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Yes its been a while since I’ve last posted. And my how things have changed. We have sold our house in Bellevue, WA, moved out of the house in San Antonio, TX (pretty much moved out), and we have built and moved into a house in Austin, TX. The house in San Antonio still has some of our things in it. But we have decided we need more room in the Austin house before we can move the rest of the San Antonio items. So we are going to build a “new garage” in which to house the stuff. You may ask yourself, “why not just get rid of the extra stuff?”. Well, we can’t just get rid of that extra stuff. Its stuff that must be kept, so we are going to build a spare garage in which to put it. So that is the basics of what has changed so dramatically in my life. Now for the blog info. Since the house is on a large lot, almost 2 acres, and we have deer and other critters wandering naturally around, I am having some trouble with plants. As in they are being eaten, some more then others. So I have decided to track my successes and failures of plantings on this blog. And yes, this is subject to change.

It has been a strange summer here in the Seattle area. We’ve had some days of warm weather, but not much. Its been a cool summer, and rainy for August. It actually has seemed like a very short summer here. And what makes it so weird is that we’ve gone from some absolutely beautiful days to rainy days. But even our absolutely beautiful days have not lasted for long. We didn’t really get much in the way of hot weather, but we have had a few days. We even, just a couple of weeks ago, got hot enough days (an inversion layer) to exceed smog standards. Kind of weird to have happen with all the cool weather we’ve had, but it happened. But today, nearing the end of August it was cool with only a slight amount of rain this morning.

But it seems like its been such a cool summer. It also seems like its gone by so fast. Maybe is just me, but it seems like this summer has gone by really fast. It almost seems sad to see it go by so quickly. But such is life. Gotta live it while you can.

Well, we made it through July 4th. Its been really strange weather. Its still been cool, more aptly put cold. It rained July 3rd, so I’m sure that made the firefighters happy. On the fourth we had a slight drizzle, but not much. And so it was cool, not really warm. Today, the 7th, it still hasn’t really warmed up. Hopefully it will. They said we should have warm weather this week. I’m hoping they are right. It would be nice.

Friday, 7/11 is the start of the sales of the new iPhone 3G. I’m not sure if I will be in line to get one or not. They have not yet said much about how they are going to handle these sales. But the rumors are bouncing around like balls about how they will handle it. Some rumors say they will be open early, like 8AM. Some rumors say they will only allow one per person, who knows. But dear hubby may be the one waiting and standing in line for them. We do want to get them for each of us. But we’ll see what they will allow us to do. It should be interesting.

My class this summer is Meteorology 101. This is such an informative class. There is so much stuff to learn. It is really fascinating, but there is just so much. But I am enjoying it. I admit, I enjoy classes like this – lots to learn. For our first project we have to track weather for the next 10 days. Its interesting to do. I’m almost hoping we get strange weather just to be able to record it. This really is a fun class.

Brrrrr, its cold. This is the coldest start to June the Seattle area has had in a long time like since 1891. We had snow in the passes last week and it now June 13 and where I live we didn’t hit 60 today even though they said it was supposed to be warmer. Well, technically they were correct. It was colder by about 5 degrees earlier this week, but it doesn’t rate warm yet. I’m still wearing polar fleece, you don’t see a lot of shorts and sandals, no tank tops yet but lots of jackets. I know summer starts next week, but we’re a bit late on the weather following it here. Its still cold. I know, its not like Seattle is known for warm hot weather, but a bit warmer here would be nice. Brrrr.

This week I had the funniest thing happen and I just had to write about it. I was working on my computer, doing school work. My husband was outside working. He calls me and tells me to bring my car keys and come outside immediately. I get worried if he asks for my car keys, he doesn’t drive my car much. Well, I get outside and find that a pair of wrens have built a nest in my car. They built it behind the front grill but in front of the radiator. It took them all of about 4 days to build it. But they did a good job. We ended up taking the car to the dealership to get the front grill off, just to be on the safe side. The service guys came out, didn’t understand that there was a bird nest behind the grill. As soon as they took the front grill off there was the bird nest taking up over 1/3 the space. It went half way up the front and then spread (think triangle shaped) to both sides of the radiator area. I’m sure my radiator was glad I got rid of it too. But I did end up with a pair of unhappy birds. Since then, if I’m not driving it, we have put a plastic garbage bag over the grill so we don’t get a new nest. Silly birds.

I know, its been a while since my last post. Its now the end of March.

In late Jan. through mid Feb. we were gone. Had a cruise, a trip to WA, then another cruise. We were gone almost a month. It was interesting living out of a suitcase that long. It was fun packing too. Cruises to warm places then a week and a half in WA with snow still melting. At least we had clothes in WA that took care of most of the cold. So it wasn’t too bad. The only bad part was I got sick the day after we landed in WA. That flu was the pits. It took a couple of weeks to get all the way over it. It just wanted to linger.

Then we got back to TX and had a business meeting. I was expecting a low key, casual meeting. Two days before the meeting they mention that all the men will be in suits – not exactly casual. I had to scramble a bit for clothes but the meeting was interesting and I’m glad I went. No I’m not a man, but the women were dressed for business too so I really couldn’t wear jeans and sneakers. Seemed a shame to me. I think it would have been more appropriate, but…

Now its the end of March, school starts on Monday, March 31 (online of course) and the weather here in TX is dreary. Its warm, about 70, but dreary. Its overcast, a bit humid, a slight breeze but not something cooling. I’m not sure if we’re going to get rain, but if we are I wish it would hurry up and come.

