JONES BEACH-OR~Bucket List Spoiling

The mornings and evenings here in Clatskanie, have felt more like Fall weather than Summer weather: really c.o.l.d.

The Ocean is not as close as I thought; but there is a definite wind tunnel factor here.

Poor Bleu is freezing his little tail off when he does his late night, and early morning, "duty calls" … and determined to feel warmth when the lights go out and we turn in, he has learned to jump onto the bed.

And Holland has learned to be flexible in that happening ;-)

The first thing Holland said when we got our little bundle of fur, was: "The dog will not be sleeping with us, in the bed."

And I let him think that :-)

I was thinking, {a good guard dog} needs to be where his people are, so he can effectively alert them when necessary … and now he is ;-)

Bleu has learned how to jump onto the bed …

Bleu isn't too keen on the sun waking him up. LOL

When we were drinking our morning coffees, Holland asked me what I'd like to do - and I said, "Can we go to Jones Beach? Everyone is asking me if I've been there yet - and it is one of the things I penciled in on my Bucket List, last year." Holland said, "Well … if it's on your Bucket List, then that's what we'll do."

He's a good man; and he gets a bang out of spoiling me :-)

Jones Beach is just up the road from where we are parked at the moment.

Jones Beach-OR

This is all farmland here along the roads, leading to the beach. Every waterlily in this pond, was in full bloom - loving the sunshine.

Vintage RV; 1960's type.

Hexagon Barn.

A very bumpy ride. LOL

Love; it makes things happen. LOL

BINGO!

Jones Beach-OR: https://wildcolumbia.org/hiking-camping-wildlife-columbia-county-oregon/jones-beach-overview/ & http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/jones_beach.html

Dry docked …

Little Cape Horn on the WA side - seen from Jones Beach, OR side.

Bleu's spinout …

The Surfaris - 'Wipe Out' song/1963:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4IfxAQ4TqQ)

We had fun finding it: there is only a sign alongside the highway pointing in the general direction … but that's it. If you are not a local, it is a wild goose chase to get there.

But we enjoyed the drive - and we did laugh a lot before and after, we arrived.

And Bleu had a blast; he was able to run freely without being tethered to a leash :-)

Jones Beach is not a spectacular event - but we did spend an enjoyable hour there. I'm glad we went.

Holland cooked Supper when we got back home ;-)

Supper's on … my King likes spoiling his Queen ;-)

And now, it's time for me to wash the dishes - there aren't that many, and it's only fair: my King and I, are a team :-)

MESSY

Holland had a few things to do in Longview this morning, and he asked me if I'd like to go with him; of course! I'm all about getting out of the house ;-)

Illusion Kit ;-)

'Primrose' Lipstick & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

'Gentle' for eyebrow, 'glittery 'Illusion' for eyelid, sparkly Navy for upper liner & Baby Blue for lower eyeliner; 'Auburn' Brow Gel, 'Cobalt' Mascara; 'Neutre Enflamme' Crème Blush; 'Primrose' Lipstick & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

Working on 'all the same length' - bangs pinned back for the time being; and Holland is staying mum during this ugly hair period.

After we did everything that needed to be done, we grabbed a Subway sandwich … and I ended up wearing some of the sauce on my left breast: my boobs are like fleshy shelves; something always seems to be on them, at some point :-(

Holland didn't crack a joke (as most men would), he simply reached for the wet-ones we keep on hand for messes, and gallantly handed me one to clean up with.

Holland always treats me like his Lady.

And I smiled; because driving into Longview this morning, Bonnie Tyler's song came on and I said, "I like this song - can you turn it up a little more?" He did, and he asked, "So - what is a {hero} to you?" I laughed, and said, "You; a man's man - you're everything this woman is singing about. You are exactly what I was holding out for; you are Elohim's gift to me."

Bonnie Tyler - 'Holding Out For A Hero' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GPZDX9_2oE)

Holland is the perfect man for me :-)

When we got back home, we started unloading some bins, filling the vacuum seal storage bags; and stuffing them out of the way, under our bed.

We can see the floor again in every room: and no more bruises from sharp box corners; the house is starting to look like a Home again, instead of a storage unit on wheels.

