Saturday, August 25, 2018

Vacation News...also known as what vacation?

Hello my friends.  Well.  Dennis was on vacation this week but the smoke lingered so we were in town until Wednesday.  And we're back this afternoon.  The cats have loved having us home.  Please excuse my lily white legs.  I do not tan, but that's okay.  The girls love to sit with me.  Frannie is by my feet and Amelia is on my lap.  I always feel very guilty when we're at the lake because they are alone and they are very affectionate cats.
I finished an "Antler Hat" this week.  It matches "The Dudester" scarf I made last week and I also made a pair of mittens to go with them.  It is a set for a Christmas gift and I'm really pleased how they all turned out.  This is Larry modeling it for me with a somewhat goofy look on his face.  That's our trailer behind him.
 I made these five pair of mittens and another pair that I accidentally left at the lake when we came home this afternoon.  So six more pair done this week.  I really need to count them and see how many are finished.  I didn't touch my socks that are on the needles at all.
Our 40th anniversary is next week on September 1, but we went out to dinner on Tuesday to celebrate early since we hope to be at the lake on our anniversary.  How have 40 years gone by?  We went to the Olive Garden and they gave us this free dessert.  The waitress wrote on the plate with raspberry syrup.  Chocolate Mouse Cheesecake  Yum!
We also each had the buy one/get one deal, so we had enough for both lunch and dinner the next day too and it was delicious.  All for less than $40.00 and that included the 25% that Dennis always tips.  Quite a bargain to my way of thinking.  Three meals!  And they were delicious, even if not exactly Weight Watchers friendly.  We took this week off of watching our food intake and decided to just have a good week together.  Monday we'll be back on the proverbial food wagon.  

The skies haven't changed much.  The photo below is how they are still looking around here.  Becasue of the smoke we only stayed at the lake until Sunday morning because the air quality was in the "hazardous" range both Sunday and Monday and "unhealthy" the rest of the week.  We went to an indoor RV place and looked at big trailers on Monday.  We're trying to decide what we want to have when we retire and hope to travel more. 

On Tuesday we drove to Idaho and looked at more campers, shopped at Cabela's, where Dennis got some new boots, and we had the BEST Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches I've ever had.  Who would have thought that a sporting goods store would have such a great cafeteria?  We also went to the Walmart next door because Idaho sales tax is less than Washington.  It was amazing!  Absolutely spotless and employees asking us every few minutes if we were finding everything we wanted.  I felt like I was in an upscale store and it was Walmart!!!  We found lots of goodies there as I was running low on some cleaning supplies, dog food and we found the cutest slippers for Piper for her birthday which is next month.  How did that happen?  She just had a birthday didn't she?

On Wednesday we went to the brand new Costco that just opened and bought toilet paper, kleenex and paper towels.  We should be set for at least six months.  I detest going to Costco and avoid it at all costs.  Then we headed to the lake Wednesday afternoon where I had planned to stay until next Thursday.  However, the smoke sent us home this afternoon.  We both had headaches, running noses and sore throats.  Smoke inhalation is a nasty business.  Once we were home in the A/C, all of the icky symptoms disappeared.  So that was our vacation, staycation, or whatever you want to call it.  We had a great time just being together, but our plans were upset quite a bit.
There was some very sad news in our family this week too.  Sweet, sweet Polly, Mandy & Brad's precious golden lab died.  She had lots of health issues but was the sweetest, most faithful dog you could want to have.  She was Pipers guardian and loved that little girl with all of her heart.  She let her climb all over her when she was learning to crawl.  She tucked her into bed every single night.  She was absolutely the best and I'm crying right now typing this.  She loved her Grandma too.  She always was right there with me when I visited.  And I know that she knew how much her Grandma loved her back.

This is my absolute favorite photo of Piper and Polly.  They were on the way to a Halloween party when they lived in Maryland.  This was the backseat of the truck.  Doesn't Polly look like she's guarding Piper?  Dennis calls this photo the "dynamic duo" and I have had a copy framed in our living room for a couple of years now.
She was ALWAYS with Piper.  I'm going to miss her so much.  These animals sure get to us don't they?  They steal our hearts and take them with them when they're gone.
Poor Piper.  She woke up the morning after Polly died and said, "All of my pets are gone."  Three of them in just a couple of months.  We have the cats and they FaceTime with them.  Yep, they sure do.  And the cats know their voices and come running when they hear them.  But that's not the same as being able to touch and cuddle with them.  Please be thinking of their little family.  Brad and Mandy took it just as hard.  They've had Polly for a long time.

Well, I guess we're home until next weekend unless something drastic happens and the skies clear.  Dennis goes back to work on Monday, but will be happy to commute to the lake if it gets nice again.  On the upside as I said before, the girls, (cats), are very happy we're back home.  Have a lovely week my friends.

"Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Blessings always,
Betsy

20 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about your Granddog Polly...they do steal away our hearts all those good dogs.
    I hope the smoke clears for you soon, we have some too...I hate it but what can you do? Turn on the AC and stay inside. Hope it rains all over the West and Canada soon:)

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  2. I forgot to say Happy Anniversary and many more!! :)

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    1. So sorry about Polly...heartbreaking. I know how much she will be missed.

