (lots of people) who are doing it as well. But it does mean I'm away from home longer.

I get up at 4am (it was 4:30 before), and am out of the house by 5:15 to drive the 2 miles to the Park and Ride lot where I catch the bus. That puts me at the hospital around 7:15. With Orientation completed, I will routinely leave work at 4pm and walk to the ferry for the 4:40 trip home. It puts me in the house just past 6pm. When John is home, he has taken on the task of getting dinner ready. On the days he travels, we will ride together until Seattle where he will go on to the train station and I will catch my uphill bus. We'll meet at the ferry on the return trip.

I was glad he was home this past week as I came down with the flu last Friday night and it persisted until I was cleared to return to work on Thursday. He took on all the regular tasks and somehow managed me as well. I'm not the best patient. I seem to react to illness (mine) like a surly dog that only wants to crawl into its den and be left alone. I was grateful for his attentions though (Really, I was!).

Our weather has been cold (the 28 degrees variety) and unusually dry for a couple weeks. We're set to return to rain mid-week. Today I will have a massage and then we will settle in to watch some football, since there's nothing to be done around the house or outside. Sounds good...

New Year...

We had a truly special New Year. We traveled to San Francisco on Saturday and played tourist for a few days. We flew into SFO and took public transit in the form of BART to downtown where we stayed at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. We met up with Karen, Christopher, and Gareth on Sunday and went to Candlestick Park to watch a 49ers game (Christmas gift from Karen). Again, we hopped on a Muni bus to travel to/from the game so we averted the mess that is traffic down there.

On Monday, we traveled out to Brentwood to spend the day with Katie, Morey and the grandbaby Morey! What a treat! He is such a treasure; very happy and interactive. Although they claimed he wasn't feeling quite himself, he still managed to smile and cuddle and, really, who could ask for more. (I'm having some trouble posting photos in the blog this morning or I'd put a few in!).

We traveled back  to get ready for a late night meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Jeane d'Arc in the City. Karen, Chris, Jacob, and Monifa joined us and we rang in the actual New Year (a first for us in many years) with the traditional paper hats, horns, and gifts from the restaurant owner (small calendars and chocolates). The evening was unique.

Tuesday we had a leisurely breakfast and then headed back to the airport and arrived home by 4:30. And then it was back to work on Wednesday which seemed like Monday all day.It was a short work week for me and I said my final farewells to Harrison. My last day there was Friday. I will begin a new chapter on Thursday of this week when I start a new job at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. I'll be working in Education again (hallelujah!) and am very excited to have been selected. VM is a progressive organization (named top hospital of the decade) and it was exciting just to be there during the interview process. Lots of positive energy and positive people. And, to top it off, I get to ride the ferry twice a day. Funny how people ask if I will "have to" commute. Well, that's a given since I have to get across the water to the city. So yes, I "have to" commute, but my reality says I "get to". What a civilized way to get to and from work. It's all in the way we see things. And "have to" is so much more limiting.

As for the short term, today I have some work to do with my father's account and I will make a quick trip to the market. John will be in California during the week. We will install a new TV today to replace the one we managed to break on Christmas Day (no yule log image for us). Maybe it will be up and running by the time the Seahawks play football tonight. Go Hawks!

Forward...

Let the Good Times Roll...

Let's start with weather. Last week saw our first (and hopefully last) snowfall of the season. It was unexpected in this part of the county, but it ended dropping a significant amount of snow over the course of one day. I tried to get into work, but found the going treacherous and returned home. It took me an hour to make the round trip to Poulsbo and back, and as my daughter said :She lives in Poulsbo!" Actually, just outside of Poulsbo. And as luck would have it (his, not mine), John was in California. There are still pockets where the snow is in piles or covering yards or fields, but at least the roads are clear, so life as we know it has resumed.

Christmas gifts were sent out on the 15th and most have arrived at their destinations. We are easing into the holiday here at home as we have no visitors this year. But we will be spending time with all the offspring over New Years and that is coming up fast. Roosevelt will be off to Club Med or whatever he calls the kennel on Friday and we will be on a plane to San Francisco on Saturday. There are dinner plans with friends, an overdue visit with the grandson, a football game, and more dinners. We'll return to our quiet space on New Years Day.

I am wrapping up and winding down at work. My last day is officially January 4. Accounting for holidays, I have 7 more work days. The department held a nice "see ya later" fete for two of us who are departing. They gave us gifts for our new commutes which included lots of foot pampering products for my city-walking tootsies and a gift card to buy some reading material while I enjoy that ferry ride daily. As always, there are people I will miss. But I am so looking forward to the new job!

John has also started some long-term "winding down" as he has put the staff on alert that he intends only about 4 more years with the company. That time will fly by, so, if any of them are interested, perhaps they'll want to take over the business. Perhaps in a year or two, he will reduce his semi-monthly visits down there to monthly. Maybe he would actually be here to be "snowed in" with me!

Well, the world didn't end on Friday and the Solstice ushered in the return of the light. Merry Christmas to us all and here's to a very Happy New Year. Till then...

Tis the Season (of Change)

I had a surprise when I logged on to my computer at home one evening this week. Daughter Kate was online and called me via Skype. I had me first Skype "conversation" with The Grandson! It was so much fun to see him. He has changed so much since my visit just after his birth. His hair (what hasn't fallen out) is turning a reddish color. And his cheeks and his legs have "filled out" as they do. He's a charmer for sure. That was a wonderful surprise.

