This week I enjoyed a fun visit from my youngest great grandchild, Avery Bell - she is quite adorable and so tiny! One month old! The entire family came, my grandson, Doug and his wife, Erica, and their other child, 2 year old Dylan!

Christmas is so close - we have a Santa visit this week and will get some presents. Then Doug and Betty are taking me for a Christmas drive and we will do MORE presents then! We are having many fun Christmas events at my residence - today we have the Washington Dance Company coming by for a performance.

Have a great holiday with your friends and family!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2010 was spent with most of my family - we enjoyed turkey, the traditional sides, and pumpkin pie! But most of all we enjoyed each other's company! I was introduced to the newest family member, Avery Bell. She is all of 2 weeks old - we are so glad to add a very healthy little girl to our family!

We gathered at Betty & Doug's house for a great time on Thanksgiving Day with over 20 friends and family present. Ken & Carol spoiled me, giving me a wonderful new outfit to wear for the event - note my pretty top - one of their great picks!

It is quiet now, but the memories of gathering together will be with us all in the months to come. I hope you all had a great celebration with your significant others - we certainly did!

Computer communication

On Sunday I was able to talk with my sister in Pensacola. What a nice way to spend part of the day! Today's technologies allowed me to not only talk to her, but SEE her as well - of course thanks to having a support techie on each end too! We are hoping to do this again soon.

The leaves are being blown and rained off the trees this week. I am glad that I had a chance to drive around and see the fall colors last week before this happened, as there are more of them on the ground than in the trees this week!

I am looking forward to a visit with Ken and his family in about three weeks, the arrival of my new great-grandbaby girl (in 2 weeks), and a great Thanksgiving meal with everyone at Doug & Betty's house. Do join us if you are able!

We win Best of the Best!

Thought you all would want to see that I live in a fairly highly rated place! And it lives up to its reputation! The Best of Seattle is an annual vote on most everything - from restaurants to doctors to daycare - and it is considered a prestigious and meaningful award.

Right now I plan to do a video conference with my sisters next weekend - I did a test one with Jeff and his wife this past weekend and it was quite fun! Hasn't technology advanced!

Fall has arrived!

Hello everyone: The leaves are beginning to turn outside my window presently. There is a feeling of fall in the air. Of course the turning leaves around me certainly highlight this sense!

Today I had great conversations with all of my sons. I talked with Randy (in Tucson), Ken & Carol (in Boulder) and Doug (here in my room). All are doing fine. Sounds like Tucson continues to be hot even this late in September; the Boulder contingent had a great trip to Glacier and Yellowstone with friends, and I will see them and their children at Thanksgiving. Doug & Betty just returned from a friend's wedding in Oregon this past weekend and keep me updated on the impending arrival of Avery Bell, my great-granddaughter. She is due the first part of November so we expect that Thanksgiving will be extra special when she is introduced to her extended family.

Birthday!

I turned 96 this week! It was a fun celebration. I got to choose the dinner menu on my birthday - I chose steak, baked potato, apple pie ala mode! Between the balloons on my chair in the dining hall and the special dinner, we had a great time!

This picture is of one of my sons who came over with presents and a chocolate/raspberry cake. I also got flowers to celebrate the day! I opened the presents and was very pleased with the selection of outfits that I received. I also got some beautiful cards, including one from Natalie and Dave in Tucson.

This weekend I will have the opportunity to use a "skype" like tool and talk as well as see my two sisters who live in Pensacola. It will be a treat that I don't get to have often, as usually I speak on the phone and don't have a visual with it.

Fall is here - the leaves are turning. But we continue to have some wonderful Indian summer days on occasion.

Do come and see me! I love company!

Great-grandson visit!

I had a great visit with my son, grandson and his son, my great-grandson. This picture is of him in my "special" chair in my apartment. His energy level is boundless! Betty & Doug brought them over for a nice visit - as you know 2 year olds are not only inquisitive but into LOTS. We had a nice visit and then I went downstairs to participate in some activities that the residence had for us.

