Home Again

We made it home after a lovely drive along the Columbia Gorge on Friday. It is a long trip when you’re coming all the way from the coast to Spokane, about nine hours, but we broke it up with several stops and so it didn’t seem quite so long.  We had breakfast at Pig N Pancake in Lincoln City before we began the long trek homeward. In talking with Teresa and Dayle at lunch the day before, we found out that they also enjoy breakfast there. Dennis loves the taco omelette. Since we had been good and eating our breakfast in our room every morning, we decided to treat ourselves to breakfast on the way home.

After a couple of hours we hit Portland traffic. Even though it was late morning, it was still bumper to bumper and took a very long time to get from the west side of town to the east side. Much of it was sitting at a complete standstill on the interstate.  It was a reminder to me once again that I don’t want to live in a big city like this.  Please excuse the bugs on the windshield. There wasn’t much I could do about it at that point.

We made a quick stop in an antique store in Troutdale where I bought a jade plant that I had seen the week before. I haven’t had very good luck with jade plants, but I’m going to try again. I will take a picture of it for my next post and show you this sweet little plant that I have since re-potted.

Then it was onto Multnomah Falls which many of you are very familiar with from Teresa’s posts. We were lucky enough to snag a parking spot this time. We have been here dozens of times, but I never get tired of seeing the falls.  Who is that person that needs to lose a lot of weight? I detest pictures of myself.

The falls were roaring from all of the snowmelt. Absolutely stunning.

Then, as the truckers say it was the “pedal to the metal” until we reached Washington state and the Tri-Cities where we stopped at 4:00 for a very late lunch, early dinner.  It was just a quick hamburger, but it sure did taste good.

Our view as we reach the outskirts of Spokane. My, that was a wonderful site to see.

While we were gone my flowering pear tree bloomed. I was so afraid I would miss it, as it is so pretty.

Just gorgeous.

On Saturday many of my family in Nebraska and Iowa, including Mandy and Piper, participated in the “Heroes Walk” in honor of my nephew Brian.

My sweet Piper walked all of the way.

Girl cousins!  Chaela, Becky and Mandy.

My brother Lynn, sister-in-law Val and niece and nephew Doug and Maureen. This is Brian‘s mom and dad and brother and sister. Notice the sign they’re holding it’s different than the one in the above pictures

They even sent me my own shirt to wear while they were all walking on Saturday. It has Brian’s firefighters shield number on the front and on one sleeve is my sister Melanie’s husband Mike’s name and our cousin Alan’s name on the other sleeve. They were both liver donor recipients while Brian was an organ donor.

I am so very proud of all of them for taking this opportunity to bring donor information to the public.

Saturday afternoon Dennis and I went to the lake and took the covers off of ours and Larry and Nita‘s trailers. We put the slides out and opened up a few things. Yesterday afternoon we went back and took some food, cleaning supplies and toiletries out and made the bed. We also cleaned up four overflowing garbage cans full of just pinecones from our spots. We didn’t even touch the pine needles! There will be a lot of cleanup this spring. We’re hoping to go up and spend the night on Friday. 

Larry just had knee replacement surgery a week and a half ago and so he will be unable to do a lot of the work this spring. Poor Dennis is getting the lions share of manual labor.

Of course my back did not cooperate and I was down with spasms most of the night Saturday night. To say this is getting old is an understatement.  There are so many people with so many more serious issues, that I try not to let it get me down too much.

Wishing you all a wonderful week. I’ve woke up to blue sky and the birds singing this morning, but it’s only 38°F out. It’s amazing how much blue skies can lift your spirits isn’t it?

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.”  Revelation 4:11

Blessings,

Betsy

Sea Time

Our time on the coast has gone way too fast and we’ll be heading home tomorrow.  But we’ve had a wonderful time.

We had lunch on Monday with fellow blogger Teresa, “Teresa Kasner” on my sidebar, and her husband Dayle.

We both took photos of each other at the same time!

We seemed to duplicate each other footsteps, only we were a day later than they were.  When I saw her latest blog post I realized we had done the EXACT same things.  Of all of the things there are to do and see here, that is amazing.

Apparently both Teresa and I love the Yaquina Bay lighthouse. The last several times we have visited it has been pouring down rain. We had a gorgeous day yesterday to see this beautiful area.

When you turn around and looked the other way, the architecture of the bridge takes your breath away.

