That's How Love Moves

Photos by Ann.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful day - mostly spent lolling about at home, but ending with a great dinner and uke session at Ann & David's. The dinner, a traditional feast of delectables, was complemented by a table of desserts - we had five (?) pies, an eclair cake, and fresh whipped cream. My fave was the raspberry rhubarb pie with a lattice crust. Mm mmm!
After dinner, we pulled "crackers" (a traditional Christmas game),played music and took photos. It was such a good time and a blessing to with so many people I not only love, but really like. The teenager has an interest in learning to play the flute, and Ann was kind enough to let her use her instrument and try a few notes. I still have my flute from the 1980's, purchased on lay-away. Ivey is looking into lessons.
The rest of the weekend has been equally laid back, with one post-Black Friday jaunt over the bridge to buy new outdoor Christmas lights for J. No real crowds when we arrived in the city. Timing or a sign of the economic downturn?
Today J will install the lights. We may make it over to my house to put her old lights up there. Right now, J, Ivey and the dogs are all sleeping. I talked with my dad DA this AM and that was a good chat - 50 minutes. I remember that DAS (Ann's Dave) talked with his papa by phone every day. I admired that. I, like a lot of Americans, feel a lot of conflicting feelings about my family, but I know they love me and I'm lucky to still have my folks around.
I have been in the de-cluttering mode since recovering from pneumonia. Unfortunately it isn't conducive to hanging out at J's house! Till everyone wakes up I'll just play on the computer to keep myself from getting into de-cluttering mischief.
The teenager's laptop, a generous gift from R, is having new problems, as is my iRritating iPhone. A visit to the Apple store is in the works, between rehearsals, performances, family visits, et cetera.
Taking it one day at a time here. Thinking of you and hoping today is a good one for you.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Happy Turkey (or Tofurkey) Day to You!
Here is today's gratitude list (not necessarily in order and by no means complete):
Ivey
Janet
Zip
Quaffle
Family (folks, sisters, in-laws, cousins, etc)
Friends (you know who you are!)
Job (and paycheck!)
Warm house
Comfy bed
Fred the van
lower gas prices
Full tummy
Christmas lights
Starbucks barristas
coffee
co-workers
Anacortes
Obama elected
Harvey Milk & George Moscone
Gardens and trees
sunshine
storms
Bill of rights
Comedy
kind strangers
glass christmas ornaments
Internet
text messaging
possibilities
hope
faith
joy
generosity
bravery
The protectors (law enforcement, soldiers, etc)
blue glass
and most of all -
LOVE

Have a grateful day!

Over the River and Through the Woods

At the lake for an early Thanksgiving celebration. Meeting more of J's family so I'll make this a quick entry.
Today is six-months for me and J. A wonderful, joyous six months of love and laughter. Brimming with gratitude, I am.
More later. For now, think good thoughts and happy moments to you!

Electric Avenue

No comments? Either nobody is reading or no one has anything to say.
Yesterday was a perfect day. J and I slept late (well. early for her, late for me) then walked downtown. We stopped by the Mercantile, the dance studio, the Cat's Meow, the holiday craft fair at the Depot and then to the gym. After the gym, we worked in my yard, mowing, weeding, putting the rest of the outside stuff into our shed. VERY productive, lots of exercise and a whole day with my true love. Perfect.
Today has been less so. J worked six hours overtime and I spent a lot of time of this machine, getting very little done. I did take down the old porch light hoping to install a motion sensor light, but discovered the connection is too old so more work is needed than I could do today.
So if you're handy with electrical stuff, I have a few projects...

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Yes, I know Veteran's Day just passed, but we are getting in the holiday spirit. Started Xmas shopping tonight. Listening to Christmas tunes (Rhonda the Lesbo Reindeer). Searching for the perfect stocking holders. Now home to hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps.
Ho ho ho.

My Country 'Tis of Thee

To you veterans - thank you.

