tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50251922191128876072024-03-13T08:15:59.871-05:00 Luanne @ Fifty-Nine"The best things in life are the people you love, the places you've seen,
and the memories you've made along the way."Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.comBlogger3448125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-58052858815829548512017-08-23T09:06:00.000-05:002017-08-31T09:53:59.386-05:00Glacier Day!!Today we get to see the glacier. The captain announced early that we would not be going to Tracy Arm, but through another passage with less ice and therefore we could get closer to the glacier. We had booked an excursion (well, the only excursion available for this day and very hard to book) that involved getting on a smaller boat. While we were still a bit away from the glacier, the small boat pulled up to the ship, and we all got on - around 150 of us. We pulled away from the ship and our new captains took us close to shore to see things. Eventually we got to the glacier and it was great! And yes, a bit cold, but we had a great time. All too soon it was time to reboard the Wonder and view the glacier from a different perspective. We all took some "downtime" in our individual ways (think naps) and then ate in Tiana's, which was a delightful experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed to see some ice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speeding away from the Wonder!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning to see some ice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we finally see the seals!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the amazing waterfalls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glacier Girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup - that's the glacier!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly doing her glacier dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5171qvi81kABPHrXPcJw5qpvT63jtn42vkCxCwJ61Knj7FZYIYc1-IBcoENBZYc7Q-Uhzn2Um1hGfKcqNjM115Fsj0_mBmqzjQcHHZ1jh_A7-gGyzmY9ph7afG6CVZfAXxsFqBO9Da2Lw/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5171qvi81kABPHrXPcJw5qpvT63jtn42vkCxCwJ61Knj7FZYIYc1-IBcoENBZYc7Q-Uhzn2Um1hGfKcqNjM115Fsj0_mBmqzjQcHHZ1jh_A7-gGyzmY9ph7afG6CVZfAXxsFqBO9Da2Lw/s640/IMG_1986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfies getting people getting selfies ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey - shouldn't we be on that boat?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheymRc1mvEfFKnuVHUbOpRXoJbL-WXuQiDqQ4M7-ZT0CZckPccRFp3dDJZxcM0teX_AbPw4LmzNvJMVc2IcxkeXjIt3vwK_ufQQZ4T4hHEhyHQamfYaLv6Xzem5EnnTz_0rDhbyoW9CfpZ/s1600/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheymRc1mvEfFKnuVHUbOpRXoJbL-WXuQiDqQ4M7-ZT0CZckPccRFp3dDJZxcM0teX_AbPw4LmzNvJMVc2IcxkeXjIt3vwK_ufQQZ4T4hHEhyHQamfYaLv6Xzem5EnnTz_0rDhbyoW9CfpZ/s640/IMG_1996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the reflection of the Wonder on the water!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsCoipQLHdCLJeQ_FptJlCyvaSYRTIMPD1KfvC9A1n_lSN3qRzm4esE7W63pNbO6pdW5Z9Chb7OmiEusqPTBfT0caTGexbZg9n_N-eC1plN8Nshfzf6svuvK8qOjtgSD_5FbfU1WMMqeG/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsCoipQLHdCLJeQ_FptJlCyvaSYRTIMPD1KfvC9A1n_lSN3qRzm4esE7W63pNbO6pdW5Z9Chb7OmiEusqPTBfT0caTGexbZg9n_N-eC1plN8Nshfzf6svuvK8qOjtgSD_5FbfU1WMMqeG/s640/IMG_1998.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I don't know what I'm pointing at ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJYHaCGTklBIR8LibbO4XQxdfYAtyPepGoVUGe5Be7-pYLzstk7A5iRIwvZPPEwrf9tPg-H5kZQSHGefP6zQsdcEOOdt3KSYy7KfsgJeRswsXUOp3HcIrAQC5lzdHICSEgCivdGN8Dk1o/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJYHaCGTklBIR8LibbO4XQxdfYAtyPepGoVUGe5Be7-pYLzstk7A5iRIwvZPPEwrf9tPg-H5kZQSHGefP6zQsdcEOOdt3KSYy7KfsgJeRswsXUOp3HcIrAQC5lzdHICSEgCivdGN8Dk1o/s640/IMG_1999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the sun begins to set ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whale!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuMJSI2-Uzx2pXJjejS_Nw-wgEPDfuQDliTicoyx6Fc2A5bZV6DV12QJ85mJeZ_-BKcYQizHvMhLOi-VO4BF7z-WxVVJYfCFRlWd9GU1qElXXztfk5FEHVfr1jXzDsvvuDcJQN3EpfE60/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuMJSI2-Uzx2pXJjejS_Nw-wgEPDfuQDliTicoyx6Fc2A5bZV6DV12QJ85mJeZ_-BKcYQizHvMhLOi-VO4BF7z-WxVVJYfCFRlWd9GU1qElXXztfk5FEHVfr1jXzDsvvuDcJQN3EpfE60/s640/IMG_2044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo with the ship's reflection</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zjwnmZ_i2I711PBj9ntd3mkOfxI6Xrk_9DqGtv5l3-CFC4rKeUjSKDKgpx2m3SAglm27m2lM6cK0RX7vPfd9Lq9isFIFqXBnMg8SNmnvFl9-hffTXVZ-Heyosd5oqRIjCVtxjC8pgen/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zjwnmZ_i2I711PBj9ntd3mkOfxI6Xrk_9DqGtv5l3-CFC4rKeUjSKDKgpx2m3SAglm27m2lM6cK0RX7vPfd9Lq9isFIFqXBnMg8SNmnvFl9-hffTXVZ-Heyosd5oqRIjCVtxjC8pgen/s640/IMG_2484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly meets a new friend at Tianas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge36Ip6LHcKjBw5fmw4HivmED1Of0J-cfdoaMhsNje2rNJG3B8-Hh4TPULcTVx3HLfA9Lf20IVRUnf9X9vbHIbGvjbo91QXtQzboOxOABagTWmr2MoV2qPaHQiSr4JLRkTe45VV6p_NuD/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge36Ip6LHcKjBw5fmw4HivmED1Of0J-cfdoaMhsNje2rNJG3B8-Hh4TPULcTVx3HLfA9Lf20IVRUnf9X9vbHIbGvjbo91QXtQzboOxOABagTWmr2MoV2qPaHQiSr4JLRkTe45VV6p_NuD/s640/IMG_2485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And our room steward made us an alligator!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rFYtukA4jOh7dkoViQxGRoRCNurd4Jis8xZy9-Ebnbl2ihrcOycUBNdau7qTaj0blrH559RGGorcTylMjO8tlbzhhic41ibQeupQqlK7_ZZWacs2Hb34MkNyypyYduDOKkwroAWsOPQ1/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rFYtukA4jOh7dkoViQxGRoRCNurd4Jis8xZy9-Ebnbl2ihrcOycUBNdau7qTaj0blrH559RGGorcTylMjO8tlbzhhic41ibQeupQqlK7_ZZWacs2Hb34MkNyypyYduDOKkwroAWsOPQ1/s640/IMG_2384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bananas Foster Sundae - how else to end a great day?</td></tr>
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And now for a final bit of business. This is the last post for this blog. Why? Because my 50s will be over tomorrow. There were a lot of decisions to make - would I even continue to blog, would I continue on this blog site, what would I name a blog, and so on. I finally decided to try a new blog site and start over for my 60s. So, tomorrow, should you wish to continue reading my posts (or lack of, or my catchups), go <a href="https://lalasthirdact.wordpress.com/"><b><span style="color: red;">here</span></b></a>: https://lalasthirdact.wordpress.com/.<br />
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And whether you decide to leave me in my 50s or continue with my 60s, I have only one thing to say - thanks for reading!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Blessings today include: boat excursion to see the glacier and all the views we got to see; dinner in Tiana's</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-42751208912298029132017-08-22T08:17:00.000-05:002017-08-31T08:29:19.574-05:00Sea Day!Today we sailed along the coast. I would have taken more photos, but it was rather foggy. Also, we ate brunch at Palo, which always means a long nap after, so there. Palo was delicious as always, and our server seemed a bit disappointed when we told him we would not be returning for dinner. Why? Because we are going to order it for our room, yo!! It's a perk of staying in the Walt Suite, so why not? And speaking of the Walt Suite, here are some videos of it via Molly - you may want to take a motion sickness pill before you view it, though!!<br />
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The rest of today was spent doing a bunch of nothing. We have a full week ahead of us, so I guess we will need today to rest up! And here are some photos from today ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeujbDNPBp0FisM0nTdpqyXXuEYhC2SV1E0aKUB7YMinEN06V3TfUDeAw8Cc3moFAvBK-VbpIqFhD74KTucQISMYfEm6RuL5mTLPIIxyFAG70h6SXd9cPExAXrGWJJe3XRcAH3kYAQEDCs/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeujbDNPBp0FisM0nTdpqyXXuEYhC2SV1E0aKUB7YMinEN06V3TfUDeAw8Cc3moFAvBK-VbpIqFhD74KTucQISMYfEm6RuL5mTLPIIxyFAG70h6SXd9cPExAXrGWJJe3XRcAH3kYAQEDCs/s640/IMG_1929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cruise ship ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYW-1RyBtV1ODYYv1DZFyx0grh8zqtgdzPF2t3UKBwbmo70xmpUugzNbbtdMYak71DCh5Idfwj-LFKX53P4Qi43DynF3K-mwsn5DxwO7YxXL70hEmiBWX07r1h-NKRvfZ1-WBNaNCDd0w/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYW-1RyBtV1ODYYv1DZFyx0grh8zqtgdzPF2t3UKBwbmo70xmpUugzNbbtdMYak71DCh5Idfwj-LFKX53P4Qi43DynF3K-mwsn5DxwO7YxXL70hEmiBWX07r1h-NKRvfZ1-WBNaNCDd0w/s640/IMG_1942.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Palo, Lynnette went looking for new friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7gL0iIZgFDHhyphenhyphenzvYUtLMVVCpcFSFWCujDEwpTW8msPX_LMpZg_wAvSs1VkysqjRee5sdH1YuY_wlLnsPe0bS2MyUzm4anMe1p5Nw14ED4qqMlndwO_9PfFBXJ7pAIOKLTeU6VAT3iFFw/s1600/IMG_1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7gL0iIZgFDHhyphenhyphenzvYUtLMVVCpcFSFWCujDEwpTW8msPX_LMpZg_wAvSs1VkysqjRee5sdH1YuY_wlLnsPe0bS2MyUzm4anMe1p5Nw14ED4qqMlndwO_9PfFBXJ7pAIOKLTeU6VAT3iFFw/s640/IMG_1951.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rose and a decorated plate for my birthday!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_x_YJ691n_jTdU58Kkq8tc-PM-EngiANrL5C3TuMhenRBZsHEDtqbnlPtYmSkNrys-AiPMZVUWphexNuxsk-v_-1N7t4Y-LJZh7SdKJkKkFO2MHwYq3tf9FludyRqqr2i-1zFO307nMp/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_x_YJ691n_jTdU58Kkq8tc-PM-EngiANrL5C3TuMhenRBZsHEDtqbnlPtYmSkNrys-AiPMZVUWphexNuxsk-v_-1N7t4Y-LJZh7SdKJkKkFO2MHwYq3tf9FludyRqqr2i-1zFO307nMp/s640/IMG_2025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bartender in the lounge was very proud of his card tricks.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxSXlv9PA1zZ6mdkpgIMbKQSRMp-uYWGKZGovSDJdkYR2sYBez-8lUdxRQmmUhh6ZR9ZARuuO0jH2QQINN9HbbHcQd1HlqplAH-Hi1KCmfnpTvuh3wpECSrDE_fFwYfvQz4PGgRPcWlQe/s1600/IMG_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxSXlv9PA1zZ6mdkpgIMbKQSRMp-uYWGKZGovSDJdkYR2sYBez-8lUdxRQmmUhh6ZR9ZARuuO0jH2QQINN9HbbHcQd1HlqplAH-Hi1KCmfnpTvuh3wpECSrDE_fFwYfvQz4PGgRPcWlQe/s640/IMG_2026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly he tricked Molly!!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Today's blessings include: a quiet day on the water; Palo ladies brunch and a rose and a birthday plate; card tricks in the lounge</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-62165477449076825622017-08-21T17:44:00.000-05:002017-08-22T22:19:39.834-05:00Let's Board The Wonder!!Maribeth wanted to eat crepes this morning, so we headed back to the crepes place. Today is also the big eclipse day, and KB had brought eclipse glasses for us all. By the time we had finished our crepes, the eclipse had started in Vancouver, so as we walked back to our hotel, we stopped along the way to observe – and we shared our special glasses with strangers along the way.<br />
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Once the eclipse was over, we headed back to the room to assemble our things. Our ship had literally come in, and it was soon time to board. It wasn’t long until we set foot onboard (we were literally the first ones on the ship) and we were in our room – The Walt Disney Suite!! It’s really fabulous, to say the least! <br />
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We lounged around, took a nap, attended the lifeboat drill, had dinner, and soon went to bed. Let the cruise commence!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TV6RdWW-Jrpokb8xdUKdun2Kik5jru8yvhXDTLdQVXuu3XwNnmPqnQtz3u6wdp7_jvJ1wTo4LJwH3MTyWF2zCFIC6XTV94NKvbkYcr3_b9NRVMxlk6zgOP-B9rjx_PiJH1OTm4GwnThY/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TV6RdWW-Jrpokb8xdUKdun2Kik5jru8yvhXDTLdQVXuu3XwNnmPqnQtz3u6wdp7_jvJ1wTo4LJwH3MTyWF2zCFIC6XTV94NKvbkYcr3_b9NRVMxlk6zgOP-B9rjx_PiJH1OTm4GwnThY/s640/IMG_1908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ship is coming in!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile5anyXdCo_J7jNEte6fn2spYf2YxXWYxyATfQMEgCt15V-ZVEjEiYYBRe5MqEuk99qcVW8ts3Yo1abJWZcd2M0JhzFx8ybClW1eUK49D4dIfvxd3tGP5N7wcZwJMzV1gpT1b7kzmmbWg/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile5anyXdCo_J7jNEte6fn2spYf2YxXWYxyATfQMEgCt15V-ZVEjEiYYBRe5MqEuk99qcVW8ts3Yo1abJWZcd2M0JhzFx8ybClW1eUK49D4dIfvxd3tGP5N7wcZwJMzV1gpT1b7kzmmbWg/s640/IMG_1910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she's about to dock - right under my window!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5MTSZL_1-kr9Ln_iI21NgF4kBNiIIIrlI8pVONqL4Jmp9vUbqj1np-o1KwHAtqcXwf0YZml_O9ptcP8dXWaT17j6aj_W66vjVSs5_w3W-rXHRpNrWnsOgweipqbzLWkIShX4u19Kx6vO/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5MTSZL_1-kr9Ln_iI21NgF4kBNiIIIrlI8pVONqL4Jmp9vUbqj1np-o1KwHAtqcXwf0YZml_O9ptcP8dXWaT17j6aj_W66vjVSs5_w3W-rXHRpNrWnsOgweipqbzLWkIShX4u19Kx6vO/s640/IMG_1912.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And our luggage is ready to be loaded - see my fave Mickey tote bag?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ecFqbLLlU3FPkieu59dBpYXfhztF9x4IQUGfNOCSfCPUB3tWZSZZ27fB2l4X_msFosel4RQRldh4eTdVRDhAMNgSIaWqFO6GHVAYyekQNxFDwHQYCzFOsbMih5cJU7wz7QhG8qaI2_Pp/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ecFqbLLlU3FPkieu59dBpYXfhztF9x4IQUGfNOCSfCPUB3tWZSZZ27fB2l4X_msFosel4RQRldh4eTdVRDhAMNgSIaWqFO6GHVAYyekQNxFDwHQYCzFOsbMih5cJU7wz7QhG8qaI2_Pp/s640/IMG_1913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the eclipse - well, some of us anyway ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHvOGiLs4kZYX1J7_VBeEY0PfOdwU9Az9NXFttfECqiNihghKw-MEdwxJ9tnXOCPMa0tyQC5ylQrlOMZaLxQNPRNR4vsw1Ybrrf6f2Z2An87Njee7w_pUnMNMh8WUfAZPlZ0pvf_GzeeA/s640/IMG_1917.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long Vancouver - see you in a week!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk0AOc8gY_jstJPf3vqodunZSRmy_EKCAb-fGv4foz3OJ-rP9FryAjId-ypSNnjySZlhEuvDL2hmfYWZCQAViqGj4adMZEqS-9Vq6ZgVi2553qOSRKPYBt9bkRi3RddDsNt6jLkAv4KMo/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk0AOc8gY_jstJPf3vqodunZSRmy_EKCAb-fGv4foz3OJ-rP9FryAjId-ypSNnjySZlhEuvDL2hmfYWZCQAViqGj4adMZEqS-9Vq6ZgVi2553qOSRKPYBt9bkRi3RddDsNt6jLkAv4KMo/s640/IMG_1922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember the bridge I mentioned yesterday? Here's my favorite part!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ4D7kwZjjSVp9_OVzYSoPozW-gQVvbix-fPCQh_XSLxZwUxeA9fLFoWSrrp4_IXMzdPBkGhmKhTWll4Hq7JGb_90RJHZ7VouO2T9BT_qkZWCJ1RlmfZqJfshVj_XzCvuaqCU6We3lVmj/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ4D7kwZjjSVp9_OVzYSoPozW-gQVvbix-fPCQh_XSLxZwUxeA9fLFoWSrrp4_IXMzdPBkGhmKhTWll4Hq7JGb_90RJHZ7VouO2T9BT_qkZWCJ1RlmfZqJfshVj_XzCvuaqCU6We3lVmj/s640/IMG_1935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here we are!!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: crepes with the girls; watching the eclipse and the people watching the eclipse; watching the Wonder come into port; boarding the ship and seeing our "spot"; meeting Selina and later, our dining team</i> </div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-88523616518770495482017-08-20T17:41:00.000-05:002017-08-22T17:46:05.008-05:00Vancouver Fun!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->Molly found a crepes place for us to go eat breakfast. While it seemed much closer that it actually was, we all trekked to the place and had a delicious breakfast. We went back to the hotel and decided to try the Vancouver hop-on hop-off bus. We lasted on the bus for a bit (in other words, not the entire tour) before deciding to get off downtown. We shopped around a bit before returning to the hotel, stopping for lunch on the way. <br />
<br />
