luvteaching

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

HI Charla, Just wondering how your trip home went and what your final thoughts are on this cruise. Hope you and Mini-me are doing well.

Good morning everyone, It's been a busy few days here. Today is my son's 47th birthday and we did a late lunch/early dinner yesterday. The menu was Spinach and Ham Enchiladas and sopapillas. Another friend joined DS, DDIL and myself and it worked out well. It was my first teary day yesterday in quite a while. I really missed DH and I guess it's because it was the first occasion we were celebrating without him. I'm strong and my eyes only leaked occasionally so that's good. I'll be on a BHB in 5 weeks so looking forward to it. A new experience cruising alone but it's the Westerdam and the same ports we've been to numerous times so no pressure to go, go, go. Off to get ready and head in for water aerobics this morning and then a couple of errands. Have a good day everyone! Karen

Good morning! Yes to stilts - about 60 years ago. No to houseplants - I have a black thumb. I do like the sound of bagpipes in small doses. Life has been somewhat busy here. DS is working on the pumphouse. He's a bit behind. He and DDIL went to Colorado to visit her sister. Coming home he ended up getting off the plane (volunteered) and had a night at the Denver Hilton before coming home Monday morning to Seattle. All part of his adventure. Monday I got a much needed haircut. My hairdresser took one look at me and started laughing (rightfully so as the hair was long) and then grabbed the clippers and I have a nice short summer haircut just the way I like it. Yesterday a friend and I went to BC to visit my mom who will be 97 in August. She's a going concern. She had a list and we went to the bank, the local mall to get her lottery tickets, hair products, scones at Cobh Bakery and her weekly magazine at London Drugs. Then it was White Spot for all of us to have the toasted shrimp sandwich on muntigrain bread. It's soooo good and White Spot as the best Cole slaw with sunflower seeds in it. Next was a drive through the old neighborhood, a stop to see our old house my dad built in 1954 (and it's still in great shape), a stop to see Mom's cousin who was gardening outside, a stop at the cemetery to see Dad's grave and clean it off, and finally a few other side roads Mom hadn't been on in a while. When I called her to let her know I was home she told me she'd sat down in her chair and slept an hour so we tired her out! Today is a stay-at-home day for me and I have a list of small things to get done here. Meals are easy. I have half my lunch from yesterday and I have a cinnamon scone from the bakery so I'm set. Here's a picture of my mom and me. Karen

Thank you to the OP for starting this thread and telling us about the offer. I did it about 10 minutes ago. I did have to upload an image of my AARP card (I'm on a desktop computer). It didn't take long for the verification to come through. Now I'll make a note to self to check back in a few days. I also did the Educator Discount last week. Karen

Thank you to the OP @Ineke for starting this thread. It jogged my memory to get it done as I'm a retired educator (32 years teaching 6th grade in the elementary setting). I scanned in a copy of my DRS paper and put my school name badge as well. It worked and I've been approved. Like @Nodakboiler it won't help with the ones I have booked but it will on new ones. Karen

Good morning everyone, I've been reading several times daily but just not getting the posting done. I'm doing well and life continues. DS finished the back deck and will do the pumphouse next week. I've been spending time notifying DH's insurance, TSA company, etc. Noticed the other day that my maiden name was misspelled on the death certificate so had to take it back to the funeral place and they'll get new ones. Got a phone call late yesterday afternoon that I have to go sign something to indicate the change is needed so that's on the to-do list for today. Monday and Wednesday I did water aerobics and Wednesday I checked out the picnic shelter we rented for DH's Celebration of Life and I like it and the location so now just have to get the time settled and we can get let people know. DH, due to his memory loss, had a penchant for saving things. Now we're not always talking important things. Think of pill bottles that he painstakingly took the labels off, Ensure containers with no labels. Ice cream cartons all washed and stacked. You get the idea. I'll have no problem filling the garbage can for the next month or so! They were treasures to him and not worth me arguing over. We've been to Skagway numerous times. Every couple of years DH wanted to ride the train so I'd book a Princess cruise to do so. My favorite excursion was with Chilcoot Tours and we did the train to Bennett Lake and Carcross and then a small bus back. DH enjoyed the train no matter what and I thought they did a marvelous job with the handicapped car on the WPYR. Next year, when I have Discovery Princess booked (moved from this year), I want to do the Bennett Lake excursion again but in reverse. Off for errands and other fun things. Karen

Thank you @YVRteacher for the great review of the small boat excursion at Hubbard and this whole thread! My favorite glacier is Hubbard and I've wanted to do this excursion before. We've done something similar at Sawyer Glacier and loved it. DH's mobility made this a no-go. However, DH passed a few weeks ago and I'm going to go on our already-paid-for HAL cruise in September. I've booked this excursion and can't wait for it! Thank you for taking us along. Karen (from Kamloops and Coquitlam)

