Maybe…just maybe…

…I’ve missed my calling. I could have been a tour guide.

The Fremont Troll who lives under the Aurora Bridge is a must see when you visit our area. You can read all about it’s origins here.

My new nephew by marriage, Lenny, had never been to Seattle so we had to show him the top picks in our area.

Sorry, couldn’t resist the “top picks” reference!

The Troll could use a little cleaning up because it’s hard to see the full size red Volkswagon bug that is under his left hand without straining.

You really get great views of downtown Seattle from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. We never miss this photo opportunity with our out of town company. I never resist photo opportunities of our “in town” kids, either.

My niece Debbee is in the bright blue coat nestled in amongst Auntie Lana, Cousin Laura and Auntie Ellen. I missed the shot of her and Lenny here but made sure to get plenty of the two of them at some other favorite tourist spots in our area.

And of course we didn’t miss out on some great local food, either…

We started with some delicious sustenance that carried us through all our adventures of the afternoon at the Portage Bay Cafe in the South Lake Union area of Seattle. All seven of us would recommend this restaurant. They had lots of great Gluten Free choices for my niece, too. Before we met up for brunch Josh, Laura, Debbee and Lenny had visited Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks and the Gum wall. After the troll we headed to the Ballard Locks but that’s another post coming soon…

I have several days off before my next tour guiding gig. I’m looking forward to a week from today when I get to show some VIP’s a different part of our city. Of course you’ll hear all about it and it could be that you’ll hear about it from a few more sources than me since several of my VIP visitors are bloggers, too. Stay tuned! Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

USA vs Ghana Viewing Party!

It was so exciting and stomach wrenching to watch the U.S.A. vs. Ghana game on Monday. We had a house full and we made enough noise for the neighborhood to hear us. We are really hoping for another positive result that will get the U.S.A. into the round of sixteen. Time will tell. I’m happy I get to enjoy my U.S.A. decor now since we won’t be in the country for the fourth of July.

I’m off today to take my niece and nephew by marriage on a sight seeing tour of Whidbey Island. What is up in your world?

World Cup 2014 ~ Brazil

With World Cup 2014 in progress right now in Brazil I decided to re-post our photos from the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.A. I published this post on June 17, 2010. The kids and I flew down to Southern California and stayed with my parents for the duration of World Cup. Josh was able to get a ticket package for the Rose Bowl venue and Dan was able to get 2 tickets for the Brazil vs. Cameroon game in San Jose at Stanford. Dan and I traveled to Stanford to see that very colorful game.

In 1994 our boys were 15 and 13. We found the U.S.A. training facility in Southern California and were able to see some of the team and practice and get an autograph.

Later during our time in Southern California we found out the hotel the team was staying at and we traveled there and hung out watching for players so Josh could get his Team poster autographed.

Our patience won out and we had a great time.

This is Alexi Lalas with Josh and Dan.

Josh and Dan got every players signature on the team poster. Lalas, Meola, Harkes, Dooley, Wagerle, Balboa, Ramos, Reyna, just to name a few. They also managed to get all the coaches signatures but one. The players were all friendly and willing to talk to the boys and sign autographs. What an exciting and fun experience for Josh and Dan and me!

Dan and I drove to Clovis and spent the night with my cousin and then we drove to a train station to take a commuter train to Stanford for the Brazil vs. Cameroon game. We found a shop that had a Brazilian flag and bought it for the game. Brazil brings a party atmosphere to soccer games that’s hard to beat and we had fun experiencing it.

We finished off our time at 1994 World Cup with a game at the Rose Bowl where the final game would be played.

Participating in this historical event was thrilling for our family.

Dear was finally able to fly down to Southern California and join us at the end of our trip. The whole family had a fun day at Disneyland with our extended family in Southern California, too.

1994 was the first time the U.S.A. hosted World Cup. We were hoping the U.S.A. would be chosen for the 2018 World Cup or the 2022 but alas Russia and Qatar got the nod for those cups. Now we hear that there were some shady dealings in Qatar decision. The U.S.A. plays their first game on Monday against Ghana at 3 pm Pacific time. Our family room will be full of U.S.A. soccer fans!

Go U.S.A.!

I’ll be adding my World Cup link to ABC Wednesday this week since we are at the letter W.

Forty Years Ago…

…my cousin Vera married John. This was the second of four weddings in our two families in 1974. Vera’s brother Jim got married in April of 1974 to my college best friend, Jeanie. In August my sister Kathy would get married and Dear and I would be the fourth wedding of this year in December.

This is a photo of my father in the glasses standing next to my paternal grandmother and grandfather.

The bride and groom arriving at my cousin’s home for the after party.

My cousin Alex from my mom’s side of the family was in the wedding and here he is with his wife Nadine (they were married in 1970) My cousin Alex died in an automobile accident in 1979 in Wheaton, Illinois.

This is my cousin Katrina, Jim and Vera’s youngest sister.

John and Vera relaxing in my Aunt and Uncle’s back yard in Bell, California after the wedding. Two of my younger brothers are sitting in the background, Steve and Tim.

My sister Kathy with her fiance Len. They would be getting married on August 17th.

College friends Jeaneen and Ellen and now cousins by marriage.

My parents with one of my cousin’s aunts. Vera who is this with my mom and pop?

Happy 40th Anniversary John and Vera! I hear we’ll be seeing you the last weekend in June!

