Help! I Need Travel Advice for Seattle and British Columbia

We're planning to take a trip to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and Seattle in late April to early May.


(Photo from Wikipedia)
My daughter went to the Butchart Gardens several years ago and told us that we absolutely needed to go and see it. She also said her favorite place to be in Seattle was Pike's Market.

We plan to rent a car at Seattle's airport and drive to Canada. We would then drop the car off after our tour of British Columbia and take public transportation in Seattle. We plan to be in British Columbia for 8 days and 4 days in Seattle. Does this sound feasible?

Any advice you can give us such as places to see and eat, scheduling, transportation, etc. would be helpful. We do have our Frommer's that we're starting to look at but if anybody has first hand knowledge, it would be so much more fun.

Line Dancing?

I can't believe I'm going line dancing! My friend, Joanne convinced my other childhood buddy, Diane and me to try line dancing. She insisted it would be good exercise and fun.

I remember a party with all my teacher colleagues in Illinois where many of them got up to do a line dance. They tried to get me up with them, but the thought of looking like a klutz in front of everybody was too terrifying. Still, I envied the fun they seemed to be having.

Well, I just had my third lesson last night. Our teacher is 72 years old and full of energy so I imagine the dancing must be doing something good. She mentioned that line dancing is good for therapy and Alzheimers. That's good. That's very good because I have a feeling doing crossword puzzles alone is not going to do the job.

Well... I have this problem of a wandering mind. I'll be concentrating on the steps and do almost fine and then my mind starts thinking my body can handle it alone and would just go off by itself on some other thought. This is when I totally go out of whack and throw myself off as well as anybody looking at me. I've already warned everybody not to look at me in case I cause a pile up.

On the plus side, it's getting a little easier. On the other hand I realize that I have this problem with a brain that has trouble staying focused.

I now know that I can't look for a job in a chorus line. Then again, if I'm back in Illinois and everybody gets up to dance, who knows? Maybe I'll join them...
Maybe...

Wine is Bad?

Did you all hear about the latest study on alcohol? Here's an article in the Irish Times. The Honolulu Advertiser and all the TV news stations are saying even one glass of wine a day could be harmful.

"A new study involving nearly 1.3 million middle age British women--the largest ever to examine alcohol and cancer in women--found that just one glass of chardonnay, a single beer or any other type of alcoholic drink per day significantly increases their risk of a variety of cancers."

Well gosh! My mom and I have been enjoying just one glass of wine a day with dinner. No more. Sigh...

Back to green tea...

The Way We Are (The Sequel)

This photo was taken by our very good friend, professional photographer, Dave Au.


Art and I are in the back. Our children Tiffany and Jonathan are seated. Their significant others are beside them.

There were several questions that were asked in the previous post so I thought I would answer them today.

What happened to Jeff and Susie?
Sadly, Susie returned to Madison, Wisconsin and after a few letters we never heard from her again. I know her family owned a Chinese restaurant in Madison. Whenever Art and I drove through Madison, we would wonder.

Jeff is still unmarried and we hear from him time to time.

Art's proposal?
His proposal was rather unexpected for both of us. We were together one evening and he said, "I think we should get married." I said,"OK."
He thought about it and asked for clarification, "So, are we getting married?"
I think I said something stupendously earthshaking like, "OK."
The following day I called my mom from work and told her I was getting married. She listened and said, "OK." I was surprised at how calmly she took it.

When I got home, the phone was ringing. It was my mother throwing questions at me without taking a breath. "Did you say you were getting married? WHO are you marrying? When are you getting married? Where is Art right now?"

I couldn't tell her that he was on a date with another girl he was dating at the time. As I said, it was all rather unexpected.

Where did we get married? Was it a large wedding?
We were married at the Nuuanu Soto Mission Temple. My grandfather was a zen priest and had ties to this temple. Our guest list was about 225 people. We had one of the most economical weddings of all my friends. The reception was held in the basement of the temple and food was catered in. We did have a band. A friend of ours took the photos. We sewed our own attendants gowns. My gown came from JC Pennys which I then loaned to my Maid of Honor for her wedding. The table decorations of bamboo vases and anthiriums were cut from their forests and greenhouses and flown in with relatives and friends from the Big Island.

