tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18710500274317398152024-02-19T09:17:34.196-08:00Quilting Merrily AlongI don't have hobbies; I'm developing a robust post-apocalyptic skill set.
I'm a quilter, knitter, a medieval historian, SCA member, costumer, genealogist, lampworker, woodworker, and a M.O.M. (that's Multiple Operations Manager). I live in Western Washington with my hubby and three delightful kids.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-84789461957296582772015-07-12T21:58:00.002-07:002015-07-13T19:26:47.892-07:00JAPAN!!<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1397458_10206794477322202_2878609007132854666_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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About a year ago, the social worker at the hospital asked Emma about getting a wish. As a chronically ill kid with cystic fibrosis, she was eligible to receive a wish from Make a Wish. He asked her what she would like to do for a wish...and it could be a shopping spree, meeting a celebrity, being a *thing* (enter thing here...superhero, socialite, wizard, etc.) for a day, or going on a trip. She kinda shrugged and said, "I dunno...". I helpfully suggested, "Go to Japan?" Her eyes lit up! "Yeah...go to Japan!" OK, that reads like there was jumping and hysteric joy, but she's so laid back, those who know her will see her still sitting there...smiling, but yes, laid back.<br />
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So, the wheels started turning. Now, not to reflect poorly on Make a Wish, but our representatives had a few issues being organized and available, so it was weeks or months of radio silence after the initial contact. One of our reps didn't drive. The other one was very ill for several weeks. So communication was not their strong suit, but it's a volunteer position and sometimes life just happens...and we understand that.<br />
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The big send-off party happened a couple weeks prior to the trip, held at a local conveyor belt sushi place (who waived the bill for us! Thanks, Sushi Hana!) and the MaW volunteers brought this enormous cake. The photo doesn't do it justice--this was a half sheet cake. It was very chocolatey and delicious! Unfortunately, we were so full, we couldn't possibly eat any, so we took it home with us. Now, a half-sheet cake serves 20-40 people, depending on what you consider a "serving size". There were 10 in our group, so we could have gone with a quarter-sheet cake and still had leftovers...and we had leftovers for days, then froze the leftovers of the leftovers. :)<br />
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Emma invited her besties, Emily and Emma....yes, they're the 3Ms.<br />
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The volunteers brought her flowers, balloons, and a backpack full of goodies for the long flight. There were some games, drawing materials, and a Make a Wish t-shirt. The rest of us got Make a Wish buttons to wear on our clothes to identify us as a Wish family, which we later discovered is not as well known in Japan as it is in the US. Our guide later distributed several fliers to people at places we visited.<br />
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After a doctor visit and a lot of packing, we finally set off on our trip. <br />
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We were picked up by our shuttle driver at 5 a.m. This is what 5 a.m. looks like...<br />
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The kids all piled into the van with all the luggage...smiling! At 5 a.m.!<br />
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First stop...the airport! Of course....what were you thinking? The pub? Anyway, we got there early and camped out at our gate, and just before we boarded, we discovered this billboard right there at our gate! <br />
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We flew into Vancouver, BC and boarded an Air Canada flight to Narita, Japan (about an hour outside Tokyo). It was a 787 and Kelly was thrilled to get to fly on one of the new planes. He could *almost* tell you the production number of the thing (#231 off the line or whatever).<br />
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On the back of every seat was a touch screen with dozens of movies (new and old), games, progress maps of the flight, and much more. International flights meant free headsets for everyone! You could bring your own, of course, because it's a standard issue headset. They've upgraded that technology, but still have the seat belts from 1963.<br />
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We arrived in Narita and after an extensive wait through baggage claim and customs, we were met by our Make a Wish local with whom we would spend the rest of the week. I'm guessing he was in his mid 40s, very fit and professional-looking. He carried a briefcase with him everywhere and walked very fast. His English was pretty good, but as we find with many foreign English speakers, studies are focused more on reading and writing and not as much on pronunciation, so we occasionally had to resort to using a translator on his phone. Watching him text in Japanese was fascinating! The language has thousands of characters, so I have no idea how they organized those into a 10 key pad...crazy!<br />
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We hopped on a bus for the one-hour trip into the city. Despite it being the middle of the afternoon, there was very little traffic. Unlike Seattle, which is at a stand-still for most of the day, we sailed through narrow 2- and 3-lane freeways, surrounded by towering apartment buildings (most were 8-10 stories tall) and arrived at the hotel. We checked in, with the help of our guide, and figured that if we can just stay awake for a few more hours, we can get ourselves on local time fairly quickly. <br />
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Our first dinner in the hotel was weird and disappointing, but at that point, I didn't care so much. It was a buffet style, but very little of it was kept in hot or cold storage the way the very strict US health regulations demand. That was one of the first unusual things we discovered. <br />
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The hotel room was half Western and half traditional Japanese. There was one large room with the shoji screens, a low center table and chairs with the bamboo floors. This was a NO SHOES zone. The closet doors to the right housed sleeping mats, sheets, pillows and blankets, which the kids used at night. Yes, there was an ashtray--all the rooms are smoking rooms. Thankfully, the rooms are kept to a much higher standard of cleanliness, so it didn't *smell* like a smoking room. <br />
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The genkan is the area where you leave your shoes and slippers. When you come home, you pull off the shoes and wear your house slippers before stepping up into the house--sometimes it's a big step, but often in apartments and hotel rooms, it's just an inch or so...just big enough to catch your toes on!<br />
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Shoji screens separate the main room from the Western bedroom. They also had shoji blackout screens for the windows (yes, there's glass, but this was in place of curtains).<br />
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In the evenings, this room converted into the kids' sleeping area.<br />
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Western beds for Western adults. We just aren't trained to sleep on the floor...sorry.<br />
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Our view out the window...the building at the lower left that looks like a race track is actually a driving school where you can learn to stay in the lines and park before they let you loose on the streets. What a great idea!!<br />
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First impression of Tokyo...it's SO CLEAN! There was almost no litter anywhere! I ended up with a couple of theories about this. First, they're very proud of their clean city, so they work harder at keeping it cleaner. Garbage cans are not as readily found as in the US, so people pocket their garbage until they find a place to dispose of it. Secondly, it is considered rude (by some) to walk around eating and drinking. You just don't see people doing it. If you're not walking around with disposable materials, you're less likely to litter. They usually have recycle bins next to the zillions of vending machines around, and I guess it's common for people to buy the drink, consume it, then toss the container in the garbage right there. <br />
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Pro Tip: If you need cash, and Japan is largely a cash-based society, go to the ATM at 7-11.<br />
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Also note the yellow brick road....that's the dividing line between pedestrian and bike lanes. Keep to the left when walking, biking, or driving.<br />
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Oh, and smoking is not allowed on the streets. You can't walk down the street and smoke. They have designated areas for smoking like this one:<br />
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Our first tourist stop was at Tokyo Tower, which was designed after the Eiffel Tower, except it is inexplicably orange (OK, it has to do with FAA regulations or something, although that was back when there were probably fewer tall buildings around it).<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11231206_10206794647646460_622296308507976785_n.jpg?oh=c83d3fe5d1b04ffd313515fae9fecb29&oe=56157887" width="180" /> <img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11696529_10206794629165998_7984979437031705306_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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The Japanese love their mascots! This tower has this pair of adorable mascots, introduced in 1989 for the tower's 40th anniversary; older brother in blue and younger brother in red. No idea why the older brother has a band aid on his head.<br />
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Waiting for the tickets to be purchased to go up the elevator.<br />
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Look out below! A viewing window from the first level. It's a thick piece of glass, but if you're afraid of heights...yeah. Oh, down below is a whiskey bar, so that's comforting.<br />
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View from one of the windows; the city goes on like this in every direction.<br />
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Ben plays a balloon game with some young people shooting a promotional video for ooVoo (a web chat channel like Skype). Huge language barrier, but no FUN barrier!<br />
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Then we went down and had some serious RAMEN for lunch at a cafeteria downstairs (unfortunately, they all had pork in them, so I had a seafood pizza). Our tour guide shed his blue shirt--two shirts was too hot. <br />
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Walked across the bridge to the Imperial gardens, which used to be home to the rulers of Japan.<br />
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300 year old black pine and red pine trees.<br />
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Waterways into the gardens where goods were brought in.<br />
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J-World Tokyo! Conveniently located in the mall next to our hotel.<br />
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They had these things everywhere. For $1.50 or so, you could get a little figurine to hang on your cell phone, backpack or jacket...or whatever. They had cats, dogs, figures from different anime series, Stitch, Minions, Snoopy....<br />
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They also had drink machines everywhere...almost on every corner. This is a fake one inside J-World.<br />
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Kelly was the first to pick up one of these and it instantly became a family favorite--especially Benjamin. Pocari Sweat is like Gatorade, except it only comes in one flavor--sort of a sweet grapefruit or Lychee flavor. It's not as sweet as the American variety, for sure! It's refreshing and runs about $1, so when you're on the go and thirsty (especially when it's so hot and muggy), it's great to grab a bottle of Pocari Sweat.<br />
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This is on the steps outside the mall next to our hotel. In the mall is one of many Family Marts. These are on almost every block around Tokyo, almost like Starbucks in Seattle. Coincidentally, just outside of this frame is a Starbucks.<br />
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In an Anime store...everything your character needs to create a new look! Emma found a jacket for one of her new favorite anime characters and bought the jacket. She wears it all the time now.<br />
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And the Animate Cafe!<br />
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With cute cut-out seaweed to add to your rice:<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/10404449_10206794740568783_8662424402723679448_n.jpg?oh=feeda7bb8ce51af1065ac3b2439e80be&oe=56242429" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Went to a French Maid Cafe and had lunch and tea. We weren't able to take photos of the French maids, which was too bad--they were SO CUTE in their little maid outfits. Apparently people had taken photos and did terribly rude things with them...so I understand. <br />
<br />
There was some loss in translation with the tableware. Extra large forks and spoons and undersize knives....<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10399999_10206794744968893_3379419682558379727_n.jpg?oh=367a7791046cc388a9b1327e4385ab60&oe=561FDCFB" width="180" /><br />
<br />
The cake was some kind of spice cake with a whipped cream frosting--not very sweet, but it appears that not-too-sweet is a theme in Japan. Earl Grey tea with a baby spoon to stir. <br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10733897_10206794742208824_1107480513799465837_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Traveled by rail almost everywhere. That's why there's no traffic issues! There are idiot-proof safety gates at some stations (not all). <br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11143523_10206794775169648_3008811641937715308_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Here's a map of Tokyo's rail system. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Tokyo Rail Map See map details From forums.hardwarezone.com.sg Created ..." height="194" src="https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/.0l.YtCQtqhvlnOwjYzBAg--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9MTQ0NTtxPTk1O3c9MjM4Mg--/http://mappery.com/maps/Tokyo-Rail-Map.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Notice, again, no garbage.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11402792_10206794746088921_5577813258356974673_n.jpg?oh=3425795582794e5e0b03159af5921737&oe=56579D3D" width="180" /> <img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11665610_10206794747888966_4519253503939500882_n.jpg?oh=41cded274abed9dd523a336ec3541aa1&oe=56561B05" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Shibuya to see the Hachiko statue, which was one of the things on her checklist.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11701043_10206794749649010_3177732632151923234_n.jpg?oh=58e59ad28e79ca56f34c3b370c66242a&oe=561B7709" width="180" /> <img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11710044_10206794751329052_4279583330200158277_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Our guide took us to a special display that discusses the history of the dog and the making of the statue. The placards were all in Japanese so he translated for us.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11046246_10206794753649110_5718649074074639563_n.jpg?oh=4ad3d95720ea82582d34d5e3dc9eaa46&oe=56255AD1" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Then shopping in Shibuya 109!<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11227911_10206794755729162_871882252041800681_n.jpg?oh=e2d666b0eb31c6f2efb4592ed9d52e9f&oe=56144C10" width="180" /><br />
<br />
The world's busiest crosswalk in Shibuya:<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1900414_10206794758489231_9150252940908908411_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/11709739_10206794760369278_6783098287404744941_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/10986568_10206794756809189_1059792804858980394_n.jpg?oh=0cbfd8bc8fddc23228a565481ced73a6&oe=5616CDD2" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Shopping in Takeshita Street<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1506783_10206794763769363_3491028137272207877_n.jpg?oh=306a96ae243be7063a59d880fb33be64&oe=56171143" width="180" /><br />
<br />
University of Tokyo for a look at a newer statue of Hachiko and his owner, Professor Hidesaburo Ueno.<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/11221687_10206794766569433_4250745463224552200_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
And the family together with Hachi & the professor.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11696389_10206794775809664_8517833792877447175_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11696389_10206794775809664_8517833792877447175_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Visiting Akihabara...more shopping at the Anime stores.<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/885576_10206794777969718_1322048078431398018_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Lunch at Yoshinoya...yum! This is Japan's answer to fast food...includes miso soup, rice, meat, and veg--super fast and super cheap...and it's delicious!<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11329880_10206794785289901_8012851488465601564_n.jpg?oh=89ed8a4fe8c88565613cede1546dc35b&oe=56205B98" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Then, as a stroke of luck, on our way to see the shrine at Senso-ji, we run into a bunch of Boy Scouts on the train! Our tour guide did some introductions, and Ben got to talk to them a little. Their leader spoke quite a bit of English and said they were on their way to see the Tokyo Museum of Science and Nature...very much like the things that American Scouts do. Our guide gave some information about the Make A Wish Foundation to the leader...that could be a great community service project they could do in the future.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11659216_10206794803610359_8923467508235272408_n.jpg?oh=9e3091c327fa03fcdc0aec594f638565&oe=560E879F" width="180" /><br />
<br />
We went to the shrines at Senso-ji. This is the entrance. Impressive!<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11427263_10206794804370378_5047555416795052892_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
There are just a few shops on the way to the shrines...we did a bit of shopping, including getting...not kimonos, but the summer weight yukatas. Emma also got a pair of sandals that she's been wearing for the last several days...she LOVES them!<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11705525_10206794805490406_6422188921336118249_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/1502794_10206794806570433_8536262603227297184_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10296309_10206794828250975_2474766988306327501_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/11538087_10206794832331077_5730851652320875081_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10557520_10206794833171098_4610766427632632371_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
This was our favorite shrine...for medical miracles!<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11692640_10206794836651185_797766622638789429_n.jpg?oh=cca98e9794594b8019715f41897c4c77&oe=561DE3AD" width="225" /> <img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10169359_10206798962634332_3861004142098160736_n.jpg?oh=39ef40adce10eac0d345dd328b02f9b9&oe=562865C7" width="180" /><br />
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<img height="173" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/11402427_10206794838171223_4478131588165580564_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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This is a giant shoe that people touch for good luck. Emma was able to leap; I boosted Ben. I reached down and touched a piece that had fallen off.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11666107_10206794838931242_8597974229996553258_n.jpg?oh=1ce7ac242a30b5ccf466373035f258ad&oe=561A84E2" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Visiting the Cat Cafe! For about $7, you can sit and play with cats for an hour.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11698690_10206794842691336_7845165766984759794_n.jpg?oh=ea1e7e757fbf776d0c35aa47bf276dc4&oe=5619A9C2" width="180" /><br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11228922_10206794846771438_2732964398588656600_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Breakfast at Yoshinoya: salmon, egg, rice, soup...yum!<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11707437_10206794849891516_1628885857334423888_n.jpg?oh=3cf6407a6dea150933c1e93b3e46918e&oe=5659A465" width="180" /><br />
<br />
ICE CREAM!!!<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1538915_10206794850811539_4776063814987034469_n.jpg?oh=427e5e35aaa5c93f00997b7336e855bf&oe=561F8CD6" width="180" /><br />
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Aquarium<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11206856_10206794862731837_6181004474443904817_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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McSnack<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11218182_10206794868371978_6315477514833788010_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Return trip<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11252773_10206794873012094_8141990675570028681_n.jpg?oh=9e3d74585b3123b183a5add67a0dc297&oe=561ED441" width="180" /><br />
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Sad to leave<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10010338_10206794874452130_878841880626269573_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11402931_10206794875012144_5297795359185278106_n.jpg?oh=d02e3389edf24ba3e57c852df41b1d0e&oe=56565557" width="180" /><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11217517_10206794875812164_7415638977341985862_n.jpg?oh=ad2d8900a98afce95a056d21a17d5e1c&oe=5618461B" width="180" /><br />
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Getting a special bag of goodies from the flight attendants! We saw one of them on the way there and on the way back! She was super sweet and brought Emma a big bag of chips, dark chocolates and other things. <br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11698388_10206794876972193_5175860907471847395_n.jpg?oh=40b1628967ab739d713ca3cf4cd42a3b&oe=5623D211" width="180" /><br />
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Arriving in Vancouver after a long day of travel...and it was only 10 a.m.! Cammie took a short nap while we waited for the last leg of the trip.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11042941_10206794867691961_1196696347091178554_n.jpg?oh=89ccb6b201c70e6cd0f7438de9700250&oe=565B0AF1" width="180" /><br />
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Tired. I may go back and elaborate on some of these things, but for now...just tired. I've been a little under the weather, so it's time to take a bath and sleep.<br />
<img height="225" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1426396_10153707728145967_2468867641135389171_n.jpg?oh=ae9991613a3c452ffa9fa528be408dcf&oe=565B5E6C" width="400" />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-43873407436060662502015-05-06T11:13:00.000-07:002015-05-06T11:13:01.316-07:00Been away a while...I should get back to writing about stuff again. I know I've been away for a long time. <br />
<br />
