Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Re-retired

Last Thursday/Friday was my last day of my 10 week temporary employment. It went relatively well, except for the working nights part. I was asked if I would be interested in returning for another short stint next year. I think that I would, but it would have to be daytime hours. So we will see what happens. But for now, I need to get back in my retired mode!
The weather has been crazy the last few days with temperatures in the mid to upper
90's. The forecast for today is 100+, which would be an all time record! Not just for this date, but ever!! We should be sitting out in the sprinkler all day, but instead, I am going to the Mariner's game this afternoon with friend Pat. Then we are going to the Moody Blues concert with Pat and Steph this evening at an outside venue. This should be a good endurance check.
No RV plans for the remainder of this year yet. Maybe we can sneak off for a week or two after Joyce and Kristin get back from Europe the latter part of September. It would depend on what the weather forecast is. We tried RVing in the snow on our "Great Adventure" last year, and we would rather be where it's warm, dry, and sunny. Neither one of us is partial to snow.
This past weekend, we took my mother with us to Keith and Sheila's for the day. She always enjoys getting out for the day. It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive each way. Her hearing is about as bad as it gets, so she doesn't get very much of the conversations. But at 94 she can't complain,(but she does!)
I'm sure there must be some other important things going on here, but I can't think of any. So until then, stay cool!!!!!!!Ernie

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Mid July Already





2 More weeks! By the time I do the next update, I will be done working for the year!! Then it will be time to kick back and enjoy the rest of the summer and the early part of fall. And with a little luck we can throw a travel adventure in somewhere before Hawaii in the latter part of October.
Patrice, Paul, & Anthony were out from Chicago for 6 days the end of June/first of July. We had a good time and a very busy 6 days. The weather cooperated and we spent most of our time outdoors. We did our part for the economic stimulus by supporting restaurants and gas stations a little more than normal! They headed home on a red eye out of Seatac on Friday the 3rd.
The 4th was spent at Gail & Randy's. We even had a warm sunny day for once. They had about 20 people over for lots of food and a few beers (for me). We hung out well into the night and the mosquitos were feeding on us. We got home to find our cat (Hairold) hiding in a cubbyhole of the organizer in the computer room. He was totally traumatized by the fireworks. It took him a couple of days to get back to his normal ornery self.
My mother celebrated her 94th birthday on the 7th. Joyce and I went to pick her up to take her out for ice cream in the afternoon. We had arranged that with her on the 5th, but it was a total surprise to her by the 7th. So we altered the plan, and ended up with a very short drive to the local McDonalds. Hadn't been in a McDonalds for years, but how can you go wrong for ice crean? Ice cream is ice cream.
Last night we had friends Pat & Steph over for a barbecue and a couple of rum & Cokes. July is begining to be a tough month for weight control!! Then we topped it off with a little Ben & Jerry's ice cream! So today to get things back under control, we are going out with Gail & Randy to eat at a place that is supposed to have the best Reuben sandwich around. We may have to up our daily walk distance by a mile or so for a while.
I will attempt to include some random pictures............Ernie
Pictures from the top:
Hairold
Joyce and Kristin before
Joyce and Kristin after
E & J, Josh & Brynn, and Patrice, Paul, & Anthony (at Ivar's)