Special Piano Music

My girls play beautiful songs on the piano but never like this... (click title)

Jim's Christmas Ho Ho Ho Down!

Click on the title Ho Ho Ho Down to watch Jim's creative dance steps with the not-so-famous-but-oh-so-willing Danish Shoreline twins.

Winter Police Work

With the icy roads we work extra hard to catch the bad guy.

Click here to see.

Merry Christmas

Cruising with Hurricane Paloma

Imagine the surprise when I was sitting in the airport on the way to Florida when I saw a news report talking about Hurricane Paloma. Oh My! Cruising with Hurricane Paloma, the second largest hurricane in November history with winds of 145 MPH. Yes, for all you technical geeks it was only a tropical storm by the time we were introduced to the rains from Paloma. Hurricane or Tropical storm they both have wind, waves and rain. Who would have thought the November hurricanes travel east not west. To the Captains credit we were well blessed with acceptable weather even if there were several nights the outside decks were closed because of high winds. On the nights the decks were open there were places on the deck up front where it felt as if your feet were being moved and pushed from under you just by the force of the winds.

When I made the reservations we all teased about my November 2006 cruise when Seattle was hit with floods, now in 2008 as my November vacation neared it became clear that my vacation would coincide with floods once again. The seriousness of the floods started early too with a horrible accident on the Green River. With local events leading up to my vacation departure I found it extra hard to transition from work to vacation. It was an extra challenge to surrender these thoughts because of vacation is an understatement, the thoughts of the unresolved incident would seep into my daily thoughts for nearly the entire vacation. I knew the critical and hard work the team would be doing while I was gone. Of course the team was fantastic and did the job as true hero's, the work each and everyone doing the seemingly impossible with little recognition for the emotional tolls this work brings to the table with it.

Enough of that, diving in 82 degree water is always wonderful and the sun burns that go with it are a great treasure to bring home. We dove 4 times on 2 days. Unfortunately we did not get to go out to the wreck dive I had wanted to investigate. However, we were well taken care of and dove on a series of beautiful reefs. Besides the first dive boat would have never made the 30 minute run to the wreck site since it broke down on the way in and needed a little tow to get home. Seems the water pump failed and over heated the motor. The dive operation I selected was not some mass produced mega company that catered to cruise ships but rather a great husband and wife team who are determined to make each dive unique and personal with a great amount of caring, perfect for our needs on this trip. Julia discovered they quit their jobs only a year ago and left the States to become dive operators at Secret Cove. From what I see they are enjoying their choice to leave the rat race back home.

The next day in St Maarten we dove the same company as in 2006. It was no surprise when we ended up at the same dive site again. Big Mama's Reef, named after the shark that live there and The Maze Reef a great place with swim through rocks. On this St Maarten dive we were lucky enough to have two professional diver photographers on the tour. Most photo posted today are from the one dive photographer. I am still waiting for my point and shoot photos and the 2nd photographer's photos. The damage to the reef was amazing, caused by the waves of Paloma. Broken coral and sand piled up against the rocks leaving only the hard clay bottom of the ocean exposed. (See dive and other photos)

This would be Big Mama -- she was not home while we were visiting... Remember in 2006 she was, and she had friends too.

Click this Link to see the 2006 photo of Big Mama...

Fun was had on the Fun Ship too. We even found time to dance a little between meals... This was actually the Red Team winning the contest. Seems the other two teams could not compete against Julia's magical dance steps. How incredible to have such a talented and wonderful dance partner.