Of course, no trip to the Oregon coast is complete without a visit to the Newport bayfront to see the seals. We spent at least an hour there watching them fight for spots on the docks. You could hear them barking from several blocks away.

We visited the beautiful Yaquina Head lighthouse.

We enjoyed reading about the history of the lighthouse at the visitor center.  We also bought our senior “America the Beautiful” pass while at the park. For the rest of our lifetime, we will have free access into all national and US forest service parks. Many other parks are included in the past. We think it will be well worth the money we spent.

The visitor center had these neat panels and all of their doors. You could even buy some of your own to take home if you wanted too.

This seagull was pecking on our door Tuesday night. He was back again Wednesday morning trying to get our breakfast. He seriously would not leave. It was a little bit freaky. We even closed the window because we were afraid he was going to come right through the screen. We were eating popcorn and Doritos Tuesday night and I think he smelled them.  He was a persistent guy.  Cute as he is, that beak is pretty strong.

 
We are meeting Dayle and Teresa in Depoe Bay in about an hour for lunch. Then we have to go home tomorrow.  My back has not cooperated well during this trip. If we do anything in the mornings, we’re stuck in the hotel room in the afternoon so I can sit in my rocking chair with my feet up. At least we have an absolutely gorgeous view out our window. Honestly, I have been very frustrated this week because I know there are a lot of things Dennis wanted to do. Typically when we come to the coast we do a lot of walking and hiking and I just have not been able to do that this time. I sure hope they get this figured out soon.

Here was the sunset last night from our room.  Stunning, isn’t it?

Thanks for coming along with us on our trip. Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday.

“Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”  Psalm 98:7

Many blessings,

Betsy

At the beach

Well, we made it! After the drive from Spokane to the Portland area on Saturday, we had dinner with fellow bloggers Gracie and Becky along with Becky‘s husband Phil. We had a wonderful time visiting and catching up.  Luckily the restaurant wasn’t busy, because we sat there talking for almost 3 hours!

We stayed the night at the Comfort Inn in Troutdale, Oregon where we have stayed several times. It’s a lovely hotel, very clean and comfortable and a great breakfast. We woke up Sunday morning and headed to church at Central Christian Church in Portland. This is the church Mandy and Brad were married in. We had an absolutely wonderful Resurrection day service there, and we also got to visit with friends we hadn’t seen in several years.

After church we braved the streets of downtown Portland trying to make our way to Highway 26 W. We were taking a new route because Becky had told us about a wonderful restaurant called Camp 18 near Seaside, Oregon. We thought we would have a late lunch/early dinner there. Little did we know that it would be packed with Easter diners. When we arrived about 2:30 in the afternoon we were told it would be a 3 to 4 hour wait! It looks like an absolutely wonderful place to eat and I think will try it again someday, but not yesterday! By now we were really hungry, so we got back in the car and drove on to the coast where we stopped at a little mom and pop restaurant in Nehalem and had taco salads!

When we rounded a turn where we had our first glimpse of the ocean, we stopped and took a quick picture.

Ahhhh!  Now this is what we have been waiting for. The smell of the salt air and the sound of the waves is wonderful. 

After another stop at the Tillamook cheese factory in Tillamook, and a brief stop at the grocery store for supplies, we arrived at our hotel/condominium in Lincoln city. Our home away from home for the week.

This was the view when we first arrived from our balcony.

And sunset a few hours later.  Some clouds, but still beautiful.

And now we’re off to do some exploring. I’ll try to check back in later this week.

“I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.” Jeremiah 5:22

Blessings,

Betsy

Good Friday

I just thought I would pop in quickly to say hello and let you all know I survived my nuclear stress test on Wednesday. I have no results yet but hopefully they will find that all is fine.  I must say it is an unpleasant test. I would rather do the treadmill. They had to poke me eight times before they finally got a vein for the IV. But it’s done now thank goodness.

I’m still waiting to see if the referral was accepted for the injection in my back, so no news there.  We are going to leave for the Oregon coast tomorrow and I’m determined to have a good time. I would appreciate prayers that my back holds up for the trip. Dennis needs this vacation desperately.

Neal and Jenny‘s daughter Sheila is staying at the house with Chloe and Frannie. She has house sat for us before and does a wonderful job. I think I am almost packed. It’s amazing how many things you need for a week away. The older we get the more stuff we need to take, as in medications, etc.

