luvteaching

Good morning, 

It's overcast here today with rain showers in the forecast. Typical Pacific Northwest!
 

I'm hitting a patch of days that will be "firsts". Yesterday was 9 months since DD DH passed and I did ok - just a few tears. Today is the one year point where he left the house and didn't return. The medics and I thought it was dehydration and the start of a UTI so I'd called our local medics to take DD DH to the ER. On the way out of the house he made them stop so that he could get a hat on. The doctor on the floor, Dr. Goo, always noted DD DH's hats and DH didn't want to be without one. Little did we know that a few hours later he'd be in septic shock and heading to the bigger hospital north of us in Bellingham, I'd be having "end of life" chats with an iCU doctor, etc. Hubby battled back and we had 3 more months for which I'm grateful beyond measure. 

Today is getting things done around the house. DS and DDIL are coming for Easter dinner and requested homemade lasagna and cheesy bread. It's a BBQ lasagna recipe that is quick and easy so I'll get the meat mixture made up today and Saturday make my noodles. Tomorrow is errand running and banking. 

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Karen

Good afternoon, 

Such sad news about the Baltimore Bridge collapse. My heart and thoughts are with the citizens in that area. Several years ago we had our bridge over the Skagit River collapse but it was due to a semi hitting one of the supports. No loss of life so this area was very lucky. 

Today was PT and next Tuesday is my last session for my stuck hip muscle until mid-May. The water aerobics really help as well. This afternoon is getting Easter cards ready to mail and doing some more purging as it's garbage day tomorrow. Nothing too exciting! 

Karen

About 30 minutes ago, on the Marine Radio, someone said something about let's get moving and get out of here. There's a large hurricane brewing off-shore. 

Checking back in. Our camera operator is doing a stellar job today as far as close ups go. 

There's now a close up of the lines and the white trucks on the Symphony! When's the last time we had a view like that? 

Thank you for the kind thoughts about my dad on what would have been his 98th birthday. He was a very good person with a heart of gold. His favorite phrase was "quit mucking around" and he could fix anything! 

In the Skagit Valley right now the daffodils are out and I treated myself to a drive this morning. Here are a couple of pictures of a couple of the fields. Today was overcast and not too many people out. Sunday is supposed to be sunny and it will be busy out there. I will stay home! 

Karen

Good morning, 

What good days to celebrate today. My area is known as the Skagit Valley and is very well-known for the annual Tulip Festival that runs the month of April. When the sun's out and especially on the weekends, we locals stay far away from the fields as it's a madhouse out there. Currently the daffodils are blooming and today is not raining so I may take a quick drive out that way on my way to doing Costco and Fred Meyer (and maybe even Wally World). 

Yesterday was my "goof off" day in a way as I stayed home but got things done and even made time to finish my book. I'm enjoying an author by the name of Rhys Bowen and love her "Royal Spyness" series and am enjoying her "Molly Murphy" series. 

Today is errands and nothing much planned for the weekend. Tomorrow is supposed to be quite wet so a good day to stay home. Today would have been my dad's 98th birthday - he passed 7 years ago on March 11th. 

Karen

Good afternoon!

It's an overcast day and quite a bit cooler than earlier in the week but it's not raining so that's a plus. Way, way, way back in 1991 I defended my thesis and got my Masters Degree in Education. At that time you could do a 5th year or the Masters to get your permanent certification. They were the same cost and only a couple of credits difference so I did the Masters and never regretted it. My thesis was comparing a couple of different ways of teaching spelling. I can still see my DD DD (he'd be 98 tomorrow and passed 7 years ago) beaming from the top of his bald head as I walked up to get my degree. 

The last few days have been busy with water aerobics on Monday and Wednesday - the fun thing. PT on Tuesday and yesterday had the car in for routine servicing at the Toyota dealership. Such fun to sit around there. I took my book and read. The car did fine and I had one burnt out light bulb and they replaced a cabin filter and air filter. I'm at the stage where I can't do that myself so I'll have them do it. 

Tuesday night we had excitement on the road (about 3/4 of a mile down from me) but I slept through it. Some lady went after someone with a hammer and then took off. She is now in the local jail on charges including attempted murder. The victim was "code red" but haven't heard anything else on them. Usually my area is very sleepy but not Tuesday night/wee hours of Wednesday!
 

Ok - off to get laundry going, cleaning up and maybe indulging in a bit of reading a finish off my book. 

Karen

Good afternoon, 

It's a lovely 62F with clear skies and lots of sunshine and another day like this for tomorrow is forecast. I'm finally home having done 2 water aerobics classes and some grocery shopping. 

@richwmn and the rest of the cast - this is a belated Thank You! Over the last 4 years the Daily has become a special place for me. You were all so supportive when DH was having health issues and I was grappling with things and even more supportive when he passed away. There were some days that I had tears in my eyes as I read some of the comments and they meant so much to me. Other days, when I'm having a quiet at-home day, you may be the only one I "talk" to during the day. You have all made a difference and all should be proud of that. It's the little things we do without even thinking about it that sometimes have the biggest impact. 
Thank you!!

Karen

Checking in from a beautiful spring-like day in the Pacific Northwest. I have the windows open and ceiling fans going hoping to air the house out. 

Good morning, 

We're having some nice warm weather - unseasonable for us and into the high 60's today. Yesterday it was so nice to open windows, air the house out and sit on the front deck for a while. 

Friday's lunch with friends went well. Very little of the Greek Lemon Soup left and out of 20 dinner rolls I made there are 6 remaining. DS will be over for leftovers. 

I am Kind-hearted Sparkly Pants. I have my shamrock earrings and leprechaun socks ready to wear today and nothing too much else planned other than hanging out at home. 

