Raincharm’s Weblog

Back to work.
Final kid out of the house and back to the eastern states.
Hoping he is there safe and sound, only a few inconveniences.
One jacket hid and stayed behind.
Putting together a package for that and other things that just wouldn’t be carried back.

Earlier kid out the day before – but with some minor inconveniences.

Waiting on Jethro's

One phone up north, when it should be south.
One credit card – soon to be south, when it needs to be north.
Boots – soon to be south, want to be north (need – not necessarily).

Since we had a long wait at the border yesterday the excitement of another trip is just not there.
Once we have all of the errant pieces pulled together we will strategize on how to rearrange their locations.

Just in case you wanted to know why the Seahawks were able to pull out a win over the St. Louis Rams, and become the first team to win a division title with a losing record…

Clipboard Jesus in on the Seahawks side (and on the field as the quarterback)

Clipboard Jesus was on the field (or next to the field).

Ashlan got home before 8 AM.
That is worthy of note, as she would rather not get up that early anytime. Much less get up, gather up, drive a friend home, and then get home herself.
But we are trying to get an earlyish start up north this morning.
[And one of her friends involved in the last night together soiree has an 11 AM flight out of Seattle.]

So while she is packing I decided to check e-mail.
Heard from WordPress. Now I like WordPress – they have afforded me the relatively easy way to blog. Not that I have figured out any special effects like my relatives, but I can write and post a picture or two.

WordPress was all about the stats.
They offer a link to post my yearly stats on my blog – easy.
But I think I would be embarrassed by those that also blog, and can write more interesting thoughts, take better pictures, and provide a better presentation. So I declined to link, but will pass along a few choice bits of information.

The most popular post was about our visit to see Rey in June. The fifth most visited was written by Ashlan (while I was walking the 3-day). Another popular date revolved around Jane’s birthday – maybe she had her friends visit to see one of my few pictures posted.

The search term used most to land on my post was, “granny beaded neck meaning.” The next four search terms all had to do with Dr. Goat, which also has the most comments – and by far the most comments by people I do not know.

My own personal favorite search has been by somebody that found Wayne Drop from our Mariner game escapade. It resulted in Wayne being booked for a Weather Fest event in January. He will be there with Doppler (radar).

So I guess I will keep blogging, and for now I am going to check to make sure Ashlan is still packing, and not lying down on her bed. Rey was sure enough he had time – to take a shower, and Carl has gone to the bank. But still – we may be out before 9 AM. [We are moving quickly so we can enjoy a meal in Canada and get back before the Seahawk game – where the bottom of the Division Title holders will be determined.]

GO HAWKS! – game time predictions – clear and about 30 degrees.

Now the real story of what is going on.

Ashlan is taking the USA shopping to the max. She took me (Jay) out shopping to refresh the wardrobe a bit. She knows that I rarely shop, and dislike it more than most. So we have a few new cardigans (I only recently noticed how much I can resemble what my father used to wear day in and day out), and a few new shirts, and some new shoes. Now some are from 2nd hand shops, but they are all new to me. Ashlan also was able to further her ability to stretch a closet to the max – plus a new jacket. [The jacket was sort of a gift, except that the gift one was returned and a different one purchased elsewhere (2nd hand) and the gift card from the gift used for some of the other aforementioned shopping.]

Whew – I am tired.

The most difficult part of yesterday’s shopping adventure was getting gas.
Or not getting it as it turned out.
We made our first stop at the video dvd store, and realized the gas light was on.
I suggested we go back the few blocks to home and trade cars for one with gas.
Ashlan wanted to just make the detour (a few miles out of our way) to get gas – because this car has the automatic plug for her I-pod, and fun music.
So we went north (our goal was southeast) to the gas station.
It was packed. And when I finally maneuvered into a slot and got out to pay, I saw the sign saying, “No unleaded.”
So then I made the decision that we were going to change cars.
I can only do so much to accommodate the girl.

Carl & Rey have been hanging out – not shopping. Not entirely true, Carl did grocery shopping. Rey has been hanging out with Carl, Carl’s kids, and his buddies from high school. They even made the trek to the big Seattle New Year’s Eve show. Ashlan was considering the same event, but the cold air changed her mind to a more sedate, indoor celebration.
The boys are now in the middle of a street sidewalk hockey game.

Soup is on the stove – almost the best part of the Christmas ham. We are at the “chill” stage. Actually, the it’s not cool enough to put in the fridge stage. But that means soup tonight or maybe tomorrow. And I just realized I could chill the soup on the front stoop – without worrying about the fridge temperature (or room).

Tomorrow’s stage is set for international travel.
We are all planning to trek north for a drop off and lunch.
Then those without the student visa are trekking back.
Hopefully traffic will be reasonable at the border.

So many things are said about starting fresh.
I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I will admit the change of the year does provide an opportunity to think about what you should be doing more or less.
But I also think this happens at many points throughout the year.

I tend to treat it more like thanksgiving.
We read what distant friends have done throughout the year. Their gains and losses, and what has made their year.

But as with resolutions, I find that almost every day I find something to make my day or let me know how much I have to be thankful for, and the problems I do not have.

This morning, I am thankful that both kids are home safe and sound.
They will be leaving shortly, but for now we get to worry about them in the immediate rather than the distant sense (when you don’t really know what they are doing day by day). I welcome this form of worry because it means we get all of the good things that go along with them being home as well.

