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
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Summertime (and the livin is easy?)
Here it is the 2nd full day of summer, and it looks like we went back in time to April. Mostly cloudy, showers, and maybe 70 degrees. But I will take that over temperatures in the 90's with humidity to match, which is what a lot of folks are having now.
Today is our 24th wedding anniversary! Seems like only yesterday. How can this be?
Since I am still working nights, we have no big plans for the day. We thought that we would go up to the Snoqualmie Casino for their Happy Hour for a drink and a couple of appetizers.
We went to Keith and Sheila's for Fathers Day. Had a nice dinner, visited, played a little ping pong with Grandson Chandler, and had a good day. Skylar greeted us at the door in his power chair, and was talking up a storm. While there we stepped into the motorhome for a few minutes just to check things over. We kinda got the urge to just "drive off". We may still try to squeeze a week or so away into the month of August. It always amazes me that the motorhome smells new, even tho it is now 8 years old. It must be the combination of the wood and the leather. I like it! On Monday we went out to dinner with Josh and Brynn for Fathers Day as they worked on Sunday.
We have Patrice, Paul, and Anthony ariving from Chicago on Sunday. They will be here for 6 days, so we will be busy doing the tourist/tour guide thing. We are looking forward to it. The Mariners are out of town all next week, so the guys will be attending a Raniers game in Tacoma. As usual we have a list of things to do that is longer than the number of days to do them in. Not having to work for the week is especially apealing to me. Then after that I only have 3 weeks to go, then I will be retired again!! Speaking of retired, Joyce is into her 2nd week and doing quite well.
She has enough to keep busy with around the house, and she now has the time to work on her upcoming trip to Europe.
We are trying to extend our Hawaii trip in October for a few more days. We have never stayed on Oahu before, so it would be nice to have at least 10 days to explore. We haven't ruled out the possibility of a Cruise in early October and/or in January. In fact we want to do both, but not sure how that would work out. If the weather was good, we could take the Motorhome to Florida for a late January cruise, then head for Arizona for some "Summer" in February and March.
I'm sure that I have failed to include something in this rambling, and since Joyce has a lot of free time now, she just may add a P.S. For those of you in the Seattle area, summer will be back! For the rest of you, I hope your A.C. is working!
Till the next time, Ernie
Today is our 24th wedding anniversary! Seems like only yesterday. How can this be?
Since I am still working nights, we have no big plans for the day. We thought that we would go up to the Snoqualmie Casino for their Happy Hour for a drink and a couple of appetizers.
We went to Keith and Sheila's for Fathers Day. Had a nice dinner, visited, played a little ping pong with Grandson Chandler, and had a good day. Skylar greeted us at the door in his power chair, and was talking up a storm. While there we stepped into the motorhome for a few minutes just to check things over. We kinda got the urge to just "drive off". We may still try to squeeze a week or so away into the month of August. It always amazes me that the motorhome smells new, even tho it is now 8 years old. It must be the combination of the wood and the leather. I like it! On Monday we went out to dinner with Josh and Brynn for Fathers Day as they worked on Sunday.
We have Patrice, Paul, and Anthony ariving from Chicago on Sunday. They will be here for 6 days, so we will be busy doing the tourist/tour guide thing. We are looking forward to it. The Mariners are out of town all next week, so the guys will be attending a Raniers game in Tacoma. As usual we have a list of things to do that is longer than the number of days to do them in. Not having to work for the week is especially apealing to me. Then after that I only have 3 weeks to go, then I will be retired again!! Speaking of retired, Joyce is into her 2nd week and doing quite well.
She has enough to keep busy with around the house, and she now has the time to work on her upcoming trip to Europe.
We are trying to extend our Hawaii trip in October for a few more days. We have never stayed on Oahu before, so it would be nice to have at least 10 days to explore. We haven't ruled out the possibility of a Cruise in early October and/or in January. In fact we want to do both, but not sure how that would work out. If the weather was good, we could take the Motorhome to Florida for a late January cruise, then head for Arizona for some "Summer" in February and March.
I'm sure that I have failed to include something in this rambling, and since Joyce has a lot of free time now, she just may add a P.S. For those of you in the Seattle area, summer will be back! For the rest of you, I hope your A.C. is working!
