So many things have happened in my life that I didn't really expect. One I am recognizing tonight is that I have learned so much from my kids. When I read John's blog, I always learn something. He is an amazing individual. I am so glad that he shares his thought and experiences on his blog. This last year has been such a treat to have him and the kids here in Cedar. I love seeing them so often and I love hearing about their experiences.
I also learn so much from the other kids. How they face their trials... each one certainly has them. I marvel when Sara tells me how she advises not only her own children but John's also... (and I guess Jim's sometimes). She has such wisdom and I learn a lot from the things she tells me.
I am grateful for this blog experience. I learned today that Mike and Liana have a blog and I can't wait to read it. I know Laura shares a lot on her blog and I enjoy reading that too. I don't know if anyone ever reads my blog but they are welcomed to. I appreciate being able to review things going on in my life whether or not they are read by others.
I know for awhile I was writing some comments about things I had learned each day or things I was grateful for. I stopped doing that and just now remembered it. On Sunday one of the girls talked about recognizing God's hand in your life in three different ways and listing those every day. Maybe I'll try that approach ...
1. enjoying my new house and I know Heavenly Father helped us to get it
2. met some great ladies who came into the shop today and actually bought things... this little shop has been such a fun experience and I recognize God's hand in helping us to put it together... it brings me out of my self when I have to talk to new people and I actually think I am pretty good at it
3. there is a little sister that comes into the shop often and just looks around. I thought she was a little crazy at first and the more I get to know her, the more I appreciate the spirit she brings with her. She came in today and we had a sweet little chat.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Cruisin... the way to live
Well we took a cruise up the coast of California, Oregon and Washington last week. We stared in LA and ended in Vancouver BC. It was delightful. We needed the rest and we were well pampered. The last half of the week was a little chilly but we managed to get in some time by the pool on the ship and we got to the places we wanted to go in the ports.
San Francisco
We loved San Francisco of course. We went first thing to the old Ferry Building. I remember my dad and mom telling me about the days when people took the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco because the Bay Bridge was not yet done. While we were looking across the bay a fellow told us about the Bay Bridge being rebuilt on the East Bay side and sure enough we could the new structure. He said it was costing much more than expected and was still not complete after quite a few years... what a surprise. Speaking of bridges, we got up early and were on deck to come under the Golden Gate. It was so neat to me. I love that area and the opportunity to just take some time and not only see the bridge but also the wharf, and the city was great.
For lunch we went to Fisherman's Grotto #9... it was awesome, my favorite shrimp, clam chowder and Sour Dough bread. We sat where we almost always seem to sit, looking out at the boats. I am so amazed at how many years have gone by and that restaurant - tables, chairs, carpet, bathrooms, and waiters has stayed the same. We went to that restaurant when we got engaged because it was a favorite place to go while we were dating. I even took a little book that I have collected over the years that is the same with the same recipes in it...
Astoria
Astoria is a darling town full of Antique shops. We got some great "oddities" there in a thrift shop for just a little bit of money. One is a tiger and another a leopard - both remind me of things Jim's grandparents used to have. We brought them back for the shop. We didn't buy any other things that I can think of but we did eat at a cute restaurant called the Urban Cafe and it was fun. It was so much like what we would like to do with the Brick House Cafe.. they had old door hanging, old windows with menu items. and curtains to separate areas. I was amazed that so much of our creativity was reflected in that place. They even took orders at the register but then served people. They used plastic fruit to put numbers on when you ordered. They had checkerboard paper in baskets for sandwiches etc. similar to what we plan to do.
We also went to the old Astoria theater that they have restored... it was called the Liberty Theater as I recall and it was beautiful and beautifully done. Another place that was fun was a great antique store in an old hotel. The floor must have been a hundred years old and done in those old white octagonal shapes... they had all kinds of stuff and we were kind of glad we were on the boat and couldn't take it home, although we might just have to go back up there.
We found a window and watched us sale out of the Columbia river into the ocean. It was so beautiful but made Jim a bit seasick... he's getting old.
