Water Anyone?

Ok- in about 3 weeks you will have pictures of grandbaby to look at- but I couldn't resist this one.

I think we should stay on the DARK BLACK lines on the map

We haven't figured out yet, even after all these years, which is better, to have Mary navigate and Jim drive, or visa-versa. Anyway, one day last week we were driving to Anne & Nate's, and Jim made the very wise comment. "I think we should stay on the dark black lines on the map for awhile". This was as I was taking what I thought was the quick way across town. Then last Sunday, coming home from trying out an "interesting" church (more on that later), we came across the above sign.
Driving here is a challenge, although I do appreciate the fact that almost EVERY street has a number instead of a name. Brier seems to be the only town around here that has real street names. Bothell is splitting the difference by posting BOTH the numerical name (ie 225th St SW) and the original name (Jackson Way or whatever) But then, the numbers don't really help a lot when 196th turns suddenly into 44th or something.

Another thought about the northwest, or any metropolitan area on the west coast, why is it that liberals have to plaster bumper stickers all over their cars? Are they trying to protect the paint from the sun, and thus no more hydrocarbons will escape, and they will save the planet?

35 Years!!

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" Song 6:3
Yep- 35 years ago today we were married. Our wedding picture is still packed, but I found this one from our "pinning", about 1 1/2 years before we were married. Thank you Lord for such a husband! I feel truly blessed.

File this under "Moving"

Sorry for the delay, but moving in has been a time-consuming process! And exhausting! These pictures were taken Sat., 6/14. Our wonderfully helpful daughter and son-in-law, who came up and did all kinds of fun things--- starting with directing traffic on our road, as the Brier police informed Jim in no uncertain terms that we would have to have someone directing traffic if the moving van was to stay parked there. Hmmm- guess no one driving down a straight, relatively flat section of road on a clear day, at the posted 20mph (ha ha) could see that there was a BIG truck in the street and they just MIGHT have to slow down to see if anyone was coming the other direction. So Nate spent a good part of the day standing in a very wet (this IS the northwest) ditch holding a red pendaflex folder marked "STOP". It was the only red thing we could find in the boxes as they came off the truck! Anne marked off numbers as items came off the truck. We all traded off and on with these tasks from 10 until 4.


The 2 movers, Carlito (who drove way too many hours from Ripon with drops in Portland and Seattle) and Paul were good natured-- some "interesting" discussions were prompted by the labels on the boxes of Jim's books. Carlito: "This box says 'Occult'- what is that about?" Anne: "you know- cults like Wicca, witches, that kind of stuff" Paul: "I don't want to TOUCH that!-- wait- here is a box of Bibles- that should protect me if I carry them at the same time."
We were able to tell these friendly pagans the truth, and we are praying for them both.













So while the movers were asking "where's this go" etc- and we were rapidly coming to the conclusion that we have WAY too much stuff, I was in the kitchen making a cherry cobbler for our Father's Day celebration with Ken, Sherri and Nate's sister, Kristen. (The California cherries from Jan and Randy are a real hit here! ) It was really more fun than these pictures indicate- I think we were all tired. The Ellis' (Sr) brought some great steaks, and Anne made the rest of the dinner. We are enjoying having the barbeque right off the kitchen on the deck! And I love the light-filled eating area, complete with a HUGE table that seats 8 easily. (seems to go with the house- the 1st owner left it for the people we are renting from, and they are leaving it, too.)
So we are here- figuring out where stuff got packed, and settling in. Plus getting lost a lot- but I will let Jim explain that one.