To all that read this – thank you for last year, and we wish you well for the year to come.
And we hope to see you in our wanderings.
[Or if you get to the left coast – see you in our home.]

No it has not been foggy here. It has been raining and then damp.
Tomorrow they are predicting snow. Just a little bit.
It is not supposed to be like all of the big blizzards we have managed to avoid so far this year.

The FOG I refer to is from work.
Shorthand for Fats, Oils and Grease.
The bane of sewer systems everywhere.

I knew that our area was starting a campaign against FOG this year.
Apparently this is a world wide thing. Who knew.
Enjoy this little ditty from the London sewers.

We don’t have any sewers large enough to stand up in.
Slide through on a skateboard maybe, but only before they are put into use.

We all got up this morning, and two of us set off to work.
Not too bad. Pretty quiet, and not too many customer calls.
Still too much of the sweet stuff around however.

A new owner/idea took over a long-time pizza restaurant in our neighborhood.
They advertised real deep dish Chicago style pizza, and put $10 off coupons on doors around the block.
So we decided to give it a try.
Carl & Rey went down to check out the new digs, place our order, and walk home.
But while they were enjoying a brew, waiting for the pie to cook, the cooks decided to play frisbee with the pie, and somebody didn’t make the play. So they said they would deliver a new pie instead. When it arrived, it had slid a bit in the box. It was an interesting feat to get pieces out of the box. Tasty, a bit spicy, and really filling. I was full after one piece. I am not from Chicago, so I don’t know if this is the norm.

Now we only allowed pizza for dinner because everybody had a ham allotment for lunch.

Split pea soup on the horizon. This is one of the best parts of having a ham.

Little kids will be in tomorrow, so we are starting to clean up the house a bit as well.

I realize this is just odds and ends. That just about describes the entire day.

Christmas day is winding down. And so are we.
Except Ashlan, who has new wind and is raring to go.
So she and Rey are going to see the latest Harry Potter movie, again.
It is a second viewing for both, although they saw it separately the first time.

Our day was a good one.
It started at the very reasonable hour of 8:30. Except that for Rey it was more like 11:30, and he was a bit hungry.
We had sticky buns from the Larson Brothers Bakery in Ballard. Excellent, and sticky indeed.

Finally settled around the Christmas tree and enjoyed opening presents (thank you all that shared with us).
The girl got into scaring her mother by slamming down chocolate oranges on the table when I was not ready.

Checked the weather and there appeared to be a few hour break when showers were less likely so three of us (Ashlan, Rey & Jay) set out on foot for a walk. Jay underestimated the distance. What was advertised as a 5 mile walk was actually more like 9 miles in the end. It could have been a bit shorter, but Ashlan opted for length over hills. Jay actually stopped at 8 miles when Carl came by with a nutrition break.

Then came a break before the dinner fixing was underway. Ashlan was going to help with the pomegranate seeding for Pooh’s salad, but decided to nap instead. Carl gallantly stepped into her shoes. A relatively easy meal, especially when compared with Thanksgiving. Salad, potatoes (mashed), ham and rolls. Ashlan woke up to eat.

And now with the table cleared, the kids are off to the movies, and Carl & I are left to enjoy the memories of another day with the family together. It really is nice to have them all together. I like just listening to them chat.

Tomorrow’s plans – Kringle, Picasso and brunch/lunch.

The previously promised Christmas Tree photo.

Christmas Tree - lights on

2010 Christmas Tree

And – REY made it home. 3 hours earlier than expected.
That darned hyphenated name confused the automated ticket kiosk at the airport, and he had to go to the desk to get his boarding pass. They showed him an earlier connecting flight out of Atlanta, so he got here in time for dinner (with friends). And this is the day before they are expecting 300 cancelled flights in Atlanta – whew!

Carl & I drove through the driving rain coming home from our friends house tonight. Our normal route took us past Candy Cane Lane – a street of houses that have been fully decorated, every Christmas for 50 years. We weren’t really thinking, but we only had to wait in a line that was 1 block long to get past the entrance (1 way through). In the other direction the line extended for probably 10 blocks (to Brooklyn for anyone that knows the area). We called back to Ashlan and Rey and warned them to take a different route, unless they wanted to go to Candy Cane Lane. (They were still partying the night away.

Happy Christmas by the time anybody reads this.

1. My governmental body bosses approved my BIG BIG PROJECT today!
    Now it can be disseminated for all others to take a whack at it.
     I am PUMPED.

2. I gave blood this morning. Sat next to a woman at the cookie table and talked about salt and sweet mixtures. This, just the day after Ashlan explained her love of salted chocolates. And the woman was from Michigan – just outside of Detroit. Small world. I am TIRED.

3. We went to the Men’s Chorus Glee concert tonight.
They sang many fabulous songs. One particular favorite was a rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, as performed by Straight No Chaser. I had heard this tune while driving up to Canada yesterday, and wanted to tell folks about it – but could not figure out how to explain it. I am HAPPY.

4. While waiting in the parking lot line to get out, we could see a person on a half level below us pressing his key fob, and the car on the half level above us blinking its lights. It was amusing. [This parking lot was designed by a three-year old with a blender and clay. I just can’t imagine somebody putting it together with the ups, downs, curves, short car-doorways, and multiple entry/exits – only one of which was open to exit from.] I am LAUGHING.