When I Last Left You

When I last left you, we were getting ready to leave for our European Adventure.

Our friend -Joe drove us to the Amtrak station in Spoky-Jo at midnight. It started snowing. A blizzard with about 4 inches coming down already.

Bye Bye US

We are waiting for our car to take us to the aeroport! 12 hours from now, we should be in the UK.

Hope everything goes accordingly well.

...And Off We Go!

Packing, closing up the home, dropping off the dog.

To pass the time, we are watching miscellaneous shows on tv - Heart is singing Barracuda on the Fuse channel -WHAT is the name of the other Wilson sister? With the computer already being shut down, we are unable to access Wikipedia to obtain an answer. Woe betide us as our memories are failing.

Then Joe arrives to pick us up at midnight. The weather takes a turn for the worst. Flying through a winter blizzard at 55 mph, we travel the 40 miles to the Amtrak station in Spoky-Jo. I am white-knuckle holding onto the door handle while griting my teeth as we speed through the dead of night. Only thanking the heavens above that there are not very many other vehicles on the road during this snow storm. It drops about 4 inches in the hour it takes to get to the airport, in addition to the 3 inches that we already received before we left.

Joe drops us off and hugs us; farewells are said. We wheel our luggage and bags into the depot-waiting patiently for the train to arrive. Encountering a man dressed badly as a woman (complete with enormous poky breasts that seem to jiggle, fake red wig, and a full beard stubble). This is the beginning of our great adventure.

A panic ensues as hubby starts asking about tickets. Tickets for Eura-Rail! Why would he ask that question now? As I leaf through my file folder of paperwork, passports, and reservaations, a breathless fear eats into my heart. Did I really leave them at home?

We board the #730 Coach, find Room #5 and settle into our warm little alcove wherein the bed is already turned down and treats are ready for us on the pillows. Watching out the window as the lights of the city speed past, we settle back and cuddle each other as sleepy slumber overcomes us.

Early morning hits us as the conductor indicates a call that breakfast will be short today because the dinning car will be closing at 0700. We spent the meal speaking with the nicest couple from Libby, Montana who were to spend a week in Ocean Springs. We explained about our vacation and they were able to give us some helpful hints. Greg broke his fast with the Bob Evan's special - pancakes with a scrambled egg entree. I enjoyed the Railroad French Toast. Lots of hot coffee as we only had 4 hours of sleep.

Watching the beautiful scenery across the state of Washington, the train arrives in Seattle at 10:15. Contacting the shuttle service at Comfort Suites prior to pulling into the station, we disembark to find our driver already waiting. A quick ride to the hotel and we are checked in early. WTG! While unpacking, Greg realizes that he left his coat & cell phone on the train. Oh NO! Contact with Sig at Amtrak Baggage nets us a quick retrieval of his coat and now we return to the station with Dave the driver, to pick up the coat.

Dave leaves us at Amtrak Station, we hoof it downtown to a wonderful BBQ restaurant-McCoy's Firehouse Bar & Grille. Yum. Beef brisket with onions. The place was definitely hoppingly full by noon!

We visit the Kilt shop http://www.utilikilts.com/ along 1st Avenue and Greg definitely had that glint in his eye! If the price had not been so outrageously expensive for a bit of skirt, I'm sure he would have been more than eager to purchase one...or two.

We passed the Underground Tour building that Kelsey will remember from when we brought her to Seattle. That tour was very great with informative hosts, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting.

From there we walked to Pioneer Square and picked up mini donuts (Greg twisted my arm!) Greg was wearing something special so we were 'teased' by most everyone we saw. This is a surprise to K&M, so I will reveal it at a later date. Needless to say, we stood out from the crowd.

At Pike Place Market we watched the fishmongers toss their fish into the air and give quite a show. Walking through that marketplace is quite an adventure. So many creative artists. (Greg notes-we got accosted by the 'hippie' who was selling natural beeswax candles that he & his wife had been making for the last 20 years-while he had a very beautiful collection, we were unable to purchase one.) I loved the variety of food within such a small venue-If I lived within the metro area, I would surely be down there at least once a week to pick up fish or fresh fruit.

Sitting down on a park bench at the Olympic Sculpture Park, we watched the homeless wandering around in the sun, children frolicking on the grass, pigeons & seagulls divebombing for scraps of food, tugs & ferries crossing Puget sound, and a police horse with the requisite officer upon his back.

We tramped back to our hotel and after a short nap, we luxuriated under a wonderfully warm shower, confirmed our boarding ticket with the help of a delightful french girl via the Air France customer service; and then Greg ordered a pineapple & canadian bacon pizza from Pagliacci. More deliciousness.

A phone call to Chachi to ascertain that Isabelle talked to him after he got home from work...then she watched out the front window upon the dog couch. So all is well there. No worries.

Off to bed with our bad selves so that we can be ready in the lobby at 11:30 for the car service to drop us at the airport tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 2:00 PM.

The Calm B4 The Storm

Numbness surrounds me. I feel a calmness that I have only felt once before in my life-the time before I got married. Suppose the storm of emotion will hit soon.

Friday was spent cleaning up, packing, last minute confirmations. Hubby came home late after work and we went to get our nails done; they had to dig the dirt out underneath his nails! So he is pretty, and my nails look good.

We met our friend Chachi at his home to pick him up, then drove into CDA to have dinner at Red Lobster - his wife had already arrived and secured a table for us! Thereby avoiding a 35-45 minute wait! Yippee. I overate. Burp. Hubby & I both had the ultimate feast. Lobster, Crab, Shrimp - garlic bread, salad. Then we all shared a chocolate cake & ice cream dessert. Chachi had Salmon and Joanie had the Catch of the Day.

