luvteaching

@HAL Sailer. I'm glad to hear that you are able to think about taking care of yourself. My DS was a godsend. He took Monday mornings off of work and came and stayed with DH while I headed to water aerobics and some "me time". They had father-son time, some good visiting and bonding, and I got to be away for a bit. If you have a family member or someone who can come in for a few hours even once a week it's worth it. After DH passed away in June DS commented on how much those Monday mornings meant to him and I know they were important to DH because he had to be up, dressed and eating breakfast when DS got here. This is a journey and not always an easy one. I'm thinking of you!! Karen

Checking in from the Pacific Northwest.

Good morning, It's an overcast day today but no rain in the forecast. This week has been busy with physical therapy, water aerobics, errands, etc. I love nutty things - I tell people it's why I taught 6th grade for so many years! Last night a friend and I attended the Skagit Valley Symphony opening concert and it was a lovely night of music. They had a guest pianist who was amazing. The concert lasted almost 2 hours and these volunteer musicians are amazing. Today is a day I can finally stay home so hoping to get a few things done - or just relax. I cooked up an acorn squash yesterday so that will be part of dinner tonight along with a pork chop and salad. @HAL Sailer The best advice I was given when I was going through this with my DH was be sure to do something for yourself every day. It can be as simple as stepping outside, taking a few deep breaths and getting lost in the moment to going to water aerobics, taking a walk, etc. We have to take care of ourselves or we're no good to the one we're caring for. Hang in there! I'm thinking of you. @dfish and others. A week or two ago there was a discussion about Social Security and teacher pensions and I was unaware that, in some states, your social security was impacted. I'm not in one of those states so I'm very fortunate to get both full social security and my full DRS (teacher) pension. There is a good article in the current NEA magazine on this issue and I'll be following up on suggestions they have. I'm sorry you are so negatively impacted by this. Have a good Sunday! Karen

Good afternoon from the ever-changing Pacific Northwest, As I'm writing this I have rain coming down in sheets, my gutters overflowing, thunder rumbling, and out the other window is bright sunshine! Oh - and it's been quite windy as well! Glad I'm safely home and not out in it. DDIL's birthday dinner went well yesterday. My stroganoff recipe is a very simple crock pot one and then I did baked potatoes and I made noodles from scratch. She and DS ate quite a bit and took leftovers home. My neighbor, who is my walking partner, sent her husband down and he took enough back for their dinner and today another friend picked up the last of the leftovers. Sharing is caring - right? Back to the pool today after it being closed for a week and did it ever feel good. It was rainy going into town but afterwards it was just windy. I also did banking and got a few groceries. Tomorrow my new dryer gets delivered (It's an LG model) and I'll do PT in the morning so the week is filling up. Have a good afternoon! Karen Oops - another roll of thunder but still lots of sunshine.

Good morning everyone, My dad told everyone that he started going bald the day I was born! DH was thinning but still had a decent head of hair. The last few days have been busy. I did PT on Tuesday and Thursday. For some reason Thursday was a teary day and it wasn't the PT, just my body I guess. I did a drive afterwards and headed down Whidbey Island, wandered around Langley and treated myself to a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cone and the day got better as it went on. Yesterday was errands and then work around the house. Today is a Cruise and Travel show put on by our travel agency at the local casino just up the road. Since my TA retired at the end of September I'll stop in and meet my new TA and see what's on tap for 2025. I'm thinking about Boston-Quebec City-Boston but we'll see. Another one is Panama Canal repositioning. Tomorrow is DDIL's birthday dinner (birthday is Monday) and she's requested my crockpot stroganoff. I'll get it made today as it's easy with hamburger, onions, canned cream of mushroom soup and tomorrow add the sour cream. She couldn't decide if she wanted it over baked potatoes or noodles so we'll do both and I'll do a batch of egg noodles up from scratch. She's worth it! Have a good Saturday and enjoy the weekend! Karen

