Saturday was a busy day: dropping off Ellen at the airport, going to a family wedding and helping my niece and her young family move into their new house. Mike and Sarah purchased their first home. Mike works at the REI headquarters in Renton, and Sarah is an occupational therapist in Bellevue. They have been renting in the Kennydale area for a year and like the vicinity. After a lot of searching, they came upon a great house in the neighbohood and snatched it up. The previous owner did many upgrades inside and it is very comfortable. It has a great fenced in back yard for their daughter Annika; and the house is on a dead end street. In the evening, we went to Esther's cousin's son's wedding in Tacoma. It was good to spend some time with some of the Eide relatives that we don't see that often.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
have turkey, will travel
My siblings and their children battled the Puget Sound traffic to join us for Thanksgiving dinner. The delay of bridge traffic for my siblings was matched by a power outage in Southworth. The power went out at about 11, so we started hauling the turkey and other dishes up to the church kitchen. By the time that all the dishes were settled in the ovens, the power came back on at home, and it was time to haul all the food back home. Now Esther has a Turkey story to share. Dinner was a little late, but very delicious. Jon, Angie and baby West arrived midway through the meal. It was great to see everyone. Mike, Sarah and Annika interrupted their house moving to join us for the day as well. We introduced everyone to the joys of Wii sports. Ellen will stay a couple of days with us before heading back to Sacramento.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
what do Wii have here?
Calvin has been anticipating this weekend for many months. In July, he forewent his birthday gift for a contribution towards this day. He spent about 16 hours waiting in line at the local Fred Meyer for his Wii. His only regret is not being able to share it with his brothers this weekend. The next best thing is dad. So I played a little Wii tennis. It's great! Now I don't need to find an opponent and drive eight miles to enjoy some racquet action! For those of you not familiar with the system, it has a sensor in the wireless handheld wand that interacts with the game. It can distinguish between forehand and backhand. At least kids will be moving a little more playing with this system.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
a long overdue project
After three years in this house, I finally put a shower over the soaking tub on the main floor. The main reason it took me so long was that I couldn't get myself to rip out the unique tub and put in a basic tub/shower unit. It would have just look out of place in the big room. The next problem I had to solve was how to make a shower over the existing tub without putting up a bunch of walls. After searching the internet, I finally pieced together an oval curtain rod and sliding bar hand shower that should work. All the material is good quality, so it will hold up well. I couldn't resist trying my new creation out, even without the curtain, which will come this week. It worked great; just need that curtain. Now the boys and guests won't have to use the master bath.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
armchair traveling
Instead of our usual sit at home fall evening, Esther and I went to a travelogue. A local dentist from Manchester and his wife took seven years to sail around the world after retirement. Shortly after they departed, their son was killed in a flash flood in Nepal. After much consideration, they decided to continue the trip, which took them through the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, the Mediteranean, the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Mexico. The presentation focused more on the land adventures than the sailing experience, which was to be expected. I have not read the book yet, but plan to add it to my library of circumnavigation chronicles.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
bavarian break
This weekend was a getaway weekend for the Bulthuis family. Calvin went to a church retreat; Markus went to a college dorm retreat; and Esther and I took a belated anniversary trip to Leavenworth. The forecast for the passes was a little iffy, but we decided to go for it. We have spent at least half a dozen anniversaries in Leavenworth; usually, the last of September. We have always stayed at B and B's, but we stayed at the Enzian this time. It was nice to be able to walk to town, and the brunch was great. I had never been in their fourth floor dining room and was surprised by its great view of the valley. Esther enjoyed several hours of shopping while I found the bookstore. Dinner was at Visconti's. A great weekend - refreshed for a new week.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
northwest payback
It appears as though the northwest 'weather gods' have decided that it is payback time for all that nice weather we had this summer. We are in for the long haul of a wet winter. There was a bright surprise for us today as Markus unexpectedly dropped by. He was with some friends visiting at WWU last night and came home with them for the day. He is doing great at SPU, acing tests and making friends. He and Calvin joined some friends this afternoon for a sloppy game of Ultimate frisbee.
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