Till the next time, Ernie
Sunday, June 7, 2009
What A Difference A Month Makes
We are now into the 2nd week in June and we went from freezing in April to sweltering in June. I believe that we topped out last Thursday at 93 degrees. That's about 15 too high for me. But Joyce thought that it was just right!
I have now finished 3 weeks of my "Back To Work Adventure". I have questioned my decision to do this several times, but I keep telling myself that it's easy traveling money. The problem is now that my time is eaten up by work, we don't have any time to travel! If I do this again next year, I hope to have better timing. But I thought since Joyce is still working part time, what the heck. Now as things turn out, she is soon to be unemployed, and we would have had a month or so to travel this summer. I finish work the last week of July, and she starts weekly Italian lessons the first of August in preperation for Europe in September. Timing is everything. We do have a week scheduled in Hawaii the last week in October. This is the week we were supposed to do in January when my mother was hospitalized, and we had to cancel. Since we had prepaid the accomodations, I was able to reschedule so we will be there for my birthday. And, right now airfares are about 65% of what they usually are. We may extend the stay on Oahu if I can find a good deal on a condo for a few more days.
Last weekend we had some of Kristin's friends and some family friends over for a graduation party. The weather cooperated and we were able to spend the day out on the decks. Kristin and Joyce did all of the food, and everything went really well.
Kristin just left today for her summer job at YMCA Camp Colman. She will be there for 3 months, but will be home for a day or so now and then. She would like for camp to turn into a full time job, but right now that doesn't look like a happening thing.
When she gets back from Europe she plans to start seriously seeking a full time job.
I'm out of things to write about so, Aloha,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
P.S. As Ernie mentioned above, I am soon to be unemployed. This Friday is my last day at the YMCA where I've worked for approx. 21 years all told. Unfortunately, myself and 3 other long time employees had our jobs eliminated due to restructuring and reorganizaion. There were layoffs at all the YMCA"s in Seattle. In all fairness, we were offered an option to take another job within the YMCA. However, i declined the offer. After talking it over with Ernie, we figured this would be best for our future travel plans. I am sad to leave but at least the YMCA is literally just down the block from where we live and I can always drop in for a visit. I will mostly miss all the wonderful friends and co-workers I will no longer be able to interact with on a daily basis. I will especially miss my good friend Molly who was like the other half of my brain - we worked together for so long we could practically read each other's minds. Even tho I worked part time it was a big part of my life and I will miss it. --Joyce
I have now finished 3 weeks of my "Back To Work Adventure". I have questioned my decision to do this several times, but I keep telling myself that it's easy traveling money. The problem is now that my time is eaten up by work, we don't have any time to travel! If I do this again next year, I hope to have better timing. But I thought since Joyce is still working part time, what the heck. Now as things turn out, she is soon to be unemployed, and we would have had a month or so to travel this summer. I finish work the last week of July, and she starts weekly Italian lessons the first of August in preperation for Europe in September. Timing is everything. We do have a week scheduled in Hawaii the last week in October. This is the week we were supposed to do in January when my mother was hospitalized, and we had to cancel. Since we had prepaid the accomodations, I was able to reschedule so we will be there for my birthday. And, right now airfares are about 65% of what they usually are. We may extend the stay on Oahu if I can find a good deal on a condo for a few more days.
Last weekend we had some of Kristin's friends and some family friends over for a graduation party. The weather cooperated and we were able to spend the day out on the decks. Kristin and Joyce did all of the food, and everything went really well.
Kristin just left today for her summer job at YMCA Camp Colman. She will be there for 3 months, but will be home for a day or so now and then. She would like for camp to turn into a full time job, but right now that doesn't look like a happening thing.
When she gets back from Europe she plans to start seriously seeking a full time job.
I'm out of things to write about so, Aloha,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
P.S. As Ernie mentioned above, I am soon to be unemployed. This Friday is my last day at the YMCA where I've worked for approx. 21 years all told. Unfortunately, myself and 3 other long time employees had our jobs eliminated due to restructuring and reorganizaion. There were layoffs at all the YMCA"s in Seattle. In all fairness, we were offered an option to take another job within the YMCA. However, i declined the offer. After talking it over with Ernie, we figured this would be best for our future travel plans. I am sad to leave but at least the YMCA is literally just down the block from where we live and I can always drop in for a visit. I will mostly miss all the wonderful friends and co-workers I will no longer be able to interact with on a daily basis. I will especially miss my good friend Molly who was like the other half of my brain - we worked together for so long we could practically read each other's minds. Even tho I worked part time it was a big part of my life and I will miss it. --Joyce
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Mid May or What Happened to Spring??