Checking in. I have sound. Karen

Good morning, Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! The earthquake last night didn't cause any damage and was 4.3. It felt a bit like the washer was on spin and you could feel it in the house. Had a lovely day yesterday doing a couple of farms on the Farm Tour. I went to Sauk Farms which specialize in apples and is run by a young couple. They are doing a good job. The other was Ovenell Farms which specialize in beef cattle, offer hay rides, etc. I picked up a couple of apples at the first stop and some blackberry jelly and a small cranberry/zucchini loaf at the second which is for my mom (so will freeze it until I head to BC again). We had lovely temperatures yesterday so even sat on the deck for a bit and finished my book - #14 in the Rhys Bowen "Her Royal Spyness" series. Today is supposed to be wet as are the next few days. The pool is closed for repairs this week so no water aerobics. I'll get my walking in early today as rain isn't forecast until the afternoon. Meanwhile a good day to tackle my to-do list at home. Karen

We just felt a 4.5 earthquake about 15 minutes ago! Karen

Maybe it's not me - but rather them! I just got some of the other sound but only briefly.

Checking in as well. I'm not hearing the sounds of the boats, etc. but do have the VHF. What am I doing wrong? I have sound on the Juneau webcam.

This thread brings back so many memories and that's great. I do wish HAL would reinstate some of the no-cost or low-cost items that have gone away. There was something about the Yum Yum man and the chimes calling you to dinner that felt elegant. I still have some of the notepads that were personalized and I'm so glad to see libraries coming back. Something I've been missing is the lack of ship/HAL specific merchandise in the gift shops. I love my license plate holder that says "My other car is a DAM ship" and it's transferred to a few cars! Last month on the Westerdam there was very little in the way of Westerdam related merchandise and the HAL stuff was ok but pretty much all clothes. Karen

Good morning, It's a beautiful day in the PNW and will be in the high 70's today and mid-70's tomorrow before we get rain on Monday. This is "Farm Tour Weekend" in the Skagit Valley with several farms open to the public with goods to sample, buy and educational displays. I'll head up towards Concrete tomorrow to visit two farms that were DH's favorites. Staying home today as new dryer is due to be delivered between 4 and 6 but could be earlier. Had a nice day visiting with Mom on Thursday. I left home at 9 AM and got back at 8:30 PM. She wanted to go shopping for black pants so we went to a mall that's a bit further from her place. She cashed in her lottery tickets and then clothes shopped. She got two tops and grey sweatpants and was happy. Then it was to the local bakery for some scones. I brought home a cinnamon one and a triple chocolate one. I left her at 3:45 to go to a friends house less than 30 minutes away and got there almost 2 hours later. The reason - an accident on the only bridge to get there. What a time just sitting and creeping along. At least the trip back down from BC was fine and my border waits were nonexistent. My Dad was bald and claimed he started going bald the day I was born! I walked to school pretty much all my school career until 11th grade when I started driving. You had to live several miles away to qualify for bus service and we weren't in that circle. Have a wonderful Saturday! Karen

Good morning from a sunny PNW. We're in for a 4-day stint of nice sunny warm weather and no rain until Monday. I can handle that. Today is a trip to BC to see my mom and some friends. I'm told I'm taking mom (97 and a going concern) shopping for new black pants, a stop at a bakery, and then to a pasta place for lunch. I can do that. Oh yes - I'm to stop and get Maple Nut ice cream for her on the way up (the old 1/2 gallon size). It will be a full day with leaving here about 9 and getting home close to 8 tonight. Have a great Thursday! Karen

@alibabacruisers BHB - is blue hulled beauty. Karen

I checked the roll call and someone posted on Sunday that Skagway, which is where they are supposed to be today, was canceled due to weather.

@Seasick Sailor Joy - I second the motion that you call 911 and get help to lift DH. I have lots (and I mean lots and lots) of experience with this scenario. I was instructed by our local medics/firemen to just tell them you need a "lift assist" and nothing else and then they won't send the ambulance, etc. Our local group was amazing the number of times I had to call for my DH. It was so appreciated that we had donations to the local fire department as part of DH's obituary (and have about $300.00 to donate). I felt "weird" calling the first few times but I was assured that it was totally ok and to keep calling. There were a few times they were here twice in a day when DH was feeling adventurous. The medics even knew where my cookie jar was and that it was always stocked! Karen