Teresa from the “Teresa Kasner” blog over on my side bar, is also going to be at the coast while we’re there. We are staying very close to each other, us in a hotel and Teresa and Dayle in their travel trailer. We have plans to meet up, hopefully several times, while we are there. We both enjoy Teresa and Dayle‘s company very much and are really looking forward to it.

I made a few purchases at Michael’s yesterday. Along with a new sock yarn that I have never tried before, I bought these little artificial plants. They were 50% off and then I had a coupon for 30% off your entire purchase, including sale items. I got two skeins of sock yarn and three plants for $14.22.  I think that was a pretty good buy. The plant on the far right is one I bought previously.

The yarn is bamboo, acrylic and polyester.  I think it should be fun to try this yarn and it’s very soft.

I’m wishing you all a most wonderful weekend. I pray that everyone remembers the reason we are celebrating this Holy Week.  It’s not about the chocolate, the bunnies, or the eggs. It’s about the crown and the cross. Without today, Good Friday, there would be no Resurrection Sunday.

It’s all about this...

And this.

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull, (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others- one on each side and Jesus in the middle.”  “ ‘Jesus said, “It is finished.’  With that, He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  John 19: 17-18, 30

And then, three days later!  The moment when man knew that what He had promised had taken place.

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know you were looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said He would.’ ”  Matthew 28:5-6

The ultimate price was paid on that cross for each one of us.  On Sunday we will shout and proclaim that He has Risen indeed!! Hallelujah!

Wishing you all a very Blessed Easter.

Love,

Betsy

It’s been awhile.

Hello my friends. I am back after a bit of a break. I tried to keep up with your blogs but didn’t comment very much.   I have spent the last seven days playing with my sister. We had a wonderful visit. Since we see each other so rarely, I decided to spend my time with her instead of on the computer. I know you will all understand. We didn’t do anything extra special. We spent lots and lots of time talking, no surprise there. :-). Dennis also took the day off last Friday and we went to the Bavarian city of Leavenworth, here in Washington state.

Here is the picture of Melanie and myself. It was a beautiful day in Leavenworth. The snowcapped mountains just added to the beauty. 

We also drove up Stevens Pass towards Seattle a few miles so we could watch the river rushing down the mountain with snow melt.  There is a wonderful candy shop just a few miles up the pass. Of course we made a stop there and bought chocolate!  No surprise there either! Ha!

There was a beautiful horse drawn carriage giving rides around the town.

Other than that, we just ran errands, watched some videos and movies on television and just spent time together. The week absolutely flew by. I took her to the airport this morning and I have to admit, we both cried as we hugged goodbye. I miss our family. Living in a beautiful part of the country is wonderful, but family is important. It’s worth leaving these beautiful mountains if it means being close to them.

I did get some knitting done while we visited. So far I have 48 mini Christmas stockings done.  I just started the multicolored skein of yarn. I like how they look.

I also made some dish cloths for Melanie and her daughter, my niece Chaela.

Piper had excitement last week too. There was a father daughter dance at school. Don’t they look nice?

We are leaving on Saturday to go to Portland, OR Saturday night and then we will go out to Lincoln City, Oregon on Sunday. Saturday evening we are having dinner with Gracie and Becky who are “GrandmaBeckyL” and “...One Saylors Log” over on my side bar.  Another blogger, Taci, may be joining us. She is “Tacistudio” over on my side bar, but she no longer blogs, although she does have an Instagram account. We will miss Teresa who is “Teresa Kasner” over on my side bar, because she won’t be in Portland that day. However, a little birdie has told me we may still be able to meet up. More on that later.

We will stay in the Portland area on Saturday and go to church where Mandy used to attend when she first moved to Portland. We know several people there too and we’re looking forward to celebrating Easter with them all before we drive out to the coast.

I can’t even express how excited we are to be going to the coast. It doesn’t sound like the weather will be great, but we don’t care! It has been several years since we were at the ocean. We both love to just sit and watch and listen to the waves break upon the shore. It calms our souls. If we do nothing else except sit on our balcony and watch the ocean and have at least one bowl of fresh clam chowder a day, we will be happy people! Ha!

Thank you for all being patient with me. I don’t think I’m going to have a chance to actually read each and every post I’ve missed, but I have read a lot of them and I will try to keep up again from here on out.

