Keeping in touch

Legacy

2012-02-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

Time just keeps moving one. One of our seniors at church passed away earlier this month, no horrible illness or anything, just at 89 years of age his body was done. He had been ailing for months before God called him home. It was a very touching memorial on Sat. He left quit a legacy, an honor to God for his work as a Pastor, Elder and Decon: Husband, Father ~ a piller of faith and many, many good and lasting memories to those who knew him.

2012-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth & Ryan left yesterday. They are going to his sisters, where they will look for a place to live in the Bay Area. He starts school on the 30th at the Art Academy. They have been here since right after Thanksgiving and life has been a little different . As anxious as we are for them to have their own lives together, it still is a little hard seeing them go. We both feel a little empty. On the bright side, they need to move on with their lives and what is happening for them. AND, at least they are not in S.Korea and are just a few hours away, that is liveable.

Monterey

2012-01-14T13:27:00.001-08:00

Went to Monterey to the aquarium on Wed. Elizabeth and Ryan went with us. It has been 3 1/2 years since our last visit there and it is nice to see some of the changes. The above photo shows an area designed for children. There are lots of crawly spaces and hands on for the little ones. Places for parents to sit while their little ones can play and let go of some energy. Sure would have been nice when ours were little.

Sea turtles, sharks, and so much more. Just a fun day.
This dragon sea horse is a beauty, but it was hard to get a decent picture as it kept moving. Being persistent, I finally was able to get a nice picture. The marvel of digital photography, take a dozen or more photos so you have a chance at getting a decent one.
You can see the day was beautiful.
Looking at penguins. I didn't post it, but there was an exhibit for Puffins, which was nice. The only other aquarium I have seen Puffins is in Newport, OR.

December 2011

2012-01-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

Ryan got his early leave from the Army, so he and Elizabeth were able to join us at her sisters for Thanksgiving, in Colorado. We had a wonderful time visiting our daughter and her husband and of course the grand kids. Sadly after a week we needed to head home. We took Elizabeth and Ryan's dogs home with us ~ while they spent a couple days hiking the gorge at the Grand Canyon. The dogs rode well in the car, which was nice as we drove it in 2 days.

The picture above shows Elizabeth on the computer and I just love the way Winston was relaxing!

Keith turned 27 this year, doesn't seem like it. He came up and had some friends over for his birthday. We had a dinner at the church so we were not there, but when we got home there were still some of his friends over. They had fun.

I love this little candy mouse that a friend made for us. It gives me ideas for next year.

Guinness is a well behaved dog in the house. He is loving, gentle, kind, a good dog. However, we have cats (indoor cats) and that is one thing he doesn't like. I am not worried about the cats but I do worry about the destruction that could happen when he is chasing them. I really wish he liked them because he really is a very well behaved dog in the house. He spends time outside but when we bring him in we put him in the hallway.

Winston decided he was ready for Christmas.

He looked real cute sitting under the Christmas tree.

Keith came up on the 23rd, and he and his fiance went to her moms for Christmas Eve then came back on Christmas morning. Her family likes to open presents right after midnight, on Christmas morning.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve service at church. I was amazed and happy at the amount of people in attendance. Sunday morning was wonderful also, so many people came to church to celebrate the birth of our Lord!!!!

We opened Christmas gifts with Elizabeth and Ryan (before church), later they went to his parents. We joined them that afternoon~ after Keith and Liz got home, for Christmas dinner. While it may seem strange for some that we shared Christmas dinner with our daughters in-laws, we used to do that with both sets of my grandparents, occasionally, at Christmas time, when I was growing up. It was a very enjoyable time.

We took dessert over. I had always wanted to make a Yule Log, so when Ryan mentioned dessert and something chocolate I decided to try my hand at making Yule Log. It actually was much easier and simpler then I thought it would be. The decorations I made using Marzipan and a mold. It was enjoyed. We also took over pumpkin pie and some cookies Dan made.

It was a Blessed day!

Nicki

2011-10-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to blog about this since last April. Some pretty amazing news!!

I have done a couple Bible Studies series with Beth Moore (video), Breaking Free and Revelation. Last Oct. when I heard she would be in town for a conference (April, 2011) I was excited. I figured I would double up with some of the women in our church, but then I had a very strong feeling that God was saying "No, you will take Nicki." So I told my husband that God wanted me to take Nicki, my eldest sons girlfriend. So I asked her when they were here in Nov. if she wanted to go with me, and she said yes. I felt that God wanted us to go together and not with anyone from our church, so I purchased our tickets online.

I was willing to drive 3 hours to pick her up at her parents house, but our son picked her up and brought her to his place. So we only had a 2 hour drive up and then 2 hours back to get her, and yes my husband did go with me. This was the Friday of the conference that night, April 1, 2011.We got back to the house in time to relax and have some food before the conference.
We enjoyed the music and Beth Moore that night and went home to prepare for the next day.
Sat. was a big day, especially when Beth Moore asked people if they wanted to come forward, during a break time. I went to get Nicki something to eat and drink and pick up a book and DC I wanted. When I got back she had gone forward. I went down and joined her. During this time (before I joined her) she had personally seen and talked with Beth Moore and they had prayed together. BM had gone back on stage and I remained with Nicki and the woman she was talking with, not really listening to what was being said on stage, more paying attention to the current conversation. Nicki had given her life to Jesus, what a Blessing!! We went back to our seats, talked and listened to the rest of the conference, purchased a couple more items and went home. I told her it wasn't going to be easy, especially as she has a very powerful testimony that Satan does not want out.
She wanted to be baptized, so I called our pastor that afternoon and related her story. Eric came up that night after work, so he was there when she was baptized. Our pastor said something that I had to pursure finding out about. And that was: what we did not hear, during the conference when we were up front was a comment BM said to the audience "6,500 women came to this conference and only 1 came forward, and her name is Nicki." Yes God will do that.

She has her struggles, and it's not easy for her. Her parents are not believers, so I ask who ever reads this to pray for Nicki and her parents. Nicki is adopted and is a drug baby and has bi-polar disorder, so she has struggles that many of us do not have.
We bought her a Bible and several other study aids to help her along. She does not live close so it is not always easy to communicate. Yes we have phones and internet but it isn't the same as being there in person to talk.

God Bless

Exciting News!!!

2011-09-15T07:29:00.001-07:00

A week ago out son proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Liz, and she excepted. They are scheduling their wedding for next Sept. 8, 2012. As with all our children we have prayed for the one they would wed, not knowing who. God knew, so the prayer was put in His hands and for His will for whom they would marry. She is a beautiful woman and Christian. We are excited to welcome her to our family. Now we will have a daughter named Elizabeth and a daughter-in-law named Elizabeth. That could get interesting, but not a problem.

Willing to try new things, this is her first time behind the boat, and she had a blast.

We are excited, as is her family.

Life Happens

2011-09-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

This has been a very interesting week.

(1) I found out on Sat. that my SIL has stage 4 breast cancer. Not at all a nice thing to find out. She is fighting it, but still. There is no cancer in her family. There will be future visits (she is about 3 1/2 hours away)

(2) Sunday I get a call from my niece, my husband's youngest brother passed away that morning . Just turned 55 in July. I am not a fan of getting up early (got up at 3:30), but we had 3 1/2 hour drive to San Francisco Airport so Dan could meet up with his oldest brother and the 2 of them flew to Ohio for a week, to help settle their younger brothers affairs and be with his daughters, ages (almost) 16 and just 20. Yes there is a mother, but he was a single dad, he raised them. They are with their mom now and that is where my husband and his brother will stay.

(3) My youngest son broke a bone in his hand and today it was put in a cast of sorts. He is unable to ride his motorcycle at this point. He is off work for 3 days so is coming up tonight. However, not quite half way, he believes the head gasket on his truck blew. He will eventually show up with his truck behind a tow truck--- which he did at 1:20 AM. Considering I had gotten up at 3:30 the morning before I was very ready for some sleep.

What can I say except that life happens. I can just thank my heavenly Father He is there, for all His amazing grace and power and for all He is!!

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made one as well as the other." .....Ecclesiastes 7:14

Have a Blessed day!!!

A bit behind!!!

2011-08-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

We had a great visit with our daughter and her family in June. It wasn't long enough for us, but they were visiting different family and friends at different places, so I think by the end of their trip they were ready to be home. I know that feeling.
Above is Caitlin in her "twirly" skirt.

Brandon was making a "mask."

Once they found out they were "big" enough for our pool they were in it everyday. The pictures are out of order, we boated then they went into the pool.