What next?
Art convinced me to get my Masters in Education (just in case we moved from the islands). My mother was thrilled that I married a "local boy" because she was convinced that we would make our home on Oahu. Ironically, we moved to Chicago in less than two years while my brother married an Irish American and stayed in the islands.

Art separated from the Air Force (His next assignment would have been Greenland.) and went back to school to get a Master of Science in Public Health.

And then?
Art got a job with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago and I stayed home to raise first Tiffany and three years later, Jon until I went back to work teaching 1st grade at a public school.

My first impression of Chicago was how cold and bleak it looked. We'd arrived in late fall. I worried about prejudice from all the stories I heard. I worried about gangsters in every corner. One of the first people I saw as we entered Chicago was a fellow standing on the corner holding a violin case. I remember raising my eyebrows at that. Could a machine gun fit in there?

Art reassured me that people are people no matter where you go. There are always kind people and people with problems. He was right and we had a very happy home in Illinois for 34 years. It wasn't easy to leave the mainland but now we're back in Hawaii and building a life here which is another adventure we have embarked on.

The Way We Were

Caryn of Hollow Thoughts asked how Art and I met. Art has totally forgotten many of the details. I, on the other hand, wrote it down in my journal.

I was finishing up my degree in education at the University of Hawaii and had two summer roommates from Wisconsin staying with my buddy, Gail and me in our apartment. Suzie was a stunning young woman shorter than all of us but with bosoms that were probably larger than all of ours combined. Suzie got a part time job at a Waikiki bar and was constantly bringing home guys she'd met. Oh yes, on top of being rather "stacked" she was pretty and very nice. She used to complain that having a large chest was really a curse. We smiled and tried to sympathize.

Some time in late July, Suzie was at Waikiki beach swimming when her bikini top got loose. Well, there was a lot to hold up so I imagine her bikini top was not quite up to the job. Art happened to be at the beach with two of his buddies just taking in the rays. He says he NEVER saw a thing, but suddenly, his ever gallant friend, Jeff was sprinting toward the water to give Suzie a helping hand. I mean... locate that missing garment piece.

Jeff fell in love with Suzie but she eventually wanted to break it off because she fully intended to return to Madison where she happened to have a boyfriend. Of course...

I'm thinking Jeff was quite clever in bringing Art to our apartment to meet me hoping that Art would possibly like to go out with me so that he could tag along and perhaps see Suzie also. Suzie eventually returned to Wisconsin at summer's end anyway.

Meanwhile Art and I went out a few times. He was a captain in the Air Force working on a Top Secret spy satellite thing that he couldn't tell me about. And he never did until a book came out revealing the entire thing. Anyway, this was the Vietnam era when my dating an officer with a SHORT haircut wasn't exactly the most fashionable thing to do.

Jeff told me that Art had said he wasn't really interested in any sort of commitment at the time. Jeff reassured him that he had nothing to worry about since I was seeing somebody else also. Which I was. Later, a worried Jeff warned me that Art was seeing a couple of other women so I shouldn't get too serious about him either. Poor guy... I think he felt responsible.

It was too late. In January, Art and I were already engaged and married the following year. Jeff was his best man.

What did I see in Art? For one thing he had a car. Just kidding. I really admired the fact that he was so smart. I hated math and he loved it, being an engineer. The most important thing for me was that he was truly kind, loving, fearless and responsible. OK... so he was cute, too.

What did he see in me? He says he found somebody who would do his letter writing for him.

I don't know what it was. I don't think there were fireworks or a grand passion. It just felt right. The fire in our relationship was something that would build up from solid embers in the experiences of our shared adventures together.

Whatever it was... it worked and has worked for 36 years.

Remembering Icicles

I must be a definite Hawaiian local again now for sure. I'm sitting here in long jeans and a light sweater! I have always worn shorts and tank tops before while in Hawaii. The temperatures are now in the low 60s and I'm feeling cold. Sheesh! My daughter would be smiling at me now if she could see me.


All this is reminding me of last month's super cold weather in Chicago.