Genealogy work!

I am working on our genealogy charts with Ken & Doug. We want to get it down and available for the children and grandchildren. Betty & Doug have done quite a bit with a chart; Carol has created a wonderful "baby" book for Michele with some of this information; Ken has put together current information, but we are still looking for more! We have contacted Nancy Ferman, the daughter of Conrad (Marc's brother) Marcoux to see what she will know, but please send Betty & Doug any and all information you may have about the Bell or Marcoux families and we will compile it for everyone!

Ken and Carol are here!

I had a fun time visiting with Ken & Carol this weekend. Yesterday we drove around Seattle and saw the Blue Angels, part of Seattle's own Seafair (hydroplane boat races & aircraft shows), some of Boeing's new 787 airplanes, and had fun looking at the sights.

Today I had a visit from all four (Betty, Doug, Carol, Ken) at my apartment, and while there we all talked with my other son Randy. I am looking forward to seeing them all again tomorrow morning!

It's Lavender Time!

Hello everyone: Had a nice chat with Randy, my eldest son, today. Today through this weekend is the Lavender Festival at Sequim, Washington. There is a parade, and all of the lavender farms are open for do it yourself harvesting of fresh lavender. Their lavender gifts are many - and the entire valley smells like lavender!

Summer has arrived up here - we have had some beautiful sky blue and clear days with the occasional overcast days. But overall we are seeing more warm days and clear skies. Time for you to visit!

I continue to do well. This week will bring a great outing to some lavender fields. It is fun to take a bus ride and enjoy a Popsicle while touring beautiful countrysides.

Hello everyone and I am hoping you had a wonderful Fourth of July!

Here at my residence we didn't get to see the parade as the route changed this year - but there certainly were lots of chairs along the new parade route (according to Betty & Doug) about 24 hours before the event! Instead, we had two great visits:

The children from Mills Music store (here in Bothell) came and sang patriotic songs for us, and the clowns of Seafair came and handed out stickers about the upcoming Seafair event here in downtown Seattle (google Seafair if you wish to know more about this - it is a big thing up here!).

I am well, but no longer have my wedding band on my finger as Doug & Betty removed it per MD order - with my fingers swollen a bit and my weight gain I can't guarantee it won't eventually cut off circulation to that finger.......

I had a great phone visit with my two sisters in Pensacola. They were both at home and able to give me some chat time on the phone. Both are well, and I am just wishing there was some way I could visit them there - snapper throats and good times always there!

Please come and see me sometime - summer is just getting started up here - it is to be into the high 80's this week - a regular heat wave up here!

It is sunny and beautiful up here!

Today I was enjoying the beautiful flowers and landscape. Doug and Betty took me for a regular checkup (I am doing quite well) and a drive. The sun was out and everything was green and replete with flowers.

The photo is of a picture I painted, free-hand! Who knew I could do this before now! Certainly not me, but I am told that my residence likes my work and even puts some of it on their walls for people to enjoy.

I am told two very exciting bits of news - Carol & Ken are coming for a visit in a few weeks and I am to be a great-grandmother again but this time to a little girl - Avery Bell for my maiden name. Lots to look forward to! And I hope all of you will consider a visit up here - our summer is just beginning and we would love to share it with you!

Memorial Day was a good day! I spent it pretty much inside my residence as it was a bit wet outside as well as damp and cold. But I celebrated the day with Betty & Doug and was able to talk with Randy! My residence decorated for the day as well as celebrated it with red, white and blue flowers. Everyone wore colors that were compatible with the flag. Even the cookies for us to eat had little flags on them!

WONDERFUL visit with my very close friends yesterday! We met up in the living room of my residence and then went up and chatted in my apartment for quite a while - I even delayed dinner to complete my visit.

Connie and Vic will ever be a part of my life. It was so great to see them! They got to meet many of my co-residents and the staff at my residence. They believed me to be in a very nice place, a good placement for my needs, and they commented on the fact that I was doing quite well! I must say seeing friends like this is truly a happiness factor for me!

