Duvall Fulton Gazette: March 2008

Our Saturday consisted of a Girls Day Out and I eventually got my duff off the couch and went for a spring pedal with my friend Pete. Audra took the girls and her friend Char(lotte) + her daughter and Kati’s partner in crime Meghan to Redmond Town Center for lunch and then on to the 2^nd Story Repertory production of Cinderella wonderfully done with the two stepsisters (Obnoxia and Repulsia in drag) We all arrived back at the ranch at about the same time for Idaho sirloins, fresh aspergrass and a glass of red wine as well. Good times now that I’m back on the mend.

Sunday was church in the morning followed by a romp in the woods on my mountain bike with my friend Scott and then a 3 hour adventure to the City with Audra and the girls. I needed to exchange a shirt I got from Outdoor Research and the store just ain’t that convenient. Its located on 1^st street about a mile south of the stadiums. So instead of a long journey alone, Audra and the girls agreed to come along (with Olivia and Kati negotiating the whole way – “we’ll come along if we get a _______ cookie, ice cream, milk shake, out to eat”) We promised nothing and delivered even less. The trip to the store was long enough for Kati to fall asleep, and for Olivia to get in some serious drawing. Our first transaction completed without incident – but then something strange and frightening came over Audra. She fixed our location and somehow, using echo triangle location I think, discovered that Costco was nearby. Not just any Costco mind you – Downtown Seattle Costco – and not just Downtown Seattle Costco mind you – Downtown Seattle Costco on a Sunday Afternoon….. cue the VERY FRIGHTENING MUSIC…

Wow! What a place! Packed like a stadium with everyone moving like too many ants in an ant farm. Audra held her own for about 10 minutes before succumbing to the current of people from all walks of life and from nearly every country in the world. Luckily I was able to grab hold of a belt loop on her chords and haul her back into the cart with the two girls before she was washed away down an isle of gallon sized condiments! Too many people, too big of a store (and I think not eating lunch) drove us out of the Downtown Seattle Costco on Sunday Afternoon a bit prematurely. Once back in the confines of the Town & Country motoring northeast to the relative safety of the suburbs were we able to take stock. We had secured nearly every item on the Costco list save the 50gallon drum of laundry detergent. We had come out with all our appendages and both girls (quick check to the back seats to make sure and… yep both are still there) All in all a successful trip worthy of celebration! So celebrate we did, stopping for burgers, fries and shakes at the BurgerMaster drive-in for dinner. I had a chocolate shake, Audra vanilla, Kati rootbeer and Olivia pineapple. Good day – good weekend.

The weather is flustery blustery – but I think the forsythia will be in full yellow pop by tomorrow.