Soon Maribeth was on her way to the hotel. Once she got there, we watched a wedding take place beneath us. Then Maribeth decided to do some sight-seeing on her own. KB and I went back to the mall while Molly and Lynnette took a siesta. Maribeth ate dinner on her own while the rest of us found a spot to eat at. We all reconvened at the hotel and called it a day – tomorrow we board the ship!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHrYnZwtydoa35HvxolSMK78JGS1lvUDIul0V1KsyDjQdiFZOdbvNnwf5F9vPHIOQDFYHWqV8qrcMun_cfPZhqNEkSXeV9wJQADN4ISWfrSxshSLCBssp8dMxEJxnjhSNw9YWm7mTfpQZ/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHrYnZwtydoa35HvxolSMK78JGS1lvUDIul0V1KsyDjQdiFZOdbvNnwf5F9vPHIOQDFYHWqV8qrcMun_cfPZhqNEkSXeV9wJQADN4ISWfrSxshSLCBssp8dMxEJxnjhSNw9YWm7mTfpQZ/s640/IMG_1890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crepes for all!!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCFWdSUSQstGN-jtNa6IYiMrV-hF-ZG9LAszGxegS03Vg1u3p5yrBHObsBMe9Z2CNcgboOVQ58Esae5hBZVWSuudJg3zUL1Qrv0Gv9wEqt8Dwh-PGVrgkacv4RahF9942VN_iJwzpUZR3/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCFWdSUSQstGN-jtNa6IYiMrV-hF-ZG9LAszGxegS03Vg1u3p5yrBHObsBMe9Z2CNcgboOVQ58Esae5hBZVWSuudJg3zUL1Qrv0Gv9wEqt8Dwh-PGVrgkacv4RahF9942VN_iJwzpUZR3/s640/IMG_1897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vancouver from the bus (and the park).</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLBABqRe1g45lgiHFmRPjPGCDVYHoPaSa9tmBlo_VpObYSA1euk5NvnnoM3SeRSycIN8IH2lZq41NOFyWxTOOF0xa81kLfMAV3WrnQxut6J1GG114e1Roz5g7WroKTpx-qoLzPT3puak9/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLBABqRe1g45lgiHFmRPjPGCDVYHoPaSa9tmBlo_VpObYSA1euk5NvnnoM3SeRSycIN8IH2lZq41NOFyWxTOOF0xa81kLfMAV3WrnQxut6J1GG114e1Roz5g7WroKTpx-qoLzPT3puak9/s640/IMG_1901.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite Vancouver bridge - especially when I am cruising underneath it!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtVnmVEr_DYKNkMi1eXzDDAsR6L0zGzk41GjJUYSznDAx0_FKUcdXRnxU-eyY4TChxgAUKzaD6PGg_FekzIEeVtnI_Qg-S26nj5lNcd9tJJHBt-zRil9SIqfZ44-FosMKI3ZMLK0hqegH/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtVnmVEr_DYKNkMi1eXzDDAsR6L0zGzk41GjJUYSznDAx0_FKUcdXRnxU-eyY4TChxgAUKzaD6PGg_FekzIEeVtnI_Qg-S26nj5lNcd9tJJHBt-zRil9SIqfZ44-FosMKI3ZMLK0hqegH/s640/IMG_1903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So some people seemed to get a little chilly on the tour ...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLRoVKpiLM74fiL25nK9nhcKI206qcTRhrf87TAaSn8KdfaIEoRH8AunfPTvaIQstgqkhpQu1CiIf4GindYA9959-AcahtDPvLfiXOE5UXfJwXOFt7PAACJHz23UR9l3Cd1phSU-Rfdxq/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLRoVKpiLM74fiL25nK9nhcKI206qcTRhrf87TAaSn8KdfaIEoRH8AunfPTvaIQstgqkhpQu1CiIf4GindYA9959-AcahtDPvLfiXOE5UXfJwXOFt7PAACJHz23UR9l3Cd1phSU-Rfdxq/s640/IMG_1905.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wedding happening underneath us!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB60JGiUq8R93UJkb7VIIGfRasPr3hKZke6RJ-WhLlG_GMntye7TZbL5q240QTg66ibHpnDkxrimxJe6wz5aoOODZg9U7NWAp1hb3DVo8YGreLk5qGk32DWgqsLANRmxL5nzveBtiUnu8/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB60JGiUq8R93UJkb7VIIGfRasPr3hKZke6RJ-WhLlG_GMntye7TZbL5q240QTg66ibHpnDkxrimxJe6wz5aoOODZg9U7NWAp1hb3DVo8YGreLk5qGk32DWgqsLANRmxL5nzveBtiUnu8/s640/IMG_1936.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the gawkers watching from above!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptMOyl7gWY612txh0Gwj843js8TdyO3AF7UEOOMP1_kbtO_2pXgKDL-Hc8NREMc28JJPjdl1IJ93X78OcKSr5_g1-ee3Hb9q5Et_uyoq-h5Ola8XRbS3f8JiGT1QHZgEGdvbFMZ8UHp5X/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptMOyl7gWY612txh0Gwj843js8TdyO3AF7UEOOMP1_kbtO_2pXgKDL-Hc8NREMc28JJPjdl1IJ93X78OcKSr5_g1-ee3Hb9q5Et_uyoq-h5Ola8XRbS3f8JiGT1QHZgEGdvbFMZ8UHp5X/s640/IMG_1937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently in Vancouver, they have free pianos for the playing around town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Blessings today include: crepes with the crew; shopping in Vancouver; Maribeth's safe arrival; watching the wedding; dinner on the waterfront; riding FlyOver Canada</i> </div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-8159059176848159512017-08-19T16:58:00.000-05:002017-08-22T17:28:23.128-05:00Hello Vancouver!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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By the time I made it to breakfast this morning, the word came out that we were now officially seven hours late! We were supposed to arrive around 9:30, but are now looking more at a 4:30 arrival. It wasn’t all bad – we got to see a lot of scenery that normally we would have slept through. Since the dining staff wasn’t prepared to serve lunch, they had to come up with something, and they did – an open-faced ham and cheese Mexican Pizza, or lentils and rice, or a barbeque chicken salad. While it certainly wasn’t their best, I applaud their efforts in making do. <br />
<br />
Eventually we did make it to Vancouver! Molly had already arrived last night, and KB and Lynnette had already arrived today by the time my train pulled in. They were all at the hotel, waiting for me. We pulled into the train station, and then it was time for me to figure out how to get to the hotel. <br />
<br />
I figured there would be a local train shuttle to the waterfront area, but rather than try to figure that out with my full-of-bricks backpack and tote bag, I opted for a taxi. I stood in the line until eventually it was my turn and I climbed in. I told the driver where I wanted to go and he looked a bit alarmed. He told me that there was some sort of bicycle race going on and the traffic was terrible. He said that it would probably take him 30-40 minutes and the train shuttle would only take 5-10. I informed him that I didn’t know where that train shuttle place was and he said he would take me and promptly made a u-turn and deposited me at that station – which was across the street from the rain station I came in to! <br />
<br />
Anyhow, I managed to purchase a ticket and haul my belongings up the stairs and onto the train. Technically I barely made it on the train, but my backpack kept the door open long enough to get me in. Soon I was checked into my hotel! <br />
<br />
Molly, Lynnette, and KB came to my room and we decided to go eat dinner. Once we had done that, we decided everyone was ready to return to the hotel and go to bed. The group is almost all here!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaRFSwp3_H8L17KZy2QdBC-vTe2doCaX3DFUwknwfWlgQJvBCg56A9O57TamK54oW9JjWO_R187mmei0cKqi3AVS-eN5m6dNFlGrYPrR3qwjDf_ux4czST5Trkh-zkwIgQFE03EcDmI5v/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaRFSwp3_H8L17KZy2QdBC-vTe2doCaX3DFUwknwfWlgQJvBCg56A9O57TamK54oW9JjWO_R187mmei0cKqi3AVS-eN5m6dNFlGrYPrR3qwjDf_ux4czST5Trkh-zkwIgQFE03EcDmI5v/s640/IMG_1747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The haze is smoke from the forest fires to the north. This lake is amazing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu5aT6ErY08SVhjHu16Jv8m42KmbQp8UB2dwgZYSqfHPTRxxXkF8QQMBxmNbvhBV2VLRJhsYYpZWh2XIWu3k7ELGF9Sivf8X-PqKeXEaUXzry84Ab_RxfzIf3rP3fkfQ7jhniVA2yXJLI/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu5aT6ErY08SVhjHu16Jv8m42KmbQp8UB2dwgZYSqfHPTRxxXkF8QQMBxmNbvhBV2VLRJhsYYpZWh2XIWu3k7ELGF9Sivf8X-PqKeXEaUXzry84Ab_RxfzIf3rP3fkfQ7jhniVA2yXJLI/s640/IMG_1761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just to give you an idea of the length of our train.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrs6BZGPJJmYJRRBKuk-nNz_oTzIybLdzuL5SbOTnvJigbgWFNGdoiA8wUeMzLW1XC_S_V_IL5e9DPsR61Dy11RrSehS-9YgI9nVSFj78FTeinHQjZK-fj6enoFf0hjIb5fS-L_sE36YH/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrs6BZGPJJmYJRRBKuk-nNz_oTzIybLdzuL5SbOTnvJigbgWFNGdoiA8wUeMzLW1XC_S_V_IL5e9DPsR61Dy11RrSehS-9YgI9nVSFj78FTeinHQjZK-fj6enoFf0hjIb5fS-L_sE36YH/s640/IMG_1765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of a train across the lake - with more cars than ours!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQjDG5hOHwaGjGc2Em8I_t6hIe6VOJ7JWuKznzRvbgjfB-xN9mFAyga-RgcI2HkJmDQD0bNoCS3YlOCgiVVczWUFRxY86FWKuX8i0X6tRUc1fqMLcRahHdR21puI4dyVcc9O1BWl16bZ0/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQjDG5hOHwaGjGc2Em8I_t6hIe6VOJ7JWuKznzRvbgjfB-xN9mFAyga-RgcI2HkJmDQD0bNoCS3YlOCgiVVczWUFRxY86FWKuX8i0X6tRUc1fqMLcRahHdR21puI4dyVcc9O1BWl16bZ0/s640/IMG_1774.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of our long train!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CYHuPiEe-lW3RuegKCm0Q_uROD-yVGE3UuaBGvmTClpeGhoSSmVgJneqnh6D3H_KtQjFdPco-npzxKnM-fJ3CPI11XHk00_y06kIXpmpZGVyLL3cBPh5DP_z4rv44JwLa_rSpl6hj0gr/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CYHuPiEe-lW3RuegKCm0Q_uROD-yVGE3UuaBGvmTClpeGhoSSmVgJneqnh6D3H_KtQjFdPco-npzxKnM-fJ3CPI11XHk00_y06kIXpmpZGVyLL3cBPh5DP_z4rv44JwLa_rSpl6hj0gr/s640/IMG_1776.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going into a tunnel - the views are great from the dome car,<br />
but maybe not for photos on a rainy day!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNhW8_Q_FgC2L1bipLqTJF6245OFYKZkdNAgg0utpzWS9uZO4cr-U0SBLPZUrQ3n5WL-AxG84ECOeKHui3OQ6WPb9xkxo4KD45plkAdyAN_yCRpquDhfX03Zv_BM0AAg5_c87oQNq-Zmw/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNhW8_Q_FgC2L1bipLqTJF6245OFYKZkdNAgg0utpzWS9uZO4cr-U0SBLPZUrQ3n5WL-AxG84ECOeKHui3OQ6WPb9xkxo4KD45plkAdyAN_yCRpquDhfX03Zv_BM0AAg5_c87oQNq-Zmw/s640/IMG_1789.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some campers along the river.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FhQi-d4tF0TMtoELh_ukMOaZQKcGyO_3V_Ku_BCYmoo1ffmp5yO2Kbe5NmPfOTtlQGxSnfhOxH7ybYlnc3ENtksfgOuMsAGiTNKN7f8kzRH2zanZJkOrP7DVylhePXFJUvqtf3yCSl0I/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FhQi-d4tF0TMtoELh_ukMOaZQKcGyO_3V_Ku_BCYmoo1ffmp5yO2Kbe5NmPfOTtlQGxSnfhOxH7ybYlnc3ENtksfgOuMsAGiTNKN7f8kzRH2zanZJkOrP7DVylhePXFJUvqtf3yCSl0I/s640/IMG_1794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An added treat - an eagle in flight!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x1BeXXfuQoz1m6vJW8ZgoWjIpW4x-vStCfXitcj0L5SdOAeD9bVsf4ueX4ORdKRbCRoTLsTT4kvYHm1gDgfmkT7J32vTRlD7wNVZhtro3ZgR9TYiAUucNkk-0-tUkL_qKMXd_lOhegws/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x1BeXXfuQoz1m6vJW8ZgoWjIpW4x-vStCfXitcj0L5SdOAeD9bVsf4ueX4ORdKRbCRoTLsTT4kvYHm1gDgfmkT7J32vTRlD7wNVZhtro3ZgR9TYiAUucNkk-0-tUkL_qKMXd_lOhegws/s640/IMG_1811.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed into a tunnel - they were never very long.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffAXgoaClaqqUpR7jYGQnymmHy8zcvqQAYNiBYc5s6DtkXj7Gq7y7IchP-RDSTHR48-mucqiFC1lRm4iSfALIO-slRZwUQV9n0Z6Ho3BNn4NPfsnIkPacQ1R86opvF6bmtdaaoM9_N_X/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffAXgoaClaqqUpR7jYGQnymmHy8zcvqQAYNiBYc5s6DtkXj7Gq7y7IchP-RDSTHR48-mucqiFC1lRm4iSfALIO-slRZwUQV9n0Z6Ho3BNn4NPfsnIkPacQ1R86opvF6bmtdaaoM9_N_X/s640/IMG_1814.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another river view!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KdacQ2OEPcbt0relR2AJQU8L1UbT5snNRvBA4hDEA1rwzsCdLwnVJJd-IZuAmd5z-zuTaHRGtd4NV6mdI9Z5cGvB3fBBJHVByMKoHO-mS21rBPbv1af7Fl-y-5nZmaiqoHlpqFQLmnz4/s1600/IMG_1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KdacQ2OEPcbt0relR2AJQU8L1UbT5snNRvBA4hDEA1rwzsCdLwnVJJd-IZuAmd5z-zuTaHRGtd4NV6mdI9Z5cGvB3fBBJHVByMKoHO-mS21rBPbv1af7Fl-y-5nZmaiqoHlpqFQLmnz4/s640/IMG_1817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some tents up on the ridge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlVUfbEF0GOIegPy2FJwYMW3Ccwq2MC36S1mrukVmAJvh59tuYA7CbX6s8QC2qcVJz1FtxhAsU6RdtCl7bHAbY_HYUH2bcEclOPQYuv89o1XhmqWFdU87q9Yq1TzSDllc4tQ2zaEiIHaw/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlVUfbEF0GOIegPy2FJwYMW3Ccwq2MC36S1mrukVmAJvh59tuYA7CbX6s8QC2qcVJz1FtxhAsU6RdtCl7bHAbY_HYUH2bcEclOPQYuv89o1XhmqWFdU87q9Yq1TzSDllc4tQ2zaEiIHaw/s640/IMG_1823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was fascinating - a place where two rivers come together.<br />
One is dark and one is light - you can clearly see the dividing mark!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9GqkSh6xVIlvDKgRwk3TILMi65LP9lLXlVyNVS04JGyaUPNwRwnM04i0l2xDgmlz65Q4aAobnvrjZe0zEM0EqRxGnYZkZVw8I33JmMHuRz28el6NwzSVvXPp7Vd9sgwbMucQJMTNG9MD/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9GqkSh6xVIlvDKgRwk3TILMi65LP9lLXlVyNVS04JGyaUPNwRwnM04i0l2xDgmlz65Q4aAobnvrjZe0zEM0EqRxGnYZkZVw8I33JmMHuRz28el6NwzSVvXPp7Vd9sgwbMucQJMTNG9MD/s640/IMG_1835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a bridge ...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL-NuZz2dZXXKeJz2bn7hgwB3aSSNUdADNSnJpPkSkuP7gT3-c8y-CVL000QsBjHcW-i05MRBZkfxC6hxgB0lq1skR6vVJdZAgzNRdGpGNnkNRvRO1xJfKi9z7ejfJ5h9NkxdvRId4ttN/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL-NuZz2dZXXKeJz2bn7hgwB3aSSNUdADNSnJpPkSkuP7gT3-c8y-CVL000QsBjHcW-i05MRBZkfxC6hxgB0lq1skR6vVJdZAgzNRdGpGNnkNRvRO1xJfKi9z7ejfJ5h9NkxdvRId4ttN/s640/IMG_1843.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I LOVE the landscapes!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME6v5P0nr7Spu2Myvy-xY1pOZH90Ff6TlARpzZy8nOYwQbmNLGOyJpfyo6WXr7_K9m8ZRq77FPSzIeIj6K5ngbNenbc2CMGHFHyKH3hUfIGlGQC93nqSizvmQrGCSwuwf1iGi7v_0yfUj/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME6v5P0nr7Spu2Myvy-xY1pOZH90Ff6TlARpzZy8nOYwQbmNLGOyJpfyo6WXr7_K9m8ZRq77FPSzIeIj6K5ngbNenbc2CMGHFHyKH3hUfIGlGQC93nqSizvmQrGCSwuwf1iGi7v_0yfUj/s640/IMG_1854.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry - did you not read the last photo's caption?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtU6qTA-ikLC4dOkZBd80tfhKqGIsaEG9Jse-PBZun8v0f0Glj4gsVq9ArXcDLTsK9saXB6ZNY2rs8K5R7bpfFb7mNh0ewO628D-C9I5cq6C8BPnhuij_YHBhfh-3LV8Iz1vjQ5yImujd/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtU6qTA-ikLC4dOkZBd80tfhKqGIsaEG9Jse-PBZun8v0f0Glj4gsVq9ArXcDLTsK9saXB6ZNY2rs8K5R7bpfFb7mNh0ewO628D-C9I5cq6C8BPnhuij_YHBhfh-3LV8Iz1vjQ5yImujd/s640/IMG_1857.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some travel via camper ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoJXf-ZFf7jTLCEzyKgcoJy8gOolYzWzwog_Q78CyfgZGH4_VbqqNO4Q2d9TjDfc3FFxLncWIcVrw08XGDQbJrK0CQXdmpBCFToWYhmiqDqF3QpNhMWJzgCzPq_XKM6YHD_TooNJow3cE/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoJXf-ZFf7jTLCEzyKgcoJy8gOolYzWzwog_Q78CyfgZGH4_VbqqNO4Q2d9TjDfc3FFxLncWIcVrw08XGDQbJrK0CQXdmpBCFToWYhmiqDqF3QpNhMWJzgCzPq_XKM6YHD_TooNJow3cE/s640/IMG_1878.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally - the last bridge into Vancouver!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcvAwSEwfaYooBaReSzSM7GdNVL5VE0NiV40NOREtjI2wFWBpATEw6jCOggS0T9DYwU9x2yDKuwVGqCEWrJ2HsJcEMn2GD-o9sj40fVwKJEvTjVPVoGxVVNbcW1cLwslrUWLt0aYTeWrE/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcvAwSEwfaYooBaReSzSM7GdNVL5VE0NiV40NOREtjI2wFWBpATEw6jCOggS0T9DYwU9x2yDKuwVGqCEWrJ2HsJcEMn2GD-o9sj40fVwKJEvTjVPVoGxVVNbcW1cLwslrUWLt0aYTeWrE/s640/IMG_1887.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I'm off the train - for the last time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi9cZ5NfjBYkDCY6MFHjpH2zvtUi7gGlB7WM36STdGr-rixWK6nIzD6Fgu74NErqCCBDS7wQG0FML9e4iiRC5zp5LBsDoP7Fsqy5Ds176ox0WhjciLfz0EBxa_Gf3q6sNnZB4FD7WAiq4/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi9cZ5NfjBYkDCY6MFHjpH2zvtUi7gGlB7WM36STdGr-rixWK6nIzD6Fgu74NErqCCBDS7wQG0FML9e4iiRC5zp5LBsDoP7Fsqy5Ds176ox0WhjciLfz0EBxa_Gf3q6sNnZB4FD7WAiq4/s640/IMG_1888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new view - from the hotel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7agQhKK5j7qaujiVjZybp0Q1tYK08v091TX6HKWY0kWtOehLINpvkn7m9nNeLXiRJ7b8Zq85sYHELzrFlcf3q76WywfCXTZ1YCnxCOq1FyB91ygvSTLd1LULFhwarF9PlURM3ore51vSH/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7agQhKK5j7qaujiVjZybp0Q1tYK08v091TX6HKWY0kWtOehLINpvkn7m9nNeLXiRJ7b8Zq85sYHELzrFlcf3q76WywfCXTZ1YCnxCOq1FyB91ygvSTLd1LULFhwarF9PlURM3ore51vSH/s640/IMG_1938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this pretty much sums up how we feel tonight!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****************************************************************************************</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Blessings today include: extra hours on the train; resourcefulness of the dining team; beautiful scenery along the way; cab driver help; managing the city train; great hotel room and meeting up with the girls</i> </div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-89454476974898296932017-08-18T16:33:00.000-05:002017-08-22T16:57:17.036-05:00Training For One Final Day!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Today is our last full day on the train. Tomorrow we should arrive in Vancouver. After leaving the prairies, today we started seeing more rolling hills. We also started getting more behind in our schedule, having to move over for more freight trains. I had breakfast with an older couple from San Francisco and an older dude from Scotland (who also apparently travels all over the world). We chatted a bit and then parted ways. <br />
<br />
The rest of the day I watched the scenery a lot, and took a ton of photos. Once we hit the mountains, the landscape was breathtaking. We traveled along the river a bit, and around and through the mountains. Tonight I’ll have one last sleep in my little roomette – it’s been a great journey!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDhd0rYSgmnuQnl1K3Be67c67FAYNOniZhx6rdvRUW8tki8aeVpShIcC8d_fG-yF_7lLA4rOjjQoG_tOqFe3stXdWf9S02I2jsV-tQcSgYEf4bFSREFyPfq4bnO8IzDeec4IDESvK5liD/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDhd0rYSgmnuQnl1K3Be67c67FAYNOniZhx6rdvRUW8tki8aeVpShIcC8d_fG-yF_7lLA4rOjjQoG_tOqFe3stXdWf9S02I2jsV-tQcSgYEf4bFSREFyPfq4bnO8IzDeec4IDESvK5liD/s640/IMG_1605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the dome car. The problem with photos is that if the glass was dirty,<br />