I was helping my Cadette Girl Scout doing some badges, and helping take a step ahead by reading the requirements for earning each badge. The GSUSA changed the badges and requirements a few years ago and I have to say, I'm still unimpressed. For example, these Cadettes, who are 11-14 years old, a First Aid badge is earned by choosing one from each section:<br />
<br />
1. Understand how to care for younger children: a) take a babysitting class, b) Invite an expert (nurse or doctor) to talk to your group about treating minor illnesses and injuries when caring for younger children, or c) Talk to child care professionals, interviewing three people who work with children at a day care center, camp or your Girl Scout Council.<br />
2. Know how to use everything in a first aid kit: a) talk to a medical professional, b) take a course, or c) talk to an emergency responder.<br />
3. Find out how to prevent serious outdoor injuries: a) talk to first aiders, b) ask a wilderness expert, or c) go online and research injuries suffered by people participating in outdoor activities.<br />
4. Know the signs of shock and how to treat it: a) research the signs of shock and how to treat it, b) Interview a doctor or nurse about the signs of shock, or c) ask an EMT or first responder to talk to your group.<br />
5. Learn to prevent and treat injuries due to weather: a) Take a first aid course, b) ask a park ranger, lifeguard, or ski patrol member, or c) interview a doctor or nurse.<br />
<br />
I hate that the go-to answer for GS is to ask a professional instead of getting some hands-on experience.<br />
<br />
I was looking for the information online for this badge, and it's nearly impossible to find anything. They're so protective of their information, you HAVE to buy the book in order to find out the badge requirements. I was even looking for badge requirements for the 1980s or 1960s, and it's NOT OUT THERE. I used to have a copy of a 1980 Junior Girl Scout book, and I thought they'd have a better badge for first aid, but I couldn't find it. So, I got a sudden idea....the BOY SCOUTS! What do they have online?<br />
<br />
Quick search...and I mean seconds...came up with the newest First Aid Merit Badge, for Boy Scouts ages 11 and up.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px;">January, 2015</span><br />
<h3 style="background-color: #f2dabf; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em;">
Requirements for the First Aid merit badge:</h3>
<span style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px;"></span><br />
<ol style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<li>Satisfy your counselor that you have current knowledge of all first-aid requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;">So this section is extensive. For Tenderfoot, the first rank:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px;">Show first aid for the following:</span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; max-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Simple cuts and scrapes</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Blisters on the hand and foot</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first degree)</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Bites or stings of insects and ticks</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Venomous snakebite</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Nosebleed</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Frostbite and sunburn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;">For first class, it lists these items:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ol style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<li><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.</li>
<li>Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person:<table style="font-size: 1em; max-width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- From a smoke-filled room</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- With a sprained ankle, for at least 25 yards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.</li>
<li>Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.</li>
<li>With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;">And for second class, add these:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ol style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<li><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Show what to do for 'hurry' cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding, and ingested poisoning.</li>
<li>Prepare a personal first-aid kit to take with you on a hike.</li>
<li>Demonstrate first aid for the following:<table style="font-size: 1em; max-width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Object in the eye</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Bite of a suspected rabid animal</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Serious burns (partial thickness, or second degree)</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Heat exhaustion</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Shock</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 1em;">- Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and hyperventilation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.</li>
<li>Demonstrate your ability to jump feet first into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.</li>
<li>Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li></li>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family, and explain the dangers of substance addictions.</li>
<li>Explain the three R's of personal safety and protection.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;">Then go back to the Merit Badge and do these:</span></span></div>
<ol style="background-color: #f2dabf; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<li>Do the following:<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Explain how you would obtain emergency medical assistance from your home, on a wilderness camping trip, and during an activity on open water.</li>
<li>Explain the term triage. Explain the steps necessary to assess and handle a medical emergency until help arrives.</li>
<li>Explain the standard precautions as applied to bloodborne pathogens.</li>
<li>Prepare a first aid kit for your home. Display and discuss its contents with your counselor.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Do the following:<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Explain what action you should take for someone who shows signals of shock, for someone who shows signals of a heart attack, and for someone who shows signals of stroke.</li>
<li>Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Then demonstrate proper technique in performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.</li>
<li>Explain the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).</li>
<li>Show the steps that need to be taken for someone suffering from a severe cut on the leg and on the wrist. Tell the dangers in the use of a tourniquet and the conditions under which its use is justified.</li>
<li>Explain when a bee sting could be life threatening and what action should be taken for prevention and for first aid.</li>
<li>Explain the symptoms of heat stroke and what action needs to be taken for first aid and for prevention.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Do the following:<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Describe the signs of a broken bone. Show first-aid procedures for handling fractures (broken bones), including open (compound) fractures of the forearm, wrist, upper leg, and lower leg using improvised materials.</li>
<li>Describe the symptoms and possible complications and demonstrate proper procedures for treating suspected injuries to the head, neck, and back. Explain what measures can be taken to reduce the possibility of further complicating these injuries.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Describe the symptoms, proper first-aid procedures, and possible prevention measures for the following conditions:<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>Hypothermia</li>
<li>Convulsions/seizures</li>
<li>Frostbite</li>
<li>Dehydration</li>
<li>Bruises, strains, sprains</li>
<li>Burns</li>
<li>Abdominal pain</li>
<li>Broken, chipped, or loosened tooth</li>
<li>Knocked-out tooth</li>
<li>Muscle cramps</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Do TWO of the following:<ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" type="a">
<li>If a sick or injured person must be moved, tell how you would determine the best method. Demonstrate this method.</li>
<li>With helpers under your supervision, improvise a stretcher and move a presumably unconscious person.</li>
<li>With your counselor's approval, arrange a visit with your patrol or troop to an emergency medical facility or through an American Red Cross chapter for a demonstration of how an AED is used.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Teach another Scout a first-aid skill selected by your counselor.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.399998664856px;">Now, explain to me again how Girl Scouts are creating strong, independent women?</span></span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-24634224627417608862014-11-12T21:15:00.001-08:002014-11-14T07:42:36.126-08:00Lots of Lost TimeOK, so the sugar experiment lasted about a month. I lost 5 lbs. Woo. I went back to adding sugar to things, but far less than before. I cut out some of my bigger sugary habits, and I have been able to maintain the 5 lb. loss. So, overall, not too bad.<br />
<br />
Emma celebrated her 17th birthday, low key, as is her style. She had a couple friends over and she had cake.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10402039_10204673759825590_3937811031678033875_n.jpg?oh=a1e6b0e25630e9e6bef5723473e636e4&oe=54D58005&__gda__=1423280762_5360afa5ae63730906ae76597ff3a921" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Later, we went out for sushi dinner as a family.<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/1939641_10204676236727511_1545601010927112864_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10271213_10204676237687535_5143014287848500705_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10682217_10204676239247574_8564539745901702104_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10687136_10204676515574482_3017152212068877183_n.jpg?oh=3ee87e6c30113d3b67be046e87a5b556&oe=54E303CD" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Sorry, no pictures of me. I had the camera.<br />
<br />
I volunteered to take on keeping the uniform locker tidy and repairing the uniforms for the school. If it takes more than sewing hems or replacing buttons, it goes to Goodwill. Skirts and sweaters with holes or beyond repair sometimes get delivered to crafters that turn them into doll clothes. <br />
<br />
Kelly spent several weeks building a gorgeous deck! After taking the deck boards off the old deck, he discovered that it was rotten all the way to the ground...it was a complete tear-out. We decided to build it bigger (why not?) and have a finished deck that is twice the size of the original.<br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1097793_10204717552520380_5628662431522660338_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
It is structurally sound...<br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10679578_10204719161480603_4841416663922161408_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Hosted a desperately unsuccessful Ithra event with a grand total of 13 students. Several students were also instructors, and many classes had only one student. Lesson learned: pull the plug sooner and make clear parameters that if the coordinators send more than two of their members into the hospital, it's better to cancel the event than to spend that kind of time, energy and money on a failure. Ugh!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
I did, however, learn how to do Brocade Card Weaving. This was an interesting technique to learn, but I chose a rather complex pattern. I also had to double-up the brocade yarns, and you have to take extra care to prevent the threads twisting, so it slows the process down.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10609540_10204763421747082_2962148848570343692_n.jpg?oh=57fbfc09a7cce7cfa9e9d98b6c930b0b&oe=54D3D111" width="180" /><br />
<br />
Camille's birthday was a low-key affair. We celebrated with Chinese food...however, I didn't get any photos. I also spent the weekend away, so she didn't have a party. In fact, plans fell apart for several weekends following, so she's going to have to have a do-over at some point. <br />
<br />
That weekend, I went to the quilt retreat! I packed up a bunch of fabrics and spent two days cutting and sewing...<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10649074_10204818985416139_2975710493852440754_o.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10623323_10204819211381788_3899774414815451337_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<img height="360" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/q85/p552x414/10733819_10204828367810693_3830677235344883767_o.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
A week later, I was making beads!<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1504307_10204873761465506_3216409959939184811_o.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1921252_10204872875363354_729160026993912032_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1604454_10204889269293192_6807200629780384983_n.jpg?oh=e8b846cccc7e28644183fbd15cea80eb&oe=54D88C8B&__gda__=1423095521_883be06f933f1cbf30a7deafb6462c24" width="225" /> <img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10380628_10204889274533323_5471179983570506387_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Cammie and I went and "clowned" around in Fremont. This is a statue of JP Patches, just outside the Geocaching Headquarters. Of course, we were having a Munzee date, capping some of the hundreds of virtuals in the area. Of course, we had to go visit the troll, too.<br />
<br />
Cammie's Girl Scout troop is making pies to sell as a fundraiser. They used pre-made crust, but they spent time cutting and seasoning all the fruit, filling the pies, and freezing them for delivery. <br />
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<img height="225" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10533294_10204895077478393_3195677997672529225_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10687096_10204901258432913_7186652547230300645_n.jpg?oh=0ace8371a5117261f424bc5f7758d46b&oe=551E26B1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10687096_10204901258432913_7186652547230300645_n.jpg?oh=0ace8371a5117261f424bc5f7758d46b&oe=551E26B1" width="225" /></a></div>
A couple weeks into October, we discovered that the wood around the garage was warped and cracking. It turned out that it was all rotten. So was the wood behind it and all down the right side. After careful inspection, the handyman determined that it was poorly/improperly installed flashing around the garage, so the water was leaking behind the vinyl siding and the weather wrap. He tore into it and said he'd be back to fix it.<br />
<br />
On the 11th of November, the handyman finally came back to work on it. He tore into it a bunch more and said he'd be back the next day...noooooope. We'll see when he'll *actually* come back.<br />
<br />
October 24th: a hard day for the people in the Northwest when a student brought a gun to school and shot several friends and a couple cousins at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. A sad and scary day. We are several miles south of this area, so we weren't directly affected; they did not have a school lock down, but they did notify the parents of the incident. The grade school wisely opted not to mention it to the students, but let parents talk to their kids about it in their own way. Most of the high schoolers had gotten word via their cell phones, so they knew what had happened. Emma was very calm about the whole situation, recognizing the assailant as a disturbed young man and said that she wasn't worried or fearful. We had longer discussions about the situation and I deeply admire her maturity and wisdom.<br />
<br />
That same day, we went to our school's Halloween carnival. We had spent hours making costumes (and this is, of course, the Royal "we"), so we loaded up and went into town again and let the kids loose in the school, playing games and earning prizes. <br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10382443_10204921827547128_5986157202960215643_n.jpg?oh=1daa8d9ac4606f386b9dc89bb2e60de2&oe=54E775AB&__gda__=1423653821_dc79ee7c7b232d27af0c74ddaa8eddcb" width="180" /> <img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10421581_10204921827987139_1000129946775277497_n.jpg?oh=8cd780a4f2929517655c1ef1889869ca&oe=54D5076B&__gda__=1424184638_97927d7e7f213af9c4ffeca710033ed5" width="180" /> <img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10377243_10204921828267146_3312902705137308555_n.jpg?oh=847a489388ae4e3f12b3aa71535b956f&oe=54E3D1A1&__gda__=1423753399_fb3a91c699cd2024effaad9cf88af4ae" width="180" /><br />
Kids dressed as Zelda, Link, and L (from right to left)<br />
<br />
The food table was pizza, burgers and home made sweets. Some of the cupcakes were really clever!<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10553545_10204928073183265_3932211898843475134_n.jpg?oh=85ba3116c77118efffac2f30a3513075&oe=54DE26CE&__gda__=1427839147_3314b3e6dfbe9cd33b2e7701ed61b252" width="180" /><br />
<br />
A few days later, on Oct. 27th, I woke up with a backache. It was over my left hip, but didn't seem too bad. By 10 a.m., it was getting pretty painful. By noon, I was in tears. I went into the walk-in clinic (which has a blessedly short wait), and saw a doctor who suggested that it was probably the sacroiliac joint, though he didn't order any blood work or X-rays. He prescribed some vicodin and said I need to take my anti-infammatories and alternate ice and heat. After three days, I was out of vicodin, but I had made an appointment with a doctor--my GP wasn't available, but I could see someone else, and I said OK. I get in and she tells me that she can write another prescription for vicodin, but I would need to see my regular doc if I needed more after 3 more days. I said that I wanted to get an appointment with my doctor, and she said that my doc wouldn't be available until November 17th...nearly three weeks later. Absurd. I wrote a letter to the clinic telling them that this is unacceptable practice. I haven't heard anything back, which is frustrating, so I may have to go in and talk to them personally.<br />
<br />
I hoped this would be gone in a day or two, but it was the beginning of 9 long days of laying on the couch. I couldn't drive, I had trouble sleeping, I couldn't even stand long enough to take a shower. It was agony. Now, 17 days later, the pain is almost completely gone, and the numbness in my left thigh is greatly reduced. Will this return? I hope not, but it's possible. <br />
<br />
Laying flat on my back (or on my side) for so long, I had a limit on what I could do, creatively. I couldn't sit up or stand, so sewing, cutting, or many other things were impossible. I decided that if I sat up a bit, I could knit, so I pulled out a couple balls of wool that I received as a gift from the Baroness of Aquaterra and with Cammie's assistance, wound them up and cast on a scarf. I pulled it out three times because I was unsatisfied with the pattern I chose, but it kept my mind occupied in between naps. I may pull it apart again and do a completely different project.<br />
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<img height="225" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10518322_10204979599911401_3874782613260545984_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
I'd like to do something like this, but I don't have a pattern.<br />
<br />
<img height="372" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10703690_405103889644872_416834072925854238_n.jpg?oh=8620457c81ce604a48e060e8fdca5c4c&oe=54E98EA3&__gda__=1423412894_492e4149f7633274d31165b9bc85da27" width="400" /><br />
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Ben worked on his engineering badge for scouts by assembling this hydraulics kit that Kelly picked up. They had a great time working on it together, and then Ben had fun picking objects up with the tool. <br />
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<img height="225" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10658670_10205019344584993_4485689322075492436_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
On Monday night, I was happy that I was healthy and strong enough to go with Kelly and the rest of Gang Green to the second leg of the Sounders game against Dallas. 40,000 of our friends saw them have a 0-0 tie. This combined with the 1-1 tie in Dallas gives Seattle the win. WHY? Because an away goal is weighted slightly heavier than a home goal. If we also had a 1-1 tie at home, it would have been completely balanced and we would have had to go into overtime. SO...we go to the next level of the Western Conference finals, and we have to play LA Galaxy twice. After that, the winners of the Western and Eastern conferences play for the MLS cup.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://images.craigslist.org/00O0O_c8KMdSc2LbB_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image 1" border="0" src="http://images.craigslist.org/00O0O_c8KMdSc2LbB_600x450.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>This last couple of days have been a flurry of activity, and in my spare minutes, I was looking at photos of looms. There are a few on Craigslist that are selling very cheap; I saw THIS one for $50, and if I had a pick up truck and a spare room, I would have driven down there to get it, even though I don't have enough weaving experience...I'm not ready for a big floor loom. Someday. I want to start weaving on a rigid heddle loom, like a Kromski Harp loom (I have my eye on a 32" loom). I'm also working towards having a warp-weighted loom to attempt to weave on. I have the loom pretty much ready to go, but I need to set it up and give it a shot, but not until after Thanksgiving. <br />
<br />
The carpet is getting replaced before the holiday...I'm so excited! The carpet is SO GROSS! We will be replacing all the carpet eventually, and I'd like to do it myself, but I'd like to start in a small room that won't be seen...like my closet. If I can get that to look OK, then I'll try in larger areas. But for starters, and in the most public rooms, I'd rather have a professional do it, and the downstairs is going to be done in a couple weeks! <br />
<br />
The next six weeks are going to be VERY busy. I have a large quilt commission, a smaller quilt job, and a large quilt restoration...and all to be done before Christmas. Now that I can finally stand again, I can get started. I'm going to be running myself ragged...I only hope that I stay healthy.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-33032632687697731252014-09-16T13:35:00.000-07:002014-09-17T09:20:32.444-07:00Sugar-Free ExperimentI decided to try to cut back on sugar. Significantly. <br />
<br />
