Happy? Fourth

Hello,

The days just fly by and I find myself falling further behind in posting. I hope you all had a good Fourth of July holiday. 

I'm going to vent a little about ours. It was good, but we plan to try something different next year. Chuck and I got our chairs down to our usual intersection at 7am after they blocked off the streets. Got a good spot in the shade. At 9:30 all three of us came back down and settled in to people-watch while we waited for the parade to start. We're just two blocks from the beginning so we get to leave while it's still winding it's way through the streets. It's the perfect spot.

Not long after, a police officer came up and told us all that we would need to move our chairs because that part of the intersection was being used as an emergency exit. It never had been before but okay, we definitely understand. We moved our chairs over closer to the sidewalk, but still got to be 'in the street.' With the intersection now empty, we had a big, clear view toward the start, and of all the participants as they would come down the street!

What we didn't know was that he was going to allow people to stand in the intersection. No chairs allowed. Oh. As it got closer to start time, there were so many people that crowded into that space we could only see directly in front of us.

And there were so many kids! We've been at that spot for many years and have never seen so many. Then we hear a dad ask his kids, "Why are we here?" 

"Candy!!"

"And why are we at the front of the parade?"

"Because they haven't run out of candy!"

"That's right!"

So many of the kids had bags that they would fill, like Halloween. One girl even went out to the street to a parade participant and took the candy right out of her hand! 

It was different.

We had the usual participants:

  Some fun ones:

And a few that made you grateful:

And the horses. They're always a favorite!

But this year I would say 85% of the entries were promotions for local political candidates, or shops, or businesses. It was just one big commercial. 

Plus, in 2020 our town decided to stop doing the big fireworks show so you leave the parade and that's that. We've always loved celebrating July 4th in our town but this year was just meh. 

I did make our usual jello dessert. Diana even made it for Adelaide this year. She called it her 'wibbly wobbly.' 😄

I do want to acknowledge the victims of the Texas floods. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by them. I can only imagine what those families are going through.  

Not a Creature Was Stirring... Well, They Are Now

Beth has a doctors appointment next week and I need to get her in for some lab work before then. We went yesterday but they were closed for lunch - of course - and we didn't have time to go back before she had to leave for work. We plan to try again this morning. The lab at the doctors office is closed today so we'll need to go to the hospital to do it.

Sharaya dropped Allie off at about 6:45 this morning and 2 hours later she's still asleep on the couch. I probably have about another hour before she wakes up. Then we'll have some breakfast before starting our day. Diana was asking me last night what my plans were and I think we'll just hang out here at home. Sharaya and Allie have been so busy lately, some days going to 4 and 5 different places each day. Maybe we'll toss a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic. Or pull out the paper and stamps and do some crafts.

This afternoon is the BIG game! Seahawks vs Panthers and we are pumped! Seattle is all decked out in blue and green and I even made blue and green jello to have during the game! I intermix it with whipped cream, we love it!

Well Chuck is now awake and I think I hear a little one stirring on the couch.

Til next time -

 

Snowflakes in Seattle! Oh, and Jello

Last night the snow fell in Seattle. We usually don't get a lot, certainly not like Colorado or Minnesota! But we do get some every year. Last night was beautiful. We turned off all the lights and sat at the kitchen window, watching the snow fall. It's so peaceful and amazingly quiet! I love how there are no cars, no birds, not one sound, yet the world is changing dramatically! I also love how our yard then looks as good as our neighbors. :)

Beth takes a lunchable when she goes to karaoke and art each Wednesday. A lunchable and a Sprite 0. Always. Every Wednesday the same thing. A lunchable and a Sprite 0. Except today. We forgot to get it when we went to the store this week. She was so disappointed last night! She started suggesting things she could do instead; walk to Wendy's and buy lunch (there's a Wendy's across the street from All Aboard, where she does karaoke) or maybe go to the donut shop next door and buy lunch. But we said no to both of those ideas.

I told her that even though lunch was going to be different today, it would still be okay. She would still ride DART, still be with her friends, still sing and do art. The only difference would be her lunch. Diana went through the pantry with her trying to find something but Beth just wasn't interested in any of it. She finally decided to make jello. She could take a small bowl of jello with her to All Aboard. Hey, fat free, sugar free jello? Sounds good to me! So we made jello. Okay, she made jello and I took pictures. :)


Here she's reading the note I leave her every night. Tells her the day, the time to set her alarm and the time her bus will be picking her up. Plus I write about meetings or things happening that night. She likes to know about things ahead of time.

Puttin' 'em in the fridge.

Watching the snow fall.

In the Spring this is a maroon azalea!

Our palm tree - before I brushed off the snow.

Along with the snow, we had howling winds and the power went out for a while!

Hope you all had a good night!