((((Hallelujah!))))

Cordless Shop Vac - perfect for boondocking.

Vacuum-sealing clothing.

We still have some more stuff to shift, sort, and stuff away - but at least friends can come by for a visit now, and won't get lost in a mess ;-)

Holland is a man - he was a bachelor for a looooong time: he doesn't care if his friends drop in for a visit and navigate a stacked pile rabbit trail, or wiggle into a messy chair.

I am a woman - I CARE.

First impressions are important.

His friends will be coming by to "oh"-and-"ah" over his cherry red 4x. They will be coming by to check out his new digs. And they will be coming by to check me over and judge whether or not I will be a good addition to Holland's life.

They will judge me on housekeeping.

First impressions are important.

For myself, I don't care what they think - one way, or the other.

For Holland's sake, I want the their first impression of me & our home, to be {acceptable}.

I want them to see that I take care of their friend, and that Holland will never have reason to complain.

Then, we tackled Bleu's toenails: they are super sharp and need clipping. Two weeks ago, we had paid the girls at the Dog Zone in Longview, to shampoo him and clip his nails - they shampooed him, and said they clipped his nails … but they didn't look clipped to us: they were still very sharp-tipped, and drew blood at every opportunity.

So, we bought nail clipping things, and attempted to do the duty, ourselves.

It did not go well :-(

Bleu is an 11 week old puppy; he is energetically wiggly.

He got wiggly and tried to jerk his foot out of Holland's hand … and the clipping tool rode too high on his nail, clipping too deeply.

He yelped.

His toenail bled. Profusely.

I was close to tears.

Holland felt like a heel.

I was soothing both man and dog.

Thankfully, the bleeding didn't last long - the pain will last a while; hopefully infection will not set in with all the rabbit, duck, and chicken poo all over the place, here.

After about half an hour, the boys were best friends, again ;-)

My poor boys … live & learn.

Hollands scarred & scabbed arms and hands, are showcases of Bleu's unruly nails …

Bleu loves his Daddy - mutual love and affection.

Thank You Father, for your grace and peace :-)

HAPPINESS CHEMICALS

The {happy} factor started this morning with our first and second cups of joy juice:

Coffee makes me happy :-)

A box of deliciousness found at Big Lots, in Longview-WA.

Then, after Holland's dental appointment, we ate a tasty Lunch and were off to spend a {retired} day at Rainier Beach (the temp started out at 71-degrees, and climbed to 81-degrees), in the sunshine holding hands; and horsing around with Bleu :-)

Lunch in Rainier-OR - the food here is EXCELLENT! A bit spendy, but worth every dollar ;-)

We are silver-haired/22-week-newlyweds; Holland literally brought me back to life on every level of Life.

Blood, Sweat & Tears - 'You've Made Me So Very Happy' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjZtRAoITP0)

When we got home, hay was being baled.

And husband and furbaby both took a lazy-hazy-afternoon siesta ;-)

Park Owner & husband are baling green hay - I've never heard of this before; Holland has, and explained to me why this is done.

Bleu is totally worn out after his jolt of happiness chemicals. 

Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, & Endorphin: ALL were in full play today :-)

SHABBAT GRATITUDE~RV Tagged & Long Drive Home

We were up at the crack of dawn; drinking coffee and noshing about this and that, as we shook the cobwebs and felt our bodies waking up and alerting to the excitement of finally being able to get the RV licensed and tagged.

We want to be enjoying the open road by the end of the month :-)

As we were passing through Clatskanie, my phone notified me of an incoming message: I did a double-take … my youngest sister. Hmmm.

Carla's 10 AM text.

It was good to be sharing convo with her … and know that she cares - and is interested in what I am doing. Holland was glad to see that at least one member of my family is reaching out to me: we don't talk that often; our life goals, and lifestyles, are so different.

But Carla is at least trying. It was a good start to this dawning Shabbat.

I am grateful.

