Wanna Trade?

So, I reposted the Buick on Craig's List this afternoon.  I got a call about 45 minutes later.  The voice on the other end of the line was difficult to understand.  Finally, I realized he wanted to know if I would trade.  I repeated it out loud.  Cora began saying, "NO! NO! NO!" with her eyes and mouth, because she pictured of us getting another vehicle in the trade.  I repeated the trade part so he would understand.  Cora began doing sign language (I think that's what it was) trying to tell me NO! I asked him, "For what?" I ignored her antics, as she prepared to do a hand stand to get my attention and make me say no to something that must truly be worthwhile if this man want to trade it for the Buick.  

He said, "A 'men's' bracelet, with diamonds."

...

blink, blink, blink

...

uncomfortable pause...

...


I finally picked up my jaw and managed to repeat this so Cora could hear.  Then I said, "No."

I thought for sure he would be trading a vehicle, even a snowmobile or a motorcycle or a gun...but a men's bracelet?  First, I didn't know they MADE men bracelets, and second I didn't know "MEN" WEAR bracelets!  (Am I calling your manliness into question if you wear a bracelet?  MAYBE!)  I can't even imagine what made him think..."You know, I really want a thirty-three year old car with some flaws, and I have this manly bracelet just gathering dust that I'm not using...maybe the guy will trade! Yeah, that's it!"  What the hell!?!?!

He had the audacity to sound disappointed, then he hung up.

OK, then.  Back to the rest of the day.

We got up at a decent time and then finally got moving.  We went to town and did some shopping and then came home.  Cora began sewing and I worked in the yard.  I fertilized the various plants in our yard and did a few chores...you know, took the garbage out, etc.  I also put two coats of paint on the sign.  Then I delivered the paintings I had made a couple months ago.  I think the family that got them, loved them.  I am proud to say, I have another happy customer!  Makes me happy.

We had a steak, potatoes, and broccoli for dinner.  I also opened a bottle of Gnarly Head Zinfandel...not a bad wine!  Yummy!

I finished my day watching Dr. Who...how could a day go better?

Big Plans

I had big plans today, however, all plans have a chance of changing.  Here is last week's sidewalk.  I am really happy with it!

After a week of rain, the Clematis has opened up like crazy!

I had an appointment for new shocks for my truck.  Cora picked me up and we went for a few groceries.

I wanted to stop at the electronics store, but she'd have nothing of it.  This is all I saw.

She DID reward me.  We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Cora borrowed my phone to check out the internet...where was hers?  In her purse next to her.

Below is one of the reasons I like this place!

And this is another...this fried bread is tasty in itself, but add to that the wonderful innards...well, it's heaven in your mouth!  and very filling.

We also went to a yard sale where I got three good books for two dollars each!  And then we went over to the in-laws for dinner.  Our newest niece was down for a visit and we welcomed a reason NOT to cook dinner.

Well, we will just have to do everything tomorrow...I want to sell the cars and a video camera, too.

I like Saturdays! I Want More!

Last night was a relaxing evening that saw a bottle of merlot fall victim to its own good taste.  We greived for it with toasts to our health.  I believe it met an end to be proud of.  

This morning I awoke bright and early.  Not by choice, but by the decisive and rather imperative nature of my bladder.  I decided sleep would not visit again, and that I was rested enough, so I made a cup of coffee.  Lately it has been a Rwandan Coffee.  It is delicious, especially if brewed strong enough.

My parents had planned on coming up to visit and pick up a few copies of Color Me Home.  So, Cora and I put the house in a presentable condition and waited.  Mind you, putting it into a presentable condition took much longer than the waiting.  

It was great visiting with them today!  They brought pizza!  We enjoyed their visit AND we ended up selling four coloring books!  

It was such a nice day, I would not mind having a few more just like it.  Cora and I went to town for a while after my parents had gone home.  We picked up a few things and then came home.  

When we got home I began work on some new coloring pages.  I will let you see a preview of some of the transportation coloring book that we will be publishing as soon as I have 25 decent pictures finished.  A few, as you can see, are still ...on the drawing board, so to speak.  Others have been ready for awhile.  the school bus is one that many a child has practiced on.  the others, well, I think I'm on the right track.  except for the tow truck...any suggestions?

We had a little time and a couple extra sheets, so we both took a crack at coloring to show our finished finished product!

These are actual pictures in our coloring book.  I hope that those of you who have purchased a book will send us pictures of your own finished products!!  I suspect all of us would like to see what can be done with these!

Some of the other themes we are considering are Animals, Dinosaurs, and ABCs.  One that may eventually pan out is one of Princesses and Castles.  I hope those of you who are interested will not hesitate to mention other potential themes!  I cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given us!!  I hope it continues!