your photo didn't turn out so great ...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dn6QH6iX2eQVn7nuF5fxrVUsqaDejE1CRK-dioZ9lhzGPkH41TA2l_sguL5XUELjRKfA4hNdfHqJ4n2RssAzPxlj0YpqRTao5nMIaqXKs9DPNA1dSmaHCgY6aO02Nn6iQZ37Mpx0fABp/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dn6QH6iX2eQVn7nuF5fxrVUsqaDejE1CRK-dioZ9lhzGPkH41TA2l_sguL5XUELjRKfA4hNdfHqJ4n2RssAzPxlj0YpqRTao5nMIaqXKs9DPNA1dSmaHCgY6aO02Nn6iQZ37Mpx0fABp/s640/IMG_1618.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice delivery!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsMU0n9jd47ODhgNNwC5Vzw33g5CGvIWVI9pvCweJXcKVDW1bOIxuCJgcfhwdZQdKzTrayH-i-Cgmnu_VQPk0ZkcfyWI57XpBkqex3sn2SMTszMFhfDTHLkRpx3VPG-o3IqSw7TdRI4_H/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsMU0n9jd47ODhgNNwC5Vzw33g5CGvIWVI9pvCweJXcKVDW1bOIxuCJgcfhwdZQdKzTrayH-i-Cgmnu_VQPk0ZkcfyWI57XpBkqex3sn2SMTszMFhfDTHLkRpx3VPG-o3IqSw7TdRI4_H/s640/IMG_1620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our stop in Edmonton. Some riders got off, and others got on. It was a short stop.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO60xBzuChmp14hjRmgWvJtvkMZXZJqZyLdjRgSIx7tmi3Z6oXVFIamQZGujvnBuj5rVQqTtavpKN_J6U8rJ02a3p_wpkCWVat_xs4l9hTHvvnHMca8ugY4RoQPczGz5EKC6fq-HSuuzS/s1600/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO60xBzuChmp14hjRmgWvJtvkMZXZJqZyLdjRgSIx7tmi3Z6oXVFIamQZGujvnBuj5rVQqTtavpKN_J6U8rJ02a3p_wpkCWVat_xs4l9hTHvvnHMca8ugY4RoQPczGz5EKC6fq-HSuuzS/s640/IMG_1622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Edmondson over there ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqlF9Ztf5AhQxYnBv-hHL2k8PPe-bm7Rp0lts96x9702LH5Fjj3PXUR2abGK9tVGHYCdjpVupdcCh9MMgtvcglo344YRSFE5a7TVspVCjhcnNlKct0zM6eSs4PKUgcvuJ2EbElyfLkrpi/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqlF9Ztf5AhQxYnBv-hHL2k8PPe-bm7Rp0lts96x9702LH5Fjj3PXUR2abGK9tVGHYCdjpVupdcCh9MMgtvcglo344YRSFE5a7TVspVCjhcnNlKct0zM6eSs4PKUgcvuJ2EbElyfLkrpi/s640/IMG_1623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, we're on the outskirts - over here ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA3Evqrd5HCENlKIV5xxscpRfOrhcf-e0dzJaQNEXtw3oddR1R0ZgqLkurOviXw3Lm2g42cJVoC0Gbpyt-Az6O52rNDWMejFbpr7B4QGODrz5AZ6gdVUvDr3GjBhyphenhyphensofxHYtIlOD1-dzJ/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA3Evqrd5HCENlKIV5xxscpRfOrhcf-e0dzJaQNEXtw3oddR1R0ZgqLkurOviXw3Lm2g42cJVoC0Gbpyt-Az6O52rNDWMejFbpr7B4QGODrz5AZ6gdVUvDr3GjBhyphenhyphensofxHYtIlOD1-dzJ/s640/IMG_1625.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, so now for some of my beautiful scenery photos ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_aHScFkPfWGEcad0ulxq-x3owSXAsuytbGdI8tAVvPFbIHhtIMV4lb4bEHss6cbMrBj-jdF9hMca7mnN8-JV4N3Wkv19G3i7Ys9IJMmLMXIIi1ZGCJwyoUxhbiApz7n1ELe33CHFzVMJ/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_aHScFkPfWGEcad0ulxq-x3owSXAsuytbGdI8tAVvPFbIHhtIMV4lb4bEHss6cbMrBj-jdF9hMca7mnN8-JV4N3Wkv19G3i7Ys9IJMmLMXIIi1ZGCJwyoUxhbiApz7n1ELe33CHFzVMJ/s640/IMG_1636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's another ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaA38qER0ceII0-3OtYaQXZHTNxpEZVp85_lSCDjtVAJKvmmgV4ZOLi5pzV_mBYFPYsBtz7xOh5IePMVEOiFBT0NXlqgGQ8LOjSYYx8BbWXyzst_j4P_qz1ZCwMUtdhfDRrbOekhRqOqO/s1600/IMG_1664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaA38qER0ceII0-3OtYaQXZHTNxpEZVp85_lSCDjtVAJKvmmgV4ZOLi5pzV_mBYFPYsBtz7xOh5IePMVEOiFBT0NXlqgGQ8LOjSYYx8BbWXyzst_j4P_qz1ZCwMUtdhfDRrbOekhRqOqO/s640/IMG_1664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the mountains are entering the picture ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nqm1GEOJLvukIDfn804fGH7FXYl9iCJOVLhelfWhyphenhyphenXagORbt4T3loWov2GIq1st476Qalfh8SFVtTbi3YfKznNNWczo0lh_eT8bRFloz-e38XA-Uw1chiBBg-pNobMYgOokc8qBzbVJQ/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nqm1GEOJLvukIDfn804fGH7FXYl9iCJOVLhelfWhyphenhyphenXagORbt4T3loWov2GIq1st476Qalfh8SFVtTbi3YfKznNNWczo0lh_eT8bRFloz-e38XA-Uw1chiBBg-pNobMYgOokc8qBzbVJQ/s640/IMG_1691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a longer stop here. Several passengers got off and several got on. Because we were beginning to run so late, we didn't have long here. It was also raining, so not exactly conducive to looking around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkqtX6EIJOQO62YeM18T3oRONmf_LQG5jJhRSheywnVV4_TMOJhu3O_TejPkBBqJZitvYAmREcVeZSjfa32GuwsJjqURXiXcgtK4y87XfwTzYPOeZwje96eMpbuuZ_B3RLCg7FrPf2e9F/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkqtX6EIJOQO62YeM18T3oRONmf_LQG5jJhRSheywnVV4_TMOJhu3O_TejPkBBqJZitvYAmREcVeZSjfa32GuwsJjqURXiXcgtK4y87XfwTzYPOeZwje96eMpbuuZ_B3RLCg7FrPf2e9F/s640/IMG_1692.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasper - seems like a nice place to visit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRqPpusvX1sErVrMsE8aMjeZkw5_n0Cv-f1-djkHwlNKbQgqTXW_qyn_TJSkwROAIxbYNmbXz9kVnyCNT-fBZD6AuFIBlGnaRQ24Sml36o1qoHy_WwxxcivzyGqgK1RDV6CSac1uQVFgg/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRqPpusvX1sErVrMsE8aMjeZkw5_n0Cv-f1-djkHwlNKbQgqTXW_qyn_TJSkwROAIxbYNmbXz9kVnyCNT-fBZD6AuFIBlGnaRQ24Sml36o1qoHy_WwxxcivzyGqgK1RDV6CSac1uQVFgg/s640/IMG_1698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since it was our last night, we all got a taste of sparkling wine to say goodbye!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja13j5AoD6oBR3jH0-PLRVED7ALwnYm0HjS1PF8QAOl17LXjyTzmvu72LqzvzmJulor1dJITKs79ERDMq-PMCqbgKZMtmUJkb7fp6yeyAjA6Wb_EBxm6mPrncZ8h2p35XjjcjU-Jn986Vt/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja13j5AoD6oBR3jH0-PLRVED7ALwnYm0HjS1PF8QAOl17LXjyTzmvu72LqzvzmJulor1dJITKs79ERDMq-PMCqbgKZMtmUJkb7fp6yeyAjA6Wb_EBxm6mPrncZ8h2p35XjjcjU-Jn986Vt/s640/IMG_1700.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice view to settle down with!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: meeting new people on the train; stops along the way; beautiful scenery to look at</i> </div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-37872329107499619042017-08-17T00:52:00.000-05:002017-08-21T00:57:08.361-05:00Canada Is Cool!!And by that I mean that the people are cool, the scenery is cool, and the towns are cool. In other words, I certainly do like what I am experiencing!<br /><br />Today we started the day by changing to Central Standard Time. That’s great, except that everyone showed up for breakfast at the same time. Since you aren’t assigned a breakfast time on the train, if the dining room gets full, they have to start a wait list and you sit and wait in the “snack room”. I arrived just as they started a new wait list. I sat down and waited, and soon Gladys (not her real name – I forgot what it is) came in and sat down. When she heard about the wait list, she was NOT happy. And when she couldn’t find a pen to write her name down, she got even more NOT happy. And when the train dude who creates the wait list came in, and she wanted him to write her name down, and he said sure, just a minute, she got TOTALLY NOT happy and said never mind and walked out. Poor Gladys!<br /><br />Anyhow, after she left another lady came in and sat down to eat a muffin from the nearby tray (hence, the snack room). We chatted a bit. She’s from Canada (I don’t remember where – all these Canada places run together in my head). Anyhow, she said there was so much food on the train, she just wanted a muffin. We kept talking until the train dude came and told me my name was up – time for breaky!!<br /><br />This morning I ended up sitting with three more Canadians – a couple who are on the rain with their two older teenagers, and another woman who is changing her life (something about moving apartments, cities, jobs). We had a lively discussion about many things and then departed for our morning plans.<br /><br />Today the train stops in Winnipeg for a few hours. The train person said that there would be a bus tour (for $$) if we wanted to take that, but when the train got there, we would need to scurry down the steps to sign up. So I decided that’s what I would do in order to see as much of Winnipeg as possible.<br /><br />Our train got in a little late (when we’re on the railway, if a freight train is coming through, we have to get on a side rail and let it pass – they have priority) so by the time I scurried down the stairs, the tour lady was in a rush to get us all on the list. I didn’t have any Canadian money, but they took my American money because they were in a rush. There was only one bus, so several people probably didn’t get the tour – guess they will know to scurry next time!<br /><br />I got on the bus, and the Canadian lady from the snack room got on and sat with me. Then the tour lady got on and started talking a mile a minute. She said that she was going to have to give us a speeded up tour because we got in late and we had to be back in 90 minutes. And so off we went.<br /><br />We drove around the train station area and she told us a lot about that area – I would tell you but that would take a lot of remembering. I wish that I had had more time to walk around that part because there are all kinds of shops and things, but I had to make a choice and chose Speedy Tour instead.<br /><br />Once we left that area, she took us around town and showed us a bunch of residential houses, some of which celebrities like Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez rented when they were filming movies here. Apparently a lot of movies and tv shows are filmed here. Once we left this area, she took us to the Legislative House, where we got off the bus and went inside, and she told us a bunch of stuff about how this was designed like a temple – there’s a whole book about it. It was also really interesting, and I looked up the book, but strangely, Nashville Public Library doesn’t stock it. Puzzling…<br /><br />Anyhow, we scurried back on the bus and headed for a quick look-see at downtown and scurried past the hockey stadium. Then we went across a fancy bridge and ended up at the burial spot of some dude (forgot his name) who was somebody important (forgot that too – she was giving out a lot of info in a short amount of time and my brain can only hold such much – like, where is the bus?). Anyhow, where dude is buried there is also the remains of a burned out church (forgot the story about why the church is burned out). The exterior walls are still standing, but when the people (whoever was in charge) found out that the insurance was not enough to cover the cost of rebuilding the church as it was, they opted to build a smaller church inside the walls of the burned out church. It’s sort of cool. The new church is cool, also. Instead of total stained glass windows, they have partial stained glass windows that depict the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It was really very nice. We stayed there for a quick minute, got back on the bus, and headed back to the train and boarded. And then waited two more hours for several freight trains to pass before we could leave.<br /><br />Once we finally did leave Winnipeg, the train driver (whatever they are called) put the pedal to the metal as we sped past the countryside. This part of Canada is known as the “prairies.” The land is flat and full of vegetation. As we were coming into Winnipeg, we passed a corn field that was larger and longer than any I had ever seen (this coming from a former farm girl whose family had a garden with a couple rows of corn). Apparently these are huge farms here that grow fast amounts of corn and soybeans, and probably other things I don’t know what they are.<br /><br />Anyhow, today, as I mentioned yesterday, I have the last dining rotation. Which means lunch was to be a 2:30pm. I went to the snack room for some sustenance to get me through. Eventually our dining rotation was called, and I headed to lunch. Today I sat with Monica from yesterday (I remember her name because of <i>Friends)</i> and some older dude (in his late 60s) who was wearing a sports coat (side note – there are people on this train who dress very nicely and there are people who don’t – let’s wonder which group I fall into). Gladys was actually sitting across from me at another table, but we didn’t speak – maybe we were both hoping that the other one didn’t see the other. Anyhow, Monica is very quiet and Coat Dude was a little quiet until I kept trying to initiate conversation. I think he finally gave up and started speaking some. He was the one who gave me some information about the prairies. We did see some fields of vegetation that he couldn’t identify. He asked one of the dining servers, who also didn’t know. <br /><br />Today’s lunch was a bison burger, which was delicious, and some kind of berry ice cream for dessert, which was heavenly. After we were done, we all departed and went our separate ways. I went back to my roomette, pulled down the bed and took a glorious nap. I also texted and talked with various family and friends and read a bit. Unfortunately, I got bored with my present book, so I skimmed the rest of it and called it quits on that one. I just have to answer the dilemma of – was that considered a “read” book or not? I then went to the next book, which may or may not meet the same fate.<div>
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For the rest of the day, I looked outside and marveled at how beautiful Canada is. We stopped at one point and were able to get out and walk around and get some fresh air. The sun was setting and it was simply lovely. Soon it was time to get ready for bed, and since I'm really getting pretty good at pulling down and putting up the bed, I think I'm ready for tonight!!</div>
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And here are today's photos ...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5GQSqZTAzCtdkqCg96qdfQPjobIXvTjVpu_2NhwaUm5h_ZIURFoiPgxU4iHg-9xaj_wAZ9E0m1YpnLDynV5M8XYjpaUGQkw6gg3Ap_j6xm8m41GD45lExmH23D6AQnZd0W2-m7zFBWk6/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5GQSqZTAzCtdkqCg96qdfQPjobIXvTjVpu_2NhwaUm5h_ZIURFoiPgxU4iHg-9xaj_wAZ9E0m1YpnLDynV5M8XYjpaUGQkw6gg3Ap_j6xm8m41GD45lExmH23D6AQnZd0W2-m7zFBWk6/s640/IMG_1480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bed - and sometimes viewing spot.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-tQibZXvHK1p_MQtlG8KPAS-rn7we1W8maD2lIHZFmnWbTvw1_Rf1H9qnUBzJFr4MX_z29eBlKKe0NkW6BwkvoCEN1yaR-vJ6DSGLwTfzR3BpxFSL1sO8NjOC3HV5EwG0rlv3m9mSyM/s1600/IMG_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-tQibZXvHK1p_MQtlG8KPAS-rn7we1W8maD2lIHZFmnWbTvw1_Rf1H9qnUBzJFr4MX_z29eBlKKe0NkW6BwkvoCEN1yaR-vJ6DSGLwTfzR3BpxFSL1sO8NjOC3HV5EwG0rlv3m9mSyM/s640/IMG_1490.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train Station in Winnipeg</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm-Gi8vSxUsnHwyQV4B49_4XEfC0nDzUc6bmK4QdrnbIleAC5cu6XBpMZgKc3OcTNv6ydZt97s_AQHuftByZKOdvzJZKacBZDANVb0IphE4ix3NMbB661Eze4h-vXuZXHdFg3qlSWhCtC/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm-Gi8vSxUsnHwyQV4B49_4XEfC0nDzUc6bmK4QdrnbIleAC5cu6XBpMZgKc3OcTNv6ydZt97s_AQHuftByZKOdvzJZKacBZDANVb0IphE4ix3NMbB661Eze4h-vXuZXHdFg3qlSWhCtC/s640/IMG_1498.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up the steps in the Legislative House - very fancy!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5EnM5PuTFF_E30j-Br-s-HOs2KLc7esWW5vhVqCnlTJc_C1MxiJUR4AGfR08qq4QGENwx-SB8YEjzz04WwU2g2MJFD5P4a0r6yljgv6Ecy-82_4Tsn_hfws7Z43G_p6YT1J4t14iFddd/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5EnM5PuTFF_E30j-Br-s-HOs2KLc7esWW5vhVqCnlTJc_C1MxiJUR4AGfR08qq4QGENwx-SB8YEjzz04WwU2g2MJFD5P4a0r6yljgv6Ecy-82_4Tsn_hfws7Z43G_p6YT1J4t14iFddd/s640/IMG_1519.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The burned out church - when you go through this part,<br />the new church is built right behind it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH6BcRd9E4MTzSalOWgKS5WG-3DeRR59pjC0giwBXm8aYlA0yhAP7Q93wGdawgy_J7iZ2Ldn3w6EXmivyT3BF7UjlugFIM-5wYC7Yj0OaF9EWcOaubmW4wz7VysE86DwFddFbF6YKj16G/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH6BcRd9E4MTzSalOWgKS5WG-3DeRR59pjC0giwBXm8aYlA0yhAP7Q93wGdawgy_J7iZ2Ldn3w6EXmivyT3BF7UjlugFIM-5wYC7Yj0OaF9EWcOaubmW4wz7VysE86DwFddFbF6YKj16G/s640/IMG_1540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good bye Winnipeg!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2Atz9V15UIkHIQElUBE880X30QDuKbE_aI5fLl2Ug-af8BTqgjKfe2EIVzAxOyqXuriSNxtzF2PRTYFcUm0-S5cwyOwlNdiuluh3LfEdZ50evGcQyyD6JRIeWPDwbJtbdbXqZR559f8H/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2Atz9V15UIkHIQElUBE880X30QDuKbE_aI5fLl2Ug-af8BTqgjKfe2EIVzAxOyqXuriSNxtzF2PRTYFcUm0-S5cwyOwlNdiuluh3LfEdZ50evGcQyyD6JRIeWPDwbJtbdbXqZR559f8H/s640/IMG_1561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This farm girl can't resist a photo of a tractor harvesting hay!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-iHHR7qq129iLI7Pca7zDWF9Vr8gJ0uUbg50JLOP2FJej_tWnoHRF4JQ_DHUYYRK-FzsRffJYaJodCGoM8FLCrU1RAu1hdLFNHnCnb_SWwF1b8ZsSRV3DYabO0ckROMHMJhLvOXeMCED/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-iHHR7qq129iLI7Pca7zDWF9Vr8gJ0uUbg50JLOP2FJej_tWnoHRF4JQ_DHUYYRK-FzsRffJYaJodCGoM8FLCrU1RAu1hdLFNHnCnb_SWwF1b8ZsSRV3DYabO0ckROMHMJhLvOXeMCED/s640/IMG_1567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prairies - I don't know what's growing here ...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDoIguAPJ_IThW1pKTS8OGgmdgCyVe3ILDVkGRr41455FSz_ujQ8157Siyfv3UbsCtY3v_uuD3rJW_zvdeKf2Jnnmt2V2d5U9EpMJSVTEf_N7ll9Jh4HnsfM8-JHZBHplyZTZONVJieJA/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDoIguAPJ_IThW1pKTS8OGgmdgCyVe3ILDVkGRr41455FSz_ujQ8157Siyfv3UbsCtY3v_uuD3rJW_zvdeKf2Jnnmt2V2d5U9EpMJSVTEf_N7ll9Jh4HnsfM8-JHZBHplyZTZONVJieJA/s640/IMG_1582.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this dairy farm girl can't resist a photo of cows!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlMQYME6rBeAvtJEzojejDeb2hKg6qI_Dj4D2rNjXeNC_4Wmk1S-LDrhzwca0UfU4_ducxgpLc8MDILkPhcKpWQMSv2cLa4U1e_uIbgRD4zs44k9lBrWAvPD02Zug-fR8ub6itfOgWlKX/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlMQYME6rBeAvtJEzojejDeb2hKg6qI_Dj4D2rNjXeNC_4Wmk1S-LDrhzwca0UfU4_ducxgpLc8MDILkPhcKpWQMSv2cLa4U1e_uIbgRD4zs44k9lBrWAvPD02Zug-fR8ub6itfOgWlKX/s640/IMG_1586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or of a farm and hale bales!