Come Rain or Come Shine

Now this is rain. When I first talked about moving to Washington State and told people (mostly players on the games I dealt at the casino) they would say "it rains all the time" and I would say "I like the rain". It's true, I do like this kind of rain. It is pouring. Streams in the gutters. Puddles in the potholes. Real rain. Not a shower or sprinkle or mist. And it doesn't happen all that often here. I like it. I know there are people worried about flooding and I appreciate that concern (never build on a flood plain) but this is that visceral satisfaction of weather - mother nature and her many moods. Of course it also makes me grateful I have a a roof over my head (and walls around me) and all the comforts to come in from the rain to.
Feeling better - the gurgling in my chest seems to be gone - but not well yet. I do need to show up at work to get some billing done (got to generate that revenue) but I'll make it a short day. This eats up my vacation days, of which I have few, but them's the breaks. I'm lucky to have a job at all.
J comes back to town this afternoon. Spent a lot of time thinking about her (as usual) and relationships. We have differences, as any two people do. Every couple seems to struggle with the superficial ones that seem insurmountable further on down the relationship road. I'm thinking of the classic battle of which to hang the toilet paper, as petty an issue as they come yet one that has been known to drive people to near screaming fury (my sister). J and I have different approaches to a lot of the mundane daily choices. I try to make myself aware of them and make a conscious effort to accept whatever it is or at least have a sense of humour about it. The reason it's worth the compromising or tolerance of those differences is that we are so alike. We laugh at the same dumb jokes and both analyze (or over-analyze) things. We also complement each other with our differences. It feels like a good fit. Plus she's darn cute.
Time to get to it - shower, dress, drive to work. Or maybe I'll put it off a little longer. Sigh. Yay! No cough when I sighed!

We Shall Overcome

I am still sick - feeling worse after two and a half days of meds and rest. Tonight the teenager and I are watching Bones (DVD). J is still away. Good thing she left her dog with me, so I know she'll be back.
That's it for now. Take care.

Rockin' Pneumonia

(Unable to upload photo at this time)
Regarding the pistol marksmanship class last night - if I have a pistol in my hand, you're safe as long as I'm aiming at you. The class was fun and I did improve after shooting 70 rounds, but more practice is definitely necessary if I want to actually hit the target.
Today I am going nowhere. J and Ivey set me up in my bed - meds, computer, oj - and the dogs are keeping me company. J is heading to training for three days. I miss her already. We have a fun weekend planned so I am extra motivated to get well. Staying home from work sucks up my vacation days, but I don't want to end up sicker or have this linger for another month.
It's election day. I almost forgot since I've already mailed in my ballot. Starbucks and Ben and Jerry's are having election day promotions (if I don't get up for a free cup o' Starbucks then you *know* I'm sick!), Vote - use it or lose it.
I can hear gurgling in my chest. Think I'll surf a while and see if I come up with anything to write about.
Take care of yourself and those you love.

Waltzing Matilda

Substitute "Waltzing Matilda" with "walking pneumonia".
Yesterday, J and I took the dogs to Bowman Bay. We walked along the beach in the rain and then hiked to a lookout where we caught a glimpse of the Deception Pass bridge. During the hike down, little Chance got too close to the edge of the trail and rolled down the cliff, stopping in time to avoid a terrifying plummet. I'll just say that we know how lucky we are and I'm going with the "all's well that ends well" school of thought.
We had pouring rain and hints of sun, walked among trees and seaweed, I slipped in mud and Zip rolled in stinky stuff - it was a good time. Although I was a bit winded - there were a few steep sections - I felt okay. When we got home, however, I knew I was sicker than I wanted to admit. J has spoiled me rotten, as usual (and for which I am extremely grateful), and I hope antibiotics and three days at home will knock it out of me.

I do have a class tonight which I am not going to postpone. Ann & I are taking Pistol Marksmanship. She has been shooting quite a bit, but I have done nothing since my gun safety class.
This weekend, J, the teenager and I are heading to Seattle to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We'll spend the night and do a little early Christmas shopping in the big city on Sunday.
So all is well and life is good and I'm thinking good thoughts. Hope the same is true for you.

The Worms Crawl In

This was one of the grossest pumpkins I've ever seen. Those are slugs. Live slugs. Blech!
Hallowe'en came and went without major incident - two of the three pumpkins were smashed, but I'm okay with that. They would have ended up in the bin anyway..J is on graves now, so we're doing some adjusting to our routine. Today I'm taking advantage of her sleep time to clean my house, but I'd rather join her.
The teenager is as busy as ever.
Nothing else to report for now.
Don't forget to fall back tonight - change your clock from 9 PM to 8 PM when you go to bed ;-)