tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60459418943840302742024-02-18T23:50:35.554-07:00Flights of the ValkyrieValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-51282284770920925402012-01-18T09:39:00.004-07:002012-01-18T10:24:45.679-07:00Product Review: Almond YogurtI've been eating soy yogurt & granola as part of my breakfast for a few years now, & now that more dairy alternative yogurts are showing up on the market I thought I'd give them a try. First up: almond milk based yogurt.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbSmqcWI6fE/Txb_8yxcscI/AAAAAAAABn8/gi5Vi0jYsvg/s1600/amande.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbSmqcWI6fE/Txb_8yxcscI/AAAAAAAABn8/gi5Vi0jYsvg/s200/amande.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699023798370349506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I buy my yogurt in the big tubs since I eat so much of it, so I figured I'd start out with 24 oz tub of plain 'amande' brand cultured almondmilk from my co-op. When I opened up the tub it was a big solid mass sitting in clear-ish liquid. I was clearly gonna have stir up this entire thing before I could use any of it. It did not come out very smooth, kind a chunky, almost the consistency of cottage cheese. Wait, I brought my nose closer for a sniff. It smelled like cottage cheese! And yes it tasted more like a non-dairy approximation of cottage cheese than of yogurt. I did not look forward to my morning bowl of 'yogurt' & granola for the next two weeks.<br /><br />I recommend the plain flavor of amande as a cottage cheese substitute. It will give you that consistency, smell & slightly tangy taste. This product could easily be re-branded as such, especially as I have not ever seen a non-dairy cottage cheese on store shelves. Perhaps the vanilla flavor would approximate ricotta? I hope the individual serving size containers stir up to that chunky consistency so that I won't have to buy a big tub the next time a cottage cheese craving hits.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-88323411610361602492011-12-20T12:05:00.004-07:002011-12-20T13:21:47.778-07:00This Vegan Thing, is Totally HappeningIt can be so frustrating, but it is paying-off big time!<br /><br />Let me start at the beginning. In December of 2007, with lots of encouragement from my long-time-vegetarian-for-health-reasons Mother-in-Law, I took the plunge into vegetarianism not sure how long it would last. I had been meat averse for a long time but never taken a firm commitment to the diet. A vegetarian co-worker of mine was excited for me & very encouraging. She mentioned that the first 6 months was the hardest, so I figured I'd stick with it that long & see how I felt about it in June. I stayed vegetarian for three and a half years.<br /><br />This summer as I was preparing for my first trip to Europe (many more blog posts on that trip to come soon) I decided that I wanted the ability to experience new cultures through their traditional cuisines. So, I slowly began adding meat back into my diet. I had heard horror stories of vegetarians accidentally being fed meat & becoming rather ill. As I was not raised vegetarian & I still consumed the occasional preferably white only egg & home-cooked salmon, I figured my digestions system still contained the proper enzymes & what have you, in order to prevent that from happening. With the exception of a week long rash after consuming who knows how many different kinds of seafood at a sushi bar, I was fine. I actually did not eat as much meat on the trip as I thought I would & was able to maintain a mostly vegetarian diet, while enjoying some traditional foods. More importantly due to my earlier experiments I was able to travel worry free about consuming, say a soup with hard to translate ingredients & becoming sick.<br /><br />When I came back to the states I was not sure how my diet would proceed. Although I am not sure why it surprised me to learn this, I discovered I simply found the taste of most meats disgusting. I decided I would stay mostly vegetarian but enjoy the occasional meat I enjoyed such as bacon, or a slice of pizza that also happened to be topped with say pepperoni. One thing I would do while vegetarian, based on a fear of food illness, was refuse a taste of something my omnivore husband offered, simply because it had touched a piece of cooked meat. No more. I felt free to sample things that I wanted to taste without fear of digestive retribution. My decision was bolstered by reading "The Omnivores Dilemma" by Michael Pollan which confirmed that semi-vegetarians could live just as healthily as strict ones. (Although I feel the need to make the statement here that Mr. Pollan's book was not my only source for coming to the conclusion that this could be a healthy lifestyle for myself. While I HIGHLY recommend the book to everyone, it is not the end all be all on the subject of diet.) Then, the incident occurred. I was eating a seemingly innocuous<span></span> slice of Hawaiian pizza, when what should I sink my teeth into? A bone chip. That was it. My ass is now much more firmly placed on the vegetarian wagon. Yes I will, occasionally try a morsel of something new, but I will no longer be ordering non-vegetarian meals at restaurants.<br /><br />Now we come around to the vegan part of this tale. I have had a milk allergy for most of my life, my sister, and if memory serves, brother have it as well. In the past several years it has been growing steadily worse & I have done the bare minimum to avoid its consequences. You see I have always had a massive fondness of cheese. This grew when I met my husband & he introduced me to that fact that there are WAY more than 5 types of this particular nectar of the gods. Finally I had to say enough is enough, and I decided to give semi-veganism a try for 30 days. I would not cut out dairy completely, but cut back large quantities at one time. No more cheese or cream heavy dishes, no more meals consisting of wine & cheese, no more cheese & crackers for a between meals snack. I thought that this massive reduction of cheese would allow me to enjoy our pizza & movies 1 night a week with friends. It made it worse. So, I had to cut out pizza all together. I didn't realize how much cheese & dairy I had been consuming until I wasn't anymore. I think that the vegetarian diet especially, is heavy on cheese. When you go to a nice restaurant the vegetarian option is usually something rich & creamy like risotto. or vegetable lasagna. I think that many vegetarians consciously or unconsciously think that because they aren't eating meat they are eating healthier & therefore are allowed to consume more dairy & still be healthier than the average American.<br /><br />So what was my conclusion after the 30 days? I didn't even notice that the 30 days was up. I just kept finding ways to reduced the dairy in my diet. How do I feel? I feel much more energetic, as if my body isn't wasting energy trying to consume something that is making it sick. Kinda obvious I know, but sometimes I can be so stubborn it takes doing it to see I can. How do I look? So fine! I had been at weight loss plateau for about six months. I am now within three and a half pounds of my end of year goal! In the foreseeable future, I will not be a strict vegan looking for animal byproducts in everything I eat & use but just eliminating the big sources of milk products like cheese, cream or butter based sauces, soups, and desserts; that sort of thing. Now that I am a semi-vegetarian, semi-vegan, weight loosing, high energy machine, I'm looking forward to how this new commitment will affect me.