There were long icicles hanging from our roof. Art was fascinated with them. He was interested in how the drops were dripping to form the icicle and decided he would try to catch a drip. We were BOTH at the window trying to catch a drip. The neighbors would have thought we were crazy or had a LOT of time on our hands.


After awhile I noticed that the icicles formed some interesting shapes.


I rather thought this looked like a woman's form.



OK... So I have a rather fertile imagination....
Maybe it's because I didn't have many toys when I was growing up?

Too Many Toys?

Art and I walked to a garage sale up the hill from our house yesterday. There were a number of toys, but I was drawn to this cookware/dishware set for $5.00 that I thought KC would enjoy playing with when she came to visit this summer.

We brought it home and was washing it when my mother came in and admonished us that we shouldn't buy KC too many toys because it would stifle her creativity. I told her that I was also a teacher (She taught 2nd grade in Japan.) and have a pretty good idea what would and would not stifle creativity. She felt the kitchen set was too realistic and would not allow KC's mind to create its own fantasies. I still disagree. I think that you have to choose a child's toys very carefully to encourage free thinking. However, it doesn't mean they have to only play with sticks and stones.

It's funny but I think she keeps forgetting that we've raised two children ourselves who are very creative, independent and adventurous. Ah well, time will tell, won't it?

Irish Soap

A few nights ago, we were watching a Japanese movie with my mother. A five year old boy is sent away to be trained as a (samurai) vassal to his preteen Lord. It's based on a true story and the young actors on the show absolutely blew me away. How do you get these young children to memorize those lines and cry on cue? Incredible. Ahhhh... I digress...

Anyway, in one scene, the young boy's father visits his son at the monastery and tells his son how his family is all well but were proud of him learning to serve his master. The young boy had been treated to some candy and was eating his share but when he saw his father, he ran to him begging his dad to please give the rest of his sweets to his mother who he had been sorely missing.

That evening, the sweets were shared with the child's sibling but the mother took hers, carefully wrapped it and put it in her jewelry box.

This reminded me of the handmade soap that my son, Jon brought back with him from Ireland. Several years ago, Jon and his girlfriend were doing something called WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).

Here's what I found on the Internet about it:

WWOOF is a world wide network - It started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.

WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

Jon and Sarah loved their experience on Lambay Island in Ireland and met lots of friendly, wonderful people there. They loved the Irish people and enjoyed spending time doing a lot of different things including making soap from goat's milk. We cherished the special bars of soap he brought back for us to try that he had made with his own hands. However, we just couldn't bring ourselves to use them. We just wanted to keep it and look at them occasionally.

Last night, we gave my mother a bar to use and we used a bar ourselves. They are wonderful. It's hard to believe he actually made them. They seem more silky somehow and feel wonderful on your skin. I love using them. I have one little bar left now.

I think I'll keep it.

1 Down, 2 More Purchases to Go!

Well, we did it! We made the commitment and bought the sewing machine. Thanks for the gentle prodding, Amanda. I needed that.

We've dithered about for several months knowing I needed to buy a sewing machine but not being able to make up my mind on which one. Amanda asked me a couple of days ago if I'd decided on a machine, which got me determined to just bite the bullet and buy one.

The Bernina 1008 (mechanical) was expensive enough but... Good grief! Extended warranty coverage for 4 years was another $200.00. Argghhh! I know it's often unnecessary and we usually don't buy the extended coverage but in this case, Art said I should just do it so I don't have to worry about it. I'll have to try to use it a lot so that if I'm going to break it, I do it in the next 4 years. The salesperson says I have unlimited lessons forever. There was a nice sound to that.... (She gave me a free packet of jeans needles so that brings the cost of the warranty to $194.00!) $6.00 for a packet of 5 needles???? Can you believe it? Since when are needles so expensive?

We had three bigger cost items we needed to get. Now that this is finally over, we'll be looking for that teeny tinier car and a TV for upstairs. I wonder how long it'll take before we make up our minds on those things. I'm sure our kids would tell you that we're Master Ditherers so who knows when it'll all be over? Be ready for more dithering posts.

An extra THANK YOU to all you crafty seamstresses who gave me such great advice several months ago when the sewing machine dithering began.

