11/15-16,19 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL!! (Ahhhhhh.... elixir! Thanks Elsa), and Happy Catmint Caturday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Paw Prints Pizza is open and ready for business! They are running a Caturday Catnip special today, in honor of Catmint Caturday - lots of nip in those pies! They have even used their signature nip cheese. Best order early! OOOOOOOOO! They have perfected their NY Style hot dog pies. MAJOR YUM!!!! Try one, you'll see! Just order the Mannie and Stu Special! so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a venti quad peppermint white chocolate mocha, with peppermint infused whip, garnished with peppermint candy chips and white chocolate shavings... It is my bean's fav! SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of peppermint and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, sprinkled with peppermint chips and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

I hope everyone had a great day yesterday, and a great week. ;-) The days with the boys have been good ones! We have been very busy, that part of life has not changed. Will it ever? ;-) NOPE!! What a BUSY week! We have been swimming, and hiking, to the park and and the beach and on the river, and a local children's museum. We have had lunches at rivers edge, car camping some too, and indoors on benches. Funny how the boys love those impromptu eat wherever lunches. We even had lunch with their mom one of the days. Red Robin rules! Life is good!

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swimming days this week. :shock: That's alot of pool time! William went Monday and Thursday, Nicholas went Monday, Wednesday and Friday nght. At the risk of being repetitive, what I wrote last week still is true this week:

They both are truly water babies. William has taken to it all so well. He never cries when there, always asks for more of whatever he is playing on. He doesn't seem to mind when the water spray features are on. He loves the slides, and wants to climb up the stairs on his own. So we do, slide down together. :shock: :lol: I am continuing to introduce him to being underwater, for short periods at a time. He doesn't seem to mind them, I've even had a few smiles. He's adjusted to back floating, and "swimming" on his front. I have no doubt that he will like this as much as Nicholas does. In fact he never wants to leave when it is time to go. We have a new chant: MORE! :lol: Nicholas continues to be very supportive of William's efforts in the pool. He still asks how he did when he can't swim with him, tells me what I should be training him on, asks if he did certain things. It is cool when he says" "He's doing great Grammie!" Yes, that he is. Nicholas continues to be our energizer fishie. That I think will never change. he just has so much fun with it all. He continues to LOVE the new pool we started going to a few months ago, in Snohomish. It really is a wonderful experience, and he can do alot of the things he likes there: like the slides, the lazy river, and deep water jumping and diving. That has become our new Friday pool. It is a ways away so it does add to our commuting time, but we all agree that it is very much worth the effort and time spent. We are still trying to "convince" Nicholas that swim lessons would be great... oh sure! Last night he tells me that he is "never taking that swim test!" Hmmmmm.... silly kid! [/quote} I continue teach him what I can. He continues to make lots of new friends when he goes. it's fun to see him connect up with kids when he gets there. Last night while at the Snohomish pool he asked if he could swim laps. Laps? What 3 going on 4 year old wants to swim laps? :shock: so he did, the width of the pool, back and forth, on his own, No assists. Darn incredible! We all just love pool days, and are grateful that we have the pools and the time to be able to do this. GO NICK! GO WILLIAM!

Nicholas still looks forward to our after swim Friday Night Burger Feast That is just so fun: burgers and fries, just him and me, with lots of fun stories. He was so happy to see that burger and fries combo show up, just like always. Somehow I think that is part of the magic of Friday night swims: that he gets burgers etc after his swim. :razz: He still makes a point of making sure I have packed it all. He also thinks it would be a good idea if I packed a jar of pickles, as it seems there are never enough on his burger. :shock: :lol: Though last night he gt 8 pickles on then burger (the record is 12 :lol: ) so the extra jar wasn't thought of. :lol: Yesterday we again talked about our week, trips to the beaches and parks, the rivers, and the day spent at the children's museum. The drive home continues to be an enjoyable time for him. He continues to be into volcanoes, tsunamis, and now earthquakes, so these days so we talk alot about them. GREAT TIME!