A friend of mine is doing a sugar-free dietary change, and she is inspecting lots of labels and making sure that no added sugar goes in her mouth. She's found a list of ingredients that are often listed that are synonymous with sugar:<br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12.2880001068115px;"><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">Source: About Health website: If the label says “no added sugars”, it should not contain any of the following, although the food could contain naturally-occurring sugars (such as lactose in milk):</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$2:0">Agave Nectar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">Barley Malt Syrup</span></span><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12.2880001068115px;"><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$2:0">Beet Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">Brown Rice Syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$5:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$6:0">Brown Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$7:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Cane Crystals (or, even better, "cane juice crystals")</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$9:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$10:0">Cane Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$11:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0">Coconut Sugar, or Coconut Palm Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$13:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$14:0">Corn sweetener</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$15:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$16:0">Corn syrup, or corn syrup solids</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$17:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$18:0">Dehydrated Cane Juice</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$19:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0">Dextrin</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$21:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$22:0">Dextrose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$23:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0">Evaporated Cane Juice</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$25:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$26:0">Fructose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$27:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$28:0">Fruit juice concentrate</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$29:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$30:0">Glucose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$31:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$32:0">High-fructose corn syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$33:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$34:0">Honey</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$35:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0">Invert sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$37:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$38:0">Lactose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$39:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$40:0">Maltodextrin</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$41:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$42:0">Malt syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$43:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$44:0">Maltose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$45:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$46:0">Maple syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$47:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$48:0">Molasses</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$49:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$50:0">Palm Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$51:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$52:0">Raw sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$53:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$54:0">Rice Syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$55:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$56:0">Saccharose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$57:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$58:0">Sorghum or sorghum syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$59:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$60:0">Sucrose</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$61:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$62:0">Syrup</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$63:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$64:0">Treacle</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$65:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$66:0">Turbinado Sugar</span><br data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$67:0" /><span data-reactid=".2yz.1:3:1:$comment10204540551891435_10204541083624728:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$68:0">Xylose</span></span></span><br />
<br />
The easiest thing to do is to make meals from whole foods--use fewer pre-packaged and pre-mixed foods and buy all the stuff that can be found around the edges of the store--milk, butter, fruit, veggies, and meat. However, it's a daunting thought spending hundreds of hours in the kitchen making salsa, fresh bread, tortillas, soaking beans, mayonnaise, ketchup & other condiments, salad dressings, and much more. Therefore, it's good to have a list of brands that make condiments that have no sugar.<br />
<br />
A few brands that are good include:<br />
Amy's Kitchen<br />
Full Circle (Black Beans)<br />
Que Pasa tortilla chips<br />
Pace Picante sauce<br />
Dole packaged fruit (in 100% juice)<br />
Fred Meyer has organic peanut butter with no sugar, but everyone carries Adams. I prefer the no-stir creamy variety, which I've been buying for years.<br />
Better Oats Steel Cut Oat Revolution (oatmeal packets), or just a cylinder of Quaker quick oats<br />
Saltine crackers<br />
Lucerne cream cheese<br />
<br />
I'll be checking labels and adding to this list as I go. Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-21144681596911770912014-09-01T22:34:00.002-07:002014-09-01T22:39:08.089-07:00Long WeekendLabor day has traditionally been a weekend for the big SCA event, this year being held in Canada, right over the border. Kelly, on the other hand, had other ideas. He said that we really needed to do something as a family for the last weekend of summer. We discussed what things we should do, and there were a few things we decided on.<br />
<br />
Friday: Pizza. Hey, it's our tradition. No one has to cook and clean up is a snap. Which meant that we had even more time for GAME NIGHT! I didn't get any photos, but we played Monty Python FLUXX twice. This is a great game that has rules that can change from moment to moment, and the object of the game can change as well. Once you have met the obligation (Holy Relics: the Holy Hand Grenade and the Holy Grail; or The Cartoon Peril Was No More: the Beast of Aaaaarggh and the Animator cards), you are the winner and the game ends. I won with the goal "Squashed From Above" which meant I had the Finger of God and the Foot cards on the table at the same time as the Goal Card. Aside from the traditional and Monty Python versions, there are several other versions of the game, including Zombie Fluxx, Star (Wars) Fluxx, Oz Fluxx, Cthulhu Fluxx, and a set I'm going to get...Pirate Fluxx! After that, we played a game of GLOOM. This game has an object of killing off your characters in the most miserable way possible. It was fast and fun!<br />
<br />
Saturday: We decided to skip the Sounders game (selling our tickets) and work on a few things during the day and have a family luau in the evening. <br />
<img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1396745_10204492872903530_3366751464210323131_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Kelly stayed home and worked on the deck and got all the boards laid out and screwed down. While we didn't have the railings installed yet, I figured we could put up the 4 x 4s (which will be part of the pergola) and tie ropes around to keep people safely in, if necessary. I sent out a general invitation, but no one took us up on the offer.<br />
<br />
Cammie and I went out to a couple of different grocery stores looking for ingredients for our luau, which consisted mostly of ahi tuna, salmon, rice and pineapple. I was going to make pineapple chicken skewers, but given that we still don't have the BBQ on the deck, I needed to do all the cooking by oven. Unless we had a big group of people coming, I wasn't going to cook TOO much food.<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10623427_10204505300414210_7617201979893966154_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Luckily, the ahi didn't need cooking--I made a soy sauce mix and let it marinate for a couple hours. I broiled the salmon in the oven with some butter and garlic. Simple and delicious! The sad bit was one of the loaves of the Hawaiian bread I got from the Chinese market was MOLDY! So sad. I was going to drive it back and exchange it or get my money back, but figured it would cost as much in gas to get there and back as the loaf of bread, so I just pitched it. I will not be doing any more shopping there, for sure.<br />
<br />
Sunday: TOURISM! We decided to play tourist-at-home and went to downtown Seattle to have lunch at Pike Place Market, visit the Seattle Art Museum, ride the ferris wheel at the waterfront, walk through the market a bit, and then head home. In order to prevent having to fight for parking spaces, along with all the attendees of PAX, Bumbershoot, and the Mariners fans, we took the bus. There was a lot of people riding along with us, and the ride back was particularly crowded. It was standing room only all the way home--at least for Kelly. The kids and I were able to sit for the last few miles.<br />
<br />
Some sights along the way:<br />
At the SAM, they had a large display of glass art, and a bunch of art pieces from the 1400-1500. Most of them were religious in nature and it was such a thrill to get to see them up close and personal. I was able to get within inches of them to take detailed photos...in fact, several of them were unprotected (although they had roving security everywhere...just don't ask them where to find the restrooms--the one I asked was rather vague). <br />
<br />
Quilted teapot...<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10600358_10204526473343520_7132458439102583624_n.jpg?oh=27006cdd6e5c2897505a4ce3b6c2d219&oe=546827C4" width="180" /><br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10541893_10204526497784131_6642941328228881249_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
Gorgeous blue and yellow vase from Italian Renaissance<br />
<br />
<img height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10314535_10204526499024162_3075761861721450883_n.jpg" width="225" /><br />
Painted wooden box front...the gold was real shiny gold!<br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10633774_10204526557385621_1530311142246772814_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Italian pottery<br />
<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10499586_10204526496064088_2236523960425885245_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
Ceramic pond--the pieces fit together like a puzzle and were heavily glazed to look wet. This was a favorite for us!<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1555428_10204526498064138_4457328039900702555_n.jpg?oh=ce4c92032c644e45db9f1fbe3a81ee8c&oe=547C6CDC&__gda__=1417127862_5edd01cda13419007897a83cc0108094" width="180" /><br />
Madonna and child, 1490.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10653292_10204526497304119_7712561193692310808_n.jpg?oh=966d485640cbcc7913ae69e21c96a564&oe=547291FD&__gda__=1416571465_82d98cb9faa5330c3009bc946bc410f5" width="180" /><br />
Detail from a Madonna and child painting--the gauzy sleeve of the baby's tunic and the buttons on her sleeve were just amazing. This was from 1490.<br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1597552_10204526497704129_3303027034449638942_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
16th century folding screens from Japan<br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1487693_10204526498624152_5290600693910392243_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Monet. Nuff said.<br />
<br />
One of the biggest problems I had was with the lighting on the art. It was bright enough, but often left bright spots on the paintings like this. You usually couldn't view it straight on. This was from the bench provided by the museum for viewing this really large painting. <br />
<br />
<img height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/1540556_10204526587466373_2643596391164693735_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Or there was some reflection in the glass (no, I wasn't using a flash...that is usually against the rules):<br />
<img height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10513269_10204526593746530_2702169748594374759_n.jpg?oh=8be7369a9df8220675b0d5f354d90a8c&oe=5467C443&__gda__=1417499221_b5d1ce245201ae9a0d8a71394537b5ec" width="225" /><br />
<br />
Here's some sweet boots!<br />
<img height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10632867_10204526594586551_1135226006551535436_n.jpg?oh=3c7ac12709b7d16fa8b393cf0a1d6ed0&oe=54765C8B&__gda__=1415666420_98a2859418f94c9d1bf7fc00e8a45b61" width="225" /><br />
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Afterwards, we wandered through Pike Place...<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10582947_10204512134945069_4401598416391418388_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10620069_10204512143185275_6463347248748696239_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Rode the Ferris Wheel...<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10648911_10204512157825641_2988226280107248129_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10622869_10204512158145649_8626880006313406390_n.jpg?oh=805545bc1e1ba48e56091eed953aea86&oe=545D06F1&__gda__=1416249575_d0339c135020c71268508a9da0e937ad" width="180" /><br />
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10658882_10204512161225726_7399881907756459298_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10523940_10204512172266002_8131934653992725329_n.jpg?oh=e46bef5da53a2e508f170e91860c1819&oe=547F69CF&__gda__=1415732441_d023d622d34db331201a3bfa1d7a5e05" width="180" /><br />
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And then rode the bus home. We watched a movie together: Bears. It was cute and just over an hour long. <br />
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Monday: Bike ride! Earlier this summer, we finally got Ben to try biking again, and he very quickly got the hang of balance and pedaling. He then decided that he wanted to really spread his wings and go for a long bike ride somewhere. We promised that we'd do that before the summer was done, and here we are...at the final week. So, we drove down to the Centennial Trail that runs from Snohomish to Arlington...or maybe beyond in some city nearish to Mt. Vernon. (I don't know exactly where it ends, but we really had no intention of biking that far anyway--we read somewhere that it is about 30 miles in length). In the end, I biked about 2 1/2 miles with them and I turned around there. They continued on to the next trail head at Machias, about 4 1/2 miles from where we started, then turned back. My muscles are all very sore now...ugh. Took some Tylenol and cider, and may need to take a bath to fully relax the muscles. I have a feeling I won't be able to climb stairs for the next couple of days.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10634022_10204524692579002_8638537084250596691_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10634022_10204524692579002_8638537084250596691_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I returned from the bike ride, I took off my helmet only to discover that the rotting strap on the back tore completely away (the chin strap has a nylon strap and was perfectly fine--the broken bit hugs the back of the head to keep the helmet in place). I had noticed that it was shedding black bits all over the place before we started out, but thought that since this is a designated walking/biking trail, I would have little chance of encountering vehicles and other dangers, and it was probably going to be low risk of having an accident that would require a helmet to protect me to that extent. It looks like it'll be a pretty easy fix, though. It appears that the straps have little velcro dots that attach the straps. I'll pop by the bike shop later this week to see what they can do for me.<br />
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Ben also needs repairs on his helmet; one of the neighborhood kids tore all the padding out while he left the helmet sitting outside one day. We have some new little guys in the neighborhood...lesson for Ben was not to leave his stuff out where others could get to it--always put your stuff away. I'm not going to worry much about finding out the culprit.<br />
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Dinner was a simple affair--burgers and fries (home made). The big kid starts school tomorrow; the little guys start next week.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-5273662475324002882014-08-14T20:52:00.000-07:002014-08-15T00:06:36.952-07:00August DaysThere are some things that are posted on the internet that annoy the crap out of me. Especially Facebook. The most annoying are political in nature. I think of myself as a middle-of-the-road kind of person. Traditional, but not close-minded, values; socially open-minded, if you will. I also believe that we need smaller government and lower taxes, but also feel that there are people who are falling through the cracks in terms of care of the mentally ill and need assistance to keep themselves and society safe. I also believe in relying on the generosity of others for some things, but the government can sometimes help by providing people a hand up, not a hand out--like skills training to get something better than a minimum wage job. <br />
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I have carefully stopped following the Facebook feeds of people when I just can't stomach their political vomit anymore. A lot of those memes that are passed around are filled with inaccurate or misleading information; it's all about interpretation and filtering of data. And that pisses me off.<br />
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Sometimes, it's not politics, but something very different in nature. I got a strange one. One of the people who I have not yet omitted from my feed is a lady who LOVES her cats. She has a silly name for the herd of cats--the Furry Rebellion--and has unusual names for all of them. I don't know how many she has, exactly, but it must be a lot. I've seen names like the Agent of Chaos, the Assassin, Lord Wiggle, Lady Daring, and the Heinous Overlord (presumably the alpha cat). OK, it's cute, but I usually just skip over those posts because, quite honestly, I don't care about the interactions between her furry creatures. Maybe it's because I don't know her well enough to care (unlike very close friends whose critters I actually know), but she posted a message that said something like, "Of all my furry critters, which one is your favorite?" Really? I...uh...no comment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AR2FJ0Z4qn0qDVUEIenymLAW2nZFSVpDiSDG2lPDw-VS_OsngYkz6fp5AAVBpizSTbz9vSwFxEW5OLgfPIHREJv681zZHCJFVpXbPhFqiDa1UtveXA_0CZYze2QUpaLiu93n4sFPWUg_/s1600/2013+Christmas+Cousins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AR2FJ0Z4qn0qDVUEIenymLAW2nZFSVpDiSDG2lPDw-VS_OsngYkz6fp5AAVBpizSTbz9vSwFxEW5OLgfPIHREJv681zZHCJFVpXbPhFqiDa1UtveXA_0CZYze2QUpaLiu93n4sFPWUg_/s1600/2013+Christmas+Cousins.png" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cammie has spent the last few days with her cousin at her aunt & uncle's house. They've been besties since they were very little and we try to get them together at least once a summer to spend time together. Aunt N & Uncle K have been very gracious about hosting her every year. I think it helps them out as well since the cousin is an only child, so it gives them a bit of a break. She's been away for three days and she hasn't called to check in. She must be having a blast!<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1487446_10204311408247027_5013590627473619180_n.jpg?oh=c8510007b89cefeff9bdbac333b600c9&oe=5469A99F" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1487446_10204311408247027_5013590627473619180_n.jpg?oh=c8510007b89cefeff9bdbac333b600c9&oe=5469A99F" width="180" /></a>A few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to make another go at making sourdough bread. I bought a bag of unbleached Bob Mills flour, and it sat on the counter. Kelly knew that I was in the process of gearing up for this project, and as a fun gift, he bought me a pair of cool jars with blue glass lids, perfect for keeping the sour mix in to keep the bugs out. Fruit flies love this stuff. Unfortunately, when I unwrapped one of the jars, it slipped from my hand, dropped a mere 12" onto the carpet and broke. Gah!! The second one is still whole, at least. <br />
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He also got a packet of sourdough starter and taped it onto the bag of flour, which I found after returning from a weekend camping trip with Cammie in July. So a few days ago, I started the mix with the starter, a bit of water and flour. It looked so pitiful at the bottom of the jar.<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10572255_10204375382286338_2140688922419149628_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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After a couple more feedings, it started to look nice and frothy.<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10498251_10204330012672126_7293153470282362107_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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After about a week of daily feedings, I decided to make some bread. The difference between making bread with yeast and making it with sponge is that it takes two to four times as long for everything to happen. <br />
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You have to mix flour into a cup of the starter...although I doubled this recipe, so it was 2 cups of starter and six cups of flour.<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10620065_10204375381406316_2436956627534145107_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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When it's mixed in really well, you cover it with cling film and let it sit to rise and bubble a bunch. <br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10548962_10204375380966305_28029205676915834_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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After a few hours (up to 24), you then add more flour, sugar, baking soda and salt, and keep adding flour until you can knead it. You grease the bowl lightly, turn it over to grease it completely, and let it rise a bunch more.<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10531388_10204366299099264_6994028974978418639_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Then punch it down....<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10562695_10204375378326239_8512609662662056826_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Divide into loaves and let them rise...<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10563121_10204367535490173_6160715425758847796_n.jpg?oh=186a6c9f617944d5ee4da33ec911bf9d&oe=546729A7&__gda__=1416992177_7265f750182f1fc626b18bb51b3abb6c" width="180" /><br />
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After it has risen for a while longer, you slice the tops, and I sprinkled mine with rosemary and salt and lightly brushed with olive oil.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t1.0-9/10577100_10204375377406216_814442552594912956_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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I baked it in the oven, according to the directions, which turns out to be too long or too hot an oven. I'll have to experiment a bit more. I also think I'll make smaller loaves.<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10604644_10204367974381145_2613633649321479574_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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The second loaf I baked for about 5 minutes less and it came out *perfect*. And it was *delicious*!<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10485516_10204368176346194_9112945115719589162_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Tomorrow is going to be a busy day--doc appointment with my foot doc, going to pick up Cammie from her visit, and go to a Munzee event. It'll be fun!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-5365144552050950982014-07-28T14:46:00.000-07:002014-07-28T14:47:35.943-07:00Mid-to-End of July updateTwo weeks later...I get back to posting.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10468129_10204159310204671_6402032128067798935_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10468129_10204159310204671_6402032128067798935_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>The kids and I took a quick trip to visit the Troll. The thing about touristy places, is they're always crawling with tourists. We had to wait several minutes for a threesome to get out of the way so I could get a few pics with the kids. As soon as they got on the creation, a group of what I suspect were college kids came by to get photos. They could have been a sports team or a famous rock band, for all I know... We headed to Green Lake to splash around, but I couldn't find a place to park. Stupid parking lot is SOOOOOO tiny! I saw some spots on the road around the North end, but by then, I just wanted to get back to our neighborhood. We stopped by the park near our house and Cammie splashed around in the water. Ben forgot his swim trunks, Cammie forgot a towel, and Emma wanted nothing to do with it.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10527586_10204160731480202_1779473752426936831_n.jpg" width="180" />Our deck is done. The slippery wood and wobbly railings indicated that it was truly done for. Kelly ripped it apart and found that it had far more rot than we first thought. <br />
