After years of wiping away tears and having to carry kleenex around, I submitted my eye to the doctor's knife. A procedure called a 'dacryocystorhinostomy' constructs alternate tear ducts and routes them into the nasal passage through a newly produced opening. On Thursday, Esther brought me to the surgery center in Silverdale to take care of business. The surgery went well I assume, since I was under general anesthesia. All was going well in the recovery room when I suddenly felt very faint. Soon doctors and nurses were swarming my bed as I passed out, much to Esther's watching horror. My heart rate had dropped to the low 30s in some sort of reaction to pain or anesthesia. Once I was stabilized by an assortment of intravenous substances, the anesthesiologist informed us that it probably occurred because my normally low heart rate doesn't have much room to decrease. (One of the hazards of a runner) After a couple of hours on waiting to make sure I would be OK, they released me to go home and recover. I sure hope that this did the trick!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Quick trip to Bend
Marti and four girlfriends utilized our house as a ladies getaway, so we naturally had to get out of town for Presidents Day weekend. We made a quick trip to Bend, stopping in Portland the first night, walking through downtown and finding not only one but two Voodoo Donut lines. The next day it was on to Oregon's winter vacation Mecca. Though winter recreation seemed to be on the tourist's minds, the weather was quite spring like. We spent quite a bit of time walking, shopping and dining in the downtown area. While our drive to Bend took us past Mt. Hood and some winter driving conditions, our trip home found us heading north to the Columbia River and enjoying the scenery. We even had time to explore Trout Lake (Steph's US home town) and then some dinner in Hood River.
Monday, February 04, 2013
Ruby turns two
The highlight of this past weekend was not the Super Bowl. It didn't even take place in 'the big easy'; but in Greenwood (a southern suburb of Lynden) Ruby Jean Bulthuis turned two years old. Her party had a woodland animal theme. The Greenwood women did it up good again, with decorations, animal masks and birthday treats in a woodland theme. The cake was another work of art by auntie Marti. Guests included the Greenwood gang and Ruby's friend, Estelle and her parents. Ruby seemed to enjoy the evening immensely and Ada did a great job of not interfering with the spot light. The weekend was topped off with some woodland ravens taking care of some old prospectors.
Monday, January 21, 2013
In Search of Sun
The Puget Sound fog was getting too much of us, so we decided to take a day trip and find some unfiltered rays. Weather reports suggested the ocean beaches or mountain slopes. We opted for the beach and headed for the Long Beach Peninsula via a loop along the Columbia between Longview and Illwaco. We took the opportunity to take the road less traveled from Chehalis to Longview, passing through Napavine, Winlock, Vader and Castle Rock. The sun broke through when we got to Longview. The drive along the north shore of the Columbia was great. We soaked in the sun and a drive we have never taken. Speaking of the drive never taken, neither one of us could recall being to the Long Beach Peninsula, bypassing it each year for the more inviting Oregon coast. Well, we were pleasantly surprised. We expected the has been atmosphere of Ocean Shores and Westport Beaches. Instead, the peninsula had an updated feel, and Cape Disappointment, the Discovery Trail, Oysterville and Leadbetter Point offered additional recreation to the beach. World Mark's resort no doubt has encouraged some new businesses. We ended the day at the trendy Bar and Grill 'Pickled Fish' We enjoyed the food, atmosphere and the demise of the Patriots before driving home to the Puget Sound fog.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
marathon maniac
Once again I closed out the year with a marathon. The plan had been that Calvin would join me, but he will be saving his energy for the Tokyo Marathon in February. My hope was to have a faster time than last year. I was on pace for about twenty miles when the Manchester hill running hit me hard. I trudged in the last six miles, vowing to never do it again. (That's what I said last year too!) Don reigned me in the last mile and a half. I ended up six minutes slower than last year. It was still a respectable time for my age group. My finish was welcomed by family and friends. Unfortunately, they had to witness my stomach's refusal to digest a banana.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Christmas 2012
Christmas break started on the late side (22nd) this year, so we hit the ground running. Fortunately, cyber shopping had allowed us to get the Christmas shopping completed in plenty of time. We picked up Calvin from the airport on Saturday. He had enjoyed a 36 hour lay over in Seoul. Markus joined us for a welcome home meal. Then on Sunday it was up to Lynden to start the celebrations with family. Most of the clan went to the Dancing for Joy concert while a couple of us watched the Seahawks destroy the 49ers. Christmas Eve morning was the family gift exchange with Bjorn, Jenny and the girls. Then after a candlelight service, we did the clam chowder, oyster stew thing with an Eide gift exchange. Christmas morning brunch was followed by a trip back to Southworth to meet my sister Ellen and get Bjorn and Jenny off to their week in Oregon. Laid low most of the rest of the week with the exception of walking on the Bremerton ferry with Ellen to enjoy downtown Seattle for several hours.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Skylights complete
Having finished the outside of the skylights this summer, I picked away at completing the inside. I just completed the final finishing touch with some small coving. The process started with framing around trusses, insulating, sheet rocking, taping, mudding, texturing, painting. Then I had to rip off the cedar from a living room wall, replacing it with sheet rock, then taping, mudding, texturing, painting that room. Then back to the ceiling: installing the cedar ceiling, wrapping the truss framework with cedar and finally trimming the cedar skylight joint. A long and slow process is finally done. Esther's response: "What are WE? going to work on next?"