A great visit!

We are fast approaching the Memorial Day weekend, and I anticipate a visit by some very close friends. Today I was able to visit with my son, his wife and their grandson(my great-grandson). We had a nice visit. The picture is of me and the two boys (Dylan's father wasn't with them) - hard to believe Dylan is already 22 months and beginning to talk).

It is a rainy start to this weekend, but each day of the holiday weekend brings a promise that we will get a bit more sunshine. The holiday will be celebrated around here with a parade in front of my residence, and a party to celebrate all of the people I live with that have been a part of making the Armed Services what they are.

Mother's Day

Today we had a wonderful Mother's Day afternoon tea with family and friends. There were excellent finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, tea and cookies (and a piece of chocolate!). The tables were decorated with pink lace tablecloths, flowers and baskets of colorful flower seed packets. Everyone got to take some home to plant in their gardens. Some will also be planted around here. Between the music and various testimonials, we had a great time. Betty and Doug were there (they brought me a new blouse), and the 2 flower bouquets from Joan & Randy, Carol & Ken decorated the area.

All in all it was a very nice way to celebrate Mother's Day!

The tulips are in their most beautiful regalia presently. Tomorrow we take a trip to Molbak's Nursery where we will see many more tulips as well as other great looking plants. The good news is that now is the time the nurseries and gardens around here gear up for a glorious spring/summer vegetation display. While the dogwood have now turned completely green, the rhododendrons are beginning their bloomings. Between seeing them and the other beautiful greenery around my residence, I am happy to say that color is just a glance away for me.

We also do fun things here at my residence including visits by the preschool age children from across the street, various music groups (guitar, hand bells, piano, etc), chocolate bingo and cooking shows. My gumbo recipe is to be featured this coming month as the cooking demonstration. Betty has promised to bring the ingredients!

I am well, and enjoying the gorgeous colors that are popping out with Spring flowers and sunny days! While not exactly tiptoeing through the tulips, I am enjoying them as Betty & Doug take me on car rides and show them to me! The days are growing longer and warmer, too.

Weekly I get a manicure, makeup, and my hair done at the salon here at the residence. Between the Montessori children visiting almost weekly and a hand bell choir coming once a month, I get a chance to visit and enjoy them as well. But I miss you all, so please know that visits are always a welcome diversion!

This is a picture of a dogwood tree below my window. This week we went to a nearby nursery and got spring plants to put in the pots near the door of my residence. The grounds have been spruced up and the plants are in - it is beginning to really look like Spring around here!

The days are getting longer heading toward summer, and while I don't do night events anymore, I do enjoy the longer days.

Easter was a rather nice day! Sunshine mid morning that really highlighted the dogwood blossoms and the tulips. I went to Betty & Doug's for Easter dinner, meeting up there with Michelle and Jeff, Doug, Erica and my great grandson Dylan.

There was a fun Easter egg hunt in the children's park right behind Betty & Doug's house. I suspect that next year Dylan will want to join in the fun, too. Right now he is happy just being around people who love him and watch over him. He would, I suspect, just like his daddy, climb our fig tree in the Scarlett house backyard if he could. He loves to climb and heights intrigue him!

Our weather is fitful - rain showers sometimes followed by sun spurts. Making for a very muddy visit to the tulip fields (that we will take from our residence later this week).

Spring has sprung! The picture is taken in Doug and Betty's backyard and the daffodils are up! I had a nice conversation with Randy and am doing well. I am looking forward to this week when the small children come and have an Easter Egg hunt here at our residence. It is a treat to see them scampering around for the eggs.

Easter Sunday I will get to go to Doug's house and have Easter dinner with him, Betty, their two sons and wives, and my great grandson. Should be a fun time! More later.

Yes, I know it is after St. Patrick's Day but thought you would want to hear about my celebrations surrounding that day!