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Cammie and I went to July Coronation while Kelly and the other two kids held down the fort. I was able to see a friend get elevated to the Peerage, and another friend was offered the peerage as well. Sigh. Always the bridesmaid...<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10389423_10204195420827414_2586440953550982337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10389423_10204195420827414_2586440953550982337_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>Cammie was able to work with the blacksmith for a while. Last May, when she visited his shop on Merchant's Row, he said if she came back at the next event, he'd let her make something. Needless to say, she was excited to return to the July event and learn the trade! This is what she came away with!<br />
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We also got a chance to shoot some archery. The trick with shooting arrows into a grassy field is trying to find the arrows again afterwards. Straw colored shafts hiding amongst the straw. After shooting about 10 of them, followed by a great deal of digging, I managed to find an arrow from the Archery Marshal that was lost the day prior. We shot some more arrows, being short now three, and after a great deal of searching, found a bright green "war" arrow (with a large blunted tip). I held it up and read the name on the label. The Archery Marshal walked over and said, "I don't believe it. This guy isn't even here this weekend. This arrow has been hiding in the field for <i>two years!</i>" About that time, another archer brought out her dog to help search for the arrows. She had scented her arrows with birch oil to make it easier for her dog to find her arrows, but he was pretty good at finding other people's arrows as well. At the end of the day, all the arrows that were lost had been found! I was happy to go home with as many arrows as we arrived with!<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/1979574_10204191872338704_4810026027849263101_n.jpg" width="180" /> <img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10515225_10204191768576110_6343923542980051057_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Kelly and Emma went to Eastern Washington to visit with family and do some country stuff, like shooting targets. Apparently this one wasn't designed for .22 gauge weapons. PS - Emma did a lot of the shooting of this thing. Annie Oakley, move over!<br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10556843_10204253249073084_1946896881987170686_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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He made her drive part of the way, as evidenced here:<br />
<img height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10569046_10152292175320967_7203752386356554646_n.jpg?oh=8aa4d3680d844033cd3211876f077076&oe=54382119&__gda__=1413600076_a94a872033d3520017363931da826a41" width="320" /><br />
She doesn't really want to drive and hates being forced to practice. I keep asking her but she keeps saying no. I figure if we can get her the license, then she can drive as much (or as little) as she wants, but she won't have excuses to not do things like go see friends or run errands. I hate fighting it. It's not like she's refusing to go to school or something, but it is a life skill.<br />
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I took the little guys out to explore a new park (well, the park isn't new, but we hadn't been there before). The sign said that it was for children ages 5-12, but this was the biggest toy there. The swings were for infants and the climbing toy was less than 18" off the ground.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10559934_10204244754060714_2129539421520757731_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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The park had a "fishing pond" (lots of frogs, a few fish that we could see, but it was really murky), an English Garden with lots of flowering plants, and a ball field as well as an old settler's cabin.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10440834_10204244759780857_4138288005031674562_n.jpg" width="180" /> <img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/460234_10204244761380897_356912596479583892_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10535730_10204244761220893_3369532003245136779_o.jpg" width="320" /> <img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10380161_10204244761300895_4030229727872685359_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10501862_10204242068233570_262582241532135017_n.jpg?oh=4e2ad68b726c510379259eb9b48659bc&oe=543D4DF7&__gda__=1414067943_a372d1ef6719905ba45e510ca67e2c0c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10501862_10204242068233570_262582241532135017_n.jpg?oh=4e2ad68b726c510379259eb9b48659bc&oe=543D4DF7&__gda__=1414067943_a372d1ef6719905ba45e510ca67e2c0c" width="180" /></a>Benjamin had a cub scout outing to Gameworks where he won a sort of One-Armed-Bandit and got 1,000 tickets! In the end, he had 1,600 tickets that he spent on this pile of loot. The snake is named Oscar. I voted for Nagini, but I was overruled. I guess Harry Potter is officially passe.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10516684_10204243784836484_4451317561206886838_n.jpg?oh=5fff7de6c420482c54fac65e38b16d17&oe=5453CCF6&__gda__=1413517792_e4bb99fb92e375372445fd332791ce79" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10516684_10204243784836484_4451317561206886838_n.jpg?oh=5fff7de6c420482c54fac65e38b16d17&oe=5453CCF6&__gda__=1413517792_e4bb99fb92e375372445fd332791ce79" width="180" /></a></div>
Benjamin helped me make Monkey Bread. It's French bread in a tube, cut into rounds then cut into quarters and tossed in sugar and cinnamon, then put into a bundt pan. Then you take butter and brown sugar and melt it down and pour it over the blobs. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 (I think). Then you can just tear off bite size pieces of bready bliss. I have ideas for doing the same thing but tossing them in graham cracker crumbs and tossing in marshmallows and chocolate and baking. Everything tastes better when you make it taste like s'mores.<br />
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Excess salt and sweat makes a great hair styling tonic. Here's the Son of the Heat Miser during the off-season.<br />
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10375097_10204253248953081_8402909089816225080_n.jpg?oh=30f9a4e5d11482fa2fc76c1a86e8f9f2&oe=544ED13E" width="180" /><br />
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Cammie started piecing some blocks together for her first quilt! She wanted to do some sewing, so I pulled out my baggie of 4" scraps and let her design her own blocks. <br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10550081_10204244761020888_3990953184591601810_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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We worked on doing good 1/4" seams, then I let her have at it. This is what she made in the first day! She made a few more the next day, and her goal is to make 48 total to make a twin bed quilt. This is a great project for her to start on, and I love that she's so eager to learn!<br />
<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10499530_10204253249033083_7573454331339495699_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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One more month of summer. I still have to take Mr. B to the pool to teach him to swim. Probably this week, now that we finally have the open swim hours at the pool.<br />
Toodles!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-42602646194904787622014-07-12T21:33:00.002-07:002014-07-14T10:00:50.272-07:00Alaskan Adventure<div class="Publishwithline">
Sailing Day Minus One</div>
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We arrived at DH’s parents’ place with all the kids and
their medicines and medical devices (that’s a lotta stuff), and one small
bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that the bird’s cage
was too big and bulky to pack, so we decided to buy a portable one when we got
closer to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re not
terribly expensive, and I’m sure we’ll use it again in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My in-laws (well, my MIL) had lots of great activities
planned for the kids—swimming, going to the beach, going hiking in the Olympic mountains, making
some kind of clay out of white bread and glue (I have no idea…she’s crafty that
way).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even looked into some art
classes and other community activities that she was thinking of inflicting on
the kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10421453_10204075717714911_349963954207878386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10421453_10204075717714911_349963954207878386_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>We spent the evening with several relatives at the beach at
Hood Canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a private community
beach entrance for people who live in the community, and DH’s uncle had rented
the shelter for the family to have a crab feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kelly’s cousins, Joe & Jeana, Jeana’s husband, and four kids—two of
Jeana’s and two of Joe’s (between them there are six kids total), joined us at
the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle Lowell took out the
boat and pulled Dungeness crab out of the pots he had set in the area, and we
feasted on five or six crabs that he caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of them was a MONSTER of a crab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were so fresh and sweet we didn’t need any butter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The shells are also soft enough that you can crack them with your hands.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Kelly’s parents had to leave early when FIL wasn’t feeling
well, and we wandered off to get ready for the annual village firework
displays, which they hold on the 3<sup>rd</sup> rather than the 4<sup>th</sup>,
which makes it convenient for those who want to spend time with families or see
other firework displays in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
found a rather awkward space, but it was good enough to satisfy most of the
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got them situated with glowy
necklaces and when the show started just after 10, they enjoyed the lights and
sounds of the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park by the
waterfront was *packed* with people and there were all kinds of food and
activities going on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We headed back to the house to get the kids to bed and be
ready for an early morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Day One<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After waking up rather early-ish, we packed our things and got a ride from
FIL to the ferry docks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had intended
to walk from the ferry docks to the port, Pier 90, a distance of about 3 ½
miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured we’d stop for lunch
somewhere, and wander up the street following the walkways and running trails
along the waterfront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate lunch at a
little seafood place next to the Seattle ferris wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if you could call it an “eye”
like London has; it moves too quickly to be a view-of-the-city type tourist
attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, it’s still a tourist
attraction, but it’s more like a carnival ride. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We started walking again and I think we got about a mile up
the road before my feet were done and we needed to be at the port in 15
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no way we were going
to make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked up the entrance to
the Edgewater hotel and hailed a taxi.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our arrival time was supposed to be 2:15, and we arrived right at our boarding time and went through all
the TSA screening that is required for going on a plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty much the same routine, but it
seemed more relaxed—maybe it’s because they didn’t have tens of thousands of
people trying to push through the building to get to one of dozens of flights leaving that hour,
hurried and anxiety-ridden, but instead it was a couple thousand people trying
to get onto one vessel before a relaxing vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Most people were truly HAPPY to be there. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We got to the end of the line…yes, we were just about
dead-last in line…and slowly made our way to the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about 30 minutes of standing in line,
and my dogs were really barking by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got our boarding pass cards, which are used to get on and off the
boat and for charging services and things to the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you get on the boat, they scan it to
record that you’re on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you
leave, you scan it again to say that you have left the vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cool and easy. Makes it easy to know whether or not everyone returned from shore leave. I'm not sure what happens if you don't get back to the boat on time...do they leave without you? I didn't want to take that chance to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10542673_10204128432352744_5310286075496229700_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
We were given our room number for our “state room”, which
isn’t very stately (although our housekeeper guy was really good at Towel Art).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out is on
the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor and all the way at the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were basically in steerage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we were on the Titanic, we’d be the poor
Irish immigrants that died in the sinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luckily, they have enough lifeboats for everyone and went through the
emergency drill with all the passengers at the muster stations on floor 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was another 30 minutes of standing, and
we were both really hurting by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they dismissed us, they didn’t allow us to use the elevators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The emergency drill is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
us use the elevators.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As soon as we pulled away from the dock, it was party
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They actually had a cast-away
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or a launch party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or sail away party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you wanna call it, they cranked up
the tunes and brought out the drinks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
bought a pair of these drinks in festive party glasses (that we got to
keep).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom of the glass has a
button you can push to make the LED lights twinkle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a party in a glass!<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a few things that we learned in that first couple
of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, there are SOOOO many add-ons that they try to squeeze more money from you. Services, jewelry, perfume, clothing, fancier restaurants, mixed drinks, spa services, laundry.... These are all optional, so we were able to ignore most of it, but it seemed like every time you turned a corner, someone was trying to sell you something. <br />
<br />
The second floor of the ship is the
lowest floor for passengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
thing lower is the medical area and staff quarters, and where you sometimes
disembark at ports of call…depending on which side is next to the dock and, I
suppose, the way things are laid out at the port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting higher floors costs a little more, but I can
see how it could be totally worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, some upper floors have balconies that you can sit on and eat
breakfast, watching the islands and marine life as you sail
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coolness. After searching one cruise line for prices, it looks like it's only about $400 more to get a balcony than to be in steerage. If you're talking a 7-day cruise, this is about $55 a day more. Totally worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We took our elevator down to the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor and a
woman’s voice announces, “Deck 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deck
4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deck 3…” as we descend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, English is clearly not her first
language, and as was pointed out by a fellow passenger, it sounds like she’s
saying, “Duck 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duck 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duck 3…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now I giggle a little every time I ride the elevator.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We left Seattle at 4 pm, heading out of the Sound, then West
passing Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and the Makah reservation (near Forks,
WA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought maybe that we were going
to head for a path between the lower mainland and Vancouver Island, but no…we
headed out to International waters…and there was a storm brewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly and I went to dinner at one of the restaurants on
board, the Italian place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny enough,
none of the people working there were Italian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or European, for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were, in fact, from India, mostly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, almost every one of the people working on the boat are polite
and charming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone…but ALMOST
everyone. I had a ridiculous argument with a waiter in the bar at the top floor
when I said he hadn’t come to take our drink orders in 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said it hadn’t been that long, yet I was
actually looking at my clock as I looked for him to return. He claimed that he walked by "over there"--two rows of tables away and we hadn't signaled for him to come over. I didn't see him walk by, and certainly not close enough to call him over. Any waiter worth a penny would approach each table and ask if they needed anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I dressed up in my one-and-only dress that I brought (to be
honest, it’s probably the only one that fits that I would consider wearing now…and
I just bought it before we left), even though the dress code for the night was
“smart casual.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought, WTF does that
mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand “Casual”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also understand “Seattle semi-formal”; that
means you wear jeans with no holes in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is “smart casual”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
apparently it means pants that are made of any material other than denim (absolutely no shorts)
and a shirt with a collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
pants I have that aren’t denim or short length are of the yoga variety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dress it is, then.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We sailed along, eating our multi-course Italian dinner and
trying to see out the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked
the waiter if they were paying the window washers enough—for a first night out,
I would have thought that the windows would have been cleaned for departure,
but the waiter said that they usually do that the second day…but that didn’t
happen, either.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wandered around the ship after dinner, exploring the various
floors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found the climbing wall on
the top deck (duck) at the rear (tail).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we approached the front of the ship again, we saw two orcas dive
under the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to chase them to
the stern, but we didn’t see them again until we were a long ways off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Egyptian pool area is amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took several photos and was able to send a
few of them to Bekah, who was an Anthropology major, studying Egyptology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “You’re gonna plotz!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wrote back saying that she was very
impressed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone really did their
homework in designing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to go
back to take more photos later of all the details that we discovered when we
finally made our way up to the pool area in our swim suits…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10505230_10204128440512948_3241562393039958875_o.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<br />
The theatre on the 5<sup>th</sup> & 6<sup>th</sup>
floors (two stories!) is enormous and looks rather grand and opulent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of the ship is decorated with brass,
which makes it look grand in 1980s standards (although its maiden voyage was in 1997).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe they’ll take out all the brass and have it chromed someday to make
it look more modern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, maybe
the brass will make a comeback.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day Two:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Storm at Sea<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure that you could call it a “storm” per se, but it
was overcast, the wind was blowing, and it was raining off and on. We were also battling against the tides and the seas were confused. The waves
were building a bit through the day. The
weather was, as you might say, rather nautical.
The rocking of the ocean was not too bad at first, but as the hours
progressed, it started to really wear on many of us. I was feeling a little green—not pukey, but
nauseated, at least—and DH had the foresight to bring some Dramamine! I love that man…I took one just before lunch,
waited a couple hours, then took another.
