Reno balloon races 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am honored to receive this award.

 

Good luck wishes work

I went to compete in The Washing State Steel challenge, without any prior practice, and still managed to bring home First place in women's.
It was a very hot day, and I struggled to get through the match, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear my name called as first place winner.
So thanks to all my friends who sent 'good luck wishes' my way. They worked. WhooHoo!

 

Most rewarding weekend

Mid Thursday afternoon, as soon as we had the RV loaded, we set off for Smeltersville Idaho, to compete in a Steel Challenge match. The drive from Whidbey Island was without mishap, which is the way we like it, as we drove to a nice rest stop around Couer d' Alene where we spent the night.

Next morning we continued our journey towards Smelterville, and decided to spend Friday night in a pullout beside the river a short drive from the range. Except for some freeway noise, it is a nice place to spend some time. It was very warm so we set up our chairs beneath some trees and watched as fish rose to the surface of the water to feed, and rafters floated by. As time passed, the day grew way too hot for us folk from the PNW, (we sure are not used to that kind of heat) so we decided to ask our friend Larry, who was driving from Yakima WA and meeting us at the pullout, about the Inn he had booked a room at. It turned out that they did have a room for us, so we all drove to a nice little country restaurant, for a delicious B-B-Q rib dinner, before driving to the Inn. I was never so happy to take a shower, then collapse on the bed to enjoy the air conditioned room, and a good night's sleep.

Saturday morning we were in the Inn's restaurant at 6:30 am for breakfast before our big day. Little did I know how big it was going to be. As Usual we had a fun squad and all had a good time shooting the match.
The day was very hot, but we made sure we stayed well hydrated, and kept to the shade of the popup shelters provided for our comfort, as we waited for our turn to shoot. I thought I had done OK and as I was for the most part, writing down the times for the shooters, I noticed Mike and Larry were like a couple of race horses "neck and neck, stride for stride"I knew their times were very close indeed.
Time for the awards came around, and I was tickled to receive three medals for my effort as did Mike and Larry. What a big whoo-hoo! day for all of us.

Train museum at Filllmore CA

A couple of weeks ago we were in California, and on the Monday before we returned home, we went for a sightseeing drive. On our drive we discovered Fillmore and an interesting train museum, where we wandered around looking at the old trains and carriages.

July 4th from our deck

 

Happy 4th July

As you go about celebrating this 4th of July don't lose sight of why, we are celebrating.
It is not just about barbecues, and fireworks.
Have a safe, happy 4th.

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.


“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”


Happy Birthday, America!

Deer Oh! dear

They can be so cute, but oh! so destructive in the garden. These photos were taken at a friend's house, who throws out bird seed for the birds and the deer. The fawns are so cute, and were very nervous so I had to take photos through the window so the quality is not so good.

We had a wonderful camping/fishing weekend

This past weekend, some of the members of our Fishin'Club, made the annual trek to Banks Lake, eastern Washington, for our camping/fishing weekend. The weather was nice and warm, the fishing was the best and all had a good time.

Our group camp spot from along the shore

 photo taken as we were leaving to go fishing.

Let's see how big this one is?

Two happy fishermen

This one has to be at least 20 inches long

One big wiggle and this one would have escaped the hook

Fabulous catch.
These three were cooked and eaten at our Saturday afternoon potluck

Time to sit around after a long day

Good company and toasted marshmallows is hard to beat

A nice crunchy golden brown  please

Wednesday chuckle

A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar. A $40 speeding ticket was included.
Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $40.
The police responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.

My new car

I sure do enjoy driving this sweet, pretty little Toyota Corolla. It is not brand new, but was very well taken care of by the previous owner.

I decided to place the two stickers on the bumper so I could identify my car in the parking lot. There are a few red Corollas just like this one, and sometimes, I do ummm! kinda forget, where I parked before entering a store. Come on now! you can't tell me you have never forgotten where you parked. *chuckle*

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Where is my fairy godmother

and her magic wand, or a rich relative who leaves me an inheritance. No such luck I am afraid!
My car has been acting up, so had it checked out, and have found it it is not worth pouring more money into. There goes my visits home to New Zealand for the next few years, as I will have to save to buy another vehicle.
I dread telling my daughter, who is not well, that I will not be seeing her for a while. 
I will just have to take every day as it comes, and pray for a miracle.

Wednesday humor

A customer was bothering the waiter in a restaurant. First, he asked that the air conditioning be turned up because he was too hot, then he asked it be turned down cause he was too cold, and so on for about half an hour.

Surprisingly, the waiter was very patient; he walked back and forth and never once got angry. So finally, a second customer asked him why he didn't throw out the pest.

"Oh, I really don't care or mind," said the waiter with a smile. "We don't even have an air conditioner."

How many were on the tree?

When I was a kid, we did not have a Christmas tree, because the day after Christmas, Boxing Day, we left on our annual vacation. I am now making up for lost time, by having the most gorgeous decorated tree tree I can manage. 
I don't know how many more years I am going to be able to have such a large tree, 7' tall, as it is heavy, even in three sections, to bring upstairs and set up, and that is with the help of Mr C.
This year, as I stood and looked at the tree once it was covered in Christmas finery, I wondered how many decorations I had placed on it, so I decided to count them as I took them off, which I did yesterday.
There were 428 decorations, and I still did not have all I own on the tree.
Perhaps this year I will deck out the tree with all the decorations I own *grin*

Happy New Year

Thank you to all my readers. 

May you all have a Happy Prosperous New Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS

When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when you start getting clothes for Christmas.

Rotating Chrismas tree

Here is a better video of our tree in the revolving tree stand. I had to take the video in the daylight. Just use your imagination to picture it covered in decorations shining and twinkling, as the glow from all the tree lights glance off the glitter and colors of the decorations.
There will a short time when the video is out of focus near the top of the tree, but be patient, it will correct its self.