Because the lake we go to is a reservoir the water fluctuates during the summer. We try to stop at the same 'beach' when we go out. It is nice (for a reservoir). The tree in the water is the tree Brandon built a "fort" in last summer. B explored the beach, however, C found some goggles in the boat so she and grandpa played in the water.. The water has been higher then normal because the snow at Yosemite was quite a bit above normal.

C loves the cats and loves to climb the cat tower. It was a great time with cherished memories.

Visits

2011-06-14T09:36:00.001-07:00

I noticed I have not blogged for almost 2 months. I also have noticed I have several drafts I have started, I probably will go back and finish them up. We went to Santa Barbara the end of May to visit Keith and go to Yorba Linda, to visit the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. The only ones in California are Nixon and Reagan. The next closest are in Texas, there are 3 and so on to the other states.
Probably will not visit any others, unless we are in the area on a trip. It is well worth the time to visit one.

The water fountain in the parking lot.

Going inside.

A moon rock from an Apollo mission.

The garden area, which was very nice and relaxing.

Sad to say, Elvis actually visited Nixon to help with the war on drugs. We all know how that ended for Elvis.

A replica of the Lincoln room, which (according to the information there) was Lincoln and Mrs. Lincolns favorite room in the White House.

This room was very interesting. There are 10 life sized figures of influential world leaders during Nixon's presidency. They were wearing actual clothing that was sprayed with some kind of coating to harden then the same as the statues.

The actual house his father bought (from a catalog) and built. Where Richard Nixon was born.

When we toured the house (with a guide) we were informed that over 80% of the furnishings are the actual ones. The only surviving son (out of 5) still lives. He was very instrumental in obtaining actual furnishings from and for the house during it's restoration back to the original. In an area back of the house are the grave sites for Richard and Pat Nixon. There were many different rooms and things to see while there. I spent little time in the Vietnam room and the Watergate room, but enjoyed all the other rooms.

Another view of the garden area. I have many other photos, but way to many to post. It was a pleasant visit. My goal was to go "before" school let out or wait until the fall. Anyone who has ever driven in any of the Los Angeles area during the summer understands. It is bad during school time also, but not as bad a summer traffic.

We invited Liz (Keith's girlfriend) to go with us. She was able to reschedule some work and was able to come.

________________________________

Keith found a bearded dragon on the side of the road, a month or so ago. Here she is on my arm, as you can see she is a fat bearded dragon.

He does have a plexi glass container for her, a large one, but you can see that she does like to go out in the sun.

We spent some time at the beach. You cannot go to the ocean side and not visit the beach.

This tree is a Moreton Bay fig. Imported from Australia by a little girl in a tin bucket and planted around 1877.

www.beachcalifornia.com/sbtree.html

It is one gigantic tree.

Behind us you can see the roots.

We spent a couple days there and had fun. The pelicans on the wharf, I am sure, thought the fishermen were there just for them as they waited for some free fish.

We had an enjoyable time.

Yesterday

2011-04-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

There has been so much going on here, I don't know where to begin. We are again down to just the 2 of us. Not a bad thing, since we do enjoy one another. We do miss the kids and wish we could see 'all' of them a little more often. Our youngest son is the one we probably see the most, as his girlfriend lives near here. Thus saying, he comes up at least 1-2 times a month to visit with her, us also. We understand. I have more to post, but that will wait a few days until I get it organized in my brain. Dan & I planned a trip to Yosemite a couple months ago. We wanted to see the 'frazil' ice, but we missed it by at least a month. The weather kept getting in the way (we have had a abundance of rain~~which we do like), then the family visits~~which we enjoy. Next year we will put it on the calendar and go rain or shine. We have lived in the snow and do have cables for the tires. We did go yesterday. We got up early and made a picnic lunch to take. It takes us about 2 hours to get to Yosemite Valley. We knew that rain was forecast in the evening (it didn't arrive). The weather was nice, in the middle 60's and a mix between some light clouds and sun. We watched a coyote cross the road and walk in the direction we were at. One could tell it was forging for some food, and occasionally it would stop, stick his head down and then looked as if it was chewing sometime. You could tell that it was used to people because it wasn't the least bit concerned with anybody.The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite is beautiful. However, it cost per night a little steep for us, but we do like to go in. The workmanship is gorgeous. Some parts of it remind me of the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, OR. Close to the same time during construction, with a rugged look. I love the stained glass windows. Each window has a unique design.

It is interesting, some of the paths to the falls. I love the boardwalk around this boulder as we went to Lower Yosemite Falls. Much easier to make the boardwalk around the boulder then try to move the boulder.

I saw a special on the Chapel in the valley on TV last fall. I understand that there are many weddings there every year. My sister-in-laws niece was married there many years ago. It is a beautiful setting. This picture of Upper Yosemite Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls was happen chance. I saw the view as we were departing the park. Dan pulled into a parking lot and I got out to snap the pic. However, I had to walk the side of the road to get the picture..

If you're not looking out the window you will drive right by the view without even knowing you missed it. Glad I saw it.

Then again, a little family history at the park. so I just had to take a photo.

We we first entered the park it was cloudy. Not knowing what the day would bring we snapped took pictures anyway. As the sun came out the brilliance began to show so we repeated some of our sights and took more pictures.

Bridle Veil Falls. We walked to it in the morning, but it was cloudy and lots of mist from the falls, but lots of water.

As the day progressed more people came into the park. We saw many campers with tents, moterhomes and campers. It is the beginning of Spring Break for many families.

Now a new problem, my closet bar broke this morning, and now that it is fixed I need to go and rehang my clothes.

Home

2011-03-29T21:51:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth & Ryan left S. Korea on the 26th, for good. They flew into SFO on Sat. and his sister picked them up, they spent the night there, it also gave them some good visit time. We went up Sunday and picked them up. They have been able to get some business done via the DMV with registration and license's. They were introduced to their new dog, Guiness. He has taken well to them, especially Ryan, which is good as it is his dog. Guiness was then introduced to Winston, Elizabeth's puppy. Winston is very excited to see Guiness, on the other side of the glass door. He is taken outside and held as they investigate one another. Guiness is a year and half, so he has a lot of puppy in him still, so not a good idea to leave them together. You can see the difference.

Winston is 5 months old, and will grow a little more but not much. I managed to get some fun pictures today just before their walk.

They went to Ryan's parents yesterday, and took the dogs. However, as you see, they gave him a bath first. He did really good in the tub, but it took the 2 of them to bathe him.

Winston is a cutie. He loves playing with the cat toys and is curious about the cats, as they are him. I am guessing they think he is an annoying little thing running around.

He sleeps in the bathroom, with his piddle pad, food, water and bed. Enough on the dogs.

We are thrilled the kids are back in the states. They will be here until Sunday, when they will head to Fort Bliss, Texas, where they will be until early next year when he gets out of the Army.

They will be driving back with the 2 dogs. Winston has a small carrier they can put him in when necessary, not the same with Guiness. We pray God goes before them, keeps the way safe and they can find lodging with no problems. I did get them maps and tour/guide books for the trip.

We want to plan a trip to Colorado to visit with our oldest daughter and family. We hope we may be able to plan it so Elizabeth and Ryan can come up also, but that remains open. We have suggested it to them. We were hoping to drive, but with gas prices we'll see. When we drove to New York we were able to make it into Colorado the 2nd day, west of the Rockies. We are thinking fall sometime.

Last Fri., Sat. and Sun. we have had a special speaker at church. An Islam/Muslim converted to Christianity. All I will say is it was very interesting. There is much to say, I just need to think and pray about it.

Foster Dog!!

2011-03-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

The latest news is that our youngest and her husband are going to Fort Bliss, Texas. There he will finish out his time in the Army, which will be early next year. They will be arriving in San Francisco on the 26th of this month. They will be leaving S.Korea around 5:26 PM on the 26th and arriving in SF around 11:20 AM, gaining back the time they lost when they went over. They will stay here around a week, visiting family, friends and taking care of business. They need to register and insure his truck and motorcycle, then they will drive to TX.
Her Christmas present was a chihuahua puppy and his latest acquisition is a boxer. This is Guinness, a year and half old boxer (we believe purebred~ no papers) We picked him up Monday evening for them. We will keep him here until they leave for Texas, he will go with them. We got no papers, etc when we picked him up. All we knew about his physical health is that he had his first set of vaccinations and he had parvo last summer and almost died from it. Thus he had a vet check-up yesterday, got his boosters, rabies, tested neg. for heart worm and is now on meds for heart worm. Our vet did say that he will have a lifetime immunity to parvo now.
We walk him twice a day and are trying to get him to play with some doggy toys. We were told they didn't spend much time with him. I know they had to have spent sometime with him, he rides well, and he walks well. We had no problems at the vets. There was a young mother with preschoolers there, he was well behaved. They couple we got him from had a 2 year old.