By late in the day, the seas were calming down a bit and by bedtime, it
was much better. He, luckily, did not
feel it at all, nor did some of the other passengers we talked to. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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One thing we realized, as I was fighting the nausea with so
many others (he didn’t need any), was that the steadiest part of the ship was
in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rocking on an axis,
either up and down or side to side, the middle of the ship experiences the
least amount of movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case,
4<sup>th</sup> floor in the center of the ship would have been the best
option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jazz bar, where they also
play goofy game shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens to be
the loudest place in the ship most of the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This second day out, we spent this day learning more about
the layout of the ship and where all the food was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this ship, there are a couple places that
you can get food for no additional charge—they’re part of the room & board
of being on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is a sit-down
restaurant with menus, and you sit 10 to a table, so you’re forced to socialize
with others on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you feel
like being social, this is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you just want to sit with your honey or with your family, you might want to
consider eating at the buffet place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
you might be saying to yourself, “Ewww…buffet food?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, my sweet merciful Lord…this is actually
prepared by people who know what they’re doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is all-you-can-eat with lots of choices for meat-eaters,
vegetarians, dairy or gluten-free, or just a big pile of unadulterated
sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carrots and zucchini stir-fried to give it just enough bite so it’s not
crunchy or squishy; chicken with a sweet chili sauce; beef shoulder with a
rosemary sauce; chicken cordon bleu; fish fillets with a lobster sauce; pastas
and several sauces to choose from; salads of every variety; carved pork loin; an entire deli counter to fix your own sandwiches; and the list goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it
changes daily!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The burger that I selected for lunch was, to be honest,
pretty terrible, but I only took the patty (which was cooked with onions…not my
favorite) and cheese on a dry bun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
also trying to eat while fighting an oceanic-induced nausea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave up a few bites in. I decided that what sounded better was just a plate of
rice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was delicious; buttery and starchy…it was
just what I needed to calm my stomach a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDsgfkkjpjC_MdTRi8Z2suPkHN5YSpuHIrkTRxz4DLcajZIBaQ9tfmEmDTRD9ZH5WXvV1i1ytmAd2SMsIPHSatWJe5WcZaZHM0jIFWxZJjLP8BIo20T1ccBWvsWwYg4woxfq15PdGFTKR/s1600/Juneau+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDsgfkkjpjC_MdTRi8Z2suPkHN5YSpuHIrkTRxz4DLcajZIBaQ9tfmEmDTRD9ZH5WXvV1i1ytmAd2SMsIPHSatWJe5WcZaZHM0jIFWxZJjLP8BIo20T1ccBWvsWwYg4woxfq15PdGFTKR/s1600/Juneau+017.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>What I discovered about seasickness is that laying down is
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laid down on the deck chairs
near the pool, at the center of the 9<sup>th</sup> floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The still water was churning like a wave pool
and water sloshed over the sides with great vigor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought how a person might enjoy the
stillness of floating in the water while the boat rocked around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several kids were enjoying the pool, which
was taking their minds off the seasickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Barf bags were made available in the stairwells for those with motion sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was thoughtful of them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBHDBGIm9WDAAAMlF_K76SZ7C3cvxMIQmSRzS6rTyuCUq4R_j6wkq_HQAKie255dCVcmX-GeB2IrQCs9_E31SsfwHL8UAmds8SzK9wNL0oVKM4CcvHTXvtYZN5HwNdRu3YTTRPMvXLEQe/s1600/Juneau+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBHDBGIm9WDAAAMlF_K76SZ7C3cvxMIQmSRzS6rTyuCUq4R_j6wkq_HQAKie255dCVcmX-GeB2IrQCs9_E31SsfwHL8UAmds8SzK9wNL0oVKM4CcvHTXvtYZN5HwNdRu3YTTRPMvXLEQe/s1600/Juneau+015.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to the pool area and laid on the deck chairs to
watch the world cup on the giant screen TV, but a couple minutes into the game,
they turned it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Said it was too
stormy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgzHw2ieAf-zbhteX00-94AWakhtOjG_mSs-CqT7Le1peXWBCPjJ6WLvcDatIqVV3GuGHVzzCXD45_-Ay6sj0l0va0YK5tli9z9dqTNiU7bc00ce_kvYVUd39fLAconVp10b9huxzA8Or/s1600/Juneau+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgzHw2ieAf-zbhteX00-94AWakhtOjG_mSs-CqT7Le1peXWBCPjJ6WLvcDatIqVV3GuGHVzzCXD45_-Ay6sj0l0va0YK5tli9z9dqTNiU7bc00ce_kvYVUd39fLAconVp10b9huxzA8Or/s1600/Juneau+016.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Later, the next game was airing, but the weather had
improved somewhat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went up to the bar
area and watched it there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
sound, but the two of us and about 20 other fans turned couches and chairs
toward the glass and watched the game.</div>
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Dinner that night was Formal Night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—you
dress up in your glitzy formal wear (suit and tie…tux optional, or a
dress…usually just for the women), and you go to dinner lookin’ all gussied
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what this also means?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A shit-ton of photographers taking pictures
at various places around the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of these places is right in the middle of the bank of elevators, so if you push
the button on one side, and the door opens on the other side, you have to make
sure that the photographer and subjects are not in the middle of a shot, or the
doors will close without you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such was
the case when I wanted to go down two decks (ducks), and I nearly had to shove
three sweetly dressed ladies to get to it, and missed it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I squished through the crowd to go to the stairs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That evening, the theatre had a comedian show—a Jew and a
Gentile...what were their names? James and Wilde? Something like that. They did quite a few nose jokes as well as mentioning that both
guys went to Catholic school, which was just a little awkward…being
Jewish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did lots of juggling and
played with a giant unicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
very good show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a chance to talk
to the guys the next day when we docked in Juneau and had a few more
laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were heading home for a
week, then boarding another ship to do their show there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I took a couple pictures, but they're really blurry, so I won't bother posting them. Meh.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Day Three:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arrival in
Juneau<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrwS-SlNtPoLgS_ADbOSGsWYSed3c8QQzRU9ScQNe78ZHI6iTu0xPwN5N42OaN0aEU87IWITIWVwQyviQ_1uI909pqVu_qVQVNaswlYaPBDO-VdT_S6tOs-_VdFl5mzTVw5HsEPWKdp_O/s1600/Juneau+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrwS-SlNtPoLgS_ADbOSGsWYSed3c8QQzRU9ScQNe78ZHI6iTu0xPwN5N42OaN0aEU87IWITIWVwQyviQ_1uI909pqVu_qVQVNaswlYaPBDO-VdT_S6tOs-_VdFl5mzTVw5HsEPWKdp_O/s1600/Juneau+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We arrived at about 11 a.m. and everyone seemed upbeat now
that 4G service was available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
collected emails, checked and posted to their Facebook pages, and surfed the
web.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10457453_10204128410672202_6603661683607136304_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
We had selected an excursion for our day at Juneau going up
to the Mendenhall glacier and having a salmon feast at the Liarsville Salmon
Bake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we waiting for the bus to
take us to the glacier, I sought out a Munzee in the parking lot, and stumbled
across a Geocache in the same location.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We took a cruise bus from the boat up to the glacier and I
was able to find and capture a Munzee right by the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a Rover on it, so I snagged the pooch
and put him in my kennel (I’ll unleash him somewhere in Seattle).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked the path down to the waterfall,
about ¾ of a mile, and took some pictures of this impressive runoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<img height="240" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10501894_10152256001790967_1365105114266404038_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
We had to wait a while for some of the
visitors to GET OUT OF THE WAY so I could get some images without them in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Seriously—I’m sure you’re a great
person, but I don’t need to immortalize strangers in my blog
forever-and-ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then hiked all the way back, and within
about 10 minutes, had to get back on the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The driver happily told us some great history and amusing anecdotes
about the town, some of the areas where the locals live, work and shop, and
pointed out some young American bald eagles who were hanging out in the fields
(they weren’t actually bald yet, so he estimated they were about 3 years
old).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSS6bFgWjHaZXhGsgxhUL_ME7Z97OOTUjhh8LEstSRpggrXJ58Ez00kk73tpO3aufKP9-HLQy4SB5XuxBC_oHuRTlrdjSZMX2ezS5VZpJcSHc4_8BPlPj9NgHe4LfG23W-18dntqPMBCG/s1600/Juneau+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSS6bFgWjHaZXhGsgxhUL_ME7Z97OOTUjhh8LEstSRpggrXJ58Ez00kk73tpO3aufKP9-HLQy4SB5XuxBC_oHuRTlrdjSZMX2ezS5VZpJcSHc4_8BPlPj9NgHe4LfG23W-18dntqPMBCG/s1600/Juneau+021.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a>We arrived at the salmon bake near a lovely little waterfall, and were welcomed by a man
dressed in his best turn-of-the-century duds and we were served a cup of clam
chowder, followed by a salmon with a sweet sauce, cole slaw, cheesy potatoes, corn bread, baked beans, blueberry cake and several other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4nvX4Erd63_cYo16d0QYEnSFAVprazfLjWQTT4F81xTDEEoIFVc75pOtUmi2VBYb24-W188Gj8cuvsu1XFst7RK7cCCobrcT99NF2IU8TcBmf58pCTKUYN2aMW5uQh1uZTqCA194gQnv/s1600/Juneau+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4nvX4Erd63_cYo16d0QYEnSFAVprazfLjWQTT4F81xTDEEoIFVc75pOtUmi2VBYb24-W188Gj8cuvsu1XFst7RK7cCCobrcT99NF2IU8TcBmf58pCTKUYN2aMW5uQh1uZTqCA194gQnv/s1600/Juneau+001.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>Greedy crows hung about and did some dumpster diving to get scraps of
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
A lazy bee rests on some flowers near the waterfalls. <br />
<br />
Arriving back in town on the yellow Liarsville shuttle, we
did a little shopping downtown (and Munzeeing, where I found another Rover),
and skipping about every third store, which was hawking jewelry to
everyone—something I have little interest in—before stopping in at a local
watering hole for a couple drinks and a plate of clams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good stuff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The shuttle to take us back to the boat was in that parking lot, so we
only had to hobble over and stumble onto the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t want to have a big dinner since we
figured we could catch a late dinner on the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The shuttle dropped us off at the dock at about 8:15 and we
wandered back to our rooms to drop things off and wandered upstairs as the boat
was preparing to set sail around 8:30, on to our next destination:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skagway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We headed upstairs to find some dinner, only to discover that the café
had already closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was
closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought there would be food
somewhere almost 24/7, but that’s only partially true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can get room service 24 hours a day, but
there’s a surcharge between midnight and 5 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cafeteria closes at 8:30 pm, so if you get back from shore leave at
8:30 pm, right at the all-aboard time, or a few minutes before and you
dilly-dally at all getting to the restaurant, you’re hosed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bars around the ship don’t have any food
at all, except for pineapple wedges, lemons, limes, cherries….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went back to our room and ordered room
service from their very limited menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took almost an hour to get to the room and it was cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t impressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day Four:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Sleep was not easy…the seas were smooth, but I couldn’t get
to sleep for some reason, and we were woken up from heavy engine noises as we
docked at Skagway at some god-awful hour...3 a.m, maybe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, those of us
in steerage are right above the machinery…or darn close…and it took seemingly
forever to get parked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We got off the ship and were met by two very charming young ladies in Newsgirl costumes with the Skagway Times, which included lots of local history and fun stuff. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ6jrd_-JyICEvI76RwIneFPmgTMMnBsEFKnMM5uIjkNgKO4eTsMOGcsaa2wEQlsjuxvMW80wq8UQ8wNngaN9SnFaQhyphenhyphen_b-ok17WZ-X6zplAQo6HTPqufV7v4Bk9zyqmahVYVWi4uaX-S/s1600/20140711_56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ6jrd_-JyICEvI76RwIneFPmgTMMnBsEFKnMM5uIjkNgKO4eTsMOGcsaa2wEQlsjuxvMW80wq8UQ8wNngaN9SnFaQhyphenhyphen_b-ok17WZ-X6zplAQo6HTPqufV7v4Bk9zyqmahVYVWi4uaX-S/s1600/20140711_56.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had to be up early for an excursion by bus up to Fraser, BC, on the way toward Yukon territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped occasionally
to look at some really pretty lakes and mountains, built some rock monsters (Inukchuk, a sign of welcome to passers by, although I called him Gorignak)</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">There was one of these guys at the border between Alaska and BC.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3Jffk9pEqlExpemynE1nwcqMbW1_duC__KBLVqqJE2cRQWtGhLSX7YoGNU3gjdFh8d25L50Enwh021cC6nLpXNjtBR9k1Ml958Xf6ImJPrM1oONW3AEBiQ1MppVuuHPcG56cjV0JLbST/s1600/20140711_71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3Jffk9pEqlExpemynE1nwcqMbW1_duC__KBLVqqJE2cRQWtGhLSX7YoGNU3gjdFh8d25L50Enwh021cC6nLpXNjtBR9k1Ml958Xf6ImJPrM1oONW3AEBiQ1MppVuuHPcG56cjV0JLbST/s1600/20140711_71.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">One of our stops was a sign that read "Alaska" on the border between Alaska and BC on the Yukon Highway. The bus driver, "Cupcake", offered to take photos for everyone, so we all dutifully lined up and took turns getting our photos taken by our driver. Kelly and I were last in line after dilly-dallying a bit, and watching over her shoulder as she took photos of the couple right before us, I noticed something rather unusual with her technique. I snickered as I saw what she was doing, and she turned and quietly said, "Shhhh!" </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM_MFFjSaSq153pUaJdjW9Q9MNwef1Tz5oUzCfqKB4_Q22HCkbRtx9ETbBmQRTZF0TWT9jrTe8pmGD-hSK01K8j8bplhMaw85qC-jmQSBXfiJV02L8RXktdxOJYDFgmmHOAGRNvi2Vh6p/s1600/20140711_68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM_MFFjSaSq153pUaJdjW9Q9MNwef1Tz5oUzCfqKB4_Q22HCkbRtx9ETbBmQRTZF0TWT9jrTe8pmGD-hSK01K8j8bplhMaw85qC-jmQSBXfiJV02L8RXktdxOJYDFgmmHOAGRNvi2Vh6p/s1600/20140711_68.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">She happily took selfies with everyone's cell phones. This is our driver, "Cupcake" (whose real name was Allysa, but she said that most people just call her by a silly nickname that's easier to remember. Then she said that her husband is also a driver, and they call him "Sweet Tooth".) Isn't she pretty? </span></div>
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The border crossing into British Columbia was, at best, a formality. The border guard walked down the aisle, looking at the ID of each person, comparing only the face in the passport to the face on the seat. Less than 1 second per person. It could have said we were Captain Jack and Dr. Seuss, and they wouldn't have noticed. However, given that we arrived on this tour bus and were going to be boarding the train momentarily, and there was nothing in the way of civilization for 25 miles at the Canadian border crossing by Bernard Lake, there was little doubt that we wanted to stay in Fraser, Yukon for any length of time. <br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10491189_10204128394911808_5423721205737897319_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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We unloaded from the bus and took some more photos by a mirror smooth lake, swatting at the millions of insects that bombarded us. (I think there may be some kind of partnership with the tour guides and the bugs). </div>
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Afterwards, we took boarded the ancient train and took a ride back down the mountain to Skagway. We didn’t see much wildlife—just a couple of fluffy sheep on the distant hillside and some Alaskan hikers. But, it was a beautiful ride with lots of rich history about the Klondike Gold Rush and the harsh weather and reality of the rush (compared to the lies that were told by the resident reporters to the prospectors—hence the name “Liarsville” where the reporters were living). </div>
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Our ancient train</div>
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The scars of the trail left behind by the prospectors during the 1898 gold rush to the Yukon. 116 years ago.</div>
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On the back side of the US border crossing, there's a painted tribute to Buchanan, who brought boys and girls (mostly boys) from Detroit to Alaska in the 20's and 30's. The history, thanks to Waymarking.com, says this:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start;">"George E. Buchanan, a Detroit coal merchant, began bringing boys and girls to Alaska on adventure trips in 1923. His goal was to help young people learn the art of earning and saving money. To accompany Buchanan on these special excursions, a young person had to earn one third of the cost of the journey. The parents could pay one third and Buchanan contributed one third. If necessary he assisted the would-be adventurer to earn his share of the costs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start;">"For fifteen years groups of approximately 50 young people, mostly boys, made the annual summer excursion from Detroit to Alaska. The travelers departed from Detroit in mid-July traveling first class by train across Canada to Vancouver B.C. and Puget Sound. Three days on a steamer and then arrival in Skagway. They boarded the White Pass & Yukon Railroad to travel to the lake country and then a transfer by boat to Atlin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start;">"The young folks, dressed in coat and tie, had to be on their best behavior. Many years later members of the various Buchanan Boys groups returned to Skagway to ride the WP&YR and to revisit the memories of their special and happy trips. Reportedly the boys from one of the summer trips painted the sign "On To Alaska With Buchanan" on the side of the mountain to commemorate their inspiring leader, George Buchanan."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start;">We need more men like George Buchanan.</span></div>
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A retired bridge...now the tracks follow the contour of the valley, but this bridge was built in 1898 along with the rest of the tracks from Skagway to Whitehorse, a distance of 110 miles through mountains and valleys in harsh conditions...a task completed in 26 months by 35,000 men, resulting in the loss of only 35 men. I would like a light rail installed between Seattle and Everett--a distance of 20 miles--but it'll probably be another 10 years before that happens.</div>
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Returning to Skagway’s waterfront, we had lunch at the local
fish and chips restaurant that apparently was a local favorite and was always
busy, even in the off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they
suffered a devastating fire in the kitchen and lost everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The community rallied and they raised enough money
for them to rebuild, and now the tour organizers do what they can to throw
business their way whenever possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had a small menu, but it had king crab, shrimp, fish n chips,
clams, which is what we ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything was delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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After lunch, we then did a tour with Madam Essie X (say it
out loud, people) at the Red Onion Saloon who told us all about the ladies of
negotiable affection and their skillful ways of making a living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$5 for 15 minutes (well, half went to the
Madam of the house, 25% went to the bouncer, but with a high turnover, the girls could be getting as
much as $5 an hour, which was pretty good for the 1890s. OK, maybe not the most respectable of jobs, but it's a harsh environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a walking tour of the city and a glass
of champagne at the famous saloon, which has been used as many things in the
intervening years (laundry, bakery, union hall, post office, army barracks, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun stuff!<o:p></o:p><br />
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A little bit more looking around and skipping all the
jewelry places (there are a metric shit ton of them) and found a few things
that we could bring back to the boat…fudge, popcorn, and a couple
t-shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kept looking at the Ulu
knife-and-bowl sets, but they want $30 and up for them—the cheaper ones made in
China, which defeats the purpose of getting a traditional Alaskan knife—and
we’d have to have it shipped back home since it’s a knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally decided we didn’t really need one…no
matter how cool they are.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I picked up another Munzee Rover in Skagway, but wasn’t able
to find any more tags to scan after that—the internet connection said “3G” but
most of the time, I couldn’t get the maps to load or be able to receive my
email, so it was just killing my battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone in town said that when there are lots
of people in town, the system gets overloaded and people with Verizon phones,
especially, can’t get any kind of reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sad that a touristy town isn’t more prepared for that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Headed out at 8 pm for our next destination, which is a 2
