Visiting Seattle

I'm in Seattle for my 2nd visit this year with my daughter Rachel and her husband, Howard, and daughter, Ashlynn. I've been here 4 days and it's gone so fast it's hard to believe that I've been here that long. It's been full of me and Ashlynn time and some time with Howard. Last night Rachel, Ashlynn and I went for a ride to Black Diamond. Beautiful! Up in the mountains and it was cold and Autumny and golden and red and orange and foresty green. It reminded me of our trip to Norway 2 winters ago except without the snow. The trees here in Seattle and surrounding towns are so massive and numerous. I love the blue spruce and the tall pine trees with the branches which turn up in a smile with super-long needles. It's really beautiful because everywhere you look there are differences and great variety in scenery.

I am enjoying the humidity. For the first time since moving west from Florida I can sleep all the way through the night without drinking three glasses of water - in fact I don't need any fluids here during my sleep hours. Nice!

Last Rachel and Ashlynn and I were driving through Black Diamond and I said to Rachel, "Look that over there looks like a scene out of the Twilight movie! - - It looks just like Forks! I guess I'll go home and finish the movie now." I hadn't finished the movie when I started to watch it two weeks ago because I became bored with it so turned it off. Anyway, Rachel then explained that Forks which is just a little ways from here looks nothing like this and that the movie was not actually filmed in Forks WA where the novel is set. Interesting!

Ashlynn loves to run from me. I think she knows I'm a grandma and can't keep up with her. She has the fastest little legs (definitely an athlete). She loves to spend time in her room alone and we shut the door and give her some space when she needs it. She has a crib and a big girl bed and loves to sleep in her crib but watches her barbie TVDVD play which teaches her how to sign and to sing and which is mounted on the ceiling from her big girl bed.

Today Ash went down for a nap on the big-girl bed which is unusual and we shut the door for quiet. I was downstairs and her mom was napping in her room. After about an hour I heard sobbing and coughing and then some choking and so I jumped up and ran as fast as this grandma with a sore knee can run up the stairs. I looked into her room and she was not in her bed but I could still hear her sobs. I opened the door wider and looked in and found her in her closet on the floor on her face with her still tiny diapered bottom up in the air crying like a 9 month old - broken hearted. When she wakes up in her bed and not her crib it scares her and she cries like the world has left her behind. I walked over and picked her up and she wrapped her arms around my neck very tight and cried even harder. I carried her into her moms room, pulled the covers back and she crawled over to Rachel and buried herself next to her mom and stopped crying immediately. I have not ever seen anything as tender as this little girl's feelings for her mom and her dad.

Tomorrow Ashlynn goes to Children's Hospital in Seattle at 11:30 a.m. for Surgery at 12:45. She has a slight runny nose and we're hoping this doesn't stop the surgery which she needs so very much. I'll be praying all through the day and night tomorrow if the surgery happens for both she and Rachel who will be in Intensive Care until Tuesday morning. Then if all is well they'll come home, Rachel will go to bed and I'll take my first shift with Ashlynn. Tonight when Ashlynn was standing in front of the sliding doors to the outside looking out into the darkness and dancing with her reflection, I told her parents that I don't know how they got her because I'm not sure that any of us are worthy of her. They agreed and said, "because without her we would not make it to the Celestial Kingdom!" I don't think that is true but one thing is for sure, with her in our lives we are learning how to live a little higher, be a little happier and at times a little sadder. She very definitely is showing us how to be a little more grateful for who we are and for who she is that we don't know about yet. She is something. She is exhausting. She is happier than anyone I know. She gets more frustrated than anyone I know when she can't communicate her feelings and needs to us. She understands everything we say so maybe the problem is on our part! We're learning from her every day. I wish everyone in my family and among my friends could have an Ashlynn in their lives. Thanks for coming to us Ashlynn.

A happy TV moment for me! Joy Joy Joy!