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-75915155394391538482011-05-31T21:40:00.005-07:002011-05-31T22:07:16.664-07:00My WW1 Connection.Yesterday was memorial day and today I decided to see what I could find on my Great-Grandfather's Service Record from World War One. Vernon Vain Veysey was less than a week from turning 23 years old in 1915, and thought the US was taking too long to enter the Great War. So, he took a trip across the border into Canada and up to Calgary. After just seconds on the webpages of Library and Archives Canada, I found his enlistment papers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, which he signed exactly 96 years ago today.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwJDZ87V5htZ2DBd8OWETW1KG73LPrkFTHZ1GLmjJi2vOZIxv14R-HxBPiY6XJgUkJ5ZNr1hjffVRPamKO_kc-22b83y0ChYLSmlGASlt7xWcAsaUAQA7ETZfJ_Nsa4e_v9WB2fJhoXg/s1600/VernonVainVeysey+side1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwJDZ87V5htZ2DBd8OWETW1KG73LPrkFTHZ1GLmjJi2vOZIxv14R-HxBPiY6XJgUkJ5ZNr1hjffVRPamKO_kc-22b83y0ChYLSmlGASlt7xWcAsaUAQA7ETZfJ_Nsa4e_v9WB2fJhoXg/s400/VernonVainVeysey+side1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613111268522276722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kbk-0aJF3eypMQ6-OcNzu6bmGb47N3kKlHNDowOKcfLkff46FBF88lO5avl_nvLqRr5iZ_Y9jbnjaY2uuyYUVp-chjwUqS-JnRR1ILWh9zdxBsELzSgTOVKGvHtPcvAPqWW_Ufa2X7E/s1600/VernnVainVeysey+side2.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kbk-0aJF3eypMQ6-OcNzu6bmGb47N3kKlHNDowOKcfLkff46FBF88lO5avl_nvLqRr5iZ_Y9jbnjaY2uuyYUVp-chjwUqS-JnRR1ILWh9zdxBsELzSgTOVKGvHtPcvAPqWW_Ufa2X7E/s400/VernnVainVeysey+side2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613111258289575394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There it all is, in his handwriting! I want to take thank the staff at Library and Archives Canada for taking the time to digitize these documents in order to give not only the citizens of Canada but also of the world the opportunity to feel closer to history & to their families, whom they may never had a chance to meet.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-931824106581148602011-05-11T12:25:00.001-07:002011-05-11T12:25:26.517-07:00Setting up my Worm Composting Bins<div align="center">Yesterday I set up my worm bins for vermicomposting. The first thing was to find suitable boxes. I choose wood.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605302924122199010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQONRafa6g3q5qrcs7RUkqymxxjZaFRNV7Bo2O1Pgidu4drjmvYJz_TYmiUanY5ZqQTxQtC_V8rec8MBp5TahoBlI_OhvUqQ4l1IJxmMqPlBOQSw74HPaCgaM46ugc6TQlvk7mGK2V7DY/s400/IMG_2724.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">I found these lid-less wine boxes for 10 bucks each on craigslist. I bought 6. I don't think I'll use them all for composting but I got them while I could. I am starting with 2 & will probably expand to 4 & use the extras for planters.<br /></p><br /><p align="center"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605304384695586194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKqk9034PRL5Gp8YXfgBYS8KElPr4EvaTe9AMiQX7WkQpLXYchYtJI1vJOO9Zpven7BQLp_jjFySx7qFvpO625fFKOiSkyZRDu-dQt2JfGEN1LBfyLH8-2hnWOzZNEfWJh0hYVcbEFy0/s400/IMG_2714.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">The next thing I did was add some wood dowels in the corner to reinforce & protect them. I also had to drill holes in the top to allow for air circulation. I used coconut coir as the bedding. I soaked the brick in distilled water in order to protect the worms from chlorine.<br /><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLnOcmJ4cYbm6Zg41N1frO_WAUTd7EGf8-yI0flIOa-FQtyvzzZJNHTjaLY3iLOyCKfs0U8yiBCUEKoKSDmjWObQysNdxMu6wjgpIp_qY08WqXWSmKYxF6QoShrRubKWKxRLv-ua2Vhg/s1600/IMG_2718.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605310276853767138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLnOcmJ4cYbm6Zg41N1frO_WAUTd7EGf8-yI0flIOa-FQtyvzzZJNHTjaLY3iLOyCKfs0U8yiBCUEKoKSDmjWObQysNdxMu6wjgpIp_qY08WqXWSmKYxF6QoShrRubKWKxRLv-ua2Vhg/s400/IMG_2718.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center"></a>In go the worms! <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Eisenia fetida</span> to be exact. </p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605539884626567458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziuV5ijq6t7Jp6XQx-octIOVDQ-QKnzcr0239iPUrOWT5Uksck6cluRs18jAYFW0Rkmpf9-B_OiYZnY9BLNVFjuKJMNvWEfso5HpX3zL7Ecmh5iyJr631evHsVREgxfN6FYKgg-_Nkec/s400/IMG_2726.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Here they are all stacked up with the lid on top. For now my strawberry & herb starts are weighing it down, but I'll have to find something else & soon, since I'll be potting them this week.<br /><br /></p>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-15015213744488480972011-04-11T22:07:00.006-07:002011-04-11T22:32:10.742-07:00What to do....<div style="text-align: center;">I went to the fabric store today after dropping off my sewing machine for its annual check-up. I was looking for fabric for a specific project. I didn't find any, instead I bought this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAlZ6Via7gAk_rFYz_IuSTS0Xx8pkJzv75t6p8DiZwn8DivP-X9NwdV6B2mlmnVIgucZbx3Oxn9l4nPD9CcE3jZslNs8slCZhkmaaQVDcGKKtpRuj-Cm-xDzbS_lOws7r41qTKynUeLw/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAlZ6Via7gAk_rFYz_IuSTS0Xx8pkJzv75t6p8DiZwn8DivP-X9NwdV6B2mlmnVIgucZbx3Oxn9l4nPD9CcE3jZslNs8slCZhkmaaQVDcGKKtpRuj-Cm-xDzbS_lOws7r41qTKynUeLw/s400/IMG_2665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594564595015494018" border="0" /></a><br />14 fat quarters bundled up all pretty and matchy-matchy. I have no idea what to do with it: Quilt? Skirt? Something else?<br /><br />I bought it as an exercise in stretching my design muscles. I always get an idea in my head & have to find fabric to match that mental image. I do not buy fabric without a predetermined project or pattern in mind.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't plan on actually executing this project anytime soon, too many UFO's in my brain and in my workroom. It will be fun to see what unfolds.<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-30737135799183759892011-03-17T12:47:00.006-07:002011-03-17T23:31:03.652-07:00Massanet's Don QuichotteThis past weekend I attended my first opera: the Seattle Opera's production of Don Quichotte.<br /><br />This version is not based on the novel penned by Cervantes, but rather on a play first performed in 1904 and written by the poet Jacques Le Lorrain. This explains the french spelling of the name and why a Spanish story was performed in French, with English subtitles. Massanet began composing the operatic version in 1909 & it debuted the following year.<br /><br />My familiarity with the story stems not from reading the novel, nor had I even heard of this adaptation, but rather a viewing in my early teens of the Man of La Mancha (1972) starring Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, and James Coco. 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="">é</span>e not as a tavern wench Don Q has imagined as a courtesan, but as an actual courtesan.<br /><br />Side note: I have always thought Peter O'Toole one of the most handsome men in cinema & adore all the movies I have seen him in, and yet I find the beard he sports in the beginning of this film combined with his piercing blue eyes especially swoon-inducing.