Dear FFF:
As this assignment comes to an end, I am looking forward to the next......just don't know what it will be! Annette's family has found a lovely assisted living apartment right here in Stanwood. It is close to her doctors and she has many friends in the area. I am in the3 process of packing things she want to take with her, and the moving van is schedule for November 30. I will be here 2 weeks after that time to unpack her things and help her get settle to a new life.
It has been an enjoyable four months but I am ready to try something new. I will be flying to daughter Susan's house in Nashville December 14 to spend a whole month with my family. The rest of the gang will also join us the weekend before Christmas. We are looking forward to a Country Christmas. After Christmas, I will rent a car and make visits to granddaughter Abbey at her new college in Lexington KY and granddaughter Haley at her college in Cincinnati. I also will make a side trip to Camden, TN where my folks were born and raised. I still have oodles of cousins living there. I'm looking forward to good catfish and hush puppy dinners. On my way back to Nashville, I am stopping in Knoxville, to help celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss with friends' Lin and Doug Carlson.
I fly back to Seattle on January 16 and hope to have a place lined up by then. I am looking for a house sitting position, or just a room to rent here on the island. I will be here until May 15 at which time I hope to be flying up to Alaska to work for 5 months. Princess Cruise Lines owns several lodges and hotels in Alaska and they will start receiving applications the first of the year. I have talked to their human resources director and she feels confidant they can find something for this ol' innkeeper to do! The lodges have dorm style living for the the employees at a reasonable cost; $5 a day for lodging and $10 a day for all your meals. I think they only pay $10 per hour but hey, I'll have a great view and should have some fun working with other retirees
Would love to hear from any of you guys so drop me an email and tell me what YOU are doing.
Love Gypsy Joyce
backyardegypsy@yahoo.com
734-788-2799
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Dear FFF:
Wish I had something exciting to tell y'all but I don't. Things are going just fine here in the sunny Northwest but a little on the mundane side!
My gal Annette is getting to the stage where her family is going to have to move her to assisted living. They are in the process of getting all the paper work together and shopping around for the right facility. This is the time that we all dread and and only hope we don't have to go through the same thing. I have watched several family members and friends have to give up their homes and it is not easy.
But, because of her state of mind, I am staying pretty close to home. I do get to play pinochle for a couple of hours every Monday and the rest of the time, I work out in the yard, sew on the baby quilts I'm making, and cook and bake. It's working for now, but look forward to finding a new place and a job. I still want to stay in this area for another year but don't exactly where that will be. I know God will come up with something for me!
I will be flying to Nashville around the middle of December and staying for a month. All the kids will will coming there to Suzies house for a Country Christmas! Should be loads of fun! After the first of the year I want to drive up to Lexington, Ky then to Cincinatti to see Abbey and Haley's new digs and meet their roomies. Gotta do that grandma thing you know!
Will keep everyone posted of what is new. Have a great fall!
Gypsy Joyce
Wish I had something exciting to tell y'all but I don't. Things are going just fine here in the sunny Northwest but a little on the mundane side!
My gal Annette is getting to the stage where her family is going to have to move her to assisted living. They are in the process of getting all the paper work together and shopping around for the right facility. This is the time that we all dread and and only hope we don't have to go through the same thing. I have watched several family members and friends have to give up their homes and it is not easy.
But, because of her state of mind, I am staying pretty close to home. I do get to play pinochle for a couple of hours every Monday and the rest of the time, I work out in the yard, sew on the baby quilts I'm making, and cook and bake. It's working for now, but look forward to finding a new place and a job. I still want to stay in this area for another year but don't exactly where that will be. I know God will come up with something for me!
I will be flying to Nashville around the middle of December and staying for a month. All the kids will will coming there to Suzies house for a Country Christmas! Should be loads of fun! After the first of the year I want to drive up to Lexington, Ky then to Cincinatti to see Abbey and Haley's new digs and meet their roomies. Gotta do that grandma thing you know!
Will keep everyone posted of what is new. Have a great fall!
Gypsy Joyce
Monday, July 30, 2012
Meet Annette
Dear FFF
Hope all is well with all my family, friends, and followers!!
Meet my new "roomie" Annette Taylor. We were introduced by a mutual friend and hit it off right from the beginning. She is a spirted, young, eighty nine year old who had a stroke a few years back but is doing remarkably well. Like most people her age, her memory is not what it used to be ie. "did I take my pills today?" which is why I am here. I do the cooking (which she is loving) cleaning, the driving, and general upkeep. I am also doing what I do best; cleaning and organizing cupboards and closets! Like most of us she has accumulated a ton and I am trying to make her life more simple. Ann is an artist (mostly acrylics) and is looking forward to getting back to it. She does beautiful work and even had a painting hang in the State Capitol for three years.