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Bulthuis Remnant Thanksgving
With children and grandchildren scattering to the in laws and such, the elder Bishops and Bulthuis' were joined by Rebecca and Riley for a feast in Olympia. We had a great time eating and conversing, then eating and conversing. This is somewhat of an unusual Thanksgiving weekend this year as we find ourselves alone in Southworth catching up on work projects instead of in Lynden visiting with family and friends. We miss the visiting, but are getting a lot accomplished.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
iPad mini
This past week I finally joined the mobile network and bought an iPad mini. Despite my obvious proclivity for all things Apple, I have forgone the iPhone and IPad until now. I have been content with a basic cell phone and a computer with wifi. The handheld iPad mini was just too much to resist; small enough to tuck away in a big coat pocket, but large enough for my aging eyes. Of course I ordered the cellular option to make it truly mobile. So far I have enjoyed it. It is still nonetheless a two handed device and involves more tactile involvement than a laptop. That could be a nuisance or could be gratifying (compare manual transmission) One feature that I am learning to enjoy is Siri, though she needs to work on her intonation.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
stolen outboard :(
Last weekend I was relieved to have my boat out of the water. Tim helped me drag up the mooring anchor and then enjoy the final sail of the season. This Saturday I went up to start power washing the bottom and discovered that my outboard motor had been stolen! The thief used a cable cutter to cut through my lock. I am not sure when the dastardly deed was committed, but I saw the motor mid-week so it must have been Thursday or Friday night. I should have taken the motor off as soon as I got the boat home, but I have never had an issue with things being messed with. It is sobering to realize that my outboards have been left alone for the past fifteen years as they sat moored by the ferry only to be stolen in my front yard.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Proud Parents of the Groom
Another Oregon wedding. Our good friends, Tom and Peg Gillard married off their oldest son Nate to a Sublimity girl. The wedding was in Salem and Bjorn and Jenny joined us in celebrating the nuptials. The venue was the historic Grand Theater (not to be confused with Grand Hotel - separate story) A great reception followed in the same building. Both bride and groom come from strong families and the marriage looks to be off to a good start. We had a good time with friends at the hotel and enjoyed a leisurely drive home through Silverton and Mt. Angel and Fort Vancouver.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
They train them young in Lynden
This past weekend being Columbus Day weekend, we went up to Lynden for a couple of days. The neighbors have a pumpkin patch in a western town motif. We walked over Saturday afternoon to check it out. It was just right for Ada and Ruby. They enjoyed the petting farm, the cow milking and the pony ride. We also took a horse drawn wagon ride and picked out some pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. We enjoyed Sunday with church at Oikos, visiting mom and watching the Seahawks. Monday we were home again where we got a load of wood and I sheetrocked the living room wall where I had stolen some cedar. I also ran to Manchester and back (10 miles) as I start to ramp up for another marathon.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Endless Sumfall or Fummer
The Northwest weather is really becoming a statistical anomaly. I am a little worried that statistics will catch up to us and we will have ten months of rain. But we have to use it if we get it. Markus and Steph came over on the weekend and we went out for a sail on Sunday afternoon. The wind was perfect for a boat load of four. Esther and I are both enjoying our new positions at work, though Esther is putting in a lot of hours.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
One day road trip
This weekend we took a 500 mile day trip. We wanted to test the Scion's comfort on a long haul. We also get an itch for the mountain passes and Eastern Washington this time of year. We drove Chinook Pass over to Yakima. It was extremely smokey, beginning at the summit of the pass. Yakima was socked in as well. We made the decision to take a long loop down to the Gorge and back up I5. The Gorge was beautiful and Esther got to see Stonehenge and Maryhill for the first time. We were tempted to run up to Trout Lake, but we got home at 10 pm as it was. The Scion tc passed the test: comfortable ride and fun to have the roof open.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Dungeness Spit
