luvteaching

@smitty34877 My deepest condolences on the passing of your husband. I'm so glad you were able to have him at home. Hang in there - you are a strong woman. Karen

Good morning from a sunny day in the Pacific Northwest! @kazuJacqui so great to hear from you this morning and glad to hear you and Ivan did ok. We had a great day yesterday at DH's Celebration of Life/Family picnic. My DS and DDIL were amazing at keeping the barbecue going. We went from 11-3:00 and had about 40-50 people there. I was blessed to have my two nieces and 2 great nieces there from BC along with my friend, her husband and two adult children, as well as my cousin and her husband. DH's side of the family all came and we had a lovely visit. Also, quite a contingent of teacher friends were there. Even our mailman stopped in! The weather was perfect - sunny with a slight breeze. Everyone ate and visited and it was a great send-off for DH. It was just what he would have wanted. By the time I got home last night and unloaded my car I was tired! Today I'm picking up my cousin and her husband at 10:00 (they have their motorhome at the local KOA) and we're going for a drive and a late lunch at Olive Garden. They don't have one anywhere close to them so they are looking forward to it. It's funny - when I was telling this to others everyone mentioned "oh.. soup, salad and breadsticks are the best"! Karen

Good morning, Quick check-in today. We're doing DH's Celebration of Life/Family Picnic today and the weather is supposed to be mid-70's and sun! I have several friends/family coming down from Canada which I'm very appreciative of. We're doing hamburgers, salmon burgers, hot dogs, etc. and my job was the sweets DH loved - chocolate chip cookies, Nanaimo Bars, and Oreo Cookie fudge. We're going from 11-3 in a very casual park venue and I've counted at least 40 so far who are coming. Should be a fun time. I just hope it all ebb and flows nicely. DS came yesterday afternoon and loaded up his vehicle and mine with tablecloths, etc. My job is now to get DH's urn in as well as a few last minute items. I'll update later or tomorrow. Karen

Good morning everyone! I got back on Sunday and the cruise went well. I had my teary moments but they lessened as the week went on and I was fine. I'm a "tough old broad" if the truth be known. I do tell people I was born with my bladder behind my eyes which is why they leak! hee... Juneau was a gorgeous day and Sitka and Ketchikan were overcast but no rain. Hubbard Glacier was foggy and wet but the small boat excursion was definitely worth the time and money. We got to within 1/2 mile of the glacier which was more than a mile closer than the ship did. Since getting home I've been busy with water aerobics, unpacking, PT for my leg, my DH's 65th High School Reunion yesterday (there were 22 of his classmates there ) and getting ready for his Celebration of Life/Family Picnic on Saturday. I got reminded, gently, by my brother-in-law on Tuesday about making Nanaimo Bars so that's on the schedule today along with Dh's fave Oreo Cookie fudge. I also got a call last night that my cousin, who was under the evacuation alert in Chase, BC, is coming down for the weekend and will be at the event. They are bringing their motorhome and staying not too far from me. I'm so grateful they're making the trip (it's about a 5 hour drive and an international border crossing) and we'll get to visit as it's about 4-5 years since we've seen each other. Today is sunny weather, PT, and baking and cleaning - so exciting! Karen

Greetings from Juneau! I finally could log in on my phone. It's a lovely sunny day in Juneau and shirtsleeve weather. I'm doing well on the cruise, some teary times, lovely dinner companions, and I'm on vacation in Alaska. Tonight is the Pinnacle and tomorrow is Hubbard Glacier and I'm doing the small boat excursion. Have a great Tuesday! Karen

Good morning! All packed and will head out the door in less than an hour. Thanks for all the good wishes! I'm not sure how much I'll be able to check in. I'm on my Mac laptop and for some reason Safari doesn't like Cruise Critic on it (does fine on my desktop) and my other browser won't let me log in. The HAL app is just spinning on my phone so I'm glad I have a printout of my boarding pass. I'm a bit teary this morning but I figured I would be. The tears are right there behind the eyes. I tell people I was born with my bladder behind my eyes and I tend to leak! It gets a smile. I have cookies to give the parking lot crew and everything is ready to go. Have a great Sunday enjoy the Labor Day weekend! Karen

Good morning, I enjoy bacon especially on a burger. DS has quite the beard. It's not my favorite but it's his face and he's happy as is DDIL so that's all that matters. Today is packing day. I have clothes out on the bed and have walked away for a bit. Then I'll go back and probably put quite a bit back in the closet and then start with the suitcase. I'm planning on one bag to go with the porter, one with me and my backpack but we'll see how that goes. Have a good Saturday and stay safe this Labor Day weekend! Karen

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbi1 This morning is somewhat busy. I have PT at 10:00, then banking, Costco, Fred Meyer, and a Starbucks stop. For my sisters, 2 nieces and their husbands, I load $10.00 on their Starbucks cards monthly as their Christmas gift. They are in Canada and I'm not so it works for all of us. Once home it's time to start packing though I have that routine pretty well down after all our cruises to Alaska. Looking forward to being on a BHB even if it's raining! Happy Birthday @Cruzin Terri! Karen