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  3. Ohh.. so sorry to hear of Polly's passing. She was a beautiful and devoted dog for Piper and your daughter and SIL. Our little Buddy is 15 now and is getting blind and deaf and I am going to miss him terribly when he goes. I wish your air would improve.. ours has for now.

    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *A*N*N*I*V*E*R*S*A*R*Y*!*!* to you and Dennis!!

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Happy 40th! We are right behind you. We will be celebrating on 39th in a couple of weeks.

    I'm so sorry to hear about Polly. She looks like such a sweet dog. I love the car picture of Piper and Polly.

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  5. Sorry to hear that Polly died...and it's hard to lose a pet! Prayers for all! HAPPY 40th Anniversary! Amazing how the time flies, huh? I like your latest hat modeled by Larry the tardis man!!!HA! The skies were clear of smoke...mostly...and clouds and sun...love it these two days. Hopefully WA skies clear up soon. What, no young living cleaning supplies for you? I have thieves cleaner and like it! Take care my friend!

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  6. So sorry about all of the horrible smoke. That is so very sad... Hope you two stay safe... I also hope that you get to the lake soon since I know how much you love being there.

    I'm sure you enjoyed doing some RV shopping... When does Dennis retire? I'm sure you'll make some big decisions before then.

    Why don't you like Costco? We don't have one --but we have Sam's ---and LOVE it... We go to Sam's almost every week since their prices are so good, and we love their produce and meats.

    Love the expression on Dennis' face when you had him try on that cute little hat... ha...

    Have a great week and stay away from that smoke.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy, Thank you for the sweet comment today. Just have to let you know, that’s Larry trying on the hat. He’s our next-door neighbor at the lake. Dennis hopes to retire in about 3 1/2 years. That’s if we can find health insurance for me since I’m younger and definitely need it with my heart issues. I hope things are going well for you and you’re feeling better. Blessings, Betsy

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  7. Happy Anniversary!

    It's been smoky and hazy here, too. I long to see clear, blue sky.

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  8. So sorry to hear of the loss of the sweet pup. They do leave such a big hole when they leave us. I still tear up at the loss of my last two "babies" and my Zoe has been gone almost 5 years now.

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  9. Oh Betsy, so sorry for your loss. Dogs are just the absolute best. So sad. I am glad you two had a good week together no matter how smokey it was. Those poor people losing their homes to the fires, it is just horrible. Have a good week and stay away from the smoke.

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  10. The photo of Polly and Piper is precious...a sweet reminder and celebration of Polly's important part in your family. I care about your loss and pray for the Lord's comfort for you and yours.
    Your use of FaceTime is wonderful to me, and it is such fun to think of the cats appreciating it, too!
    Friday-Sunday Elisabeth's in-laws were visiting from Spokane. They were glad to have a break from the smoke since it has cleared from here...and get this...we have had misty rain here for most of the afternoon! I thank God for every drop! Your 40th wedding anniversary is worthy of many days of celebration! Happy Anniversary ๐Ÿ’ž๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ’žI admire your latest stitching and appreciate the verse you quoted as well ๐Ÿค—

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  11. So sorry to hear about Polly; losing a pet is tough, that's for sure. Check out the book Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant for Piper; it might help her feel better. Love those mittens and hat; you are so productive! Hasn't the smoke been awful, and I'm sure you've had it worse than here.

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  12. Losing a pet is so hard but yet when they are with us they give so much love and comfort. I am sorry your vacation plans did not turn out the way you planned. I have read something like make our plans but give God the eraser. That hat is so pretty and your little mittens are so cute. Hope your air clears up soon. Nancy

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  13. Oh, dear friend! I am SO very sorry for your and your family's loss of that precious member of the family. She looks like such a sweet dog, so loyal and faithful. Dear, little Piper! Bless her little heart ~ that is so so terribly heart-wrenching. May God comfort all of you during this grief. You will always miss her and never forget her. A BIG Congratulations on your 40th anniversary!! That is a wonderful smilestone. May God give you at least 40 more healthy and happy years together. So sorry to know you are still dealing with all the smoke. I hope it clears soon so you can get back to the lake. So happy to know you had a great week in spite of all.

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  14. So sorry to hear about Polly.....it's a heart breaker for sure. also sorry that you had so much smoke but glad you got home and away from it. What do other people do that live there? I know I couldn't afford to go live in a hotel for a month or more....so sad. Glad you and Dennis had a good week celebrating your 40th wedding anniversary! Congratulations! It's so nice to see a happy marriage that has stood the test of time.

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  15. I said some prayers especially for you last night. Not sure why, but you were in my heart. Hope all is well

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  16. Oh I know why. Yesterday was the anniversary of HUCKS death. And you are grieving your dog!

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  17. Wishing you a joyous 40th wedding anniversary this Saturday! May God grant you many more years together.
    So sad about dear Polly pup. Always hard to lose those who leave their paw prints all over our hearts. I pray God will comfort Miss Piper and her parents as they grieve Polly.
    Hope all of the western US gets some rain soon to clear the air and put out all the wildfires. Been a bad summer for our forests.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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