After having my mom's dog put down last summer, due to very old age and all the issues that go with it, I am not ready for another dog. However, we will foster Guinness until the kids get here. Actually, I do not want another dog at this time. None of my family live nearby so we have to travel to visit and it is easier without a pooch. Thus is our saga of our foster dog.

What I want to say, also, is I am glad they are leaving S.Korea, because they are really close to Japan. Even though they are not at risk, the nuclear plants are still not under control. But more on that later.

God Bless

About Time!!!

2011-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:00

I just love being retired. Not having to get up and go out in the gray fog, cold, windy, rainy or whatever the weather is during the morning commute.

We had our (oldest) son's girlfriend stay with us from the end of January to the first 2 weeks in February. She had carpul tunnel surgery on her left wrist, she is left handed, so there were somethings she could not do (like cut her meat at dinner). Her left foot/ankle was also in a cast. She had reconstructive surgery on her left heel last fall, and while it was healing alright the nerves became inflamed and the doc. put her foot back in a cast for healing. Whenever we would go out people would ask if she had been in a skiing accident. Kinda funny but not really. Anyway, she was here for recovery, as her parents house had stairs and it was difficult for her to go up and down.

Last week, we moved some furniture around. We have a 4 bedroom house, and it is just the 2 of us, most of the time. We maintain 2 of the extra rooms as guestrooms and the 4th we have turned into my craftroom, and the kids room. The kids, my grandchildren, use the room for sleeping (on airbeds) when they visit~~ plus we have books and toys in the room for them. We recently sold a small desk our son no longer wanted and put a larger vanity, from the middle room in it's place. We moved our son's hutch out (his place is way to small for it and he wants to keep it) and put it in the middle bedroom. We also moved a bookcase from out of the hall space (between the 2 spare rooms) into the craft room. During this move we have sorted and gotten rid of things. The hard part are my children's books. Alas, I am a collector of children's stories, and have several 1st editions and signed editions of which I will keep. I have so many books because of teaching for over 2o years. I love the classics and so many more. Sorting is hard, most of the time. Then again there are some books I glady will put in the yard sale. I want to keep the timeless stories, by great authors and illustrators. When the sorting is done, we are planning a yard sale around the end of March beginning of April, or possible May. I will make a flyer and send it to my former supervisor in the local school district, and she will send copies to the other supervisors and to her staff. I will have big books and many books with the stories on CD's that I used at the listening center. I taught prekindergarten, so there are many wonderful stories for language development. There is so much more, going through my supplies. I do not need to keep everything, but sometimes it is a struggle and other times I just want to let it all go.

We are looking forward to our daughter and her husband coming back to the states. They will be leaving S. Korea the end of March and heading to Fort Bliss Texas, where he will be until he gets out of the army early next year.

I will be starting a new quilting class next week, we will meet once a month working on a quilt called "The Underground Railroad". A friend will be taking it with me, so I am kind of excited. I also have been shopping, and have material to make my granddaughter 3 dresses and 2 nightgowns, so I had best get busy working on those.

That is all for now
God Bless

Time out!

2011-01-21T22:03:00.001-08:00

Christmas came and family came. We had a wonderful but short time/visit with our daughter's family (which include our only grandchildren at this time). Our oldest son and his girlfriend (kitties included) were here, also, so we had a houseful. Our youngest son did not get Christmas off, so we had a mini celebration with him and his girlfriend. We made him a Christmas dinner to his liking a couple days before. Of course our youngest spent her last Christmas in S. Korea~~ as our son-in-law is being stationed at Fort Bliss, TX in the spring. When everyone left the house seemed so empty, as it always does. We do miss having family close by, but we also understand that their reasons for living where they do. Job's took us away from family when our children were young, also. Living by family is such a blessing, but unfortunately life does not always give us those choices. Dan and I enjoy having family and when they are gone we enjoy each other and do many things together. We stay involved in activities at church, which has recently started doing a homeless ministry. He stays involved in the men's Bible study and I will start in the women's study in a week or two.

When my mom moved in with us, her dog was not to friendly to the cats, thus our cats became house cats. We will start letting them outside when the weather warms in the spring, now that we no longer have a dog. The cats are banned from the bedrooms, however, Chloe still likes to bring us "treats" during the night and day. We heard her one morning~ early~ around 3 or 4 and you see when she left in front of our door. The mouse I understand~~she likes to carry it around~~ but I am still a bit puzzled as to why the dinosaur? She has done this during the day also, the dino and mouse. She stand there so proud of her "prizes".

Our oldest son had reconstructive nose and throat surgery, specifically a septoplasty and uvulopalotopharyngoplasty, (for sleep apnea) a couple weeks ago. He came here for recovery, along with his girlfriend and 2 cats. He left today for home, as he will return to work next week, his cats stayed.

Josephine, seen here under the Christmas tree, will be 16 years next month. She is doing fairly well for an old lady. She is showing slight signs of kidney issues and has been put on a special diet and supplements (which she doesn't care for much). She is also going into the vets next week to get 2 teeth extracted. Once the bad teeth are gone we are expecting to see an increased appetite as her teeth won't hurt anymore. And the other cat is still a kitten.

Pumpkin is a 5 1/2 month old kitten full of energy. He will go in to the vets a week after Josephine to get fixed. In the meantime, he is funny to watch, chasing the other cats. He just wants to play! They need their exercise anyway.

___________________

I checked out a gym about 3 miles from us. The gym that was close by (walking distance) closed last Feb. I miss working out, it made me feel better. Even if Dan doesn't want to join, I think I will. The gym is busy, but there is plenty of equipment and a pool. That is my other thought!!!!

God Bless for now

Decorating

2010-12-16T10:49:00.001-08:00

I have to put this up today. We finally got our tree done last week. Keith and Liz decorated it with us. I did mention not to put to many ornaments near the bottom of the tree. BECAUSE Chloe thinks it is her personal play area.

The pictures aren't in order. We found Jonah laying on a rather bumpy quilt. When I lifted the quilt there was Jade. He crawls under the quilt during the night, to stay warm I believe. He looks a little scrunched here, but doesn't seem to mind.
Here is Chloe, she bats at the tree and knocks down the ornaments, garland and what lights are there. So we now leave the bottom of the tree bare. She is in her own "personal" space, even with the presents under (which are not in this photo).

Really!!

2010-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

Shame on me. IT has been 2 months since I blogged. Not that I don't have anything to say, I do. I just haven't. There is so much going on here, just trying to go through things and the time it takes. When Dan starts going through things in the garage I feel i should help him. It goes so much faster with 2 of us. But alas, things in the house do not get accomplished, and then my energy runs out. I really need to get rid of things in the house, also. Thin things out a bit, and life is much more enjoyable. I have made it my goal not to clutter 2 of the bedrooms, so they are available for company. The third room I use for my crafts, but also need to keep it clear enough to put down some airbeds for company. Soooooooo, I am also arranging that room.. But as we have gone through some of my mom's boxes, we are finding a wealth of photos from my dad's side of the family, my childhood and many others, so I cannot just get rid of those, that is creating another issue of where to put them. I just continue to arrange and get rid of things. Little by little we are getting there. Getting the car in the garage was a major feat, it was my idea and we did it!!! Yeah!
Dan has been working in the part that is his little shop area and rearranging it so it is more useful to him.

Well time to get to some sewing. I have so much I want to blog about, maybe later today I can, we'll see how the day goes.

Today

2010-10-15T13:57:00.001-07:00

Today is Friday, Oct. 15. We have been gone since the 1st and will not be home until Tue. or Wed. We are thankful that a neighbor was a good friend before he was a neighbor, as he is going in and taking care of our cats and keeping an eye on our place. Keith was there last week-end so he checked things out.
We are on the last leg of our journey, at my sisters in Oregon. Sunday we will go to our place at the lake, and then either Tue. or Wed. we will go home and it is time.

We enjoyed our stay in Victoria. The last day we were there it rained in the evening. We watched whales, while standing in front of the ferry, on the way to Port Angeles. Stayed in and B&B there. I am afriad that B&B's are a little pricey for us
We enjoyed the sight seeing and will post pics when we return home.

The beach was nice and we enjoyed early morning walks at low tide. That is Dan and I enjoyed the walks, while the others slept.
Even though fun, I am ready to be home again.

God Bless

Yikes!

2010-09-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post.
We were busy while Ryan and Elizabeth were home. We did some boating and had a BBQ here for them and their friends, which was nice. It was good that his family also lives in same town so they could visit with them without going out of town. I let them use my cell phone while they were here and while at home they also used our car. It made life a little easier for them.

We have been sorting through things we still have. I sometimes just want to chuck it all, but over 20 years of school supplies are good for someone else, sooooooooooo~~ I will do another yard sale. When I do this one I will send a flier to my former supervisor and she will send it out to the prek supers in the district, who in turn will pass it on to their staff. I have big books ( the 3 ft x 2 ft ones), books with tapes/cd's for the listening centers and some games and puzzles. Of course, I will be saving somethings for when the grandkids are here.

I finished my quilt top, got the batting and backing. One thing left, I need to go in and find out had to do the final boarder. The instructor has given me her number so I can call and go to her house. When the quilt is done it will be for my grandson to use when they come to visit. I have a kitty fleece for my granddaughter, that she really likes. That way they both have something to use when they come to visit.

We had the dog put to sleep. Even though she was old (15 1/2 years) and not doing very well~~ it still was a bit emotional for us. At one time I would have put her down with no reservations. Kandy was my folks dog and she would have made a great junk yard dog. She could be rather mean. I believe she may have been that way because my parents were elderly and she felt protective. Living here for over 10 years mellowed her, though I still would never trust her around the grandkids. When our youngest two kids were in high school there always were lots of kids here, plus parties (well supervised of course.) The kids were involved in leading cell groups as were many of their friends in high school~~ so we also hosted cell groups here. For those who don't know: Cell groups are individual Bible Study groups led by high schoolers , with an adult advisor from our church. The kids also had a once a week meeting for all the cell leaders for training sessions (not here).
So the dog just got used to people being here.

We now are getting ready to head up north to Oregon, Washington and Vancouver Island. Dan and I are going on vacation with his sister and her husband. On the way home we will visit with my sister and then spend a couple days at our place at the lake, then home we will come. We will have lots of pictures to share. And I am so looking forward to some cooler weather. We will do a little shopping tomorrow. There is a new Kohl's in town and we went there today to check it out. Tomorrow is the big grand opening, so we have picked out a couple things we want. One being a tote I can carry that will be big enough for the camera's~ icluding the video camera, plus my wallet. I need a nice black sweater to wear and we found one, plus a couple shirts Dan picked out (for him). We will use the discount coupon's we received in the mail. An extra 30% off of everything, after the early bird discount sounds pretty good to us. We have picked out what we want so it will be easy to go in and get the items.

In the states

2010-08-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

I posted the web of the event we went to for Ryan. It is a broadcast of the event so it is 144 minutes long. Just watch the first several minutes for the entertainment part. The aeriel acrobats are spectacular. After the ceremony there was a reception and some book signing. I will write more later and post some photos when I have more time, on the event. His parents and 2 of his sisters also were there. I will say that Hollywood is really overrated. The website also has some other info on it about the event and the contests they sponser.

http://www.writersofthefuture.com/

The most exciting part was getting to see Elizabeth and Ryan for the first time in a little over the year. We were and are excited for Ryan winning (he didn't win the grand prize) last year and being eligible to attend the conference. It should be a huge boost for his career in illustration. He is now published and did a book signing at the reception and at Boarders (Sun.) in Pasadena.

After we met them at the hotel (Hollywood Roosevelt), Ryan got settled, took them out to eat, etc. We then drove Elizabeth to Santa Barbara to stay with her brother (they went to an event BBQ in Hollywood on

Thurs.) We spent the night in Santa Barbara and spent most of the next day with Elizabeth. Even though the weather was a little on the chilly side, we (Dan & I) enjoyed it as it was 110 at home and we weren't looking forward to going back to that!

We went back on Sat. to get Elizabeth and then on to Hollywood until Monday.

Today we will be getting things for a BBQ here on Thurs. and food/gas for boating on Wed. I will write more later. It is going to be a full week. They leave next Tue. for Korea again. We will take them to San Francisco airport instead of L.A. It will be an easier commute. L.A. traffic, I have nothing good to say about it.

June & July madness

2010-07-25T20:23:00.001-07:00

I haven't had much time to blog the last few weeks, having company for much of the time. I have posted some photos of the goings on here. Click view all images for a better look.
Our oldest daughter came out from Colorado for a week long visit, with the kids. We enjoyed the visit very much as were sad when it was time for them to go home. While here we had fun. The kids played in the little blow up pool outside when it was hot, and met the neighbor kids (close in age) and had fun playing with them. We went boating, which was good for the the kids this time. We found a beach at which to stop and play: we also took along food for lunch. Brandon busied himself making a fort by dragging long branches from the beach to the tree we sat under. Needless to say that just a couple weeks later his fort was under 6-8 feet of water (the lake fills up from some upper reservoirs that fill from the snow melt). Caitlin was busy playing in the water and having grandpa bury her in the sand. It was a great time.

The day after the kids went home, our niece from Ohio came out for a 4 week visit. Just 19 and just graduated from high school. While here we did some shopping and she got a new hair do. We went to Santa Barbara to visit with Keith and she loves the ocean. Now she lives close to Lake Erie so it isn't as if she never sees large waters, she does, but then the ocean is different. Shortly after getting to SB we went to the beach and she found a shark's tooth (which we made a necklace she designed, after we got home). We went to the Santa Barbara zoo, which is right there with an oceans view. Saw a school of porpoises outside the jetty and a 'Sailing 101" class in the harbor. She got to do a few things for the 1st time, (due to economic reasons) like eating dinner on the wharf at a seafood resturant that we like. We visited a maritime museum and just hung out and had fun. At the beach park, where Keith works, is some natural flowing oil/tar, coming from the sides of the cliffs. There is quite a history with the tar and the native Americans that lived there.

She went to our youth group one night, and had a blast. There was a big 4th of July picnic at church and while it was a long day, later she was able to have some fun with the youth there and loves to play volleyball.

Some of Keith's friends came over and they went to a teahouse, and that was also enjoyable for here. At home, we took her boating.

Keith came down and we went boating again and he did some kneeboarding, she just wanted to swim~~ having dome some tubing the week before. The also went out and hung out with some of his friends.

We went to Kings Canyon National Park so she could see some of the 'big trees' and we also went to Boyden Caves. That was something we hadn't done and it was time well spent. Though I must say that the hike to the caves does have a short but very steep part, and I did have to stop to catch my breath. It was a guided tour and the caverns were amazing.

We took her to San Francisco Airport for her flight back to Ohio last Wednesday. We missed her soon afterwards. Stopped at IKEA on the way home for a few things. We then stopped to visit with oldest son, in Morgan Hill. It was a hard day for him, his cat of 15 years had kidney failure and he was having her put down. She was the sweetest cat, so friendly and loving. We will all miss her.

While doing all this I started a quilting class. I missed the 1st class (vacation) and the last class (Santa Barbara) but will be able to make them up. The instructor has as afternoon class also, and the next 3 weeks there is class. I talked with her, and if I am unable to make those classes (which I will do 2) I have the option of setting up a time and going to her house to finish. Which may be the case as the week of the last class I have jury duty, so that is a wait and see case. I will get my sewing done up to where I am suppose to be, having the center of my quilt pieced together, the next classes will be doing the boarders adding the backing (& batting) and edging.

Now that I have done an update, I will spend a little time catching up on other friends blogs. Having company was great, but my niece can spend hours on the computer~~

It has been and busy but fun time, and now it is just us 2 again and that is ok also!

2010-06-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Will write more about this trip later. It was fun.

Clearing oout.

2010-05-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

We cleared out my mom's storage, finally. She has been gone for 4 1/2 years now, it was time. I also figured it was time for me to start thinning out some of my school supplies. This corner, near our garage, is what it looked like the day before the yard sale. Boxes of things! Some were my mom's, not important heirlooms or anything like that, just stuff. Some of it my school supplies. Things I wasn't going to use again. It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate teaching for some 22 years. Some of the books I had multiple copies of for my listening center. Yes the district does give you money for supplies, but somethings you just buy out of your own pocket because they don't have purchase orders for those stores. It isn't like you spend it all at one time, it is an accumulation of years of collecting.

We set up the storage when my dad passed away so the 11 1/2 years of dust kicked my asthma up real bad, to the worst it has ever been. It has been very windy here so with the dust and pollen I am looking forward to some cleaner air for a week.

This is the day before the yard sale, setting up. Dan took the (one day a week he works) day off to help me set up and it did take most of the day. The tall book shelf ended up full of some of my curriculum books and children's books I have collected over the years for my classroom. I sent a flier to my former supervisor and she e-mailed it to staff, etc. in the program. Many teachers came out and went through the books, one stayed for 3 hours going through everything. I made a good amount, and that at selling the children's books for .25 cents each. That wasn't half my books. I need to finish going through things and will repeat this in the fall, a couple weeks after school has started. After the initial set up of the classrooms and meeting parents, etc. All the things that go on when school resumes. Except for the curriculum books that didn't sell, everything went to the Salvation Army after the yard sale (the same day). The curriculum books I will sell for $10.00 to a friend of my son's who is studing Child Development.

We cleaned out the shelves in my son's former room and took out the wall to wall shelves and hung them in the garage. Of course that meant cleaning out the going through what was there. Looks much better. Found his legos and washed them in the bathtub. Along with the legos, we found the binder with all the instructions for every set he received. That was a pleasant find as I had forgotten we had set that up for him. It will make it nice for our grandson to be able to reconstruct legos as he can look at the instructions.I still have so much to do, it seems unreal. However, we take a little at a time, and it will get done.

I subbed last week, and when I got home I told my husband I didn't want to do it anymore. Of course, I had decided when I retired last year, that one year of subbing was all I was going to do. I will always miss the children, but I am done with teaching and so far don't really miss much of it. Just the fun parts of activities with the kids.

We now are ready to leave for a weeks vacation tomorrow. We have the boat all hooked up to the truck, the truck is loaded with some of my mom's furniture that will go to my brother. I am looking forward to some boating and relaxing and catching up on some reading. We have no internet or tv at the lake. I can't see paying for cable when we aren't there all the time. We use our cell phones and don't have a landline connection anymore.

It is late and I am still not sleepy so I guess I had better go double check my last minute list.

God Bless I will post some fun pictures when we return.

Kings Canyon

2010-05-07T17:38:00.001-07:00

Went to Kings Canyon Nation Park the other day. I have never been there before, and after living here since 1993 it is about time. We took a picnic lunch and just enjoyed the day. However, I must say that if I am going to do any hiking where there is still snow (packed by tourists) I am going to have to get some boots that have traction. I really don't like sliding when I didn't intend to. The first is a view from the road. We went to "Roads End", which is the name of the end of the park. Beyond that is hiking and you need a permit for many of the areas. Below is the Kings River.

I took this one of Dan, while I was inside a fallen tree.

He wanted to get close to the river for some good shots. I need to download his pics now. You can see how treacherous the river is, and this is not the worst we saw of the white water.

Saw lots of the bear signs.

This is the famous "General Grant" tree. The trees were impressive, but after living in and amongst the 'Big Tree's in the sierras, they are just as impressive. I can honestly say I have seen the largest trees in the world, and my family also.
Grizzley Falls.

All in all it was a great day. The caverns opened the weekend after we were there, so we are thinking when my niece comes out this summer (from Ohio) we may just take a trip there a explore the caverns.

Garden items

2010-04-22T22:13:00.001-07:00

Planted some carrot seeds earlier in the year. Thought it might be time to pull some. We have been using them, and they are good. However, since we haven't planted carrots before we did not realize they need to be thinned in the garden. You can see the results. We even got a white carrot (albino). Needless to say as it is void of color, it is also void of any kind of flavor, totally tasteless, not even a hint of any flavor. That is a first for us. I will get a little more ambitious next week and pull some more.

This is one of my favorite roses. The blossoms are big, when fully opened. This one is about half way open. I heard a knock on my door last weekend. A gentleman and his young son were driving by and saw the roses, he asked if he could cut one for a bouquet he was putting together for his mother-in-law as it was her birthday. That was admirable of him since most people just take one as they walk by. He was, also, teaching his son a lesson about asking (the boy was around 7). The rose is on the corner, next to the street.

On a more somber note.
We were going downtown to purchase a book. It had rained quite a lot on Tuesday so I didn't want to go out, it was quite a storm. Wednesday they said more rain, but we weren't expecting the same. As we left the house it was beginning to shower some, but not to heavy. By the time we got to the freeway it was a very heavy downpour. Fortunately for us the traffic was light as the shock we were about to get was incrediable. Shortly after entering the freeway Dan made a commet and started to slow down, I looked up and saw this car coming right at us as it was spinning on the freeway. I just knew it was going to hit us, but it didn't it went right by us by a foot and hit the guardrail then bounced back into the middle of the freeway. We had stopped by now, and waited a minute or 2, the car slowly drove to the side of the road. Dan got out to see if she was ok, another truck stopped behind us to see also. I told him I didn't know and that I was calling 911. We were near another exit, I stayed on the phone with 911 as we followed her to a gas station where she pulled in. The dispatcher said there would be an emergency vehicle going to the gas station to make sure she was alright. The car was a mess, the rear end completly smashed in on the left side where she hit. People need to realize when driving in rain like that, slow down. I remember seeing cars going off the road left and right when I lived in snow country. Sometimes even a 4-wheel drive won't help. Caution is very real and senses need to be used. As we drove away from the gas station (after D. got out and talked with her again) D. said "Praise the Lord!" amen to that. God is good!

Rain storm

2010-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

We had quite a rain storm on Monday. We didn't get any hail, however many surrounding areas did. It was quite a down pour with lots of thunder. You can see the rain on one side of our house, and an amazing rainbow on the otherside of the house. Because the sky was still very gray you cannot see the vivid colors.

Whenever I see the rainbows it reminds me of Gods promises!

Fun, random pictures

2010-04-08T15:16:00.001-07:00

I think this is a fun picture of the truck in front of the "Calistoga" bottling plant in Calistoga. They don't have it on, but in the past the 'radiator' had a large spray of water coming out of it. {If you click or double click on any of the pictures they will enlarge} We had a good time at the lake (last week), my brother and his son were there. It rained Sunday night and into Monday. We then had a real good rain early Tuesday morning. Sat. thru Tues. without TV or internet, we did get some radio. We got some reading in, went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" (real cute), drove around and got some work done around the place. It was relaxing. The lake level is up, this is at the county park where we launch the boat.

This at Lakeport park, and this goose isn't just talking, he was going up and really hissing at any and everything that walked by him. Maybe he was protecting his female, there were several other geese around him, plus many ducks in pairs~~ probably mating season.

This gnarly old tree is in the State Park. When my older children were little it was a nice full tree that I used to place the playpen and blanket under and we could enjoy the shade as we played in the water. I believe that many of my family, kids, cousins, parent, grandparents, etc. have memories of being under this tree in the summer. Sad to say it sure doesn't look like it produces much shade anymore, it looks hacked (probably because the large branches were dead and it was a safety issue).

In my front yard the pigeons come to the bird feeder. This is a first ~~ an albino pigeon.

2010-03-26T22:31:00.001-07:00

Off to the lake until Tuesday.

Prayer please.

2010-03-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

It has been real touchy lately, for our friend, the one who had open heart surgery a few weeks ago. I spent a couple hours with her on Monday, while her husband was at the doctors. She is very tired and doesn't really feel well~~just not doing well. She had another heart attack on Tuesday. Apparently there is nothing more they can do surgically, they will treat her condition with medicines. Two of the arteries they replaced are plugged again. She will come home tomorrow. At this point I ask for prayer for her and her family. Her daughter is a missionary in Indonesia and she will be coming in on Tuesday.
She is a strong Christian and in the past has been very active teaching Bible Studies and ministering to other, now it is time to minister to her and her family.
____________________________
I spent part of my day driving a friend from church around and about, delivering Easter Lilies to shut-ins. She is such a blessing to these people, and I feel privileged to be able to drive her to their houses.

Nice Day

2010-03-17T14:44:00.001-07:00

It was in the mid 70's yesterday, and right now it is 74. Yesterday and today Dan decided to work on his Studebaker. He put in the passenger seat today, so now 2 people can ride in his car. Yes, it is drivable and it is insured. In this picture he is doing some adjusting work where the pedals are.

The kitties are not allowed in the bedrooms, however, they still like to give gifts. This was outside my door when I got up this morning. I suspect it was a "gift" from Chloe. At least it isn't a real mouse.
More then one of the kitties made their way outside. Jonah looked both ways and at me as he hid behind the bushes. I let him play a little outside, with Chloe yesterday. It was so nice I didn't want to stay inside, nor do I today.
My purple iris's are blooming. Some are done already.

A friend of mine, at church, is "helping" me to sign up for quilting classes. Bless her, it is something I have wanted to do since the mid 1970's and just haven't quite gotten there yet. So, while sorting through some of my mom's things we have come across some nice fabrics. However, since they have been in storage for sometime I am in the process of washing what I want (to get the musty smell out). I have sold some at yard sales in the past, so what I don't keep will go there. We have, also, found a wealth of sewing supplies, so I am in the process of organizing what I am going to keep. I have not sewn all month, and am wanting to finish some dresses for my granddaughter, do some mending and do some sewing for myself. When the weather is sunny here, I have much more energy and have the gumption to sort. When it is just gray and dull I seem to be listless. Rain, I love, it is just those dull, gray, cold days the central valley is known for.

Today, Keith found out what the insurance will pay him for his bike. They totaled it, so he gets a pay off. I feel bad for him, he so was into his motorcycle. I am grateful that he is alright, and not banged up to bad. God is good.

Have a Blessed day!

Prayer

2010-03-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

For those who read this, I am asking for prayer for my son Keith. He has a motorcycle, which he got last spring. He layed it over this afternoon, going around a corner, I don't know all the details as of yet. He is pretty beat up, no broken bones he says. As I type this he is on his way to the doctors so I don't know exactly the extent of everything. He is driving himself to the doctors. He is pretty shaken up. Pray for his physical well being as well as his mental state. What's done is done, I pray nothing more serious will show up at the doctors. Also, for his sake (& mine) pray no one takes the bike and that it is still fixable. He really likes his bike. It is still in the mountains where the accident occurred. Apparently there was a couple that are camping up there somewhere that helped him. They were a God send, God Bless them.

I have a Bible Study tonight, and my husband is going to call me with Keith gets back to him. Until then my stomach will be in knots, as it will be for several days to come. Tomorrow is Friday, if he isn't so stiff he can't move, hopefully he will be able to take care of the insurance, etc.
It is really the pits that we are 4 hours away and waiting, well that stinks.
Doesn't matter how old your kids are, the anxious feelings never go away when they are hurting. You still want to take the pain away.

_________________________
Update

Just got off the phone with him. He is bruised up and going to be very sore. If he is still in pain in a week, the doc. said he may need some physical therapy. He is on his way to the bike and will call AAA to pick up the bike (tow) and take it home. The bike is not ride able at this time. God is good, he is ok.

Asked prayer

2010-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

A dear friend of ours had triple by-pass surgery on Monday. I am asking for prayer for her recovery from her surgery. We went to visit with her today, after church. Her twin sister was there, we missed her husband. She is still in a lot of pain from the surgery. God willing, we pray her healing goes well and there are no complications. Her name is Marge, and she just turned 80 last month.

Amazing!

2010-03-06T21:23:00.001-08:00

Since my last post, both my husband and I have had a birthday. I am still coming to grips that I am in my 60's. What is that suppose to feel like? I have no answer. I read somewhere that "It isn't how old you are, it's how you are old." We are experiencing that and more. The gym we went to has closed, so we need to walk more.

The kids are all grown and living on their own, God is gracious. We are enjoying our "empty nest" and are reinvesting in each other, not that we didn't before. We do miss our children very much and wish they lived closer, but that is not in God's plans at this time. We look forward to visits when they can, and I am planning on going to S. Korea sometime this year to visit with my youngest. My niece is planning on coming for a visit from Ohio, and my oldest and her children are coming out from Colorado, also. We will have the picnic basket and boat in order by then.

I am enjoying my Beth Moore Bible Study, and it is helping me meet more of the new women at our church. I didn't go last week because our son came up from Santa Barbara to get somethings to furnish his new place. He had been renting a room from some friends and recently moved into a small studio apt. on his own. We helped him to furnish it and get kitchen things together, including a couple basic type cookbooks. His place has a tiny kitchen with no stove. They provided him with a burner (portable) and microwave. We purchased, for him, a toaster/convection oven. We were also able, through the generous donation from on of my husbands dear friends) give him a small couch and dining table. Those, along with his bed fill the place up, so he has told us. We went grocery shopping to get him some very basic items to stock his kitchen, plus some extra. He paid extra for food where he was before and only purchased his lunch stuff, but he did that when he lived at home.

The weather here has been gray and overcast much of the winter, with rain. There has been some sun, but not a lot. We are now caught up on rainfall, however, with 3 years of drought we are still behind.
I am posting these pictures, because I think they are just amazing: the rainbow I took after Thanksgiving. After rainstorms here we can have amazing rainbows, usually two and you can see them from end to end.

This one, taken the end of January. Usually we don't get amazing sunsets, but this one was quite colorful. Not as brilliant on film as seen by the naked eye. Still amazing.
God can make beautiful pictures and we can look at them and be so blessed by His handiwork!

God Bless

Santa Barbara Trip, Jan. 2010

2010-02-14T20:13:00.001-08:00

Some of the pictures from our trip to Santa Barbara. Pictures are of the beach clean up of yachts/boats destroyed by Januarys storm. Pictures taken at the Presidential Library. Note the picture of Reagan created out of 10,000 Jelly Belly's. And the Santa Barbara Mission and a couple of fun ones. Check out the massive root system on the fig tree. I took one picture at the mission and the larger one at the train station. The homeless have set up housekeeping between the roots of the tree for protection from the weather, at the train station. Picture 9, with the blue and butterfly is an acutal piece of the Berlin Wall that was presented to President and Mrs. Reagan.

Oh My!

2010-02-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Again, almost a month since my last post. I have started several times but something else always took me away, and when you share a computer it isn't always your turn when you have a thought to post.

Let me back up a bit. Our Christmas was good. Before Christmas my husbands sister and her husband stopped for a visit on their way from Vancouver, WA to San Diego and again in early Jan. on their way home. We had a good visit both times. Our youngest son was here for Christmas and we had a good visit. On the 1st of the year our oldest and her family were here for a few days. Always good to see them and our grandchildren. A week after they left both our boys were here for a few days, and Eric's girlfriend also (we get along well, very nice). So we had an open door for a few weeks. My husbands words after the boys left were "Well, I guess the holidays are finally over for us." I guess so, what could I say.

Toward the end of the month we went to Santa Barbara to visit with Keith and do some sight seeing. I posted a few pictures, of course afterwards I remembered~~ they post backwards from how you put on. So here goes.

The day we went home we went to the Santa Barbara Mission. We had gone in August when we were there, but not inside. This time we went inside. It was a nice visit, but very much like the others we have seen except for the personal touches, and that it is much larger then some of the other missions. Of course, not to mention that when you look out to the ocean the view is still fantastic. It is the oldest mission still in use in Calif. They have mass as well as it is used for "religious" conferences, etc.
..
.The second day we were there we went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. That was amazing. I have not visited any and I wanted to see this after watching a special on TV about it. It is the only presidential library that has an actual retired Air Force One plane housed there.
It is the same plane that Reagan used during his presidency. He flew over 600,000 hours in this plane (don't remember the exact number ~~ though we told it). We did get a chance to go inside, though they allow no photography inside. The reason being is that (even though told not to) people will forget to turn the flash off on their camera's. As you know, flash photography can ruin artifacts, over time. To date, his is the only PL that has an actual sized replica of the oval office, nice. The first PL started with Hoover. There are 2 in Calif. the rest are either in the Midwest or back east somewhere.

The day we arrived, it was to early to check into our hotel room, so we went to the beach to see some of the sights. This is what we saw, clean up of some of the boats/yachts that were destroyed in the previous weeks storm. K posted some pictures on his Facebook the day after the storm that showed many beached vessels. If you click on any of the pictures you can see more detail.

So sad.

____
Hit something and lost much of my post.

I am getting back into activities at church. I have recently joined the Thurs. eve Women's Bible study. We are doing a Beth Moore Bible Study, entitled 'Breaking Free.'

I am also going back to SS with my hubby. I kinda enjoyed having a little time to myself Sunday mornings, but my reason for not going (initially) is now going elsewhere. It was someone whose style I didn't enjoy, but that excused ended a long time ago. Besides, since we got a new pastor 2 years ago many new people have joined and I do not know them, so how else but by being a little more social and attending events, etc.

Today I am sorting some of my teacher stuff, getting ready for a yard sale I hope to have in March sometime. I will make fliers and take them to the office, or, my supervisor said to e-mail them and she will make copies to give to all the teaching staff in the Child Dev.

I also list my yard sales on Craig's list.

Later I will do a slide show of some of my pictures from my visit. Much to do today.

God Bless and have a Great Day!

Lots of rain!

2010-01-20T18:43:00.001-08:00

Quite the day for storms. Storm # 3 this week rolled in with lots of wind and bursts of rain. It rained most of the day. They are all lined up in the pacific. I listen to the news and how they "cry" at the outages, etc. that go on here, never quite prepared. I feel for those in S. Cal in the fire ravaged area with the mud slides, etc. going on. Calif. seriously needs the rain that is falling, unfortunately causing havoc for many.