Here is a clip from the weather center on Paloma;
Hurricane Paloma: Second most powerful November storm. Now that it has faded away, Hurricane Paloma will never be forgotten because of its late season assault on the Cayman Islands and Cuba.It will also be remembered for some climatological reasons. It was the second most powerful November hurricane on record, reaching peak sustained winds of 145 mph on Saturday.Only Hurricane Lenny in 1999 was stronger. On Nov. 17 of that year, that system reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph -- 1 mph shy of Category 5.At the time, Lenny was just south of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Fortunately, its strongest winds were over sea, not land. Still, Lenny killed 17 people in the northern Lesser Antilles.In becoming a Category 4 hurricane, Paloma marked the first time on record that a major hurricane (Category 3 or above) developed in five consecutive months during a season. The other major storms this year: Hurricane Bertha in July; Hurricane Gustav in August; Hurricane Ike in September and Hurricane Omar in October. Thanks to Paloma, as well as the other intense hurricanes this year, 2008’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy index, an overall measure of tropical activity, is about double that of 2007, experts say. Last year saw 15 named storms, including six hurricanes. With Paloma, this season has seen 16 named storms. That is the fourth most (tied with 2003) storms since 1944, when aircraft reconnaissance of tropical systems began. Only 1969, 1995 and 2005 saw more storms.

POSTED IN: Powerful November hurricanes (1)

Catching Up .... October 29th

How long has it been since we visited last......?

Arron has finished his Cross Country Running. His last meet was October 25th, he ran his best time ever shaving 50 seconds off his race time. I think he is starting to see his ability. This week, even though his running was officially over he decided to challenge his mile time this time cutting his time by another 20 seconds.

I have been to the Marine Fire Fighting Academy, which sounds pretty cool. In reality we were taught the very basic skills needed for fighting a fire on board a ship. We put out flaming gasoline on water, a little fire in a "galley" which looked surprisingly like a Aries K car. Then we finally, after two days of talking about getting into a fire were allowed to go into a real building with fire.... YES! Fire... I did however break the rules and snuck my camera in and while assigned to the back of the crew during the end of the training, I took out my camera and snapped a couple shots... :)


I have started diving at work with 4 dives in the last few weeks. My first dive was in the Snoqualmie River, then two at Lake Sammamish and now one in Lake Washington. Sorry no photos of myself to share. I do have a very stylish wet suit that someday will be seen.

Oh cruise count down... 10 days to go...

New Trailer

Craig and I have purchased a nice kayak, airplane car hauling trailer.... check it out...

Sept 27 and 28

Quick note to point to some new photos for now...

Story about a river, a rock and a candy bar later...

Arron Runs at Lake Sammamish State Park

Big 4 Ice Cave and Lake Kelcema

Seaside 3 Course Challenge

Arron and the Snohomish CC team traveled to Seaside Oregon to run in the 3 Course Challenge

Arron ran the difficult version of the course taking him and his fellow runners through the ultimate mud pit.

YouTube video of Arron's race he appears at the 4 minutes 28/29 second mark. Click here to go to YouTube and see the mud pit section of the race.

Click here to see the photo album.

Too Fast for my Chocolate...

Arron runs past me at the Lynnwood cross country meet Thursday, Sept. 25.

Ha, ready for him as he sprints for the finish!

CC Schedule

Hike Mt Rainier

On Sunday September 14th Julia and I got a late start for a hike. We chose to go to Mt Rainier and hike near Reflection Lake. The mountain was very nice and had great flowers and scents and and and....

Click here to see our trip photos.

We all grew up with Smokey the Bear, and then as teens we were introduced to Woodsy the Owl - now there is a new animal in the forest -- the Meadow Stomper. Yep no more smart forest animals to help protect the wilderness just us Meadow Stompers - so don't be one.... is the message today.. I am glad to say we can proudly wear our buttons too.

Diving at Edmonds

On August 31st Corey, Arron and I took a dive at Edmond's Underwater Park. We forgot the camera in the truck but saw some pretty large fish and marine life. See our in the parking lot pictures at the below link.

CLICK HERE to go There.

Gone to Victoria

Will have photos when we return...

Arrr .... forgot the camera !!!!!

One week later

One week later, with the rain I was able to stay focused most the week and accomplished great things.

Recapping... We moved the center island stove to the east wall, moved the dish washer to the north wall, moved the refrigerator to the west wall. Rewired the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Moved the gas lines to the west wall and added a nifty BBQ port on the patio. Added an electrical outlet for the patio by the fish pond. Re plumbed the refrigerator water to the west wall. (Almost, one connection to go) The floor needs the old center vent pipe holes repaired, sanded and re stained to Cherry. The Cabinets need to be stripped, sanded and re stained to a nice rich warm color.