Have a wonderful trip @kazu Jacqui! Karen

Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit1 Good morning, The fog has burned off, the sun is shining and the forecast is for mid-60's today. I am not a coffee drinker at all. Definitely a "tea granny" and have quite a stash of Murchie's teas. Yesterday was some errand running and then dinner with DSIL and DBIL with crab on the menu. We sat around the table and cracked crab and made salads. We had a great visit and I was treated to a lovely sunset on the drive home. DSIL is DH's "baby" sister and she was the apple of his eye. Today my realtor friend is doing an Open House so will go visit her and put gas in the car. Not the most exciting but that's the way it goes. Karen

Good morning, We have a beautiful sunny day today but on the cooler side which is fine. I've been busy taking care of things. I still have a few loose ends to wrap up on DH's bills and it's hard to do that when people don't call back! I did order a new dryer yesterday and it will be delivered in a week. My old one isn't drying well and often takes two cycles for heavier items. DS checked the vent and it was clear so I think it's just age. I'm at the point I'd rather replace it before it goes. The old one is a Kenmore and the new one is a basic LG. I don't need wifi! I'd get it if the washer would take the clothes out of the hamper, wash them, move them to the dryer, dry them and fold them. Talk to me about it then! hee.... This afternoon I'm having dinner with DH's sister and her husband at their place so that will be a nice treat. They're hoping for crab but we'll see if it happens. Have a good weekend. Karen

Bon Voyage Roy! I'm so glad to see you are doing this trip. Have a great time! Karen

I am loving reading your adventures. Thanks for doing it! The shuttle in Sitka is about a 5-10 minute ride at most and they have handicapped vehicles to take you in. They have the shuttle procedures down to a well-oiled machine. Karen

Good morning, We're having a sunny day here today but rain is in the forecast. It won't be like Juneau the last few days - almost 6 inches over two days! It's been a busy week with water aerobics and PT. Yesterday our local plumbing and heating company came to do the yearly inspection, drain the hot water tank, change furnace filters, etc. They rescued a new-born kitten from under the house (the neighbor stray cats) and my friend who was here for tea took it in immediately! A small problem with a separated sewer pipe (partial) was discovered so they'll be back Monday to fix that and replace a bulb on the scrubber in the furnace. I can't do this stuff anymore so am grateful for the help. DS is coming over this afternoon to clean out the gutters. I figure it's time - there's a thistle growing in one section and it wants to bloom! He'll also clean out the dryer vent and do a couple of other small "son-do" jobs. I try to make his time worthwhile and not bug him too much. @smitty34877. You are a strong woman with a great support group. We just did my DH's Celebration of Life on Saturday. We did a big picnic with hamburgers, etc. and a very casual approach to the day. We had about 50 people there and it was the best time. Later, sitting in the recliner thinking about the day, I felt a sense of peace and release. I'd sent him off the way he wanted me to and it felt good. I hope that whatever way you decide on to "send off" your DH you feel that same sense of peace. Karen

Boy that cameraperson is having fun with the zoom! What a beautiful day in Juneau and the last nice day for a stretch if we believe the weather forecasters. Karen

Before I forget - I'm Scallywag Patch Sparrow. Karen

Good morning, I like butterscotch pudding, did "talk like a pirate day" with my students when I was teaching, and the meal of the day sounds good. Sunday I took my cousin and her husband on a tour of the area, so basically a day trip, and we had a great time. She wanted to see all the places I tell her about in my emails so we went for the exciting things like the high school parking lot where the seniors paint (personalize) their parking spots, by Life Care and the hospital where DH stayed, went to Olive Garden for lunch (soup, salad, breadsticks) as they don't have one anywhere near them, then by recycle, and the display of driftwood masterpieces that a local person has on display. The highlights of our country area! heee... I picked them up at 10 AM and returned them to the KOA (where their motorhome was parked) at 4:00 PM. It was a great day! We haven't seen each other in 5 years although we call and email regularly so being together was so much fun. Yesterday was back to water aerobics, errands and trying to make some order in the house and that's going to take awhile. Since the Celebration of Life I feel that I've sent DH off on a great note and now feel I can start tackling the clothes and other personal things. We'll see how that goes over the next few weeks. Today is PT and more organizing so nothing too exciting. Karen