25 years ago today

2009-12-17T14:57:00.001-08:00

25 years ago this is what I got. Two days later he was handed to me in a handmade Christmas stocking ~~all 9 lb. 13 1/2 oz. ready to go home. Santa can't top this!

♥ Rainbows ♥

2009-11-28T16:45:00.001-08:00

The colors aren't near as brilliant in the pictures as they were seen by the naked eye.
We had a brief rainshower yesterday and this was the aftermath. Doesn't God do amazing work!

Yesterday

2009-11-23T23:07:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was our daughters 1 year anniversary. Happy anniversary Elizabeth and Ryan, we love you both very much. Friends say "Has it really been a year already?" Yeah, it has.
We still have the decorations we used then. A friends daughter is getting married in Dec. and I was going to offer the use of the decorations, but the church she is getting married in is decorated for Christmas.

It still seems a little odd not having kids at home, or even very close by~~ but life goes on. Really, we don't seem to have to much problem with the "empty nest" syndrome. Yes, we do miss our kids and grandkids a lot and wish they were closer, but that is not what is happening now and life goes on. We are looking forward to our sons being here for Thanksgiving and a visit with our older daughter and her family after Christmas. We will be meeting our oldest son's girlfriend for the first time as she will be a guest in our home for a couple days. Our girls will be spending Thanksgiving in CO. and Korea.

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Since my last post 4 more people we have known have passed away~~ 2 elderly ladies we have known for 10 years from our church family~~2 more family members, 1 my great aunt (89 years) and another cousin I didn't know very well. Three of the funerals were back to back to back~ a Thur., Fri. and Monday. I didn't attend Mon., we knew about the Thurs./Fri. and found out about the one on Monday at the Friday service.
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We have been going through some of my mothers things (she has been gone almost 4 years). I would like to clear out the storage and stop paying. We brought home some boxes to go through, then my husband brought home more, and it made it very hard to get a grip on things, way to many boxes at one time. If I had a housekeeper and cook it wouldn't be so bad. We have found things I didn't know were there, almost like a treasure hunt. Old photos from my dad's side of the family, which I like as I don't have many of my own. Papers from my dad's early days in the military, flight school certificates, etc. When WWII started my dad wasn't old enough to join the military so he moved from Grand Junction, CO. to work in the ship yards in San Francisco, and we found his badge with his photo ID in it! That is also when my grandparents left CO. and came to Calif. such as in "The Grapes of Wrath" for work. We have had to put some of the papers, photos, etc. away until a later date as they take more time to go through. I love the pictures! I recently purchased a film scanner, and I will be able to make copies of the pictures for other family members. I did that for my aunt and cousins funeral, then e-mailed the pictures on so they could be used at the service. We have my mom's china, that my dad got when he was stationed in Korea. Lots of other knick knacks that were my grandparents, momentos, some jewelery and there is still some big furniture pieces. My grandmother (dads mom) died the day before I turneded 13. My older brother and I spent most of the summer I was 10 1/2 with her (she was wheel chair bound and in ill health) helping her with her personal needs and around the house and cooking until they could hire a caregiver (my grandfather was in the hospital because of complications of his diabetes) and my brother did chores outside and what he could do~~fortunately is was a very small farm. We went through some of their momentos, she would tell me about them, where they came from what they ment to her and who she wanted them to go to. That was a special time and seeing some of her things has brought back many memories. That is why the photos are put away until later, so I can get other things done. I should add that my parents weren't far away and we were checked on regualary and aided as necessary. I have no complaints.
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It is that time of the year again, annual physical. I don't mind going to the doctors so much when I don't have to wait 30 min. or longer. I finally requested an appointment I have been putting off for sometime with a podiatrist. I decided it was time to find out just exactly what is causing the pain in my foot, and not keep guessing as to what I think it is. My guess was right, I have arthritis in my left foot, the 2nd joint on my big toe, in the middle of my foot. You'd have to look at a picture of foot bones to know where that is. Plus another condition (don't remember what it is called) where my feet are really stiff and hurt first thing in the morning, but get better after I walk for a few minutes. Apparently I am doing everything right, according to the doctor, when he asked what I was doing. A good pair of walking shoes and not a lot of fast walking on pavement/concrete help a lot, plus a couple aspirin for the pain. I will have x-rays and go back in sometime in January.
I can still wear heels, and fortunately I only wear heels occasionally. The elliptical I use at the gym really helps my foot, it mimics some of the physical therapy movements I had years ago with a bad sprain. I can't use the treadmill, that is so very painful. Fortunately it doesn't hurt all the time, and is easily managed. Most of the pain is caused by walking on ground that doesn't give.
I guess that is way to much information for now. I will say I am looking forward to getting this sorting done.
God Bless

The day before Halloween! WOW

2009-10-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have started half a dozen posts to my blog since my last one. Seems something was always going on and I saved them and never finished. I will admit that for about a week and half after my aunt passed away (Sept. 29) and then my cousin (her first born) I had a hard time. For a better understanding I am posting a photo that was taken when we were younger. Ages are approximate give or take a few months. My sister (on the swing) 3rs, me ( 6 1/2) my aunt (10 1/2) younger brother on the ground (5) my older brother (8 1/2) all together we 5 were born with in a 7 1/2 year time frame. So we grew up as siblings, not as nieces, nephews and aunt. So the feelings I have had are as if I'd lost my older sister. She married at a young age, and that relationship ended as he was physically abusive to her. So as I got older we did more things together, activities, dates, etc. My husband (we weren't married then) introduced her to her husband (they were married 42 years) I was her maid of honor. I married a year later. Our children grew up together, we went camping together. The things you do with family. The last few years we weren't in touch as much, she liked her privacy, but we did see each other occassionally as well as talk on the phone. Her husband and I share the same birth date, separated by 5 years, so occasionally we'd have a happy birthday phone conversation. I'd talk with him, then her. Always fun. She died from complications from pneumonia, and other health issues she had. Then within a week of her passing her first born passed away. He had gone into the hospital 2 days after she was admitted. Neither knew about the other. He passed from complications due to diabetes. They had a double service for them. It was well done, but hard to do. I still get very teary eyed if I spend to much time thinking about it. Of course I know it is harder for those they left behind, a husband, 2 son's, a daughter and 3 grandchildren, a dad, brothers, sister, nieces and nephew. So, I ask for prayer for this family.
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Now as I look at the calendar, I think I am ready for all the little trick ~0r ~treaters coming our way, and we get bunches. I hope the snow at my daugherts in Colorado doesn't mess up their Halloween.
Around 8:30 I turn out the lights and we retreat to the family room. By then families start coming in carloads from other areas, and I am done. Little one's should be in by then. Even when my kids were older and went out, they found that feet work wonders for traveling. My older kids grew up in areas where we had to go to civilized areas, but the younger ones have lived in towns most of their life.
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♥ ♥
The children have all flown the coup. Elizabeth is in S.Korea with her husband, as she should be. I am not thrilled at the distance, but it is not forever. We do plan on going over sometime next year for a visit. I will set dates later, I need to find out when/if my brother and his wife are really going to come out for a visit from NY. Being retired I am no longer held down by a school schedule.
My oldest and her family in Colorado.
Our son's each live within 3-4 1/2 hours from here, so we will get to see them more often.
After Elizabeth left in Aug. it had been 39 1/2 years since we had been child free.
Do I miss them? Yes.

But it just means more places for us to go visit.
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Since I have retired: I am subbing and volunteering some time at the schools. I subbed 2 days last week, as that teacher lost her voice. Well, that doesn't go well with a class of 4 year olds. It was fun.. I am helping with child care for our Church's MOPS group 2 days a month, and I am helping out our wonder person who works with the shut in's at our church. And many other activities at home.
I have had friends ask if I get bored. I have procrastinated, wasted time, read, etc., but not bored. I think I don't know what it is like to be bored. There is always something to do, even if I don't want to do it.
I am hoping to have some dresses finished by next week for my granddaughter, so it is time for me to go. Dan is working today and it gives me time to do somethings here, that I can't do when others are here (underfoot).
God Bless

Up dates

2009-09-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't kept updated. I will post about my Colorado trip later. Right now I have prayer request. My aunt (more my big sister due to the closeness of age) is in ICU, critically ill (I'll spare the details). She has been in a medically induced coma since last Monday. Also my cousin Jeff (her oldest child) also in an ICU unit, in a medically induced coma. Both seperate issues, but both health related issues. Please pray the meds work and do the jobs they are suppose to do and that vital organs begin to and will work properly. Thank you.

God Bless

Wow

2009-08-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

So much has gone on this last month. I really had not meant to let so much time pass between posts.

Elizabeth and her SIL had a good time in New York earlier this month. A quick but rewarding trip!