Moanalua Garden Feathered Friends

Art and I had a day of errands today driving into Waikiki to bring some things for my son-in-law who is here on business and then a bunch of this and thats. In between the morning this and the afternoon thats we decided to have a little picnic lunch at the Moanalua Gardens.

The monkeypod trees there are absolutely beautiful and we were glad we took the time to stroll about the park and just enjoy the respite.


That's when we noticed the beautiful koi pond with a flock of ducks swimming and meandering about. I hadn't seen ducks in Hawaii much so I couldn't help but take a bunch of pictures.



I was crouched down taking a photo when suddenly this little cherub came up behind me and actually stood on my feet and pressed her cheek almost against mine to see what I was taking a photo of. She chattered away asking and telling me what was on her mind. It reminded me so much of KC that I wanted to give her a hug but instead I just spoke to her as a teacher and made sure her parents knew where she was.


I loved watching the ducks swimming lazily over the gigantic, colorful koi right beneath them. They seemed completely oblivious to the huge fish directly below them.


After a while the ducks got into a row and marched about before climbing right back into the pond again at which time we had to continue on our way...

What's In My Back Pack?

I was visiting Peggy of Meggie's Musings and saw this meme. I figure.... Hey, why not?

Here are the rules of the meme.

1.Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No you can't go into your closet and pull out your favorite purse. We want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.
2.List how much it cost. And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it,we'd love to hear it.
3. Tag some chicks and link to this page so people know why the heck you're showing everyone your bag or just tag yourself!

#1 Here's the only bag I carry now for everyday and for trips:


#2 I bought my very lightweight (good for travel) synthetic bag at the Samsonite Outlet store in Kenosha. Wisconsin. They were having this knock your socks of sale where I could buy the bag for (ARRRGGHHHH! I can't remember!) maybe $20.00, and get the 2nd one for 1 cents. So I've got two of these bags. The nice thing is there's a small pocket in front for my calendar, notebook, mints, pen, and tissues but the opening for the bag is really next to my back on the other side so that it makes it a bit more tricky for a thief to get into when it's on my back.

#3 I won't tag anybody but if anybody would like to have fun with this please go ahead.

Explanation of my contents:
1. nylon reusable shopping bags
2. calendar with photo of my family
3. hand wipes
4. coupon/gift card holder
5. purse
6. all kinds of cards (library, etc.)
7. camera
8. purse hook so I don't have to leave my bag on the floor at restaurants
9. cloth pencil case made for me by my crafty friend, Mavis
10. keys
11. folding scissors
12. mini flashlight
13. glasses
14. special wipes for glasses and camera lens
15. notebook
16. mints
17. medicine sack (aspirin, Purell hand wash, band-aids, safety pins, chapstick)
18. safe check writing pen, highlighter, thin point Sharpie
19. measuring tape
20. I don't have a picture of it but I do carry my cellphone.

And there you have it. You might see why I don't change bags all the time.

How Safe is This?

Now really... Don't you wonder how they allow this in Hawaii? There's a strict Click It or Ticket law here but darn if you can't have kids ride in the back of trucks totally unrestrained. We've seen quite a number of kids (grown-ups, too) riding happily in the back of trucks on the freeways and nobody thinks anything of it.

But dogs? Oh yes, they must be strapped in some way to the back of the truck. Does this make sense? I suppose some people would prefer there not being too many laws but this seems to be disaster waiting to happen.

I wonder if other states allow it, too.

UPDATE from Yesterday's GREAT ALOHA RUN:
Would you believe it? The race results were just posted and I added it to yesterday's post but I'm posting it here to make sure my son sees it.
Art's time: 1:22:22
Kay's time: 2:56:12
(Note for my son, Jon: What do you think of that, hunh? You were chuckling (or was that out and out laughter?) when I told you that my time was 3 hours and 13 minutes yesterday. You kidded me that marathoners often finished in less than 3 hours. Well, there you have it! My "racing" chip has recorded my time as UNDER 3 hours. Woohoo!)

We Did It!!! I Can't Believe It!