I moved in two weeks ago and have my own bedroom and bath and of course share the rest of the house........which is a lovely one high up on a bluff overlooking The Puget Sound. It is in a quiet neighborhood where everyone has the most unbelievable flowers because the temperatures are so mild out here. It is in the seventies most of the time with very cool evenings. Washington definatly lives up to their state motto, "The Evergreen State". Would be a GREAT place to retire except for the fact that the cost of living is 30 to 50% higher than the midwest! Guess you can't have everything...but, just the same, I think I'll stay out here for awhile. My address is 1056 Vista Del Monte, Camano Island, WA 98282
I still will be able to take some time to explore. Last week, six gals and myself took advantage of the Washington Ferry System and island hopped throughout the sound. Was a fun day and some of those scenes are attached. Haven't seen a whale yet, but hope I have my camera with me when I do! Will keep eveyone posted as I continue the adventures of Gypsy Joyce!!
Hope all is well with all my family, friends, and followers!!
Meet my new "roomie" Annette Taylor. We were introduced by a mutual friend and hit it off right from the beginning. She is a spirted, young, eighty nine year old who had a stroke a few years back but is doing remarkably well. Like most people her age, her memory is not what it used to be ie. "did I take my pills today?" which is why I am here. I do the cooking (which she is loving) cleaning, the driving, and general upkeep. I am also doing what I do best; cleaning and organizing cupboards and closets! Like most of us she has accumulated a ton and I am trying to make her life more simple. Ann is an artist (mostly acrylics) and is looking forward to getting back to it. She does beautiful work and even had a painting hang in the State Capitol for three years.
I still will be able to take some time to explore. Last week, six gals and myself took advantage of the Washington Ferry System and island hopped throughout the sound. Was a fun day and some of those scenes are attached. Haven't seen a whale yet, but hope I have my camera with me when I do! Will keep eveyone posted as I continue the adventures of Gypsy Joyce!!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
MADE IT TO THE PACIFIC
Dear FFF:
Wow, what a journey, and I have only just begun!
I arrived at "The Open Gate Farm" a week ago today and am having the time of my life. My hosts, Jon and Elaine Stevens are brother and sister-in-law of my old neighbor from Hillsdale, . Dave (and Iva) Stevens. They have been gracious enough to offer me a place until I can find one of my own. I am checking classifieds and getting word out to everyone I can. For now, I am enjoying a slice of heaven.
They are located on the island of Camano in the Puget Sound, just a wee bit north of Seattle. They have the most gorgeous organic farm with veggies, flowers, nursury stock, and even an organic bakery where Jon makes several types of bread, cinnamon rolls, and various baked goods all of which is sold at the small farm stand out on the road with all kinds of new people and regulars stopping by on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
In order to pay for my keep, I feed chickens and ducks, gather eggs, weed the many gardens, help bake bread and cookies, and try to keep up with the endless array of dishes and pots and pans. I haven't run out of stuff to do and I'm loving every minute of it!!! I go to bed with the chickens and wake around 6:00 am.................good healthy living.
As much as I love it here, I am anxious to find a my own apartment or house. Having visited so many places over the last year, I would very much like to unload my van and settle in for awhile. Hopefully a job will also be in my near future. There are so many things to see and do out here, I need extra money so I can explore everything!!!
Until I have a permanent address, you can always email or even call me. Would love to hear from you all. Gypsy Joyce
Wow, what a journey, and I have only just begun!
I arrived at "The Open Gate Farm" a week ago today and am having the time of my life. My hosts, Jon and Elaine Stevens are brother and sister-in-law of my old neighbor from Hillsdale, . Dave (and Iva) Stevens. They have been gracious enough to offer me a place until I can find one of my own. I am checking classifieds and getting word out to everyone I can. For now, I am enjoying a slice of heaven.
They are located on the island of Camano in the Puget Sound, just a wee bit north of Seattle. They have the most gorgeous organic farm with veggies, flowers, nursury stock, and even an organic bakery where Jon makes several types of bread, cinnamon rolls, and various baked goods all of which is sold at the small farm stand out on the road with all kinds of new people and regulars stopping by on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
In order to pay for my keep, I feed chickens and ducks, gather eggs, weed the many gardens, help bake bread and cookies, and try to keep up with the endless array of dishes and pots and pans. I haven't run out of stuff to do and I'm loving every minute of it!!! I go to bed with the chickens and wake around 6:00 am.................good healthy living.