<br /><br />The use of a live horse & donkey in the opera was astonishing. The sets were confounding as they consisted of literally larger-than-life books & quills in ink bottles. The infamous scene where Don Q fights the windmill he perceives is a giant relied on imagination & familiarity with the tale. The humor injected in the script was barely funny, and the love expressed was lackluster. This production seemed to need a mix of extensive knowledge of the story and its history and yet at the same time complete ignorance in order to be thoroughly enjoyed. Perhaps they were trying to appeal to the widest audience possible. However, despite this strange mix of good & bad aspects, I did have an enjoyable time. This was due in part I most confess to my pre-opera dinner, the champagne, the wine & the brownie. But on a serious note I do appreciate all the time & effort that goes into a production like this by all the cast, crew, orchestra, & other support staff.<br /><br />Something that bugged me during this opera was the lack of movement by the 'crowd' on stage. Maybe this stems from the fact that I was raised attending and performing ballet. I look forward to attending Mozart's The Magic Flute in May and finding out if this is a normal trait of opera or if this one was particularly 'stiff'.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-59104823698761572902011-01-20T22:28:00.003-07:002011-01-20T23:14:44.226-07:005K Personal RecordOn Saturday December 18th 2010 I set a personal record. I ran the Santa Runs Tacoma 5K in 26 minutes 29 seconds. It was my second race ever.<br /><br />Ben came with Rachel and I to act as cheering section and photographer. Which is truly saying something as he is not a morning person. Thanks so much honey! I love you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBlaOdDiB1A9D0ma3UNRUDugwv7qfcZWfvkbxPG5Ceog6nbtatLDXCnsyNGmIIdsjWCExDIq1A2s8vFAbUb9VHPysHdfroRzmB3ET23VO83Ur_VrGwEd7_6a0XPzGfyMIN00bagEg2Qw/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBlaOdDiB1A9D0ma3UNRUDugwv7qfcZWfvkbxPG5Ceog6nbtatLDXCnsyNGmIIdsjWCExDIq1A2s8vFAbUb9VHPysHdfroRzmB3ET23VO83Ur_VrGwEd7_6a0XPzGfyMIN00bagEg2Qw/s400/IMG_2519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564513456383200290" border="0" /></a>Here we are at the starting line, waiting with nervous excitement for the go signal.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXb-lfOM_c5vTcWTAaWW_kiatrFDBwY5nC0Nzd_CYLUtxrn6yNFx9fqZC_BseGsCnf9sqGeNT0JYRsPbVci3sGt4PgSyr1TYqZQ5BY99B_l0XWktqrVhhG0DcHUNVBK3hlhImo00Txf38/s1600/IMG_2525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXb-lfOM_c5vTcWTAaWW_kiatrFDBwY5nC0Nzd_CYLUtxrn6yNFx9fqZC_BseGsCnf9sqGeNT0JYRsPbVci3sGt4PgSyr1TYqZQ5BY99B_l0XWktqrVhhG0DcHUNVBK3hlhImo00Txf38/s400/IMG_2525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564513459417666114" border="0" /></a>You can see the head of the pack running up the hill as the race gets underway.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZA_0-rwio_7go0rLD27SAP5tzvhjGH5zIPJOGeFh_YcvZT1KdTzHmLVRpr6ZSpn-L1TFvwOvX0nT9nHjWSuVsc1Q73agEhXTJjOCf7HIdUuCCjNofTYPFlrYzZ6IUGA-IJF_3O0oW7E/s1600/IMG_2531.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZA_0-rwio_7go0rLD27SAP5tzvhjGH5zIPJOGeFh_YcvZT1KdTzHmLVRpr6ZSpn-L1TFvwOvX0nT9nHjWSuVsc1Q73agEhXTJjOCf7HIdUuCCjNofTYPFlrYzZ6IUGA-IJF_3O0oW7E/s400/IMG_2531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564513470648907170" border="0" /></a>Just before I reached the base of this hill I shot like a rocket to the finis line. I had planned on doing so at the bottom of the hill, but something came over me before that point & I just booked it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwGDmBX1zGEQj0dNtwhcOyeaHiK3OymFw2UwSBJia7pUfpv4aZW6S7UC9mdB0G1tO5Gx9kjwE_f7sbJTN2CeRy-TozXFhM8_VRmhC_4vPsa-D6BM7dvdx0Oi9dcxyxuvYcHrQbRpBQ20/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwGDmBX1zGEQj0dNtwhcOyeaHiK3OymFw2UwSBJia7pUfpv4aZW6S7UC9mdB0G1tO5Gx9kjwE_f7sbJTN2CeRy-TozXFhM8_VRmhC_4vPsa-D6BM7dvdx0Oi9dcxyxuvYcHrQbRpBQ20/s400/IMG_2532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564513476920569010" border="0" /></a>It turns out, if I hadn't booked it when I did, I wouldn't have run this race a full two minutes faster than I ran my first 5K the Sunday before.<br /><br />I look forward to running a 5K again in late 2011 to see how much faster I can run this distance.<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-48793865511760238312011-01-01T14:42:00.005-07:002011-01-11T01:02:16.735-07:002011: Goals for a New YearYesterday I assessed how many of lasts years goals I met. I did pretty well. Now it's time to write my list of goals for the new year.<br /><br />1. Run the Beat the Bridge 8K & beat the bridge.<br /><br />2. Run the Bank to Bay 10K.<br /><br />3. Speed up to 10 minute miles.<br /><br />4. Run a 5K in under 30 minutes.<br /><br />5. Plant some herbs and a container garden.<br /><br />6. Blog more, at least once per week.<br /><br />7. Read More Books & blog my review.<br /><br />8. Practice music 3 times/week.<br /><br />9. Have dog well trained on the leash.<br /><br />10. Learn something fun and new, like skiing.<br /><br />11. Improve posture.<br /><br />12. Get down to 120 pounds.<br /><br />13. Finish kaleidoscope quilt.<br /><br />14. open Etsy shop.<br /><br />15. Re-learn garment making & finish at least 1 clothing item for myself.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-24458618267997218132010-12-31T13:18:00.003-07:002010-12-31T14:13:48.894-07:002010: A Year in ReviewOn January 1st I set some goals for the year. Now it's time to look back on them & see how many I achieved:<br /><br />1. Compete in at least one 5K run.<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> Yes, in fact I completed 2 in December the first one I blogged about <a href="http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-first-5k-run.html">here</a>, & I will be blogging about the second one soon.</span><br /><br />2. Finish cross-stitch project. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yes, the finished product can be seen <a href="http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-cross-stitch-update.html">here</a>.</span></span><br /><br />3. Make working on my quilt a regular part of my routine (once the cross-stitch is finished). <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yes, I have begun sewing regularly in September, and I hope to finish my first soon.</span><br /><br />4. Workout consistently. Run/Cardio 3 days/week. Relax with Yoga on off days. <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yes, I now run 3 days a week. & I do yoga on occasion.</span><br /><br />5. Practice music 3 times/week. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No, I was really good about this earlier in the year but recently not so much.</span><br /><br />6. Take swimming lessons. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yes, I took lessons for one session in August but I didn't get into the following session, so I haven't done any swimming since.</span></span><br /><br />7. Set up long-term savings account by March 26th, 2010 (Update 3/26/2010: Ben and I have a plan, but need to save a couple thousand more to implement) <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yes, got this one taken care of.</span></span><br /><br />8. Have dog so well trained she can be off the leash. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No, we just let her out in the yard or play with her to burn off energy so she hasn't been for a walk in some time.</span><br /><br />9. Learn something fun and new, like skiing. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Yes/No took a quilting class but not much else.