Saturday

Friday

Just enjoying summer time at home.

Thursday

Before it got too hot we got out and ran some errands. First our weekly banking had to be done. Then for a quick breakfast - 2 biscuits for $2 from Carl's Jr. 

Dropped a bag of clothes off at Value Village. Stopped at Coins Plus to have my gold appraised. They were a little low, okay alot low as I found out. I guess that is how they pay for those television commericals. We got a much better deal at Gold Buyers of America on Wall Street. We got double the money that was offered by Coins Plus.

We went to Rae's Book Exchange and traded a few books in. The clerk was pretty rude compared to the last few times I was there. Because of her sourpuss attitude Michael did not want to buy any books from her. I will think twice about going back. We travelled onto Booktraders in the Garland District. She took all 3 big bag of books that we had and Michael bought some Clive Custler books he has been looking for.

Stopped at Postal Annex and picked up our mail. Mailed back our 3 Netflix movies so we can have new movies for the weekend. Michael also went to Ace Hardware in the same shopping center and bought a plumbing snake.

A nice rootbeer float at the Spotted Moose Cafe was waiting to reward us for all our running around.

Tuesday

Monday - Lughnasadh

The name of this festival is Irish Gaelic for "Commemoration of Lugh". Some authors give the meaning as marriage, gathering or feast (in the name of) of Lugh. The meaning remains basically the same: Lugh is the Deity of Lughnasadh, and there is a feast.

Although Lugh gives his name to this festival, it is also associated with Lugh's foster mother Tailtiu, who is said to have cleared the way for the introduction of agriculture in Ireland, thus linking Lughnasadh to the land and the harvest.

The modern Irish Gaelic name for the month of August is Lúnasa. In Scottish Gaelic Lunasda means the 1st of August.

One of several historic sources for the four Celtic fire festivals Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasadh und Samhain is the early medieval Irish tale "Tochmarc Emire" (The Wooing of Emer), which is part of the Ulster Cycle. In the form we know it today it was written in the 10th or 11th century CE, but it is safe to assume that this tale - like so many others - contains a much older nucleus.

***

Finally got out of the house in the early afternoon. Starting to get warmer. Went to the Social Security office for the 2nd time to drop off papers that we did last time that they said they did not have. From there went by the Postal Annex for the mail and then Safeway for supplies and a prescription (that was not ready). A quick stop before heading home because we forgot ice. I bought a Mega Millions ticket along with the ice.

The Spotted Moose Cafe served BLT's for dinner. Looks like sandwiches are on the menu for the rest of the week.

Sunday

A warm Sunday. We went no where and accomplished little. We did put a few things away. Our mover friend came by and gave us a nice bedframe that he got for free. All set up and makes such a big difference. Now I want to buy the plastic under the bed shoe storage to store all my shoes.

Dinner at the Spotted Moose Cafe rustled up a repeat of steak sandwiches and potato salad. Fresh tea hit the spot.



Saturday

A nice relaxing day at the lake. It was about 5 degrees cooler than back in town with a nice breeze. Said goodbye to sister in law and husband as they head back to California tomorrow morning.

Spotted Moose Cafe served steak sandwiches and deviled egg potato salad for dinner.

Friday

Warming up a little, trying to act like summer.

It was a freeform day. Put some stuff away and spent most of the playing on my computer.



Thursday

Drove out to Deer Park to see sister-in-law and husband's RV. Very nice and compact. I have too much stuff to live in an RV for any length of time. Nice weather and nice visit.

Wednesday

My sister in law and husband dropped by The Spotted Moose Cafe for what we now call "lupper". Too late for lunch and almost dinner. We dined on beef enchiladas and milk chocolate frosted brownies for dessert. Nice visit with great conversation. The weather still remaining in the perfect 70's.

The rest of the day we put a few more things away and did what we wanted. Kind of like a free day.

Tuesday

Absolute beautiful weather day! I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and we get a string of really hot weather. But I will take all these nice days they want to throw at us.

Michael had his follow up appointment with the surgeon and got a report of flying colors. Everything is healing nicely.

Went to Safeway and bought a few groceries we needed. Used the $30 gift card they gave me last time so total for all the groceries was $5.00. That was awesome. Picked up some prescriptions and learned our pharmacist has not quit but is on vacation in Canada. Big relief. I will not change pharmacies until she is no longer working there.

The Spotted Moose Cafe served Pretzel/Honey peanut encrusted fried chicken for dinner with 1/2 a baked potato and corn on the cob. Found the recipe on a Racael Ray television show. I normally do not like what she cooks but this sounded and looked good and it was.