Bits and Pieces

The sky out the front door at about 9:00 last night. I liked the contrasting clouds and the colors of the sunset. About the time I clicked the last photo a couple students from the HS walked by...I closed the door as their voices followed me in. I suspect some of their comments involved my being shirtless. I am glad the end of the year is nigh.

Below you see dinner from last night. Here is Grilled Chicken with fresh home-grown basil and grilled zucchini and yellow squash. They were delicious, though the taste and smell coming from the photo does nothing to relay the sensation that appealed to all my senses last night.


Today, we went to town and bought some organizational stuff for the laundry room. We travelled from Lowes to the aweful HD, looking for a cabinet that would fit where we wanted it and did not cost $1,000,000.00. We found one, finally. So, we got a cabinet and some wire frame shelves. Then, after grabbing a bunch of groceries...well, not a bunch, but if you go to Costco and DON'T spend $100.00 you are made of firmer stuff than I.

We finally have something other than a nail to hang leashes on...and checkout that laundry soap!

The plan is to keep the laundry room neat and tidy...something we were not capable of doing before. Keep your fingers crossed.

I moved the freezer in with a minimum of fuss...I was very happy.

Then I did my yearly flower photos...what do ya think?

At Target, Cora rewarded my hard work. She allowed me to buy a remote control helicopter...this darned thing is NOT easy to fly. I have yet to figure out how to set the trim...supposedly once it is set, it is good...it isn't.

Tonight I made ribs...no, I am not some genius cook, it was aready put together, all I had to do was put it in the oven and warm up some corn. Turned out pretty good.

So, it's been a good day...if somewhat tiring. I have a sore back...oh yeah, I did a bunch of other stuff, like mow lawn and stuff, too boot. I am now reclining and trying to relax. Time for another drink...

Saturday!!

Who in the world does not love a Sturday!?! I do!

OK, so I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I might have been a LITTLE BIT grumpy this morning, though, I am positive Cora did not even notice. I don't even know why I was grumpy, though waking up about 5am on a Saturday might have had something to do with it.

We went to town...well, first we went to see if we could find a dresser for the kids' room at some yard sales. Remarkably, neither of us was in the true yard saling spirit. We ESPECIALLY were not when we visited the local vocational college; which was holding some sort of HUGE yard sale where people bought a spot to display their junk. We went through the whole riggamarole of locating a parking spot and walked a quarter of a mile to discover they were charging three bucks a head just to get in and look at peoples' junk! That would have cost us six bucks to go in and look at...pardon my Portugese(French seems so overused)...other peoples' shit, that we probably would not have even bought! That combined with our moods had us walking back to the truck in about two seconds.

We ended up buying a new pine dresser. It is very well built by a local craftsman. We plan on staining it (By WE I mean Cora) and perhaps adding a bit of a jungle touch to it (the jungle touch will come from me, since I am SO primal [which means I eat with my hands]).

I worked in the yard and cleaned off the patio...which is really just a concrete slab and is worthless to us, since we don't park any vehicles on it and it's too hot in the summer to use for... ANYTHING. Cora wants to either stain the dresser out there or in the kid's room. We shall see what transpires tomorrow.

Tonight we will travel the thirty miles down to my parents' house and celebrate an early Mother's Day.

Other than that, I have not done a whole lot of anything...

My Painting. For Sale.

Cora has been sewing dresses and blankets, hoping to sell them to help with some extra money for the adoption. I thought I might be able to contribute, so I bought a few canvasses. I like this one. I am ALMOST finished. I need to finish the spaceship...but I think it won't take very long tomorrow. I made this one with a boys room in mind...maybe a future NASA employee...When I finish it, I will put more pictures up here and Cora might even put it on her site.

My calf is feeling much better...still hurts if I twist wrong, and I walk with a slight limp, but nothing compared to yesterday. I wish weekends lasted longer.

P-38 Lightning Wreck!!

So, I found my first wreck!! It was a Lockheed P-38L Lightning. It's serial number was #44-23914. I don't know the story behind it yet. I will be getting the accident report from the friend I went with. He is the one who knew where it was...approximately. We did quite a bit of walking considering we knew approximately where it was. Finally, I caught site of a part with rivets. It was really REALLY cool!! If you want to read more about it, skip on over to my other blog...you know, Aircraft Losses in Washington State. I have some other pictures there.

You can see engine parts, wing parts, and, that rusty thing is the side of a M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun...but, we did not see any machine gun rounds...or shells...darnit.

I had originally planned to go to Larson afterword, but the time of day was against me and the weather wasgetting kind of nasty. I can make Larson a trip of its own. As it was, it still took me quite while to get home.

