On guard

 

For a few years this guy has worked to control the school traffic every morning, and has helped many children cross a busy street in safety

Memo: Keeping the drivers continuing north for a few more blocks is his major role. Our streets are too narrow for the heavy two way traffic that happens  during that 8:00 time

This year, his time was cut short, a little health issue getting in the way

But

not to be forgotten or unappreciated 

 

One family was aware of his last day and brought gifts

and not the first time

Smiles and pumpkin pie

Many thanks to the Lia family

 And  also to several others through the years that  have handed him a Starbucks gift card, cookies, and verbal "thank you" for caring about our neighborhood families.

We live an exciting life

.

Wedding bells

     Here comes the bride

Just a beautiful evening, beautiful setting

Did the bubble blowers steal the show...almost  

Here she comes 

Beautiful color and faces and fashion 

Carried by the bridesmaids

The bride's  favored flowers, hydrangeas 

And a piece of chocolate or vanilla for us all 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Osborn 

I live an exciting life.

not an ordinary day

 

Starting out with my annual checkup.  The hardest  part is the blood draw.  Thankfully, Judy, the nurse who has been there for many years,  is in the office today.  And just before she enters the room I get a little beep on my phone... Such good news " my friend got off the waiting list for BSF "...a distraction for sure and , Oh you're  done ?...I was out the door.

after the dentist I go for a frosty.  I think I will start another tradition..after a doctor visit, go to The Burg.

So I did... bacon burger, fries and diet coke.   

Decided to go home before checking in on Mrs. P.  ( meal time is a good time to find her upstairs)
We check daily to make sure she takes her 6 pills, that is what the doctor ordered.

Got busy in the garden and  soon it was after 4:00.  a good time to find Mrs. P upstairs and in the kitchen. 

She did not answer the door, but the light was on in the kitchen...did I hear her voice?
I pull out my key and call out..

"I am in the kitchen, I fell down the stairs"

On the floor.  She had scooted toward the phone, but could not climb up to reach it.

Bump on her cheek, sore shoulder and down her back.

Called hubby.  He came, but knew better than to try to move her.

Called 911... they arrived in a hurry 

Three very nice firemen and soon two ladies with the aid car

Off to Overlake Hospital we go

Diagnosis:  Multiple fractured ribs

That was Tuesday.... I pop in every day to visit.She is still there ( Sunday ) and will probably go for healing/rehab at The Mission on Monday. 

I live an exciting life

It had been years

 

and  today, 

          we went to the Evergreen Fair

But first... breakfast  at Alexa's in Bothell 
 

Memo:  Glancing at the table next to us I saw a little vase with a flower.  Not on ours.  Not on very many tables.  So when Adam came with our breakfast, I asked him if we could have the vase on our table. 
Yes, of course   
 Then when we were ready to leave I stopped by the table next to us and explained that we had borrowed it and the lady smiled and said thank you ( I am pretty sure they will appreciate the posy too ) 

Then we met up with  family ...  and off we go

It is the last day and the weather is cool... small crowd !

Walked around the animal booths ( the rides were not open yet, but the scones booth was )

Many cute animals...but most were hard to view 

First treat:  Coffee, just black and not too strong 

Watched the boys take some exciting rides.  Nita and I rode the carousel. 
At the same time, the boys were on a wild ride and a guy in the car in back of them threw up... on  himself, and all over the side of his  car
I don't do those rides

Onward..

Next treat: Corn on the cob. So tender and good  

Always time for another ride for the boys.  They are good pals, ever since kindergarten.  

Our treat:  Shared fresh fries... warm and tasty. thanks CC

Lots of exhibits in the arena. brought home a new pair of garden gloves

Next treat:  Purple Cow Ice cream.. chocolate chip mint
                        Vanilla milkshake  
                   Worth waiting for...patiently 

Could not resist documenting a once in a lifetime carousel rider. Red pony tails sticking upward on a dad on a pony ride

Lots of memories to take home and the traditional Fisher Scones
( no photo, they did not last long )

I live an exciting life 

.

Psalm 8:2

 

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

For many years I have exchanged a gummy bear, sucker, chocolate treat, for a hug after Sunday School.  First they tell me what they remember from the lesson. 
Today it was candied apple sucker.  

