Visits With Family

Well, after a breakfast of biscuits and gravy my sister and I set out on a trip to do some looking around at sights and see some relatives.

As you can see, I found an outhouse.....this outhouse is different from My Out House.


Last of Peanut's Garden
I remember this barn when I was a little girl. The owner had to big black mules he kept in there -he also had a couple cows.
This tree has been bearing apples since way before I was born. I have picked many apples from this tree.
This is known as Pop Swift's hill....we used to play all over this hill....lots of memories.

Goldenrod - my favorite fall flower.
My brother Dearl on his horse Priscilla.
The trunk of the old pound apple tree still bearing apples.
Pound apples
My Brother Doran and his Great Grandson Matt

Just a few photos from our little journey........and that's it for today.

Be sure also to go back and read my night at The Greyhound Hotel.

And one last thing Coleman Brown is celebrating his 64th Birthday today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLEMAN!!!

Rockin' & Rollin' At The Greyhound Hotel

Short Note:

Got in Mountain City about 11 PM Saturday night---Boy do I have a story----See You at Hardee's where I have Wi Fi.


AND HERE IS THE REST IF THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!

Well, my trip on Friday was great as long as I was on Southwest. I flew from Spokane to Las Vegas and then straight to Nashville.

Knowing that I would be short on time I had to take a taxi from the airport to the Greyhound. Well, I made it with seconds to spare.

The lady at the ticket counter checked my ticket and told me to wait behind Door #5 and the driver would take my ticket. So over to Door#5 I go and I stood and waited. 5 minutes, 10 minutes------ The manager walked by I stuck my head out the door and asked "Is this the bus to Johnson City?" Yes it is right there but its not loaded yet was his answer. So I waited some more....then the bus pulls out......thirty minutes late.

The driver didn't recheck to see if there was any other passengers or give any kind of announcement that he was leaving - just pulled out and left me------high and dry ---

It was a 14 hour wait for the next bus.

BOY was I hot under the collar. My complaint fell on deaf ears. It was obvious this woman did not like her job and she didn't like me either!! She informed me that it was not her job to tell the driver he had passengers and I should have went looking for the driver to let him know I would be riding his bus.

Okay, so it is obvious I am spending the night at The Greyhound Hotel. Gotta amuse myself somehow. The TV keeps showing the debates over and over and over. If you are interested I can recite it word for word.

There were no Elvis sightings but I was told he had been seen there about a week ago waiting for a bus. Elvis was quoted as saying, "It was not quite as comfortable as Graceland but It'll do".

Night life in Nashville was rather interesting three different sets of police cars complete with ambulances showed up - no clue as to what was going on.

A lady walked up and asked if she could sit next to me - I said okay. The minute she sat down I wanted to change my mind. It was very obvious she had been partaking of some type of alcoholic beverage.
This was her conversation-----You look like a nice lady, I am trying to get home to see my sick son and my husband and I are getting divorced and I don't have any money for a bus. Can you give me sixteen dollars?
My answer was I don't have that much cash on me.
At which point, she stood up and says....Do you know that guy over there---I will go ask him. And she did...no money there either. I did see a security guard talking to her and then she disappeared.

In order to stay awake, I figured I had better find some coffee and a newspaper. Well, evidently Nashville does not print a daily paper or it does not service Greyhound. The only type of newspaper I was able to find was yesterdays USA today and I had already read it. As for the coffee - at $1.90 an 8 ounce cup. Only took one cup to satisfy my coffee craving.

The fourteen hours did pass by. I found an electrical outlet and was able to plug in my laptop and do some work on it.

I also called Darrell (Pa) and Judy at the KOA where they are workcamping and had a wonderful conversation with them. They sure are nice folks. Hoping to meet them on my return trip thru Nashville.

Here's some photos of my wonderful stay at the Greyhound Hotel---you can bet the next stay in Nashville will be in the Out House.

Maam, You will need to stand before Door 5 and the driver will take your ticket....NOT!!
Does this driver look like he knows where he is going??
No, Jenny's luggage is not on this bus!!
Wonder how long these people have been here?

Now , you tell me what you would have done????? And what about the sign?? Instructions by Door Number 5 In English and Spanish

Accomodations at the Greyhound Hotel
And there is even food!!! If you can call it that-- You can get it two ways - microvaveable or cold
I did manage to put my luggage on the seat and grab a cat nap -
If you are in the area and have 14 hours to kill --- it is interesting.

And "That's it For Today!"

Mountain City Tennessee

Here is a few photos of where I am going today. Destination: Mountain City, Tennessee

DONE!!!!!!!!!!

Well, at 1:30 pm today I hung it up.......done.......kaput.......fini ......and all those words that mean the end!!...the last full day in the full time working world....

I am so excited to be among all those baby boomers that are retiring. I could have waited until I was of legal age (more than 24) but when I did the math it would take me sixteen years to make up the difference in the paychecks. Who knows where I would be at that age.



I am in good health (so far as I know) and I would rather work when I want and travel when I want and not be tied to that alarm clock every day. The difference in the money is not as important to me as the sanity.



Tomorrow I will fly to Tennessee to visit with my family and attend my 45th class reunion (okay - I know I graduated before I was born). The reunion is sure to be a lot of fun. I have not seen some of these people since we graduated and that was a day or two ago. After that I will return to Spokane.



