Delusions of... Everything

Weekend Recap

After work on Friday I went straight to pick up my mom to take her to the local QFC where my good friend Sherri works in the wine dept. 

(photo stolen from here)

They do wine tasting every Friday and Saturday.  This weekend they were sampling the new Imbue Vermouth that I posted about here.  Earlier in the week hot Derek personally brought it to her store along with recipes.  I plan to serve this at Blog Fest West, so you should really plan on coming!

On Saturday Handy Man and I went grocery shopping, between the regular store and Traders Joe's we almost spent double what we usually spend.  We were preparing for a 21 day Detox we are starting today.  We bought a butt load ton of organic fruit and veggies.  I prepared individual containers of radishes and carrots for each of us to take to work for the week.  I also made veggie soup stock and washed and cut up lettuce for salads.  I'll keep you posted on how this works for us.  Expect a report mid-week.

Saturday afternoon/evening we celebrated Mother's Day at the Pike Place Market.  First we stopped off to see my friend Sharon.  She sells tulips.  Her Mama is visiting from Tasmania and was helping out at the flower stall.

The view from The Market is pretty spectacular.

I dragged my family to the Pike Place Bar and Grill for some dinner.

One of Sharon and her husband's good friends was having an art opening at a little shop at The Market called Local Color.  Handy Man and I fell in love with a couple of his paintings, unfortunately the artists really don't like anyone taking photos of their work so I took a picture of the crowd instead.

Sunday was a very quiet, stay at home day.  The sun came out for a little while and I sat outside and read for a couple hours while Handy Man visited his mom.  It was a perfect Mother's Day as far as I was concerned.  I really hope you all had a great day too!

Sing-A-Long Saturday

In honor of the remastered release of Pearl Jam's 2nd and 3rd albums, Vs. and Vitalogy, leading up to their 20th anniversary, here is Corduroy.

 

Happy Saturday!

Sky Watch Friday

I pulled this one from my archives.  Haven't had many opportunities to take pictures of the mountain lately, with the weather being what it's been.  Hope you enjoy this one from a couple years ago!

Mt Rainier, Seattle WA

The House Where I Grew Up

On Monday I went to my parents house to drop off a gift for my mom.  This is the house I grew up in, left at age 19 and never looked back.  The same house my parents have lived in for 46 years.  The house where improvements were only made out of necessity; installing a new furnace to keep warm; a sump pump to keep the basement dry; and a new roof so pans could be used for cooking instead of collecting water during the rainy season.

Yesterday, while visiting, I was looking around the house trying to find some connection.  What I saw instead was clutter beyond belief, not quite bad enough to be on Hoarders, but it's pretty close.  The clutter you see is organized.  It's neatly stacked on 6 and 8 foot tables, one of which is right in the middle of the already small living room.  The "stuff" is also stacked all along the walls in the dining area and kitchen.  A few months ago my mom told me they took down the dining room table because they never used it.  It's been replaced by an 8' table which has stuff stacked on top and underneath.

I used the bathroom while I was there.  The original linoleum is almost worn through to the subfloor.  The tub enclosure has many of the original square tiles missing and even more are cracked.  I can't see how they can use the shower without water leaking to the basement.  The sink doesn't work, there is a plastic tub in it to catch the water that is then dumped in the toilet.  I just used hand sanitizer that I carry with me.

As a bonus their 3 cats walk all over the counters in the kitchen... uh, yeah.  By the way the coutnters are pink, 1950's pink.  Before you get too excited and think, "how totally cool and retro that must be", it's so not.  In many places the Formica is broken and peeling away.

When I was about 10 years old the dishwasher broke down.  That was 38 years ago.  For a while my mom used it as a cupboard.  I think my dad finally took it out but it might still be there, I didn't go into the kitchen.  There is only so much I can take.

My dad has never wanted to spend money on the house unless it was necessary (read above).  Now that he's been retired for close to 20 years, there is no money for  improvements.  There is barely enough money for taxes and medical bills.

Sitting there looking around I realized I haven't had a connection to the house I grew up in since I left it, I also realized I have no connection to the lifestyle my parent lead and hopefully I never will.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Disbelief, Pain, Fear

Courage, Elation, Relief

Justice is Done

(Photo by Star Wars Son at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park)

Time, Art and a Sprain

 It's already Tuesday March 3!!  Time has flown by since the last time I caught up with all of you.  I went scrapbooking over the weekend and finished my Wine Weekend album!  I'm very happy with the way it turned out and wish I could show it to you.

Yesterday I went to my parents house right after work to deliver my mom her birthday present.  It was a heritage scrapbook of her parents from baby pictures to the point when they got married.  I also included some letters from her mom and her grandma.  Again I wish I could share it with all of you!

After delivering my mom's birthday gift I went to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends.  I saw all the work that her husband has been doing on the house, it looks amazing!  Then we went out to happy hour and spent the next couple of hours talking non-stop.  It was fantastic.  I didn't get home until it was almost my bed time.

It always amazes me how time gets away from me.  I will be catching up with all of you after work today!

All along one of the streets in our little town they put up banners of 11 youth's artwork.  One of the youths is Dancing Daughter.  Last weekend I was able to get a couple shots of her banner.  

Here is DD with her banner.

And here is a close up of the banner so you can better see the art.

She's pretty excited to have her art displayed!

All last week DD stayed at school until 6pm learning the Drill Team routine so she could try out for the team this week.  Unfortunately on Friday night she went bowling with friends, got a strike, jumped up in excitement and landed badly on her ankle! Now it's sprained and she is hobbling around.  Luckily they are going to let her try out without doing all the marching and other hard leg moves.  She will try out doing all the arm movements.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Now time has gotten away from me again and I need to get ready to leave for work!  

Have a great day!