Breaking Bread and Blonde

This was definitely a work week - but in a great way!  Met up Thursday with the Longview office team as a fond farewell to our building and excitement about working from home indefinitely.

Friday had our work team picnic at Lake Sacajawea.  It was the first day in a long time that it was cloudy and cool outside.  Even had to put on a jacket. We spent almost three hours eating barbecue from Hop-N-Grape, laughing, and missing our coworker Pam who couldn't make it.

Toyed with the idea of going gray; however, after seeing the team picnic photos, decided to screw the gray and get my blonde back.  Used a couple of at home mixes - champagne blonde and dark blonde - to bring back some va va voom to my hair. Very happy with the result!

Painted five mini canvas recently and attached then to a painted board.  Ran across some liquid gold foil leaf so included that in the paint pour.

Another art project was a vintage bike flower display.  Jordan and Candy gave me the bike and instead of riding it, last week I added some potted plants along with a whimsical painted sign.

Beware Rip-Off Registers

Normally I'm a Walmart shopper.  However, Safeway is just down the street so now and then I pop over there. Plus, although their prices are high, they always have a bread markdown section.  I recently signed up on their app where you can clip coupon deals that automatically register when you input your phone number at checkout. Or so I thought.

Stopped in there yesterday for a few items. One of the steals via the app was $5 ice cream for 77cents. Can't beat that! Also grabbed a loaf of bread with a corresponding coupon saving 50cents.

Here's the deal - always check the register when you are paying.  More often than not the sale price will not pull up so you end up paying and finding out later you didn't save money.  I frequently play a game with myself to add up the items in my cart to see how close I get at checkout. Did this yesterday and my ballpark total was going to be about $9.77.

The checker scanned the items and my grand total was over $18. I think not!  Questioned him on my 77cent ice cream and there you go - my app coupon didn't register. I had to show him my app list to prove I had the coupon. Pissed me off.  Ending balance was $10.27.

Leaving the store I reviewed my receipt and had not received the coupon savings on the bread. Doesn't that figure! Just let it go as I didn't want to go through the rigamaroll to obtain a refund.

This has frequently happened at other stores where sale or clearance prices do not come up.  I always keep my eye on the register to verify what I'm buying matches up with the noted prices.

There's your tip for today.  And happy Labor Day which I'm spending cleaning and perhaps fishing!

Staycation, Santorini, Sandwich, and Special Friends

This week I've been enjoying the vacation days I scheduled. It's really been a staycation based upon my quarantine. Spent most of my time on the river by myself fishing and working on my tan along with painting rocks and canvas.

During my stay-at-home mandate, I also watched all of the Jaws movies - Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws 3D (with Dennis Quaid) , and Jaws The Revenge (with Michael Caine of all people.)  All I can say is poor old Sharkey looked more fake with each sequel.

Thankfully, my quarantine was up along with all symptoms gone so I was able to meet up with the Blue Jacket Divas on Friday night at Kalama McMenamins. Was just awesome to catch up with the gals, meet Perla's new husband, wax nostalgic about previous adventures, and just plain laugh. We definitely need to meet up more often!!

Wore red, which is rare. Was just feeling it!

Last weekend got my reel restrung for a second time. Had high hopes this would eliminate the on-going line tanglement.  Well, that didn't happen.  Going to restring the reel myself and hope third times a charm!  There are just some moments in life when you plan for the best but wind up with numerous line tangles, a spinner hooked beyond help in the deep river which means cutting the line, and three days straight with no catches. You just have to laugh, continue on, and realize the lesson you must learn is patience!

One nostalgic habit I've picked up while fishing has been the quick sandwich. Was on my way to the river and was going to grab a Subway sandwich when i thought "what would Mom do?"  She'd grab some cheese, turkey, and bread and make a sandwich in the car! So that's what I did and boy did that hit the spot. I've since been making one for my fishing breakfast or lunch each time I go plunking, using Dad's tackle.

Another guilty pleasure I've indulged in lately is cottage cheese and pineapple.  Have bought the pre-made container of it from the store but today picked up the cottage cheese and pineapple separately and mixed together. In a word...yum!

Each month in the Facebook rock group to which I belong they have a theme contest.  Once the month is over, they choose out of the contest participants winners for prize items. My name was drawn and I won the following Santorini, resined rock. Isn't it fab?  I love it!!

This month's theme is Anime so I enlisted Sam's help to create the perfect rocks.  Here are the first two DragonBall Z rocks he's made so far.

And tomorrow is Labor Day and my last day off from work.  If you have the day off - enjoy!!