Last weekend the weather was so NICE, well most of the time, that I spent as much of it out as I could. The weather Saturday was nice early on today so I took advantage of that and headed on out to my local hike through Meadowdale Park. There have been reports that the salmon here have started their run up the creek that runs through the park: Lund's Gulch. I just love those runs, so off I went to see if I could find any. I did!! 7 Chum salmon a couple of hundred yards in from the mouth of the creek. WOO HOO! So I stayed a while and watch those 7 guys navigate the obstacles found there. In the photo album there are a few videos, and photos, of the run. Hard to get decent photos of it all! What a great time out! Sunday was rather uneventful here, and fairly normal. whatever that means.... :roll: :lol: My out and about time was spent at Meadowdale Park, here by the house, most of it with the salmon run in Lunds Gulch Creek, which runs through the center of the park. It is so wonderful to watch those fish navigate that creek, on their final journey. Saturday there were several kids there too, learning about the fish with friends and family. And pets, and dogs. I love dogs, but sure wish some of these folks would keep their dogs out of the creek when the salmon are spawning. seriously folks? :shock: oh well... one tries to educate. It was such a wet weekend here, lots of rains, but somehow I didn't get too wet while on these little adventures. Saturday's hike was somewhat sunny until I headed home. Sunday's hike was just plain wet. Funny how those fish don't care. :lol: Spent some time over the weekend working on the Medicare aspect of DH's pending retirement. Getting it all narrowed down, such a convoluted mess. One weel later still working on it. :roll: ;-)

Monday was sunny, but much colder out there. Thank you Alaska for that cold front you sent our way. not. :roll: We were in the 20's tonight, 38/42 during the day. At least the sun was out (they promised!), and NO WHITE STUFF. :lol: ;-) YMonday was our joint swim day for Nicholas and William, and the other grandparents.it went fairly well, but I am glad that I am continuing to go to help the other two DGP's out. They are not very physically active people, so some of the challenges that a pool opens up has been difficult for them. Nicholas is so used to things being a certain way, being able to do things that they just can't do. So it is good that I am there. He had a great time yesterday and seems to be adjusting to having us all there. He just loves the big pool, loves being underwater, has a game of toss and catch what falls below. It's a ton of fun for him. William is doing extremely well too. He loves being there, rarely fusses, doesn't mind being below the surface of the water. In the photos, check out the video of him as he is dunked a few times. Look at that smile! A great time in the pool for both boys. Two peas in a pod, those two. After the pool I went on a short hike over by Bellevue: Coal Creek. it is one that Nicholas and I had been too many a time in the past. I had read that there was a rather nice salmon run going on in that creek, so off I went. I enjoy the trail too, it is a very nice 6.0 mile one near Cougar Mountain, follows the creek for a good portion. I had a great time, saw alot of Coho salmon in that creek. Love those, and their red coloring at run/spawn time. I had sunny skies, crisp fall air, alot of gorgeous sunlit trees. In the photos there are a couple of vids of the salmon. I hope you enjoy them.

Tuesday should have been my hiking day. . I had so wanted to be in the North Cascades (don't I always??)..... but alas, Tuesday ended up being "Dodge the cold" day! :roll: :roll: :roll: The weather in most of the state didn't support hiking, and up in the mountains? reports of lots of freezing white stuff. :shock: :shock: :shock: Already? but.... but... but.... I'm not done yet with my mountain hiking!!! :lol: :roll: It has gotten very cold here for us, and in viewing road conditions etc I decided it just wasn't worth driving on ice and snowy roads for a couple of hours just to hike what would have been a snow covered and icy trail. I don't mind the trail conditions so much, but do mind the travel hazards. SO.... I elected to hike my normal haunt here at Meadowdale, watch the salmon run, spend some time in the woods. it was another gorgeous sunny day here, just very cold. And... the fish were still running the creek. PRIMO!