</span><br /><br />10. Make my life and home greener. Reduce plastics, buy more things second-hand, eat local, eat organic, plant some herbs and a container garden. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">& Not yet, but currently doing research.</span></span><br /><br />11. Read More Books:<br /> 1) The Jungle by Upton Sinclair<br /> 2) Buy-ology The Truth and Lies About Why We Buy by Martin Lindstrom,<br /> 3) The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, <span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="btAsinTitle" style=""><br /> 4) Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has <br /> Never Seen</span></span> by Christopher McDougall (Audiobook)<br /> 5) Numerous comic books<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Hmm, I'm gonna call this a fail, as 3 books, 1 audiobook & some comic books isn't very much for 1 year.</span><br /><br />12. Blog more, at least once per week. <span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">This makes my 25th post this year, Last year I only posted 13 times. So while it is an improvement, almost double the amount it is not once a week. This is gonna count as a half point.</span><br /><br />13. Become more Fluent in French, reading, writing, and conversing. <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Well I have been working on my foreign language skills, but Spanish instead of French, Ben is supposed to be working on his French </span><br /><br />14. Improve posture. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No, I haven't really consciously been working on this.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Accomplished: 8</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Unfinished: 4</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">Half & Half: 2</span><br /><br />I have found that having this list to check & reassess throughout the year has helped me reach & remember these goals.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-84913699254916013662010-12-21T21:02:00.004-07:002010-12-21T21:46:33.790-07:00My First 5K RunI ran my first 5K fun run on Sunday December 12th at the Seattle Jingle Bell Run. It's put on every year by the Arthritis Foundation & this was the 26th year. Seattle's is the largest Jingle Bell run in the country & about 12,000 people ran it this year.<br /><br />I got up that morning at 4am & the stomach butterflies started almost right away. I left for Rachel's at 5am we drove to downtown Seattle and breakfast at 13 Coins. I had the french toast. Yummy! We made our way to Westlake Center to pick up our packets & change for the race.<br /><br />Seattle was experiencing a rainstorm and the streets were slightly flooded in spots. We reluctantly left the cover of the sidewalk awnings & made our way to the middle of the street & the starting line. Thankfully most of the race was run on the covered I-5 express lanes. However, the worst part of the race was not the rain. It was the walkers & strollers. You would get stuck behind the walkers and have to maneuver your way around them. The runners pushing strollers had to start during last wave & many were pushed by obviously elite runners. They would mow you down from behind with little or no warning.<br /><br />Despite all this I turned in a finishing time of 38 minutes 59 seconds. We stretched in the Westlake Center as stores were opening and shoppers were showing up for the day. Overall, I felt a little disappointed in my first race. It wasn't my time, but the dodging the huge crowds of people that made the experience lackluster. The biggest lesson I learned from this race was to avoid races that allow strollers, walkers, & tend to register more than 10,000 participantsValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-48796024358396216642010-12-13T15:45:00.007-07:002010-12-13T16:04:16.957-07:00Kaleidoscope Quilt: More FabricFor the past few months I've been work hard on the quilt I first started at a<a href="http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/2010/09/quilting-class-new-tool.html"> class I took in September</a>. I have decided I am going to arrange the blocks on the diagonal with lattice work in between the blocks.<br /><br />On Friday I went shopping for fabric to make the latticework. I found a beautiful green fabric to use at Material Girls in Silverdale. I also stopped at one of my favorite stores: Rochelle's Fine Fabrics in Port Orchard. They had the perfect stripped fabric to use as the border. I bought enough for the quilt back as well. However, I think I may change my mind and save it for a future project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXaS7xBogQO6dXGKOs5y02XJbyKHY6AIfsbUEgR4UlhP2uYW7BtTmjXlHt6i5FfbhjBIU-SUS6-aP1eiC6MLXbBEhHxqN7jWvVvR6sQDgR29pNhvQjim6sUuiK4ZBf_NP73r3n00nItQ/s1600/IMG_2517.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXaS7xBogQO6dXGKOs5y02XJbyKHY6AIfsbUEgR4UlhP2uYW7BtTmjXlHt6i5FfbhjBIU-SUS6-aP1eiC6MLXbBEhHxqN7jWvVvR6sQDgR29pNhvQjim6sUuiK4ZBf_NP73r3n00nItQ/s400/IMG_2517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550305646557877810" border="0" /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-17007753738269813512010-10-23T22:14:00.002-07:002010-10-23T22:28:22.598-07:00Return to WA, Day 7The last was spent driving from southwest Washington to our new home in Port Orchard, WA, and unpacking the car.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NMedqiYEONaL1jPBKhJ4tAFtSq4jnXmUKRumZ9b8osPjSjRqZaaaLdkkSeEc5-R_crgNFnu3_mavZP72gdhmWy0HNTVkJKKtpfhgkVk0pqplZEmG3Nxjm4CHNvO7VJ_AVhXCF7Zx5G4/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NMedqiYEONaL1jPBKhJ4tAFtSq4jnXmUKRumZ9b8osPjSjRqZaaaLdkkSeEc5-R_crgNFnu3_mavZP72gdhmWy0HNTVkJKKtpfhgkVk0pqplZEmG3Nxjm4CHNvO7VJ_AVhXCF7Zx5G4/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531477209304574354" border="0" /></a>Crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, once called 'Galloping Girtie'<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEg2bGMmI55eu00mS5Rz9_ThkPBGfysPtJEfKFJDn4mGra3YR3x8XwFOXmgvBRzQAy1QZyYAHJRQa5ZFlwNWAcTY43Avixf9QSHguPOjL0lGICKrs8XfpEwMDeRhuSq_riFh9Eurgqd4/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEg2bGMmI55eu00mS5Rz9_ThkPBGfysPtJEfKFJDn4mGra3YR3x8XwFOXmgvBRzQAy1QZyYAHJRQa5ZFlwNWAcTY43Avixf9QSHguPOjL0lGICKrs8XfpEwMDeRhuSq_riFh9Eurgqd4/s400/IMG_1113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531477210013401922" border="0" /></a>Looking across the water at Bremerton Naval Base.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOqwZkm-3NyMJRspB8_T3gjAEx_DdkULl8e8jTEZwahjWSUsAYiWNcrWbaDJz228as3XY6qj8SyKSvIaSwhP9qAsMGO_43VEJmXWSo4siCPApkT7RaA26bvPJKbUagj1bJ2JchBBqkdM/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOqwZkm-3NyMJRspB8_T3gjAEx_DdkULl8e8jTEZwahjWSUsAYiWNcrWbaDJz228as3XY6qj8SyKSvIaSwhP9qAsMGO_43VEJmXWSo4siCPApkT7RaA26bvPJKbUagj1bJ2JchBBqkdM/s400/IMG_1157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531477214831869090" border="0" /></a>That night we took the Southworth-Fauntleroy Ferry to West Seattle & spent the night celebrating with friends.