My new ride

I'm not sure how many of you knew that I sold my Highlander before we moved here. I told Fred that I was planning on making lots of trips to see my kids and grandkids once we moved here. He said "well then we better get something more economical on gas".

Now that I have a part time job, I felt it was time to treat me to a car. We really don't need two cars right now and I actually told Fred that the other day, but he had started researching cars and decided it was the right time to buy. Not that there really is any facts to support that idea, but he actually had talked himself into it and who am I to question?

I wanted a Corolla or Hyundai Elantra. Our son in law Brian originally planted the suggestion of an Elantra. I like the curves of the Elantra and more destinctive body shape. Corollas are a little plain unless you get the sport or LE version. So I got exactly what I wanted. 2013 Elantra silver with gray interior. We brought it home on Saturday morning. It's super sweet and curvaceous just like me.

A little home decorating

This is the arrangement I made in my sewing room. Same pictures as my Pink Room in Bremerton plus a few more. Like my Lunch Bag Award from Fred. 

 Chris Martone & Linda Nyland gave me this sign for a going away gift. 

This is my new happy place.

Thank you.

 Recycled decorations here in the kitchen. I did have the plate in our bedroom for years. I made it for Fred when Scott's preschool made plates.

 It was the time of our 15 year anniversary.

 At the 15 year mark the highlights of our family are represented on this plate.

We enjoyed camping. See the tent trailer and pine trees?

Scott would follow Fred around in the garden Fred would rototill and fertilize the garden.

Corinne and Shannon both played the piano, Shannon the clarinet and violin....

Music was enjoyed in our home. 

And of course, I love Fred!!

I got a job

I found a part time job. I applied on line at Express Professionals and they called me a couple days later and invited me in for an interview. They place a lot of temporary employees at Deseret Laboratories, Inc. here in Washington. It is a is a full service Private Label and custom manufacturer of Rx, OTC, and nutraceutical intermediate and finished products. Focusing on direct sourcing of ingredients, which allows the highest quality of product as well as very competitive pricing. The company provides approximately 120,000 square feet from which to deliver agglomeration, instatization, blending, tableting, hard shell encapsulation coating and packaging to it's valued customers. (I copied that from their website).

The company is in a big building and I'm that person who sits at the information counter when you walk in. I answer phones, greet everyone, sort and deliver mail. I like that it is part time. Monday thru Friday from 1-5. It's about a 10 minutes drive. I've been told by Express and the woman I'm replacing that after a few months, the company should hire me on permanently. Of course, I could do a really crappy job and they not like me and they won't hire me, but I would hope I do a good job and they want to hire me permanently even though I really didn't want to find a job for about six months. I wanted to spend lots of time setting up the house and enjoying my family nearby. But I was trying really hard to get my name out there on job sites etc. so it didn't seem right to turn it down. I am still hopeful that at some point I'll make my way into the school district here. I'm so spoiled with the job I've had the last 10 years. I knew I would miss it.

Maybe this part time job will get me my own car sooner. We actually are getting along with one car, but I miss the independence of my own car.... MY OWN CAR!

:)

4th of July family reunion in segments

Over the 4th of July holiday we had all of our family here to visit. Well, just about all of our family. My Dad flew into Salt Lake to visit with his brother, and then he visited my two brothers before joining up with Corinne and her family to drive here to see us. 

Shannon wasn't able to make it here before Dad had to leave to catch his flight back to Seattle. We did skype with Shannon so he could at least visit with her and see Little Buddy live.

Here is Great Grandpa Burke with Corinne's three boys.

 Here he is with Corinne & her boys.

 And here with Corinne & Ben & Family.

They enjoyed shooting off their own fireworks outside and playing with their favorite toys here. Legos, race car tracks and board games are always a hit.

Next came Shannon. Brian wasn't able to come because of work, but we enjoyed having her and Little Buddy come. Here are our attempts at a group shot. Someone else probably has a better picture.

 Little Buddy enjoys shopping. He is a good little shopper. That awesome shopping cart cover I made. 

 This is Little Buddy sporting my favorite and only outfit that I saved of Scott's. It is soft and snuggly.