Good afternoon Dailyites, It's a very pleasant 70's here in our corner of the Pacific Northwest with the sun shining and a nice breeze blowing. DS is working away. Monday - Wednesday he worked on taking the old railings off of our back porch (wood and lattice which had definitely seen better days) and put up all new railings and nice handrails going down the stairs. It looks so much better. He used pickets and put the crosspieces up just a bit. Now he's working on the pumphouse. He's torn it down and now comes the rebuild. DH built it 40 years ago so we're long overdo as the mice and critters had made it their homes. We have a date and place for DH's Celebration of Life - a local Sedro-Woolley park with the use of the picnic shelter and play area for the kids and the date will be Saturday, Sept. 16th. Haven't decided on anything else just yet. Last night my 91-year old friend (we did water aerobics together pre-Covid) passed away of cancer in her bones and lymph nodes. She wanted no heroic measures and was on hospice. When I'd call her I always told her she was "on the top of the list" and even on Friday she asked if she'd made it to the top. I'll miss her but she had a life well-lived. There will be a service at her church in a few weeks. I guess that catches you up on the last few days. I'm doing well and tackling projects. Today I made cookies - one batch of chocolate walnut and a batch of oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip - so the cookie container is now full. This afternoon is contacting a company or two regarding DH and getting some thank you notes written. Happy Thursday (or Friday Eve)! Karen

@Fishbone Thank you so much for coming back and finishing the tale of the great Alaska trip! I'm so sorry you got Covid. I'm so excited for you that you want to go back to Alaska again and do some exploring. Maybe include some more time in Homer? It's such a great and unique place. Your storytelling ability is wonderful and I'm thankful for you! Karen

Once the Westie docks you can go to the Snow Cloud Webcam and get views of her. https://webcams.thesnowcloud.com

@Norseh2o - that's my post office!! It is truly a great post office with wonderful staff. Karen

Good morning, Happy Birthday to Father David! @grapau27 I'm home today and starting off with the DS working away. The last of the lumber was delivered this morning so he'll finish the railing on the back porch and then start on the pumphouse. Yesterday was a good day/sad day in a way. I picked up DH's ashes, the small urn for me to carry with me, and his death certificates. He rode home in his spot in the front seat! Not sure where I'm going to place him yet. My Mom put my dad in his shop in the parking garage of her condo as that was where he liked to hang out (until they interred his cremains). Yesterday DH was nearby as we had tea and cookies. It's overcast and a bi the cool side but no rain in site on the long-range forecast. Thanks everyone! Karen

@dobiemom The Westie on Sept. 3rd is the one I'm on. DH wanted me to keep traveling and cruising and I'm keeping this one. I paid for it while he was still alive as he was determined to go. I remember you being so helpful to him on the bus tour in Sitka. You stayed on the bus and helped get him on and off at the Raptor Center and Fortress of the bears. Thank you for that kindness. Karen

Good afternoon, I've been reading daily - several times - just not posting for a few days. I'm so grateful for all the comments about DH's obituary. I really tried to capture "him" and I love the picture! I got a call yesterday that the death certificates and small urn are in so will stop by the funeral chapel tomorrow after water aerobics. DS is being a great son. This week he's building a new pumphouse for me. The current one is 40 years old and DH and I had been talking about replacing it. DS has time in his schedule, and I have the means to pay him, so it's a go. He's also going to put a new railing on our back veranda. @Vict0riann Glad to hear you had a good trip to Bellingham. I haven't been in the mall since last Christmas! I'm glad Pat was good with traveling. Keep a close eye on that guy! Thanks again to everyone for all the good thoughts. 8 weeks today I board the Westerdam for Alaska on my first solo trip and I'm good with that. I'll save the spreading ashes at sea for next year - not quite ready this year. DS and I are planning DH's Celebration of Life for mid-September or so. Karen

Hi @TraderSam, Doing the train and then a cruise is a bucket list item and I'm so tickled to read your adventures. I hope that your luggage has made its way to you and you have recovered from jetlag! Karen

HI @Fishbone, I've really enjoyed following along with your trip. I've done a lot of Alaska cruises but not any land trips. My DH and I loved the Homer Spit area! I hope you are feeling better soon and can get back to this thread and update us when you are ready and willing. Karen

Good morning @YVRteacher! I am really enjoying your writing and your comments. You are wonderful with your dad! If you enjoyed Sitka (which is one of our favorite ports) here is a blog you might be interested in: https://rich.mcclear.net Karen (transplanted Canadian to USA, Kamloops, Coquitlam, retired teacher - 6th grade)

I'm so glad this question was asked. I want to do this for my husband on a sailing in 2024 to Alaska. I've already talked to the funeral chapel about a small biodegradable container (it will have a hummingbird on it as he loved them) and it sounds like it's all done so well. Karen