Saturday I took my 6th grade class on a hike to the Dungeness Spit lighthouse. Eleven students and two parent joined me on the eleven mile round trip trudge though the sands along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I was hoping for more participation, but the new families aren't quite trusting enough to give me their child for the day. By spring they will! The weather was great and the low tide on the way out made a quick 2 1/2 hour trip out to the lighthouse. After an hour of lunch on the lawn and a tour of the lighthouse, it was time to drag the kids back to the parking lot. The rising tide pushed us up to the softer sand and logs for a slower go. It took 3 1/2 hours for the last of the stragglers to make it back to the parking lot. We all piled into a fifteen passenger van for the trip home. You'd think that the kids would have been pooped out. You wouldn't know it from the the raucous singing and shouting on the way home.
Monday, September 03, 2012
A Traveling Labor Day Show
This year's Labor Day weekend took on a little different twist as we moved about. The weekend started at the cabin at Cain Lake cabin on Saturday afternoon. No oysters this year, but burger sliders and fresh veggie salad was the fare. A lazy Sunday morning in blazing lakeside sunshine turned slowly into afternoon and a quick pack up and drive to Bothell, where we checked into the Springhill Suites using Zachary's discount. After lounging by the pool, we headed to Red Hook Brewery for supper. Monday morning saw most of the gang at a nearby Value Village snatching up deals. A trip to Blythe Park and Woodinville Chipotle led up to the final activity of the day- checking out Markus new house in Fremont.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Ada makes a Southworth visit
My final three days of summer break were spent with granddaughter Ada. I met Jenny in Marysville where she handed off 'Goof ball' to the grandparents for a few days. Since Esther is already back to work, it was my privilege to spend the days with Ada. We spent time on the beach and at school where I built some shelves while Ada explored the classroom. We read a lot of books and made some puzzles. She's off to Yakima tomorrow to visit a friend-- the traveling three year old!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
He's off again
He is off again. Today Calvin left for another year in Tokyo. It was a short but good summer, filled with a lot of work, family time and adventures with friends. He is going back a little early so that he can travel some in Japan before school starts. Calvin will be living in the same dorm (Canada House) that has been his home the last two years. The dorm situation there seems to operate much like a fraternity. This will be his last year at ICU International Christian University; and he is exploring options for graduate school either in Tokyo or Seattle. We are excited to witness his graduation in person next June.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
tubing on Tapps
There are some days and nooks in Western Washington where it is easy to forget that it is a temperate rainforest. Lake Tapps on a hot August afternoon is one of those times/nooks. Yesterday we joined the annual Eide lakeside BBQ at George and Sharon's house on Lake Tapps. It was a privilege and pleasure to share in the fun with the George Eide offspring. Mike, Marti, and Marika joined us in representing the Soren clan. We enjoyed visiting with the first, second and third cousins. There was plenty of lakeside fun. Calvin and Marika enjoyed the jet ski and tubing; while I did take my turn on the jet ski and the more tranquil kayak. Thanks George and Sharon for a wonderful afternoon.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Peninsula Peddling
Esther wanted to go to the lavender farms in Sequim on Saturday, so I tagged along with my bike to check out the Olympic Bike Trail. While Esther browsed the purple fields, I made my way west from Sequim toward Port Angeles. The trail meanders through town and field with the constant backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. Approaching Port Angeles it gets woodsy and hilly. My plan was to make it to the end of Ediz Hook and back to Sequim (50 miles) Unfortunately, I got a flat tire which I was unsuccessful at patching. I had to walk the bike back to a Port Angeles bike shop (2 miles) for a new tube. Esther came to pick me up and we checked out another farm and the bluffs along the strait. We ended with dinner at the Three Crabs in Dungeness.