Saturday we had a St. Paddy's Day party at my residence - food, music, readings, watching some dancing. I also enjoyed a nice visit with Doug that day. I wore a green beaded necklace for the occasion and had a good time.

Today I enjoyed a great phone call with another son, Randy. My cough has stopped so I am now able to chat on the phone without interruption. Betty and I had fun talking and decorating my apartment for upcoming Easter celebrations. I plan to spend part of Easter over at their house for a meal and an opportunity to see the family gathered there. You all are welcome to join us!

Carol & Ken's visit

I had a lovely set of visits from Carol and Ken this past week. They came to see me and visit Vancouver for the Olympics. It was delightful to see pictures of their trek to the Olympics and the torch et al! We had great times together and we got to call Randy while they were here. We were lucky in that the rains held off for most of the time they were here. The sun was out and it was quite beautiful - and even Mt. Baker could be seen in the distance.

Today we "shoveled" sunshine up here! It was a gorgeous day, as was yesterday and will be for about two more days. Dogwood and cherry trees are beginning to pop out and the flowers think Spring has come when its only the beginning of Lent! Then, starting Wednesday, more rain, we think.....

I am looking forward to a visit by Carol and Ken later this week for a few days! They are able to combine a visit with me and a visit to the Vancouver Olympics. We watch the Olympics daily on our televisions in the residence family room - some really outstanding athletes at work.

I was fortunate to be able to talk with both of my out of town sons and Carol this weekend! I went to ballroom dancing at a nearby senior center last Wednesday. A fun time for all! Between root beer floats, chocolate bingo and cooking classes, I am well snacked and well fed!

This week we start celebrating Valentine's Day as you can see by the picture here. My apartment is decorated for this holiday as is the entire residence! Between the opening of the XXI Winter Olympics Games on television and various Valentine's events, this will be a busy week! And I look forward to seeing Carol and Ken the end of this month for a few days.

We have enjoyed sun and temperate days as we have sent the stormy weather further east to you all! The daffodils and tulips are going to make an early appearance this year!

Interesting to hear about all of you from Betty and Doug. Keep the messages coming, please. I am well; went to my doctor recently and the adjustments to my medications are minimal. I really like the food here; it has caused me to gain some weight! Better that issue than others, I think! I am told that Carol and Ken arrive in a few weeks for a visit, so that is something I am really looking forward to! Weekly I talk with my sons, but I hope that sometime Randy will be able to visit me in person.

Not a whole lot is happening right now, but wanted to post this picture of the blooming amaryllis that Betty & Doug have in their house right now. We have been fortunate weather-wise; while it is rainy today, we have had multiple days of pretty sun and very temperate weather. In fact, so much so that the daffodils and tulips may arrive early this year!

I love talking with my sons either in person or on the phone, and I look forward to their visits.

This weekend I had several chats and visits from people important in my life. I got a chance to talk with Randy and Joan, Ken and Carol - both fun conversations! I look forward to Carol and Ken's visit to see me at the end of February.

I also had a visit from Betty and Doug who brought me this picture of my great-grandson, Dylan Marcoux. Already 17 months old, he is now into "reading" as this picture shows.

This week will bring bingo, crafts, manicures (I usually get one weekly), a visit to the hair salon, cooking, poker (my bridge playing replacement), as well as a movie classic each night with snacks to go with it. It is supposed to be a rainy week, so I am glad we did our "scenic drive" last week and will do another next week.

I don't have a phone in my room, but I usually am not in my room either. So if you would like to talk with me either call Aegis or Doug and Betty - they work on getting me connected.

Eagle Watching

Today was a great day! After a fun phone call with my eldest son, Randy, Betty & Doug took me eagle watching (they do that up here in Washington around this time). As you can see by the picture, we saw eagles - this is just one of the 15 or so we saw. We also saw a doe with her twin fawns and what might have been either a ptarmigan or a large quail or pheasant.....we aren't sure what it was. The weather was overcast but nice; a good day to eagle watch. Of course a frappucino along the way doesn't hurt either!