So Retirement is Fun

 My dear friends at the museum gave me a really nice going away party.

As I left I noticed that my docents were looking for places to write their names into the schedule.

I am so proud of them for easing Jenna into the job. Obviously, I trained them to be good docents and to be kind.

 Jerrie walked me out to my car with a plethora of cards and gifts.

 I went home to my patio and made a few lists of what is next.

 Hubby took me out for a wonderful evening at Anthony's where we had the perfect table, a yummy dinner and great conversation.

This morning Shelly is picking me up for a road trip to her cabin in Winthrop.

So yes, I have eased right into retirement with a lot fun.

I hope you didn't expect any less from me.

It's not all play though.  The living room is spring cleaned, the ivy is trimmed, the lawn is mowed and I got on the freeway with Huaka'i Annie yesterday.  It was a successful driving lesson, from hitching up to backing up.

Happy Trails!

Today

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  Cliche.  Possibly, but there is some truth there today.

Yesterday was my last day working at the Lynden Pioneer Museum.

I started working at the museum when Max went to preschool. Our boys grew up at the museum along with the museum director's son, Archer.  They are all young men now but when I began they were little guys.

It's been the perfect momjob. It was a flexible schedule, challenging, a creative outlet for me and it was fun.

So many wonderful people at the museum, a great boss and enough personalities to keep it interesting.

I am so thankful for my time at the museum.

Many people have asked me, "what is next?"

For starters I plan to clear off the dining room table.

Honestly, it is a lofty goal.

There are closets, cupboards and drawers to organize.

The house needs a good cleaning.

The floors need waxing.

I haven't planted any flowers this spring so that needs to happen.

The garage needs to be emptied.

I'd like to go to the dump.

I have good intentions to have a yard sale.

That said...

All work and no play makes Tami a dull girl...

I will be playing too, rest assured.

I am going to enjoy and stretch out my morning coffee time.

My morning walks may be later and longer. 

Hubby and I have a lot of camping trips planned for this summer.

I am taking Huaka'i Annie to a SOTF(Sisters on the Fly) event in June.

I'd like to do some Christmas crafting and take it to a show.

Hubby and I are going to get started on the Curtis Wright trailer project.

I am going to read a stack of books on the patio this summer.

Spend more time with my Mom.

Time spent writing, yes please.

Therapy Thursdays with Leslie and Marjean will still be happening.  It's going to look different, we plan to walk and have coffee.

Bay days!

Field trips with friends.

When Hubby goes away for business I'll be tagging along.

And long term, if I get bored, I would like to do some substitute teaching.  Possibly some volunteer work, but not for a year.  I need to get things in order here first and have a little me time.

Yikes!  I have a lot to do.  I better get started.

Here I go...

A Lot of Random

Last week I was super busy. I was like a sugar addict running after the ice cream truck.  Kate and her prince were in India and her wardrobe was all I could think about, that and how on earth does she go to India and not sweat.  Apparently, botox!  I seriously have a life, a busy life.  But the past ten days I have been following her trip and every single piece of clothing.  Where did she get that dress, can I afford it, does it come in my size?  Is there a copycat dress at Gap?

 I do enjoy following the royals, and this trip to India was gorgeous.  Tell me I wasn't the only one vicariously enjoying the royal trip.

While Kate was all cool and collected in India, I was baking cupcakes for my BIL Bill's 50th birthday party.  Jodi put on a fabulous party for Bill.  Good job, sissy!

 

 Yesterday was a scorcher in Ltown.  We seldom hit temperatures in the 80's in April.  Some years it doesn't happen until July.  Hubby was off work yesterday and we worked in the yard.  Until we fell over.  A big change this year is the beauty bark.  I have always thought bark was for old people's gardens.  After the plethora of weeds this spring I preened and then barked.  Waved the white flag.  The weeds overtook my dreams of an English garden with rich soil and pretty perennials. 

Speaking of old people, I am retiring from my job at the museum.  I have been there for 19+ years.  It's time to take care of some deferred maintenance here at home and spend more time with Hubby.

Everyone keeps asking me what am I going to do.  I'm going to get a dumpster, have a yard sale and clean up my house and garage.  That should take about three years.

Hubby and I are starting another trailer restoration.  That should keep me out of trouble too.  It's one hot mess.  It's a Curtis Wright model 6, and the only one we've found on the internet. It's a rare bird.

We get to pick it up this weekend.  I am so excited!

