From White to Green in Three Days

Well, easy come easy go. We, like so many in the state got dumped on with snow to the tune of about 20 inches in Mount Vernon. I shoveled three days in a row to keep the drive and sidewalks clear, which did pretty well. We continued to get snow, though very small amounts that took little effort to move away. We then got some pretty good winds, which just cut the snow. Then the rains came and that is all she wrote for the snow. By the time we left MV on Saturday, we had green grass in the back yard and the cement pad was almost clear. Now maybe they will get out and take care the trash.

Thanks to those who gave gifts. You didn't have to, but thanks. We, Brandi and I had a nice Christmas. We had Christmas dinner on the 26th with members of her family and opened gifts on that day. Good time by all and the house was back together soon after all had left. You know I am not crashing with a messed up house, no way.

Love to you all and wishing you a best of New Years. Mind will be made when we sell this damn house in Hansville.

Winter Wonderland

We made our weekly trip to MV on Friday. We did our usual shopping trips around town. I was dragging around my right leg for the better part of the day and it just wore me out. I have developed a plantar fasciitis, which is a pain in the foot. I also picked up a new novel by Michael Connelly (The Brass Verdict); very good. I would finish it on Saturday.

Friday night, we also set up our new fake, 9 foot Christmas tree. Since we are not around except on weekends, having a live tree didn't make much since.

When we got home, I was shot. I went to sleep at 7:30 P.M. and woke up at 1:30 A.M. and was quite ready to get up, but I fought it for a while only to say forgetaboutit, and got up at 3:00 A.M.,went down stairs and read, and called my brother Pat in Indiana.

Saturday was more shopping, sleeping, and reading. We did go to a party at friend's home just a few down from ours. It was fun. Good food, Diet Coke aplenty, and adult beverages for those who drink such things. We also played a Christmas quiz game with 18 questions. I would love to say I got close to winning, but that would delusional thinking. Brandi did, however, win. Actually, I can't remember what she won. We also did a gift exchange, but with a twist. You could open any gift, keep it, or someone could steal it from you. I did not open a gift. I stole the gift from our friend Lorrie. It was a box of Hot Chocolates; seven boxes with six packets per box. I actually gave her three of them the next day so she could send them to her Hubby who is soon to be in Irag.

Oh, but prior to going to the party, it began to snow and it did not stop. We must have gotten 5 inches of this beautiful snow. It really makes the Cascade and Olympic mountains beautiful.

Sunday morning, Brandi put the lights on the tree. It therefore looks like a "Brandi Tree", that would be a mix and match of lights, with no real symmetry. Oh well.

Take care.

The End Of A Very Long Year

Haven't had much to say in the positive vain, so I have decided to not write anything. I do wish to say thank you to all who made Thanksgiving a wonderful time, and for all of you in Spokane who made that trip, though short, a very nice, fulfilling trip. To Tammy and Jenny an especially big thanks for the Chai.

Well, we are into December and our 15th month of paying two mortgages. Frankly it is weighing me down both financially and emotionally. It does little for my moods having to go through another Christmas without being able to give.

Not much I can do about anything, so I will just go on.

Back From Hawaii

After taking the red eye out of Lihue Airport at 11:50 P.M. we landed at SeaTac at about 7:10 A.M. We had a very good stay with good weather, good seas, great snorkeling, and lots of rest. For me though, much of the good was squashed by the BHO presidential win. I may just be in a fowl mood for the next four years. Suffice to say, I will not say much or the boys in black suites will surely come to speak with me, and I do not look good in orange. Although I will say, anything could happen between now and January.

Pictures will follow soon or at least after I get my digi fixed.

Dark Days Ahead

Needless to say, we have been making our weekly trips up North only to return to a house that won't be sold. Somebody shoot me.

Anyway, we leave Wednesday for Hawaii, which I am looking forward to. Sun, warm water, and a good book, perfect for getting my mind away from this house and this election year.

It will take a miracle for McCain to win. The little Marxist and his army of illegal voters, media, and illegal campaign contributions from over seas will likely win. We will then watch to see if the the Marxist get the big number in the Senate and House like they think they will. If they do, they will implement a socialist agenda that will set this country back for an incredibly long time.

I just read where the ATF broke up a bunch that wanted to execute the little Marxist, too bad. Not nice, but war isn't very nice. Taking my money and giving it to some slob who won't work or someone who is in this country illegally, is just wrong.

Well, that is all for now. Better shut down before the boys in black suites show up. Oh, if the little Marxist wins, head for the sporting goods store any buy any guns you think you will want. It won't take them long to kill the Second Amendment.

Not Much Goin On

I talked with my brother Pat this afternoon and he indicated that the old blog was a little flat. Well yea. What does one think is going to be written about when you are retired? My life evolves around the care of two houses and surviving the paying of two mortgages and doing yard work on both houses. If I didn't have my novels to read, I would likely be in the nut house.

Suffice to say we went up to the weekend retreat in MV where I did what, cut grass and finished with the pare tree, and read. We were going to see a movie, but the little lady had a tough time getting it going and the movie started at 10:30. It is a $5.00 showing, which is pretty good.

So we did some shopping. Brandi bought a new light jacket and looked for a sweater. She found the one she wants at Christopher Banks, but needed to print out a coupon that will save her some money. We also went to the library where she picked up a new novel by Earl Emerson (a Seattle author and real fireman). I picked up another Nelson De Mille novel (Word of Honor).

I guess the big news is a neighbor, Stephanie and Tim, let us borrow a 19 inch TV. Now we don't have cable hooked up, but we do have over 300 DVDs to look at. Last night we watched the second Pirates of the Caribbean. We wanted to see the scene where the guys fall into the river. We saw it and we have in fact swam in that very river on one of cruises. That was cool. Actually the river was really cold.

So, for me that was the weekend. Now we got home and I found a 5 inch rat dead inside the garage door and a dead bird in the dinning room. Does anyone want two cats? Yikes!!!!

Well, that is it for this time. Maybe something exciting next time.

A Wet Weekend Up North

Brandi, Eli, and I went up to MV on Thursday night in my pickup. We extended the flower bed on the North side to be able to accept our pare tree and two other blueberry bushes. Brandi turned the soil last weekend and we used the pickup to pick up a half yard of garden soil and some additional bricks to complete the little wall. You have seen the pictures so you know what I am talking about.

Though is rained on us a little, it was just a little. When we got it done, we got cleaned up and read in our novels. I finished my novel by Christopher Reich and Brandi was working on another James Patterson novel.

Saturday morning we went to the movies to see a movie we thought was going to be good, Appaloosa with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen. Actually, the trailer for the film is the best part of the movie.

After the movie, we packed up and head back to Hansville as we had a birthday party to attend that evening on the island. Our friend Gale was celebrating her 60Th with about 20 of her friends. Good food and good company.