I'm still rather queasy after my unpleasant bout of stomach flu but there was no way I could not participate in the 25th Annual 8.15 mile Aloha Run which helps to fund 150 island charities. 20,000 people had signed up. My childhood friend, Diane and her husband, Dave and their kids had agreed to do the walk with us. Diane has a bad back and is not in the best of shape. She said that we could just walk until we felt we'd rather quit and then she'd call her son, Brandon to pick us up along the way. I asked her how long she felt her back would be able to last before hurting. She said, "An hour." Sounded like an easy day for me!


I asked my mom to take a photo of us as we prepared to leave the house. Hmmm... Considering the fact that my brother and I take tons of photos, my mother hasn't so it was quite funny to see her totally unable to figure out how to hold the camera to take the photo. This is the 3rd attempt.



One of the drawbacks to the race is that it starts at 7:00 AM. We had to drive to the Aloha Stadium and catch a bus into Honolulu by 6:00 AM. This meant we'd have to start out from our home by 5:00 which meant we'd have to wake up at 4:15 AM.

Here's a photo of Diane and Dave's family with a teacher friend of her daughter, Kristin.


The military jogged by us singing out their marching chants and got lots of applause and cheers.


The starting gate was a welcome sight. We felt like we walked an additional 3 miles to get from the parking lot to the stadium, to the bus and then to the starting place.


We ran, I mean walked past Honolulu Harbor.


We were surprised to see porta poddies so early in the race. No water. Just porta poddies with long lines.


Radio stations had set up cheering tents along the way. I'm not sure if they were broadcasting.


Very soon, we were at the 3 mile marker. I'm thinking Diane is bound to call Brandon any minute now but her cellphone is still in her pouch. My tummy is a little queasy but I'm doing fine. The weather is unbelievably in our favor.


At this point we began our walk under the H1 (Interstate Highway 1). Yes, it's called the Interstate but that's a whole 'nother story.

We were thrilled to be under the shade of the highway! And Diane is still looking good. Her back and feet are aching but she's not quitting. Well, if she's not quitting, how can I? My kids would never let me forget it.


It was fun to see the high school bands performing for us as we walked by!


And then.... unbelievably we came up to the 7 mile marker and the stadium was actually in view! We bumped into Claire who is the sister-in-law to another friend of mine. You can't do a big event like this in Hawaii and not bump into somebody you know.


And then...THERE it was! The stadium! Art was waiting for us in the stands. He'd run the entire way with a happy time of 1:22:22. We were very proud of our time which was 2:56:12!



The Finish Line was a very BEAUTIFUL sight! However the walk was not over.

I swear there was another mile added as they directed us toward a route to get our bananas, donuts, water and "Finisher" t-shirts.


We FINISHED!
Yahoo!








(I added a few more photos that Dave, who happens to be a fabulous professional photographer took for me while we walked together on the race. He just e-mailed the additional photos to me this Tuesday morning.)

Epilogue:
I was very sad to see this piece of news this morning.

HALAWA, Hawaii - A man who completed the Great Aloha Run on Monday died shortly after, event officials said.

The man was one of about 20,500 people who woke up early on Presidents Day to participate in the 25th Annual Great Aloha Run.

The man was sitting down in the parking lot with his eyes closed, spokeswoman Donna Fouts said. A "spotter," volunteer trained to spot participants in distress, walked over to the man and checked on him. He did not respond, the representative said.

Stomach Flu Blues

When we arrived in Chicago last month, KC was as sick as could be. I didn't catch her cold even though I often carried her. I haven't been sick in 4 years since I retired from teaching.

My son-in-law, Ed arrived from California for a computer job earlier in the week and was suffering from what he thought was food poisoning. I was suspecting it was more than that and sure enough, I ended up with the same MISERY on Friday!

I am signed up to do the charity Aloha Run tomorrow. Art is going to run the 8 miles. My friend, Diane, her husband, Dave and I plan to walk. Diane has a bad back and I feel as weak as a kitten.

Ah well... it'll be interesting to see who peters out first, Diane or me. I can almost make a sure bet.

Rust on Martha Stewart

Isn't this the pits? We bought this Martha Stewart STAINLESS STEEL dish rack just over a year ago from Macy's and used it on our second small sink. It's hardly ever used and LOOK at the rust! Arrrghhhh!