So, I think that just about covers random today.  A royal trip to India, Bill is 50, beauty bark is for old people, my retirement and our new baby.

Yep, that outta do it.

Docent Dinner and Some Random

Danny's girlfriend, Jessica, gave us a ChaCult for Christmas one year.  We use it for loose tea brewing.  Lately though Hubby upped our game and has been brewing an evening drink for us.  It's fresh ginger (grated), a squeeze of lemon and a wedge and fresh mint leaves.  Let it seep and then drain into your mug.  We put about a 1/2 T. honey in our mugs.  

It has really helped my tummy issues.

Of course, Hubby thinks he's the great physician.  He kinda is.

 I was busy at the museum last week.  It was the annual Docent Dinner, a dinner to thank all of my volunteers at the museum.  I decided to use the luau theme this year.  After 19 years I am running out of ideas and the luau was always in the plans if I couldn't think of anything else.

It's a big room for a party with a tiny budget.

 I shopped my house, Party City and Oriental Trading.

 Since I just happen to have a tiki bar for Huaka'i Annie, our '57 Aloha trailer, I set it up.  With my cute bartender.

 I asked Bobby and Barbie to come and teach the hula dance.  Tehri helped too and our museum director Troy was a good sport too, wearing a grass skirt and coconut bra.

 I love Hawaiian music and it was great to have Bobby take care of it for me.

The punch was a hit with everyone and I can say that with rum it's pretty tasty.

Other Random Stuff or Prattling On

*It's Easter on Sunday.  We get to celebrate with dinner at Uncle Darryl and Aunt Judy's place after church on Sunday.  I love to get together with these peeps and we all love to go to their house for Easter.  Sam and Angela and Max and Kassie are coming too and that makes this mama sooo happy.

*Danny won't be here for Easter but he is taking a trip.  He is going to a friend's wedding.  They have been friends since they were at Calvin College.  The wedding is in India.  I don't want to misspell Roweeth's name but I think I just did...  Danny went home for Christmas with him their sophomore year of college to United Arab Emirates and Dubai.  This should be a wonderful trip.

*Our washer died.  The new one doesn't arrive until mid April.  Our washer and dryer are under a counter.  There is only one set that fits under the counter and it is crap.  So, we either tear out the counter or order a new washer every four years.  It has to be ordered because no one carries it in their store cuz, it's crap.  Hubby and I are hopeful that this next piece of junk will last maybe 6-7 years because we are empty nesters and I do a lot less laundry than when three guys lived with us.

*We have made a lot of camping reservations this summer.  Last summer we were slaves to the trailer project and this year we plan to camp and have fun!  I am going to begin my driving lessons soon as Spring has sprung and June is coming.  I am going to a Sisters on the Fly camp in Cle Elum in June.

That is IF I pass Hubby's driving test.  This all means I need to get that blasted awning out and try to finish sewing it.  Oh, the angst!  On a brighter note, Hubby is almost finished with the screen door.

Our punch list is shrinking.  Good thing we are getting another trailer!  Details coming next month...

Lynden Pioneer Museum Shoppers Night

Tonight is the Lynden Pioneer Museum Gift Shop Christmas open house. It is 5-8 p.m. this evening.  Lego, playmobil, Christmas puzzles, books, stocking stuffers, toys, gifts, everything is 20% off.  Please join me for Christmas treats, music, and a great sale.

*I don't have any great photos because I've been busy unpacking a lot of new inventory.

*There have been stories in the news about the Lego shortage this Christmas, I've done my best to have a lot of Lego in stock.  I think I have the best selection in town!

*There are only two places in Whatcom County that sell Playmobil.  The museum has the best prices and a large selection.

*Hello Kitty, yes we have it!

*I just unpacked a large shipment of Springbok puzzles, including family style with small and large pieces and the new puzzles with easy to pick up pieces for Grandma.

*A new book by Mike Impero is on the shelf.  It's a history book of the original Mt. Baker Ski Lodge.  It is filled with pictures, and it makes a wonderful gift for the guy on your list that has everything.

*If all your granddaughter wants for Christmas is a pony, we have the answer for her request too.

*Coloring books for adults.  They are selling fast, hurry!

*Affordable gifts for Sunday school teachers, school teachers, your Thanksgiving hostess, your mail carrier, and the neighbor kids.  Something for everyone on your list that needs just a little something.

You'll just need to come in and see for yourself...

