Eastern Washington Trip

I spent a fun 8 days in the Spokane area. Cinda and I left Bellevue a week ago Friday at ten in the morning assuming we would miss the bad weather that was due later in the day..........not so. The bad weather arrived early and we as we approached the Snoqualmie Summit and for ten miles on the other side we drove through snow and rain and slush. The road crews must have been caught off guard also, becuase we only saw one grader and it was parked behind a jack-knifed semi truck and trailer. I was glad to have someone with me for company and moral support, and we did make it just fine.

Lois had Calla and Sam and Maja up for dinner on Friday night, and then I was whisked off to Coeur d'Alene on Saturday for an overnight of fun. This was all planned by Lois and Calla. We stayed at the Coeur d'Alene Hotel, had drinks and hors d'ourves in the lobby, shopped a bit, and had a marvelous Italian dinner at a local restaurant. Maja joined us, and since she is just sixteen, she was very patient with all of her 'matronly' relatives.

I moved on to Karen's on Sunday evening, and she cracked the whip for three days to be sure I had enough of my latest quilt completed to be ready for the class on Thursday and Friday. However, we did find plenty of time to visit, and shop, and have lunch out.

The two days of quilting class was very good even though I didn't come away feeling as if I had accomplished very much. I spent the better part of the two days learning to cut out bits of fabric to create applique. I'm not so sure I will ever be very good at it. But it was another learning experience.

Karen and I visited with Mike and Mary for a couple of hours on Tuesday evening. Joel came home while we were there so got to visit with him as well. Both Mike and Mary are talking more seriously about retirement, and like most of us, have to wait to make sure all the ducks are in a row for health care.

I drove home last Saturday without incident amd was pleased to find the floor work completed. They do look much improved, but of course not perfect since this is a 100 year old house. There are some places that had to be repaired, and there are a few stains, but overall I am quite pleased.

Of course you can imagine how much dust is layered on EVERYTHING and inside EVERYTHING!! I have emptied, cleaned, washed, and relined four kitchen cupboard shelves and that is it. I know all of this will be waiting when we get back from Idaho next week. We have been staying in the motor home because of the fumes, but they have pretty well dissipated, so we are back in the house tonight.

We are looking forward to a few days with Brian and the boys. Sheila is now in Arizona and will be working twelve-hour days for the next two weeks. She has always been willing to work holidays to allow others to spend time with their families and this year is no exception.

We had dinner at Craig and Cassie's last night which is always a treat. They are a gracious host and hostess, and the food and wine is second to none. Craig is shopping for a chain saw to tackle the big maple tree that went down during the recent heavy rains. They heat with wood so it will be put to good use.

I need to finish packing and get to bed. I probably won't blog until we get back home, but when I do, it's quiddity will be retained.