This was not a cheap dish rack!
I thought I'd give you all a head's up on Martha Stewart products. I looked on-line and I guess quite a number of people are upset about many of her products.

I guess I'll be thinking twice now before I buy her houseware stuff. Sheesh!

It may not look as nice but we went to the drug store and picked up a plastic dish rack today. Ah well...

This and That and Tornadoes, too!

Ironically, after only a couple of days, my son-in-law happened to have a computer job assignment on the island of Maui. He had a connecting flight through Honolulu so we were able to grab a leisurely lunch at Sam Sneads with him before he met his partner and continued on to Maui. He'll be back on Oahu on Saturday and we'll see him again for dinner. This is his colleague's first time in Hawaii so it'll be even more special.

When we returned home, my mother said a tornado had touched down in Kapolei. A tornado? I could hardly believe her. There were NEVER tornadoes when I was growing up. I thought that was a Midwest thing. Well... not that I doubted her but here's what I found on the Honolulu Advertiser website. Sheesh!


KAPOLEI — A tornado that stretched several hundred feet into the air touched down and ripped through a section of the Kapolei Golf Course yesterday afternoon, sending a course employee to the hospital and damaging the facility.

I'm still jet lagged. I get tired every night when I usually do my blogging and fall asleep before I can get very far. Sigh.

KC NEWS: Remember how she refused to call me Grandma? We tried everything but she wouldn't do it. The day after we left, Tif was on webcam with our son, Jon and KC pointed to a photo of me and said, "Grandma." How did she know I was really getting pretty partial to Gobby. I started to actually like the original sound of it. Now she won't call me "Gobby." Art is still "Papa." She's only two years old but I swear she's getting the best of me.

Return to Our Other World

Our farewells in Illinois were difficult. Neighbors and friends stopped by and called to wish us a safe journey, but amidst the sad hugs and smiles I focused toward the time when we would return for our next visit.



I walked around our house and said my goodbyes on Saturday but the evening was the hardest. I've told everyone that Tif would be fine but she wasn't. Seeing silent tears spilling over from her large sad eyes tore me apart. KC sensed the import of the occasion. I don't know how much she understood but she understood something. She threw herself into my arms and nuzzled her face into mine, smiling her happy, questioning smile. She reached for "Pappa" and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tucked away safely in her car seat, I could see her still waving frantically as their car drove off. "Bye bye, Gobby!" "Bye bye, Pappa!" I can still hear her.

Our flights to Salt Lake City, Utah and then connecting on to Honolulu International Airport on Delta Airlines was on time and pretty easy. When we got home, it felt strange and disorienting. The temperatures were 36 degrees F when we left our home at 5:30 AM. Landing in Hawaii, it was in the 70's. There was no snow. Everything was green! My turtleneck top became stifling.

My brother, Dennis picked us up at the airport and we got ready for our birthday celebration for my sister-in-law, Nancy. It was wonderful to see everybody again. My mother had prepared some of our favorite dishes and was happy to have us back again. Miho, a fabulous cook also prepared a tasty dish for us to all enjoy.


(This is a photo of Art, Dennis, Nancy and my nephews Cody and Barry with his wife Miho. My mother is seated next to Nancy.)

We made a point of going to bed as late as we could to get ourselves acclimated to Hawaiian time but I still woke up at 3:30 AM this morning. Since we'd been up nearly 24 hours yesterday, I imagine it will take us a bit of time to get back to normal.



It's a new day. There's a lot to do and then.... I'll be looking forward to seeing what you all have been up to!

Last Walk with "Papa"

Wouldn't you know it? The temperatures went above 50 for the first time since December 27th and we're leaving to go home to Hawaii. While I packed and organized our things, Art "Papa" took KC for a walk around the village since the temperatures were finally comfortable enough (for Chicagoans).

Poor Tif and KC. We leave the house to return to Hawaii tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM and Ed leaves for a three week business trip on Monday. Ironically, part of his trip involves being in Hawaii which won't be fun since he'll be up to his ears in work in order to return to Chicago quickly. KC has gotten so used to constant, undivided attention that it will probably be difficult at first.

I'm so busy that I can't think about how painful it will be to say goodbye for the last time. I hold her and kiss the top of her downy head and there's a sharp prick to my heart. But I can't think about this now. That will happen tomorrow...

