Week In Review

     Although I try and post more exciting bits of our exploring around the area, between work and having three kids, and just life--we are just not getting out as much right now.   So for those little adventures around Bellingham I try to do a week in review.   My next post will be about our family's great train ride several months back.   I try to keep posts up to date, but have been failing on this.   

     Early in the week we learned that the corn maze had opened up near the big city of Lyndan.   We did not learn that it was only open on weekends this time of year.  And the whole sight was closed and very dark.  I tried to convince the kiddos that if they were quiet enough they could do the maze for free by the light of our cars headlights, but they were not game.   After looking at the web sight, and how big this maze looks, I hope to soon return when the maze is actually open, and have more to tell about the trip.  

     The above is not the big corn maze.  It is part of the garden in front Hill Crest Chapel.  Were a large car show was recently held.  With proceeds going to the youth programs. 

Another part of the garden. 

I have always really enjoyed sun flowers

Two of the kids checking out there future mode of transit.

The many trophies up for grabs.

                                          My personal favorite was this old pick-up.

                          Of course there was also lots of food and activities for all!

       Across from the church is this great tree.   I hope that we do not see an early freeze, because I believe the colors will be amazing this fall!   

   

    I am borrowing my step moms very nice camera at the moment.  It is so nice, I am almost afraid to touch it.  In fact so far I have only takin' one picture with it.  This is mostly because of my busy schedule.  Over the next few days, I am actually going to explore with the camera.  So you will soon see my results.  Unless they are really bad.  I am mostly thinking using the camera will make me want to upgrade mine soon.  

      Speaking of in-laws.   I learned yesterday that 80% of our significant others and our parents have the same eye color.  So your mom and dad most likely have the same eye color as your wife and or husband.  The result did not explain this, but I am thinking because we search out mates that remind us of our parents, with the qualities and such>?

   I personally believe the only thing that should taste like pumpkins is pumpkins and pumpkin pie.   But in light of the season thought I should post this picture.  Especially since I am sitting in a Starbucks typing this post.  Sipping coffee, OK--guzzling coffee.  For many many more deep thoughts and almost amusing pictures please check out my longer running blog series at  http://www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com/   Our very old bed has become beyond uncomfortable and my wife and I really do not get any sleep.  Plus get the benefits of waking up with sore backs and sore everything else. We went bed shopping last week and ended up at  DeWaard and Bode the appliance/bed store up by The Home Depot and Dennys. I give a huge kudos to our clerk--Jeff. He took tons of time to professionally help us and pick a bed perfect for us, not perfect for his sales quota. He actually knew what he was talking about and went out of his way to attempt to get us payments on the bed. And than he sent us a thank you card in the mail this week. Great service for sure! I have often rambled on about how no one actually knows how to do there job. Call any service help-line or visit most stores in this town, and you will see what I am talking about. When I have free time, I enjoy asking cashiers to actually count my change back to me, instead of placing the lump sum in my hand. A good 90% can not actually count the change back. I must say it was awesome to find such a great worker! Although we ended up spending a lot for a bed, it is beyond comfortable. And we are now ruined, after resting on it in the store, to be un-comfortable until we get the bed delivered. 

Fall also marks that snow is just around the corner.  

I will prepare to sleep on the couch now, for when my wife sees this picture posted.

;)

One always has time to make snow angels!

                                **"The cops never think it is as funny as you do!"**

1. In light of driving someone to court last week I offer these. I stole this list but am sure I could add many more. Like Don't ask a motorcycle cop were his seat belt is!
   The top 20 things not to say to a cop when he pulls you over.
   
   20. I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer.
   19. Sorry officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.
   18. Aren't you the guy from the vil...
   
   
   

   liage people?
   17. Hey, you must have been doing 125 to keep up with me, good job.
   16. I thought you had to be in relatively good physical shape to be a police officer.
   1
   5. I was going to be a cop, but I decided to finish high school instead.
   14. Bad cop. No donut.
   13. You're not going to check the trunk, are you?
   12. Gee, that gut sure doesn't inspire confidence.
   11. Didn't I see you get your butt kicked on cops?
   10. Is it true that people become cops because they are too dumb to work at McDonalds?
   9. I pay your salary
   8. So uh, you on the take or what?
   7. Gee officer, that's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning.
   6. Do you know why you pulled me over? Okay, just so one of us does.
   5. I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there is no other cars around, that's how far they are ahead of me.
   4. What do you mean have I been drinking? You are the trained specialist.
   3. Well, when I reached down to pick up my bag of crack, my gun fell off of my lap and got lodged between the brake and the gas pedal, forcing me to speed out of control.
   2. Hey, is that a 9mm? That's nothing compared to this 44 magnum.
   1. Hey, can you give me another one of those full cavity searches?

   
   

   

   
   

   That someone I drove to court last week was my mother in law.  I will not explain the circumstances, but will say that it was a great joy for me to be on that side of the court room experience.  I have been in more than my share of court rooms ----and having the judge yell at you, is never a high light.  We were just out of Seattle, and it was extra nice and sunny that day.  I was going to use my borrowed camera --but had intended to fill in at work that afternoon.  So thought I was going to have to hurry home.  I ended up not going to work.  Is it considered playing hookie if you miss a day you are not actually on the work schedule?