Which reminds me. Does ANYONE know where Glen, Washington is? Apparently it is near Mattawa, but there is no mention of it on-line or on my maps. The reason I ask is a B-17 crashed near it. And it is the only place mentioned with any accuracy.

Cora cleaned house while I was gone and it looks splendid! However, I think we both want to get rid of our washer and dryer. The washer's spin cycle is somewhat violent. It shook so hard it shook a gallon of bleach off the dryer and onto the floor...the lid snapped off and before we were aware of what was happening had emptied onto the lenoleum...we had a VERY CLEAN SMELLING house...everything smelled of bleach for the longest time.

It is turning out to be a nice evening, I hope everyone else experiences a similar weekend.

Welcome Guests, Unwelcome Pain

Saturday dawned beautiful and sunny. We got moving slowly, but we had great visions for the day. I went over and helped my father-in-law move a large piece of furniture. When I returned, I decided to go out and work on the shed and change the tire on the Buick (it had flattened over the winter). I began with the tire, even planning to charge the battery and drive it around a little. I changed the tire, thankful that one of the four extra tires I have for it holds air. After that, I decided to start on the shed. I had shifted a few items when Cora called from the back door that we had company.

I quickly put things right and locked the shed. I went back in the gate and shut it. As I struggled to shut it and latch it, I felt like it was more effort than it should be, but I ignored it and went inside.

Our guests it turns out, were none other than my sister's in-laws...I am not sure how to better put that. Geneology is written in an ancient language as far as I am concerned. Nevertheless, Dan and Betty were here to visit! I finally got the chance to show Dan our fish tanks...and he really appreciated my trinkets.

I thought I was the only one who got excited about airplane instruments. Oh, and we won't even mention how much he liked my pieces of ships and airplanes! He thought my piece ofthe YB-49 was interesting. He thought the piece of Teak Decking from the USS North Crolina was cool, then I showed him the chunk of flight deck from the USS Hornet. And when he looked on the chips of paint I took from the USS Mariano G.Vallejo, he actually appreciated it! No one else has seen in those chips of anechoic paint any value, or, if they have, they have not shown it. I really enjoyed showing him my map of aircraft wrecks, but what I think he really appreciated was our photo book from our Arizona trip. He seemed to really like the pictures of Pima Air Museum, and he understood the significance of the NB-52 that is usually called "Balls 3." Cora and Betty...well, I am going to assume they spoke on similar subjects, but perhaps with fewer ships and airplanes...they are girls, afterall.

It was so nice to have visitors! So, Dan and Betty, if you are reading this, thanks for stopping by, it was great seeing you! You are welcome any time.

So, it was while I was talking to Dan that I turned to grab a book with my accident reports in it, and I felt a twinge jolt through my back. After they had left, I noticed that peculiar pain of a pulled or strained muscle in my back. It grew worse. Cora popped my back and gave me a masage. I have been icing it and heating it alternately...still it hurts, but it is better.

I rented a couple movies, since I was sitting in my chair...Meet Dave and Narnia, Prince Caspian...both pretty good.

Oh, and because I am like the rest of you, I like pictures, too. So, here are a couple pictures of the animals swarming Cora after she got home from work the other night. Look at Gypsy...one moment she was leaning against Cora the next she was rolling on the floor, like she was a puppy...I never get a reaction like that from them!

Off The Wall Saturday.

Today has been a nice slow day. It was spent avoiding work. We DID go grocery shopping and we couple of loads of clothes got washed, but we won't point any fingers.

I made a copy of an accident report for a fellow wreck enthusiast. I also took a nap halfway through the day. We watched TV and took it nice and easy. I have no inclination to make tomorrow's plan any different!

Since, I am lacking in ambition and ideas for a better post, I will leave you with some pictures. These are intentionally off the wall. Nothing pretty, but, you already know I am un-ambitious, so why are you acting surprised?

Naughty airplanes...

Toby's nightmare...totally accidental, but completely entertaining.

My airplane remains on the shelf...for now.

A ship of the Great White Fleet...

A ship of the Greatest Fleet in the World...

I hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend.

Commissioning, Decommissioning, Make Up Your Mind!

Cora and I slept in. My dad called and said the commissioning of the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) was on CNN. So, we got up and watched it. A few presidents put in an appearance, and some admirls mde some speaches. It was very interesting to me, but neither Cora nor CNN seemed able to stay focused. Oh, well.

I then put two and two together and it dawned on me why this and the decommissioning were taking place at this time. The GHWB will replace Kitty Hawk as a unit in the Navy. It allows the navy to stick with the 11 carriers alotted them and move the old crew accordingly. For a short time, two weeks, the US has an extra carrier. We used to have 13 Carriers...amazing what the loss of a full-time enemy does.

