A few pics from the cruise

Bill and I at dinner onboard one night.

Our ship, The Norwegian Star

A beautiful sunset at sea!

A small iceberg we saw from aboard ship.

Bill and I at Prince Rupert, BC

It was a great trip. I'd make very few changes. We arrived home last night about 10 p.m., exhausted from traveling. Bill had brought back a fresh salmon he had frozen and stashed in his suitcase. It was still frozen when he pulled it from his suitcase in Lubbock. The man must be nuts! :-)

Mount Rainier, Washington state

We spent today hiking the trails at Mount Rainier. Great time and a LOT of great pics!

The top pics include a shot of the glacier. Can't help but thinkk how much my son would love this trip. Next time, he's coming!

In Seattle

I'm afraid this will be short. Time is at a premium!

We've been to Pike's Market, The Glass Museum(see pic) the Locks and botanical gardens(see pic). Having a great time with Bill's cousin Glen and his wife Pam!

We went to an Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Different format of service and doctrinw. Bill was happy - we sang all hymns! :-) Good to be in church again. Seemed like an eternity since I was in church.

We get into Lubbock about 6 p.m. Wed. Details to follow!

Arrive Seattle

I'm in Seattle!

It was a long day yesterday, leaving Clovis about 9 a.m. local and finally landing in Seattle about 9:15 p.m. local. The flight from Clovis to Dallas and the leg from Dallas to Albq was rough. Lots of turbulence. I've attached a few pics of the clouds. The pilots all did a great job of flying above the storms! (I think there's a scripture lesson in there somewhere :-))

The motel is okay. Older but clean. We have a sofa, small kitchen and king size bed. Clean was my concern and clean it is!

Haven't seen much of Seattle yet. Walked outside a little this morning. Green and very pretty. Hilly terain like my home.

All the shuttles are full this morning. We can't get a ride to the pier until 1 p.m.. Still plenty of time.

The chess set is something I saw in Lubbock airport. My dear son loves chess. It's something I can send him a picture of that he will enjoy.

Impending Cruise

We leave tomorrow morning for Seattle, Wa. People are asking me if I'm excited or nervous. I'm not sure. Maybe I am a little. The reality hasn't set in, yet. Maybe when I give my daughter and son a tearful good-bye at the airport. Maybe when I realize I can't just pick up the phone and call my sister or send an email. Tonight, I'm just normal.

My internet and phone use will be limited at best. When we return, we're spending a few days with Bill's cousin Glen near Seattle. From there, I can update this blog, send pictures and emails.

Please, as God brings us to mind, pray for us. Okay? Don't forget my son, favorite daughter and equally favorite son-in-law. Pray that we're all safe and I enjoy my trip without worrying about them too much. :-) It's a mom thing. :-)

I'll miss you guys!
Patricia

If you'd like an idea of our schedule, here it is:

Day Date Port or Activity Arrive Depart


Sat Sep 12 Seattle, WA 4:00pm
Sun Sep 13 Inside Passage (Cruising)
Mon Sep 14 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am 3:00pm
Tue Sep 15 Juneau, AK 7:00am 1:30pm
Tue Sep 15 Sawyer Glacier (Cruising)
Wed Sep 16 Skagway, AK 7:00am 5:00pm
Thu Sep 17 Prince Rupert, BC, Canada 4:00pm 10:00pm
Fri Sep 18 At Sea
Sat Sep 19 Seattle, WA 8:00am
Wed Sept 23 Leave Seattle for Lubbock,tx. Arrive Lubbock 6:10 p.m. MST

laptop skin

I guess I'm back in kindg and it's time for Show & Tell. When I had my "old' Dell computer it came with a clear piece of plastic covering the top. I kept that on permanently, despite Jo's taunts and threats to remove it. When I bought my HP it was covered with a piece of protective plastic across the top. A piece of proctive plastic that was determined NOT to stay on. So began my quest for a "skin."

Office Max had printable ones, 3/pkg for $20. My mind started racking up the price of ink, paper jams, etc. I also wondered about the quality/weight of the plastic.

Pictured above is what I found and I LOVE IT!!!! I went to a site called www.skinit.com. There I was able to choose from a variety of backgrounds (I chose black) as the canvas for my masterpiece. I could have chosen from a variety of fonts and added words or even graphics. I decided not to. The downside.... $40

You can do one pic or as many as you want. I included wedding pics of Bill and I as well as Jo and Richard. There's Travers and his new car and even a family pic from MANY MANY years ago.

It arrived in 5 business days, regular ground delivery. It's a good, heavier weight vinyl. Easy to apply, it gives my laptop a classy, unique look when I'm traveling AND I get to show off my family!!!! A great conversation starter when you're around strangers. :-)

The holidays are a coming! If you decide to get one, call me for how-to-hints!

Nancy Boeshaar

Bill's sister, Nancy, passed away yesterday afternoon. She was visiting in-laws in NJ (I believe) and curled up on the couch with a stomach ache. She rolled over, complaining about her back then she was gone. She just turned 60. They believe it was an aneurysm. No funeral date has been set. The body has to be transported from NJ to SC.

We do not plan on attending the funeral. If it is early in the week, I may try applying my thumb to Bill's back. Don't know that it would even work... He and Nancy are not close and haven't seen each other in over 20 years. His sister Helena is the one who called and he is close to her.

Bill is the baby of the family. Helena was the first born. I THINK she's 63. Then there's Nancy and finally Bill, who turned 55 in Feb. Helena is taking it hard. Bill will be doing what he can in the years ahead to be there for her.

I am reminded of John 14:1-3 Jesus has prepared a place for her! I can just imagine Him whisking her up in his arms and carrying Nancy to her new home with Him! It's a celebration of life. Not as we know it but different and infinitely better. The fairy tale of being taken away by Price Charming has finally come true for Nancy - only His name is "Jesus"