Karen

So glad to read this Kathi @Scrapnana! I've followed you on your blog and your many cruises and so happy to see you're back cruising. Have a wonderful time, take it easy and enjoy every minute!

Karen

Good morning everyone!

We're in for a run of nice days with temps in the 60's which is unusual for us at this time of year. Not to get our hopes up as rain is back in the forecast by Wednesday. 

No to the days but yes to celebrating tomorrow's anniversary of the Daily! Today is busy as I have company coming in for lunch. The menu is Greek Lemon Soup and homemade rolls along with cookies and a Lemon Pound Cake for dessert. We're all retired educators at the same school so it should be some interesting conversation. 

Have a good day. 

Karen

Good morning, 

@grapau27 Happy Birthday to Pauline! I hope she has a very nice day and I know you and Sarah will spoil her. 

Off to the pool for water aerobics this morning. We have an overcast day but starting to warm up and we're to be in the mid 60's by the weekend. Positively balmy and I'll be able to open the windows up and air the house out. 

Karen

@Hogladyrider Welcome to the Daily! I'm a lurker on The Tribe thread but haven't posted. One difference between the two is the beverage of choice - wine vs tequila! This is a great group of people and a very positive group. When my DH passed away at the end of June they were so supportive. It meant a lot. 

Karen

Good morning! 

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating: @Quartzsite Cruiserl @Overhead Fred's wife Mitzi and  @VMax1700's wife Ellen. Last year when my DD DH was still with us my birthday/our anniversary was spent with him hospitalized. I walked in and he wished me a happy anniversary and happy birthday. When I asked him how many years he knew it was 46 years married but got this befuddled look on his face as to my age and then told me "umpteen". It's one of my favorite memories of him! 

@grapau27 I'm so sorry for the response you got to your card. I hope Sarah is getting all the support she needs. 

It's overcast and supposed to rain most of the day today but by the weekend we're in the mid-60's for a couple of days. Yesterday was water aerobics, errands, and getting a package ready to go to my great-niece in BC who turns 4 on Saturday. I use a service called NetParcel and they pick up at the door and it should be at my niece's house by Thursday or Friday at the latest. It's about 1/2 the price of the post office and much much much quicker. 

Have a good day! I think I'll tackle cleaning my craft room/home office/ junk spot. 

Karen

I'm in the process of arranging to do this with a portion of my DD DH's ashes. I'm planning on the Eurodam in September and already have a biodegradable urn from our funeral home. I'm tickled because it has blue waves on it and a hummingbird which is perfect! This is the email I got last week from HAL: 

• Burial at sea of cremated remains can only be done at sea while cruising in International Waters and at least 12 nautical miles off the coastline.
• Containers for the remains must be biodegradable and provided by the guest.
  • Biodegradable urns come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They may be made of materials such as paper, sand, gelatin and salt. Urns made with a thin wood-based material such as heavy paper and are designed to float for up to 15 minutes before gracefully beginning their final decent.
• Flowers & wreaths that are decomposable in the marine environment may be placed at the burial site. They must not contain any ribbon or non-biodegradable decorations or adornments.
• An Officer is required by EPA regulations to be present for the spreading of the ashes.
• Holland America does not perform memorial services, however if the guests would like to have clergy present this can be requested.
• The captain can provide a certificate with the ship’s position and time of the spreading of ashes. 
• Guest should contact customs and airlines in regards to any paperwork, certificates or permits that may be needed.

Karen

@SusieKIslandGirl My appliances were all replaced at Christmas 2022 as DH's and my gift to each other (this was before he passed away the following June). I got all LG and I've been very happy with all the appliances. We're in a mobile home with the space for the fridge very defined so only a few types could go there. I had single door, bottom freezer and it fits perfectly. I do need a stool for the top shelf but that's just me! I put things on it I don't need on a regular basis. I really like the bottom freezer as well. 

Karen

Checking in from a blustery Sunday in the Pacific Northwest. It's a good day to stay inside. 

I"m out as well. Thanks to everyone! 

The Princess ships DD DH and I have done were in the 3000-3500 range and I felt they were almost too big. Give me the Eurodam or Westerdam at about 2000 and I'm in my happy spot! 

That is one big ship! I looked and passenger capacity is 6780!! That's way too many people for me! 

NA confirmed at 4:45. 

Good morning, 

My condolences to @grapau27, Graham, Pauline and Sarah. I'll hold you close in my thoughts today. 

Today's plan is to stay home and get things done. My list is long. Of course I said that last Saturday and ended up at Goodwill, out to lunch, in a hailstorm and having snow! Hopefully today will be calmer and quieter. Our forecast is for wind and rain and the wind is kicking up so doing my laps inside to get my steps in. The laundry is started - changed the sheets since I'm changing the time tonight. 

Yesterday was the widow's support group and I got "encouraged" to be on the board. I said I'd let them know in a few days but I'm thinking I'll do it. Not much in the way of time commitment and I'm one of the younger people there so that might be good. 

Nothing else too exciting. I'm starting to see some results from PT for my stuck hip muscle and I'm walking a bit better. That's a plus. Cruising starts, for me, at the beginning of June with the Discovery Princess so I'm getting that "itch" to plan, go, etc. 

Karen

Good morning, 

It's a rather dreary day today with rain in the forecast and an even wetter weekend. It beats snow! I'll celebrate National Women's Day, Peanut Clusters (with dark chocolate) and my middle name is Lynne (sometimes spelled without the e). 

Today is busy. I have some errands to run and town is about a 25 minute drive away. First stop will be the Hallmark store for a few more Easter cards. I have to get them in the mail to Canada soon as it takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 weeks to arrive. Today is the potluck for the Widows Support Group so I've made some cookies to take. After that it will be a grocery stop and then home. Once home the plan is to stay put until Monday but you just never know! 

Karen