My Soul Complete in Jesus Stands! ~ Hymn

My Soul Complete in Jesus Stands

My soul complete in Jesus stands!
It fears no more the law’s demands;
The smile of God is sweet within,
Where all before was guilt and sin.

My soul at rest in Jesus lives:
Accepts the peace His pardon gives;
Receives the grace His death secured,
And pleads the anguish He endured.

My soul its every foe defies,
And cries—’tis God that justifies!
Who charges God’s elect with sin?
Shall Christ, who died their peace to win?

A song of praise my soul shall sing
To our eternal, glorious King!
Shall worship humbly at His feet,
In whom alone it stands complete.

Words: Grace W. Hinsdale, 1865.

June Photo-A-Day Challenge

Continuing with Kati’s Photo-A-Day challenge days eight through fourteen.

8. Childhood

9. Macro

10. Upside Down

11. Jewelery

12. Flower

13. Shadow

14. Red, White, Blue.

Happy Flag Day everyone!

Later than Usual…

This year our patio covers and our patio furniture got a later than usual start. Our covers usually go up sometime around Mother’s Day and the furniture is in place in time for Memorial Day. Well this year the covers went up Memorial Day weekend and the furniture finally made it’s debut on June 12th! And as per usual the rains came shortly after we had the furniture in place. I say that with a smile on my face not as a complaint. I enjoy the natural watering system around here just so long as the sun comes out again tomorrow!

We didn’t deck the halls we decked the deck.

Mother’s Day…Father’s Day, what’s a month or so when it comes to readiness?

We are now ready for you summer. Bring it!

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

My niece and her husband of one year arrive in Seattle on Saturday and we will be enjoying along with my sister and her husband and our son Josh and dil Laura showing them some Seattle/Washington hot spots and eating meals and watching some sports together. Maybe we can even have one of those meals on this deck. My niece is a high school math teacher and she is also a track coach and a marathoner. She has participated in the Boston Marathon. Her husband works behind the scenes at the Staples Center in L.A. and he’s a huge L.A. Kings fan so we are hoping for him that the King’s win the Stanley cup tonight! Of course I’ll be fitting in all the World Cup Soccer I can.

Before I head to the family room to watch the Mexico/Cameroon game here’s where we are at in that bathroom demolition…

Today the toilet and the cabinet/sink get removed. Good thing my niece and nephew are staying at my sister’s house!

Good Fences ~ George Washington Inn

The George Washington Inn is situated on the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Port Angeles and Sequim with views of the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington State on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s a great choice for a getaway with easy access to Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains or Dungeness Bay. The third weekend every July Sequim is known for their wonderful lavender festival. This would be a great spot to overnight for the festival.

My daughter, girlfriend and I attended a George Washington Tea here on Washington’s birthday in February a couple years ago. On that day we were treated to a rainbow looking out the back of the Inn and onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

We were happy that George Washington was the special guest at the tea in his honor.

I will be linking up with TexWisGirl at Run A Round Ranch for Good Fences #12.

My Feedly source has been attacked for the second time in 2 days and I’m not getting my usual updates on the blogs I enjoy visiting. They are working on developing some protection and getting back online. If I haven’t visited you can blame it on the attacker!

Laughing at Myself…

…and this random post.

I have this sweet little hanging sentiment in my ~~powder room~~ master bathroom that is the size of a powder room. I am all for laughing and laughing often. We are busy campers at this old house these days. Today I mowed the lawn and did some weed wacking and some weed pulling. I love the way the yard looks after it gets it’s weekly cut. So neat when the weeds are mowed down. I especially enjoyed all the rich greenery around the yard at this time of year. My lavender is blooming already and I’ll have to take a photo soon.

On Thursday we have our end of small group barbecue. Of course we are suppose to get some good rain on Thursday. The first real rain in many days. We’ll be eating inside instead of on the deck. After that event the rest of our main floor bathroom will be torn out. The tub and shower surround are gone already. I’ll post some updates soon…maybe.

On Thursday World Cup begins. I’ll be watching a lot of soccer. Since the opening game Brazil v. Croatia is on at 1:00 Pacific Time I’ll be able to watch and still get organized for our barbecue. On Saturday my niece and her new hubby arrive for 4 days and good thing my sister isn’t doing a bathroom renovation and has a room and bathroom all ready for them. My sister lives across the big road from us. Very close as the crow flies a little farther if you are walking the meandering roads. We’ll be busy showing my new nephew by marriage Seattle since he’s never visited here before. I could go on and on but I’m probably boring you already so I’ll just stop.

Do any of you use Cloud Feedly to organize your blog visits? I haven’t been able to log in to my feedly to see if anyone has posted something new. I checked on the internet and they have been attacked overnight. I hope they are back on line soon!

Here’s what I read online: Not only has Evernote been struck by a DoS attack overnight, but now RSS news aggregator Feedly reports that its cloud-based service is suffering from a distributed denial-of-service attack that could impact users’ ability to catch up with the latest updates from their favourite websites.

Very inconvenient when I’m in the midst of busyness already, Oye! If I haven’t visited you in the last few days blame this feedly attack!!

V is for Vegetable Whimsy

The annual Spring Tea at our church had so many lovely decorated tables and one of the tables had some unique decorations using fruits and vegetables.

Hope this post made you smile!

Thank you to Denise Nesbitt and the ABC Wednesday Team for keeping this meme going.

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage