Dr. Fauci And Nancy Pelosi Are Now In Costa Rica!

Some time ago, I discovered a company called FCTRY. A friend of mine has a Ruth Bader Ginsburg action figure doll that I thought was really nifty.

So I went to FCTRY to see what else they had created. I wanted a Nancy Pelosi doll but they didn’t have one. So I kept e-mailing them (and I’m sure many others did also) and they decided there was enough interest to begin the procedure of designing one.

It’s an interesting process. First off is a Kickstarter campaign to judge the amount of interest in manufacturing a particular figure. I had to pledge the amount of the doll ($20 US). If this step indicates a large enough enthusiasm to proceed, then a figure is sculpted by Mike Leavitt, a Seattle based artist.

Eventually, all the dolls are manufactured and sent off to their new owners. I opted for Nancy Pelosi and also a Dr. Fauci action figure doll. They are not bobbleheads but their arms move up and down. Nancy came with a removable gavel and mask and I had a choice of what colour dress I wanted her to have.

Dr. Fauci came with a removable mask. The dolls are remarkably realistic in facial features, etc. They are very well made.

So welcome Nancy Pelosi and Dr. Fauci!

Click on photos to enlarge.

Day One - Zero Day Tomorrow

Or maybe today is really "zero" day - after all, we are out of our house and staying at a hotel in Vancouver, ready to get up at 0400 tomorrow and board the Amtrak Cascades.

Assuming they let our luggage board, that is. I think everything is overweight and I can't find anything, seems a mess to me.

We're staying at the Howard Johnston on Kingsway and 12th 'cause it's close to the train station. We have a fabulous view of the north shore mountains. Some snow on the peaks and I think there is still skiing on Grouse Mountain.

I'll try and post the pictures I took today once we get to Seattle tomorrow and have a bit more time.

Genny went to her vet for boarding this morning. She has known something was up for the last two days. I  believe her travel day is May 31st, Vancouver to Houston. She overnights there at a pet hotel, then onward to San Jose the next morning. Smooth flights, Genny, and we'll see you soon.

17 Days and Counting

I'm using the day we board the Amtrak Cascades to Seattle as the beginning of our epic adventure but we actually don't land in San Jose until May 31st.

Here's what our living room looks like:

I'm particularly pleased with our lamp tables. Genny likes to have an afternoon snooze in her small carrier so we leave it out for her. That is good, actually, because she'll have to get used to spending travel time in her larger, airline carrier (provided by World Pet Travel, so I don't have to buy one).

The big suitcase is one of two we are taking, in addition to two smaller ones. I have them all sitting out so we can experiment with how much we can pack in each - have to watch the weight. Amtrak has a 50 lb. limit on each bag. American Airlines does also but if a bag is over, they just charge for it.  Amtrak won't accept an overage at all.

Oh my goodness, I just noticed my ship's clock on the wall - that has to be boxed up. It was a gift from the Canadian Coast Guard when I retired.