Monday, July 7, 2008

BAD BLOGGER UPDATE

I feel like I have been a bad blogger friend lately and for that I apologize. I want to thank everyone who has responded to my pleas for packing advice. Looks like I will have to go out and buy some sort of wind/rain breaker that will fit over my fleece jacket. I am not looking forward to this because a.) I don't want to spend the $$ and b.) I feel bulky enough without adding layers, but what are you going to do? Some of you have asked for my itinerary: We will be in Seattle Friday the 18th and hopefully will see my son. Those of you who are new to the blog or forgetful (who??) don't know that my youngest son graduated from college in Rochester NY last May and moved, with his artist girlfriend (KarenPetrasko.com) immediately to Seattle to begin a job as a Web Developer. He is extremely independent, like his mother, and I don't hear from him as much as I would like to, so hopefully we can have dinner.

Saturday we sail on the Norwegian Star and will stop in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway as well as cruising/sailing the Sawyer Glacier. Yes, I know there are lots of excursions to take, but we will be doing limited touring, mostly on foot, while ashore. Thanks to Jerusalem I know where to get a good sandwich and a most delicious Mocha in Juneau...yummm :). Bob will take hundreds of pictures and I will be sure to post some when I get home.

We arrive back in Seattle the morning of the 26th and hopefully will see my son again. Bob flies home on Sunday. My friend Barbara will be in Silverdale WA visiting her sister and I will stay with them until Thursday. While there we are going to visit the Lavender Fields ( capitalized because I felt like it, lol) and I am hoping to get to visit Clarice at Storybook Woods. I come home the 31st.

My computer seems to be having some issues of late, so I have been doing a lot of lurking and very little commenting. I think the problem is with the browser, but I am apparently in the not so silent minority. Bob's "side" of the computer seems to be much better than mine...go figure!

My FIL continues to ail and has been in the hospital for 2 weeks again. The lack of information about his condition and what the prognosis is and what is being done continues to frustrate me. I think my MIL is playing the denial card and is also pretty hard of hearing. Makes it easier to hear only what she wants to hear. Unfortunately it is not up to me to press for information and when I offer my two cents it isn't always appreciated, so I simmer somewhat silently.


We went to Vermont for the long weekend although we didn't actually get there until Friday night. My father has flown to Virginia to spend a couple of weeks with his sister and his brother. This is the first time she has actually been home alone for more than overnight since WWII...can you imagine?? She has the car and the checkbook and is very independent ( now you know where I got my independent streak). She decided she was finally going to get a new couch after 30 years with the brown and gold plaid Herculon...ugh. My Mom has no decorating sense or inclination and she just doesn't really care about such trivial things, but we went to Big Lots and bought a blue loveseat and to KMart and bought a new TV stand. Bob got the old couch into the garage( for the recycle people to take it away), new couch in and TV stand assembled. We also bought some perennials and mulch for the front of the house and got that done. It felt good! We usually spend time in Burlington going in and out of shops and doing fun stuff, but this time we just worked and made a nice holiday for my Mom. She took us to Friendlys for dinner and we even got ice cream because we had worked so hard. Then we watched the Boston Fireworks on TV and she loved it. Personally I like to go and see them but it is such a big production to go early in the day and hang out and then get a decent viewing spot when they begin and then take the train home late at night with thousands of revelers.

So, that catches you up for now. Thanks for your patience and I will try to post when the computer lets me.


Later,


18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. The trip sounds wonderful, and I do hope you get to spend some time with your son.

    I love the fireworks and concert with the Boston Pops. We watch it on television every year.

    Computer issues are so frustrating!!!

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  3. You might try Lands End for light weight warm jackets. I have a red one out of nylon windbreaker material but it's quilted so it's quite warm.

    Your trip sounds like a lot of fun!

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  4. Oh my, you're busy! Makes me tired just reading about it! Sounds nice, what you did for your mom. I'm sure she appreciated it. Hope the computer issues ease up!
    Brenda

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  5. thanks for the update! i'm glad y ou had a productive visit to vt. with your mom. i hope you get all the things you need for the trip - and whatever you wear, i remind you it is for comfort, not style (so much) that you are dressing. and you can be warm next winter in vt. with whatever you get for your trip! seattle and the o.p. will be gorgeous in summer! enjoy the beauty and your friends and family!! i'm looking forward to all bob's pix and your take on what they show! have a great time! jkj

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  6. p.s. i really want to know about the ship you take on the tour. take good notes so you can tell all about it, please. i cannot believe how large it is. jkj

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  7. Wow! You've been busy!

    Sounds like it will be a lovely trip!

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  8. Janet, My name is Cathy...and I just stopped by to say thanks for "visiting" me at my brand new blog! I hope to see you again!

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  9. Your trip will be wonderful! I love, love, love Washington! I was there last July, the flowers are amazing and they sell for next to nothing. So many fun shops, if you get near Snohomish check out Joy Works, oh, and eat at the crummy looking little diner down the street, the best burger we had ever eaten. Also, Chucanut Road, so beautiful. Have a great time, I can't wait to hear all about it.

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  10. Hey Janet, I just wanted to come by and tell you that your comment on gollum has made my whole family crack up! They are now teasing me about it...lol (But between you and me...I loved it) Thanks vicky darnell

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  11. Thank you for visiting me at Thatchwick amidst all the computer hassles. Have an absolutely amazing trip! I am also leaving on the 18 July for Paris and then a conference in Florence. We can exchange notes on our return. Love Eleanor

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  12. Oh Janet, that trip sounds wonderful!!! I can't wait to see and hear all about it.

    We have been pining for Vermont recently -- my husband and I would love to find a little house up there. That is our dream vacation! LOL

    Enjoy!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  13. Oh how I loved Vermont and what a wonderful way to spend the 4th. You made some sweet moments for your Mom and for you two.
    This trip will be just so wonderful! And you get to meet a bloggy friend too! I so envy you that. I know you will take loads of pictures and tell us all about when you return. I dream of taking a cruise someday! And so want to see that part of our world.

    I have been such a bad blogger and friends of late. I guess we have both been busy so I know you understand. I do think about you so often....

    I hope you get to spend as much time as possible with your handsome son and his talented girl.

    Stay well and enjoy each moment!!

    Love,
    Sue

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  14. Janet,

    I love your blog. I finally found some time to visit and so glad that I did.

    I hope you have a wonderful trip to Alaska. I would think the trick is to be prepared for all weather patterns. However, that sounds like a lot to pack, doesn't it?

    Again, thank you for the kind comments you left on my blog.

    You are a sweetie.

    Melissa
    Sunbonnet Cottage

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  15. Janet

    Your trip sounds great, I know you'll enjoy yourself--take photos!

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  16. Ohhh you have been very busy!!!! Sorry to hear about your computer problems...I am having a few myself this morning! Have a great trip...hope you get to see your son :o)
    ~Des

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  17. Oh it sounds like you are going to have a great time! I just got back from Silverdale, Washington and the Seattle area. What a coincidence!!!

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  18. You have been very busy. If you have not left for your trip yet, have a glorious time. Always so nice to hear from you.
    Hugs ~ Alexandra

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Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment if you have enjoyed my blog. I look forward to "chatting" with you.

Thanks,
Janet