Vacation Rain

This week I was on vacation, had big plans to go hike or camp or canoe or kayak or most anything. But the weather was not to have any part of my fun in stead it rained and rained and rained. Which turns out OK because I choose to remodel the kitchen. Yep two weeks before school starts I tore it all down. I decided to move the center island stove to the outside wall. This moves the dishwasher to the north wall, which moves the refrigerator to the only remaining east wall. To accomplish this I needed to move the gas pipes, move wires, move water pipes and repair plaster. Then if that was not enough I choose to redo the flooring and cabinets too. Hmmm silly me 5 days into this and I have one tenth of the work done. Kids know I am crazy now and mostly just grumble about the mess, worry about finding the food and dishes to eat the food on. Teens, don't mess with their food! Here is a sneak peek at the mess. This first photo is the old location of the appliances and the lovely Julia helping in the kitchen. The second photo is a glimpse at the new order of the west wall, notice the range hood, under that is were the stove should end up. Oh and don't forget the temporary kitchen. Enough yakking here I need to get under the house with my pipes and wiring toys.

Deck party starts vacation right

On Saturday Night August 16th after a little work on the weekend Julia pointed the way to Ann's wonderful deck. This started my one week of vacation during August. On the deck we found Ann, Dave and Julie already enjoying the summer evening. The evening was a perfect warm calm evening with lively conversation well past sunset. A spectacular moon to rise over the lake topped the evening off. This was a great evening with superb company, a perfect start to a week of vacation.

Weekend Drive to Alta Lake

On Saturday the 9th Julia, Corey and I took a little drive to Alta Lake and whacked some weeds on Julia's property.

The drive was great and while Seattle cooled off with rain and thunder showers we soaked in the Sun shine and debated about running away forever.

Corey helped keep the car from floating away while Julia and I took our turns at wacking weeds.

It would be so easy until the snow sets in then we would come running home seeking warmers Seattle rain.

Photos have arrived!

Corey and Arron Return from the East.

Corey and Arron took a driving vacation to Yellow Stone.

Clicky Here to see the photos in the web photo album.

Recruiting -- Baltimore Style

Over the past few years it has become harder to find new police applicants. Many Departments across the nation are facing staffing shortages and budget cuts. Unique and inventive ways are being looked at by almost every department. Some try web advertisements on job search sites others approach high schools and college students and some are using old ideas that have been freshened up.

Most departments have a program called CHIEF-FOR-A-DAY or SHERIFF-FOR-A-DAY. Typically this means some lucky honor student at the local grade school or other honorable young person gets to hang out with the big boss and tour police buildings, ride in police cars and helicopters, pet K-9 dogs, eat a fancy lunch and other fun stuff. In this unique twist the City of Baltimore Police has started a new recruiting campaign. They are actually approaching business men and inviting them out on patrol in hopes the experience will spark an interest to joining the department. They call their new program COP-FOR-A-DAY. I am thinking this is an idea that might catch on around the nation.

Check it out CLICK HERE GO THERE.

It's about me - you likely know the story

This is the youtube link
...now I know were Corey's friend Eric learned his dance moves.

Dance

Dance outtakes

Don't forget to smile ear to ear.

Julia gets her training wheels

Wonderful news, late but still great to know.

With months and months of study, classes, freatting and frowning followed by tests and exams and more worries, add on a couple days followed by yet more delays, ya know originals only, sign in blue pen please. Presto she has her trainee license to go to work and be stressed out like the rest of us.

We are proud of you Julia .....

Ross Lake Vacation Results

Off to Ross Lake for the 3rd Annual Retired and Grumpy Cop Camp out... Fishing was great, weather was great, camping on Cougar Island was great, all was great.... Bobby and friends have been fishing here at Ross Lake Resort since 1975.

To see photos of the 2008 trip Clicky Here.