Covid & Me 😷

My symptoms started on August 20 - stuffed up, fever, sneezing, congestion.  Typical summer cold which put me in bed all weekend.  The weird thing was my taste buds and smell were messed up...food tasted weird and there was an odd smell to regular odors.  Even though I received the vaccine, decided it would be best to get tested.  And sure enough, I had the Covid!

Diagnosis meant quarantine until my symptoms passed. This actually worked out well since I work from home and Stan/Susan were leaving on an RV trip to N. Dakota.  I've had the place to myself and it has sure been quiet!  Aside from an occasional cough, it's been over ten days since my symptoms began so I'm free to return to society.

On top of that, I scheduled a few vacation days - for no reason.  Since they fell during my quarantine, I've spent most of my time all by my lonesome fishing!  Even caught a small steelhead!

Looking forward to a Blue Jacket Diva's dinner this Friday!  Probably been two years since we've seen each other. Can't wait to catch up!

Fishin Buddies

Frequently when I'm fishing on the Cowlitz, there is often a young couple with their three sons enjoying the sun and sand.  The boys always come visit while I'm fishing, watching me cast and hollering "no fish yet!"  Well, the other day was lucky enough to catch a fish so they could enjoy the excitement!  

Braved the sprinkles after work today to fish taking along my little Stubbs so he could experience the river adventure.  He loved running around in the sand, smelling everything, and peeing whether the urge struck or not.  Once we returned home he was sleeping, down for the count.

While at sister Erin's during my last visit, I snapped a pic of the numerous piano rolls stacked together. Ended up ordering the picture as wrapping paper which turned out perfectly.  May also be able to use them as backgrounds or mat board for the piano roll art.

Repurposed Piano Rolls

Last time I was visiting sis Erin she gifted me several piano rolls.  Growing up we had a player piano and it was so much fun playing it and singing with Mom, who was an excellent singer.  Piano is gone but I wanted to figure out a creative use for the rolls.

After scouring Pinterest for inspiration, decided to clip frameable portions from the rolls and add drawings related to the particular song. My first one was "When You Wish Upon A Star" from Pinocchio. Of course Jiminy Cricket had to be up front and center!  Remember - these are piano rolls so you read from the bottom up.

That one turned out so well I made a few more using songs from "Fiddler On The Roof."

I opened up one roll titled "The Sunny Side of the Street"; however, to my surprise it held "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown."  Currently using my thinking cap to come up with appropriate art to decorate this roll snippet.

Fun to add another outlet to my crafting bag!

Summer Life

Summer has been in full force so I've spent the majority of my time swimming and fishing!  Sam introduced me to a new Cowlitz River spot that is secluded so that's become my favorite trolling and swimming place lately.  Enjoyed the Toledo pond but never caught any fish so figured I would try out a new site.

Have been using my dad's trout fishing gear (thanks Erin for gifting me those tackle boxes and poles!)  First trip to the river ended up catching four pike minnow and a squawfish.  Fun to catch but they always go right back into the water because the task to clean and grill fresh fish is not my favorite activity.  Now, if I catch a salmon that's something different.

I've probably hit the new angling hole about four times now and three of those times I've caught fish.  In most cases no one is around so I've enjoyed the solitude as I've casted my line.  Speaking of line, it had been over a year since my reel was restrung so took that into Bob's to get 'er done.  Also picked up a new bright pink and silver rooster tail to try and snag a big one.  Made my way out to the river, strung a new line set-up with my shiny pink lure, and cast it out.  Boom!  Knot slipped and my pink treasure sailed off into the water.  Ugh!!!  But that's fishing for you!

Candy catching babies
at the Toledo pond

New Cowlitz River Spot

Cowlitz River spot

Have done a few acrylic pour paintings. So hard when I have a vision in my mind but it doesn't turn out.  Have to accept it, change it, or trash it!

The deer have been making regular appearances in the neighborhood including one who tried to stare me down in the street.

Looking forward to another road trip to Erin's the end of this month. We will be attending our company's picnic at the Tacoma Rainier's game. Looking forward to catching up with co-workers and relaxing in the sun! 🌞⚾️🍻

Son Sam finally found himself an apartment and moved in on the 1st. Same complex as his buddy Jimmy's. It's been remodeled with new paint and flooring, which is a light driftwood style.  I would have moved right in there with him but alas they don't take pets.  I could never part with my Stubbers!  He's also been scavenging my storage unit so his furnishings look awfully familiar!  I'm happy for him now that he's settled into a place of his own.