Did you see Regis and Kelly Live yesterday? I love these two. When it is too cold to go out or even to get up and venture into my bathroom I sit in my recliner and smile at these two very cheerful characters. Regis is almost 80 and I will truly be sad when and if he retires. He is the last great entertainer of his generation. When I think that he was friends with Dean Martin, Johnny Carson and others who I enjoyed as a child I truly relish getting to get up and watch him each morning. It's one of the joys of being recently retired from working that I give to myself each day. Watching Regis and Kelly is compensation for all the years I worked hard and didn't get to watch all the daytime TV shows that people talked about all those years. "Did you see Oprah today?" "Did you see The Doctors yesterday?" Nope I never got to watch those shows but I am making up for it now . . . especially watching happy Regis and cute-happy Kelly!

Anyway, the reason for this post? Yesterday Regis and Kelly gave out the "Relly Award" for best Regis impersonation in the past year. They've been giving out Relly Awards all week to guests who came on their show and made big impressions with talent or whatever they do. And America voted on the Relly Awards so Regis and Kelly have no clue who will win until they read the card on the aire!

Yesterday, they played each of the contenders film clips showing various actors or news people impersonnate Regis and each one was truly funny and talented in his own right. The best one in my opinion was Niel Patrick Harris. It had nothing to do with the fact that I think he is very talented and cute and sings well and dances and is charming. I have appreciated Niel's talent since he was Doogie Howser on television back in the 1980's. A cute little 10 year old kid who gets through medical school and works in a hospital. A bit far-fetched but not impossible was the premise of this weekly sit-com show.

Now, Niel also won the Relly award in 2007 for impersonating Regis. I was sure they wouldn't give him the award again yesterday even though he was far and above the best over all of the other contenders . . . . including Regis himself~! When his name was announced as the winner again - I actually screamed and bounced up and down in my Cabella Recliner. Then . . . I was slightly disapopinted (but understood) when Regis and Kelly announced that due to another film project Niel was working on he would not be able to accept the award in person. Yes I know he is an actor, and I know he has recently "come out" about certain things and even though I am deftly opposed to his lifestyle I do appreciate his talent and was slightly disappointed that he would not be there to joke with Kelly and be his usual funny self. Then . . . suddenly . . . from behind Kelly and Regis the beaded backdrop parted and out stepped . . . . SURPRISE!!!! . . . Niel Patrick Harris to surprise the audience, Kelly and Regis and ME!!!! It was wonderful! I screamed and jumped up and down again . . . all by myself in my little house . . . and in my Cabella chair!!!! It was one of those moments when I had a "rumbly in my tumbly" as pooh states or I had butterflies run through me. You would have thought that I was right there in the theatre with Regis and Kelly and Patrick! That's how excited I was to see him. I got SOOOO excited!!! When the audience started to scream, Kelly and Regis turned around and Kelly started jumping up and down in those very tall spikey heels she wears and clapping her hands like a little kid who has just met Santa Clause for the very first time. It was just one of those TV moments you had to see to appreciate. It was like one of the TV moments we would watch on the old Bob Hope or Jack Benny Comedy Hour.

Who is Niel Patrick Harris? He seems to be taking the entertainment world by storm lately. Hosting all the award shows like the recent Emmy's. I have to say that here is a young man (in his 30's) that is recently making big strides in his career and he has a charisma that is so catchy. Everyone wants to be his friend because of his cute boyish smile and his sence of humor and his talent for singing, dancing and acting.

So he gave a very cute acceptance speech, kissed Kelly on her cheek telling her she looked ravishing (they are very good friends) and the show cut to commercial break. When the break was over Regis and Kelly were back at the desk to finish the show and Kelly was still smiling and said, "If Loving Niel Patrick Harris is Wrong, I don't want to be right!" Hahahahahaha! My sentiments exactly. This was the TV highlight of my week! I just wanted to share it with all of you who didn't get to see Niel win his Relly! Go Niel! I think I'll go to the internet now and buy some of his movies or at least the Doogie Howser DVD set - if there is such a thing!