Cora and I cleaned up. She did the laundry and I did the dishes. I cleaned the kitchen while she paid bills. I was not about to complain, as I despise the bill paying.

We decided to go to town for some groceries and to finally take Grandma her Christmas gift from us. I think she liked the gift card to Borders. We also got lunch at Panda Express. Apparently, Yakima was in desparate need of a Chinese restaraunt...I think we mentioned that earlier last year...because after being open almost a month, it is still packed.

Now, we are back. We neglected to get groceries, but there is always tomorrow. Overall, it was a relaxing day.

I think we have enough beer to last the night and fixings for a simple dinner...what more could we ask? Hmmm, not so sure about the beer...

I will leave you with the Sedona Skyline.

honey, do we have any more beeerrrr????

GPS Fun And Family

My dad and I had arranged to go geocaching together for awhile today. He came and picked me up. We went up on one of the hills and began looking. We trudged through underbrush and through a stream and through underbrush and up hills and through underbrush...did I mention the underbrush? I am convinced that the wild rose vines were there just to snag parts of my anatomy. My dad came away with some scratches on his cheeks that at least he could explain away as cuts from shaving. I, on the other hand, came away with scratch NOT easily explained by shaving. One does not normally (at least to my knowledge) shave their forehead...

We still did not find it, and we should have, because it was supposed to be a 5 gallon bucket. I found it five years ago and it is still listed! It has to be there, but after a few too many close calls with thorns and slippery leaves, we surrendered.

We finally gave up. My dad had not been up in that area, and so I drove him along next to the firing center...which is where he rolled down his window and we stopped. The guys at the firing center were shooting what surely was a .50 caliber machine gun. Awesome! Have a listen, you may need to turn your sound up! Oh, and you may hve some trouble determining the difference between the machine gun fire and the wind...who knew?

Then we went and found a cache that actually existed! This one was at an altitude of 2800 feet and it had a gorgeous view!

While my dad and I were up there, though, my beloved sister ad BNL (Brother-in-Law) were busy. They had laid a series of geocaches for Cora and me. My dad headed for home and Cora and I began our trek.

At one of the points, we were looking all around a bush on the side of the road. A lady came out of a nearby house and said something. She finally came over and asked if we were on a scavenger hunt. We said, "Yes..." She told us her husband had seen some people looking suspicious and went to see what they had left in a bush..it was a bottle wrapped in tape. He thought it might be drugs and called the sheriff...who came and opened it. When he found no drugs, he kept the bottle and left. Bastard. So, we called my sis and got the appropriate coordinates from her.

Cora is always beautiful, see!??!

When we finally got to the park to look for the next one, we noticed some familiar faces. My BNL and the kids were there. We said, "Hi." and kept looking. We eventully ended up coming back to the park two more times! We criss-crossed the entire town several times. The final cache was in the back alley. They had us confused and going the wrong way a few times and we even inadvertently did two twice, thinking we had not done them yet...yeah, vengeance will be fun! It was fun, though. We had a great time. The sweets at the end and the laser pointer were great!

Cora and I went and got a couple burgers for dinner and are now relaxing, coming up with great ways to get back at them...MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!! Ahhhh, Sweet Revenge! I think it was our fault we got confused...some of the clues got separated from the coordinates...but the fact remains, we gotta get even...right?

Above the Clouds

This is the view I saw today.

Cora went to a Pampered Chef thing and I had some time on my hands. I decided to leave a little treasure for my sister. She and her husband got a GPS for their birthdays. They have begun doing Geocaches and the family has been laying tresure hunts out for each other for some time now. I decided to leave her a nice one today. It has 9 legs. It runs for about 20 miles. At its end is...well, a treasure that I am not at liberty to discuss just yet. I want to make sure she gets it before I say what is...no use spoiling surprises.

I found myself in a place I have not been for about 15 years. It isn't far from where I grew up, but it is somewhat removed. The first time I went there my best friend was with me. It was night time. The stars hung down so close you could almost touch them. We were out, most likely on a Saturday night. The view was incredible. You could see from one end of the valley to its bottom. Today the view was comparable. The valley has been socked in with clouds for the past few days and still is. As I drove up, though, I broke out of the overcast and there I was...in sunlight.

While I was there the clouds began to shift. The next picture shows the fog/clouds moving in. It was an awesome spectacle.

I went ahead and did the treasure hunt and then headed for home. On my way home I saw this:

and this last one is a picture of a local landmark. It is just an old barn, but I have always liked it.

Lazy Day

I kicked Cora's rear end! She usually smears me across the board, but this time, just once, I won a game of Scrabble!

I just wanted to record it for history. Of course, the next game she smashed me.

The day was nice and relaxing. She played Wii and I vegetated. I made soup and we watched some TV. Overall a very lazy day. Loved every moment!