As much as I love it here, I am anxious to find a my own apartment or house. Having visited so many places over the last year, I would very much like to unload my van and settle in for awhile. Hopefully a job will also be in my near future. There are so many things to see and do out here, I need extra money so I can explore everything!!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
WHAT A DRIVE!!!!
Dear FFF
Well, I have driven over 2400 miles, BUT I am almost there! I am spending the night in Ellensburg, WA and think I will only have a few hours tomorrow to get to the Puget Sound. It has been the most phenominal drive!!!
Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is by far, the most beautiful place I have ever been!! The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking...every curve in the road is a sight more beautiful than the last. I spent a full day there, but that certainly wasn't enough. I will have to go back. For one thing, I had a reservation to take a helicopter ride over the park, but it rained and the fog rolled in. I did however hike and saw mt. goats, deer, fox, prarie dogs, and even a young black bear. Driving on a main road, a horse walked out of the woods, very slowly, and came towards my van. Turns out I was in the middle of the Blackfoot reservation and apparently the indian ponies have free reign!
The Columbia River in Washington is also an awesome sight. Hard to believe Lewis and Clark made the same trek I just made, and they did it without a car or McDonalds coffee. Can't imagine it!
I am looking forward to finding a furnished place to rent and getting a job. I miss working. I am going to look into working for a cruise line.....that way I might get to go to Alaska FREE!! Who knows? After I get settled, I will let evryone know where I am and what I am doing. Look forward to getting emails from all of you!
Luv, GJ
Well, I have driven over 2400 miles, BUT I am almost there! I am spending the night in Ellensburg, WA and think I will only have a few hours tomorrow to get to the Puget Sound. It has been the most phenominal drive!!!
Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is by far, the most beautiful place I have ever been!! The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking...every curve in the road is a sight more beautiful than the last. I spent a full day there, but that certainly wasn't enough. I will have to go back. For one thing, I had a reservation to take a helicopter ride over the park, but it rained and the fog rolled in. I did however hike and saw mt. goats, deer, fox, prarie dogs, and even a young black bear. Driving on a main road, a horse walked out of the woods, very slowly, and came towards my van. Turns out I was in the middle of the Blackfoot reservation and apparently the indian ponies have free reign!
The Columbia River in Washington is also an awesome sight. Hard to believe Lewis and Clark made the same trek I just made, and they did it without a car or McDonalds coffee. Can't imagine it!
I am looking forward to finding a furnished place to rent and getting a job. I miss working. I am going to look into working for a cruise line.....that way I might get to go to Alaska FREE!! Who knows? After I get settled, I will let evryone know where I am and what I am doing. Look forward to getting emails from all of you!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Go West Young Woman............
Dear FFF
I am offically on my way to the Seattle area! I left Ludington, Mi Saturday, 9:00 and took the SS Badger car ferry over to Manitowoc, WI. (played bingo on the way over and won a deck of cards!) It was a four hour ride, then in my van and off to Minneapolis to meet up with my old friends, Al and Linda. They invited me to stay and have dinner with them then as their overnight guest. It was like staying in House Beautiful! And so nice to catch up with some great friends.
I left this morning and drove to Minot, ND and proceeded to find a charming bed and breakfast in town. Those accomodations are always my first choice and glad I could find one.
I will make it into Montana tomorrow, but it will take me 2 days to get through that state. If I have a place with WIFI I will give everyone a quick update. So far, an easy drive across route 2.
Gypsy Joyce
I am offically on my way to the Seattle area! I left Ludington, Mi Saturday, 9:00 and took the SS Badger car ferry over to Manitowoc, WI. (played bingo on the way over and won a deck of cards!) It was a four hour ride, then in my van and off to Minneapolis to meet up with my old friends, Al and Linda. They invited me to stay and have dinner with them then as their overnight guest. It was like staying in House Beautiful! And so nice to catch up with some great friends.
I left this morning and drove to Minot, ND and proceeded to find a charming bed and breakfast in town. Those accomodations are always my first choice and glad I could find one.
I will make it into Montana tomorrow, but it will take me 2 days to get through that state. If I have a place with WIFI I will give everyone a quick update. So far, an easy drive across route 2.
Gypsy Joyce
Friday, May 11, 2012
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