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July 11, 2008

IT'S FRIDAY, MY FAVORITE DAY!!

We had a great 4th of July, even though the weather wasn't as great as we would have liked. We took the steamboat over to Manzanita early to get in line for the parade, and about then it started raining! We all scrambled for cover and waited for the shower to pass over before we got the flags and banners on the boat. We managed to stay dry for the entire parade, so our timing was great! The steamboat was another success and everyone enjoyed hearing Dave toot the whistle. We had a boat full with the kids and grandkids, Dave's sister Leanna and our friends Stan and Terrie along with their daughter Marcie. We buy big bags of candy at Costco for the event. Two years ago, we had three of those huge bags - and we ran out! Last year, we bought four and we still ran out! So this year, we had five and there was more than enough candy to throw out to the crowds. After the parade, we went back to Wheeler and had a barbeque and ate out on the deck. We were worried because even though it wasn't raining any more, there was a big fog bank over the bay that was blocking our view of the beach at Manzanita. But by nightfall, the fog bank lifted and we had another great view of the fireworks over the beach.

However, the next day was completely different. It rained steadily all day long and it was too wet to do anything. I played a few games of Uncle Wiggly to amuse the girls and finally Leslie and Jason took their two girls up to Seaside to go on the carnival rides. Since Lara's oldest girl was sick with an ear infection and it was too cold to go out on the beach, they stayed close to home all day. Lara and Greg finally left for home after supper with a stop at the emergency room to have a doctor look at Jadyn's ear. It took three nurses to hold her down while they unplugged it, but once the pressure was off, she was fine again.

Jason and Leslie left for home Sunday morning after breakfast. They took the Kubota back with them so they could excavate some of their property. Jason was so excited about using the tractor that when he got home, he put his truck into park and while it was still running, backed the tractor off the trailer and went to work. Leslie had to turn off the truck for him! I guess it was dark before he finally called it a day! Meanwhile, Dave and I gave each other high fives and collapsed in the easy chairs! I spent the rest of the day doing laundry and making beds. I just love having our family visit, but it is so nice and quiet and peaceful when it is just the two of us once more.

The sun came back out on Monday and it was downright hot. I worked out in the yard trying to get caught up with the weeds and watering. Dave finished weed whacking the front of the place too. We had our carpets cleaned on Tuesday and it didn't take them long to dry with the warm weather that we have been having. The house was in such disarray from all the furniture being moved to have the carpets cleaned, that we decided to eat out. We had a nice dinner at a local restaurant, but I must have had my supper disagree with me, because I was awake all night with a stomachache or a touch of the flu. I sure was miserable the whole night and most of the next day. I tried to do some work outside, but couldn't do it. Dave says he knows I'm sick when I come in out of the garden or greenhouse and go to bed!

Thursday, the park and recreation committee had a work party in the upper park. We had a few things to do to get ready for the big horseshoe tournament that will be going on this Saturday. After pulling weeds and raking sand, we headed down to the Waterfront Park to install the new bike rack that we had ordered. It took most of the rest of the afternoon to do that and it looks so neat. The bike rack is made out of stainless steel with two fish on top that reads "City of Wheeler". It was my idea to purchase a bike rack for the park and it really puts the finishing touch on that beautiful park. I am really pleased with the results. We still have it braced up with boards until the concrete dries, but I'll try to remember to post a picture next week of the final installation.

We have plans to get the steamboat in the water today. We were going to do it over the 4th of July, but the weather was so miserable, we decided to wait until now. Stayed tuned, I'll let you know how that goes next week!