We reached the Astoria DMV, and Holland went inside to get the transaction completed while I opted to stay in the 4x Beast with Bleu (we can't roll the windows down yet, until the shading film completely dries: Monday). He wasn't inside very long before he came back out to the truck and said, "We still can't get tagged." I just looked at him, speechless for a moment, before I said, "Why? We've jumped through all the hoops - what could they possibly be bitching about, now?" He said, "They said we couldn't get licensed because of this guy's name on the Title (he sowed me the name of the fella that sold us the RV), and that we need to contact him and have him sign a power of attorney waiver … and we need an odometer reading."

I counted to 10. Then I said, "This is utter bullshit. These people do not know what they are doing - or what they are talking about. We do not need a 'power of attorney';  - we do not need 'an odometer reading': we OWN the RV, and it WAS Licensed BY OREGON last week - it is AN RV … not a freaking car, or truck. I'm going inside, and they are going to stop this nonsense."

My eyes were shooting fire.

Holland said, "It won't do any good Baby; they won't listen to you. We'll just have to get ahold of the people in West Virginia that we bought the 5th Wheel from, and get a license plate from them - then get it tagged that way."

I said, "No - this run-around, is ridiculous. I am going inside here … and they are going to license and tag us here." Then, I looked up a the sky, and said, "God help me, because I am about to shake some teeth loose. Go before me and prepare a way of peace because I have fire in my eyes, and a storm brewing to set it loose. I am tired of all this jerking around nonsense. We've jumped through all the loops, and one way, or another, we are going home today with a license plate, and tags!"

I called Tina at PKB RV's in West Virginia and asked her a few questions that may help us with the Oregon process - she was as confused as us, but said she'd do what she could do to help us. She would call the Astoria DMV personally and walk them through the process they obviously are clueless about: the RV Dealer's Name was not the issue, the people working at Astoria's DMV were.

I gave the process between there and here about 20 minutes before opening the truck door. Holland said, "I'll go with you; a little while Bleu will be okay for." I'm sure he was thinking the fire sparking in my eyes would set the place on fire ;-)

We had a 30 minute wait before our number was called.

And Elohim was faithful - He prepared the way, and I did not have to unleash the fiery storm. The process was finally completed (our documents were accepted, & acknowledged paperwork was filed/stamped), and we left with license plate and tags ;-) 

I marched into that DMV Office with a storm brewing in my determined eyes …

My Guardian Angel's mindset. LOL

We were going to be coming home licensed & TAGGED, come Hell or high water; I pulled up the {needed} document and showed it to the clueless woman.

Cages were rattled from both ends (West Virginia; and me standing in front of her with eyes aflame)… and the deed was D.O.N.E. - with NO MORE nonsense.

We ate lunch at Astoria's DQ, down the road from the DMV; backtracked to the Astoria Column … then drove the long way home, over the back road that would drop us in Clatskanie - behind the Safeway Store.

This was a gift to me: love in action.

Holland had not seen the Astor Column - so we backtracked to it.

Astoria Column-OR: (1 Coxcomb Dr, Astoria, OR 97103; https://astoriacolumn.org/)

Located in Astoria, Oregon, the 125-foot-tall Astoria Column serves as a monument to the history Pacific Northwest. The idea for the column first came about in 1898 when the city thought to build an electrified tower that would rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The column overlooks Astoria, and the Columbia River. Its observation platform offers a panoramic view for the many visitors who climb the 164 steps of its winding staircase.

Overlooking the Astoria-Megler Bridge, Astoria, ect.

Saddle Mountain, in the distance.

Saddle Mountain-OR:

(https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=140)

I had warned Holland beforehand that the road was 'very snaky in places', and he was game to drive it.

I pointed out various elk sighting places; Fish Hawk Falls, I like to visit once a year; and places I normally pull over to explore along the route.

I like country backroads; I like enjoying those scenic rides with my husband. But towards the end of that long winding road, he was looking a bit green around the gills, due to the medication he takes. I pointed out the speed limit sign and said, "We're almost off this road - you should see Safeway Store around that next corner." He said, "Praise the Lord". And I burst out laughing because the relief in his tone as so obvious.

Holland is a good husband to me. Every day, I am grateful.

He is a good man~he is a good husband for me :-)

I am highly favored, and greatly blessed.

I am grateful.

As the sun begins to set, we are grateful to embrace the Shabbat Rest.