<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-59169780281279874392010-10-22T09:23:00.000-07:002010-10-23T22:06:44.214-07:00Return to WA, Day 6We drove from Newport, OR to Battle Ground, WA on the 6th day. We were headed to spend the night at my parents house & go through some things. The Pacific Ocean was grey & blue & green and the sky was so gloomy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyhrcxqemmjeGsbb6lO703Gc-7IZ9hHRgNo1VNphx3sInr_dwaSXu4KlzgxmPGif3GVD-CWr5W-jKMzgMsLYnCwP1_sBJdDTohodDPPUhJGWmvjPAl-vwcqwMPr5mfFhVXGNoHs_FRf8/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyhrcxqemmjeGsbb6lO703Gc-7IZ9hHRgNo1VNphx3sInr_dwaSXu4KlzgxmPGif3GVD-CWr5W-jKMzgMsLYnCwP1_sBJdDTohodDPPUhJGWmvjPAl-vwcqwMPr5mfFhVXGNoHs_FRf8/s400/IMG_1064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531469845569753858" border="0" /></a>Eery trees<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We stopped at a small town & took pictures of the Ocean:<br /></div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rbC8NuYCU5xnBztKR3AJTfTYZa_GGbS6IIf-NhFAK0_ES05_-0llBVJ7PXTdw5zZeug3_dBInDs_79MEm9vb6Z1b22rj4VncsfUCM-Q8dfjM7_g0uqXM-cYxWaAsi1Yqy_p5EZADcLw/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rbC8NuYCU5xnBztKR3AJTfTYZa_GGbS6IIf-NhFAK0_ES05_-0llBVJ7PXTdw5zZeug3_dBInDs_79MEm9vb6Z1b22rj4VncsfUCM-Q8dfjM7_g0uqXM-cYxWaAsi1Yqy_p5EZADcLw/s400/IMG_1069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531469851553478258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEIXeg37UPXpkIru624jbGLf0TjJR0dOVAwiYpWhCp-GEppdLo7q9ElzIEozaJfH_wxeP7px5M4FrKBw1WIvR5rovtPvogwkieOvVzOFfyFEyfptSWSPcg81Gpl58vVqt5a8KcVw6zoE/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEIXeg37UPXpkIru624jbGLf0TjJR0dOVAwiYpWhCp-GEppdLo7q9ElzIEozaJfH_wxeP7px5M4FrKBw1WIvR5rovtPvogwkieOvVzOFfyFEyfptSWSPcg81Gpl58vVqt5a8KcVw6zoE/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531469854650784114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLymjs17jyyTRMYaWbrOYhSKix1Ld2oXebKb2dETUTHr3m7rC48d6lU9_eU5OhCY_iFoaOh_WD78LlS4j6shtx8gpOFhtnQ2MQN4Vna1IhkzqU6hfE0mMnuvJzEBrZgh8PEsFiKmc0YU/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLymjs17jyyTRMYaWbrOYhSKix1Ld2oXebKb2dETUTHr3m7rC48d6lU9_eU5OhCY_iFoaOh_WD78LlS4j6shtx8gpOFhtnQ2MQN4Vna1IhkzqU6hfE0mMnuvJzEBrZgh8PEsFiKmc0YU/s400/IMG_1081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531469863150974354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaaH-j4DYFpS9_13oa6tlBrRP0BeQF427pEt71txy0yEUPRGdGxY4vLyEIkgWYIuW-xahlBOikz5KwqKc3juV5deiJIp-iwi6SnH4AVPnttdMKlAGnye2FWKXK5g6NS632C1wuyXSJhw/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaaH-j4DYFpS9_13oa6tlBrRP0BeQF427pEt71txy0yEUPRGdGxY4vLyEIkgWYIuW-xahlBOikz5KwqKc3juV5deiJIp-iwi6SnH4AVPnttdMKlAGnye2FWKXK5g6NS632C1wuyXSJhw/s400/IMG_1089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531469868881147474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a 1 second film we took of the waves while fooling around with the camera: hope it works!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQ4lKma0fnJk4gNo4H3srOuyN9xw5eO2mwEpma-v6y_ZtQnm5nGcUY5vCh5il1RRTYv6cs7UK8USAcW7jt-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-89790247352217256532010-10-21T16:51:00.006-07:002010-10-21T19:34:24.377-07:00Return to WA, Day 5Day 5 we drove from Eureka, CA to Newport, OR. It was a long day, lots of photos. I had a hard time picking just a few:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRXjThO6xPNiKw78MVSzPONxYLPDsf2-HfYqTTTSNfICZ-184TzJYf0kU59XRT7kuIgXfOQd-l8PMgXTt3ujsT5nBeZFs9zfoEIfelUJPZiJx021qs5qN6sIFNgHo1z_RslpB6Nlp7FI/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRXjThO6xPNiKw78MVSzPONxYLPDsf2-HfYqTTTSNfICZ-184TzJYf0kU59XRT7kuIgXfOQd-l8PMgXTt3ujsT5nBeZFs9zfoEIfelUJPZiJx021qs5qN6sIFNgHo1z_RslpB6Nlp7FI/s400/IMG_0931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530660935785059986" border="0" /></a>I looked forward to seeing Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox the entire trip.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJL2h-19JYlTv8vDw4N2Swa9pfkICgFZvFa_2vZX2AEYM59hNXE5p31TQ1jmQrVVJXRwWFz-Y4PA_7xAH2KFWmQRJq0sYC9BI5OGyEBIVOaGGf3TXUbhWh59nlkoKPmgsn4aek0kn4DM/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJL2h-19JYlTv8vDw4N2Swa9pfkICgFZvFa_2vZX2AEYM59hNXE5p31TQ1jmQrVVJXRwWFz-Y4PA_7xAH2KFWmQRJq0sYC9BI5OGyEBIVOaGGf3TXUbhWh59nlkoKPmgsn4aek0kn4DM/s400/IMG_0933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530660944325645810" border="0" /></a>It's sad to see how faded they've let the plaque become.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyCRk-InSusTfY4a1tZ9B10oPK282CPgrEwMtPrxEh5FfoPag2rnpH2HuX8Luqu6MywEtBrY9XQ_y7Y9XwTepfwLGrsWDW8WdYKZo8-Hcv_fNuFD_mptzP4iSnHGVEMg6lCMoSIUjGg/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpyCRk-InSusTfY4a1tZ9B10oPK282CPgrEwMtPrxEh5FfoPag2rnpH2HuX8Luqu6MywEtBrY9XQ_y7Y9XwTepfwLGrsWDW8WdYKZo8-Hcv_fNuFD_mptzP4iSnHGVEMg6lCMoSIUjGg/s400/IMG_0932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530660938628939154" border="0" /></a>Ben & River<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TMDa1ksiYNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/384XXBmzLvs/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TMDa1ksiYNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/384XXBmzLvs/s400/IMG_0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530660956329369810" border="0" /></a>So tall!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlkRunOM0geJ5kRqWuF6x3PiCzUSBx1PbFptRC62S_HzpHxWq451Nh2jsU9CR50jaNI5mrOi2L13y2t2V_U1KxPxYnwe7ANjBrd34OKuZTpN-Kua9XcZucXVHbnNE8ZP2SqZrVshHqyY/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlkRunOM0geJ5kRqWuF6x3PiCzUSBx1PbFptRC62S_HzpHxWq451Nh2jsU9CR50jaNI5mrOi2L13y2t2V_U1KxPxYnwe7ANjBrd34OKuZTpN-Kua9XcZucXVHbnNE8ZP2SqZrVshHqyY/s400/IMG_0940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530660965291136818" border="0" /></a>A closeup of our little family.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzeotWbb0gi2lT81fhja34DG0DRfCX3uCZH58GHaUaBr1THQcnDXUjfYSWuI1Qem6hPyJfhBuEPKMC0KBAWu-IJ8EBfxT-KFWL_FIeGYosAu5r0v-yUKWLaHziGdbbPYVFIxMupRRXMo/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzeotWbb0gi2lT81fhja34DG0DRfCX3uCZH58GHaUaBr1THQcnDXUjfYSWuI1Qem6hPyJfhBuEPKMC0KBAWu-IJ8EBfxT-KFWL_FIeGYosAu5r0v-yUKWLaHziGdbbPYVFIxMupRRXMo/s400/IMG_0941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530662921262347042" border="0" /></a>Me & River<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTf-LB4kyLPeIX_7FFWxvMEWqFzy_qDpLKrXImloHGaJILU5xQA5O5sCfZklRxnpja2VsxMVOtPQIVd0aaQTSP2qkYTEc9JkEa7hmCY0bqUEzt57xZcx4-jtblIN7WD0y58QbXs0CbqE/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTf-LB4kyLPeIX_7FFWxvMEWqFzy_qDpLKrXImloHGaJILU5xQA5O5sCfZklRxnpja2VsxMVOtPQIVd0aaQTSP2qkYTEc9JkEa7hmCY0bqUEzt57xZcx4-jtblIN7WD0y58QbXs0CbqE/s400/IMG_0954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530662932136311378" border="0" /></a>The Northern California Coast<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpmJWH34k9QTdwrGdw9qIA6cubcQnwm8tb1h4Nvfxags8W55ZUHL8yPxJlPr2I0jsEHWpIii2MtfdQtOnox1ha5Jv8TAHniZTG9yJD00Ic6mtfPzqq3LLFsbTda68EhdNkMMVVnN1TC0/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpmJWH34k9QTdwrGdw9qIA6cubcQnwm8tb1h4Nvfxags8W55ZUHL8yPxJlPr2I0jsEHWpIii2MtfdQtOnox1ha5Jv8TAHniZTG9yJD00Ic6mtfPzqq3LLFsbTda68EhdNkMMVVnN1TC0/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530662941604723906" border="0" /></a>1 state left<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFUE5F5M6huBZC0SUQ2ykcNhcAZDNwQwOoxHlkv2k3A7kXJU0JhZvwz7-wXQBGS-5XAmZ3tQkNvc2L_FpoxSdofJvPSFWmGYZAqgtrwJXZ229YRJlqevqO_zZZJUy25pXKuLRa5C-51E/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFUE5F5M6huBZC0SUQ2ykcNhcAZDNwQwOoxHlkv2k3A7kXJU0JhZvwz7-wXQBGS-5XAmZ3tQkNvc2L_FpoxSdofJvPSFWmGYZAqgtrwJXZ229YRJlqevqO_zZZJUy25pXKuLRa5C-51E/s400/IMG_0968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530662947363391938" border="0" /></a>the mist was so beautiful<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBTHSIWgfYlj38kzGj8kGOfzh3jsVBgG4hBXQ_o2GM7JpIFA0kb0eLw_rc6WLkcpXYqLsVI7X8pbRsm0snA0F50ZwWZzkAe__OwmsrnnEJL7HD9BMO-n5phJOGPkASaEfOATDdiMREko/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBTHSIWgfYlj38kzGj8kGOfzh3jsVBgG4hBXQ_o2GM7JpIFA0kb0eLw_rc6WLkcpXYqLsVI7X8pbRsm0snA0F50ZwWZzkAe__OwmsrnnEJL7HD9BMO-n5phJOGPkASaEfOATDdiMREko/s400/IMG_0974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530686490492135170" border="0" /></a>look at how calm that pool is<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmnZ2snwxYIDP5y2PzxCb__t7aoftX6UIZAbtQE9GktpsTzucQlTmvCzC2SaObm_J8F31hLn5wDRVxE0Soos2XOcJvITzli4E5iu51UhMYl6MNhfgqpj8GCxZb8R4J0eDWy5KnmSax90/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmnZ2snwxYIDP5y2PzxCb__t7aoftX6UIZAbtQE9GktpsTzucQlTmvCzC2SaObm_J8F31hLn5wDRVxE0Soos2XOcJvITzli4E5iu51UhMYl6MNhfgqpj8GCxZb8R4J0eDWy5KnmSax90/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530686493557435042" border="0" /></a>We saw this random T-Rex statue, it kept us laughing for a few miles.