I have accepted a new job! Come January, I will be commuting across the water to a hospital in Seattle to work as a Clinical Education Specialist for their Ambulatory sites. It's just what I did in California before we moved up here and it's a role I enjoy. The hospital was named Top Hospital of the Decade last year and my experience with the people I have met there so far has been only positive. They really have their act together. I'm even looking forward to the commute. I won't have to drive (except to the Park 'n Ride lot). I'll catch a bus to the ferry terminal, spend 35 minutes relaxing, and take a 4 minute ride up the hill in Seattle to the hospital. Once I get a little more fit, I'll walk that last leg. So, I get activity, exercise, and relaxation built right into my day! Win-win.

Of course, that change in job will bring some other changes as well. John will also begin to commute to the airport via the ferry and the train on his California weeks. We can ride together to Seattle and then on return he will wait for me at the ferry terminal and we'll ride back together. We're going to get a freezer so we can create meals and he will be the chief cook on his weeks at home since I'll be arriving home later. And I'll line up a house cleaner to visit a couple times a month so my weekends won't be spent in the trenches. Team Grant will "keep calm and carry on" through this period of transition.

We're not putting up a Christmas tree this year. Since it will be only John and I during the holiday and since we are leaving to visit in California just after said holiday,  I have opted out of the putting up/taking down. I've started putting a few merry touches around the house and that will be just fine. Christmas cards have gone out and I'll work on wrapping and mailing gifts now. John wants a boat so he can go whale watching in the Sound! The resident Orca pods have been very active locally. One of the ferries even had to stop as they were in the midst of a pod. So, maybe John will have to look for them on his rides on the ferry now. See. You wish for a boat, and Santa sends you a ferry! Ho, Ho, Ho...

Just another week down in the hollar...

Lovely weekend here at Miller Bay Road. John and I enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving on our own. We made a turkey breast for him and a Tofurky for me, mashed potatoes (from our garden), peas (from our garden), and a concoction of winter squash (garden again), apples, and cranberries. Of course we had the requisite pumpkin pie, but only one and no other kinds of pie this year. We had a chance to watch some football (the English kind) and some football (the American kind) and generally relax. We missed our family members, but are glad they enjoyed the holiday without traveling. Maybe next year...

Our weather has improved over the past few days. There's that misty, foggy look in the woods in the morning hours and yesterday we had some lovely sunshine. It promises to be drier this next week. We had a little hail late yesterday to signal the arrival of some cooler air. These final 2 weeks of November are said to be the wettest of the whole year and they have certainly stayed true to that this past week.

We have been supplying the birds with suet and seed blocks which they love this time of year. We even saw the Pileated Woodpecker (huge) on them yesterday. Unfortunately, our resident bruin stopped by sometime last night for a late night snack of  fast food. This morning the feeders are empty and only 2 of the 5 can be found. We're not sure where he takes them. So, that's the end of feeding the birds for now. At least until it's more likely said bear has gone off for a winter sleep (although we are told they don't hibernate up here). Seems we're on his regular route now for munchies. Last week we had a pair of coyotes wander through the yard. Their coats are full and their tails bushy as they get ready for the colder weather. And a deer walked across the road as I was on my way to work one day this week.

The deck is nearly finished. Some additional parts have to be ordered to properly finish it off with rails on the steps. But it does look very nice. Lots of changes to the place over this past year. We'll wait to put the concrete in on the side of the house until the wet season has gone. But the French drain is working to keep that side drier already. 2013 will be the year of the shed. It still needs to be wired for power and gutters placed. The inside will get a loft and the walls will get finished. John will make a workbench as well.

This week will see John in California. He's been home for the past two weeks and now will go down two weeks in a row. I've got work and Christmas cards to keep me occupied. Onward...

A Little Thanks...

Pineapple Express. That's what the weather forecasters call it up here. We're gonna get soaked over the next week to 10 days. At least there's no snow in that forecast and no high winds anticipated. I can deal with that.

John and I are on our own this year for Thanksgiving so we plan to keep it simple. I won't cook all day! But we'll still have a touch of tradition and enjoy each others company. Maybe Skype with a few relatives or friends from afar.

There are some errands to run this weekend and a few projects calling me. The new deck is almost complete. Just the steps to finish. It looks really nice and I'll post a photo when it's done. I don't know if the builders work in the rain, so it could be delayed a bit while the wet weather passes through. That's okay. I intend to stay inside and be cozy for the duration. And for that, I am truly thankful...

That's a Wrap...

It's 27 degrees outside this morning! Even though the leaves have turned and most have fallen (though not all), it's still a shock when the temperature also drops.It was an extra blanket night last night. I guess Autumn is really here and Winter is fast on its heels. For a few days, we have emerged from the usual rain to have bright, sunny days. What a gem. I'll put away the porch furniture this weekend in anticipation of a first snowfall.

It's been a full week. John was down in California and stayed an extra day this time. So, he only just arrived back last night. My work days were full of one thing or another. My evenings usually involved trying to stay awake for a respectable amount of time. I went over to Seattle one day this week for some business. Riding the ferry is always fun.And I treated myself to a cab ride up (and up) the hills. San Francisco has nothing on Seattle when it comes to hills. And I had lunch with a friend another day.

Son Jake turned 29 this week. Another marker for us both. A child doesn't have a birthday but that his (or her) mother doesn't also reflect on the day they were born and the path their life has taken thus far.

So, things are settling back into a more "normal" routine. We are trying to refinance our mortgage and I have been collecting the paperwork for that process. And I have been collecting a few documents for my father's needs. But all of that is falling into place at last. Today I am going to go shopping! A little retail therapy will wrap up this week quite nicely...