   
   

       I did have some time to roam around and get some pictures of course.  And than for about half an hour I lost my mother in law.  She was in the court room, and her public defendant called her to her office to go over paper work.  It was long enough I was starting to think this was all code, and they took her to the near by jail.   I even called my wife, and told her I had lost her mom.  But she soon returned to the court room and it was decided when her next court date would be.   Her absence gave me plenty of time to listen to other rulings.  Which as I said, is more than enjoyable when you are not guilty of anything.   Equally as fun is the new police scanner App we just got for our Ipod.  And now a few pictures from that day.  And yes I realize that these are all out of Whatcom county.  Enjoy anyway!

   
   

   

   
   

                                       The local bike tie up posts are metal bikes.

   
   

   

   
   

   Even this building is chained to the ground to keep burglars at bay. 

   
   

   

   
   

   In front of the city hall building.  

   
   

   

   
   

   About 80 feet away was a river to enjoy.

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   Above is a reflection of the water in the concrete of a huge bridge spanning the river. 

   
   

   

   
   

      Last week we also ended up at a salvage yard  crammed full of great sights.  Most are beyond the normal family's budget though.  As you head down Baker View toward I-5 --get in the right hand lane around Fred Myers.  Instead of jumping on the highway, merge right just before the over pass.   When you see the above old wagon take a right into the drive way.   

   

   
   

   
   

   This helicopter sits out front of the main storage building.   Another large building awaits exploring below this one.  

   
   

   

   
   

                                        The Red Barron zooms just above your head. 

   
   

   

                                                     On this day Elvis sang us a song.

   
   

   

    So many other great sights await.   If you live in Bellingham it is well worth a look.

   

   
   

   Last week we also ended up in Ferndale for a few hours.  

   I hope that our family can move to this town soon.  

   But it is not in the cards right now. 

   I feel the above shot looks like something from the ET movie

   
   

   

   
   

                                                           **"Sheep are safe!"**

   
   

      I have mentioned this many times, mostly in my other blog series.  But being from Wyoming I have heard alllll of the sheep jokes.  And have savored the fact that I was raised in the back woods state.   Anyways, I now have quite a collection of toy sheep displayed on our entertainment center.   Above are my two newest ones.  The one on the right is very old, and doubles as a wind up music box.

   
   

   

                                                      This is most of my collection!

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   Actual shop in Fairhaven.

   I found it amusing. 

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

      Best picture sign in Fairhaven if only because it shows there are coffee shops in either direction. Tonys--which now has free wi fi and a personal favorite shop of mine the Firehouse Cafe.

   
   

   

   With our less sleep for the past few weeks---this is the floor board of our car at the moment.

   I have just started working weekend nights at work, and it is very fast paced.  My tips depend on me being able to keep up, so have been consuming caffeine.   Nothing new---this just kind of puts it in perspective.

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Lastly for today--I share my new favorite T-shirt.

   Speaking of Facebook---please check out my new page on the sight!

   
   
   
   

   Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head's Blogs Exploring Bellingham & Whatcom county

   
   

   

   
   

   Like this blog sight---I am hard at work at getting you more posts and more fun!

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

Today's Random Randomness

**Writers note:**

This was published in my other blog this morning.  As always a very coffee fueled bit of rambling. 

I usually try to keep posts in this new blog more on topic.  But found that this one dealed with Bellingham quite a bit.  And the paragraph about Teddy Bear Cove leads perfectly into my exploring blog I will be writing tomorrow.  Full of pictures of course!   So enjoy!

     **"I couldn't believe it when my wife announced she was leaving me for being too lazy. Especially after I'd spent all morning taking the Christmas decorations down."**

   My newest badge--I am still deciding were to stick it.  Right now it is displayed on my computer desk.  

   For whatever reason, this week the coffee is just not kicking in.  I have been overly tired.  I share this because this means even I have no idea were my rambling will take me when I am tired!  

                                                                       He is the 99%!

 

                                                               Seems very kool to me.


     **"My buddy *Professor Getty* comes through town next month! Wahoo.com!"**---
    Speaking of good ideas---He and I have worked together for many years at Wally World, and is one of my few long term friends.  As many of our past co-workers, including my wife can tell you, our ideas were seldom good for others!   This included about any hike we took.  These always became very dangerous with us lost for several hours, falling down hills, and into blackberry bushes.  Very few people went for hikes with the two of us a 2nd time!  If we had a video camera in those days with us on most hikes, we would be very rich now.  From sending in the footage to some Jackass type web sight.   His real name may or may not be Professor Getty.   This was given to him after his 4th attempt to go back to college, and he soon realized he was the oldest person in all of his classes, except maybe the instructors.   All crap aside, I am really looking forward to his visit here next month.   If he ever gets Internet---he will be a regular guest column writer for my blogs.   *You are pre-warned! ;)