Monday

A little overcast this morning.  We spent the day up at the lake yesterday. Lots of people had the same idea. It was nice seeing everyone. Feasted on Kay's delicious fried chicken and some really yummy corn on the cob and Yoke's potato salad. It was hot in town, around 90 degrees but the temperature at the lake was perfect.

Today we are driving up to Chewelah to visit Sue's resting place. On the way back the plan is salad bar at the pizza place in Deer Park.

Lots still to put away from the move on Saturday.I will be happy when the apartment is back to looking normal.

We stopped at the lake before heading north to Chewelah. Said hello to the neighbors. Rain spitted on us on the way up and they way back, but we missed the big thunderstorm cell that blew through later. The plot at the cementary was peaceful. My sister in law planted roses and we all said our hellos and goodbyes. Drove back to Deer Park and had lunch at the Pizza Factory. We got there about 10 minutes before 2:00 and the buffett closes at 2:00, but they were kind enough to keep it open for us and put new pizzas on the table. Salad bar was fresh and delicious and Michael loved the pizza.

Saturday

We both woke early so we could meet our mover friend and his son over at the old house to help us move some more stuff from the house. Nice and sunny but cool this morning. We made a good push at loading everything that we really care about. Funny thing one of the boxes of books there was a book titled, Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Big...had to laugh looking at all the bags and boxes (clutter) that was unloaded into our apartment. Gosh where did all this stuff come from. Definitley time to de-clutter.

We have been spending the rest of the day slowly unpacking, putting away, doing laundry and watching tv movies.

Last night we watched the movie Burlesque. I liked it alot. Great cast and I liked the story.

Beans and Cornbread at the Spotted Moose Cafe for dinner last night. Cheap, filling and oh so good. Had leftovers for dinner tonight.

Friday

Chilly enough to wear long sleeves yesterday. A few sprinkles too. Today seems to be looking the same as is only 49 degrees this morning.

We did not get going yesterday until close to 1:00. Went to the new bank and picked up the checks we ordered. Now I can pay the car payment. From there we went to Walmart (Airway Heights) and picked out new sheets. We chose the t-shirt material ones in a dark gray color. Nice and soft.

Off to the doctor. We talked of options. He even noticed the weight I had lost. I decided on the ablation surgery. We have it set for August 25th at Sacred Heart. It is a long surgery that takes 4 to 6 hours. Older distinguished doctor promised to be the one to do the surgery, not some unknow staff surgeon. I am not sure if I will have the under arm surgery before or after the ablation surgery. Need to find out the recovery time when I have my appointment on August 1st with Finn's surgeon.

When we left the doctor's office M's cell phone was ringing. Speedy Delivery drivers saying they were running very early and wanted to delivery 1 1/2 hrs early. Drove home and they were already there with mattresses up the stairs. The two were quick, efficient and very professional. Our frame did not fit so we will need to buy a new frame. The new sheets fit perfectly. Even though these mattresses are alot smaller they sure felt better.

Made fish sticks and fries for dinner. Nothing exciting on tv. We went to bed early. Today we need to drop off car payment and pick up a prescription.

Thursday

Overcast and breezy this morning. The forecast calls for rain today. I can live with that.

We met wonderful sister in law and husband and father in law at our new Spokane Olive Garden location yesterday to celebrate father in law's birthday. They did a really nice job building and furnishing this new location. Parking is so much easier than downtown. They gave us the VIP room which I thought was nice. The service was excellent. We had the unlimited salad, soup and breadsticks. Delicious food and such a bargain at only $7.95. We had unhurried, nice conversation and caught up on all the family happenings. I forgot the camera. But I will remember it this weekend when we meet up again.

Mattress Outlet called to set up the time they will deliver the new bed today. I will need to go out and find some sheets on sale since we are changing the size of bed from king to queen. Our mover friend called and confirmed that Saturday morning we will move the rest of the stuff out of the house. And last but not least the new bank called and our checks are ready to pick up.

We watched that new show It's Worth What? with Cedric the Entertainer. It was okay. Some of the items stumped me. After that we watched America's Got Talent - The Results. Sorry to see some acts go and more sorry to see some annoying ones stay.

So today we have bank, sheets, doctor appointment and bed arrival. Another full day.

Third Wednesday in July

I woke early as I usually do. From the balcony of our apartment I always love to see early morning come to the city. Sunrise here begins around 4:45. This morning was blue skies with dark gray clouds with a chilly breeze rustling in the trees. Little orange blinking lights from the city below can be seen through the now fully engulfed trees. Unusually chilly at 48 degrees. Strange weather for summertime. Most of the country is burning to a crisp while we are enjoying unusual mild temperatures.