Here we are in the middle of May, and I have needed gloves in my morning walk. Joyce has been bundled up like it was December! We need a little of that "global warming" that we have been hearing so much about. Maybe with our crappy winter and spring things will turn around for a nice summer.
I am officially headed back to work for about 10 weeks begining this coming Monday. I will be working nights and probably will not be getting the sleep that I have grown accustomed to since retiring last August. I'll have to get into an afternoon nap routine, and I have just the right outdoor recliner for that. (Thanks Joe& Molly)
I need somebody to step up and take a few baseball tickets off my hands, as work will cause me to miss a few. Good seats in the 300 level behind home plate.
Last night we went to a Blues Dinner Club with a group of friends, and stayed out almost to midnight! Good music with Louisiana style food that was not as good as we had on our trip but, you can't have everything. Randy and I decided that they need to add some barbecue to the menu, but we aren't in charge.
We have finally gotten to the mid 60's to low 70's for our daytime temperatures, so I am in the process of finishing the front door that was installed about 6 months ago. Now if only my lawn would take shape after killing off all of the moss, the outdoors will be in fairly good shape. I just need to finish the annual "staining of the deck", but again we need DRY weather with WARM temperatures.
My mother is back on the road to recovery, but is still in the health center at Judson Park. We do not think that she will be able to move back to her independent living apartment, but hope to get her to assisted living. She picked up one of the so called "Super Bugs" somewhere. We think it was probably at the hospital where she went when she had a stroke in March.(She will be 94 in July)
It's time to go for our daily walk, then get back to work on the door.......Ernie
I am officially headed back to work for about 10 weeks begining this coming Monday. I will be working nights and probably will not be getting the sleep that I have grown accustomed to since retiring last August. I'll have to get into an afternoon nap routine, and I have just the right outdoor recliner for that. (Thanks Joe& Molly)
I need somebody to step up and take a few baseball tickets off my hands, as work will cause me to miss a few. Good seats in the 300 level behind home plate.
Last night we went to a Blues Dinner Club with a group of friends, and stayed out almost to midnight! Good music with Louisiana style food that was not as good as we had on our trip but, you can't have everything. Randy and I decided that they need to add some barbecue to the menu, but we aren't in charge.
We have finally gotten to the mid 60's to low 70's for our daytime temperatures, so I am in the process of finishing the front door that was installed about 6 months ago. Now if only my lawn would take shape after killing off all of the moss, the outdoors will be in fairly good shape. I just need to finish the annual "staining of the deck", but again we need DRY weather with WARM temperatures.
My mother is back on the road to recovery, but is still in the health center at Judson Park. We do not think that she will be able to move back to her independent living apartment, but hope to get her to assisted living. She picked up one of the so called "Super Bugs" somewhere. We think it was probably at the hospital where she went when she had a stroke in March.(She will be 94 in July)
It's time to go for our daily walk, then get back to work on the door.......Ernie
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Hi Ho, Hi Ho
Well, it's almost a done deal that I will be returning to work in a week or so. It will be a 10 week deal, so the light at the end of the tunnel will start out big! I turned in my official application today. I had another inquiry about my services from another former employer yesterday. I could barely get my shirt off over my head last night when I went to bed.
Otherwise not much happening around here. The weather has been kind of sucky lately. Lots of wind and rain, so my yard looks like crap again with all of the crud from the trees. But the moss perceveres! One of these days I'll get it looking good again.
Joyce and I went to the Mariners game last night, and saw them lose for the first time in the regular season. We don't have tickets for a game now for almost 3 weeks.
And because of my potential work schedule, I may have to miss a game or two.
Joyce and Kristin are continuing to prepare for their trip to Europe in September, and I am looking into meeting Joyce in Germany the end of September. It might workout. We shall see.
I've been promising to get some pictures up on the past couple of blogs, and the camera battery is being charged right now. So shortly there will be some very random pictures down loaded (that's computer talk).