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzYpBzHrsDAzy1WVDUWc1lZJCiZmlCwIMxx56cN0mfQJ_6rJSramPnAXV4V_KbX1t1CinCKOV_3LmOEHocWU03vTnP61AgrxBxiTiOH5g9WCksXmSCeNFLlPZM9GuO7GtTL6BK7wJBcs/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzYpBzHrsDAzy1WVDUWc1lZJCiZmlCwIMxx56cN0mfQJ_6rJSramPnAXV4V_KbX1t1CinCKOV_3LmOEHocWU03vTnP61AgrxBxiTiOH5g9WCksXmSCeNFLlPZM9GuO7GtTL6BK7wJBcs/s400/IMG_0999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530686503789820258" border="0" /></a>Pretty fall colors on fun windy roads.<br /><br /><br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-82233210683837411472010-10-20T15:02:00.003-07:002010-10-20T15:16:11.020-07:00Return to WA, Day 4On day four we Left Ben's family in San Fransisco to see my sister in Eureka, CA<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TL9nqXjejPI/AAAAAAAABJg/lKwGzSu6mhU/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TL9nqXjejPI/AAAAAAAABJg/lKwGzSu6mhU/s400/IMG_0887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530252845009243378" border="0" /></a>Caught the dog in the middle of the yawn<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWPhFEa4rgusKWH6KvRqGxn4iO1itszsXrKt2-aHH-3QpPF4WwmB_ZdTbwra-3WZ1auwk7GRrIW9SlH6HIgsw68G_QGcYDctppk2ZbqCiIJeLsRdzIqoyoarAOt_42P-Vh-G3R3i4gCE/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWPhFEa4rgusKWH6KvRqGxn4iO1itszsXrKt2-aHH-3QpPF4WwmB_ZdTbwra-3WZ1auwk7GRrIW9SlH6HIgsw68G_QGcYDctppk2ZbqCiIJeLsRdzIqoyoarAOt_42P-Vh-G3R3i4gCE/s400/IMG_0891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530252850329658850" border="0" /></a>Driving through wine country<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmUfzW1MWhnkQdEX-zdJkOAmCuODrC1gkCsuZsGMvtyZW_ZXxQI-UFDSwBsqlA6fqLey5_ltUWlbnDGovfItU5surf1HzAOlPnEB2Cbigi_QYDOfOO4HKvKOkDFuMh54M3VMDPSQ8yIM/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmUfzW1MWhnkQdEX-zdJkOAmCuODrC1gkCsuZsGMvtyZW_ZXxQI-UFDSwBsqlA6fqLey5_ltUWlbnDGovfItU5surf1HzAOlPnEB2Cbigi_QYDOfOO4HKvKOkDFuMh54M3VMDPSQ8yIM/s400/IMG_0900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530252856679502178" border="0" /></a>Trees!!!<br /></div><br /><br />It was a short day for us. We ate dinner at my sister & her husband's and spent time with the nephews.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-70056829680834211732010-10-19T14:22:00.004-07:002010-10-19T14:44:14.955-07:00Return to WA, Day 3On the third day we headed up to Navato, CA to stay with Ben's Aunt Mary& Uncle Brett. We passed through San Fransisco and took a bunch of pictures. Here are the best ones I got of the city's iconic landmarks:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vTVG2vL_0dzH5SX2E03FRvFk7HLF38Y8q_DU_s76NYjgaC524xLNtj3cUzSADkNzNCxFXOJbCrRm47NMXTN0pkJzF-88UUNIBfCLtmTGwA3TQWPWlq0D7xzaW9qxRNiG5_nMsM79tho/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vTVG2vL_0dzH5SX2E03FRvFk7HLF38Y8q_DU_s76NYjgaC524xLNtj3cUzSADkNzNCxFXOJbCrRm47NMXTN0pkJzF-88UUNIBfCLtmTGwA3TQWPWlq0D7xzaW9qxRNiG5_nMsM79tho/s400/IMG_0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529871499043657410" border="0" /></a>Alcatraz Island<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OiO9NoaiNrL_2w8aeg9ntkFFKdnJdk4X3WpCCFGUX9C9K3MgM2Oe-nDGQbBk4TS-RWM9_OTDj9I_sT0UmHezND97VvL-0AbXW3q2nsfTuS7hGDRLobIvuXdeCW-6rln3mGzvsBxYwaM/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OiO9NoaiNrL_2w8aeg9ntkFFKdnJdk4X3WpCCFGUX9C9K3MgM2Oe-nDGQbBk4TS-RWM9_OTDj9I_sT0UmHezND97VvL-0AbXW3q2nsfTuS7hGDRLobIvuXdeCW-6rln3mGzvsBxYwaM/s400/IMG_0843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529871506301584306" border="0" /></a>Coit Tower<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TL4M2Khgf6I/AAAAAAAABJQ/ok01AcDqpM8/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z51EgdnjuwY/TL4M2Khgf6I/AAAAAAAABJQ/ok01AcDqpM8/s400/IMG_0870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529871517134913442" border="0" /></a>The Golden Gate Bridge<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLExl3p3ulZxK5LEC8qg6BDmWspioIEM6KGsIENcJIOEwZ2NE0oNWFRhYnS1czvuJ8vmDHN2aQ0rMdTth3e55Oik7p5fv0cD3bT9QT0nLE9R3ZdHs9CsOTzr3S0QrBZLL3mmOUjqSJtNQ/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLExl3p3ulZxK5LEC8qg6BDmWspioIEM6KGsIENcJIOEwZ2NE0oNWFRhYnS1czvuJ8vmDHN2aQ0rMdTth3e55Oik7p5fv0cD3bT9QT0nLE9R3ZdHs9CsOTzr3S0QrBZLL3mmOUjqSJtNQ/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529871523584854770" border="0" /></a>River had her bed set up in the back seat. She was supper interested in what was going on when we crossed all the bridges & I was crazily taking pictures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had a wonderful evening eating great food & enjoying good wine with family. The dog had a great time playing with the cousins & running around in the back yard.<br /><br />Ben & I would love to go to San Francisco for vacation to explore the city. We would also love to spend more time with Mary, Brett, Elsie & Tess.<br /></div></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-38892836148716324372010-10-18T14:20:00.004-07:002010-10-18T15:12:44.991-07:00Return to WA, Day 2On the second day of our trip we went shopping after breakfast. The outlet mall was across the street & the Disney store was open nice and early. Ben got a grumpy the dwarf hat, which became a halloween costume along with a red shirt. He also got a beanie cap that had grumpy on it that looked rather dashing, but I think it has since been lost. I got a cute Tinkerbell sweatsuit.<br /><br />We set back out on the road again north through southern California. You can see the progression of taller vegetation as we get closer to the agricultural area of the state:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Xm1w75jGLeskJhaLIMu1l_it6pRL47TOGABx6anYh7ifTYgKCwpUOn_8RxdEvEzr60NBi75HE0oGWgWswaJECD7oK9J9KfD2ZHaPfocSd1hA62u18pVK_CCUymSQ9cBE8ieJAawb7eo/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Xm1w75jGLeskJhaLIMu1l_it6pRL47TOGABx6anYh7ifTYgKCwpUOn_8RxdEvEzr60NBi75HE0oGWgWswaJECD7oK9J9KfD2ZHaPfocSd1hA62u18pVK_CCUymSQ9cBE8ieJAawb7eo/s400/IMG_0793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529509599536674178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga93elbsUhQvAJT5HrqSLCHTDUsbYRFyldaukLkdX54A20JquqC4uANsg53DDs15_d-9qmnl4KXaf4FZaY6syF1dsDNBiCArJp1Z1SC0DMgCv2a7VXYaW83WElebhVkTtlt_mud0rYPn8/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga93elbsUhQvAJT5HrqSLCHTDUsbYRFyldaukLkdX54A20JquqC4uANsg53DDs15_d-9qmnl4KXaf4FZaY6syF1dsDNBiCArJp1Z1SC0DMgCv2a7VXYaW83WElebhVkTtlt_mud0rYPn8/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529509591327810626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLCpLIFdFRkQvM-Wq3H3QfiN_GNq4av6I7wVUXB5HMYOSNTgrIYbfVqW-kdLa7uj7UBz2-CSt8T4UlhwwkxoRRpH2T_9JesbMUTBnIdRg6T9mzNIAM9dOyfbYhuvoEZWFPDl1LgXScnc/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLCpLIFdFRkQvM-Wq3H3QfiN_GNq4av6I7wVUXB5HMYOSNTgrIYbfVqW-kdLa7uj7UBz2-CSt8T4UlhwwkxoRRpH2T_9JesbMUTBnIdRg6T9mzNIAM9dOyfbYhuvoEZWFPDl1LgXScnc/s400/IMG_0810.