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBda2zRT1bnMxdGbPM33Jea8sMJ1_-mQHFawCCUSMaQ9tsWis02IhE_uHv8qWmG0mpA8gdml2AhrH3CNr4lKX-cZXphhXXg47GZH6BB3u9x9IaQtrYiaE68jeUnZvBBSEgxs2MyW7vj-_/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBda2zRT1bnMxdGbPM33Jea8sMJ1_-mQHFawCCUSMaQ9tsWis02IhE_uHv8qWmG0mpA8gdml2AhrH3CNr4lKX-cZXphhXXg47GZH6BB3u9x9IaQtrYiaE68jeUnZvBBSEgxs2MyW7vj-_/s640/IMG_1596.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so we ride off into the sunset!!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: meeting new friend Peggy and going on the tour with her: tour and tour guide; lunch with Monica and suit dude; evening train stop</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-87049414187440331092017-08-16T00:17:00.000-05:002017-08-21T00:31:02.703-05:00Riding The RailsWell, let’s start with last night’s sleep. For me, it was lovely. It was very bumpy and loud. At several points I thought perhaps we had run over something just by the bumps and loud sounds. But apparently we hadn’t, as we kept going. I felt several times that I was going to get tossed out of bed, but since there is only about maybe two inches between the side of the bed and the door, I felt pretty safe. I went to sleep, woke up a couple of times, and went back to sleep. The rocking was similar to a bumpy cruise or turbulent air flight, so it wasn’t too awful for me. When I went to breakfast this morning, one of the wait staff said that another worker told her that it was bumpier than usual. <br /><br />Anyhoo, back to last night. I was so tired by the time I got settled in my room (settled meaning me and my stuff was in the room and the porter type dude had finished saying whatever he needed to); I just wanted to lie in the bed. Here’s how my “arrangement” went: my backpack suitcase went between the toilet and the chair. When the bed is put down, the bed goes over said suitcase and said toilet. My lovely Disney tote bag was placed up in the storage thingy above said toilet. I managed to locate my contact lens supplies and take care of my eyes and pretty much was ready to call it a night. No, I was not going to shower. Nor was I going to change clothes. My daytime clothes had morphed into my nighttime clothes.<br /><br />I got into bed. Mind you, with the bed down and my pocket door closed, I have just barely enough space to wedge my chubby lower torso between them without getting stuck. This will be an important thing to know in a few minutes. In fact, when I put my bed down, I was standing in the doorway. Keep that in mind. And since the bed sits on top of the toilet, it’s a little higher than your average bed. And once your bed is down, you can close your door and latch it.<br /><br />Anyhow, I lay in my bed, looking out the window, waiting for sleep to arrive. You know when you’re so tired that you can’t go to sleep? That’s kinda where I was. The train started moving and bumping and making loud noises, so I decided to read a bit. Finally I got sleepy and went to sleep.<br /><br />About an hour later (I know this because I looked at my watch and was extremely disappointed to see that it was 11:30pm) I woke up. My legs were a bit achy and I was questioning whether I needed to go to the bathroom. However, this was going to cause an international incident, because (a) my meds were probably in my backpack suitcase that was under the bed, and (b) the toilet was also under the bed. Yes, there is a community toilet down the hall, but I wasn’t exactly sure where it was at that point, and I really didn’t feel like searching it out. Besides, the jury was still out as to whether I really needed to pee or not.<br /><br />Anyhoo, I did want some Tylenol. So I decided to attempt to put the bed up. But I had closed and locked my door and really didn’t want to open it back up and attract interest to me and my 24-hour old clothes. So I attempted to open it myself. And yes, I did this by wedging my lower torso between the bed and the door. I undid the latch that keeps the bed down and attempted to hoist the bed up. No movement. I continued to try a couple more times, but no movement. So I decided my achy legs and my possible wetting of the bed could wait. And so I did. For about 15 minutes. At which time I decided neither of those situations could wait, so I re-wedged and unlatched the bed and tried again. This time, miraculously the bed (and I say miraculously because I know God had a hand in it), the bed went up. I used the toilet (and for those of you who have cruised, those cruise terlets have nothing on these choo-choo terlets) and then I went in search of some pain meds. Of course, did I remember or exactly know which or where these pills were? Nope, so I rummaged and searched until I found a bottle. Could have been vitamins. Could have been gummy bears. Didn’t care. Just took two, pulled the bed back down, and called it a night. I woke up a couple more times, but went back to sleep without further incident.<br /><br />Upon waking this morning, I decided to get some breakfast. I was assigned lunch and dinner times, but breakfast is “go between 6:30 and 8:30.” Not exactly knowing where the dining car was, I headed in that direction. It’s several cars from mine, and first you go through the dome car. When I entered the dome car, there was some juice and pastries sitting around. At first I thought perhaps it was a “continental breakfast” but I decided not, and pressed on to the next car which was the dining car. I ended up sitting with a couple and a retired dude, all from Australia (different parts). We had a chatty breakfast (I had an omelet) and then we parted ways. <br /><br />The train hummed along until lunch, and I went at my assigned time. This time I sat with three other ladies, all travelling along. One was a Brit, one was a Canadian, and one was a Chicagoan who was a very loud talker and sounded like Gladys Kravits from <i>Bewitched</i>. So far, the food has been very good – I had an omelet for breakfast and a quinoa salad for lunch, and they were delish. We ate and parted ways, and the train kept going until we stopped for about an hour at a little spot known as Hornepayne. Everyone got off the train. People who are not in the sleeper class (and some who are) headed to the grocery store to get food and sundries. Everyone walked around a bit, breathed in fresh air, and took photos of the train.<br /><br />We all boarded our train and we took off. Eventually dinnertime arrived, and I had dinner with my lady lunch pals. I had cod and rice, which was absolutely delicious. Gladys was still loud and it was becoming obvious that she kinda had a negativity about her. We continued to try to converse, and mercifully soon dinner was over and we could part ways. We did find out that everyone changes dinner times each night. Tonight we got dining time #2, and tomorrow night we will have dinner time #3 – the last dinner time – at 9:15pm. Needless to say, Gladys was not happy about that!<br /><br />It was time for bed, so I pulled down my bed and crawled on. I watched the word go past for a bit, read a bit, and was soon fast asleep. Good night!!<div>
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And now for today's photos ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB96Gy4vDU4d9CF0hhYPs6u9z8OAUGD6zCzTNSrb9g50_R4cu3Phot4mBEjOPUQgVgJMvMDyzeOWOcNZFLPG8tU8s38-9PEYfynn9HFlwDkBjH7m6nnTf9qvYinCa8FLDEZb8qAIJZBYKa/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB96Gy4vDU4d9CF0hhYPs6u9z8OAUGD6zCzTNSrb9g50_R4cu3Phot4mBEjOPUQgVgJMvMDyzeOWOcNZFLPG8tU8s38-9PEYfynn9HFlwDkBjH7m6nnTf9qvYinCa8FLDEZb8qAIJZBYKa/s640/IMG_1446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the woods and water that we pass - so beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIksE1_atOFVJVHqOLnzRER5xHmNbrK28bUpSYL05K66TkNQZJL99ziHZWH2EQc5r7C99NeqZsdyhholsd_Lz_yzjVv4q396vyoyBjk888hxScPj0ptr8c_lvT5Ckn5-ZVpN8w3fQg_zz/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIksE1_atOFVJVHqOLnzRER5xHmNbrK28bUpSYL05K66TkNQZJL99ziHZWH2EQc5r7C99NeqZsdyhholsd_Lz_yzjVv4q396vyoyBjk888hxScPj0ptr8c_lvT5Ckn5-ZVpN8w3fQg_zz/s640/IMG_1453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A place we passed - didn't stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelDkb6uz1l7SnTg7BcdrCPakLwgOL6g2mzx2ViPCAJmG_A9dhD03ldFWzRE7hGlGib0Z7u8bipb9gSu-k3x-Fzn1JFTyG0Chb3CV0aAf5nB4AuAzhf9c5EunQZOqO9y8WG6tSXOYWdKJO/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelDkb6uz1l7SnTg7BcdrCPakLwgOL6g2mzx2ViPCAJmG_A9dhD03ldFWzRE7hGlGib0Z7u8bipb9gSu-k3x-Fzn1JFTyG0Chb3CV0aAf5nB4AuAzhf9c5EunQZOqO9y8WG6tSXOYWdKJO/s640/IMG_1459.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped and could get out - this is looking way down at the front of the train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fM-SnMKnJ7FW_WaZIKLR1LsxXpp4xfaxQR5W-Sv7UKgnDBSfgfS21PoKGA9CP4eY-x7yL3JBZm-Sv0oVamIkR66wBY9DEjArF3HVosjsA7WlGCt-qC_HGSO7TutK3z8B8GTGRA4XzhC9/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fM-SnMKnJ7FW_WaZIKLR1LsxXpp4xfaxQR5W-Sv7UKgnDBSfgfS21PoKGA9CP4eY-x7yL3JBZm-Sv0oVamIkR66wBY9DEjArF3HVosjsA7WlGCt-qC_HGSO7TutK3z8B8GTGRA4XzhC9/s640/IMG_1460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is looking way down at the back of the train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR4t3IFoAhFS6Iz3CIPG8p9_QCp7sATatbFx7qGuhrccATD7MkqWYNBKXe-IkJ7bXFDHyHcLZ8K_3u2w9oPdc7ARobV55jCsZ-hzEECDvCqda5YIbxWGKBEqKbbV8dnrXg9CP39MGpkRE/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR4t3IFoAhFS6Iz3CIPG8p9_QCp7sATatbFx7qGuhrccATD7MkqWYNBKXe-IkJ7bXFDHyHcLZ8K_3u2w9oPdc7ARobV55jCsZ-hzEECDvCqda5YIbxWGKBEqKbbV8dnrXg9CP39MGpkRE/s640/IMG_1466.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my "car" - Bliss Manor.<br />My roomette is the window to the left of the window with the shade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAWFHayhhgfiFTh3YFqTfysbrxRo8Hh-d1FD7Yl-0C8XnZ3GuWEP25d9f1t1SnZNm_KX_cp3Nrsrv7yFvwqFQLt4oYL0uApkBkUjGTnBIH9h_7vNBtzg_G-hlhkb1PXVSjKqLNVmIkTEX/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAWFHayhhgfiFTh3YFqTfysbrxRo8Hh-d1FD7Yl-0C8XnZ3GuWEP25d9f1t1SnZNm_KX_cp3Nrsrv7yFvwqFQLt4oYL0uApkBkUjGTnBIH9h_7vNBtzg_G-hlhkb1PXVSjKqLNVmIkTEX/s640/IMG_1467.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the "town" where we stopped. It had a grocery store. And a sundries store.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJp0xLkcAjBGKb8bJWZXxBN7_gKppFEYea222125yMm7bBvLkrTVtH5dMGXbgmFVUrTHL9qY8gdAJTB-BzKi_4KmoySbwNvN_ufWTFJtXtbzoa36wBSnG-mwECSgISLf9_p3mNWHpwu-S/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJp0xLkcAjBGKb8bJWZXxBN7_gKppFEYea222125yMm7bBvLkrTVtH5dMGXbgmFVUrTHL9qY8gdAJTB-BzKi_4KmoySbwNvN_ufWTFJtXtbzoa36wBSnG-mwECSgISLf9_p3mNWHpwu-S/s640/IMG_1471.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a emergency department.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCovNUuFbmFJv2I7Xp9XFxOcIKvFLkrzgBGSqNFvVfVqXFSnQQ2t5u5aPN-EiaZ3Lry2uQTProMcCw1zmXPZ8LjPzOZCjCzjFz4HegC91IoT9MkXtvkFUPH23Pl9YwqQ1zDWJVvn_Fm81F/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCovNUuFbmFJv2I7Xp9XFxOcIKvFLkrzgBGSqNFvVfVqXFSnQQ2t5u5aPN-EiaZ3Lry2uQTProMcCw1zmXPZ8LjPzOZCjCzjFz4HegC91IoT9MkXtvkFUPH23Pl9YwqQ1zDWJVvn_Fm81F/s640/IMG_1479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what you get for meals on the train. Very nice and delicious!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxqXFFkXFkJ4vnQl0X_xCk1QLprnTH5pXl1SCUH2Ef2vpwiK86fMTqFCCTVs0VUvKUxapjc7grT5HQdBZ1yUZSCOJhWVAs6yX79-PWGJczpJsL_ENofMhXW9Tz0h7hVkE-VogcVR0bZRW/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxqXFFkXFkJ4vnQl0X_xCk1QLprnTH5pXl1SCUH2Ef2vpwiK86fMTqFCCTVs0VUvKUxapjc7grT5HQdBZ1yUZSCOJhWVAs6yX79-PWGJczpJsL_ENofMhXW9Tz0h7hVkE-VogcVR0bZRW/s640/IMG_1476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And these are the engines that pull our train!!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: delicious omelet breakfast with the Australians; yummy lunch and dinner with my lady diners; watching Canada go past my window; stopping at Hornepayne and seeing the sights; getting photos of the train; texting with family and friends (thanks to Steve’s re-doing of our cell phone plan)</i></div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-39920367846794193622017-08-15T23:49:00.000-05:002017-08-21T00:16:42.445-05:00Let's Get This Par-Tay Started!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s time to get the 60th Adventure started! And it started pretty early today. I got up at 3:30am in order to get a shower and to the airport for my 6:00 flight. Steve has a flight an hour later, but by leaving at 4:20ish, he still had time to drop me off, return home, shower, and get back for his trip.<br /><br />The first step in this trip is to fly to Toronto. I decided to take the first flight, since I have to board the train tonight, and who knows what could happen with airplanes. Of course the first plane is Air Canada (no complaints there – I’ve flown them before) and is a “commuter jet.” Which means a little plane. Which is not exactly on my “favorite planes” list, should I ever have such a list. The only planes lower than little planes are “propeller planes”, one of which I could have taken and would have been a larger plane, but the propellers negated that choice. And the bottom of my planes list? That would be a small propeller plane. Including float planes. Would I ever fly in one? Certainly – if I had to. Like in the movie Independence Day (the first one) where the President and Jeff Goldblum and assorted others had to jump in Air Force One before the aliens blew up the White House. Yes, I would jump in a little plane with propellers before I was obliterated by aliens. But I digress …<br /><br />I got to the airport with the backpack and my loud, garish Disney bag, which was chosen because the backpack was stuffed and I would still be allowed another smaller carryon and I still had stuff I needed to take (laptop, which Maribeth said I should leave at home, at which point she got fired from being my packing consultant) and various other things. By the way, when I said my backpack was stuffed, apparently it was with bricks, judging by the weight that I was carrying on my back. Trekking around Toronto should be interesting …<br /><br />Anyhow, I got to the airport, which was not busy at that time of the morning, and headed to my gate. It was at a different part of the airport than my usual Southwest gates, so it was interesting. When I got to my gate, there were a few people waiting around. I chatted with a dude headed to Seattle and then to the Philippines. He was very nice.<br /><br />Eventually they called for us to board. They said, “Usually we ask you to line up in groups, but since there are only six of you flying today, just come on.” Yup, you read that right – six people on the plane. The plane holds a total of maybe 48, but that is still a small number. I’m just glad they didn’t try to stick us on a smaller plane!<br /><br />Once we were all boarded, it was time to stow the luggage. Apparently on this small plane, your big carry-on goes under the seat, which mine did once I kicked and shoved it under. Your smaller carry-on is supposed to go in the overhead compartment. But since we had plenty of space, we passengers were allowed just put them anywhere. In fact, some of the passengers just put them on the seat next to them and seat-belted them in. Oh, and did I mention that when the plane that is capable of holding only 48 people and is only carrying 6 people, then the plane seems hugely bigger?<br /><br />The flight was smooth and safe and very nice, even without Wi-Fi. I read some of a book I brought (I brought seven), and soon we were landing in Toronto! Once landed, we had to wait for a gate to open because we had left/landed early. Once we finally pulled up to our gate, I found this information amusing, since it seems we pulled up to the “garage” section. In other words, we pulled up to the outskirts of the airport and had to use the airplane pulldown steps to get off. Lovely – me and my wonky knees and my 700 pound backpack full of bricks and my ridiculous Disney tote bag. I managed to get off the plane and begin the 800 mile trek to Customs. Eventually I arrived, did the Customs machine things, and was admitted to Canada!<br /><br />Next I had to figure out how/where to catch the train to Union Station, where I shall be boarding my train tonight. Luckily I had done a bit of research (yesterday of course) and printed out directions on how to find this train – another 800 mile walk with the aforementioned burdensome backpack and garish tote bag. Thank goodness for signage! I found the kiosk to purchase the ticket, helped by some young lady who felt pity for this old lady weirdo, and was soon on the train to Union Station!<br /><br />Once I arrived at Union Station, I realized the probability of going anywhere with this backpack was zero. I went to the ViaRail desk and asked if there was a place where I could store my stuff until my train left tonight and she said yes – just go to baggage around the corner! Thank you God for such wonderful blessings! And so I stored the brick-bag and obnoxious totebag and headed out to greet Toronto.