Monday Nov 21,11

My Little Blue Toyota... I remember the day I bought her... I wonder if I will remember the day I watched her drive away? I know, I know, it's just a truck. A vehicle, mode of transportation, to be drivin' and traded in for a newer, lower mileage model ever couple of years. I drove that little blue Toyota for 18yrs. Bought her in Lewiston, July 3, 1993, there was only 4 miles on the odometer.... Oh my gosh, I have had some adventures in that truck, my BFF Denise and I spent 3 days lost in the mountains back of Dixie/Florence before coming out in a firefighter camp down on the Salmon river. They looked at us kinda funny when we drove in, asked us if we knew we were behind fire line's.. and gave us coffee, very nice.... Gosh, I've had that truck longer than my hubby. WOW.... I guess all good things must come to an end. (The truck dear, not you)

Now... We go shopping for that Jeep so I can go jeepin' with my Sylvia and brother

Friday Nov. 18, 2011

Snoqualmie Pass, expecting 10 + inches of snow today. Winter IS here.... Ben and I have been heating the boat with two small electric heaters...... I guess it's time to look at alternative heating sources. We bought a Dickinson Diesel heater this fall, it's really nice with a small window where you can watch the flames, but it burns around a gallon per day, at today's Diesel prices... OUCH. Ben figured electric would be cheaper. So today we are going to hit the hardware store and pick up some bubble wrap insulation and cover the windows, it'll be really DARK in the boat then! I think I will try the clear 'shrink' wrap on the main salon windows, that will let some light in. At first I was kinda bummed about being in a boat house... it is so dark in here. But when the rain and wind starts pounding.... it sure is nice to be safe and dry under cover! I think I'm gonna LIKE the boat house this winter. My plants however are HATING it! I think I'm gonna take them to Nicole's, I just don't think they will survive the winter in the boat house.

It has been a LOOONG November. First Thanksgiving in a long time we won't be spending with my brother and his family. I am missing my family and friends. I scour the Kid's face book pages for new pictures of the Grandkids. I miss them so much. I have been sleeping alot.. not much else to do. I need to find a hobby I can do here on the boat, besides sitting in front of the computer or TV. Thinking of taking up cross-stitch, can't remember how to knit or crochet???? I should look on YouTube. You can find ANYTHING on YouTube! I think it will be just me and Ben and Zoe for Thanksgiving, not enough room in the boat to cook a turkey so I think I will just do a turkey breast... something simple. I am trying very hard to not let the holiday get me down... I LOVE Christmas, even if it is just in my dreams. It makes me sad that I won't be able to give the Grandkid's all Jammie's for Christmas like I have done for 10+ years. Our new budget doesn't allow for Grandma to get gift's for 16 Grandkids, assorted nieces and nephews, family and friends. This is gonna be a tough one for me.  :-(

Monday Nov 7, 2011

Monday.... Let's see. Today we are going to run up to Port Hadlock and go through the storage shed. Time to dig out some of the winter coats and put the summer stuff away. **SOB**  We really need to move that stuff to a storage unit a little CLOSER to where we are NOW! It is about an hour drive to Port Hadlock. It would be nice to be able to just run up town to dig out a pair of boots or that toaster out of the storage shed!
Ben is going to do some work on the Toyota which is parked at Nichole's, then she is gonna feed us dinner. YEAH! I love it when I don't have to cook! It's nice to get outta the boat for the day.... do something different for a change.

Little Kale had surgery over the weekend on his lip and pallet. 3 1/2 hr surgery... poor little camper. It's so hard when they are young and they don't understand what is going on and WHY did MOMMY bring me here!!! His surgery was at the Children's Hospital in Seattle, he only had to stay one night. Kale is home now and Nicole said he is doing a little better. I'm sure a visit from his favorite Grandma (me of course) will make him feel better. LOL.... I better stop and pick up a get well gift. :-)    I Love you little man!

Friday Nov 4, 2011

My gosh it seems like it has been a LONG week! Maybe it's just because I'm home sick. Seems like I always go through a funk after I get back from a visit home.... It's not looking like we will be going back to Idaho for the Holidays. DANG IT. Well, I will just have to find someone else to feed me turkey. Nicole and Anthony invited us for Christmas so I have that Holiday covered. and Lani and Dustin have invited us for Thanksgiving. Still, it's just strange... breaking tradition, starting new traditions. The Ol' dog new tricks syndrome. The weather has been mild, not alot of rain... just cold and cloudy. I am learning to embrace the drizzle. I LOVE having the shower in the boat working! Now that it's cold and frosty in the morning it's nice to NOT have to walk up to the marina to take shower... and the Port-a-Potty Ben got me for my birthday is also making my life easier .... Thanks Honey!  Think today's menu includes laundry and grocery shopping... What fun!

Monday ~ October 31, 2011

                             Pumpkin's and Jello Shot's Well the torch has been passed, the Ghostly Jensen's have now officially taken over the Pumpkin Caving Party, and what a party it was! Ben and I arrived late Wednesday evening and found that Mike and Karey had been hard at work cleaning out the shop. They already had the tarps hung and the tables and chairs out. The shop looked GREAT! Karey and I did a little decorating Friday evening... but we saved the bulk of the decor and design for Saturday morning when we had a crew of designers .. aka.. skinny kids who could climb ladders.. coming over to help. I made up a couple batches of Jello Shot's while Karey worked on the Spooky Cupcakes. Friday night Mom came over to join us for dinner.... YUM. Steaks, baked potatoes fresh from the garden, cheesy spaghetti. peas, salad.... (Everyone should have a Chef for a sister...) Saturday morning we started off running. Coffee in hand, and our design crew on their way, we began transforming Mike's shop from ordinary into spooktacular! Vinny did all the high wire work and hung the balloons and streamers, while Jamie and Brandy worked the cobwebs, clings and graveyard. Guests started arriving around 5ish and just keep coming all night long! The pizza and pumpkins were flowing... as was the candy, cupcakes and jello shot's. The kids were wound up and running everywhere. The adults were hanging by the fire outside or helping the kids carve pumpkins. It was a great time. Thanks Ghostly Jensen's... I had the best time EVER!!!