A salmon BBQ Spectacular

On the last weekend of the June to my surprise the sun appeared in the Seattle sky. Julia and I were invited to a BBQ to beat all others. We went to a Tom and Martha's absolutely fantastic home on Lake Washington. Here we sat on the dock and sipped drinks and visited. Later, when the sun on the dock was intruding on our shaded location we moved to the shade of the house. Tom set fire to the BBQ and placed the salmon on the heat. Soon after we were enjoying delicious perfectly cooked salmon, yes it was expertly seasoned with garlic. Martha prepared darn near everything else that made it possible for Tom to present the salmon to the table. The two worked way to hard and each complemented the others talent perfectly. Everyone brought a little something delicious to make the day perfect. When the food was properly devoured we all watched as Birthday boy Greg, who is now 60, open his birthday cards, I was amazed at his ability to open and read each card at such an advanced age. Lisa, his lovely wife never helped him once :~). Ann and Dave can not be left out here either, Dave in his pastel tie-dye shirt and Ann with her urban streets runner's road rash provided excellent conversation starters. Really you didn't need to do all that to make me feel comfortable, but thanks you anyway. I had a great time visiting with everyone and look forward to many more gatherings.

Click here to go see all the pictures.

Swiftwater Certificate

Well at long last can say I have my swiftwater certificate. Battered and Bruised I have a great respect for the cold fast moving waters of our local rivers. I knew rivers were hazardous, heck I have rafted the Grand Canyon, done several Eastern Washington raft trips, and even paddled my kayak 100 miles of the Missouri River. I learned a lot about how a single person floating in a river current will feel. Now imagine falling off your inner-tube or out of your raft. Wow, cold and nearly impossible to stay above water even with a river life jacket. Absolutely impossible for weak or non swimmers without life jackets. With thermal protection and a helmet I had an ice cream type headache most of the time we were passing through rapids.

Vacation Prank Season

See what some have to deal with when they return to work after a little vacation.
CLICKY HERE

Boater Education Card On-Line

20 and under and want to drive the jet ski or boat????
This summer new age restrictions and the Boater Education requirement took affect in Washington State. Washington is one of the last states to require this card. You will need this education card to drive a motor boat, unless you have one from another state or Canada. This card will also satisfy the requirement in the other 50 states and Canada waters. If you already took the Coast Guard Auxiliary course and can still find your certificate, that counts too. There are several ways to get educated. Of course I can teach you by talking for 8 long hours or you can go to one of the two FREE sites the state added. I listed them below, if you want to pay for the class room option because you love to sit on hard chairs and watch cheesy power points that option is available too at the State Parks Class Schedule site.

Below are the two sites that do not charge to teach you the boater information needed to pass the exam and the EXAM is FREE. After passing the exam print out two copies of the certificate, keep one and mail the other to State Parks with the application form and $10.

I have the state books that have the study material. Both my boys were able to study the book, do the pretests and go straight to the test receiving a passing score.


Two FREE EXAM sites.

1) Online provider: Boat U.S. Foundation Online Boating Safety Course
Study material needed: Online Course Manual
Practice test available: Yes.
Practice quizzes are offered after each section and allow unlimited free tests.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail the application form, copy of completion certificate and $10 fee.
Cost: No charge
Customer Service: (800) 336-2628

2) Online provider: PWC Safety School.com
Study material needed: JetSmart Safety Handbook
Practice test available: Yes. Practice quizzes are offered after each section.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail in application form, copy of completion certificate and the $10 fee.
Cost: No charge
Customer Service: (206) 682-3699

Here is the link to the Boater Safety Education card APPLICATION

April, May and June showers bring Julia Flowers

Rain and more Rain! Wonder if the sun was ever going to shine. Well here are a couple photos to lead us towards summer. This is RAIN....




















This is a discovery of sunshine late one day.























This is Julia's Flowers in beautiful bloom on the first day without rain and a little sunshine.

Bicycle Ride to North Carolina

Will McMahan, a member of Grandma K's Church has set off on a little bicycle ride. Share his adventures by clicking on the picture to visit his Blog.

Key Art Award -

Julia's nephew Rob Hammond and his friend Andre are up for awards in the Motion Graphics category at the KEY ART AWARD. This is for their work on the "trailer" for the movie Shoot'em Up.

More later