Wednesday Afternoon, after Nicholas's swim, we were off to Juanita Beach. The weather was warmer by then, the afternoon was turning into a sunny afternoon, like 70 (!!), so off we went! We did all of what he goes there for. Lots of play, and it was warm enough that both boys could play at the beach, but too cold for any swimming. Both had such fun with that. William continues to love the very small waves, and had a blast. SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH! :lol: :lol: :lol: WHAT FUN! WHAT A MESS he was after that. :roll: :lol: :lol: They both were! After one splash series they both decided that the water really was COLD, so they both stuck to the sand. :lol: William has really developed a fondness for it all, he just gets so excited when he sees the parks, the beaches, the rivers, He is so very much like his brother when he was that age. He just loved it. Nicholas did a very good job too making sure little bro was doing OK. We brought food for the ducks, what a hoot that was. Nicholas fed them, William spent time walking amongst them, trying to catch one. One of them noticed he has some bread in his hand, and was brave enough to snatch it from him. Poor William didn't know what to make of that. :? We also had a small picnic after our beach and park time. All around - really a terrific day. I bet both those boys slept well that night. AWESOME time at the beach.

Thursday Afternoon, after William's swim, and Nicholas's school we were off to a river park in Bothell. We had such fun there a week or so ago, and the week before, that we decided to go back. They too have a nice playground area , and well as a good river trail walk, with a few access points where the boys can get down to waters edge. It is always fun to be able to do that there, as the ducks come and visit every time. We got lucky with the weather that day too, sort of, in that the sun was put, but it was really cold there, we stayed about an hour and a half, before packing it up and heading on down to Juanita Beach for the remainder of the afternoon. Nicholas was able to wade out into the river some too. He just loves to be able to get into the river! He didn't stay in long, waded with boots on, as it really was a bit cold to be swimming in. William so wanted to be out in it too, but alas he doesn't really have boots. I told him "cold" and he seemed to understand, and stayed at the edge of the water, Phew! We had brought food for the ducks again, only to have it stolen :sad: --- by a seagull! Dang bird! I had left it on top of the stroller, and turned to watch him swoop on down, grab that bag and carry it off to the river. :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: What was funny was that he was followed by several other gulls and a whole lot of ducks. :lol: :lol: :lol: What was cute was Nicholas apologizing to the ducks for heaving the food he brought be stolen. Just too cute! It was much warmer at Juanita beach when we got there, or so it felt. The beach area is warmed by the sun, so despite in being 36 out it felt good. Boys has a great time just playing on the beach, and managed to stay warm too.

Friday was our free day, and YAY (!!!!) But.... it was even colder Friday than the previous days, so it was clear that a morning on the river, or any where local, was out of the question. Most of the temps there were in the 20's, until at least well after noon, so.... per Nicholas's request, we went to a local Children's Museum, KidsQuest, near where his mom works. it was darn cold in the morning,so it seemed best to pick and indoor spot for the morning, then out when it was warmer, kinda the normal routine when they have "obligations" like the pool or school in the morning. Nicholas wanted to go to the children's museum , a place we haven't been there in a long time. a crazy preschool play place, kids love, it, parents go bonkers, but they did have fun. The activities there are good ones, they have this really great 2/3 story treehouse. Nicholas loves it. William did very well there, interacting with all he touched, even making some of it work. That museum/play place is a good one. the boys loved the time, played alot, left with smiles and not wanting to go when we had to. Since it was close to their mom's work we took her to lunch. Go Red Robin! that was a nice time! Nicholas and William fell asleep in the car on the way home, so just took them home for a nap, bagged the afternoon out. That probably a good thing, as they both slept til 4. :razz:

For fun: some shots of William , and Story time.

Normalcy in MusketeerVille! The kitties are all doing well. Not too much new with them... Fall move into winter mode is here, they are bunkering down, but still yearning for the great outdoors when the sun is out. Elsa still ventures out, and when out she doesn't stay long. Bug could care less, Lola is ALWAYS grounded, and always wants OUT. :lol: Lola has been trying to be good, and for the most part I'm not yelling "LOLA!" after whatever it is she did. :lol: :lol: :lol: I can hardly wait for Christmas and all we went through with her last year. I can still see that tree swaying.... :lol: :lol: :lol: she has decided lately to nap on my lap, usually in the early morning hours when I m on the 'puter. cool! It is amazing how serene and calm and content she looks when she is sleeping.... Of course this was only after she has teses marathon run through the house for close to 30 minutes. Elsa whacks her for even thinking she wants to join. Bug of course did, runs right along with her, stopping now and then to play with a toy instead. :lol: GO KITTIES!! Nicholas continues to talk about Mannie. A few times this past week he mentioned, out of the blue, that he misses Mannie. We told many a Mannie story that day, and many others.It still amazes me how much he really remembers. I can say do you remember the time when... and he will complete the memory. Thanks for coming to visit us Mannie! We all miss ya big guy! cat_pet_icon