I am definitely looking forward to pursuing new interests and having fun seven days a week instead of two. Maybe I will even get the chance to blog every day.



Retirement

After thirty years the day of decision has come
It is time to consider quitting and reducing stress
You fear you will be bored and have the doldrums
Time to slow the rapid pace and go out for recess.

It’s a good idea to take time for some relaxation
Working overtime results in multi-digit taxation
Take a boat and paddle to a quiet fishing spot
Retirement is your reward for that stomach knot

Lift the years of pleasing the boss and immobility
Place them on the table next to responsibility
Let someone else be at the controls; take a cruise
It’s time to put away those heavy work shoes

With all that rest and relaxation in a few years I will probably look just like this but there's one thing I will be sure to say...... It's quite a life!!!!

That's it for today!! And tomorrow will be the first of many wonderful days!!!

Wednesday

Still Celebratin' - Post in Progress

Well, I am still celebrating my Birthday!! After all the Good Wishes from family, friends and loved ones I am still on a Birthday High. Over thirty people stopped in the chat room for my virtual Birthday Party and a good time was had by all. THANK YOU ALL!!!! Cards and presents were also appreciated. My favorite gift was a 2 gig memory card from the grandkids for my digital picture frame. Now I will be able to look at all those wonderful pictures that go drifting by to remind me of friends and family.

Official Birthday Party Picture

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!!!!!

Well, the last sixty two years have been absolutely the best time of my life. The next sixty two promises to be just as good.

You've heard the story of how I was born, how I got my name and how I grew up. You've heard how my age came about and how I continue to be 24 year after year. You have heard about my family and how much I love my three grandchildren.

Here is a few facts you may not know about me.

My two best friends are both older than me.

I was born the same year as President Bush. He is older too - by 76 days!!

I am a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant.

I once worked for the Navy Department at the Pentagon.

I am as old as the microwave and the electric blanket.

I am older than the Admiral Radio and the 1949 Airline TV.

FUN FACTS ABOUT 1946

Harry Truman was president.

Most popular song was Ole Buttermilk Sky by Hoagy Carmichael.

A gallon of gas was 16 cents.

Minimum wage was 40 cents.

Both Dolly Parton and Cher are my age . They look better but they don't use the new math.

So are Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.

First electric blanket was invented.

And last but not least....Dick Johnson is much older than me!!!!!

Sixty two years ago today Roy says, "We'll call her Virginia Rose----That's It For Today"!

Belated Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday Gordon!!! I finally found someone almost as young as me. I have never met Gordon and his lovely wife Juanita. I only found out this week he was born four days before me. Gordon is quite the Alaskan fisherman. He caught enough halibut and salmon fishing the waters of Alaska this year he was able to fill his freezer full to the brim. Looked like some great eatin'.

Looking forward to meeting you on the road somewhere and hope you enjoyed your birthday.


That's it for today!!

Hot!!!! Cold!!!! 6 And 3

Well, Since I had a few things to talk about today I had to include all of them in the title of this blog.

Hot!!!
Well we are having record temperatures here in Spokane this week. The temperature at the airport yesterday was 86 and today it is supposed to get up into the 90's. We'll see what the weatherman says.

Cold!!
After the heat wave we have had the temperature is to drop dramatically. Will be lows 70's by weekend and colder next week. Darn weatherman can't make up his mind. He did say we are an inch below normal for precipitation. Next he will be predicting snow just to take care of that inch. Glad they don't measure weather in miles....he would probably have that too!!

6 - Six - Five - Four - Three - Two - One
Counting down the last six days I have to be in the full time working world. As of the 25th of September I will no longer be working full time. I will be able to only work part time. I will sit back and wait for that "Great Check" to arrive in the mail each month. I guess you could call that a perk of being an original "baby boomer". After all 55 years in the full time working world is enough!

3 - It's three days till my BIG Birthday!!!!! Yes, you guessed it I will be 24 on Saturday. You have heard my birthday story before so I won't repeat it. After all, when you find a good number you stick with it. It's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

That's It For Today!!!

Fair Day

Well, once again it is time for the Spokane Interstate Fair. Ever since the girls were a year old I have taken them to the fair. They love seeing all the animals and exhibits. This year was no exception. We had a wonderful time. This is my version of the fair and I am sure they have their own.

They always have an exhibit of how things were done in the "olden" days and Grandma always has fun explaining how things were done in those days. Granted at age 24 I do not remember all those things. Heck at my age I have never been close to an out house or seen what is in one. I loved the sign on the door. ( To read it you may have to click the picture).

So this is what you find in an outhouse???

The girls found Spokane's Miss Teenage Miss and had to have an autograph. Next year they will be able to run and I am sure they will both apply. After all they were the "cutest" girls at the fair.

And these were our favorite animals at the fair.
Well, they were until Kimberlei spotted the possums named after Grandma!!
kinda hard to see through the cage but it is really a possum.
and Grandma had to have this picture so she would know what a ferret looked like.

A couple of cute sunflowers I spotted!!
and the girls found a friend from the Washington State Patrol to hang out with.
Maybe we will grow up to be carpenters...we already have the aprons!!
No pictures of the food....it was gone before I remembered to take the picture. I do have one other picture and I will share that at a later date.

and a good time was had by all....."That's it For Today".