Signs of the Apocalypse

Iraq drought hits marshes in 'Garden of Eden' http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30227029/

Not that I think that we humans were going to be invited back anytime real soon, but the fact that the corner of the planet that scholars consider to be the actual 'Garden of Eden' is suffering a horrific drought seems to be somewhat rather biblical in its implication.

Of course, it's helpful to remember that this drought (like a lot of our weather-related problems these days) was definitely helped along by man (well, one man in particular - Saddam Hussein).

tw

Easter 2009

I think Gerry & I have truly hit the (nearly) "empty nest" phase of our lives ("nearly" because Chris is actually still IN the nest but pretty independent...most of the time).

This Easter holiday we found ourselves contemplating a holiday by ourselves. Not that we don't enjoy having a houseful for any and all occasions but with the hectic month we've had (getting Sarah packed up and moved to Sweden, having Jenny visit, me coming down with the flu and trying to get ready for the cruise), arranging for a big celebration just didn't seem to be in the cards.

We were delighted when Gerry's sister (Cathy) invited us to their place in Ballard for Easter dinner. We were happy to bring not only our "assigned" foods for the table (and of course Easter treats for the nephews!), but also a box of books for the newest voracious reader of the family (Nicholas). He is in a "devour" phase and keeping him in reading material is a bit of a challenger. Uncle Gerry to the rescue! Gerry was only too happy to introduce Nicholas to the books and favorite authors of his childhood (Edgar Rice Burroughs and Anne McCaffrey today).

Dinner was wonderful and cozy, conversation lively if occasionally punctuated by the rambunctious nephews who had obviously been cooped up a little too long by rainy weather. Magically after dinner, the sun appeared and the boys were able to burn off some of the post-Easter basket sugar rush energy outside. The evening was capped with another one of Dan's famous (and fabulous!) cheesecakes.

Happy Easter to all!

tw

News You're Probably Missing...

Today from Terri's world of strange news you're probably not getting anywhere else...

• "Passenger Lands Plane in Florida After Pilot Dies" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30190350/ Just wanted you to know - I'm checking all your resumes next week as Gerry & I fly to Florida for our cruise. I'm hoping there are additional pilots on the plane!
• A true "duh" moment: "Woman Jumps in Polar Bear Pool, Gets Bitten" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30190318/ Need I say more?
• And locally (well, at least in Washington state) "Local Woman Says She See Image of 'Easter Bunny' on Potato Chip" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30183308/ Reminds me of the woman on the Carson show years ago when Johnny started munching a bowl of chips while the little old lady was describing the various things she'd "found" on potato chips. I don't get it - who has the time to actually look at the chips? I'm apparently way too busy munching them!

Just doing my job to keep you up-to-speed on all the really important events taking place all around us...

tw

Good...no, GREAT NEWS!

I don't know all the correct military terminology (but then since I'm fairly certain that I don't have too many readers out there in cyber-space my "blunders" will be easily overlooked!) but I did want to congratulate our son-in-law (Travis) who is getting a new position in Missouri next month.

We are all very delighted with this news ; it is a one-year position and will be followed by his Captain course (also at Ft. Leonard Wood) and this means that Travis will not be deploying during this time. Of course, it's also a great position for Travis and means that he will get to serve in a rather unique capacity which enables him to see and learn much more about the military (helping him decide where he'd like to be stationed next, whether the military is a career-choice, etc.) All very good things - but of course some of us are just glad to know that he will be stationed stateside for another 1+ year.

Unfortunately it does mean that we don't get a trip to Texas in October to visit the soon-to-be-newest member of the family and help them move to Missouri since they will most likely already be in St. Roberts by the time we return from our cruise. I guess the helping them move excuse will be gone - we'll just have to show up in Missouri instead.

tw

Lessons to be learned...

I'm frantically trying to get ready (and not go crazy with anticipation) for "the cruise" which is only 11 days away according to http://www.princess.com/! And I'm trying to remember everything I need to have ready to go next Saturday when Gerry & I are cooking for 300+ Girl Scouts.

But there are some news items just too good to pass up. Today's lesson:
Wash. Soldier Dead After Accidental Shooting (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30180915/)

Apparently this soldier and his wife spent time out with friends yesterday and at some point after they returned (apparently in the wee hours of Easter Sunday), he decided that his wife needed to know how to handle a gun properly. (I can't help but think this decision was made "under the influence" of something other than pure air.)

Now I admit, I'm not the sharpest shooter on the range, but I see several problems inherent in this decision:

1. Spouses do not generally make for the best teachers for each other (and I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking especially when it comes to dangerous weaponry instruction).
2. 1:30 am? Seriously? There's probably a reason why most all regular educational forums schedule their classes during the day and NOT at 1:30 am!
3. This soldier was scheduled to deploy soon. If this couple's intent was to keep him possibly getting killed overseas, somebody goofed..