Have a great Caturday everyone. Sorry this post it late today. Sorry too I missed everyone's condos yesterday too. Time this morning, and the days, have gotten away from me. At least the shopping is done, and the laundry. I am off in a few for an afternoon walk in the woods, and hopefully to see some of the salmon that are returning for their run. We seem to have a bit of a weather break today, so I really hope to take advantage of that. The sun is shining! and it is COLD!

KITTIES! Remember: think BLUE, think GREEN cat_pet_icon

 

[Deborah & Shasta]

Re: 11/15 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Caturday LL!!

I just pictured Lola, Bug & Elsa in the starring roles as Alvin and the Chipmunks where Lola will OBVIOUSLY be playing the role of Alvin! :lol: Always getting into trouble and people yelling for her...LOLA!!! And then the Chipmunk Christmas Song started playing in my head..."Christmas, Christmas time is near...time for toys and time for cheer..." I have a feeling that I will sing myself to sleep with that one tonight! :roll: :lol:

Love hearing how supportive Nicholas is of William. Sweet brothers!!! As always, I love to hear of your adventures, hikes, swimming stories and much more. Happy Caturday, Michelle!!!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Good Morning LL! (YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Sunday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! Coffee is on, Lola and Bug , founders of Paw Prints Pizza, are ready to go! Want pizza? it is MEGA GOOD! They are busy getting ready for.... uh.... I dunno! but there sure is a flurry of activity in the kitchen. :shock: so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and triple shot espresso, beans from the heart of central Ethiopia. For my mocha fans: Venti Quad orange and vanilla mocha, laced with orange swirls, topped with chocolate whip, garnished with orange zest, slivered vanilla beans and chocolate swirls....... and orange drizzle! SWEET OH! No worries, a dollop of orange and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

HAPPY SUNDAY LL!!! I hope everyone is having a great weekend. We are doing well. The days have been cold, but sunny. We've made 25 at night, maybe 40 during the day. I think one can safely say winter is coming.... :shock: :shock: :shock: ;-) Dang it is cold out there! well, cold for us. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! The weekend has been more or less a mellow one. Chores are done, errands run, short of the inevitable"the house needs to be cleaned" :lol: :lol: :lol: Guess I should get to it. I've been out on the local trails here, Meadowdale on Saturday, and Picnic Point this morning. I think I froze solid this morning. The temp read 25, and when the breezes kicked in it had to have been 15. Needless to ay this morning was a short walk.It was gorgeous out, with a very subtle and colorful pink and pastel sky. WOOT!

Normalcy in MusketeerVille. Elsa has made three trips out this rpnng, despite the frost on her feet. She sure does not stay long, hollers up a storm when she comes in. :lol: :lol: :lol: Bug has been a cuddle "monster" - his way to stay warm on cold nights and mornings, Lola has been Lola. She's been good. I suspect she knows the holidays are coming ans she is conserving her strength for all the mischievousness she plans for those days. Once again she is cuddled up on my lap, purring away, so so sweet. When I came back from the shore she met me at the door with a loud MEOW! I could tell she wnated me to follow her, so I did. She sat next to y computer chair meow meow meow. HMMMMM... so I sat, and the next thing I knew she was on my lap, settling down for a nap. Guess she wasn't too pleased with my being gone for a bit this morning. :lol: :lol: Silly cat. Love all three of you! cat_pet_icon

Enjoy your day everyone! It will be a mellow afternoon here, short of the needed cleaning,. Guess I had better pay those bills too. A necessary evil. :razz: Should tie permit, I hope for an afternoon walk when it is warmer out. YAY! My son just called, will be stopping by for a bit. YaHOO! And I so need to visit condos. I miss oyu guys.....