A referral has been sent to another neurologist regarding my back so I’m in a holding pattern there. Tomorrow morning at 7:00 I have a nuclear stress test on my heart. I don’t anticipate them finding anything wrong. I think it’s an over abundance of caution on my cardiologist’s part.  I am glad that he is concerned and takes preventative measures rather than waiting until something happens though, so I won’t complain.

Larry had knee replacement surgery this morning. After I took my sister to the airport I went to the hospital and sat for a couple of hours with Nita until he was in a regular room. Once I knew he was doing alright I left to come home and get some laundry done. She just texted me and said they have decided to keep him overnight.

Everybody needs to get healthy quickly because May 1 we are allowed back up at the lake. We are planning to open up the camper that first weekend in May. I must admit, I’m getting excited to be back in my little trailer.  It’s been such a cold and gloomy spring that I haven’t been as anxious to get out there as I normally am. Hopefully the weather will clear up once May arrives.

Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday afternoon. Thanks for being patient with me.

“Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35

Blessings,

Betsy

April Showers

After a run of several warm sunny days, April showers have set in for the next week or so. That’s OK. It means spring is here and everything is getting watered so that in May we will have beautiful flowers. :-)

I was supposed to go today for the consultation for the Botox injections in my back, but I had a phone call yesterday telling me that she doesn’t do them. What?! I have waited four weeks for this appointment and the day before, they realized what I was going in for? Crazy! Considering the injections person works for the Doctor who prescribed the injections, it’s even crazier. He doesn’t know that she doesn’t do those injections? So now I have been referred out to another doctor for the actual injections. I wonder how long it will take to get an appointment there?  Just continuing on with this saga......

I have been busy though. I ended up taking 18 dishcloths to the church kitchen on Sunday. I have made two more and have another on the needles. I made a magic ball with all of the tiny, tiny leftovers. It makes some interesting looking dish cloths.

I also started a scarf called the “quick lace scarf,” by Kristen Mangus. You can find it on her blog “goodknitkisses.com” on the March 15, 2019 post.  Vicki over at Stitchy McFloss on my sidebar told me about it.  It’s an easy 20 row repeat with worsted weight yarn.  I added 2 stitches to each side of the border and I also slip the first stitch in each row to try to minimize curling.

A closer look at the pattern. Sorry about how washed out everything looks this morning. It’s pouring down rain and the skies are very dark which makes the lighting very bad.

I went to a baby shower on Sunday and I had a blanket, sweater and hat that I had knitted for her, but somehow I lost the baby socks! I have no idea what happened to them, so I plan to knit a new pair today to give to her next Sunday.   Thankfully, they are a very quick knit.

One of the crafting podcasts I watch is called “Makers Haven.”  It is by a young woman called Amber Crawley.  She knits and dyes yarn along with homeschooling her children and she has recently published a book. I read it yesterday in just a couple of hours. It’s a fun and entertaining fictional book. She’s now working on the sequel and I’m looking forward to reading it when it is published.  I found it on Amazon and if you like light, fictional reading I think you would enjoy it.

Our church hosts a community Easter egg hunt every year. I always volunteer to fill eggs with candy and Monday I filled 147 eggs and taped them shut. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was a very time-consuming endeavor.

There was a family wedding in Omaha on Saturday that we weren’t able to go to, but Mandy sent us some pictures. Here is Piper with two cousins teaching her how to “clog.” She had the time of her life and had to be carried out because she was so tired at the end of the evening.

Mandy and her Grandma, Dennis‘s mom. Mandy was the first and only grandchild until Jamie came along several years later. She and Grandma have always had a special bond, and I’m glad that they are living close to each other again.

It’s hard to miss all of these fun family events but maybe someday we’ll be closer and able to take part in them.

Sorry for the blurriness of this one but I just love the expression on Piper’s face.  This is Grandma, Dr. Kayla, as Piper calls her, (a niece), and Miss Piper.  Kayla is the one who helped me so much with my back when we were visiting Omaha last summer.

Live on Nebraska is the organ procurement organization in Nebraska. For the month of April most of my family have posted photos of my nephew Brian who died unexpectedly earlier this year.  They are trying to bring awareness of the need for organ donor‘s. This is a photo of Brian, on the right, and his older brother, my nephew Doug, in their firefighting gear. When Brian passed, his organs were able to help save the lives of four people and improve the quality of life for over 100 others.  We are all proud of Brian and the way he lived his life so selflessly, even in the end with this final gift. Would do you think about doing the same?

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed week. 

“And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Blessings,

Betsy