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529509584713882050" border="0" /></a><br />That night we stayed in a comfortable hotel in Tulare, CA. When we woke up the next day, the dog had crawled into bed with us. I was greeted with doggy kisses! That sealed it. She started out on the floor every night but by morning was in bed with us.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-8139557742568556812010-10-17T21:49:00.000-07:002010-10-17T21:49:56.182-07:00Return to WA, Day 1A year ago today Ben & I began our week long drive to Washington State. We were so happy to be moving back! We were able to take a week & make a great vacation out of it. The first day we drove from Scottsdale, AZ to Las Vegas, NV.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShZr3EqcflIdmxFSJlJ4YSH4zTAKXrycVKgYRGmPQq3yQ8nO3vBxb-Yw0XMLGCt0erDRf4WH2HWzm8VR2yERdkKqgLi59wNi-cE5lgzk-vXTFfnDk0_25GICZOutIAt2i-_VtHMBm1Cs/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShZr3EqcflIdmxFSJlJ4YSH4zTAKXrycVKgYRGmPQq3yQ8nO3vBxb-Yw0XMLGCt0erDRf4WH2HWzm8VR2yERdkKqgLi59wNi-cE5lgzk-vXTFfnDk0_25GICZOutIAt2i-_VtHMBm1Cs/s400/IMG_0760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529097975692440946" border="0" /></a>In case you've ever wondered, this is what fall looks like in the southwest; barely a hint of orange.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuawk3nP7Ib-J-fXcdtawS0KG_IvzXV_agqdbCPwwD09feYolhFddkpYQeHsXQVZAurdCypK6O1Fq01yeb7uC3WWZaLQMSt2Imf9t9YLu_tFZH_EnNh2LwdbABKls2Wp2ewwFrXxau3I/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuawk3nP7Ib-J-fXcdtawS0KG_IvzXV_agqdbCPwwD09feYolhFddkpYQeHsXQVZAurdCypK6O1Fq01yeb7uC3WWZaLQMSt2Imf9t9YLu_tFZH_EnNh2LwdbABKls2Wp2ewwFrXxau3I/s400/IMG_0761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529096381515873746" border="0" /></a>There are some pretty interesting rock formations in the southwest.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2fYiD7Zv6-v6ZcsHz03j6RjcHMU24nXnhyphenhyphenmVTSsPyo8pziakE4nXk18ppc1jHLrfd0FeU9TAbRg301cB5CrxSB9DGMJvGXTR_wvXCvJ0mB2DKgnDRLHejqZMVTNIexZ1ELsxLBXM2Lk/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2fYiD7Zv6-v6ZcsHz03j6RjcHMU24nXnhyphenhyphenmVTSsPyo8pziakE4nXk18ppc1jHLrfd0FeU9TAbRg301cB5CrxSB9DGMJvGXTR_wvXCvJ0mB2DKgnDRLHejqZMVTNIexZ1ELsxLBXM2Lk/s400/IMG_0763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529096394561680274" border="0" /></a>High desert of Northern Arizona.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYMYV1ZD6l2FaASk-vi-ewo9x4RrCUXEWJRW3-p4HpnNHxnUmlguzxa1O8t-GsmiElGy7XISbBeSlYKMCBV8hkj7HlqZ5dQlbXU2SlwZ7z6Yp3IclOKUmU0M_GAbOBby1R6vIKfgy8do/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYMYV1ZD6l2FaASk-vi-ewo9x4RrCUXEWJRW3-p4HpnNHxnUmlguzxa1O8t-GsmiElGy7XISbBeSlYKMCBV8hkj7HlqZ5dQlbXU2SlwZ7z6Yp3IclOKUmU0M_GAbOBby1R6vIKfgy8do/s400/IMG_0766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529096405532133538" border="0" /></a>When the sun sets, the landscape blazes orange.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvo-3BVF6za6AHtaWvj6qAy2GN7OSRqdJBXqcALw3T-ronfJ6DfPGWvyaw7277MAYu-VRZFW0J_RoplfOPwHmMn-U76RDtITR0D65OugpxEod87pD3SkV11pZZMq16azsNGDTOtwllG0/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvo-3BVF6za6AHtaWvj6qAy2GN7OSRqdJBXqcALw3T-ronfJ6DfPGWvyaw7277MAYu-VRZFW0J_RoplfOPwHmMn-U76RDtITR0D65OugpxEod87pD3SkV11pZZMq16azsNGDTOtwllG0/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529096424090746530" border="0" /></a>Hoover Dam at Sunset.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We got to Hoover dam just as the sun was setting. We stopped at the lookout & let the dog stretch her legs. Ben took lots of photos; 95% of which came out blurry.<br /><br />We stayed at a pretty comfy hotel off the strip, across the street from the outlet mall. They gave us a coupon for the Italian restaurant across the street where we had a decent meal & enjoyed some wine.<br /></div></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-78487893956554275222010-10-16T14:00:00.004-07:002010-10-16T14:14:34.284-07:00Farmer's MarketToday I biked down to the Proctor Farmer's market & brought back this organic bounty:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcj_Y30csDhUNNYPBkFGMVUlbLqzOSrUPe9C9-woM2RoqwzsHRD1QYoGVsKsbbADBLQZ7LlLjKxoPJXzoVptt8g0SmSBHpj8IwpJFdEUK6O_e6u2PfW0xHU-ZcYQlzwb-Ye1iKoCahFs/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcj_Y30csDhUNNYPBkFGMVUlbLqzOSrUPe9C9-woM2RoqwzsHRD1QYoGVsKsbbADBLQZ7LlLjKxoPJXzoVptt8g0SmSBHpj8IwpJFdEUK6O_e6u2PfW0xHU-ZcYQlzwb-Ye1iKoCahFs/s400/IMG_2247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528754135881266290" border="0" /></a><br />1.5 pounds whole hazelnuts $5<br /><br />1 bunch kale + 1 lemon cucumber + 1 pattypan squash $3.25<br /><br />1 bunch basil $1.50<br /><br />1 giant zucchini $0.50<br /><br />1 bouquet $8<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OqhK2YRtSdgwjB6TmhXWqgvZjo2sv6fnJzWu83q52b4Xxaqc7JlsSPL2DNliZBYiRSmEOTuJppDz6IuVeHcrTJN3CUH3LBRe6FR-lT7XSCYZb853eNAEFmfHoGfZCuydg0ooNRM_IMM/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OqhK2YRtSdgwjB6TmhXWqgvZjo2sv6fnJzWu83q52b4Xxaqc7JlsSPL2DNliZBYiRSmEOTuJppDz6IuVeHcrTJN3CUH3LBRe6FR-lT7XSCYZb853eNAEFmfHoGfZCuydg0ooNRM_IMM/s400/IMG_2248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528754147234809362" border="0" /></a><br />Natures goodness, some sunshine & a 3 mile bike ride/walk, it doesn't get much better than this!Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-2749614455034420952010-09-23T11:46:00.004-07:002010-09-23T12:00:49.941-07:00Quilting Class & A New Tool<div style="text-align: center;">Last Saturday I took a quilting class @ Fabric Crush in Seattle. The Class was on how to make kaleidoscope quilts.<br /><br />The class was excellent! There was just me and one other student so we had lots of space and hands on help from the instructor, who was very kind.<br /><br />I am so inspired to finish the quilt I started. Even though it is my third quilt, I have a feeling it will be the first one I finish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w2Hq3y1su0AHhjtMc3-M5UY4bsxGOD0EifFmfRd0Eidfifa5FEFMJnlb5A9q0QUuAF3GwHSj1tOh_4HMZ4p06Ctyo6gmUg3Jk3IC8KFbFN3OwcEsm39y8MJ7u7IoDm6fy1UAMzT3-nE/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w2Hq3y1su0AHhjtMc3-M5UY4bsxGOD0EifFmfRd0Eidfifa5FEFMJnlb5A9q0QUuAF3GwHSj1tOh_4HMZ4p06Ctyo6gmUg3Jk3IC8KFbFN3OwcEsm39y8MJ7u7IoDm6fy1UAMzT3-nE/s400/IMG_2232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520184773268000946" border="0" /></a>These are the blocks I've cut so far.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While we were at the store, we had the opportunity to make use of their Design Wall (by Fons & Porter). It is a felt sheet 60in wide x 72 inches long with grommets along the top to make it easy to hang. The felt is backed with Vinyl that has a 2 inch grid pattern on it to help you place your fabric.<br /><br />This tool made it really quick & easy to play with orientation of fabrics to decide on the best kaleidoscope for each block. I had planned to hang up a sheet at home as a design wall & use pins to keep the fabric in place. I'm so glad I found this instead. No pins needed! I bought one at the store & put up in my craft area yesterday.<br /></div>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-29810389240234971272010-07-19T17:31:00.004-07:002010-07-19T17:46:23.415-07:00July Cross-Stitch UpdateI didn't do an update last month because I was in the middle of moving. This month I'm doing it early because I've finished!