Early this morning I was thinking about my favorite hugger and how little I really know about him.  So along with the usual question
" what did you learn in Sunday School?"  I asked him

" What is the most important thing to you?"  
maybe a slight pause...then
" Knowing my dad and mom still love each other"

Really? I asked

Yes, he said, repeated it, and started to explain a little, then got interrupted, but his message was loud and clear. 

Oh, to be so wise, and blessed. 

 
Eyes swimming 

I live an exciting life

.

flying away...

 

Can't  remember ever writing a story about a flight home

but

this one 

we will always remember because ....

Well it started out early that last morning.

The owner of our "home" made two trips with his car, to the train with our 18 pieces of luggage. ( there were a few totes and backpacks, but we are not going to talk about them) 

8:26 train.   We were thankful for a non stop train to Zurich for the flight 

   

memo:  on the first part of the ride, a young biker sat beside me ( and his bike) I commented that we saw very few churches in the area.  He said there are two churches in Switzerland, Catholic and  "Protestant". The Catholic churches are large and the Protestant are small and in great number.  Yes, he was a Christian, his name was Christian and he was 24 years old.  His goal/career, to provide more efficient roads.  Oh, and he was very polite,  and cute  

 Zurich airport...First stop.... Pretzel King..and yes our last for who knows how long 

And then, with the help of several people we found where to check in to Iceland Air. It is not the major airline in Zurich.

Done and done !

Our Flight left at 1:40 p.m. 
I sat down on the aisle seat and smiled at the lady by the window. Soon the lady in the middle seat arrived and the two of them engaged in conversation,   German. 
 

  About three hours into the flight the pilot announced that due to a situation at Rekjavik airport, we were turning around and landing at Glasgow, Scotland.  And we did.  We were  there on the tarmac for over two hours.  

While we were waiting, the two ladies needed a little help with understanding in English/German what was happening.  

They seemed to understand, as well as the rest of us, a delay is temporary.
Before we landed,  I learned that the German ladies were strangers. One was on a business trip, the other a vacation. Just friendly passengers. 

News..the airport had reopened and we continued our flight which arrived too late to connect with our flight home.

The airline gave instructions to gather our suitcases and head to a bus that was waiting to take all 50 of us to a hotel

A storm was brewing...and did you know that the sun does not set in the summer in Iceland 

We had been riding for about 1/2 hour when the driver announced
" We should be at the hotel in 1 1/2 hours"
We thought he was joking.  He was not.  It is now late evening and the bus is loaded with tired passengers.

Tiffany to the rescue.  The bus driver had announced the name of the hotel and Tiffany found it online and called. 
 She asked if they were prepared for 50 guests.  Yes, they would handle them in less than 20 minutes. 
 How about food?  The kitchen is closed.   
Tiffany explained that these people would be hungry and tired. What could he do?   He said he would get back to her.  And he did.
 Upon arrival there was chicken, French fries and beverages ready for us all.

No complaints.   However, a few people were put in rooms with strangers, but not for us.  Our "manager" took care of all 9 of us.

The breakfast in the morning was huge.

We took our time and while we were waiting for the bus to return,

 Anita, Darrell and Tanner went for a little walk ...to a volcano.  Tanner was thrilled to see one of the 25 wonders of the world
Iceland has several volcanos.. and from what we could observe along the freeway, there is not much to talk about.  However, people come and spend days and weeks here, so there has to be something off the freeway.

Our two hour bus trip back to the airport...

This is what our plane looked like   

One of  the many ads to show there is more to Iceland than the highway 

Not our plane, but worth a picture.

At the airport, we checked in, got new boarding passes, checked our baggage, and had about 1 1/2 hours to find lunch and get to our gate.

 My first stop was customer service.  Why am I often behind the customer that takes so much time ? 
My turn: 
 Since we had paid for food in advance, was that "credit" moved to our new flight?   No. 
 Could they reimburse us?   No.  Go on line.  

Frustration was mounting. Hubby was staying right where he was told to wait and it was taking a long time.  Some of the family tried to use the "app" that would pay for our food, but it did not work.

In the end, we got on board, had a safe flight, and are now waiting to hear back from Iceland Air.

I live an exciting life

.

cars of Switzerland

some old, some new, some very interesting 

and

and one more.

I am often distracted by cars

I live an exciting life

.