     **"Holy sheep, are you driving? really? Have April shoot a video please, I wanna see it!!"**---MJ

      So happy to be driving again!!  Even if others might not be happy for me.  Just because they have to give up walking on the sidewalks here in Washington!  Actually I think I am a decent driver.  And the more I drive, the more I wander how most of the people around me continue to have a driving licence.  I am happy there is testing, but maybe the testing is a little to lax?  I feel personally feel the worse driving problem in the Bellingham area---is people getting on and off the highway, that have no idea how to merge.  The merge lane does not give you the right away if you are hauling a** or driving far below the speed limit so that highway drivers have to slow down to a crawl to not a** end you.  In a town with 7 on and off ramps to the highway, this is a constant annoyance.   I have no fix---just sayin'!    Having the licence has been a daily help for our family!  
     After not being legal for such a long time----I find I still have that twinge of fear/panic when a police car is near me.   An officer followed me for a mere block last week.   And I instantly went into almost a fight or flight mode.  Than I realized two things.  1.) I and the car was fully legal.   And B.) The officer was not interested in me at all, I was in the way of donut time or some heavy criminals.  Like some jay-walkers!
     Having the vehicle has also improved my exploring.  Although with gas prices already nearing $5.00 a gallon, we will be cutting way back on just driving because I have a licence.  Many more picture filled exploring blogs coming your way!

   Fred Myers is having a rarity----- A good sale!    We scored with these foldable chairs with cup holders for $5.00 a piece.  And if the weather holds up, this will be my new "office" many a morning.

       I finally took some time and hung some of my pictures from my favorites above my computer desk over the weeksend.   The large picture is not mine, but amazingly calming.  I am very aware that they are not straight.   I also can not find any more of the frames we picked--- so at the moment many are hung by thumb tacks.   Very tacky I know!   

    One of the pictures, I blew up and hung.   They have all been in at least one blog.   And I have to say---they look extremely nice, and make the room.  Each an original of mine.   I am considering selling these framed in 4 X 6 size.   Please take a look at some of my favorites and let me know if you would be interested?    A blog on all this is in the works.   These were shot in my travels-- so a little bit of all over.   But MANY are in and around Bellingham!     

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.496674965350.299705.615920350&type=3&l=650f207fc7

      In the above picture---I am the "you"   I try to make this blog as interactive as possible.  And there are many ways to leave comments on this page.  I also have a Facebook sight---- for anyone that wants to leave feedback, check advertising prices, vent, show off you own pictures, or sell an item in the Bellingham area.  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.496674965350.299705.615920350&type=3#!/WyomingJackBobbleHeadsBlogs          All your comments help me make both of my blogs betterer.  I seldom receive comments of any type though.   When I do they are usually very positive.  So thank you for that!   It keeps me from rolling up in a ball and crying all night long.   Or was that laughing all night?  

                                     **Last weeks most colorful/random comment**

                                         "He needs some respect beatin' into him!...." 

       Now it's your turn to leave some comments.  Maybe you can beat the above!

              

        Or suggest were I should hike next----Were do you think I should hike next? Beyond the fridge of course. I love food!

    Yesterday found me exploring near Teddy Bear Cove.   In an attempt to find a grand old sailboat that has been sitting in the cove and get some pictures.   Sadly the boat was cruising around the bay.   A beautiful sight, but past the sight of my cameras lens.  

        **"Quick hike around Teddy Bear Cove this beautiful afternoon. THE warning proved true again! Old guys like to swim and sun bath here nude. Like 80+ Fair warning. Pictures of the other sights and a blog post coming soon@!"**

     Last thoughts for today-----I wish to enjoy the sunshine!    And have already learned that much of my reader base has an attention span of about 5.5 minutes.  Most of my readers, as in I am not making fun of you.  This totally made up statistic means that I lost most of you, about three paragraphs ago.   And that I could now be typing insults and would probably not get caught!   Like how entertaining it is to picture you reading this paragraph with your lips moving.....    But I am above typing things like that!

     Last month we tried Taco Bells new taco ---made with Doritos.  It looks amazing on the advertisements, and the kiddos never stop talking about wanting to try them.  I have to say I love Taco Bell and I really like Doritos, but the two are not a good combo at all!    Plus the taco leaves your hands that orange chip color.

     A few days back, my wife scored us a free set of encyclopedias.  And we soon had to find a book shelf mostly for them.  Why is this extra kool?   The books will not be published any more, starting next year.  Another victim of the Internet.  So we are going to make our kids do research papers the old fashioned way and look things up in these.   Some day in the not so distant future your kids will not know what these books are.   I enjoy the Internet, but an actual physical book can not be beat in my eyes.   

We were watching Davis Amusement set up at The Bellis Fair Mall tonight. Tomorrow night is there light show & first night of fun.   The above is not there ferries wheel, but I feel a kool picture.  Since I married into a carnival family--- I will be back to visit and will have more pictures to share.  And of course make time for a carnival corn dog--I don't know what they do to them, but they taste amazing!

Also coming up in Bellingham--- May 18th is bike or walk to work or school day. May 18-19 is the welding rodeo at Bellingham Tech College. And the big Ski to Sea starts soon!!