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeBqCqfb1xAveybZVi79RkTGStcuOwLSRJ3gBSo2At9r15fF0KQkxjvfQgtiFYWhQxMFdgbfK8qjLzTd2YpI9Fm3E85vEUhoNQk5OT14e-fGhBHMQBx3A-bGYmOO4ec8KJI4VhMd7uH0/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeBqCqfb1xAveybZVi79RkTGStcuOwLSRJ3gBSo2At9r15fF0KQkxjvfQgtiFYWhQxMFdgbfK8qjLzTd2YpI9Fm3E85vEUhoNQk5OT14e-fGhBHMQBx3A-bGYmOO4ec8KJI4VhMd7uH0/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495780193985386354" border="0" /></a><br />I just need to do all the outline stitching and it will be ready for... I have no idea what I'm going to do with this thing, but I'll have plenty of time I'm not in a big hurry to finish the outlining.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-37534870325409947452010-05-25T22:26:00.004-07:002010-05-25T22:33:48.272-07:00May Cross-Stitch UpdateI haven't made much progress since <a href="http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-cross-stitch-update.html">April</a>, because I've been cutting out blocks for my quilt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDla7-ad2UdSkyIocdwadufUnywl-FVPKQxwr_2-bDPY6ikqxiSUGC8te_DbZw71VWLfDgN8lEDQpAhnbks3QaP6FS5YdvgXv_h_IcuwAnD3KkhvV5fRjIuhY3bT8hWt39DmT8NkDDCck/s1600/IMG_2004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDla7-ad2UdSkyIocdwadufUnywl-FVPKQxwr_2-bDPY6ikqxiSUGC8te_DbZw71VWLfDgN8lEDQpAhnbks3QaP6FS5YdvgXv_h_IcuwAnD3KkhvV5fRjIuhY3bT8hWt39DmT8NkDDCck/s400/IMG_2004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475446006165773682" border="0" /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-6948731668474591812010-04-27T13:14:00.005-07:002010-04-29T10:05:15.365-07:00First StepI am starting a new queen sized quilt. This will be my first machine sewn quilt. This is the fabric I picked out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1fDZIBeWsgtJ8pYKHcZ0NMFjcD2Iqs7EUR4BM7AMRDtpzxAAbkZyVhJ2Y0J_lcvyPciDPMUqBl5ZpBlMA444bL_hau_7QPuz0rFFCGCmnALV7UqDk4oZdP7WsFnBeI8Yf055eWYNKOY/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1fDZIBeWsgtJ8pYKHcZ0NMFjcD2Iqs7EUR4BM7AMRDtpzxAAbkZyVhJ2Y0J_lcvyPciDPMUqBl5ZpBlMA444bL_hau_7QPuz0rFFCGCmnALV7UqDk4oZdP7WsFnBeI8Yf055eWYNKOY/s400/IMG_1938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464915010378072914" border="0" /></a>I spent this morning washing, drying & ironing it all so I can get started. I can't wait!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuHp5pAvER3GfLL2eu7amPtcjQWhAtDd2zcQMT3W4tT8h_ZjV7_T-d6Cv8N8eoZgDCBYzz1vW_2pgUr8GCnIIe5Awcs50SFqyp36w3rXq517WUuA2fOKljdMZEvcjew8fIJaoN5wU-Rc/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG"><br /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-2325191395201012622010-04-25T21:44:00.004-07:002010-04-25T21:56:25.601-07:00April Cross-Stitch UpdateI haven't done much in the <a href="http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-cross-stitch-update.html">past month</a>. However, I am almost done with the top and side branches, and the end is in sight. Not a moment too soon. I am starting a new project. More on that later.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8MKqBdik6MRWAjbyfGpBDiEL8ZKUxvjSn44FRid0RfRpi6UxQQMrPJBZJ-rSEMgm4KUFQnPiJUaaHYanAJgEN3GfLjxck5qmzpM2S0m3piMgxUii08IXd57aMxeydZvkPQbcHhnZXak/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8MKqBdik6MRWAjbyfGpBDiEL8ZKUxvjSn44FRid0RfRpi6UxQQMrPJBZJ-rSEMgm4KUFQnPiJUaaHYanAJgEN3GfLjxck5qmzpM2S0m3piMgxUii08IXd57aMxeydZvkPQbcHhnZXak/s400/IMG_1937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464303974433458898" border="0" /></a>Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045941894384030274.post-50955907014411164382010-04-14T21:45:00.009-07:002010-04-14T23:01:59.521-07:00A Girl's Best FriendOn Xmas morning 1995 I was directed to the biggest box in the room and told to open it first. It was .... a puppy! It took me for ever to pick a name for her, I chose Christy. As best as we could tell she was some sort of Border Collie/Black Lab mix. She was born Oct 18th 1995.<br /><br />I joined the local 4-H club and began training and showing her. Here we are blue ribbon winners at the city fair, a few weeks prior to the county fair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-z9990AZJZ_rXcZVGQwvmLEVDZTY9oDhFtOSBFQJ5VbcizZWcG9-bctnMBgVLTTWl_Q-aKPQhGb-J5DMfsdqCiS9yWOMJRdyAubtrosLFcR14bLvwjBZlOHm_4SY-hJaLfVZVqrZp8Q/s1600/Harvest+Days.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-z9990AZJZ_rXcZVGQwvmLEVDZTY9oDhFtOSBFQJ5VbcizZWcG9-bctnMBgVLTTWl_Q-aKPQhGb-J5DMfsdqCiS9yWOMJRdyAubtrosLFcR14bLvwjBZlOHm_4SY-hJaLfVZVqrZp8Q/s400/Harvest+Days.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460238920122669138" border="0" /></a><br />She was my best buddy growing up. We went everywhere together. Spent hours walking in the woods & fields behind our house. Most of our family vacations were spent camping, and she always went with us.<br /><br />Here we are "camping" on the living room floor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn1CaMnRSw8bU9qqJ8hOfu7K4yr3A3BlfZucpdySHY_Uhyphenhyphen70LcPnrWWmnO2YJZZozUVm1eqnXkZgk2RaGqjhf_Z98fJkZl3Jc4qycefm8pmGsaOTDyKHIfO-gKxCSOWAx-vY21jxgEfM/s1600/Camping+in+the+Living+Room.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn1CaMnRSw8bU9qqJ8hOfu7K4yr3A3BlfZucpdySHY_Uhyphenhyphen70LcPnrWWmnO2YJZZozUVm1eqnXkZgk2RaGqjhf_Z98fJkZl3Jc4qycefm8pmGsaOTDyKHIfO-gKxCSOWAx-vY21jxgEfM/s400/Camping+in+the+Living+Room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460239160669441522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here she is on one of our camping vacations, hanging by the river.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAp1iBSjDG0NlA4c3Xcf2Eme7t1ux3h1mrtHhyphenhyphenC-4GwWihdJMhpkzrwggI0LHjV0I-WQ25J_IHPIn6sYwbdGdOhrUIElaTlUKiKYIbDyapFYUyHxZmqjKWV8E5jOgbPpGjfCz-eik22Q/s1600/Camping+at+the+river.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAp1iBSjDG0NlA4c3Xcf2Eme7t1ux3h1mrtHhyphenhyphenC-4GwWihdJMhpkzrwggI0LHjV0I-WQ25J_IHPIn6sYwbdGdOhrUIElaTlUKiKYIbDyapFYUyHxZmqjKWV8E5jOgbPpGjfCz-eik22Q/s400/Camping+at+the+river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460239407883492514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I went to college I had to leave her with my parents. Then when I moved to Phoenix it wasn't feasible to take her with us. She was 12 years old, and with her thick heavy coat in the heat, it wouldn't be good. Here is a picture of her about that age when she was getting up in years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsfh9FkZsgSPuv71YWeGqaBlrnABPQKYIqJalJBQyFOQzHtRE0zqKmq3U6An4Upq1h9cjvAMvhviKZiK-0hRZ8MrV57ij8PkixrU6iDzLi-kLvKwJSan-TAf2OFTYikBFYFXwZe6-Ejo/s1600/Christy.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsfh9FkZsgSPuv71YWeGqaBlrnABPQKYIqJalJBQyFOQzHtRE0zqKmq3U6An4Upq1h9cjvAMvhviKZiK-0hRZ8MrV57ij8PkixrU6iDzLi-kLvKwJSan-TAf2OFTYikBFYFXwZe6-Ejo/s400/Christy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460234299956629970" border="0" /></a><br />When we moved back to Washington 6 months ago, we stopped by and she got to play with our dog. She was thin and her coat was salt-and-peppered. She had even lost her voice and her barks where hoarse and hollow.<br /><br />Yesterday my dad took her to the vet. She wasn't eating. Over the past few years she had dropped from a healthy 45 pounds to 21. They think she had cancer. She was 14 years and 6 months old, almost to the day.Valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232652562552311563noreply@blogger.com1