Victoria
We had a day at sea after Astoria and then found ourselves in Victoria. It was not a beautiful day, rather cold and wet but we still found some great things to do. Another fun restaurant with a avocado and shrimp sandwich which was delicious. We then went to the Empress Hotel and looked around and then over to the BC museum which was as wonderful as I remembered it from 21 years ago when we cruised to Alaska with Costa and since the boat "the Daphne" had hit a submerged log we got to take a tour of both Vancouver and Victoria Island. We went to Bouchart Gardens on that trip and it was so beautiful but this trip they said it was about $50 a person and since the weather was not cooperating we opted to stay in town and see some shops and of course the museum.
Nanaimo
We were the first cruise ship to ever visit Nanaimo. It was a cute little town on Victoria Island and for being the first ones to ever have been entertained by these folks, we were impressed. Again the weather was very wet and windy. We even bought umbrellas at the dollar store... and the wind blew mine inside out so it didn't even make it out of Nanaimo. We found a really cute shop there where we bought a Pinocchio puppet. I don't know if we will take it to the shop or not. I like it so much.
Vancouver
I wished we had stayed for the day in Vancouver. We thought we needed to get back home but we still didn't make it home Sunday and we could have probably arranged to stay overnight in Vancouver and then fly early Monday to LA... Oh well, hindsight... Our trip home was okay but long and tiresome.
NCL
Just so that I remember... NCL was not my favorite cruise line. Not to say that I am not grateful for the trip, nor am I totally disappointed with the service... it just isn't quite what Royal Caribbean has been in the past. I did have one EXCELLENT dessert called Chocolate Decadence. It was so fabulous. We also enjoyed the buffet upstairs. They had a great variety and especially for breakfast - I got one of my two favorites everyday... Eggs Benedict or Omelet with everything.
The entertainment was wonderful. Two crazy guys called Sharkbait performed and a group who sang Frankie Valley songs was very enjoyable. There was also a comedian who had done a documentary on laughing that was very, very good.
Our main problem was the attitude of much of the staff, particularly the waiters. Weren't really as friendly as we found on all of the other ships we have been on. We had what they call Freestylin' and that meant we could eat when we wanted and where we wanted. Since there were only two of us we went and different times and never really connected with any waiter. We did that also on the Princess ship but the food there was so much better.
Well anyway, it is good to be home with wonderful memories. The weather here the last two days has been so nice. I even mowed the lawn last night and Jack and Nattie came over and helped me move rocks... it seems like I am always moving rocks! I am liking my little house a whole lot. It is just the right size for us. I finished the living room yesterday and I guess the family room too. I am stealing a brass pot back that we had for sale here that Mike and Liana gave us to sell or keep and I have decided I want to keep this one. I'll put it on the kitchen cupboards.
Back to work. I wrote quite a bit here but then I haven't written for awhile. Oh one more thing... I am learning how to text although Jim says the last text I sent him didn't go through. I'll keep practicing!
San Francisco
We loved San Francisco of course. We went first thing to the old Ferry Building. I remember my dad and mom telling me about the days when people took the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco because the Bay Bridge was not yet done. While we were looking across the bay a fellow told us about the Bay Bridge being rebuilt on the East Bay side and sure enough we could the new structure. He said it was costing much more than expected and was still not complete after quite a few years... what a surprise. Speaking of bridges, we got up early and were on deck to come under the Golden Gate. It was so neat to me. I love that area and the opportunity to just take some time and not only see the bridge but also the wharf, and the city was great.
For lunch we went to Fisherman's Grotto #9... it was awesome, my favorite shrimp, clam chowder and Sour Dough bread. We sat where we almost always seem to sit, looking out at the boats. I am so amazed at how many years have gone by and that restaurant - tables, chairs, carpet, bathrooms, and waiters has stayed the same. We went to that restaurant when we got engaged because it was a favorite place to go while we were dating. I even took a little book that I have collected over the years that is the same with the same recipes in it...