It is certainly another tragic situation and I do feel sorry for his family, but "accident"? - there's nothing that here that even remotely says this was an accident (an unintentional, unforeseen occurrence). This was just plain stupid and as Forrest's mama would say "stupid is as stupid does" - you can't be surprised when something stupid happens as the result of your own stupidity. And as Gerry said, "There's no such thing as an accidental shooting at 1:30 in the morning."

tw

Whew! What a Week!!!

Yes, I did make it back from Canada - Sarah, Mattias and I flew thru in a mere minutes without any hassle at all on Wed., April 1st. That night Jenny would arrive - 2 hours late (meaning after midnight) and she was a tired/hungry girl!

The next week went by in a total whirlwind - so much to do to get the Lindahls all re-packed and ready to fly to Sweden on Sunday evening and get ready for a baby shower / BBQ party on Saturday. Lots of errands - lots of details.

After a quick rearrangement of the furniture so we ladies could "party," the guys ducked out to do some bowling. Even Mattias got to go (and he even knocked down two pines on his own! He could only "bowl" one time though - the ball took forever to get all the way down the lane!)

Meanwhile, we ladies held a baby shower for the new mom-to-be (Jenny). Margo & family made the trek over from Spokane and Jenny's BFF (Amy) flew in from Colorado and Sarah (master MC) kept us entertained with games - we "diapered" balloons, made "babies" (or something...Tessa had a totally different take on the instructions!) from Play-Doh, and played Baby Jeopardy:

Tessa's entry!

We guessed how many jelly beans it took to fill a baby bottle and we (of course!) munched on "baby" treats (little cheeses and baby carrots and tiny cans of pop and bottles of water).

Then Jenny opened her gifts (with her cousin, Tessa, serving as "recorder"). Later, Jenny would SKYPE with Travis (who was holding down the fort in Texas) and show him some of the things their little-guy-to-be had received.

We were re-joined by the menfolk so that we could all enjoy a farewell BBQ for the Lindahls. They promise to visit soon (and I'll be holding them to that promise!) because they will certainly be missed.

Sunday was spent finalizing the packing. It was a gorgeous day outside and Gerry & Chris used some of it to gather up the yardwaste. Mattias liked being outside as well and discovered some mud created by tire tracks when someone drove on our grass. Pretty soon he was completely covered and required a "hosing" before he could even come inside to get cleaned up.

Then all too soon it was time to take them to the airport for their flight to Stockholm. I was very sad to see them go, but we SKYPED the next day when they got to their new apartment and then they didn't seem so far away. Yesterday I got to take Jenny to the airport for her (yet again delayed) flight home.

So everyone is back now where they belong and I'm already thinking about our upcoming cruise (a VERY cheerful thought!) I can't believe we will be on the ship exactly two weeks from today!

tw

Our Last Day in Vancouver

The final day finally came and it was a beautiful one at that! A bit windy (Vancouver actually had a high wind alert in the afternoon) so it was a bit brisk outside but beautiful and sunny nonetheless.


Apparently the Lindahls weren't the only ones packing up to leave yesterday. Mattias got to wave good-bye to his favorite "digger" on the way to the community center.



Mattias and I spent the morning at the Coal Harbour Community Center - the place where he and Sarah had spent so much time this past year and a half. First we went to an "art" class. They had billed it as a Pottery or Sculpture class and so we figured maybe we'd be getting all dirty. Instead, since this was a class for the very little ones, we were making a musical instrument of sorts (a shaker made from a cardboard tube we decorated with paper, yarn, stickers and feathers and then filled with dried beans). Mattias mostly wanted to just run around (which was okay by everyone). He found some cupboards in a corner which were locked and as he tried to open them (repeatedly!) he discovered they made a nice noise too. Then his buddy Spencer joined in the fun and while the moms and I were trying to keep the actual project on-going, the kids soon discovered "musical instruments" of their own and were happy banging away on the locked cupboards and drawers in the corner.



After art class, I took Mattias down to the gym for some "drop in" playtime. They have a full basketball court in the lower level and they put out lots and lots of mats, little cars, balls, hula hoops, little slides - everything a little guy could desire and the kids LOVE it! Mattias particularly liked the little police car (especially the radio!) but didn't quite yet understand how to make it go forward but kicking it backwards was enough fun for him (although it often results in the occasional "fender-bender"). He took a turn running and jumping on the mats before mom came to pick us up.




Once he had lunch, Mattias spent the entire afternoon with Grandma while mom and then mom & dad cleaned up the apartment. Sarah and Fredrik finally finished and arrived at the hotel around 7:30 pm - completely exhausted but everything had been cleaned, keys had been turned in, lights all turned off. Vancouver is officially no longer their home and it's on to Redmond this afternoon for Sarah, Mattias and me...hopefully there is still room in the car for us (and my luggage!!!)

tw