Fast Nicole

Here is Nicole in her Daddy's dragster.

Jeff raced many vehicles, starting with farm tractors, then, motorcycles, cars and drag race cars.

I am hoping Jeff will add more race details.

precious Nicole

"My finger may be small, but I can still wrap my Daddy around it"

ZZZZZZZ

Nicole and her Dad, Jeff all tuckered out and napping.

Too cute

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Jeff said, Nicole woke up from a bad dream. Then Jeff and Nicole spent the rest of the night in the recliner all cozy.

Big Glasses

1993, Gary and I in Yokohama, Japan.

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We were visiting Scott and Suzanne.

In a toast on Sunday, Scott said he can call me his Aunt, now.

# 120

Nicole, spring of 2008 in her soccer gear. She played on "The Wild Bunch".

Volkswalk

This photo is from the early 90's. That is me with long hair, and Lady drinking from her own water bottle. The location is Deception Pass State Park, on the north end of Whidbey Island.
We were walking a volkswalk, enjoying the scenery. One of the many volkswalks, that Lady and I walked. Nicole did know Lady, after Lady had retired from volkswalking and was well into her senior years. Lady lived a long life, a good life and is now with Nicole and her herd of critters.

CPR

I took CPR class, tonight and would encourage everyone to take a class. You never know, you could be in a situation to use CPR.

Nicole with a chipmunk

Nicole and one of her animal friends

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Tomorrow, Gary and I are going to a family get together, now officially my in-laws.

Same folks, just a different title

Swans

In our area, we have trumpeter swans for the winter.

Photos taken today, a bit cloudy, no rain, no fog.

Art Update

Gary and I went for tattoos. Gary got a "Nicole" signature with a couple little hearts. I added a little bling to my Nicole signature. Pictures in a a week or so.
Nice sunny, crisp day, today after the fog disappears.

Current Reading

I am reading "Knit Two" a novel by Kate Jacobs. It is the sequel to "A Friday Night Knitting Club". The story follows the lives of women with the knitting club connection.

Wandering Mind

On September 15, 2008, Jeff, Sharon, Craig, Julie and I were invited to a balloon release at Nicole's school. All the 5th graders were outside, sitting in a big circle. The music teacher played some recorded music. The principal spoke about loss, healing and caring. Into the center of the circle, Jeff and Sharon along with Tom (Nicole's teacher) released balloons, blue, white, some leopard colors. The school color and mascot balloons were slowly released and soared away. We didn't take a camera, but at one point Jeff said the balloons floated into a star shape. I do wonder about the healing of Nicole's classmates.

sleepy Meggen

Meggen, just waking up, after a nap in a sun puddle. We have another day of sunshine, which is great on a January day.

knitting

DSCN0022
Originally uploaded by jlwboo

Beautiful sunny day, today. Meg and I went for the 3 mile loop walk, which was a little crisp in the windy areas, but refreshing.

The booties were knit for a pg co-worker and I gave them to her on her January birthday.

Knitting Sunday

Completed socks for Julie

I may post knitting on Sundays.

Sunshine on Mt. Baker

Mount Baker in the back ground

water soaked field in the foreground
Mt. Baker
Blueberry field in the foreground

Yippeeee, it is sunny, today. We went to take picture of the swans, but they were camera shy, today. Took pictures of Mt. Baker, instead. This is about 5 miles from our house. The flood waters have receded, but takes a long time on the lower fields. Roads detours are going away, too. There are several blueberry fields, the bark is different colors. I am guessing different varieties of blueberries. This is part of my drive to work, so I see the changes with the seasons.

It is starting to get light enough in the morning part of my commute.

gotta love this pic

I just love this photo, Thanks, Julie

Nicole and Morgan

innocent faces

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I did see some blue sky, today.

Has been foggy, but dry for a couple days.

Nicole

Nicole

Summer of '08 on the Oregon coast

(I think)
(sorry, the scanned pic is kind of grainy)

Long Ago

JoLynn, Bob (Dad) Jeff 1959
JoLynn and Jeff
About 1959

Valdez, Alaska

Small boat harbor, Valdez, Alaska

snowy mountains fade into the cloudy sky.

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I did go to town, today.

Flood waters have receded.

Still, water over the roadways.

Driving the long way to get to town.

Bear

I was looking through some old photos, today. Found a picture of a couple bear. I am sure this in Alaska. I lived in Alaska from '81 to 87. Nicole loved all animals, so a bear pic, today.

05 @ JoLynns

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22259116@N06/2897063212/
Originally uploaded by jlwboo

'05, a fav pic of Nicole

My 1st Grade Pic

1959-1960

JoLynn's first grade photo

Eltopia Public School

Cabin Fever

Our road is still closed, the water level has gone down. You can choose to drive through, if you have a bigger vehicle. Cabin fever gets to some people, sooner. I am fairly tolerant of isolation, or being stuck at home. I believe my tolerance comes from living on a farm, and living in Alaska.
I can putter around home for days, knit or read. I could even get ambitious and clean a closet or drawer.

I will go for walks in the rain or snow. Don't really care to walk in the wind-rain combination. I don't think it is really cold until it is below zero, of course cold and wind are not a good combination, either.

