Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Back Home
Dear FFF:
Well I am back in Washington State after a wonderful month long visit to family and friends. When I last wrote a note, I was in Paris, TN with my cousin Rita. Spent the night at her senior apartment complex (they have a beautiful guest room) then had New Year's Day dinner in true southern style with black eyed peas to insure good luck for the coming year. We then went down to Camden and she was kind enough to drive me all over Benton County to visit relatives. I did learn the Kentucky Lake, which is in Camden, is the only fresh water pearl factory in North America!! They place seeds in mollusk shells, put them in a wire cage, then lower them into the lake, where they stay for 3 to 5 years until they harvest the pearls. It was really interesting and of course I had to get a new pair of earrings before I left!
Spent a day with Abbey at her campus and then the same with Haley in Cincinnati. After that I went up toward Dayton and met Tracie, her three kids, and Carol for a weekend of swimming, card playing and a great p.j. party at the Hampton. Then back to Nashville to watch Ryan and Ross bowl and play some cards. Flew back to Seattle the 16th of January without any hassle at the airport!
It is so good to be back in my own bed after sleeping in 9 different ones on my trip. Anyhow, meet Jacque my new roomie. I met her through a friend at church and she invited me to move in with her. She is my age but lost her husband about a year ago, so we are two single gals ready to have some fun. And what digs I have!!!!! My own apartment on the lower level of her house (walk out basement with lots of windows) that has a living room, big bathroom and huge bedroom...all furnished and everything. We have lots in common like quilting, eating out, exploring and just having fun!! We are already planning a few excursions for this spring. We both attend the same church and she has introduced me to so many great gals. I plan on getting more involved over there.
Plan is to stay here until early May when I hope I get a job up in Alaska. I have a phone interview with Princess Cruise Lines tomorrow and I will find out what they have in mind for me. I will keep you posted.
Hope all is well and happy.................love Gypsy Joyce
Well I am back in Washington State after a wonderful month long visit to family and friends. When I last wrote a note, I was in Paris, TN with my cousin Rita. Spent the night at her senior apartment complex (they have a beautiful guest room) then had New Year's Day dinner in true southern style with black eyed peas to insure good luck for the coming year. We then went down to Camden and she was kind enough to drive me all over Benton County to visit relatives. I did learn the Kentucky Lake, which is in Camden, is the only fresh water pearl factory in North America!! They place seeds in mollusk shells, put them in a wire cage, then lower them into the lake, where they stay for 3 to 5 years until they harvest the pearls. It was really interesting and of course I had to get a new pair of earrings before I left!
Spent a day with Abbey at her campus and then the same with Haley in Cincinnati. After that I went up toward Dayton and met Tracie, her three kids, and Carol for a weekend of swimming, card playing and a great p.j. party at the Hampton. Then back to Nashville to watch Ryan and Ross bowl and play some cards. Flew back to Seattle the 16th of January without any hassle at the airport!
It is so good to be back in my own bed after sleeping in 9 different ones on my trip. Anyhow, meet Jacque my new roomie. I met her through a friend at church and she invited me to move in with her. She is my age but lost her husband about a year ago, so we are two single gals ready to have some fun. And what digs I have!!!!! My own apartment on the lower level of her house (walk out basement with lots of windows) that has a living room, big bathroom and huge bedroom...all furnished and everything. We have lots in common like quilting, eating out, exploring and just having fun!! We are already planning a few excursions for this spring. We both attend the same church and she has introduced me to so many great gals. I plan on getting more involved over there.
Plan is to stay here until early May when I hope I get a job up in Alaska. I have a phone interview with Princess Cruise Lines tomorrow and I will find out what they have in mind for me. I will keep you posted.
Hope all is well and happy.................love Gypsy Joyce
Monday, December 31, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear FFF
Happy New Years to all...........I wish nothing but happiness for 2013!!!