It's raining here and it's more of the soaking drizzle than a hard rain. DS and DIL just left after a nice lunch and a good visit. We've got things fairly figured out for the Celebration of Life so that's good. Also DS filled the hummingbird feeders and my trunk with recycling so I'm happy. He's been a rock through this process (it's been 2 months now) and I'm so lucky and grateful to have both of them. Now to settle in for a hot cut of tea and maybe a bit of reading as it's just to wet to do much outside - and cool and gloomy! Karen

Good afternoon, It's a dull grey day here with rain in the forecast and we need it! We had thunder last night and a lightning caused fire the next county over. It's in a hard to reach spot but right on Lake Whatcom. Today DS and DDIL are coming for a bite to eat and we're going to get the Celebration of Life planned for DH. In addition I have some "son-do" jobs including filling the hummingbird feeders and loading up the recycling for me so I can stop tomorrow at the recycle center. 5 days to the cruise and I'm making my lists and checking them twice (oh - wrong event, right?). I'm looking forward to the cruise and getting away and I'm a strong ornery soul (taught 6th grade for 32 years you know) so I'll be fine and when I'm not I have a nice SY cabin to retreat to and relax. Have a good day everyone! Karen

All you need is your passport. Covid boosters are not needed and no car information is asked for. If you can go through the Aldergrove/Lynden crossing it's usually quieter and less of a wait than the Peace Arch or Truck Customs. When you come back it may be worth the drive to go that way. Listen to 1130AM on your radio and they do traffic and border reports "on the 1s".

Good afternoon Dailyites from a warm and smokey PNW. It's about 80F at the moment and may be as high as 85F today. It's just still quite smokey and it's not a nice time to be outside too much. I'm getting my walking in (goal is 6000 steps/day) and that's good with a left leg that wants to be ornery due to nerve issues. I'm finally doing PT and it's improving so that's a good thing. One week until I'm on the Westerdam. I'm so looking forward to it even if the forecast is showers. I am a great one for kind words (preached it to my 6th graders - especially in the spring when the hormones started surging) and I'd have the meal if I were on a BHB or someone else made it. Now off to get the next back of oatmeal butterscotch cookies out of the oven and then work on projects around the house. So exciting - not! Karen

Thank you for the Bon Voyage @kazu Jacqui! This one will be different, without DH, as you know but I'm looking forward to getting away and I've done Alaska so many times I can relax and see where the week takes me. I guess I'd better get the suitcases out soon! Karen

Good afternoon everyone, It's a very smokey day here and it hasn't reached 70 degrees yet. It's supposed to be close to 80 today but I don't think that's going to happen. Now the weekend is supposed to be up closer to 90 so we'll see. Today has been a morning of errand running, banking, getting corn at the corn stand, and a few other stops. The line-ups at Costco just getting into the parking lot were long! Once inside it wasn't too bad at all. I only needed a few things so I got in and out fairly quickly. I'm home for another 15 minutes then back into town for PT at 2:40. Once that's done I'll be home before 4 and can relax! Have a nice afternoon! Karen

It looks like a decent day in Juneau.

Congratulations @YVRteacher from a retired teacher! All schools need librarians to focus on kids and books. My DH passed away June 27 and we have memorials designated to our local fire district and to the school library that I taught at for 32 years. The firefighters and medics were awesome with DH and came many times for "lift assists" and he loved to read and always wanted kids to have books. Where is your new school? My niece is on the board for Delta School District. I went to school in Coquitlam 1st - 12th and graduated in 1971. Karen

We love Sitka and here are some photos of the dock at Halibut Point. There's even a Halibut Point Seafood and Chowder house. That's DH on his scooter ready to go to the shuttle and wander Sitka. These were taken last year in July. I believe this is the Westerdam. Here's DH in front of the sign. The new structure behind him houses shops, the restaurant, etc. Here are a few views from our balcony.

She's coming into view. That's my vessel in 2 weeks!

Good afternoon everyone! @grapau27Happy Anniversary to you and Pauline! Enjoy your day. We're having a spate of cooler weather and the smoke has dissipated so that's good. I'm working on "stuff" for DH. I got notice today that his annuity transfer is going through. Yesterday I called to make sure his life insurance paperwork had made it (I got some paperwork on Saturday that led me to believe we'd crossed in the mail) and I was told it made it and payment is on its way to me - yay! Next is to try and resolve an ambulance trip that was ordered but not authorized through Medicare so coverage was denied and I have a bill for just over $1500.00. I'm trying to get Peace Health to reimburse me since they should have had it pre-approved. The saga continues. Meanwhile I'm doing some things for myself. I had some sciatic nerve issues that caused some limping and I put that aside as I focused on DH. Now I've started PT to get that resolved and it's helping but it's going to take awhile. The B.C. cousins are still on an evacuation alert and the firefighters seem to be making a bit of progress so that's good news. Enjoy your Tuesday! Karen

