Seiku, Washington .... way up in the northwest of the United States

Well we took a little trip to Seiku, WA.... Jerry wanted me to see the place as it's right next to the Clallum Bay Prison where he will be leading a weekend retreat for prisoners next March. He wants me to be on the "outside" team during the weekend and as such, I would need a place to stay (well, there is the community center, but, he knows my personality... I love ya honey for that!) So we tried to make RSVP at the motels/resorts(resorts????), but they are for the most part closed for winter. There was one available, "The Bay Motel", so that's where we parked ourselves for a night. We're talking MOTEL from the 50's.... The drive there is gorgeous, along Crescent Lake, but once you're there, there's not alot. I did check out the town... they have all these fish statues with clothes on the fish.... whatever floats your boat I guess... some town official had to have signed off on those puppies...

Happy Early Birthday to Jean

Halley, Dan, Jer and I went to a yummy dinner the night before we left and had an early celebration for my birthday. The food was great, dessert was good and the company was entertaining. We were leaving the next morning for T-Town and didn't want to make a late, late night, so, by 9:30 we were in our rooms, comfortably stuffed. It was a nice visit but we were ready to come home.

Beyond, Behind, Near

We (well Halley and Dan) spent better part of 30 minutes in a loud discussion on just those words describing where a place was. On and On and On it went. The karma in the car was very, very tense. You see Halley is always right... and I mean always.... just a sampling of how things go.

A great weekend had to end.... and now the beginning of a new week

Here in Minneapolis. I flew out and met Jerry, Dan and Halley Sunday evening. Our girls weekend ended with a great lunch in Vancouver, and then we parted after one big group hug!

Today we had a great talk with Halley and Dan to help them get back on some level playing field with regards to their friends AND how they deal with them. Everyone seemed pretty happy with how it all turned out. After our talk, Halley and Dan got massages, while I got a manicure.... Then we did a bit of shopping for Halley as she had a Pendleton Gift Card.

Day has been very mild for a November here in this place. The night gets chilly (as in below freezing) but the days are quite nice..... I'm just starting to blab on and on, so I'll stop for now!

Never knew there were so many wineries in Vancouver WA

Talked to Jerry today... he had a board meeting in MSP.... Julie, Cyn, Liz. Christy and I visited a brewpub first.... great, great garlic fries.... We all felt like we reeked of garlic.... Our next visit from there was to the Rusty Grape Winery. We walked in and felt like we had a cloud of garlic following us.... the gentleman there was a kick and enjoyed the entertainment we provided. Next winery, Bethany Winery, was just as much fun... Julie has such an infectious laugh and the spirit in the room is always lifted. There were lots of folks there all having a good time too!.... Poor Jer, he missed all that.....

Shopping, Wining, Dining.... what Fun!

Jerry left for Minneapolis Friday by plane, I took the train to Vancouver WA earlier on Thursday. Sunday, I'll fly out to meet Jerry and Halley and Dan in Minnesota.... Wheeeeeee what fun!

Julie invited some of our friends from Tacoma and we're having a great girls weekend here in Vancouver/Portland. Yesterday we went to a fabulous outlet mall, came home and made great mediterrean chicken pizza (well, with the help of PaPa Murphys) and wined ourselves to a pleasant night sleep!

Today, we're touring wine shops and some crafts stores.... Poor Jerry is attending a board meeting.... I got the better end of the deal!

Off we go.....