Astoria
Astoria is a darling town full of Antique shops. We got some great "oddities" there in a thrift shop for just a little bit of money. One is a tiger and another a leopard - both remind me of things Jim's grandparents used to have. We brought them back for the shop. We didn't buy any other things that I can think of but we did eat at a cute restaurant called the Urban Cafe and it was fun. It was so much like what we would like to do with the Brick House Cafe.. they had old door hanging, old windows with menu items. and curtains to separate areas. I was amazed that so much of our creativity was reflected in that place. They even took orders at the register but then served people. They used plastic fruit to put numbers on when you ordered. They had checkerboard paper in baskets for sandwiches etc. similar to what we plan to do.
We also went to the old Astoria theater that they have restored... it was called the Liberty Theater as I recall and it was beautiful and beautifully done. Another place that was fun was a great antique store in an old hotel. The floor must have been a hundred years old and done in those old white octagonal shapes... they had all kinds of stuff and we were kind of glad we were on the boat and couldn't take it home, although we might just have to go back up there.
We found a window and watched us sale out of the Columbia river into the ocean. It was so beautiful but made Jim a bit seasick... he's getting old.
Victoria
We had a day at sea after Astoria and then found ourselves in Victoria. It was not a beautiful day, rather cold and wet but we still found some great things to do. Another fun restaurant with a avocado and shrimp sandwich which was delicious. We then went to the Empress Hotel and looked around and then over to the BC museum which was as wonderful as I remembered it from 21 years ago when we cruised to Alaska with Costa and since the boat "the Daphne" had hit a submerged log we got to take a tour of both Vancouver and Victoria Island. We went to Bouchart Gardens on that trip and it was so beautiful but this trip they said it was about $50 a person and since the weather was not cooperating we opted to stay in town and see some shops and of course the museum.
Nanaimo
We were the first cruise ship to ever visit Nanaimo. It was a cute little town on Victoria Island and for being the first ones to ever have been entertained by these folks, we were impressed. Again the weather was very wet and windy. We even bought umbrellas at the dollar store... and the wind blew mine inside out so it didn't even make it out of Nanaimo. We found a really cute shop there where we bought a Pinocchio puppet. I don't know if we will take it to the shop or not. I like it so much.
Vancouver
I wished we had stayed for the day in Vancouver. We thought we needed to get back home but we still didn't make it home Sunday and we could have probably arranged to stay overnight in Vancouver and then fly early Monday to LA... Oh well, hindsight... Our trip home was okay but long and tiresome.
NCL
Just so that I remember... NCL was not my favorite cruise line. Not to say that I am not grateful for the trip, nor am I totally disappointed with the service... it just isn't quite what Royal Caribbean has been in the past. I did have one EXCELLENT dessert called Chocolate Decadence. It was so fabulous. We also enjoyed the buffet upstairs. They had a great variety and especially for breakfast - I got one of my two favorites everyday... Eggs Benedict or Omelet with everything.
The entertainment was wonderful. Two crazy guys called Sharkbait performed and a group who sang Frankie Valley songs was very enjoyable. There was also a comedian who had done a documentary on laughing that was very, very good.
Our main problem was the attitude of much of the staff, particularly the waiters. Weren't really as friendly as we found on all of the other ships we have been on. We had what they call Freestylin' and that meant we could eat when we wanted and where we wanted. Since there were only two of us we went and different times and never really connected with any waiter. We did that also on the Princess ship but the food there was so much better.
Well anyway, it is good to be home with wonderful memories. The weather here the last two days has been so nice. I even mowed the lawn last night and Jack and Nattie came over and helped me move rocks... it seems like I am always moving rocks! I am liking my little house a whole lot. It is just the right size for us. I finished the living room yesterday and I guess the family room too. I am stealing a brass pot back that we had for sale here that Mike and Liana gave us to sell or keep and I have decided I want to keep this one. I'll put it on the kitchen cupboards.
Back to work. I wrote quite a bit here but then I haven't written for awhile. Oh one more thing... I am learning how to text although Jim says the last text I sent him didn't go through. I'll keep practicing!
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