Pictures of our Shangrila

This is our house thus far. It's taking shape and it has become what I wanted it to be a little beach house away from the beach. We're still hanging curtains and every day I move something from one place to another and it does feel like home now.

(Click on the pictures to get an enlarged or clearer view)

This corner has our Florida things that I always keep out to remind me that we lived in a beautiful place by the water. The vase holds actual Pensacola Beach white sand and shells. I love the stained glass beach picture, the glass fish and our first family portrait taken on the beach in March of 1989 (too small to see here - but take my word for it we were all young and beautiful or in Clay's and Rachel's case, "cute") Also Rachel's Prom Picture. That was a fun day making her up even though she had a miserable time at the dance and never went to another prom.


Dean and his dad watching over the irrigation waters that come into our yard every other Monday evening. Because we irrigate, we don't have to water our lawn - ever.

My piano corner. I spend a lot of time here practicing and even composing sometimes. Yesterday I ran across a beautiful song that Rachel performed one time which I accompanied her on and it brought back memories. Rachel, find a place to perform and I'll come and accompany you. Memories! The little purple pumkin is from my friend Celeste. She sent it to me with Flowers in it when Lisa passed away and now it is very full of all kinds of chocolate. I don't eat it. I find that when all the things I love are plentiful in my house I don't go there. It's when I have nothing to munch on that I go to the store and eat everything I can get my hands on. Dean eats the chocolate though. He makes up for what I don't eat. Children come to our home and love to open the pumpkin and see what edible goody is inside.

Our TV room which has changed since this pic was taken. We now have the TV centered in the room and 2 Cabella's outdoor recliner chairs that we sit in every evening and some beautiful blue and white tropical curtains hanging on the windows (I'll have to post another picture soon). We recline, eat popcorn or dinner on our laps and enjoy the few stations we have which are digital. Three networks and some spanish channels and a station called "Create" which I LOVE!

Front Porch Rockers just like they were in Pensacola.

Wall hanging in our hallway across from the Bathroom. 3D

Irrigation waters in our back yard coming up over the ditch. It's very weird. It comes at 5:00 on the dot every 2 weeks on Monday evening.

Bedroom or part of it. We still have to hang the curtains which are blue and white striped and will add texture to the walls. Our window is a corner window on both walls. Does that make any sense? That is a Southern Magnolia hanging above the headboard.

Living Room. Very similar to Pensacola only smaller. I heard that if you have not changed arrangement of the decor in your home in 20 years - - it's time. I tried to add a few things here that make this a little different like the way things are placed and there are a few beachy things on teh shelves like my old real Sand Castle that I have not had out in years. It's lovely in this room. I also now have a beautiful brightly colored Euro pillow sitting on the couch (not shown here) that I purchased at "Gardner Mill" the other day which is not in this picture and really brightens up the entire room. I love oranges, yellows and greens - - LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.

The walls look really green here but are more subdued in real life. This was bright morning sun.

Dad's paintings and the metal artwork above says, "JOY". Orlando LDS Temple on Side Wall.

Kitchen - - - Fun Fun Fun kitchen. I love my antique stove and ovens and my new Jennaire Microwave and KitchenAide Refrigerator. Nice Nice Nice. Consolation for having no heat! Yep.
Kitchen Table and Microwave cart compliments of IKEA, our new favorite home supply store.
The canvas picture is of an Italian Wine Vinyard.

Towels made and given to us by our Bishop's wife in Pensacola.

This little fish's name is Neumann. He was a gift given to me by our housekeeper at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Nina! She gave me this little glass fish who actually bobs up and down in the water when I talk to him. When I quit my job Nina told me I was her best friend. I had no idea. I need to call Nina tonight and check on her. I had a contest to name the fish and my friend Amy (who coincidently works at a mental health center - hahahaha Amy!!!! ) gave us the name Neumann. He does sort of look like Paul don't you think. He sits in our kitchen window now and is the first to greet us every morning. He is full of personality!

These pictures are sort of outdated already but you get the idea. I'm constantly decorating and redecorating. Love to all!