day sail to get there—so two days at sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish we had some movies to watch, like on a hotel's pay-per-view system, but we’re kinda stuck with what they
show in the theatre. Because this is a family venue, they are limited to PG-13 movies, and usually only one movie a day, or every
other day since they also use the theatre for
other things, like comedy shows and other performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">One of the performers they had on was Marcus Terrell and the Serenades, who competed in American Idol and America's Got Talent. I don't recall exactly, but apparently he showed up at one audition and sang Elvis's "Heartbreak Hotel". They said that they didn't know why he'd pick something so dated to sing and he didn't get past the first screener. The next year, a friend dared him to put on an Elvis suit and sing the same song. He did. He got to sing in front of Randy, Simon and Paula Abdul. They approved and said that he could have come dressed as Bobo the Clown and he would have gotten through...but clearly, he demonstrated that's not true. Anyway, he eventually got cut and is now doing the cruise circuit with new backup singers. He was very entertaining. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Day Five:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sailing and
glaciers<o:p></o:p></div>
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We sailed through the night and at about 6 a.m., our
captain, “Gustavo”, comes on the intercom and wakes everyone up to tell us that
we are about 45 minutes away from the Glacier at Tracy Arm Fjord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was TOO EARLY, but we got up anyway and
eventually made our way up to the port side of deck (duck) 5—the non-smoking
side—and took photos as the ship slowly turned in a circle to allow everyone an
opportunity to see the hills all around and photograph the glacier and some of
the little iceburgs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, we didn’t
hit any of them, so all the lives of the passengers in steerage were
spared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huzzah!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then we started heading out of the fjord to head back out to
sea, but since everyone was up, they might as well go to breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And EVERYONE wanted to eat right then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nowhere to sit, so we went out to
the open-air deck (duck) next door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a few minutes of looking out the open windows, Kelly claimed a
table and we took turns going to fetch food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s an attendant who stands at the entrance (sometimes more than
one…once there were six standing there and I wondered what function each of
them played), who reminds you to use a squirt of Purell before entering the
dining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I hate hand sanitizer
in general, I love that it’s placed so conveniently there, and they are really
rigorous about cleaning and encouraging hand washing—because who wants a
roto-virus?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were joined by a very nice lady from Mississippi who is a
high school math teacher at a private school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A bit later, another woman stood and chatted for a bit; she’s an
elementary school teacher from Vermont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a great chat about the state of the public schools and how fun
teaching can be—although the HS teacher said that she couldn’t deal with little
guys, and the elementary teacher said that she wouldn’t be able to handle the
bigger kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s great when you find
your niche. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Dark skies and rain threatened us with another day of Rock n
Roll Green sickness, the boat stuck to the inside passage and the seas were
much more calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of people
headed to the theatre at noon to watch the Brazil-Germany game of the World
Cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A group of Brazilians were seated
behind us and they stood and sang their national anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The funny thing about the Brazil national
anthem is that half way through, they run out of music, but the people keep on
singing the second verse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never quite
understood why they did that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have
to look that up…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, due to two
of the star players being out of the game due to illness and yellow card
accumulation, Brazil lost 7-1…but even though the team lost, the fans were
still in pretty good spirits…at least on the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was assured by Daniel, who is in Brazil
now, that if they lost, there will be rioting and the city would be burned to
the ground and civilization would cease to exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like a religion to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he also said that if they won, there
would be wild celebrations and the city would be burned to the ground and
civilization would cease to exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So…win-win?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that the power was out over most
of the city due to a huge storm, so maybe it was a sign?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly decided he wanted to compete for an Xbox One—the prize
they were offering to the winner of a game of Bingo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Kelly joined all the little old ladies for
a few games (after a nap) while I found a quiet place to knit a few rows on the
Norwegian sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got one whole row
done just before the soccer game before I realized that I was following the
directions from left to right, when I should have been going right to left on
the purl row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully un-knit during
the half-time, although it was hard to see what I was doing in the darkened
theatre, and started it up again while sitting the Centrum, which is the center
of the boat where all the loud stuff happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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The Captain sponsored a Walk for Wishes onboard to raise
money for the Make a Wish Foundation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, those of you who know us, know that we’re big supporters of
Children’s Hospitals, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Make a Wish
Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the weather was pretty
blustery and rainy, they cancelled the walk part but were selling the t-shirts
for $10 each, the proceeds going to Make-a-Wish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got shirts for each of the kids…to add to
the collection of t-shirts they we already got for them…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dinner at the sushi place again, and afterwards we heard
about a sushi-making class the next morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only do we get to learn how to make it, but we then get to EAT
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yum! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sushi lunch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10379945_10204128325470072_1910674250638489692_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10379945_10204128325470072_1910674250638489692_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>After dinner, we made appointments at the spa, then went
over to the Egypt pool again (the Solarium).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I said, “Let’s get in the pool!” We went down to change, then spent a
bit of time floating around in the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a salt water pool, so you naturally float easier than a fresh
water pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rumor is that they grab
ocean water, filter it (get all the seaweed and jellyfish out), and put it in
the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the water gets kinda
skunky, they can re-filter it…unless they dump it and start over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also two hot tubs for up to 8
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really warm in there…nice
and relaxing…and it’s indoors, so even on rainy days, it’s really nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also not as fun for kids, so it’s mostly
adults hanging out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Day Six…Anniversary day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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A day at sea…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
out in the open ocean, not protected behind the islands, so it’s a little
rockier than yesterday, but definitely not as bad as day two. It appeared that we were going with the tides and were a little closer to shore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After breakfast I went up for an acupuncture
consultation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 20 minutes of
discussion, I decided that I would need to consult with my foot doc and see if
he would recommend this as an additional therapy and if he would recommend
anyone in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I had a haircut appointment for 4:00 anyway, so meh.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We then headed up to the Japanese restaurant to take the
class on making sushi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave us all
the ingredients and tools (most of which we have at home), and taught us how to
properly make hand rolls, California rolls, and nigiri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we got to eat it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several people decided to take it with them
to their rooms or head out to other activities, but we stayed behind and joked
around with the Filippino chefs and waiters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since we were the only ones there, they offered us more sake and the
chef’s demo rolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feasted on sushi
for lunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also offering a
cookbook for $25, and the proceeds go to the Make a Wish Foundation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cook book contains recipes from all the
restaurants on board, but it includes information on how to make the rice
vinegar, spicy mayo, and eel sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma
should enjoy the prospect of making more Japanese foods at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have to teach her how to make the rolls
properly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly went for a haircut at noon, while I went to find seats
around the big screen by the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were none to be had, so we went downstairs to watch the game between the
Argentines and the Dutch in our room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the game ended in penalty kicks (worst way to decide a winner), the captain announced with a very hoarse voice that Argentina won the game against the Netherlands! He was so happy! I
went up to get my hair cut from a Dutch girl…I asked she not take it out on my
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that the Argentine
captain, Gustavo, just had to rub it in her face…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I got the most expensive haircut I’ve
ever gotten, I told the ladies at the spa to take Cynthia, the stylist, out for
drinks…and to charge it to the captain’s tab.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dinner at the steakhouse for our Anniversary dinner. Our waiter was from India, like so many employees on board, which might be a little awkward for any Indian folks who object to eating beef. Maybe he's Catholic instead?<o:p></o:p></div>
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We wandered around the boat--it was a day at sea, you know--and we got someone to take a photo of us. Only one good one came out--the wind was against us. But before it got too late, we decided to take in a show in the theatre. <br />
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Performing twice that evening was a reality contestant on American Idol and America's Got Talent, Marcus Terrell and the Serenades. His show is really a trip down Reality Lane and his experiences in reality TV. You can see a promo of his show <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Mrlq_XS4s">here</a>. The Serenades in this video are not the ladies he's touring with now; his new backup singers are gals he's known for a long time, and not just in show biz--one of them he met when they were in preschool to 2nd grade in Kansas City and he met her again in LA. It was really fun and he was entertaining as well as talented. </div>
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When we landed in Victoria the next morning (not 2 a.m., thankfully--it was closer to 8 a.m.), we had already breakfasted and headed down to catch the first on-and-off tour bus in town. These are really cool double-decker British busses, and our driver was from New Zealand. He said, "I'm driving on the right side of the bus, but the wrong side of the road..." </div>
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There were 8 stops on this on-and-off tour, including Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown (all three blocks of it), the Empress Hotel, the Government buildings, Fisherman's Wharf, and a castle built by a coal baron. That was our first stop. I took tons of photos of the interior, but here are just a few really stunning ones. Then we had dim sum in Chinatown (too expensive, honestly--we get food that's just as good in Seattle's International district for 1/4 the price), and rode the bus around some more ending up at the park. I went to find a Munzee at the Mile 0 marker, but found a Geocache instead. At least I got credit for something. :)</div>
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Our first jump-off point was at the Craigdurroch castle built by Robert Dunsmuir, a coal baron. The building was sold after his wife passed away and the land surrounding it was sold into lots for building, then the castle itself was raffled off to one of the new neighbors. He mortgaged it for some other business ventures that failed, eventually landing the property into the hands of the Bank of Montreal. It was used as a military hospital during WWI, and later by the University of Victoria, which used one of the top floors as a study area and library. The floor in that ballroom is now deemed unsafe to stand on. Structural engineers will have to do more study to determine what can be done, if anything to stabilize the floor.<br />
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We toured the house and I took dozens of photos of the beautiful stained glass, fireplaces, and antiques that fill the home. It's simply gorgeous! <br />
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Drove by the Empress Hotel, but didn't stop in. We'll have to make a trip of it someday.<br />
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For our next stop, we took the bus back to Chinatown and had lunch at a dim-sum place. The food was good, but easily four times as expensive as the place we have gone to in the International district in Seattle. <br />
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We ran into Marcus and his Serenades on the tour bus in the afternoon! He and his ladies happily posed for a quick picture. <br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10298804_10204128294469297_5149115297771777667_n.jpg" width="218" /> One of my favorite artists of the 80s was Wyland, who painted these large murals on buildings in various places. This one, from 1987, has seen better days. <br />
<img src="http://www.wyland.com/media/2011021545402image%20description.jpg" /><br />
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Our next stop was the park, where we found a couple Munzees (by accident since my phone couldn't pick up a signal for nothin). We also saw some herons nesting:<br />
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A giant totem hand-carved by one of the leaders of the native community:<br />
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Some turtles and ducks sunning themselves:<br />
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Local hero, Terry Fox (who attempted to run across Canada to raise cancer awareness and money for the cause. He ran 3,339 of the 5,200 miles from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans before he was too sick to continue. He got as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario (about an hour away from the Northeast tip of Minnesota) before he was having medical issues and doctors discovered that his cancer had recurred in his lungs. He was a national hero who met the likes of Bobby Orr, Darryl Sittler, the Prime Minister, and the Governor General. When he returned to the hospital, he got a letter from Pope John Paul II saying that the Grand Pontiff was praying for him. When died in June of 1981, his funeral was televised nationally.<br />
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I know...this post just keeps going on and on. I'm wrapping it up! We wandered back to the boat, I went on a short walk down the sea wall (looking for Munzees--only found one out of 30 or so), and we set sail at about 5:30. We had dinner in the restaurant for the first time. We confused the waiters since we hadn't been there all week. Our table, it seemed, had been moved to accommodate a large family that wanted to sit near each other. We met some really nice people--a newly-married couple who are shortly to move to Madison, WI for masters degrees; and another couple who had been on several cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean, but this was the first time to Alaska. <br />
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We arrived in Seattle at 7 a.m. or so, had breakfast and started the extended check-out process. We caught a cab to the ferry, was picked up by Kelly's dad in our car, and retrieved our children before heading home. Laundry, laundry, laundry....</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-26135508851038601262014-06-28T22:53:00.001-07:002014-06-28T22:54:07.679-07:00Spinning Progress & Fond FarewellsI have finished the first bobbin of spinning! <br />
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Yesterday, I went down the street to bid farewell to a friend & neighbor who is moving to Florida. She has three girls who were always very sweet and polite--we'll miss them greatly! She had three bottles of wine and we all celebrated and cried and told stories. I hope that they'll move back...<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-52461939078806651702014-06-25T17:07:00.000-07:002014-06-25T18:29:26.439-07:00Sheep to ShawlI have started to make some progress on my Sheep to Shawl project, turning raw fleece into a wearable garment. I started some months ago by getting a bag of raw fleece from my friend, Godith, aka. Sheep Linda. She used to raise sheep up north, a few miles from where I used to live, and entered the fleeces into the local fair and won ribbons for it all the time.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10382420_10203998909914764_4401909428797574689_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10382420_10203998909914764_4401909428797574689_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is from a sheep named Sprite from the 2006 sheering. She's been holding onto these fleeces for years and was happy to give it a new home for this endeavor. Thanks, Godith!!<br />
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It's a Romney-Border Leicester cross and she grew some really nice long-staple locks. When cleaned, it's just lovely, isn't it? <br />
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However, before it got to this lovely, white color, the fibers had to be cleaned. This is the gross part. It's full of burrs, grass, hay, and...yes...poop. Mostly the poop is just on the edges of the fleece--the belly and bum--but the rest of the fleece is oily and dirty. The oil is lanolin, which is the stuff they put into lotions and things, so working with this stuff will certainly keep your hands soft!<br />
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There are a few different techniques for washing fleece. Some say use screaming-hot water (140-160 degrees F) and lots of soap (a cup of dish soap per fleece). Others say lukewarm water and a couple pumps of soap are just fine. I tried a few different techniques to see what worked best with this fleece.<br />
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The thing to avoid is turning your fleece into felt. To make felt from wool you need three things: water, heat, and agitation. Swooshing the fibers around in screaming-hot water is the recipe for woolly disaster. Some fleeces will felt as soon as you turn on the kettle...others will withstand all kinds of abuse without felting. The trick is to figure out what you can do without turning your lovely fleece into a nasty mess.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10426878_10203998909514754_2752970928631429781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10426878_10203998909514754_2752970928631429781_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>So first you run some water into your wash basin (sink, bucket, pot...whatever you want to use) and put some soap into the water. You put the soap in <u>after</u> the water is run--you don't want suds, you just want the soap in the water, and gently swish it around. Take a couple handfuls of the dirty fiber--you only want to wash a few ounces at a time--and pull the visible grass, burrs and poo from the fiber. <br />
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Place the fiber into the water, and press down gently. Don't stir or agitate--just make sure it all gets wet. Wait 10 minutes while the oils and dirt come off the hair. Yeah, the water will look gross. It will be an amazing change from the yellow stuff you put in to what you pull out, even after the first soak.<br />
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Carefully pull the fiber out and let the water drain out of the wool. Pull the plug on the sink, and refill with water--same temperature as before. If you put hot wool into cold water or vice versa, the temperature change can cause it to felt. Poof! Ruined wool. Add more soap, repeat process.<br />
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You can repeat the process a couple more times, washing and rinsing the hairs, pulling any grass or seeds you find as you go. I pinched or rubbed some of the tips to get some of the gross color out of the hairs, but it didn't all come out (the darkest bits in the lower right of this picture went back into the bath for a bit more washing). When you're satisfied, lay it out on towels or a sheet to air dry in the shade. <br />
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Once dry, you can comb out the fibers to get it ready for spinning. I don't have wool carders, which start at $50 and go up from there. I opted, instead, to buy a small $7 cat/dog brush to use to comb out the fibers...see how that works. I heard that it works, so I thought I'd give that a try first. So far it seems to be going OK!<br />
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So now I have a pile of fluffy white stuff, ready to spin!<br />
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Heide has entrusted me with her amazing spinning wheel, which I will hopefully be able to figure out how to use. I got a very quick tutorial last weekend and hoped enough of it stuck to be able to make some fluffy stuff into string.<br />
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Success!<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10497833_10204000034182870_86841270909966199_o.jpg" width="320" />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-3820056269835182392014-06-06T16:01:00.002-07:002014-06-06T23:41:23.390-07:00Extreme Gardening<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been watching a few people on my FB feed who are creating lovely garden beds and talking about doing major overhauls on their yards, and I need to do that, myself. Extreme Makeover: Garden Edition. </div>