Today is the 5th of May, so kick back and tip a Corona!! Adios, Ernesto
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mayday! Mayday! (Or Beware of the Swine.)
Here we are getting ready to enter the month of May, which means that we should be getting some nice weather. We shall see.
We made it through the week of sitting for our Granddog Jake. I spent part of yesterday removing noseprints from windows, and tonguemarks from the hardwood floors. Jake licks EVERYTHING that dosen't move! Jake and Hairold (the cat) both made it unharmed. By the end of the week they pretty much ignored each other. But, the cat was still in charge. Last night we went to Josh & Brynn's for dinner and to visit. Jake seemed happy to see us.
I got a phone call from my old place of employment inquiring if I would be interested in working for a while this spring/summer. After mulling it over, I decided to work for 10 weeks. That is the most that I could do without screwing up my Social Security benefit. So, I will be working nights (4 tens) on the I-5 project through King County. Hopefully I will be able to get some decent sleep. Time will tell. I might have to miss a couple of baseball games, but I will try to set something up to work around that. It's hard to turn down when they tell me that I am at the top of their contact list. And besides, this can be our "traveling stash".
I could be starting as early as next week.
Joyce and Kristin are finalizing their Europe plans. They will be spending approximately 1 week each in England, France, and Italy. And now with a little extra travelling money in the pot, their is a possibility that I may meet Joyce in Munich for Oktoberfest. But who knows about anything with the flu panic.
My Mother has been occupying a lot of my time lately. She has had a series of medical emergencies over the last year or so. I believe that she has been to the emergency room 7 times in the last year. She got out of the hospital this past Saturday, and is now confined to the Health Center at Judson Park. She is anxious to get back into her independant living apartment, but we're not sure if she can handle that any more. For the past 2 weeks, I have been making daily visits. So I now have a valid excuse for not up-dating the blog sooner!! We have been so busy since our return from the "Valley Of The Sun", that I forgot we had tickets to the DooWop concert on the 11th of April. I did buy insurance on the tickets, and am in the process of recouping our $. And along that line, I just bought tickets for the Moody Blues at the end of July. One of my all time favorites.
With that all said, I will throw some random pictures up and say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Auf Widersehen..........Ernst
We made it through the week of sitting for our Granddog Jake. I spent part of yesterday removing noseprints from windows, and tonguemarks from the hardwood floors. Jake licks EVERYTHING that dosen't move! Jake and Hairold (the cat) both made it unharmed. By the end of the week they pretty much ignored each other. But, the cat was still in charge. Last night we went to Josh & Brynn's for dinner and to visit. Jake seemed happy to see us.
I got a phone call from my old place of employment inquiring if I would be interested in working for a while this spring/summer. After mulling it over, I decided to work for 10 weeks. That is the most that I could do without screwing up my Social Security benefit. So, I will be working nights (4 tens) on the I-5 project through King County. Hopefully I will be able to get some decent sleep. Time will tell. I might have to miss a couple of baseball games, but I will try to set something up to work around that. It's hard to turn down when they tell me that I am at the top of their contact list. And besides, this can be our "traveling stash".
I could be starting as early as next week.
Joyce and Kristin are finalizing their Europe plans. They will be spending approximately 1 week each in England, France, and Italy. And now with a little extra travelling money in the pot, their is a possibility that I may meet Joyce in Munich for Oktoberfest. But who knows about anything with the flu panic.
My Mother has been occupying a lot of my time lately. She has had a series of medical emergencies over the last year or so. I believe that she has been to the emergency room 7 times in the last year. She got out of the hospital this past Saturday, and is now confined to the Health Center at Judson Park. She is anxious to get back into her independant living apartment, but we're not sure if she can handle that any more. For the past 2 weeks, I have been making daily visits. So I now have a valid excuse for not up-dating the blog sooner!! We have been so busy since our return from the "Valley Of The Sun", that I forgot we had tickets to the DooWop concert on the 11th of April. I did buy insurance on the tickets, and am in the process of recouping our $. And along that line, I just bought tickets for the Moody Blues at the end of July. One of my all time favorites.
With that all said, I will throw some random pictures up and say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Auf Widersehen..........Ernst
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