Joanie showed us her new silver Rav4 that she had purchased this past week. Wow. Pretty nice. Then we drove home sans dog - which was very depressing. Usually the dog accompanies us everywhere. She was so overtly excited to see us when we got home, had her "weird ears" wiggling and her tail wagging. I'm gonna miss that little pup a lot while we are gone.

Saturday, Greg worked in the shop while I cleaned the house for the final time. Then the fireplace bombed. We think it might be a thermocoupler, but with no stores open on the weekend, we will have to drain the pipes in the house while we are gone - and repair the fireplace when we return. What unfortunate luck.

Today, we do a little last minute shopping, packing, and then our friend Joe will be here at midnight to take us to Amtrak.

Three Two One

3.2.1. Only three days left. We leave on Sunday night - actually Monday morning at 2am - to catch the Amtrak train to Seattle.

I'm glad we are leaving now because the weather forecast is for cold, cold temps & snow. We both feel AWFUL about leaving poor little Isabelle alone. But we will console ourselves that she is with our best friends, that they have dogs she will be able to play with, and that this is a much better solution than a kennel. Izzy is such a sensitive dog that she would be devastated to be left anywhere else.

On Wednesday, I got stuff organized into different piles of what to pack into each suitcase. Toiletry items, clothing, shoes, gifts & misc.

Hubby-bubby came home after work and we had to make a run into town so that he could pick up parts. We observed many beautiful, lighted homes and Izzy just loved it. A radio station here has already started playing Christmas music (thanks 98.1 Lite-Rock KISS) so that we could truly enjoy the holiday spirit. The dog sticks her head out of the appropriate window and just stares at the twinkling lights as we slowly drive by each home. She even turns her head as we pass just to keep on looking at them. Who said that dogs are color-blind?

Thursday morning found me at the hair stylist's - Quincy did my hair in a smooth, swinging, curly style. It is great. But it will mean a lot of curling while we are gone. I have to find a really good curling iron to use. Ionic/Ceramic irons seem to be the best.Oh! Christmas With the Rat Pack is now in stores. Must Get! There's just something about Dean Martin that gets to me everytime! s.h.i.v.e.r.s.

Greg gave the dog a bath while I was getting my hair done. He also picked up a tarp to wrap around the cat box to keep her?/him? warm & dry.

After getting my hair done, we stopped at the mall- Hollisters - to pick up a pair of jeans for me; and Victoria's Secret to get my perfume. Mall Shopping. Check. Done.

While we were leaving VS, I noticed some woman had left her purse on the floor directly in the entrance to the store by a display. So, after asking a couple women that were in the vicinity, I picked up the bag and took it to the cashier at the store. Hopefully, it will get back to its owner. That was my good deed for the day. But afterwards, I began to think that it might have contained a bomb; what if one had been planted and when I picked it, I had inadvertently set it off? Hmmm. I guess that my concern outweighed my sense of self-protection?

On the way home, we stopped at Schuck's for more car parts, Wendy's for cheeseburgers for the puppy. Looked at more lights. What a wonderful night.

Greg worked in the shop trying to get last minute stuff done - guys are dense. After he has told people for weeks that he won't be around, they suddenly decide at the last minute that THEY have to have their stuff worked on RIGHT NOW. Well, at least he won't have to worry about it for the next 4 weeks.

1.2.3.4.5 DAYS!

The countdown is FIVE. Five days until we leave on vacation.


I am in such a state of tranquility at the present that I fear that it will be a frentic time at the very last minute.

Am trying to make lists so that I don't forget anything. But I always console myself with the thought that I can purchase what I would need over there. I'm sure they have stores across the pond, too.

It snowed heavily, then it began to rain. And rain. And rain. We have had non-stop rain for the last several days. The temperatures were in the high 40s today. This weird weather is unbelievable for the winter.

While Greg went into work a little while today; he also spent some time in the shop - then he took me into town to look for some new jeans. The selection was as distressingly slight as the choice of coats. No wonder the populace in this area dress as tho they live in the backwoods; it is probably because of the limited range of styles stocked by local retailers.

After jean shopping, we went to my doctor appt. Then stopped to confirm my hair appt with Quincy. She changed the time from Saturday to Thursday at 10AM instead. I need to get my nails done before we leave, so after my hair appt would be a good time. We finally visited Greg's favorite store - Harbor Freight. Got him some cutting wheels. Whoopie.

We are going to go out with Joanie & Chachi on Friday night.

I'm so tired right now, I can barely keep my eyes open.

NINE

NINE days to go. Just nine. I can't believe it when I type that number.

We have so much to do this weekend. Greg has to wrap up things he has in the shop; the building will have to wait until we return to put the finishing touches on it.

Tomorrow, we will go to quite a few stores to get little odds & ends. A coat for me? I am still debating on whether or not to take my enormous, warm, faux fur coat. Besides the fact that I look gigi-fabulous in it; it might be too warm with the temperatures in the Farenheit 40s in the UK, 50s in France and 60s in Greece...even the 10 day outlook for Garmisch, Germany is in the high 30s & 40s.

While we are at the mall getting our piercings done, I also have to hit Victoria's Secret for some perfume; Merle Norman for makeup; & Costco for a couple Christmas presents.

This week has been busy with arranging things, cleaning house, exercising, and setting things out so we know what we are taking.

Only NINE days.