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This is what it looked like in 2007:</div>
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Market-ready, cute, and just what we wanted--a low-maintenance yard.</div>
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...and this is what it looks like now. </div>
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That cute little pine tree is a monster. The little bushes have grown into each other, or shriveled to nearly nothing from lack of light or excess acid in the soil. </div>
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The pathway from the side street to the door is half-buried by overgrown trees and covered in pine needles. How do you sweep pine needles from a gravel walkway?</div>
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This is a view from the other side of the Japanese maple. See on the left, where the leaves touch the ground? Yeah. That's a stepping stone in the MIDDLE of the walkway.</div>
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The bushes in the front yard have grown into each other, so instead of being three distinct bushes, it looks like one continuous shrub whose foliage changes color and texture.</div>
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The side yard is equally overgrown.</div>
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The hydrangeas and camellias have grown together into an impenetrable fortress of foliage that turning the garden hose on is an almost impossible task. The pea gravel that was used as ground cover everywhere is covered by a layer of decaying leaves and flowers.</div>
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At the back side fence has a vacancy where a bush used to be. It died...Now there are two bushes that have become one. </div>
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And one tree has become two! Clearly the bi-colored maple was grafted onto a single-color maple, which has now decided to be both. </div>
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The Eastern Pine in the front is choking the life out of the hydrangeas. It's hard to see, but half the plant is bare and the growth on this guy is severely stunted.</div>
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This bush on the side yard looks deformed or severely depressed. I think it's *supposed* to look like this. Its branches are twisted and curly and all the leaves are curled and wilted.<br />
<span style="color: red;">I received a note from a friend that this plant is called a Hazel Nut Contorta, or a Corkscrew Hazel. Knowing that, and finding a web page on maintenance, will help it look a lot healthier. However, that said, I think I need to move it to a better location.</span></div>
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The front garden patch is overgrown with these vine-like things. They had been growing in a pot, but sprung from its container and spread everywhere. </div>
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They're even trying to grow onto the porch. They must be stopped!</div>
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Jeanie said she's coming over on Monday night to help with the garden control. I might be asking Benjamin for his assistance tomorrow afternoon. He owes me a few favors after forgetting his lunch TWICE this week. </div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-56299401675131008482014-05-30T22:33:00.001-07:002014-05-30T22:34:06.084-07:00Fortnightly PostYeah, it's been few and far between. The end of the school year is nigh and things always seem to ramp up in May. The play practices increased and then they performed. The Middle Schoolers did the junior version of Fiddler on the Roof. Bekah was our consultant for the play, being a Jew. She gave them a "Jewsultation" (her word) and taught them some of the traditions of living as a Jew in Russia. Some of the traditions they got wrong...but given that it's a group of Catholic kids...not too bad. <br />
Here are a few photos:<br />
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Ben went to see the play with Kelly and the next day, he decided to be the Fiddler on the Roof.<br />
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You can't make this stuff up.<br />
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Beads I made last week...I was going along great...then ran out of gas. I went to re-fill the blue tank that I use but the big tank outside was empty. Boo.<br />
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Kelly went and re-filled the large propane tank a few days later, which meant I could re-fill the small blue propane tanks. These are some beads I made yesterday:<br />
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Beads I've made today:<br />
<img alt="Portrait: The first 6 today" height="225" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/s640x640/10390070_10203812002122186_1363571987408053792_n.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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I just received some fabric in the mail to make another tunic for Tyrssen. I started another one that I cannot find ANYWHERE. I remember taking it to an event to sew the hems by hand, and I haven't seen it since getting home. I've got to continue organizing things and unpacking bins and baskets--it's gotta be around here somewhere! When I do find it, I can bill him for this purple tunic. I hope to get it to him by mid-July so he can take it to Pennsic with him. <br />
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Wish me luck.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-78639246550882402292014-05-19T20:39:00.000-07:002014-05-19T22:00:59.673-07:00May CrownFirst project of the summer...replacing the rotting deck. Kelly ripped off one set of stairs and demolished them. The second set of stairs is currently still in place, so the yard is still accessible from the deck, although the entire deck will need to be replaced also. <br />
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Last weekend, I went to the Toppenish Rodeo grounds with about 800 of my closest friends. Cammie and I were both perplexed about the location of the spa. We never did find it.<br />
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I had made a few tweaks to the yurt so now it is about the right size and shape. I still need to do a couple little things to the canvas walls and make a couple of longer rafter (uni) rods for the doorway. I also need to get an additional rug for inside and cut the floor tarp to size. I'd also like to paint the door...I'll have to find a design I like.<br />
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Cammie and I went together (just us two), and camped with Bekah, Lauri, James and a new friend, Craig (aka Aenor, Juliana, James and Grimm). We shared a common kitchen and dining area and shared meals, cooking and cleaning. We had a great time together and will definitely have to do that again! I think we even came up with a household name...something that means Hodge Podge...maybe in Turkish. Maybe I should ask my Croatian neighbor how to say and write it in her language...she doesn't like the Turks...<br />
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<img height="179" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/10333811_10203729286894357_1374789772017118956_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Cammie stole my phone and got a picture of me doing some fingerloop braiding. I only wish my hair didn't look so...weird.<br />
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The fingerloop braiding was to make a favor for a gentleman who asked me to be his inspiration for May Crown's tournament. The winner of this tourney gets to be Crowned Prince for 3 months, then elevated to King for 6 months (or thereabouts), and his consort becomes Princess and Queen. If you enter the tournament, you have to commit to serving if you win. If you don't want to serve, you shouldn't enter this tournament--there are lots of other tournaments that don't have this kind of obligation. In fact, you have to kneel and swear an oath to serve should the fighter prove victorious. <br />
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<img height="266" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10371697_10202004316290159_7116276491929929438_n.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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This is Martin le Harpur, whom I've known for 20 years from my days in Shittimwoode. Cammie got to carry the flag as we processed in. I wish I had a flag to bring into the tourney field...or a nicer dress. I was going to wear the red one, but I ended up getting pancake batter all over it. Grrrr....<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1513762_10203721370016440_1855897433841840885_n.jpg" width="361" /><br />
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I took a panoramic photo of the "unbelted" entrants and their inspirations--we were on the "belted" (aka the knights') side. <br />
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<img height="131" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/1504403_10203721369536428_6295101179031371201_o.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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There were around 100 entrants to this competition, so the chances of my becoming queen were pretty slim, and as it turned out, he was finished by the third round. It was a fun experience, though, and an honor to be asked by a knight and an old friend. <br />
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Bekah/Aenor was inspiration to James. She looks stunning in this blue gown, trimmed in hand embroidered flowers...she did it herself. Her first project! Awesome!<br />
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But first, plenty of sunscreen.<br />
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We got back home, dirty, smelly and tired, but we had a great time. I discovered that Cammie needs new garb. Desperately. We're going to make a few new tunics for her this Thursday. She wants an Elizabethan dress like one of these:<br />
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<img src="http://www.elizabethancostume.net/gallery/images/janegrey1545.jpg" height="320" width="162" /> <img alt="1595 Marcus Gheeraerts the younger (Flemish artist, 1561-1635). Anne Hopton (1561-1625) Lady Pope with son William & her children from 1st marriage." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/da/b6/e4/dab6e494838edb8c57b2339e1231138d.jpg" height="320" width="190" /><br />
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Although maybe not quite so fancy...<br />
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<img src="http://www.elizabethancostume.net/lowerclass/images/flemgown.jpg" height="320" width="200" /> <img alt="Ren Faire inspiration... for when I get tired of Sr. Philippa." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/32/a0/3a/32a03a628d0211460ce7ce3c665dc22c.jpg" height="320" width="239" /><br />
Maybe something more like this. I might make it a few inches shorter so it's not a trip hazard for the kiddo. <br />
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She wants to shoot archery, Youth Armored Combat, learn blacksmithing, weave, and cook and she's well on her way. We have to get her practicing with the bow & arrows, and get her armor kit together. She volunteers to help Master Grendal the Blacksmith at most events we see him at (or tries to--I'm going to make her a leather apron, I think), and she made an apple dessert on site, from scratch, using the ingredients we had on hand. Dude! She also picked up a small lap loom at the event. I'll have to teach her how to warp it up and give her some yarns to play with.<br />
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Looks like I've got quite a bit of work ahead of me...Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-67593176645573653642014-05-19T18:34:00.003-07:002014-05-19T18:34:58.905-07:00Happy 10th Birthday!I didn't hit POST! Aaaaagggghhh! OK, it's a couple weeks late, but here goes:<br />
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I can't believe it's been a decade! The little dude has made ten complete circuits around the sun and has <strike>driven us crazy</strike> entertained us the entire way!<br />
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He arrived into the world, a very average 8 lb. 3 oz., to join his two lovely sisters.<br />
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We were so cute then...<br />
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And he just gets cuter all the time.<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10363640_10203735238603146_5366095718193868543_n.jpg" width="361" /></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-32306027122968346052014-04-27T21:03:00.001-07:002014-04-27T21:03:45.414-07:00BZB Quilt Show 2014<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1911810_10203568454793655_6881551951670807656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1911810_10203568454793655_6881551951670807656_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>The quilt show was a success! While I didn't get photos of all the pieces hung, I was very pleased to see that the last quilt I finished was a winner in the Large Pieced category--I got a 2nd place ribbon! Very exciting! This is the first time I ever won a ribbon for a guild show, and the first time our guild decided to vote for winners for all the categories with the guild members only, rather than have the public vote. We had a potluck preview party on Friday after the show was hung and got ballots to vote. The only voting that was done by the visitors was a Popular Vote--they could vote for their favorite. While there were several really nice pieces, I didn't see any that were really *WOW* worthy. You know the ones--the drop-dead-gorgeous one that everyone loves. The winner of that vote is anyone's guess.<br />
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Just to recap, this is the Scrap Bag Jewel Box quilt--108" square.<br />
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This one I called Civil War Unchained because it's Civil War fabrics and it's a chain quilt. I was playing with words and thought of slaves being unchained. </div>
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10308105_10203570955616174_6174295719633131181_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
This one is Purple Pinwheels, half-square triangles made from swapped charm squares.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10154564_10203570956776203_5393403914612332068_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
Japanese One-block Wonder - Emma can now put it back on her bed. :)<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10262066_10203570957736227_2486502284577899000_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
The Children's Hospital Quilt for me to use the next time we need to have an overnight stay.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10275916_10203570958136237_9016625528316879903_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
Pineapple Party! Wheee! <br />
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So I was not at the show yesterday due to the SOUNDERS WINNING 4-1, but today I went out to the county fairgrounds where they were having a "Spring Festival". It wasn't heavily attended, at least on Sunday, but had rides, musicians, traveling entertainers (clowns, balloon animal makers), and some kind of car racing. It was $5 for a car load to park, and all the activities (except for the carnival rides) were free. We couldn't charge a fee to get in for the quilt show, but they had items for sale in the Boutique, sold vendor space in the hall, and sold raffle tickets for multiple items. The guild calls it a "Fishbowl" raffle, where a number of items are offered and a fish bowl with a corresponding number is set out for each item or grouping. Contestants put tickets in the bowls for the things you want to win. They also have a Guppie Prize, which is everyone's non-winning tickets dumped into a large fish bowl and all the things that didn't get any takers are given to that person. Kind of a boobie prize, really. <br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/966576_10203572626537946_3140554904651483755_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
I was working in the charity quilts area where we had set up our machines to sew 9-patches together.<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/980066_10203572628778002_1478913923483317133_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
We had pre-cut hundreds of 4 1/2" squares for our visitors to lay out on flannel-covered boards, and we would sew them together. Some of them were well-thought out combinations. Some of them were more...eclectic. Those blocks will be sorted into piles and used to make quilts for patients at Children's Hospital. This was a great activity for children and adults! I hope that it made them feel like they were a part of the charity project. <br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/1900220_10203572631378067_1474620395960033710_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
We also had a pile of fabric squares set aside for children to color on, and those would be incorporated into quilt tops for the charity quilts, too. They could trace photocopied drawings onto the fabric and then color it and add extras. KayLee even took part and made a few blocks--adding tennis shoes to butterflies.<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/1274142_10203572623177862_5280000877529179953_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
One thing I found an excellent idea was bagging all the quilts in clear plastic bags for transport back to their owners. This helps lessen the accidental misplacing of a quilt, especially smaller ones. We had an incident at the last Moonlighter's quilt show where a small quilt got sandwiched between two others and it took a few days to recover it.<br />
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Back to the grind tomorrow. Three more days to finish the guild newsletter and snag 95 more points for the Munzee clan war. I'm the last one to achieve the 600 needed for the month. Sigh.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-46411517138884018712014-04-25T00:33:00.000-07:002014-04-25T10:34:51.606-07:00Photo Finish<a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/10295204_10203546523125377_686001226103087893_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/10295204_10203546523125377_686001226103087893_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I spent the last few days banging out the quilts for the show. Today was the due date, so I got them all finished, labeled, and delivered to the venue. Six quilts were quilted, bound, and sleeved, and just in the nick of time. Tomorrow they'll get hung and the members of the guild will vote on their favorites in each category. The show will be Saturday & Sunday. <br />
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Sadly, this particular quilt, which I worked on and agonized over when the long arm broke twice, is not going to be featured in the show. Not because it isn't done, but apparently, I didn't get the paperwork done on it. Sigh. <br />
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I have a few more quilt tops that are waiting to be sewn up, but five quilts from customers that have priority. Lauri's quilt for her step-daughter's baby shower is up first. I guess that's what I'll be doing tomorrow after a few catch-up chores.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-89252435234281904422014-04-19T23:34:00.002-07:002014-04-19T23:34:36.793-07:00Too Much Pressure!Oh. My. Lord.<br />
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I've been working on this blog update for the past HOUR and with a simple graze of my hand over the touch pad while I typed caused it to highlight and disappear all my work. Gone. Now I have to start all over and I don't know if it'll measure up. Gaaah!!<br />
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OK. Deep breath. Try again.<br />
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There have been a lot of deadlines that I've been trying to meet and the pressure to get things done on time has been building...now that a bunch of those deadlines are rapidly approaching and things are coming together as they should, things will calm down...but not until probably mid-May...or June.<br />
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Add to that the new pains I've been experiencing in my feet--that plantar fasciitis has developed into heel spurs. Yey. This is basically a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel, and are caused by strains on the muscles and ligaments and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. The doctor calls it a "baby bone spur". If that's the baby, I don't want to meet its daddy. First it was the left foot, but since I've been favoring it, now my right hurts, too. Sigh. Week after next, new orthotics and cortisone shots. I need to wear my night boot and do stretches and take anti-inflammatory meds. I'm trying, but the boot sucks.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10177531_10203371688834629_1069611162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10177531_10203371688834629_1069611162_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>I have been working on a pile of quilts--six of them--for a quilt show coming up next week. Things seemed to be going along well enough, but over the past few months, my long arm machine started having speed issues. Either it would go a zillion miles an hour or go painfully slow, and this became a big problem recently. I milked it along for a while and took it in for servicing after I finished the Civil War quilt. It went in on a Thursday and I got it back on Tuesday. Besides the usual lube-oil-filter deal and replacing a couple of encoders, they had tethered the cables down so that moving the handles from one end to the other, as it was designed to do, was impossible. I snipped four of the zip-ties and moved the handles to the aft end so I could drive it following a printed pattern with the laser light. I loaded up and started working on the Modern Jelly Roll Race quilt. The machine worked for all of 30 minutes before it started going glacially slow again. Nothing I could do would fix it. I also had issues with tension--first too tight, then too loose--so I called the shop again. I took it in on Thursday and got it back the next week, on Good Friday. It turns out there was a long hair (human) caught in the motor sensor. Hmmm. Where would that come from? Sigh. Tara suggested I wear hair nets while quilting. :) At least I can get back to work now! <br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1897845_10203501477639268_2222753182029315493_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1897845_10203501477639268_2222753182029315493_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>I finished up the Modern Jelly Roll Race quilt. I just need to put a binding on it and it'll be ready for the show! There are a couple more quilts that need to be bound and one that needs to be quilted and bound, but now that the machine is working again, I think I'll be able to meet the deadline by Thursday.<br />
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This weekend, besides being Easter, is the annual Sakura Con at the Seattle Convention center. This is a celebration of anime and Japanese culture. This is our third (or fourth?) year attending, this time as a whole family, although we only had four badges, so I wasn't allowed to go into the restricted areas, like the merchants' room and the panel discussions. Not a problem--we figured we could take turns going around with the kids. I wanted to find a place to sit down for just a few minutes, so I wandered about looking...not a lot of options. I decided to go into one room where they were having a demonstration of how to wear a kimono.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10258057_10203498280879351_1773644779631631858_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10258057_10203498280879351_1773644779631631858_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>It just so happened that I was WEARING a kimono-like garment! I was happy to see that of the 60 or so chairs in the room, almost all of them were unoccupied, there was no fee to sit and watch, they encouraged taking photos, but if you wanted to try on a kimono, there was a $5 fee. Since I was already dressed, I opted to sit in the back and enjoy the show. A few minutes later, Heide came and joined me and we chatted for a bit and caught up. Eventually, we headed out to enjoy some of the convention and catch up with Brian and Ash, who was dressed as one of the Dr. Who characters.<br />