But in WA it is snowing at our house. I can watch the house on security cameras and its snowing. A bit late in the season for it, but none the less it is. And its cold enough for the snow to stick. They have said its about 15-20 degrees colder than normal which would explain the snow. But I’m sure everyone there is tired of it. We just had Easter and I’m sure it was cold Easter egg hunting for the kiddies. Not fun.

And a Happy Holiday to all out there in blogland. It is Christmas Eve. The weather here in San Antonio is actually kind of nice, for a change. Its been warm – high 70’s, just not Christmas weather to me. Today is supposed to stay in the mid to low 60’s. Much better weather.

We finished all our shopping. The only thing I need is a couple of potatoes for dinner tonight. I’m planning on making rock cornish game hens for the two of us. That, some risotto, and veggies. The potatoes I have probably shouldn’t be used, and I’m thinking of just doing without them. Risotto should be enough.

Tomorrow is Christmas day. We will be going to see family. We’re going out to eat which should be easier. Then we’ll go to one of the relatives to “open presents”. Not really my favorite part. I really kind of prefer to buy myself my own. I know that sounds horrible to most people. But part of the problem is I don’t really want much of anything and nobody really knows what I do want or would be thrilled with. And I’ve got lots of junk so I don’t need more of that.

But the good news is 32 days to the next cruise. I have one of those count down counters on my computer so I can keep track of how much time we have left. The next one goes to the Caribbean. Its sponsored by Scientific American magazine and I’m looking forward to this trip.

I’ve had one problem recently. It appears my meds are off. When you take heart medicine you really don’t want that to get off. Mine did and it hasn’t been pretty. But we’re getting better, slowly. We changed the meds and I feel better – no more heart palpitations. You’d think someone as young as me wouldn’t need these, but I do. No fun, but necessary.

Well, I am proud to say I made it through Thanksgiving. It was a success. My small turkey (looked like an oversized chicken) was just enough. No mashed potatoes but roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes did fine. Made a bit too much dressing, but that was all.

And now on to Xmas. I started my list of what to do for people. I haven’t finished it, but at least I have a starting point. This Xmas I think family will get together and go out to a buffet. That would be easier. And I don’t think anybody would mind.

We had to have thinning done on our trees once again. We had it done last year here in San Antonio. That was fortuitous since we had an ice storm last year. Many neighbors had tree limbs break, but we didn’t. But we knew more work needed to be done. Well, we had it done. They look better, and the yard is getting more sunlight.

But today is just typical San Antonio – 68 and a bit of sprinkles (more rain possible). I wish it was cooler, but no such luck. We have had a couple of cooler days, but not really much and it doesn’t last. The part I find so hard is that even the nights don’t really cool down much. There’s no opening windows at night to get a cool breeze, no such luck. Such is life here in San Antonio, TX.

Well its almost Thanksgiving. We made it to San Antonio and unfortunately had a relative pass away shortly after we got here. That was sad. But we also went on a cruise to the Panama Canal and that was good. I have pictures located here under MacMania 7 (http://web.mac.com/catsdance/iWeb/Home.html).

The cruise was on Holland America Cruise Lines. We left out of Ft. Lauderdale for the 10 day cruise. We stopped in Aruba, Curacao, the canal, Costa Rica then home we came. Aruba was different from what I expected. I always hear about it being a place for spring break so I expected it to be a bit larger, lots of beaches, etc. It was a bit smaller than I thought, and it had lots of beaches but it had a lot more too. We did and excursion to a butterfly farm which was great. We also went to an aloe farm, not quite as fun as the butterfly farm, then we went to the natural arches section of the island. I didn’t know about the natural arches area before going. We drove through a very desert-like area to get there. The natural arches area is on the shore – a very rocky area, not for swimming. It was very dramatic watching the waves break on this rocky region. But I liked it.

In Curacao we just walked around the town. Its a Dutch area and you can see that in lots of the architecture. But it was fun walking around and there’s lot of shopping.

The Panama Canal is fascinating. We went through the locks into the lake. It was a bit rainy and while on the lake you could watch the rain move. They had someone on the ship speaking and telling us information about the canal, the building of it, how its used today, info about ships going through it, etc. It was interesting. I’m glad we went there and next time (if we get the chance) I’ll try to get up earlier and be more awake.

In Costa Rica we did an excursion that had a train ride, went to a banana plantation, then did a boat ride. It was rainy and not quite as warm as expected. We had a guide who told us a lot about the area, the people, and was fun to listen to – Humberto. He was good. This excursion was through Holland America. Because it was rainy when we took the boat ride the river was very swollen and muddy. But between Humberto and the boat pilot we saw quite a few animals from the boat. It was I must say fun and fascinating. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. Sometimes you don’t know what to expect, but this one turned out great.

Now we’re home and getting ready for Thanksgiving. This year, I’m cooking it. Oh yeah, what fun, let’s see how I do. Turkey day cooking for just two.

Its hard to believe its almost Oct. Were does the time go. We’ve been busy. Its been a cool summer here in Seattle, at least a bit cooler then usual. But I think that’s better than sweating all summer. We did go spend a week in San Antonio and I’ll take a cooler climate happily.

What I do love is the first weekend in Oct. is Issaquah Salmon Days. Its a fun street fair kind of thing. Its all about the salmon that come up the creek into Issaquah. The town also has its own salmon hatchery so its a fun event to go to. It really only lasts the weekend, but its fun. So I’m looking forward to going to it.

Also this Oct. we are going to Las Vegas for a few days. We are meeting some of my family there. We’re got reservations for dinner and a show so that should be fun. I don’t do Vegas often so I’m looking forward to it.

And we’re going to the Seattle Opera for a Sunday matinee. That should be fun too. I’m looking forward to Oct.