MAKING NEW PLANS???

 

          Undoubtedly, you’re all waiting to hear how wonderful my Northlake Tavern small combination pizza was…well, wait no longer. As I posted my plan yesterday, I began calling just a bit before 11:00 am, opening time, and all I ever got whenever I gave it try was a, “…sorry, we’re busy….” message. I finally gave up.

          I also sent my friend that had waited three hours to get two medium (the only size being made) pizzas, but haven’t heard back from her either. I’d hoped to get some pointers about the best way to get my pizza. Their website says they open at noon on Sunday, so I’m playing with the idea of driving down there and arriving a bit before noon. If there’s a huge line of folks waiting, I’ll just go visit a friend instead. If there’s no line, I’ll get my pizza. I’m afraid, however, that my memories of the Northlake combination pizza will have to suffice.

          Not exactly sure what’s going on with me or if I’ve just realized how close to ninety seventy-seven is…only 13 years, but I’m using the phrase, “I like that, so why shouldn’t I have and/or do that?” What that means is that I’m looking at spending a bit more money on stuff or experiences for myself. That might not sound like too big a deal unless you know me well.

          As an example, I’ve had the same nighties for I don’t know how long. I’m sure I haven’t bought a new one in all the time I’ve been retired...well, maybe one. So, this past week, I ordered four brand new all cotton nighties in styles and colors that I like. True, there’s nothing really wrong with my old ones except I’ve had them forever and they are looking a bit well-used. They don’t have any rips or tears and none of them have gotten so thin you can see through them…like me, they’re just tired. There is a part of me that will celebrate when I put the clean old nighties in the Goodwill box and another part of me that will be chagrined at my wasteful ways. So far that’s my biggest splurge.

          The other thing I’ve been contemplating is getting out and about. There is so many places in the Northwest I have never been. A friend uses Expedition Tours which is located in Rochester WA for her trips, but most of those are lengthier trips. Right now they don’t have any lengthy trips listed, but they do have one-day trips. Since they’re located in Rochester, I’ve emailed to ask if I could meet them at the day’s location if it would be easier for me to get there from here rather than driving to the pick-up location. We’ll see what they say.

          I’ve also looked into another company that does tours that are more local. They appear to be small tours and go to a wide variety of places. The longest tours are ten to twelve hours and include Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Victoria Canada. I’d definitely like to do the one to Mt. Rainier since I’ve never been to Paradise. I have been to Mt. St. Helens twice, but it would be fun to let someone else drive and most likely share information I don’t know. And John and I took the clipper to Victoria years ago, but it was winter, so not too fun. 

          For beginners, I think I’ll go to the Flower and Garden Show at the Convention Center which is mid-February. It’s too cold and potentially wet to do some of the other tours that would be available.

          The goal is, I think, to do something at least once each month that gives me a new experience. Sounds like a fairly simple goal doesn’t it, but we’ll see how I do.  It’s too bad I can’t have the January experience be the Northlake just one more time.