Is Macy's Going Under?

Yesterday was quite a busy day! We're trying to tie up some loose ends and get the house ready for us to leave on Sunday. We spent part of the day at Macy's because Tif had a gift card she wanted us all to spend. The store is having some deep discounts and on top of that, if you were wearing red, they give you another 20% off! How can they do that? Tif bought a beautiful $60.00 sweater that was 75% off and then they took off another 20% because I was wearing my red sweatshirt. I don't know how they can keep doing these kinds of sales and still stay afloat. Wow!

Last night we were invited to a friend's home for dinner. Jiro is a (Canadian) prof at Northwestern and his wife, Ida (from Albania). I love having friends from different countries. It's always very interesting to get a different perspective on everything. Their adorable daughter Izzie, is a buddy of KC. It was great to see them enjoying Elmo together. I'm still trying to figure out this incredible Elmo fascination.


Today, we had lunch with our favorite Friday Lunch companions. We used to always have Friday lunches with Daisy (from Venezuela) and Alan at the cheapest restaurant we could find. That was our goal. Cheapest and Tastiest! It was our turn to pick this week. We decided on Joy Yee's. Not the cheapest... but a popular place near the Northwestern campus. Pad Thai was so so. My Vietnamese vermicelli egg roll salad dish was better.

Heating System Blues!

Yesterday morning, we were startled awake to KC's crying. When I got up to get her I found the temperature in house had dipped. The outside temperatures were in the single digits and KC was freezing in the cold house. We brought her to our bed and she quickly warmed up and went back to sleep.

We bought this new American Weathermakers system about 4 years ago and it is still not glitch free. At least once a month during the frigid months, the system somehow turns itself off. It's always in the dead of night. They've tried several things and told us to get a dedicated electrical line which we did but it still does this. It's aggravating!


He's coming back today to replace the circuit board. The technician doesn't know if that's the problem but he doesn't know what else it could be. He says these new systems are so sensitive that it could be an uneven power source leading to the house.

Excuse me? We've never had a problem before with the power source before we replaced our old system.

Arrrrghhhh! I feel guilty leaving for Hawaii without this problem fixed completely. Art says we'll just hope that the circuit board will cure the problem.

I'm going to bundle up KC now before the technician comes this morning to work on the heating system. Wish us luck!

Jelly Belly Day!

We set aside today to have an Outlet Shopping Day in Wisconsin just for fun. After all, we have to help keep the economy afloat.

We noticed that the road signs had indeed changed. Rod Blagojevich's name has definitely been removed.


We passed the Welcome to Wisconsin sign on the way to the Pleasant Prairie Outlet Mall but realized that we were about 15 minutes too early. We'd heard that there might be snow this afternoon so we left a little early.


Suddenly we saw a Jelly Belly Factory Tour sign and Tif mentioned that she'd always wanted to see what it looked like. Since we had time to play with, we decided to make a stop.


What a pleasant surprise! The factory had some fun displays for KC to see. There were a lot of Jelly Belly artwork. This picture of the Art Institute of Chicago is all done in Jelly Bellies. There were also Jelly Belly portraits of Ronald Reagan who put Jelly Bellies in the White House, Princess Diana, Elvis and other famous personalities.


The store was like a little Jelly Belly Disneyland. KC immediately smiled and could hardly contain herself just to see everything that was displayed. We never gave her a Jelly Belly but she loved seeing everything and was soon charging across the store.


You could sample Jelly Bellies at this counter. They said there were 50 flavors. I saw a flavor called Ear Wax at the store and thought of Harry Potter. No, I didn't sample that one!


The train ride was the highlight for KC who got to wear a Jelly Belly hat during the tour.


We weren't planning to buy any jelly beans but we couldn't help ourselves after that tour. Do you know the dark chocolate Jelly Belly really does taste like chocolate?

After this, the Pleasant Prairie Prime 1 Outlet Mall paled in excitement. Still, we did manage to get some nice buys. I bought several plastic pot scrapers. Art got a nice jacket.

Tonight, we've got a good friend bringing dinner over! This will be fun. We don't have to cook! Yahoo!