North To Seattle, Part Deux

Dear readers, as we left you, we had departed our beloved Ripon for the greener state of Washington. All went well, and we explored the exciting sensory pleasures of Interstate 5 from Manteca to Lynnwood, WA with an overnight stop in Albany, Oregon. Anne and Mary had the added joy of 2 cats as fellow travelers. Little Henrietta was a perfect companion, with her favorite perch being on top of the driver's seat, watching cars go by, or chewing on Anne's hair. Daniel, true to his fraidy-cat demeanor, spent the trip jammed under the passenger seat. But at least he was quiet. (a morning dose of a controlled substance prescribed by the vet sure helped). We enjoyed NPR foodie shows on Anne's ipod. We also saw some interesting sights....
an old bar in Yreka named "Jolley's" !
Jim and Josh had the added enjoyment of seeing the scenery at a leisurely pace. (Josh offered to put one foot out of the truck and push it up one hill). That, and the entertainment provided by ipods and games on cell phones (guess who), got them through any rough patches. But had it not been for the slow speed, Josh would not have gotten the full impact of THE COW (steer?) along side the highway between Weed and Yreka. Anyone know which one? What IS wrong with that cow, Josh?
Friday morning we got an early start, and after the usual forgetting-something-important-in-the-motel-room and driving back to get it (that is really why you drive across town to find a Starbuck's), we were on our way. Jim and Josh arrived at the house before the women-folk. We were at the local Fred Meyer stocking up on supplies. Sure glad Anne was so good at "Oregon Trail" as a child- plus she sure knows her way around a Fred Meyer grocery store! Nate met us at the house, helped us unpack, as did his parents, who live in Everett, about 15 minutes away. Thanks, Ken & Sherri!

Josh had a relaxing rest of the weekend with Todd & Tricia Lawrence (formerly of RGBC), while we spent Saturday with the Abbott and Costello of moving men. Guess you earned it tho, Josh-- you were SOOO patient!!
Part 3 tomorrow.

North to Seattle: Part 1

Some of us had an easier time during the move than others... Part 1 of the saga below.





The caravan left Ripon Thursday morning and arrived Friday afternoon in Brier, WA. We didn't have to toss out too much over the passes, but Josh was sure he could walk to Washington faster than that truck made it up the hills. And I thought we got rid of lots of stuff! It think it multiplied on the moving van. And we had to load and unload the rental truck at 2 complete times, and 2 partial times, before we even left Ripon. It seems Jim, Ryan F., Tyler K., Nick E. and John R. put about 2,000 lbs too much on it the first time, so Anne, Mary & Jim sorted through and offloaded boxes of books. But we didn't get enough off, so we took more off. The weighmaster at Flying J was on a first name basis with Jim by 11PM Tues. night.
Wednesday morning dawned with high hopes of a quick loading by Bekins. However... "never believe a moving company salesman when he says there will be no problem getting a LARGE truck down a SMALL road."

So--- we UNLOADED the rental truck, with the help of the Enserinks, and got 2 extra loaders from Bekins (ca-ching $) and they used the smaller truck to get everything to the bigger truck parked on Olive. Thus went the day-- until 4 PM. But in between loads, with all the waiting, Tyler K. did exciting things like try to bash gophers.
5:45 AM Thursday, we were on the road- after some difficult decisions about what we could fit into the car and truck.
Jim asked "don't they have nurseries in Washington?"

Jim and Josh in the rental truck pulling the Volvo. Anne, Mary and felines in the Subaru. Some were better travelers than others.



Tune into Part 2 soon to get the rest of the story!

Coffee Mugs and Blessings

Moving twice in 3 months puts your life in perspective. How many coffee mugs do 2 people REALLY need? But they each hold some memory: the "Le Chat" mugs we have had since we were first married. The "New York" mug that Elizabeth brought us before 9/11, complete with a picture of the World Trade Center towers. The "Manchester NH Police Dept." one. (thanks, SEARCH). The "Mary" mug that was my mother's. Powell Books, Portland. Peet's coffee, and on and on. So, no, I didn't get rid of any of them. Lucky we are moving to the coffee capital of North America. Guess we will use them.

We have such wonderful friends here- yesterday was a wonderful farewell dessert at church- so many loving sisters and brothers in Christ came to say goodbye. We will miss you all SO VERY MUCH! Looking around the room was such a reminder of how these people have been such an important part of our lives for so long. You have prayed with us through cancer, the loss of a son, the joy of 2 weddings, and now a move. The Lord knew we needed you for all those years. And we will continue to pray for all of you, as well.

Thank you, dear friends!