For months I've been trying to decide what to do with my blog. I've been posting favorite photos and a small synopsis of what has been going on without much detail. Should I really write about what is really going on and how all of it is effecting me? Or should I just not get that personal. Would anybody care? Or would it help if I wrote it down so I can sort it all out?

My fabulous handsome doctor performed my 5th cardioversion. I enjoyed 8 days of better health and then sitting on the couch I felt it slip out of rythym. Depressed! Yesterday went to an appointment with my fabulous handsome doctor and now we are exloring other options. Tomorrow I see my older distinguished doctor to explore those other options. Cardiologists I have learned come in two varieties: electricians and plumbers. My doctor is a plumber and the older distinguised doctor is a electrician.

Also this week the garage to our house, that we no longer are living in, was set fire to. I am 100% positive kids did this. It caught the back sides of our garage and my father in law's garage. We have no clue how this will play out with the insurance. Our insurance should be still in force, but you never can tell with insurance companies. If the fire investigator can get the kids to admit they set the fire, then their parents' insurance can pay for the damages. Just another worry for the worry box.

We talked to our friend the mover and he will help us next week get the rest of the stuff out of the house. This is our number one goal is to get completely out of there so we go on to the next phase. There are certain things I do not want to walk away from that are still there. Once we are out of there we can turn off the electricity. Another bill gone. 

Today we are visiting with wonderful sister-in-law and husband who are here from California. It will be nice to catch up and commiserate about sucky health and the woes of life and family. Hopefully father in law can join us so we can celebrate his birthday. I must bring camera and take lots of pictures.

Day 202

Thank you Julien for allowing me to use this great cityscape photo. To see more of Julien's photos go here.

Day 200

Day 199

I love going to the movies! We took Angel and Sammie to They Yuppy Puppy and snuck away to the Wandermere Theatres and watched The Zookeeper. Just enjoyed the whole thing.

Day 198

Registered at the Medical Lake VA Cementary. Pads from the Yuppy Puppy. Love traveling the back roads and seeing all the pretty farms and ranches.

Day 197

Social Security Office and the VA Business Office all in one day. Alot accomplished. 2 bills paid and a movie returned.

Garlic Lime Chicken Tacos for dinner.

Movie: I Am Number Four (Excellent! Tim Olyphant!!!)

Day 195

This week flew by too fast. Cardioversion was a success. Today heading to lake for rest and relaxation.



Day 190 Monday 4th of July

Day 189 Sunday

Day 188

Day 187

Another doctor appointment. Weather is perfect for the holiday weekend. Missing my toes in the sand and the salt spray in my hair.

Day 186 Thursday

Dr appointment today and then off to Radiology at Inland Imaging. I should have been driving down to Oregon.

Day 185

Day 184 Tuesday

In the excitement and contentment of Michael coming home I forgot to post yesterday.

Life is good.



Day 183

Welcome summer weather.



Day 182

Much better and ready to come home. Making plans. Tuesday still seems a million days away.

Day 181

Now itching to get free! Planning escapes. Soon, very soon.

Day 180

This picture reflects how I feel. The worry, stress and pressure is just floating away.

Everyday brings new progress.



Day 179

Much improvement has been made since moving to rehab. The person I know is emerging!!

Happiness Abounds!

Day 178

One more day before a new view from a different place.

New bank.

Day 177 Summer Solstice

Long frustrating day. New cell phones was a bright spot in the day.

Necklace displays purchased, so getting closer to my goal of getting jewery website up and going.

Day 176

Long day waiting for something to happen. Finally new room, new view and new optimisim.

Day 175

Another long day in the recovery process. 

Day 174

We start the recovery process all over again...

Day 173

Major setback! Definite Nightmare.

Day 172

New room, new view. Even some walking thrown in. Progress!!

Applied for 3 jobs - received one call for an interview. More progress!

Day 171

Much singing and conversing today. And many cups of ice water downed!

Day 170 Tuesday

Much improvement today! Breathing tube removed and a smile. Yes...sigh of relief!

Day 169

Progression coming along nicely.

Little rain today. No thunder or lightning. Just a beautiful Spring day in the Northwest.

I am ready for some good news.

Day 168

Improving ever so slowly.

Yesterday on the back road I saw a Turkey Hen with 8 baby chicks and today wandering through the apartment's parking lot I saw a not so grown up skunk all by his lonesome. I'm feeling more and more I live in the urban country.

Day 167

Happy 31st Anniversary!!!

Day 160

Still No better!!



Day 159

This has been the day from Hell. 

Day 158

Day 157