When I lived in a small town in Alaska, it was important to get out of town, now and then. The Alaskan term for leaving the state is "going outside". So, that could be a variation of cabin fever. I did live in a very small apartment. We would bundle up and walk in blizzard conditions. You would see a couple other walkers, had to face to face to recognize them.

I did miss my knitting classes, which is a bummer. I felt it was not worth the risk to drive through the flood water and come back in the dark, which would be harder to see the center line of the road through. I could have stayed in town, there were options. Sarah at WildFibers was able to get someone in my spot at classes. That is a bonus for that person.

Any other opinions on cabin fever?

Post 100

We Love you, Nicole.

I found a birthday card from Nicole.

I am sharing her signature with everyone today, as post # 100.

Book Review

I just finished reading "The Last Lecture". What a powerful, little book (200 pages).

Flooding Update

I went to head to class and turned around, this morning. I would say the water over the roadway is a bit higher than yesterday. One report of a guy, swimming out of his vehicle, last evening. The ditches on the side of the road are big and deep. If you can't see the road or center line through the water, the deep ditch is looming. As volunteer firefighters, we can use the helicopter transport, if we have a serious medical emergency. So, it is a stay at home day.

Flooding

That is the edge of the road, usually next to farmland.

Totally covered in water from the Samish River overflow.


On the left out of this picture is Alice Bay, which is salt water.
All the water in the picture is fresh water.
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We live on Samish Island, but in current day it is more of a pennsula due to a dike placed in 1932. Today, it is looking more like an island. We have water covering a section of the road. This is the only road on and off the island.

A Nicole story

I think, it was spring break 06. I was hanging out with Jeff and Nicole at their house.
One of the days, Jeff was due to arrive home from work, Nicole had put on his leather motorcycle jacket and boots. Then a H-D baseball style hat, and she had colored some scotch tape stuck it to her chin, like her Dad's goatee. It was very funny and cute.
I think, that is when she heard me call her Dad, Jeffy. She really laughed about that, and occasionally called him, Jeffy. I told Jeff, I only said it once. He said once is all she needs to hear it. I think Jeff chuckled a little, especial about the goatee.

Knitting Classes

Saturday and Sunday, I will be in knitting classes, based on this book. Nancy Bush is the instructor, as well as the author of the book. I am really looking forward to the classes.

A touch of summer

Nicole and Morgan

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It is raining, soggy wet on the west side of the state.

We can dream of summer days, anyway.

Julie sent this pic of Nicole and Morgan (Julie's niece) in her backyard pool in 2006.

I read the girls like to burn/cook leaves on the mesh grill for secret recipes.

Current reading

I am reading "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow. It is thought provoking, includes his life's lessons from a prospective of coping with a terminal cancer diagnosis. I would recommend reading this book. It is light-hearted at times, and serious at other times. a mini-story format

yellowstone

yellowstone 023
Originally uploaded by jlwboo

Nicole on a horseback ride in Yellowstone on a beautiful buckskin horse named Hopper. August 2008

Reception photos

Meggen, JoLynn and Gary

We had our regular fire meeting, tonight.

After the meeting, a few more guests came for cake and congratulations to celebrate our marriage. It was an enjoyable evening.

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My first day back to work, I printed a photo of the roses with the marriage certificate, then taped to wall in kitchen. Co-workers spotted the announcement, with surprise and joy.

Sock Sunday

Today was Sock Sunday at WildFibers, a yarn shop in Mount Vernon.

Sock Sunday is a hangout at the yarn shop and knit socks

I offer help with sock knitting challenges.

Afterwards, I went to the local bakery to pick up the cake for the fire station meeting, Monday night. Gary did a great job picking the cake and design.

Knitting

Gina's Legwarmers
JoLynn's Gully Wash Socks

Jeff's Red Socks

Julie's Socks in Monet-like colors

Some my knitting progress during the holiday break from the office

Young Nicole

When Nicole was a toddler, she liked to sit in her car seat in the house.

She would walk around, then have a seat in her car seat.

Maybe she liked her car seat, because it was just her size.

Meggen

Meggen napping with her toys
We thought Nicole would like this picture

It is cold and breezy, today
Staying close to the home front

Details

Gary give this ring to me in 1990, as a promise ring. So, now it's name has been changed to a wedding ring.

The wedding was held at our home, yesterday morning. Attendants included our witnesses, Tim and Sue R. and Rev. Bob and his wife, Marie. Bob performed a perfect service for us. Dress was very casual. The only flowers were in yesterday's post. Refreshments included coffee and Scottish shortbread, which is called TALLbread for our family.

In Washington, the wait period is 3 days for the marriage license. We got the license on Monday. Then, several phone calls, to find the right person to perform our ceremony. We wanted 1-1-9, so Gary can easily remember the anniversary date. Also a good way to start the new year.
At the regular fire meeting, next week, we will serve cake.

All very simple, as that is the way we wanted it. We keep it secret, so it would be simple. Actually, didn't fine true the details, until 12/31.
The honeymoon is pending and will be planned.

Why, after 24 years, mostly because of losing Nicole and we wanted to be closer.
I did not change my name, I have had it for 56 years, so why change now.

1-1-9

Gary and I got married, this morning.

24 years, together

We started the new year with a blast.

Happy New Year