I am slow to add new post because I have been too busy having fun. My first story: I guess I look suspicious because before I even got out of Seattle, TSA kept me in security for 45 minutes. After I set the alarm off (my knees do it every time) they had to wand my legs which they have done a hundred times but THEN, I was told I was still coming up as an "alert". When I asked what that meant, I was told they couldn't say. I was pulled aside and another security person came and wanded my whole body. I was told I was still an alert but again didn't know why. I was told to walk down the corridor to a private room where they would do a more "thorough" search. As I started to walk away (in my stocking feet) I reached for my purse and she grabbed my arm and told me not to touch. They said someone would bring in in a few minutes. After I refused to leave my things out of my sight, they called yet another TSA person and they followed to my "private room" where two more security women came in and put on vinyl gloves. I had to raise my shirt, unzip my jeans so they could feel around my waist and then they removed the insoles of my shoes and and continued to search everything. They emptied my purse, computer case, and carry on tote. Every time I asked what the problem was, got the same answer....we can't comment. Finally, they released me and I went to my gate. Have no idea what was going on but I laughed through the whole thing because I was afraid if I protested I would look guilty and be held up even longer. Anyhow, made my plane and went on to Nashville.
Spent the week at Suzie's baking and getting ready for the gang to come. Everyone arrived Friday and we had a wonderful Christmas. Unfortunately, Dave and his family couldn't make it home from China but we got to Skype them on Saturday and had a good chat. Sunday, I followed Michele(in a rental car) back to Columbus to spend Christmas day with them. After Santa came, we met up with Mark's daughter over in Canton and went bowling then to Chinese dinner with his mom and family. Back to Columbus that evening and spent some quality time the next day playing cards and games with Abbey, Michele and Mark.
Left Friday am and drove to Knoxville to stay with my good friends Lin and Doug. Saturday was their 50th anniversary and I was a guest at their party at the country club. It was beautiful, the food was divine, and I got to see some old friends from Clarkston, MI. Also, Lin's kids and their families were all there and I had a great time getting caught up with them. Was a GREAT weekend.
And now I am off to spend New Year's Eve in Paris (Tennessee). My cousin Rita is having me at her place and then I will spend a few days seeing as many cousins as I can.
I am so blessed to have so many good friends, such a wonderful family and my health so I can go on all these adventures!!
I have a place to stay at when I get back to Washington, so I will tell you all about it after I return on January 16. Love you all and wish you well...............Gypsy Joyce
Happy New Years to all...........I wish nothing but happiness for 2013!!!
I am slow to add new post because I have been too busy having fun. My first story: I guess I look suspicious because before I even got out of Seattle, TSA kept me in security for 45 minutes. After I set the alarm off (my knees do it every time) they had to wand my legs which they have done a hundred times but THEN, I was told I was still coming up as an "alert". When I asked what that meant, I was told they couldn't say. I was pulled aside and another security person came and wanded my whole body. I was told I was still an alert but again didn't know why. I was told to walk down the corridor to a private room where they would do a more "thorough" search. As I started to walk away (in my stocking feet) I reached for my purse and she grabbed my arm and told me not to touch. They said someone would bring in in a few minutes. After I refused to leave my things out of my sight, they called yet another TSA person and they followed to my "private room" where two more security women came in and put on vinyl gloves. I had to raise my shirt, unzip my jeans so they could feel around my waist and then they removed the insoles of my shoes and and continued to search everything. They emptied my purse, computer case, and carry on tote. Every time I asked what the problem was, got the same answer....we can't comment. Finally, they released me and I went to my gate. Have no idea what was going on but I laughed through the whole thing because I was afraid if I protested I would look guilty and be held up even longer. Anyhow, made my plane and went on to Nashville.
Spent the week at Suzie's baking and getting ready for the gang to come. Everyone arrived Friday and we had a wonderful Christmas. Unfortunately, Dave and his family couldn't make it home from China but we got to Skype them on Saturday and had a good chat. Sunday, I followed Michele(in a rental car) back to Columbus to spend Christmas day with them. After Santa came, we met up with Mark's daughter over in Canton and went bowling then to Chinese dinner with his mom and family. Back to Columbus that evening and spent some quality time the next day playing cards and games with Abbey, Michele and Mark.
Left Friday am and drove to Knoxville to stay with my good friends Lin and Doug. Saturday was their 50th anniversary and I was a guest at their party at the country club. It was beautiful, the food was divine, and I got to see some old friends from Clarkston, MI. Also, Lin's kids and their families were all there and I had a great time getting caught up with them. Was a GREAT weekend.
And now I am off to spend New Year's Eve in Paris (Tennessee). My cousin Rita is having me at her place and then I will spend a few days seeing as many cousins as I can.
I am so blessed to have so many good friends, such a wonderful family and my health so I can go on all these adventures!!
I have a place to stay at when I get back to Washington, so I will tell you all about it after I return on January 16. Love you all and wish you well...............Gypsy Joyce
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Moving on
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
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
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!!!
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