Random & Rambling But You'll be Caught Up

Busy week last week, busy week this week.  Last week it was all about the Big Game.  I sent the guys Seahawk care packages.  I posted recipes for the BiG game and I worked.

 I worked at the museum.  A bit more than normal as I painted the lobby/gift shop.  The prep, the cleaning, the washing of the walls and the spackle all took a long time.  And then I painted and then Hubby showed up and saved my bacon and helped me paint the walls.  The carpets got shampooed.  My Thursday morning docents, Leslie and Marjean helped me put it all back together.  Back together like a giant jigsaw puzzle when you don't have a picture to refer to.

 Then I focused on everything Seahawks.  I dug out this picture of Danny and Sam when they were little Seahawk fans in 1990.  Such adorable babies, where did the years go?

 Hubby and I watched the BiG game on Sunday at home, alone.  Just the way we wanted to watch the game.  We really didn't want to miss a play and we wanted to be in our respective sofas enjoying the moment, yelling without embarrassment and snacking as needed.

 With the Seahawks WIN, the game was everything we ever wanted and more.

 Richard Sherman, you are the bomb!

My Hubby brought me flowers last week.  I think he loves me.

I got a new app for  my phone, waterlogue.  It water colors photos.

Honestly, it is so much fun it is hard to resist.  I plan to print and shrink some of my "paintings" and use them to make cards.  The berries are from a shot I took at Pike Street Market.

 Our Christmas tree!  A tad addicting, just as Rhonna Designs is addicting, Waterlogue is also very addicting.  It's $2.99 and worth it.  Enjoy!

Over the weekend I noticed that I seemed to have a sinus infection.  A sinus infection is a regular occurrence for me in the winter so I thought no big deal.  And then I got vertigo.

I went to the doctor and I am hoping for a speedy recovery.  If I seem tippy it's cuz I am DiZZy.

I have a flight on Friday, so I need to lose the ear infection and sinus infection STAT.

This week I'm busy again.  I leave on Friday for Palm Desert, CA for a girls trip.  This one is a Junkin' Trip in the Palm Springs area with my junkin' girlfriends AND we are going to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  I'll be junkin' with Chris and Shelly and prolly running into Nate Berkus, Ty Pennington and other designers.  Sniff.  Oh my, this is junkin' with the BIG dogs.

I got my hair cut, I got a pedicure, a spray tan (my first ever) and I'm scheduled for nails tomorrow morning.  The life of a high maintenance babe is not easy.  I am very busy getting caught up and I am very busy going to appointments.  I was wondering how high maintenance ladies keep up when Shelly reminded me that they have staff.  And I do not.

I am packed (this may not seem like a big deal but I am only taking carry on luggage, which isn't easy for someone that likes to think of every eventuality and BE ready) and I am giddy just thinking about our trip.   Oh, and I hardly look like myself with all of the appointments I've been to this week.  You may not recognize me.  I kid.  It takes more than a few appointments to turn this train wreck around.

I'll keep you posted poolside...

Hah!  I love saying "poolside".

Not Necessarily What We Went For

Hubby and I went to Seattle Friday and Saturday.  I went to a gift show for the museum gift shop and he went along to keep me company.  The gift show wasn't good, we got skunked, however; now we know not to attend that show.

 We consoled ourselves with a drink at Oliver's in the Mayflower Hotel.  Truly, a favorite spot to take in the hustle bustle of the city on a Friday afternoon.  Their Silver Belle makes a wonderful Christmas party signature drink

Oliver's Silver Belle Cocktail
In a mixing glass with ice add:
2 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
1 oz. St Germaine
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Champagne
Pour over ice in mixing glass, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Top off with Champagne.
Serve on a winter's day to friends from near and far.

We needed some plate hangers from Hobby Lobby. 

 We found quite a bit more than we went for though and left with a bag or two  from Hobby Lobby.

We were looking for new outdoor Christmas lights and thought we might find them this weekend.

 No luck finding exterior lights but we did find interior lights and we did find our favorite designer at Restoration Hardware.  It was fun to see Grace at work.

We went to Pottery Barn to make a return and left with more.

We went to Anthropologie, where they take the ordinary and always make it extraordinary.  

Walnuts and paint, hello!

 We had a long lunch with Laura at UVill, it was literally  hours  of lunch.  So good to catch up with her.

The Fall colors were gorgeous in Seattle and the trip was great.

Even though we didn't really get what we went for, we got  more  and  even better.  

It was a wonderful weekend in the city.