Good Sunday morning, We're having a cooler day today which is nice. However it's quite smokey at the moment. We also have a fairly decent breeze which is keeping things pleasant. I'm getting cookies made. Yesterday was chocolate snickerdoodles and today is a walnut cookie. I have family (cousins) up in Chase, BC, on evacuation alert since Friday evening due to wildfires. My 94 year old aunt has been safely evacuated to her daughter's house. My cousin's have their motorhome packed as well as their car, as do their adult children, and will head into Kamloops to a family member's home if they have to evacuate. They also have a cabin in the path of the fire but the latest news is that it is safe. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers please. 2 weeks today I head out on the Westerdam. I have my lists going and am looking forward to a change. Enjoy your Sunday and stay safe! Karen

Good morning, We are predicted to have a slightly cooler day today which I don't mind at all. Happy Birthday @Mr. Boston! Yesterday I made it to Senior Day in the Park and am so glad I went. It went from 10:00 - 1:30 and had lots of vendors that cater to seniors, live music for dancing, and a sack lunch for all. One of the first vendors I stopped at was the in-home rehab people that came for several years for DH and one person manning it was his PT. We shared a hug or two and some good memories. She affirmed that I'd done all I could for him which was so gratifying to hear. The other person manning the booth had been at the house a few times and she remembered my cookie jar and DH. Next was a stop at a booth manned by the daughter of my friend that passed last month. I also stopped at the book of the Care Center DH was in until he was taken to the hospital and shared some hugs and memories with the two staffers there. I got my sack lunch, saw a friend who had lost her car keys so ran her home to get her spare set and back, then finally headed for home. Today is an appointment (I'm exploring PT for my darn sciatic nerve) and then errands - Costco, Fred Meyer, the bank, and the corn stand. Have a great Friday everyone! Karen

Good morning, It's the last day of high heat forecast for our area (85+) so have windows open and fans going now to keep the house cooled down. I'm shaded enough that it doesn't really heat up until late afternoon and we've had a nice breeze the last few days which has helped. Today is "Senior Day in the Park" in Burlington. It runs from 10:00 - 1:30, includes an antique tractor show, live music, free sack lunch, and lots of vendors geared towards seniors. I'll make the drive into town to check it out. Right now that will be the highlight of the day. Our local corn has been 2/$1.00 so have been eating a lot of corn! Perfect dinner - corn and a nice salad and I'm set. Starting to get into cruising mode. I've got lists started. It will be strange to be packing for 1 and a lot less to pack without DH's meds, etc. I'm looking forward to it. It's on the Westerdam in the same cabin we had last year and two very familiar ports so I can get off and wonder - or not - depending on how I'm doing. I booked the Pinnacle Grill for Juneau so I don't have to rush back as I'd like to get to the Alaska State Museum and do some downtown looking. Have a good day! Karen

Good morning, As @Cruising-along mentioned we're getting a hot stretch - for us! I have windows open and fans going but will soon button things up and keep the house cool. Fortunately we have overhangs - effectively creating covered decks and car ports so the direct sun doesn't come in the house. We face north/south and only have one window facing east (and lots of trees shading it) and one facing west. Yesterday was water aerobics and banking. Today I don't have much but just had a cancellation for a Friday appointment and can get in this afternoon so off I'll go. Slowing getting DH's insurances, etc. taken care of and got a check in the mail today so that was nice. Hubbard Glacier - my absolute favorite! 3 weeks tomorrow I'll be there and I've booked the small boat excursion. I'm so looking forward to it. Have a good Tuesday and stay cool! Karen

Good morning, It's supposed to get close to 90 today and tomorrow and just a bit cooler as the week goes on which is hot for the Pacific Northwest! DS is coming over in a bit and will fill the hummingbird feeders for me and do a few other "son-do" jobs as well as have a visit which I always enjoy. @0106 Tina, I love my air fryer and even moreso now that I'm cooking for one. I have replaced my toaster oven with the air fryer on the counter. In addition to not using oil most foods come out moister and I like that. My favorite is doing pork chops in it. I put a bit of olive oil on them and put then in at 400 for 15 minutes (they are the thicker ones) and they are so good. I've done corn-on-the-cob this week and so yummy. I now do my bacon in there as well. Mine is the "basket" kind but I have a friend with one that's more of an oven one and she even bakes in hers. I haven't got that adventurous yet. Enjoy your Sunday everyone! Karen

Good afternoon, It's a sunny but breezy day here and we're heading into a hot stretch (for us) this coming week with highs almost to 90. I'm thankful our house stays rather cool. Today is my DM's 97th birthday. She's in BC and has plans to go out for Greek food with my sisters later today. Life here is adjusting to not having DH and all the paperwork. I finally have all the papers submitted for two insurances and one TSA. One insurance - his group policy through Greyhound - will be here shortly. I did it on-line so easy to track. Today I got a refund from the Care Facility he was in from May until his passing and they have been so easy to work with. Three weeks tomorrow I board the Westerdam for a week to Alaska. I'm so looking forward to it and I know it will be different and it may be hard but I'm a strong person. When I get back I'll attend DH's 65th high school reunion on the 13th and we're doing his Celebration of Life on the 16th. It's at a local park, very laid back, casual, picnic style. DS and DDIL will help with the planning hopefully next weekend. Now off to a memorial service for a 91 year old friend from water aerobics who passed about 2 weeks after DH. Have a good day everyone! Karen