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Hi Deborah oh haha on Alvin and the Chipmunks. A for sure on Lola being Alvin, no doubt about it! :lol: :lol: Funny on the Christmas song, that would happen to me too. THX on the boys. They do make a great pair, sure they have their moments, but overall, very supportive of each other. William just adores his big Bother. It is nice when Nicholas takes the time to show him how to do things. I hope you have a great Weekend!

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

It's sounds like another normal week for you. How funny on the seagull stealing the duck food and Nicholas apologizing to the ducks. I guess you'll have to get used to cold weather now. It sounds like the kitties have already adjusted. How sweet of Lola to beg for you to sit down so she could sleep in your lap.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Hi Carla That it has I guess it is normal for us to alwyas be on the go. The boys seem to like being out to, so it all works for me, and them too! That whole seagull ting was so funny! I loved Nicholas apology to the ducks. that was just too cute. Next time I will have to be sure the Food is tucked away for they can't grab it again. ;-) I can still see that bag floating down the river, and all those birds in hot pursuit. :lol: :lol: :lol: Yupp, I think the cold is here to stay, it might be a little warmer in the months to come, but it will be cold. BRRRR! Time to get out the boys hats and mittens. :smile: I have to admit, I do LOVE it when Lola does that. She can at times be such a wonderful lap cat.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Hi Michelle, scritches to the kitties from me. Sorry to hear you've been grounded from the mountain passes for hiking. We drove to Bellingham on Monday and Baker looked so beautiful, but white. The sun has been wonderful, but your frost pictures remind me what it's like when the sun isn't around. Brrr.

Loved the pics of the fungus and slime? Colourful stuff, whatever it was. William is looking so grown up now. Where did that little baby boy go? :shock:

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Hi Michelle, I was thinking about you since this cold spell started! :roll: Sure puts a damper on the hiking doesn't it? DH and I are both getting antsy as we weren't done hiking either...If you are ever lacking for an indoor activity for the boys, Everett has the Imagine Children's Museum downtown, my grand nieces loved it and it sure beats freezing outside :lol: That is so sweet that Lola wanted to sit in your lap- love it!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

HI Wendy yupp, grounded says it well. Well, time to shift from the mountains to the lowlands... oh yes on baker. It did when I was in Bellingham a few ago too. Sure would like to get back there. I wonder how far up that road I could get? Well, at least to the ski area at any rate, that might be good days outing. THX on the pics... we have been so sunny, but it really is cold. The beach yesterday mining was 25. BRRRRR for sure. THX on the fungi pics and the slime pics too,which I think are another version of fungi, if I'm thinking of the pics you are talking about. I so agree on William: a little boy now, no more baby. ;-) he's one and a half now. where did the time go?

Hi Ruth oh yes on this cold.... a damper on hiking for sure. I've hiked in cold like this before, as long as one keeps moving it's not too bad. The problem for me is getting there! Blech on those icy roads, especially the FSRoads.... :shock: THX on the mention of the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. I am thinking of adding it to our list, sure beats going to Seattle and/or Bellevue. I hear from others too that it is a good one. We are out alot, but this 30 degree stuff makes for short trips our for the boys. sometimes an indoor place is just better. I know on Lola! Love it, she has been camped out there again this morning. Sweet!

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Good Morning, Michelle,

What a neat week with the salmon runs and the weather (wet and dry; warm and cold), the swimming, the playing, the kitties getting ready for winter. Every day there is something fun to do! I really liked the pics of Meadowdale in the rain: great fungi!, the salmon swimming upstream, the patterns of the rain and leaves. The last photo of that batch was especially gorgeous. Quite a contrast to the vivid colors of Coal Creek on a sunny day! Too bad you had all that cold, snowy weather just when you had hoped to go for a hike in the mountains. I guess it's probably too late now and you'll have to try again next year.

Good luck with Medicare. We just do the standard Medicare--not any of the supplemental plans or HMOs. It is very dependable and you are not restricted to specified doctors and/or hospitals.