<br /><br />By this time I was starving, so I ate at the first place I could find. Keep in mind, this is right in between the breakfast and lunch dining times, so I ended up at a food court and ate noodles and bourbon chicken. Whatevs – I was starving! I had texted my peeps to ask what I should do and received several options. Molly suggested a hop on-hop off tour, and when I left the food court and went outside, there was a bus right there, so the decision was made!<br /><br />The bus tour was great, but I was so sleepy by that point I kinda took a few power naps during the loop, so I took it again to see what I might have missed. By the end of the second loop, my phone battery was getting super low, so I went in search of a charging cord and brick – because all mine were in my checked luggage back at Union Station, and I did not wish to trek back there yet.<br /><br />Eventually I found a place, got the needed supplies, had a Starbucks break to charge the phone, and went back outside. There was a Toronto Blue Jays game tonight, so the fans were really starting to come in for the game. I decided to go up the CN Tower, mainly so I could say I did it. I paid extra so I could see it earlier than wait the 2-hour wait. I was hungry again, so I had a burger in the bottom of the tower. The burger was yummy, and soon it was time to take the one-minute ride up the glass elevator to the top. It was fine – high and you can see stuff. And so I did it – and now I’ve said I did. There apparently is some cray-cray thing you can do where they harness you up and you can “walk the edge.” Nope – I certainly don’t need/want the bragging rights to that!<br /><br />Anyhoo, once I was done, I took another Starbucks break to recharge my phone again. I was really tired and decided to go back to Union Station and wait out the few hours left until it was time to board the train. I retrieved my bags and asked an employee where I could charge my phone and went to that location until it was closer until boarding time.<br /><br />I went to stand in line to board the train and a lady came through asking for “sleeper car” people. I’m one of those, and she took us to the “sleeper people lounge” where I could have been the entire time. There are free drinks and nice couches there!! Oh well, I got my dining assignment time and soon it was time to board the train. I found my car and my “roomette” (after having to aggravate the people in the hallway trying to hoist their stuff into their sleeping berths – berths are like bunk beds in the hallway) and met the train dude who is supposed to help if I have difficulties. He showed us where stuff is and how to fold down the bed. And soon we were off, and soon I was off to sleepy-time. It’s been a long, glorious day!!<div>
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And here are some photos from today!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfHg9DXuFSpRQ8S0P8kZAtuZ2qonb7uP8YQ9QYmDmUz1guv7RKw5N2ZANh5MstedG97TgjUR3Aj9xCTE6_4U33H86fBHEv1Waz2lXb2uuya0FRJqeShUr5MUwOJhlPX5WEVMrM62r_XVt/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfHg9DXuFSpRQ8S0P8kZAtuZ2qonb7uP8YQ9QYmDmUz1guv7RKw5N2ZANh5MstedG97TgjUR3Aj9xCTE6_4U33H86fBHEv1Waz2lXb2uuya0FRJqeShUr5MUwOJhlPX5WEVMrM62r_XVt/s640/IMG_1362.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady decided to take a nap - why not? She had the whole row!<br />Later I helped her with her customs card - and saw my first green card!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVYMaSsI0UWApFiBx9AG_n350MdxDEU9YSyf2XiFbSGLJLZ1Vwitxu71Ud1PAXQ7KAl54t48HmB6jgrA9hzbkGa6SkUVSKZJoiuxgr06q5matodrnMFieqy9ZU_YP-TRRWRRMbtSIbug6/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVYMaSsI0UWApFiBx9AG_n350MdxDEU9YSyf2XiFbSGLJLZ1Vwitxu71Ud1PAXQ7KAl54t48HmB6jgrA9hzbkGa6SkUVSKZJoiuxgr06q5matodrnMFieqy9ZU_YP-TRRWRRMbtSIbug6/s640/IMG_1363.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another passenger's backpack belted in for safety!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JOQYx1QfI6vvL4QzZeuPSFnB5j8HhCSC6-KwnRX8RB7x2nBAuxZUPWUyTUVw_4-njtUPqWI9E2TfcXUTLisRWYv8ia8DkPdmAAPas4aIMplqfAF-HyafEShCF9wS1jvdn7aiwiuLgz-6/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JOQYx1QfI6vvL4QzZeuPSFnB5j8HhCSC6-KwnRX8RB7x2nBAuxZUPWUyTUVw_4-njtUPqWI9E2TfcXUTLisRWYv8ia8DkPdmAAPas4aIMplqfAF-HyafEShCF9wS1jvdn7aiwiuLgz-6/s640/IMG_1366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bags shoved and kicked and wedged under the seat in front.<br />So what's your description of my Mickey tote?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MBCDFLO48ofiviopQjcEDwuJn-8eF3ThFcDZWHvTfCLiuk-3eC5sCnGmEKHd-UpD2gJ8EIUR7WQMqDHpprVd-6R923uybVIF9zB0iLseHhQReeDB2gqgSoEQeJtBmwPs02oMg3PKKu90/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MBCDFLO48ofiviopQjcEDwuJn-8eF3ThFcDZWHvTfCLiuk-3eC5sCnGmEKHd-UpD2gJ8EIUR7WQMqDHpprVd-6R923uybVIF9zB0iLseHhQReeDB2gqgSoEQeJtBmwPs02oMg3PKKu90/s640/IMG_1396.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Toronto! Now what ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsw1Y4lDDoVRwvmGv_-mndKsh2OJkKhESnu0wjIBngHFXdrfRlVwQNUHYWvUkKCi0CNFExaTf_d5B7dXUizhPWgxW7mF3citYqiFm-y_TxNEyPMMxDOJp6KgEdbtL3V4jypO24KqeXLbR/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsw1Y4lDDoVRwvmGv_-mndKsh2OJkKhESnu0wjIBngHFXdrfRlVwQNUHYWvUkKCi0CNFExaTf_d5B7dXUizhPWgxW7mF3citYqiFm-y_TxNEyPMMxDOJp6KgEdbtL3V4jypO24KqeXLbR/s640/IMG_1399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Red Bus - my guide to Toronto!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka46tfGxf39DuGJY28GsHcfj1Zoch-UaPbvwmXctvhrS_dc60vCwa92OTXLuMX-60YFGcR2YYlYwpExMrKJBcqdgyWBZSlv5i26Z_aCqS_jGYnyTDgo1utpO7uxVki4kUsoLOYeWaJ_jJ/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka46tfGxf39DuGJY28GsHcfj1Zoch-UaPbvwmXctvhrS_dc60vCwa92OTXLuMX-60YFGcR2YYlYwpExMrKJBcqdgyWBZSlv5i26Z_aCqS_jGYnyTDgo1utpO7uxVki4kUsoLOYeWaJ_jJ/s640/IMG_1410.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Station - as long as I get back here by tonight, I'm good!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OzUBm-6qY1jsaV3LWhZHSRJMraij148YQpe6AIipDBOKqeh5t6s72E6ZXhgYB9XOZtWqRgE56AAKH7NDmKInPpBLwLaHC-h5GEhnWStdl07F_HlJWpPnQvlH1e1aRs4_7jn0vauz2c42/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OzUBm-6qY1jsaV3LWhZHSRJMraij148YQpe6AIipDBOKqeh5t6s72E6ZXhgYB9XOZtWqRgE56AAKH7NDmKInPpBLwLaHC-h5GEhnWStdl07F_HlJWpPnQvlH1e1aRs4_7jn0vauz2c42/s640/IMG_1417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Doggie Fountain!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXDb55VJoWhxiH4tIsT5YE1ryI6C1nPVV_64Au02usu7_2cea2sXZmVZYlY0yxdP1warXBPdchFHOv4cu-AF_Vl0RYtUdoFuizDFLsnI8yZtphBc50wlGKv7Q7TNry6XHl-SRLI3HaBfT/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXDb55VJoWhxiH4tIsT5YE1ryI6C1nPVV_64Au02usu7_2cea2sXZmVZYlY0yxdP1warXBPdchFHOv4cu-AF_Vl0RYtUdoFuizDFLsnI8yZtphBc50wlGKv7Q7TNry6XHl-SRLI3HaBfT/s640/IMG_1424.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CN Tower from the bottom ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRMu64tEZHyxkV1zq5g4bUXqFJlkXBwXCmwoAZAlErU8MW6_SIcozxt_BE8bFg972GCUWoqlbfbKUBKA5jqfu-Rq1snvAECVnhPRFSkGYhhJ_A0KlF6HlTijuvP_CuR4ArRv2wdLzd1g_/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRMu64tEZHyxkV1zq5g4bUXqFJlkXBwXCmwoAZAlErU8MW6_SIcozxt_BE8bFg972GCUWoqlbfbKUBKA5jqfu-Rq1snvAECVnhPRFSkGYhhJ_A0KlF6HlTijuvP_CuR4ArRv2wdLzd1g_/s640/IMG_1427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And from the top!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdMRGD3PStvosdiWYNbjjJmA68CVJ0YHvTBaMzympkL_464xM51dF1a8qsV2pDtgUlt_WVjJcLZjKVke2i8ETh1kKVSeBPCDN_474HDh1kmHlVLtfSm1xuEoTKM9TWnEJF7BCckEBcbuC/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdMRGD3PStvosdiWYNbjjJmA68CVJ0YHvTBaMzympkL_464xM51dF1a8qsV2pDtgUlt_WVjJcLZjKVke2i8ETh1kKVSeBPCDN_474HDh1kmHlVLtfSm1xuEoTKM9TWnEJF7BCckEBcbuC/s640/IMG_1433.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it back to Union Station - time to wait for Train #1!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PyVpgFl2Jv_Rep3wI0zHgVur6_3yJ8gz_32WHVtQxI-fqAUOq9U3wLWYp8lXL0PFGfmZshujL0BaywkXWxb5rgEUQ0M5Eny-0npFOVYK-ctbIMJyW1dMvB68jRjQSjuWYIYcfgmQE-Le/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PyVpgFl2Jv_Rep3wI0zHgVur6_3yJ8gz_32WHVtQxI-fqAUOq9U3wLWYp8lXL0PFGfmZshujL0BaywkXWxb5rgEUQ0M5Eny-0npFOVYK-ctbIMJyW1dMvB68jRjQSjuWYIYcfgmQE-Le/s640/IMG_1440.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there she is!! Let the adventure begin!!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: safe, smooth, uncrowded flight to Toronto; finding my way to the train to Union Station; finding out that baggage claim at the train station would hold my bags; red bus tour (thanks to Molly); clean Toronto bathrooms; nice ViaRail lady; getting on the train and into bed</i></div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-62947275827926845752017-08-14T23:42:00.000-05:002017-08-20T23:48:59.895-05:00It's Time To Get Realz, Y'all!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, first of all, I’m leaving town tomorrow for about three weeks. One would think I would be packed by now. But by now, hasn’t one figured out that just is not going to happen? <div>
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The plan is to pack in this backpack/suitcase thingy. It’s supposed to be a backpack if you want it, or you can stuff the straps in a handy pouch in the back and use it as a regular suitcase. Since I may have to be trekking around Toronto with luggage tomorrow, I thought a backpack would be the smart choice. </div>
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The problem that has arisen is that the backpack is not interested in holding all the things that I feel the need to pack. Since one of my destinations is Alaska, I will need some warmer things. But since the second destination after that is California, I shall not need those warmer things. Hence I am packing all sort of things, most of which fill up this backpack very quickly. </div>
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Luckily, Maribeth and Lynnette were over, and Maribeth made me out a packing list. Let’s just say it’s “bare bones.” I am thankful that there are laundry facilities on the Wonder, since my two pair of undies, two shirts, and a pair of pants may need some cleaning after a few days (okay, so the list allowed a few more clothes than that, but not many). Once I had fulfilled this list, my other stuff fit a little better into my backpack. And then I had to put away all "packed but culled" stuff. Anyhow, it looks like packing may be complete by tonight, which is my goal. Tomorrow I have an early flight, so I certainly want it done by then. </div>
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Meanwhile, in other news, Steve has to spend a part of his day taking care of his car. While he was in Columbus last weekend visiting GDizzle, a rotted light pole fell on his 6-month-old car. It happened during the night, so they didn’t see or hear it. Steve just noticed something amiss the next morning when he came out to his car to get something. <br /><br />Since the pole was rotted, the light company will pay for damages. It’s just the hassle of taking the car in to get an estimate, and dealing with the light company and insurance companies. One has to wonder why this happened to Steve’s new car, when there are several old junkers that would have been glad to give up the ghost for such a cause. But then again, one has to be thankful that nobody was hurt in this situation. Since I will be out of town, Steve can drive my baby Prius, but somehow I don’t think that brings him a lot of joy. But then again, neither does a busted up Highlander … <br /><br />Oh well, I guess that’s a Monday for you! </div>
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<i>Blessings today include: getting stuff packed in backpack and totebag; getting house in some order so I can leave town; Everley and Lindley time and lunch with Moo</i></div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-38901787837114209482017-08-13T23:32:00.000-05:002017-08-20T23:32:51.954-05:00Calling "Uncle"Okay, so the time has come and the piper is going to have to be paid. Reality has sunk in and I have to own up to the obvious – I am not going to catch up on all the missing posts in this blog.<br />
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I know – I had really planned to get this baby all caught up and neatly tucked away before I started a new chapter (yes, I am going to continue to blog). But the final kicker was when I couldn’t find where I had stored all those photos.<br />
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See, on a previous cruise, I had gone through all a slew of photos and labeled and dated them for catch-up blogs, A couple of weeks ago, I decided it was going to be the day for a massive catchup – but I couldn’t find the photos anywhere. I thought I had saved them on my laptop – nope. I thought maybe I had saved them on my home computer or extra drive – nope. Now I think I might have saved them on a zip drive, which is now AWOL (which I am sure will turn up in September). At any rate, there were no photos; therefore, there would be no catchup for those. And when I looked at the massive number of blogposts I am missing, the task was just too daunting to attempt. Especially since the days until the cessation of this blog were quickly diminishing.<br />
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And so there you have it. After 10 years of this blog (yes, it’s been that long – I started this incarnation of this blog when I turned 50), I am finishing it up with some big holes. And while I am disappointed that I didn’t complete all those missing days, I am content to let it go.<br />
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Because after all, it’s about my life. And there are some holes in my life that won’t get filled in. But it’s a good life and a good blog, and so on it goes. Here’s to holes and life and blogs – may we all keep going, no matter what!<br />
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<i>Blessings today include: picking up the Ls at the airport; Steve’s safe trip home in his busted car; seeing Lindley’s new room; seeing Everley’s new hole where a tooth used to be; August birthday brunch with Sharon, KB, and Moo; pre-cruise pedis</i></div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-8719342630762817352017-08-12T23:21:00.000-05:002017-08-20T23:26:36.505-05:00Me and The FacebookSeveral years ago, I joined Facebook, mainly because one or both of my daughters talked me in to it. I certainly was a casual user at first (whatever that means). Eventually as more of my “old-time” friends joined, I got more active with commenting, posting, etc.<br /><br />However, along with last year’s election “situation”, a sad and disheartening thing happened with my Facebook experience. Suddenly people were being mean and angry with their posting. Comments ceased to be positive and uplifting and went to accusatory and vicious. Friends I had thought to be friends ending up espousing views that, while went against my views, seemed to not only negate my views, but vilify them.<br /><br />It got to the point where I started “hiding” people. I didn’t “unfriend” them. Someone did that to me once, and I found it hurtful. I just hid their posting so I wouldn’t have to have my senses assaulted every time I opened Facebook.<br /><br />The good thing was that I did pick up a few new friends. Friends who were hidden from other friends because of their beliefs. Friends who held the same thoughts and ideals I did, but not only didn’t think that everyone else should have the same beliefs, that believed that we could all still get along.<br /><br />Earlier this year, my postings became fewer and fewer. Partly because I didn’t want to talk about how I felt about the current goings on and didn’t want to get lambasted because of them. Partly because didn’t want to get “Facebook yelled at” for something I wrote. But mostly because I had begun to question my purpose with Facebook.<br /><br />I do like reading Facebook. I have several friends with whom this is my only means of keeping in touch. Sure, I could call or write, but I either don’t have that contact information (hmmm – what could that mean) or it’s just that Facebook is the easiest way of keeping in touch, albeit indirectly. And I have to say that I am a “Facebook stalker.” That means that if a friend talks about another friend and some potential interesting (to me) situation, then I will go to that page to “read all about it.” So, I am an avid Facebook reader.<br /><br />But therein lays my dilemma. I don’t like being a “taker.” If I am deriving all this pleasure from reading the posts of others, then shouldn’t I have a responsibility to provide fodder for the reading enjoyment of others?<br /><br />And therein lies my other deep theological question (where’s a therapist when you need it?) – how self-centered does one need to be to post personal things on Facebook? Do I really believe that there are those who are interested in what I might post?<br /><br />I had just about come to the decision to quit Facebook altogether, when one day two postings came up. One was from my childhood friend Anita, who asked (via Facebook post) was I was up to. I answered her (via public Facebook post) saying a bit about what I was thinking. And in a comment related to my comment, Ramsey (another childhood friend) basically said to stay on Facebook, because he liked reading my posts.<br /><br />And so I decided to stay on. Because in the end, it’s just Facebook. People can say whatever they want, and I can hide those comments. I can learn from what others are saying (if I choose) and I can learn about the lives and travels and experiences of those whom I may never meet in person.<br /><br />And in the end, maybe Ramsey will have a moment’s enjoyment!<div>