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We weren't able to get the special teeth Emma needed for her costume (or one of her costumes--I don't know if it was this one); she is a character from the show "Free! Iwatobi Swim Club", as is Miss E, on the left. They ran into several other members of the Swim Club at the convention, greeting each other like old friends, as is the tradition at these conventions--high fiving or hugging perfect strangers. They got photos of one of their members...a young man dressed in only a Speedo. (Maybe he was European?) A very confident young man.<br />
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Cammie plays the younger sister to Emma's character. I spent a day looking for pieces for her costume, which I was able to find at Goodwill for $20. The wig was extra--I think we paid $30 for it online.<br />
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Ben dressed as Sgt. Frog, a Japanese cartoon for children. I made this costume for him back in October for Halloween, but going to the carnival at school and door-to-door trick or treating led to cocked heads and quizzical looks; no one knew what he was dressed as. At this event, however, more than a dozen people yelled "Sergeant Frog!" and a few took pictures of him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhQTkZIwO-_51TS56VESgMZw_MQB-7HyC8ciFWyDD9jZVuRJdiWx5vPHr7NWJn_K6nKpMV25Whn6tmONlxqCuiGCH2ltUQudS-TzHK9iJvRvTehJ_ajfyvA6PPIMn8xh2unDWVoETb3MK/s1600/Ben+and+Todd+Haberkorn.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhQTkZIwO-_51TS56VESgMZw_MQB-7HyC8ciFWyDD9jZVuRJdiWx5vPHr7NWJn_K6nKpMV25Whn6tmONlxqCuiGCH2ltUQudS-TzHK9iJvRvTehJ_ajfyvA6PPIMn8xh2unDWVoETb3MK/s1600/Ben+and+Todd+Haberkorn.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
One of the things that Ben wanted to do was meet Todd Haberkorn, the voice of Sgt. Frog, who was at the convention, doing panel discussions and signing autographs. Kelly took him off to wait in line, and when he finally got his turn, Mr. Haberkorn signed his photo: "Benjamin--Thank you for being my favorite Pekoponian!"<br />
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While Ben was off waiting in line, the older girls were off doing their thing, and Cammie was with me. We went back to the kimono room to watch them getting dressed again. I moved to the front row to get a better view and take pictures of the assembly process, and the Sensei (teacher) of the dance studio that was sponsoring the activity, saw my outfit and said that I had wrapped it wrong--it's supposed to be left over right. I had it right over left, which is reserved only for the dead. Yep. I dressed like a corpse. I started messing with the layers and eventually they said, "come here...we'll dress you up!" It was rather slow at the moment, so they were happy to keep themselves busy fixing up my gear. The Sensei came over to admire the fabric of my yukata and asked me where I got it. "A quilt shop!" I said gleefully. "Oooo...very nice!" she said, fondling the fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/p480x480/10005788_10203500925185457_3167846260910203358_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Portrait: Finished the day with too much sushi." border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/p480x480/10005788_10203500925185457_3167846260910203358_o.jpg" width="179" /></a>Went out for dinner afterwards at our favorite sushi place. We ate too much and took a nap right on the bar...just kidding. <br />
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Tomorrow is Easter. I have to hide eggs and pack baskets. G'nite.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-45533205119794299042014-04-02T19:06:00.001-07:002014-04-02T22:03:41.569-07:00Long Arm of the BlahI finished the quilting on the Pineapple quilt. I love this quilt. But what made me *really* happy was when I posted a picture of it, Judy asked if I would display it at the Sedro Woolley quilt show in June! I need to have it done for the quilt show in 3 weeks, so I know time won't be a problem. I wasn't sure if it would be OK for me to display it if I wasn't a member of the guild there (not sure if that is a restriction at all) or if it would be a problem if I displayed it at both shows. She said that it wouldn't be a problem, so I guess it'll be at both shows!<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1660438_10203362566726582_1472960196_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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I used a swirly, feathery pantograph design all over. It took much longer than I thought it would, but it was densely quilted. BUT IT'S DONE!! I know that the edge is flipped up a bit there; it caught on the hopping foot as I drove off the edge, but it'll take just a couple of stitches snipped to unfold it and it'll be covered by the binding anyway.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10151972_10203359441088443_473916603_n.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1097105_10203363378866885_72123671_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/1097105_10203363378866885_72123671_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I put the Civil War quilt on the frame yesterday and then proceeded to have a series of issues with the speed controls for the long arm. The stitching was going very slow, and no fiddling of the knobs to control speed or stitch length would make any difference at all. I was getting some toenail catchers on there and it was driving me crazy. <br />
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As an attempt to fix the problem, I swapped out the stitch regulator with a spare I had. No change--or at least not fixed. Initially, it was snail-slow until I fiddled with the plug, making sure that it was fully engaged. Then it went warp speed. I wiggled it a bit and eventually it went fast, but at least it was no longer going 10,000 stitches per second. Unfortunately, the speed and stitch length knobs were still useless. I think that it might be a problem with the cable that goes from the regulator to the machine. Maybe there's a bent prong or something. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10177531_10203371688834629_1069611162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10177531_10203371688834629_1069611162_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>Anyway, this is done, too! Now I have 3 quilts that need bindings. I have a couple more to go! <br />
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Next up is the striped modern quilt...if I don't throw the long arm machine out the window first. I think I'll quilt this pantograph pattern on it, which I got free from Urban Elementz:<br />
<img height="200" src="https://www.urbanelementz.com/media/images/productimage-picture-raindrops-4015_t450.png" width="200" /><br />
It's much simpler than the last one I did, which was much denser. It took friggin' forever (about 3 days), so I'm hoping I can get this one done faster and start working on the next (final) quilt that needs to go to the show, and get some bindings done.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-7959099321618154302014-03-26T23:16:00.000-07:002014-03-26T23:16:55.366-07:00Munzee MadnessI found a new get-outside-and-find-stuff-with-advanced-technology game. As you know, I have been Geocaching for the last couple of years. While this is a fun activity, a combination between Letterboxing and Orienteering, it has its frustrations. Geocaches are hidden containers with paper in it that is often wet (moldy) and hard to write on. In larger city centers, there are few places to hide anything bigger than a pack of gum, and containers frequently gets stolen by innocent and not-so-innocent "muggles", making them impossible to find and get credit for. The owners of these missing containers can take weeks or months to replace them when they are damaged or lost. <br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/WikiMunzee.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/WikiMunzee.png" /></a>This new hide-and-seek game is called <a href="http://www.munzee.com/types/">Munzee</a>, and instead of finding containers, you seek out Qr code stickers plastered all over the city; stickers that blend in with other graffiti or labels, which most of the public will just walk past without a second glance. The Qr stickers are about 1 1/2" and waterproof, stuck to light poles, street signs, cable boxes and other metal containers--anything that seems permanent and isn't private property. Once you scan it as found, you earn points for the "capture". Most are 5 points each, but you can earn more with special Munzees, like mysteries, motels, diamonds, and Clan Munzees. The link above explains all the different types. You also earn points for any finders of stickers that you have placed.<br />
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It's a fairly new game--only been around for about 3 years (as opposed to a decade, as Geocaching, and about 1/3 of the finds are in Germany where it caught on first, about as many as there are now in the US)--so there are not as many particpants or finds, but it's really cheap and easy to deploy a new Munzee. It's as simple as slapping a sticker on, scanning it, and typing in a name. Boom! I ordered a bunch of stickers and will start venturing into areas to deploy them. There's certainly not as much maintenance...if the sticker disappears, you can just retire it, or go back and put a new sticker there. <br />
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They're also much easier to find than Geocaches. They have to be put in places where you can actually scan with your phone, so they're more out in the open; easier to spot. Another bonus: they're often clustered together so it's easy to get 20 or more in just a couple hours. Today's walk around the lake garnered 27 finds in about 90 minutes. Unfortunately, all that walking--about 2 1/2 miles--has done a number on my feet. They're really quite sore now. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1240184_10203321276734358_1060630941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1240184_10203321276734358_1060630941_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>I've been knitting a bunch on the Norwegian Olympic sweater. Making progress--just a few rows a night, often because half-way through a row, I realize that I've made a mistake and I have to back up quite a ways to fix it. It'll take a while. Maybe even until next winter...but that's OK. I'll love it all the more when it's finished!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-71686078831665727712014-03-24T14:09:00.000-07:002014-03-24T14:09:20.860-07:00Happy Birthday To MeThe day started like any other Monday, kids waking, medicines taken, and driving everyone to school. Three kids and not a one of em remembered it was my birthday. Sigh.<br />
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Took some time to seek out some Geocaches and have a cuppa from Starbucks, but as soon as I got home to get a fresh battery for my phone, I got a call from Cammie saying she was sick and she wanted to come home. I picked her up and brought her home, but that put an end to the cache hunt for the day.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/998433_10203293632523270_452278185_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/998433_10203293632523270_452278185_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>Saturday, I had several people over for a party to celebrate another rotation around the sun. In all, about a dozen people came by to wish me well and share in some cake and burgers and Jello Brains. Everyone left at an early hour...by 10 pm...surely a sign that my friends are old.<br />
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On Sunday, Kelly and I watched the Sounders game and some other TV shows while I knitted on my Olympic cardigan. I'm happy to say that the Sounders won! And I got about 2 inches knitted on the sweater. It's slow going since the two color patterns take some concentration. 1 light, 2 dark, 1 light, 3 dark, 2 light...<br />
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Going to get another quilt on the racks, ready to get done up. Hopefully I'll stay on track to get two quilts a week done. I have four quilts set aside to get done for customers in the next couple of weeks, but still have six more of my own to get done by mid-April as well. TEN quilts! <br />
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Wish me luck...I'm goin' in!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-35823545189483246642014-03-19T21:01:00.000-07:002014-03-19T21:02:24.408-07:00Quilt Show Prep<a href="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/1655511_10203268841823518_1255662002_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/1655511_10203268841823518_1255662002_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>I got the first of six quilts done on the long arm, the Triple Irish Chain. This is the quilt that I started in 2007 when we were in the process of listing the house to move south. It got tucked into a box for a couple years after moving...like 5...but eventually I pulled it out and started working on it while Ben was in the hospital. Then a year later (last month), I finally got it out and put the outer border on it. <br />
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I was thinking about stitching across the chains and doing a lovely medallion in the center of each white area, but knew that it would take a month to finish something like that. I hunted around and found a long arm continuous pattern that fit into the "Irish" theme. <br />
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I have to squeeze in a customer quilt, which I have loaded up on the long arm already (though I had to run out to get some blue thread to finish it), then I have a couple of choices. I have the Modern Jelly Roll Race, the Pineapple Party, and a couple scrappy quilts to finish before April 25th. I'm hoping I can get one done every few days--two a week would be nice. <br />
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<a href="http://cookfamilyfuneralhome.com/images/Osthellerphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cookfamilyfuneralhome.com/images/Osthellerphoto.jpg" /></a>Tomorrow we need to attend a funeral. It's sad, especially since I think she wasn't that old...although when I do the math, she was 72 and had some significant health issues for a long time. She was such a colorful woman with tons of energy and enthusiasm; a real zest for life, music, and the arts. RIP, Carol. I don't know when we'll be getting home; I was hoping I could make it to the quilt guild meeting in the evening, but I don't expect we'll be able to get into town early enough. I talked to Debra, an SCA and quilt buddy, who said that she could deliver my stuff to the meeting--the quilt show forms and the swap squares--and I'll take her out for coffee next week or something. Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-58733795492785680422014-03-16T13:28:00.001-07:002014-03-16T13:29:00.043-07:00SoapboxAlright, let me climb on up here and get loud.<br />
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The GSUSA has decided to team up with leanin.org to try to "Ban Bossy". Another word that the feminists want to ban from our vocabulary because it "teaches girls not to be leaders" or some nonesense. They say that girls are told to stop being bossy when in fact, these girls are "leaders" and are held back by a masculine society who wants to step on the necks of girls with moxie and enthusiasm. <br />
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I call bullsh*t. <br />
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Bossy kids (boys and girls) are the ones who are pushy about wanting to get their way without any concern about the interests of others. Those are the ones that say, "We're playing TAG, whether you like it or not!" It's verbal bullying. Do I want to ban the word? Not a chance. Call a spade a spade.<br />
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On the quilting front, I finished the big customer quilt project that I've been pounding out the last few days. Thread changes, different patterns in different areas, and binding--which is not something that customers always want, but a few want it *all done* when it comes back. Looking at other longarm quilters, they charge more than I do, but when you add up the amount per inch, even at my rate, there's a little sticker-shock. Most long-arm quilt prices for binding that I saw were .15 per linear inch just to stitch it down on the top--the customer has to stitch it down on the back. Top and back started at .20 and went up to .35 per linear inch. This customer's quilt is 400" around...at .15, that's $60; at .35 per linear inch, that's $140! Just to put the binding on! I decided to go cheap. Some may think I've devalued my work, but thinking about the hourly wage, and how long it took me to do this particular job, it seems like a LOT! <br />
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One more day of cookie sales...we have to leave in a short while with our 142 boxes...I hope we sell out. We won't have to do this again for another year...or maybe not ever...depends on how many girls decide to renew their Girl Scout memberships. We haven't done any activities or worked on any badges. School work has taken precidence over scouts, as well as her other interests. We'll see how things come together eventually. Maybe we can do some badges over the summer.<br />
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Gotta do a quick recount of the boxes...and then we're off.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-46283026830290115502014-03-04T09:46:00.000-08:002014-03-04T09:47:02.372-08:00Have Cookies, Will Travel<img height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31/1890570_10203145674264406_6369180_o.jpg" width="320" /><br />
My Cookie Mom (the co-leader who is in charge of ordering and managing the cookie accounts) gave me this idea for taking cookies to and from the vehicle and creating a ready display. Underneath the cases, individual boxes are neatly lined up in the wagon, ready for sale. We set the cases behind us or next to the wagon, and prop up one box of each variety for display. We were hoping to sell upwards of 4000 boxes (a really crazy goal, but still...) but I suspect we'll be closer to 1500 or 2000. <br />
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I have three quilts sitting & waiting for me to work on them. The one that is racked up now just needed batting--the stuff she gave me was the same size as the stuff I had on hand--only 90" wide and the quilt is 93" x 108". So today, after a THIRD customer dropped off her quilt, I scampered off and found a batt that's big enough. I'll get that started first thing tomorrow after the kids are dropped off. Hopefully I can get that one mostly done and be ready to start the next one on Wednesday, which is a fairly simple quilt, but has a thread color change and some flauna to quilt in. The last one should be really quick and easy--it's a simple all-over stipple. Once those are done, I can finally get started on my SEVEN quilts that I need to have done for the quilt show. I have just a couple weeks to ensure that they're all quilted. I can spend one weekend doing all the binding, but all the paperwork needs to be in with the chairs by the next guild meeting on the 20th.<br />
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I'd love to have a quilt ready for binding, which I could work on while sitting with the girls while they sell cookies...at least for as long as my fingers can handle it. The last few sales were SOOO cold! One night it was 32 degrees...we were all jumping up and down trying to keep warm. Lena went into the store (Lowes) and found some foot warmers, so we stuck them into boots, mittens and hats to keep us warm. Unfortuantely, the weather kept the numbers of shoppers down, and while the sales weren't awful, they weren't as inspiring. All three of the girls were learning a lot about sales techniques--like instead of selling just one or two boxes, suggesting 5 boxes for $20. They're also asking for people who buy one box at $4 to donate that last dollar to buy cookies for the soldiers. Most people agree. Up-selling a box for the soldiers is always great, too, especially for people who say they're on a diet or can't eat sugar. These patriotic girls discussed it on that cold night and decided that this really was all about helping out our Nation's Finest. :)<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-15702546459115587822014-02-24T22:48:00.000-08:002014-02-24T22:58:13.230-08:00COOOKIEEEEES!I haven't done any new quilting, but I got two new jobs to work on. Just when I think I'll have time to work on my own stuff, more customers appear. I guess I'll have to count my blessings, right?<br />
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The Girl Scout cookies came in! We helped unload them from the pallets. By my estimation, there were over 5,000 cases of cookies here. I couldn't even get all the cookies into one photo--I got the girls to pose with the cookies on the right. Both of them were helping unload the boxes.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1620530_10203098946536242_244267194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1620530_10203098946536242_244267194_n.jpg" width="180" /></a>I finished working on my customer's quilt. The piece was beautiful and quilted up pretty well until the very end when one of the borders was just a bit too long. I made some adjustments (for no charge) and finished it up. When I gave it back to the owner, I made the full disclosure and that I didn't charge her extra...and she said that's why she keeps coming back to me. Yey! Score one for customer service!<br />
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Emma got a haircut! She's so darn cute!<br />
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Saturday was "Ragnarok"--according to Facebook legend--so I invited my gal-pal over for a day of beadwork! We took a road trip to Seattle to visit a glass shop. Great for emergencies, but the prices are a little higher and selection is more limited than mail ordering from Frantz. I just didn't want to wait for bead release to arrive, so we drove down to check out the store. OK, first we went to the local place and were horribly disappointed by their lack of knowledge and lampworking supplies.<br />
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This is what I got while I was there. I picked up a couple sticks of a dark, dark green...it was $65 a pound, but I only got about $8 worth. I realized after working with it that it wasn't worth the money. Ah, well. I'll see if I can make anything interesting out of it.<br />
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Here are some of the beads I made. Heide saw the two beads near the left that look like cranberries and commissioned 10 of them, so I got right on that.<br />
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This is one of the cooler ones...the turquoise has a chemical reaction with the yellow glass, making the black outlines. I may have to get more of the turquoise...that's so cooooool!<br />
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So with that, I have to be ready to teach to a group of Kindergarteners tomorrow (art) and later, work on the first of the two quilts for my customers. Another busy week!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1871050027431739815.post-80610862708720214792014-02-18T23:13:00.000-08:002014-02-18T23:13:53.377-08:00End of Mid-Winter BreakFor some odd reason, the school systems out West deem it necessary to have a couple days off in the middle of February. They chose a 3-day weekend and made it into a 4-day weekend, so they're really only getting one extra day off. It gives me a chance to sleep in a bit, so I'm not complaining...<br />
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After getting each of the kids to do one chore (a miracle!) I got the last pieces cut and sewn to make the border for the Jewel Box quilt. This finishes the diamonds around the edge but caps off the chains. I really like the look of it! <br />
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This now makes 7 UFO quilt tops that are waiting to be quilted, including one customer quilt. I also received a note from a friend who may have another one for me by Thursday. I have to get busy!!</div>
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No progress on the knitting today, but there it is. Maybe tomorrow, although it's a short day for school and I really need to get some work done on my customer's quilt.</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17550233569187111723noreply@blogger.com0