The boys look like they are having a wonderful time. I can't get over how much William looks like Nicholas. Any news on the swimming lessons??

I'm sure Lola is resting up for the holidays!! Bug is such a nice, mellow guy.

Elsa, the espresso has been delicious. Thank you, Kitteh Barista!

Have a good week with lots of good weather!

Hugs, scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Re: 11/15-16 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday LL!

Sorry it's been so long since I visited, i think I've finally gotten over the jet lag. I see you have been as busy as ever! Wow on the cold up there. It seems everything stops just short of getting down here.

You are unstoppable! How sweet on Lola wanting to curl up and sleep on you lap in the mornings, Emma has clamed mid afternoon as her cuddle time. Just when I'm getting into outside work! :roll: Who is having the big get together for Thanksgiving?

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 11/15-16, 19 LOOSE LIPS: Bring on the BUSY! Happy Sunday

Good Morning LL!! (YUM! Elsa outdid herself this morning: PRIMO!), and Happy Wacky Wednesday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! GUESS WHAT! Today is WACKY WEDNESDAY!!! Just like every Wednesday Lola and Bug SWEAR that it won't be wacky pizzas, just wacky Wednesday. Whatever that means.... The whack-a-thon marathons continue. Excellent pizzas to the best whacker! so... well... Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and triple shot espressos, with beans from Starbucks Pike Place Market, their original blend, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a venti quad peppermint white chocolate mocha, with peppermint infused whip, garnished with peppermint candy chips and white chocolate shavings. SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of mint and vanilla and cimmamum swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, topped with peppermint chips and chocolate drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!


Happy Whacky Wednesday LL! Mannie alwyas loved Wacky Wednesday. :roll: :lol: Hope all of LL is well. WHAT A WEEK for us so far! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: The other GP's are on vacation, so I have the boys all week. LOVE it, but double the busy... :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: We have been to the aquarium,. to Juanita beach, to the pools and the Skykomish River, and the park.... and that was only the first two days. Can we say i will be a zombie once FR night's late swim is wrapped up. what fun though!!! Today it is Nicholas's day in the pool, William will be with my MIL, and the afternoon is open to whatever the boys want. Maybe a local park. To top today off my son's band has a show at a local club/studio in Seattle tonight, so we shall be off for that. I so hope they don't play too late.... :roll: :lol:

Kitties are well. They are all in winter sleep mode, even, to a point, Missy Lola, who is camped out on my lap as we speak.... such a sweetie! at least for now. :lol:



Hi Ella oh yes (!!!) on the week, alot of variety, even with the weather. We too have been COLD, though today is has warmed some. THX on the pics. I love that park in the rain, as well as the sun. The rains just bring it all alive. We get a good variety of fungi there too. oh yes on the contrast to Coal Creek! That was a good one too. I especially liked the coho salmon run there that day. Awesome! i know on the mountains, that did not work in my favor this year. Oh well... it's OK, we will try again next year. THX on the Medicare. I expect I will just do the standard. DH however will need the supplemental, etc, as he does have a few health issues. We are slowly getting there with it all. No news yet on the swim lessons. I sure hope that happens soon. And yes on William: they do so look alike. oh ahahaha on Lola - I KNOW she is resting up for "the tree" :lol:

Hi Ann No worries! I can only imagine on that jet lag, that one has to be difficult, a huge time change! It has been cold, for sure. Down to the mid 20's some nights. We seem to be warming a bit now, a relief! and we have been lucky: the white stuff has stayed away from us, just been in the mountains. I hope it stays there. :lol: Nice that the cold stopped short of you. I cannot believe how cold it is in places like TX, and FL. BRRR for them. Yes, I love that time in the mornings with Lola, so out of character for her to be so mellow. it's a great time, and a side of her personality that is really nice. Funny on Emma, but nice that you let her have some time. ;-) ah turkey day! Nicholas and William are hosting this year, well, they say they are, but I strongly suspect mom and dad will be doing most of the work. It's been fun to hear Nicholas keep telling me over and over that we are coming to his house this year. and..... I don't have to cook!