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<i>Blessings today include: nobody hurt when Steve’s car got smashed with a light pole; Everley time</i>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-79229364112536377132017-08-11T23:01:00.000-05:002017-08-11T23:01:33.942-05:00Coming HomeToday most of the fam has returned to Nashville from their trips. Steve and Sam got in just after lunch and Maribeth, Everley, and Emmatha got in just after dinner. Lynnette and Lindley won't be back until Sunday. Steve stayed long enough to unload his suitcase and pack another to head to Columbus to spend the weekend with GDizzle.<br />
<br />
Sam and Lindley recently moved into a house. Lindley wanted a loft bed for her new bedroom, so she and I found one she liked that could be delivered before December. And so it was scheduled to be delivered today. The only deal was that somebody had to be at the house to sign for it. Because it weighed 380 pounds.<br />
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Anyhow, since Sam and Steve would be arriving at the airport during the appointed delivery window, I made arrangements with Molly about picking them up. However, around noon (the delivery window was 1-5pm), Sam called (he was in the Denver airport at the time) and said the delivery person had called and said he would be at the house in 30 minutes. This was good, since I would be able to be at the house, sign for the delivery, and still pick up Sam and Steve.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzwi-bJ9D4bovVojikX-xH8HUhkSMQKX55PuI69XdMfFN_8l3Ut1b92Arnz6AioJEQPYF-6C84FB7AtYr2OocPmN7uqYZ1WWR1MclZepRuhPbpNTZy9M4wJhC5VvYxrKlvmjkHMHVVcoi/s1600/Hildreth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzwi-bJ9D4bovVojikX-xH8HUhkSMQKX55PuI69XdMfFN_8l3Ut1b92Arnz6AioJEQPYF-6C84FB7AtYr2OocPmN7uqYZ1WWR1MclZepRuhPbpNTZy9M4wJhC5VvYxrKlvmjkHMHVVcoi/s320/Hildreth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So I headed to the house and went inside to wait. I heard the truck and went outside - to see the truck parked at the bottom of the driveway. And by bottom, I mean at the bottom, because the house is on a hill. The photo does not do the elevation of the hill justice - I would tell you the angle of the hill, but geometry was not my fave subject. Let's just say it is a steep hill. Anyway, back to the delivery.<br />
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I looked outside and saw the truck - wait, I already said that. Here's some delivery background. Basically, when I ordered the bed, you could select several different delivery options. The first option was delivery at curbside, which was a no-brainer since the curb was essentially at the bottom of a mountain. The second option, which I chose, was delivery to the door. There was a third option which was delivery to the room where the furniture was going to live, but the price for that was more than I wanted to spend. So the deal is that all 380 pounds of bed was going to get put on the porch by the front door. Back to the truck at the bottom of Everest ...<br />
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I looked out and saw the delivery person. At first I thought it was a female, because of the long braids/cornrows the person had. Also, the person was of a slight build. I know, that is sexist, but my eyesight isn't quite what it used to be. Anyhow, I rappelled down the mountain a bit and started talking to the delivery person, which I quickly determined to be a dude. I inquired as to whether he was going to pull the truck up the mountain, and he said he didn't think so because he would probably break a lot of the limbs on the trees (the truck was the size of a big U-Haul truck). I looked in the truck and saw the bed - all 380 pounds of it in seven boxes all shrink-wrapped onto a wood pallet.<br />
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I then asked if he thought it would be a good idea if I got my car (the roller skate baby Prius) and drove it down the driveway, and then we'd put the boxes in the car and I'd drive it back up the driveway. He seemed to think it was a better idea than putting each of the seven boxes on a dolly and hoisting them up the mountain. So I got the car, drove it down, he cut the wrap off the boxes, and we started loading the boxes in. I wish I had taken a photo - the first load we got five of the boxes in, the back gate of my car was open because one was too long for it to fit in, and delivery dude was somehow propped on the back holding everything in.<br />
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Once we had gotten to the front sidewalk, he asked if we were going to put this in the garage. To which I replied no, we were going up the slight incline of the sidewalk to the front door, which was on the top of about eight steps. At that point, I offered him $20 if he would, when he got the boxes to the front of the steps, take another three steps and unload the boxes inside the house. To which he replied, "Sure." It had gotten quite warm by this point, since it was noon and all, so he might have responded out of heatstroke. At any rate, we got the five boxes out of the car, up the sidewalk, up the steps, and into the house.<br />
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Then we headed back down for the remaining two boxes. Only one would fit in the car - the other one was way too big. So we loaded the box that fit into the car and dude said he would put the other box on the dolly and bring it up the mountain, because it wasn't that heavy, just large.<br />
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I putted up the mountain once more with box #6 and soon dude was headed up with the final box. We got all the boxes in the house, I gave the delivery dude his much-deserved tip and a bottle of Gatorade, and we parted ways. By this time Molly had arrived with lunch, so she and I had a bite to eat while I mopped the sweat that was gushing from every pore in my body. When I ordered the bed and knew that Sam was going to be out of town when it was delivered, I had offered to assemble the thing. After seeing all the boxes, I am glad that cray-cray offer was rescinded last week before delivery.<br />
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Once the delivery task was complete, I had time to return home for a quick power nap before picking up Steve and Sam. Several hours later, Mathieu picked up Maribeth and the girls, they picked up dinner, and ate at the Doik. Mainly because Everley had decided that she wanted to spend the night tonight at my house. Which she did.<br />
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<i>Blessings today include: clean cars and Kroger discounts on gas; nice delivery dude and getting everything inside; Molly bringing lunch; safe travel home for Steve, Sam, Maribeth, Emmatha, and Everley; dinner with Molly (our dinner) and Mathieu, Maribeth, Everley, and Emmatha (their dinner); package in the mail from LaLa2 (to be stuffed in my backpack for my August Extravaganza); sleep buddy Everley for the night</i></div>
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<br />Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-9790122712629245182017-08-10T02:38:00.000-05:002017-08-11T03:08:57.792-05:00Bits and PiecesToday I knew I was going to have to get serious about getting some stuff done. A few orders I had made to aid these projects had come in, so as lovely as it was to just stare at the boxes, I did feel the compulsion to actually open them and get busy.<br />
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And I did manage to get a couple of things accomplished. I decided that since Emmatha no longer sleeps in the porta-crib, I would take that down, thus making that guest bedroom less crowded. And I commenced on my latest "organized the DVDs" project. In doing that, I found some videos that Sam had put together for me, so I took some time to watch those - which was a nice use of my time! Other than that, I managed to go to the Wal Mart and get the mail and go to the library, all things that are mind-numbingly boring, unless you are the one counting them as major accomplishments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOuAqf78XrKyhgWxJxJaa6vcLcSjQ79TZHQu2MWpZjzxrWVW3pO-h2x1wlLcbrHvIxsziH5JDUnzzQABfnC3sAhBHatUu1hnWYoKlHMDyWeW8LhZQYkxBO8MG9nIv9szXgFsI3gDzf8WT/s1600/godiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOuAqf78XrKyhgWxJxJaa6vcLcSjQ79TZHQu2MWpZjzxrWVW3pO-h2x1wlLcbrHvIxsziH5JDUnzzQABfnC3sAhBHatUu1hnWYoKlHMDyWeW8LhZQYkxBO8MG9nIv9szXgFsI3gDzf8WT/s200/godiva.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
I needed to get something at the mall, and walked past the Godiva store. I rarely go to the mall, and only if I have a specific mission, which I did today. And when I passed the Godiva store, I went in and found a new sin - <b>dark chocolate soft serve ice cream</b>. I'm sure it was a year's worth of calories, but it was so worth it. I'm just glad I am not in the habit of shopping at the mall - although I may find more errands to run there ...<br />
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Everley called from the road to tell me about her wiggly tooth - her first one to get loose. She then proceeded to sing me <i>Little Rabbit Fru Fru</i> and then proceed to make up a song about a little fox. We had quite a long conversation as she and her mom and her sister travelled from Texas through New Mexico to Colorado.<br />
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As far as the travellers go, today was their last full vacay day. Tomorrow each will head home and return to Nashville tomorrow afternoon. And here are their photos from today ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIwIQZDIKScK8aDEp5AqCRCpf0DwTLFj2Ht6fRlVv5pvkwaRY5G0owyczjbptibf53-lGIWuvPMqU7V-OKjQBvuk1WVVJui2UpS9trs9CbOo1TADsoxIBQdvSo1wAXZ8pT2tuShVcKM80/s1600/4F15A5A9-2E2D-44B9-8F8C-C173CB95A60A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="640" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIwIQZDIKScK8aDEp5AqCRCpf0DwTLFj2Ht6fRlVv5pvkwaRY5G0owyczjbptibf53-lGIWuvPMqU7V-OKjQBvuk1WVVJui2UpS9trs9CbOo1TADsoxIBQdvSo1wAXZ8pT2tuShVcKM80/s640/4F15A5A9-2E2D-44B9-8F8C-C173CB95A60A.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day of golf!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgxDHgMqFshu3ynPh638KgZYlizJsSaPA9-pvjUQXLU25OqafiHaas-TT2ziF4-4TAV-d250GhENgPs3aFQCu3nrEKVLLoXglpYGbqzojHvhOl56GQnpBu8ecRo2ALHU2n7DdR3WiNzqB/s1600/598E06C5-5622-4ACD-A5A6-A8245299C4FD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgxDHgMqFshu3ynPh638KgZYlizJsSaPA9-pvjUQXLU25OqafiHaas-TT2ziF4-4TAV-d250GhENgPs3aFQCu3nrEKVLLoXglpYGbqzojHvhOl56GQnpBu8ecRo2ALHU2n7DdR3WiNzqB/s640/598E06C5-5622-4ACD-A5A6-A8245299C4FD.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At dinner, the golf group celebrated Steve's birthday!<br />
Since it's still six weeks away, wonder if this counts or does he get another cake?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCES6VVxteTfFtnDDlfdFhXyS5fazNhyphenhyphenQ1plwWoBNDKonGYZVviuWGL83-yWMfSaTaaE6Qn1jzZq-9yuA3FYHhpHJGNeyUKfzRvl7ASVeMBd6Mw_t48UcSOWLyr3DS9aE505EeEvXRGmro/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCES6VVxteTfFtnDDlfdFhXyS5fazNhyphenhyphenQ1plwWoBNDKonGYZVviuWGL83-yWMfSaTaaE6Qn1jzZq-9yuA3FYHhpHJGNeyUKfzRvl7ASVeMBd6Mw_t48UcSOWLyr3DS9aE505EeEvXRGmro/s640/IMG_4658.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, Everley finds out how the early road trippers travelled.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqp_p9NXfOmLl8W1d56SZdc5Uy0dyGAgwyvBxAh2pHoDxegGtb3NYgz6b06oTyXpKPq0Mnu_F2m0ZQGYY5kku5S6tGjEqonZ2YlAcN_k-usQCdItxLasx5-LdXgiVg6fO-KQsRr0wjA_n/s1600/IMG_4661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqp_p9NXfOmLl8W1d56SZdc5Uy0dyGAgwyvBxAh2pHoDxegGtb3NYgz6b06oTyXpKPq0Mnu_F2m0ZQGYY5kku5S6tGjEqonZ2YlAcN_k-usQCdItxLasx5-LdXgiVg6fO-KQsRr0wjA_n/s640/IMG_4661.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmatha is more interested in finding something of questionable value ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4o3uuravsbLFCn6Tq7aB4UfzebcvOAHdmfOmkospNteTO48weo2htkZEH1BLjWhoU1aBthMipNsrn_0bWYlz195jpuQyD5gHo_zyoJj64gkTOEjkynG4Uc3nVvk8ieb6qEmVqAzA5q6i/s1600/IMG_4677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4o3uuravsbLFCn6Tq7aB4UfzebcvOAHdmfOmkospNteTO48weo2htkZEH1BLjWhoU1aBthMipNsrn_0bWYlz195jpuQyD5gHo_zyoJj64gkTOEjkynG4Uc3nVvk8ieb6qEmVqAzA5q6i/s640/IMG_4677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everley also got to walk on a volcano, which she told me hadn't erupted in a long time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ox4uTmjiVYsgq9oGtN9HWF52Q0wxS2xm5gtZSkfe-G4sX-zx18ie9bR4ut3U9Be-ERW0NDE-HJUwls8quKmYxIUyL3IIyKPBMxlTGgvjzRKoVXYs1e2H1AOiko-Un_hDOuyHGqELc4cQ/s1600/IMG_4692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ox4uTmjiVYsgq9oGtN9HWF52Q0wxS2xm5gtZSkfe-G4sX-zx18ie9bR4ut3U9Be-ERW0NDE-HJUwls8quKmYxIUyL3IIyKPBMxlTGgvjzRKoVXYs1e2H1AOiko-Un_hDOuyHGqELc4cQ/s640/IMG_4692.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And one more Ranger Badge!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: another sleep-in morning; library time; dark chocolate soft serve; chatting with Everley on the phone; texting with friends from far away; getting projects complete to my satisfaction; Molly's safe return from her St. Louis business trip; watching old videos</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-91967724936810718032017-08-09T01:56:00.000-05:002017-08-11T02:38:48.035-05:00And It's WednesdayThis morning KB and I were going to sculpt class, but when I was attempting to rise from my bed, my sinuses decided that they could use a sinus pill and some more sleep. So I texted KB and bailed on her (I don't think she shed many tears) and then proceeded to do as my sinuses dictated. Two hours later I woke up, feeling much better and ready to start on my day.<br />
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Of course I had many things that I wanted to accomplish. And of course instead I decided to piddle around and pretend I was doing stuff. Whatevs. I have read two more books, which I shall now review. Based on my experience with Alison Arngrim's book, I decided to delve a bit further into that genre, meaning I checked out books by Melissa Anderson (Mary on <i>Little House</i>) and Mary McDonough (Erin on <i>The Waltons</i>). While I wasn't hoping for either to tell me all their secrets, I was hoping to learn more about them as people. And here's what I found out ...<br />
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<i>The Way I See It</i> by Melissa Anderson. Melissa played Mary in the <i>Little House</i> series. Alison talked about her in her book, and talked about how Melissa was not exactly easy to get to know. Reading Melissa's book didn't help. She mostly talked about specific episodes of the series, telling the reader what happened in that episode, and maybe a tiny tidbit or two. In fact, a majority of the book is written this way. She never really gets into her life, or why other people might have viewed her as standoffish. And while she doesn't really dish any dirt on anybody, she really doesn't give any insight as to who she is. I really wasn't interested in hearing about episodes of the series. I wanted to know who she was as a child actress, and who she is now. I was glad to finish it and return the book to the library.<br />
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<i>Lessons From The Mountain</i> by Mary McDonough. This was a total about-face from Melissa's book. While Mary talks about <i>The Waltons</i>, her book is all about her childhood, her life then, the issues she faced, and how she has grown from all the difficulties she faced. She didn't face problems with drugs and alcohol like some child stars, but instead she has dealt with insecurities and physical issues. She has used those experiences to help others, especially the perils and pitfalls of having breast implants. She does tell stories of her fellow castmates, but no bad behavior stories, because they were and still are very much a family. I enjoyed Mary's book because like Alison's, she shares herself with the reader and shows how she has grown up and used her life lessons and experiences to reach other to touch the lives of others.<br />
