50 Years and she's still too hot to handle!

As Jennifer's big day approached, it was clear that she was in two (or more) minds about her 50th birthday and how she would celebrate it. A couple of week's out, Josephine intervened declaring that the day could not go by without a having a party and being surrounded by her best-ties. So she put the word out (Facebook event) and confirmed the guest list with Jennifer, and began scouring the Web for decorating ideas.

Meanwhile I was deep into his stained glass project creating a "goddess buddha". I tried 'Goo-dha" but that sounds to much like the cheese. So I think "Buddh-ess" works better. This would have been a surprise present, had it not been for the fact that I needed Jennifer's input on the design. I even created a Pinterest page of example designs. The guidelines for a first class project were no more than 14" x 20" and 30 pieces (it ended up being 32...no one can ever hold Jennifer to the rules). I was able to complete it in time for presentation at the party, though it did take a few extra sessions in the studio to keep up with the process in class!


As the birthday drew near, my parents gave Jennifer tickets to see Wicked and we scored Orchestra tickets on the day of her birthday! So I came home early and we got dressed up and took the Jag ("89KTTY") to Three Degrees for Happy Hour. Awesome feeling driving through rush hour traffic, sunny day, top down with 80s music playing ... huge grins on our faces :-) Wicked was amazing. Elphaba was phenomenal in particular end of the first act "Defying gravity!" Sends chills down the spine, even remembering it.


And then party day arrived...along with all the smoke from the forest fires on the east side of Oregon and Washington States. This started off in the early morning as a curious haze and as Josephine and I were driving around during the day, the air quality became an increasing concern. We forged ahead with the party anyway, allowing people to be in or outside. Josephine's decorations really set the garden off so well. The yard minions had also been put to work during the week, and had cleared and mulched all the beds. And we had food, a LOT of food. People were so generous in bringing appetizers and desserts, including a signature Pavlova. Jennifer looked Greek goddess-like in her dress. We had other friends to help with serving and preparations so that Jennifer had nothing to do but look awesome and enjoy herself.

Josephine (with the help of her friend, Leif) serenaded her mum from the top deck (made a good stage). Jennifer got to speak (well you can't put a good goddess down ;-D) and then I got to roast her a little with some apologies from those not present, including some choice memories of Jennifer from her parents! I presented her with the "Buddhess" and a toast. She had other presents to open too. What an evening of friends, feasting, and fun for Jennifer! And a host of possibility for the next decade.

Richard (whose big 5-0 comes up next year...cannot wait ;-)

Let's go for a flight around the Puget Sound

As part of our stay-cation in Olympia, I got to realize my Christmas present from Gloria and Skip (my in-laws). Gloria has known Gary Fasnacht since Olympia High School and he is an experienced pilot and flight instructor. So on we arrange to meet him at Olympia airport on Friday for our flight around the Puget Sound in his Cessna 150a (1950s tail dragger)

It turned out to be a spectacular day weather wise. Clear blue sky. Perfect visibility. Gary was a tremendous host pilot, and I got to sit in the copilot seat. He explained all the cockpit controls and dials. This was old school apart from the GPS unit off to one side that gave exact location. The rest of the dials were basic RPM, altitude, attitude, compass, etc. Even the vacuum based compass bearing and attitude/ horizon that didn't function on the ground as the piezo tube required air flow to generate the vacuum. 

Gary started up the prop engine and went throught the preflight check. The main throttle was a small, seemingly insignificant stick coming horizontally out of the front console. Not like the large hand hold throttle you see on planes in old movies. Looked like a choke stick from a old car. But yes, that was the main power that caused the plane to move forward, and take off! I got to listen to the radio comm with ground control and main tower as we taxied to the runway and then our final flight check before request clearance for take off.