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Meanwhile, the travellers are still on their trips, so here are a few photos from today's activities ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5y6Ngl73sp_se0OvSqBKlraZgbaLJEUPR2byiqT8qFQILJ-B9ELMtWQ-Q_YuEOHLLnj4GpvqrHPK40IAxpg0Q-bM3ggOQCNdPIKv9jSJAW2IoCcvVB8o9UqcNGykOixrzdjQO_qruJQN/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="640" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5y6Ngl73sp_se0OvSqBKlraZgbaLJEUPR2byiqT8qFQILJ-B9ELMtWQ-Q_YuEOHLLnj4GpvqrHPK40IAxpg0Q-bM3ggOQCNdPIKv9jSJAW2IoCcvVB8o9UqcNGykOixrzdjQO_qruJQN/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping Danger Baby stays strapped in!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iMy8lVDjsoG1JUWRm6H7p8EMc2dls-zrpdGlC8153vNsxN3HZUdmzu6C2twT0-xdlZtsX96NA8ybDxhJf3VNRJBZCGrjHmRl09jnyO-9P0HZPsPmQA00fzZ7bxAC-6M6qExIR1KPS2n5/s1600/IMG_4612.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iMy8lVDjsoG1JUWRm6H7p8EMc2dls-zrpdGlC8153vNsxN3HZUdmzu6C2twT0-xdlZtsX96NA8ybDxhJf3VNRJBZCGrjHmRl09jnyO-9P0HZPsPmQA00fzZ7bxAC-6M6qExIR1KPS2n5/s400/IMG_4612.JPG.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranger Badge Time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS13YJW8kw0so2h4BeFp8PA0_nsU7S3oYf_bSagpijwTUgHp13uEtvA3x77IAbPA96FrsbqyRB0H0q4UUlFDRvA-dAZ6nIcZ6lLHFc7u_OeDvGfi1q81rEVjE89_RGx17oPuQM_Ore_6_2/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS13YJW8kw0so2h4BeFp8PA0_nsU7S3oYf_bSagpijwTUgHp13uEtvA3x77IAbPA96FrsbqyRB0H0q4UUlFDRvA-dAZ6nIcZ6lLHFc7u_OeDvGfi1q81rEVjE89_RGx17oPuQM_Ore_6_2/s400/IMG_4644.JPG.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Ranger Badge!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVHPA2FNOvzOxSIG-IUTL-9uKEYsEcSjNCPX7S69HxMuYo5SYZqqn8PsY0AJ3enfuIOOjexL2bQyAgSJUMge2wMzsk0APP4eTg8C6BAjUpNdQ2zENsbFxI25cLRZAiIvp4ddBKPiYjIMf/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVHPA2FNOvzOxSIG-IUTL-9uKEYsEcSjNCPX7S69HxMuYo5SYZqqn8PsY0AJ3enfuIOOjexL2bQyAgSJUMge2wMzsk0APP4eTg8C6BAjUpNdQ2zENsbFxI25cLRZAiIvp4ddBKPiYjIMf/s640/IMG_3431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess the tee time was 8:00!! Looks like a chilly morning!</td></tr>
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<i>Today's blessings include: sleeping in and late; starting to think about packing for my upcoming trip; making plans for Sunday brunch with the Fitty-Whats</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-7760977632236865372017-08-08T23:57:00.000-05:002017-08-08T23:57:24.085-05:00Beaman - Round 2Yesterday when I let Lynnette know that her car was serviced and tested, Maribeth sent word that her car needed a trip to the dealer, too. When I recently took her car in for some fixes, they had to order a part and the part was in. So this morning I went to her house, picked up her car, and headed to Beaman for the appointment I made online last night (which I have since found out that I actually made for tomorrow - oh well). I got some more reading time in while they put the part in/on, and was soon on my way back to deposit Maribeth's car at her house and then head home.<br />
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I spent the rest of the day doing a few mundane tasks that amounted to a lot of nothing, but at least moved my list of things to do along. I managed to empty and reload the dishwasher, clean the kitchen, clean out/organize my files, and start to think about what I need to pack for my trip next week. I still have a lot of things I need to do - maybe without a dealership task tomorrow, I'll actually get motivated to get things done.<br />
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Meanwhile, the golfers are still golfing and the road trippers are seeing things. Lynnette and Lindley will stay in Fort Worth while Maribeth, Everley, and Emmatha press on. Today they all went to see the Bureau of Engraving to see money get made (no photos are allowed) and then Maribeth and crew drove to San Antonio. Meanwhile, I got an email reminding me that my flight to Toronto is coming up in one week. I still can't believe I'm training it across Canada in one week!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcEiczo3QpKt4amVj5bzEHpzo1hc6OL1uwDz0WDzmkn5KUSASUdK7wBrwKYSm9tOb-ZxiHbS7KGKKsQ3dxhCOAW8o8GYNSyfelzWBTSLtscSBpFNSOVwwjUFsHS-zompd6h784sRQpbcE/s1600/IMG_4569+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcEiczo3QpKt4amVj5bzEHpzo1hc6OL1uwDz0WDzmkn5KUSASUdK7wBrwKYSm9tOb-ZxiHbS7KGKKsQ3dxhCOAW8o8GYNSyfelzWBTSLtscSBpFNSOVwwjUFsHS-zompd6h784sRQpbcE/s640/IMG_4569+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alamo. Emmatha is thrilled.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK33SHEqWpHRO4sFiMCl9P-HJYvPnIeVdocqHLQnJWgTGkWpPBBJsivh9XoeaGr3mk_1YGPVt3nCKLijyVGr6DVroYZnuPpPp3z1b8k8jTiZes9C5yPZ9zPsdOVAFCrpxaZo6t0dUzFF/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK33SHEqWpHRO4sFiMCl9P-HJYvPnIeVdocqHLQnJWgTGkWpPBBJsivh9XoeaGr3mk_1YGPVt3nCKLijyVGr6DVroYZnuPpPp3z1b8k8jTiZes9C5yPZ9zPsdOVAFCrpxaZo6t0dUzFF/s640/IMG_3374.JPG.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golfers!</td></tr>
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<i>Today's blessings include: reading time and nice lady at Beaman; organizing my files and scrapbook scraps; texting with Pam and with Elizabeth; Pam's box of surprises; safe travels to San Antonio for Maribeth and girls</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-52171387947030510472017-08-07T23:18:00.000-05:002017-08-08T23:42:00.659-05:00MondayBefore Lynnette boarded the Suburban for the road trip, she asked if I would take her car to get the emissions tested so she could renew her car tag. I said I would be glad to (it's a service I routinely do for my clients in the LaLa Will Do It business I run). She also mentioned that her car was also due for an oil change, so I said I would do that, too. So this morning I took her car to Beaman for an oil change. She also needed a tag lamp replaced as well as an air filter, so we got it all fitted out ready for the return of Lynnette next week.<br />
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Today it rained almost all day, so once the car work was complete, I headed home for lunch before getting the emissions testing done. Once all that was complete, I decided it had been a full day and I should return home. I did pick up two movies to watch, which I will go ahead and review here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus9Q-Wv1ZMEcDeqi2LTskPC0qf1h9BG1RQIZ2IWweIPlk-u6kXZIMV7QStOG4-BEabSXRNWICRrTbBSyWu2UxqZRazkmZywDX_gSwkqYxBX-BuhchRVpDRhqdt5wtKOzSbZoexcPReQIX/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="185" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus9Q-Wv1ZMEcDeqi2LTskPC0qf1h9BG1RQIZ2IWweIPlk-u6kXZIMV7QStOG4-BEabSXRNWICRrTbBSyWu2UxqZRazkmZywDX_gSwkqYxBX-BuhchRVpDRhqdt5wtKOzSbZoexcPReQIX/s200/19.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<i>Table 19.</i> This is a pleasant little romantic comedy about a wedding and some of the guests. Apparently table 19 is comprised of the wedding guests who are the "odd man out" guests. Of course they each have a story that unfolds over the course of the wedding reception. I liked it because it was sweet and fairly mindless - I didn't have to keep a scorecard of what was going on. It was a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8ZORQYmuSk12u5AbSpDrdQ1u6Sto7SZEzx7CLimbXu0kzBY6JvC-FY7os5h36LZdsy9XSviknK3tvZ-GFitj8OQb7Ckn7M1UU2vxBetRaOq4_4arv2D1MIyq-G78gvUxtJ6ZtugghyphenhyphenqI/s1600/zookeeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8ZORQYmuSk12u5AbSpDrdQ1u6Sto7SZEzx7CLimbXu0kzBY6JvC-FY7os5h36LZdsy9XSviknK3tvZ-GFitj8OQb7Ckn7M1UU2vxBetRaOq4_4arv2D1MIyq-G78gvUxtJ6ZtugghyphenhyphenqI/s200/zookeeper.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<i>The Zookeeper's Wife.</i> Okay, so a story about the Nazis and the hiding of Jews? It's exactly what you expect it to be - very interesting and very tragic. It's the story of a couple in Poland who run a small zoo. When the Nazis take over, they take the animals they want away (and end up killing the others eventually). The owners of the zoo are not Jewish, but the zookeeper comes up with a plan to hide Jews at the zoo until they can get them out. There's a head Nazi who wants to breed buffaloes and wants to breed the wife himself but that never happens. The story is true, which you can read about <a href="http://people.com/movies/true-story-behind-the-zookeepers-wife/"><b><i>here</i></b></a>, and is a sad tale that does have a good ending.<br />
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Meanwhile, in road trip news, Steve and his group are playing golf and the girls road trippers made it to Fort Worth, Texas and to the Magnolia Silos (which you should know about if you ever watch <i>Fixer Upper</i> on HGTV. Happy Monday!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7segKa03r-ON-4UpSmvEk_qDOstpPxnxZwlaZHX5L0z4_vOaP76dyaO3fS69fur0wpy4DLs2Rp_yUewWRQjFk0DYXgI-SXaVkYSN2vdisD5bSRkAwg03Is7aX8IlcbIe2-vT4otIMh5V/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7segKa03r-ON-4UpSmvEk_qDOstpPxnxZwlaZHX5L0z4_vOaP76dyaO3fS69fur0wpy4DLs2Rp_yUewWRQjFk0DYXgI-SXaVkYSN2vdisD5bSRkAwg03Is7aX8IlcbIe2-vT4otIMh5V/s640/IMG_4499.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silos - apparently there are toys on the grounds<br />and cupcakes in the bakery!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRHE1OPKnw3cYhZ__t3CIuY_3OpZZbT2dnaf0kB4Kim0v2K2UGyAcmTPl7Ng1rsYBesdtwGxtGNfCagcbmGLNW-_XA05Np6IlKXZkKHEbT2vp9WbWVT0thAZItzls181-YP9DqiWFJo1d/s1600/475C7BD0-2FC3-4A7E-A724-884C9700A44D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="640" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRHE1OPKnw3cYhZ__t3CIuY_3OpZZbT2dnaf0kB4Kim0v2K2UGyAcmTPl7Ng1rsYBesdtwGxtGNfCagcbmGLNW-_XA05Np6IlKXZkKHEbT2vp9WbWVT0thAZItzls181-YP9DqiWFJo1d/s640/475C7BD0-2FC3-4A7E-A724-884C9700A44D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pebble Beach crew!!</td></tr>
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<i>Blessings today include: time to read while waiting on the car at Beaman; safe travels for the road trip crew; golf time for the Pebble crew</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-76488731737856098132017-08-06T23:06:00.000-05:002017-08-08T23:18:02.376-05:00News From The Road TrippersApparently the travel group made it to Memphis last night and checked into their hotel. Dinner did not go as planned, as the wait staff and kitchen had issues (how hard is it to make plain pasta)? But eventually everyone got something to eat and got to bed.<br />
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Today they had a lot to do. First was Graceland and to see all things Elvis. Once that was done, they headed West and stopped at the Bill Clinton home (or maybe museum) before stopping in Hot Springs. Apparently at some of these stops you can become a Junior Ranger, which is one of the highlights (not sure for whom) of the trip. Since I am not on this trip, I cannot share any of the details exactly - maybe next time...<br />
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Anyhow, after lunch I took Steve and Sam to the airport. Steve is also turning 60 this year, and his birthday trip is to Pebble Beach to play golf with Sam and six other friends. And yes, if you're counting, that means everyone will be gone this week except Molly and me. One would think it would be a great week to get things accomplished. But certainly by now one should realize that one should not do a lot of thinking...<br />
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Anyhow, on to today's photos from the road ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnBubKfHDupG88FWaq7CCd_6-Pk2iWLvd4bEGKignP9bB__6QoEXPtkkwYSHArU_HUSOTTXUzukP80PZBvuVoQ6YYKgYQqthHoQp2wpfXmOeYtt-0fkO0yCCaoC7mL8zq0j5IdRoHk7LT/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnBubKfHDupG88FWaq7CCd_6-Pk2iWLvd4bEGKignP9bB__6QoEXPtkkwYSHArU_HUSOTTXUzukP80PZBvuVoQ6YYKgYQqthHoQp2wpfXmOeYtt-0fkO0yCCaoC7mL8zq0j5IdRoHk7LT/s640/IMG_4379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They did the tour that included the plane tour. <br />Maybe I will stop and do this at some point ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvt_ZbXE0jHQ1sWyzFgD6kjOLLNzL5M3r8X6UhTvJfV17IFv1UQSJq3fyzLP8wPzULffSqkWoiBknvUkBx6ZnRQfBNw7IakPYPYSn-y9oF0IQrxAyIoE9reujgKjEoZxP5um28E6cyVRJ/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvt_ZbXE0jHQ1sWyzFgD6kjOLLNzL5M3r8X6UhTvJfV17IFv1UQSJq3fyzLP8wPzULffSqkWoiBknvUkBx6ZnRQfBNw7IakPYPYSn-y9oF0IQrxAyIoE9reujgKjEoZxP5um28E6cyVRJ/s640/IMG_8492.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Ranger Stop </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTOP7dGPqTpeSh6rUzOqXBX98pEaG1Ny6VVbOz_3lxX6jaFgJPUIzAnsIgDUk6_BcXYwMRvchCDft0o0rPc6MvyEYOTuDw6yBfC23_l-NbAuiQMujOHcYEpjJNbyixBwnfSA1WJYOJAwV/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTOP7dGPqTpeSh6rUzOqXBX98pEaG1Ny6VVbOz_3lxX6jaFgJPUIzAnsIgDUk6_BcXYwMRvchCDft0o0rPc6MvyEYOTuDw6yBfC23_l-NbAuiQMujOHcYEpjJNbyixBwnfSA1WJYOJAwV/s640/IMG_8583.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different Junior Ranger stop - apparently there's an oath involved...</td></tr>
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<i>Today's blessings include; safe travels for the road trippers; safe travel to California for Steve and group even with plane delays; quite day at the Doik</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-81072908795254875432017-08-05T22:54:00.000-05:002017-08-08T23:05:32.987-05:00Road Trip!!Nope, not going on this one. Mainly because I have my extended celebration trip starting next week. And even though it's in a car and not on a plane, this trip just didn't seem to fit into my plans. However, I am very happy for Maribeth, Everley, Emmatha, Lynnette, and Lindley to be going.<br />
<br />
Basically, this is one part of the "48 State" road trip that I hope to do at some point. However, Maribeth plans to do it a bit differently. While I plan to do it all in one fell swoop with very little stopping and spending time here and there for extended periods, Maribeth's plan is to do it in pieces, driving some of it and flying to/from some of it. This leg involves driving to Memphis, through Arkansas, to Texas where she will drop off Lynnette and Lindley in Fort Worth to spend the week with Grandad and Grandmom Ogle, and then head eventually to Denver. I think.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, today after Maribeth finished delivering the mail, they loaded up the rented Suburban (complete with DVD player) and headed out. Their first stop will be in Memphis, where they will tour Graceland. Bon voyage and safe travels!! And yes, I'll be sharing some of the photos they send me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NRXz39ZnOBTfQ2rKyq3m0wywONH4LkHeIB2npOlum9QoesvgXVuaIPwGxdQYphDVWjEXsZidr3ZqUkModqPHEUJnQEMiHxUlwlfMEyDbSxgUliZZIcrQvP-7rTt5I728Q2P_akLpc7F6/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NRXz39ZnOBTfQ2rKyq3m0wywONH4LkHeIB2npOlum9QoesvgXVuaIPwGxdQYphDVWjEXsZidr3ZqUkModqPHEUJnQEMiHxUlwlfMEyDbSxgUliZZIcrQvP-7rTt5I728Q2P_akLpc7F6/s640/IMG_1333.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the day, while Everley and Lindley went swimming,<br />Emmatha and Minnie cat spent quality time together</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u61bTkPJLOOKQKDZXRse9A3kJBusZJQRlkwaQn4UXb5Z-La_Wu1UpvWUZrPkhG4XUtaLC5uhvRjhWLBASzqJe57DY5Q5nph7mHHs2oJsVS4bW8zLbEgzqWIvGwKbzV9I2q4R2x0GR9H1/s1600/IMG_8204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u61bTkPJLOOKQKDZXRse9A3kJBusZJQRlkwaQn4UXb5Z-La_Wu1UpvWUZrPkhG4XUtaLC5uhvRjhWLBASzqJe57DY5Q5nph7mHHs2oJsVS4bW8zLbEgzqWIvGwKbzV9I2q4R2x0GR9H1/s640/IMG_8204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are the conductors of the trip. Not sure who's in charge of what ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYKwSxxrRZTVjj-yEzjr96f26tC3PRm-rB_a_eqUhfcqQ73NGllWvvkHDa2JBPA4wkyfuKsyeTt00iC6oYnF6GrkzRfHMODI7eHfXYVz-QPdD_DqhgY-Vpk6eR-_bv-ZrU-wrSISY-RjP/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252858%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYKwSxxrRZTVjj-yEzjr96f26tC3PRm-rB_a_eqUhfcqQ73NGllWvvkHDa2JBPA4wkyfuKsyeTt00iC6oYnF6GrkzRfHMODI7eHfXYVz-QPdD_DqhgY-Vpk6eR-_bv-ZrU-wrSISY-RjP/s640/FullSizeRender+%252858%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we waved them off. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hGSQZZfU079t0pb968yzInp2t1EJSYof9d9ue7TlJykXwixcDV4OKj9afVlOZaFNIi711SBZWBYYXrn8X29jtZwaDMqQf6BSBntwcA9NlbdnGJVOdRNvAZPw1kEhJmSogo6W0CIGOfiu/s1600/IMG_8225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hGSQZZfU079t0pb968yzInp2t1EJSYof9d9ue7TlJykXwixcDV4OKj9afVlOZaFNIi711SBZWBYYXrn8X29jtZwaDMqQf6BSBntwcA9NlbdnGJVOdRNvAZPw1kEhJmSogo6W0CIGOfiu/s640/IMG_8225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the back seat passengers. </td></tr>
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<i>Today's blessings include: Emmatha time; Molly bringing Starbucks and getting Emmatha to sleep; Everley and Lindley swim time; Lindley letting me brush the tangles out of her hair; getting the Suburban loaded and the kids and supplies loaded up; safe travel to Memphis for the group</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-39314263568031159822017-08-04T22:42:00.000-05:002017-08-08T22:53:52.811-05:00TGIF!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-XgiKAQiu3-ba121QYTiGmQ-yM2z21FTIWeT87H3LvDo6CAnyFAwSr86p69GKMDPtCGDrTbTK_Y9lsomd7kS6gBM2xjPWx39N1i0v5-Rg4rEhKCsX6hcZRm8EBJ10J541ZF1Zc1bXKr4/s1600/IMG_4302+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-XgiKAQiu3-ba121QYTiGmQ-yM2z21FTIWeT87H3LvDo6CAnyFAwSr86p69GKMDPtCGDrTbTK_Y9lsomd7kS6gBM2xjPWx39N1i0v5-Rg4rEhKCsX6hcZRm8EBJ10J541ZF1Zc1bXKr4/s320/IMG_4302+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Tonight Everley and Emmatha spent the night with us. Tomorrow they, along with their mother and Lynnette and Lindley, are going on a road trip west, so Maribeth needed to get things together. This week Everley has been at Pony Camp at Camp Widjiwagen, and today was their last day and program. Maribeth and Steve headed out there to watch. Mathieu was also going to go and I was going to pick up Emmatha, but then the rain started and the program was washed out, so Steve and Maribeth picked up Everley and headed back and Mathieu ended up picking up Emmatha.<br />
<br />
Eventually everyone ended up back at the Doik and Steve grilled burgers. Sam and Lindley came over and everyone played until it was time to go. Mathieu and Maribeth left so she could pick up the travel vehicle (which she will leave somewhere and fly home with the girls after dropping off Lindley and Lynnette in Texas - and that's only part of their trip). Everley was soon asleep, as was Emmatha.<br />
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It's been a full week, and looks to be another full week ahead, so it's good for everyone to get a good night's sleep. August is going to be a very busy month!!<br />
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<i>Today's blessings include: sweet basket of goodies from the Simmons family; fun times with the grandgirls; Steve's burgers on the grill</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-75034125044593451652017-08-03T22:27:00.000-05:002017-08-08T22:42:39.155-05:00The Little Mermaid!!Tonight KB, Lynnette, Lindley, Maribeth, Everley, and I went to TPAC to see the musical, <i>The Little Mermaid</i>. VP Pence was speaking downtown, so KB and I went early to pick up Lynnette and Lindley, expecting a lot of traffic (MB and Everley were coming in her minivan). Of course, there was no traffic, so we picked up McDs enroute to Lynnette's house and had a quick dinner before heading out. KB went in to get our food at McDs, and when she came out, she said she had forgotten ketchup. I told her I was sure that Lynnette had ketchup at her house, so KB didn't go back in. And guess who didn't have any ketchup? Yup! So the lesson learned is to always get the ketchup.<br />
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Anyhow, after eating our ketchup-less fries, we loaded up the car and headed to TPAC. We parked and walked over with plenty of time to spare (they hadn't even opened the door to the auditorium). Eventually Maribeth and Everley arrived and we settled in our seats (which were really great) to watch the show.<br />
<br />
And to put it mildly, the show was absolutely fabulous. Ariel was performed by an actress of Asian descent. Lynnette told us that a friend of hers, who has two Asian young daughters, went to see the show with her little girls. Afterwards, they all got to meet with this actress, and they were all in tears at the opportunity for these little girls to see someone in such an important role who looked just like them.<br />
<br />
Speaking of actors, the ones who were in this production were amazing. Ariel was a tiny little thing with a tremendous voice. Eric was a dream to see and hear, and Ursula was over the top. And then there was the choreography, which was superb, and made you feel like you were "under the sea." It was an absolutely wonderful production and night to be together.<br />
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By the time it was over and everyone got back home, it was nearly 11:00pm. Maribeth dropped Everley off at our house because E wanted to spend the night. It wasn't long until she was asleep and I followed soon after. What a great Thursday night!!<br />
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<i>Today's blessings include: girls night out; McDs and no ketchup with KB</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-2721595039668458352017-08-02T22:06:00.000-05:002017-08-08T22:27:03.553-05:00Do What Now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today at the Y, we decided to do something different. The we in question would be Molly, KB, and me. And the thing we decided to do different is to participate in a sculpt class.<br />
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Technically, it was all KB's idea. One day when she was at the Y without us, she "Peeping Tom'med" on this class (it meets at 6am when we are usually doing the stationary bikes). Anyhow, she had observed the class and determined that maybe we could do it without (a) getting kicked out, (b) getting laughed out, and/or (c) getting carried out by an EMT. And so today was the day we decided to go for it.<br />
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When we walked in to the room, we noticed there were women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. And one dude. Of course the leader weighed about 10 pounds and had no body fat. Since all the other ladies (and dude) were getting various pieces of equipment, I asked the leader what we should do. She said to get three different sets of weights and basically every other piece of equipment. And there was a lot of equipment.<br />
<br />
Once we had all our "stuff", we kinda laid it around our individual mats. Of course we were at the back of the class - my favorite place to be. The leader told everyone to make sure that we could see a mirror wherever we were - to make sure that our form was correct. I was just hoping for a mirror to put under my nose to make sure I was still breathing.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, off we went. The class wasn't bad - in fact, it was pretty good. It would have been really good, had I been able to keep up. But there was this big exercise ball that was used and you had to lie on it at times and roll down to your shoulders while holding some dumbbells, and well, that was a lot of instructions and paraphernalia and coordination for me to keep straight. Let's just say I did my best, and so what if everyone was on their twentieth rep by the time I got into position.<br />
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We did other stuff with Bosu balls and all those weights and a little ball that you were supposed to hold between your legs somewhere in the vicinity of your knees and a ring that was also supposed to go in the same general location. There was getting up and getting down and a step thingy and a big rod thingy. The good thing is that (a) I had a towel for mopping my sweaty brow, and (b) a bottle of water to replace the bodily fluid that I was sweating, and (c) I didn't pass out.<br />
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In the end, I think we all agreed the class was a good idea. I probably coulda/shoulda worked a little harder at things, but there was a lot of mental attention required, and that was exhausting in itself. At least we got through this first time - hopefully we'll make it a regular thing!<br />
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<i>Blessings today include: participating in the sculpt class and the nice people who helped us and the nice instructor; going to Sam's to see paint progress; Lindley riding her new scooter</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-50161694401268606372017-08-01T13:22:00.000-05:002017-08-02T14:08:55.474-05:00And Now It's August!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I cannot believe it's already August. Do you realize how fabu I would look, had I kept my idea (let's not say bad words like "resolution") to lose weight and get in shape from January 1? Sigh - so much time, so little done ...<br />
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Nevertheless, it is August, and it is a big one. There are many things that are happening this month. There are a few things to consider. Let's just go over the list ...<br />
<ul>
<li>First of all this is my birthday month. And it is a significant one, because this is, like last year (give or take a year in Disney time) at Disneyland (you knew I'd bring Disney into this), my 60th. And while I do not like (a)big deals, or (b) surprises, there are a few things I have planned.</li>
<li>Turning 60 means the end of this blog. Afterall, what's the use of "Luanne at 50-whatever" if one is no longer 50? So the question remains, do I just quit the blog thing altogether or continue? And if I continue, do I still with Blogger or go with something else? And if I continue and decide how to continue, what shall I name this new blog?</li>
<li>And speaking of blogging, I still have approximately 189 missed blog posts stemming from May of 2016. Do I still try to catch them up (a huge significant amount will be a photo, but at least it will be a post)? Or do I just take my losses and let it go? And if I decided to let any or all of them go, what's the deadline for that?</li>
<li>What do I want for my birthday? So far, I want my Pandora jewelry to get cleaned (it looks bad right now, and I don't know why, but Molly is on that mission). I also want a vacuum cleaner that really works (that means it will suck up off the floor all those things I want sucked up) or to get my current vacuum cleaner fixed/revved up. I know - I dream big.</li>
<li>Now in terms of my 60 celebration plans, the first will be in two weeks from today, when I shall fly to Toronto and catch a train that leaves at 11pm from Toronto. It will travel across Canada to Vancouver. I will spend 4 days and corresponding nights in a "single sleeper cabin" that has its own toilet but the shower will be down the hall. Here is some dude's video - even I am laughing as I watch it ...</li>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I7KKwhlucr4?ecver=1" width="560"></iframe> </div>
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Amazingly, nobody has taken me up on going with me. Which is just as well, because </div>
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then I would have to get a double sleeper.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Anyhoo, once I get to Vancouver, I will meet up with Molly, who will have flown in the day before (that means on Friday, as I am set to arrive on Saturday). KB and Lynnette are scheduled to arrive (via plane) on Saturday afternoon, and Maribeth is flying in on Sunday. Then on Monday we are boarding the Disney Wonder for a 7-night cruise to Alaska!</li>
<li>Once we get back from Alaska, I will fly to Orange County and catch a Super Shuttle to Disneyland (the others will fly back to Nashville). Since I was already scheduled to be in Disneyland that weekend for that half-marathon weekend, I saw no reason to fly to Nashville (cross country) and then back to California (cross country) a couple of days later (cross country flying is not my fave thing to do). </li>
<li>I will spend a few days at Disneyland, waiting for Molly to fly in (she has no issues with flying cross country). One day I have an actual "Hollywood-type" tour where I will see all things Los Angeles and Hollywood. I will do quite well as a country bumpkin tourist.</li>
<li>I will participate in the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend - probably only the 5K and 10K. Once all that is done Molly and I shall fly back to Nashville, where I will return a 60 year old person.</li>
</ul>
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So, as you can see, I have stuff to do. Maybe I had better take a nap first ...</div>
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<i>Blessings today include: working out on the machines at the Y with KB and Molly; 90 minute massage with Brandi; Maribeth bringing lunch (after she and Molly and Steve ate out); Everley and Emmatha time and hearing about "pony camp"</i></div>
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Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-70039216514245694282017-07-31T12:02:00.000-05:002017-08-02T13:22:49.393-05:00Monday. Again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is it just me, or does it seem like just about the time you put Monday to bed, you get in bed yourself, and when you wake up, it's Monday again? No? Okay, so it's just me ...<br />
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Sure, it would be different if I had an actual paying job to go to. Maybe I would be stuck in a job I hated and I really hated Mondays because it would mean another week in H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS. Or maybe it would mean returning to a job that I absolutely adored and Mondays would represent another week in Heaven!<br />
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Since neither of those situations exist for me, I will just say that Mondays for me represent another day. It just seems like Mondays come every so quickly.<br />
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As far as today goes, I did go to my lady doc appointment and checked out just fine, thank you. Nobody mentioned the elephant in the room (that would be me and my hefty, hefty, heftiness) and mentioned the possibilities of losing weight. We chatted about other stuff, she did the necessary procedures, and I left - as usual trying to find the exit door of the office (it's around the corner, but there are several doors between the room I was in and the actual exit door).<br />
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Steve and I went to the Sounds game, which seemed to last forever, which meant we left the game about half-way through. Tonight we got bobble-heads of Buck Showalter (baseball manager, MSU baseball player back in the day). This time instead of waiting in our usual line, we went through the center field gate and had no problems getting a bobble head (as if these were big draws - however, the cap that we worked so hard to get last week is now selling on eBay for $75 - go figure).<br />
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So that was pretty much my Monday. Guess it's time to go to bed and wake up tomorrow - which will probably be Monday again!<br />
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<i>Blessings today include: 30 mins on the stationary bike at the Y; chatting with Dr N; chatting about "Nancy Nurse" with Nurse N; lovely day outside</i></div>
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<br />Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025192219112887607.post-44190964746102960622017-07-30T21:23:00.000-05:002017-07-30T21:23:15.667-05:00The Mammy-GramThis morning I was really going to get up and get out and do a training walk. And then I decided not to. I know, nothing is ever going to change if I don't put forth an effort. It's just today I chose not to put forth an effort.<br />
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Anyhow, I did manage to take a shower and shave my legs. Because I have my annual lady doc visit tomorrow. And I'm not sure why I have to have fresh legs - maybe because I'm hoping that the hair on my legs will amount to the 80 pounds I had planned to lose by this time this year, last year. Needless to say, there has been no weight loss. And I'll just get that over with now, so I don't have to lament it in a blog post tomorrow.<br />
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In related news, I did get my annual mammogram last Friday. For those of you who have never had one, and you are a woman, I hope (if you qualify to get one) you have scheduled yours or already had it. My sister's breast cancer was caught just that way - very early so all she needed was a lumpectomy and some follow up radiation. And hers is one of countless stories of women who caught their breast cancers early.<br />
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Anyhow, mine went fine. I am not super endowed, so it takes a bit of maneuvering to get the necessary tissue on the proper surfaces in order to squeeze the boob between two plates to get a good picture. Today's tech was particularly adept at maneuvering and squeezing. Unfortunately, she was also a smoker, which was kinda unpleasant, being in such close proximity. As in totally up in my face as she was positioning me for the picture. Oh well, she was probably likewise unimpressed with whatever mouth odor emanated from my mouth, too.<br />
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Anyhow, once tomorrow is done (and I will spare you the details of THAT exam), I should be all caught up on my medical procedures for 2017. Well, except for the colonoscopy that's due. Even I don't want to discuss that one!<br />
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<i>Blessings today include: family time at dinner and Mathieu getting picking up Chipotle; Molly bringing Starbucks; Everley, Lindley, and Emmatha time; Steve's safe travel home from Columbus; catching up on bills</i></div>
Luannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833170003319321797noreply@blogger.com0