After she came home the wheels started moving. She was able to schedule her trip over to Korea, to join her husband, for Aug. 13.

Before that date, she and I went to Santa Barbara for a couple days. We planned out trip for Keith's days off. I had a very hard time finding a hotel that was within a reasonable price, for 1 night. As it went, we did not stay in
SB, instead got a room in Carpenteria, 10 miles away. What we did find out, there was a huge celebration going on celebrating Santa Barbara's Spanish Heritage. It was a 5 day celebration that had an 85 year history. Lots of people.

I gave Keith my car keys and let him show us around. He took us into the mountains above SB, and other places he liked to go or places he wanted to go.

He lives close to the pier, and we drove the 1st day, walked around and had lunch there. The 2nd day we walked from his place, which was good as the parade was huge and traffic was closed on the pier during the parade. We went into the aquarium on the pier. We watched this sea star crawl around the side and back of the container it was big and fast, for a star fish. Scientists do not want them called "star fish" any more, but "sea stars" instead. The term star fish will just have to eventually die out with those of us in the "older" generation and our children.

We went to the mission. We didn't go in, but did look around. It really is huge.

This is a picture I took off the pier. If you double click it, you can see the burned mountain range behind SB, where the massive fire was just this last May.

On the pier. We were watching some families fishing, throwing in their lines and pulling in Mackeral just as fast.

A couple days later we had a combination going away/ birthday party for Elizabeth.

We went to Disneyland for Elizabeth's birthday on the 11th. Keith met us there. Again I got a hotel, however, I was much luckier this time. I managed to get a nice one just outside the park. No "big" celebrations going on.

We, meaning Dan and I, had not been there for about 8 years, though both the kids had. This picture shows lots of people and Disney Town in the back ground. This used to be the parking lot. Not only when I was a child, but when my youngest were in grammer school. There is a 4 or 5 tier parking lot, that wasn't there 8 years ago.

We get a hotel because we stay very late and will not drive home the same night. Keith left around 8, but then he had work the next day and is much closer then we are. We got home on the 12th, early afternoon. That evening we met with Ryan's family for pizza. Kinda of a going away for Elizabeth.

Here we are sitting, in the San Francisco airport, just before she goes to board her plane. It was a 12 hour, non-stop flight to Korea.

I admit, I was a little emotional when she left. She needed to go, she needs to be with her husband and we are excited and happy for her/them to be together~~ as they should be as husband and wife. It is just so far away. When we come back from Colorado we are going to get passports. We are planning at least one trip over. We need passports to go to Canada, as we do like to go to Vancouver Island.

We took over their household items that were here, to his folks for the army to pick up and ship over. Apparently they didn't come as scheduled, minor changes in scheduling, and will come on the 1st to get their things. I have also mailed over packages and her computer, (it had some surgery done). Those packages and her computer arrived a few days ago.

I helped set up my old classroom and have even subbed one day last week. School started last Monday.

Now I am up late, finishing some last minute things before we leave for Colorado.

We will take the dog to the vets in the morning, for boarding. The cats are taken care of. The little boy across the street is now 7, and he will earn some money for feeding our outside cat and filling the bird feeder for us. The gecko is with her former owner while we are gone. I gave the fish and the tank to my former classroom and teacher there (we are friends). It has been a busy month and gone by very fast.

My next post will be from Colorado, we will be there 10 days. One thing, besides family, I am looking forward to is some cooler weather. And some catch~up time on my e-mails and catching up on blogs.

God Bless

Happy birthday Mom

2009-08-25T21:57:00.001-07:00

Today my mom would have been 83 years old. Happy birthday mom.

Today is Monday

2009-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday, and there is so much to do. Elizabeth had a good trip to NY and back, with her SIL. The first time E. has been in NY city. We went to NY in 2004 when we took a road trip back to visit my brother and his wife. We visited Niagara Falls, and my SIL took Keith and Elizabeth to Syracuse for a day where they did some sight seeing and shopping. We also visited with some friends in CO., my BIL and his girls in Ohio, and my aunt in NY. That was a great trip, and my mom having a fully contained motor home enabled us to do much sight seeing along the way, and take care of my mom and all her medical needs, etc. I am so glad we drove it, so much to see, but not enough time or money to see all of it. I especially liked not being on toll roads back east. There is so much old architecture to see (much older then in CA) and it is so beautiful, you miss it on the toll roads. More then the experience that we all enjoyed, I am so glad my mother was still with us to enjoy it. Of course, she had talked about it for years so we finally just did it. It was a great experience for us all, and the kids, being newly graduated from high school and 1 year out.

So much to do and so little time. Hopefully we will know today or tomorrow when Elizabeth is heading off to Korea. We need to go get her ticket at the base (about an hour away). She is and needs to finish getting their household items ready for the military to pick up and ship over. Between doing things, Thursday and Friday she and I are going to visit her brother in Santa Barbara, we are planning a going away party next Sunday eve. and a trip to Disneyland on her birthday. I also, pray that the base (in Korea) has a decent Christian church, as I am not sure what is off base. Please pray for her and Ryan.
After we know when she is leaving we will set dates for our trip to CO. We know when we have to be there, those dates were set in early July, so we will revolve around them. Sorry that she isn't able to go with us~~ but glad her sister and family were here in early July for a visit. However, Elizabeth will be with her husband, as she should be, and they will have some grand adventures of their own.
God bless

Boating on a hot day

2009-07-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

Last week we had a couple days of 99 and 98, after 10 days of over 100. We are again, in triple digits. Yesterday it was 105, so we took the boat out. The first time since Dan's surgery, it was his idea.
I need to remember that the photos load backwards, so you are looking at the last to the first. Elizabeth on a single ski, before heading in.

Elizabeth and Cari in the tube.

After lunch we took off from the beach, you can see how low the water level is in the background. Actually not to bad for the end of July, considering the water is used for agriculture.

During lunch a ladybug decided it wanted a soft landing spot.

The beach where we swam and ate. It got really deep, real fast. Elizabeth invited a friend along and it was a nice relaxing day. I will admit I wasn't up to cooking dinner after we got home so we ordered some pizza.
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Amazing, sometimes what you think of when you wake up in the mornings. It has been 11 years today since my dad had a fatal car accident. Miss you dad. ♥

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Things change fast. Elizabeth is most likely leaving for Korea in a little less then 3 weeks. The date isn't confirmed yet. So much to do. She needs to get ready the things she wants to have sent over for their household. She's working on it.

In the meantime she leaves this Friday for her NY trip, she won.

I need to make hotel reservations today for our visit to Disneyland, and boarding for the dog.

And...

I am NOT looking forward to another hot day.

Have a great day and God Bless........

A busy but good week.

2009-07-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

It was a busy week getting ready for a visit with my sister. My niece just moved close to Colorado Springs, where her husband is stationed (Army). My sister (& 8 year old grandson) drove from OR. to help them move in. On the way home she was suppose to visit for a few days, however, since they would be going by Vegas, Elliase wanted to see his mom (he spends the summers with grandma) so they went there. They did come here, but only for one night, instead. It was a short but nice visit. The first thing she did was lock her keys in her car. That taken care of we then had time to visit. I believe the high that day was officially 108, so the pool was good for Elliase. They left Sunday morning for the long drive home, I think they made it in 10 hours. Of course not only was it the 2 of them, there were also 2 small dogs in the car (in cages) so they did have to make a few stops as necessary.
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Earlier in the week Dan was going to help a friend of his paint a house, but it was to soon after surgery so he only could give about 4 hours. Kinda hard when you want to do something, but there is a reason the doctor said to wait 6 weeks.
Sat. Dan went up and picked up Eric, so he could take home his (new to him) truck, so Eric got to visit with his aunt, and swim later with Elliase and Elizabeth.
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It has been hot! Sunday broke a 110 year old record of 111, it was 112. Today the official high was 108, tomorrow 107. The long term forecast has the weather mostly 105 give or take a couple degrees for the next 9 days.It is 10:20 PM right now and 89 outside, that is cooler then last night. The last time we has a long spell like this was the summer of 2006 when we has 12 days over 100, with several of them being 112/113. I'm ready to move back to the coast!
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Up and coming we are going to Disneyland for Elizabeth's birthday. She gets in free and is taking a friend who has a pass. Me, well I have to pay and so does Dan. I will make a hotel reservation as we stay until the park closes at midnight but will not drive home then. We are also planning a road trip to Colorado, but may fly (that OK Rochelle?) as some airlines are slashing their prices between Aug. 18 - middle of Nov. We still have Eric's birthday in Aug. and are trying to find time to go to Santa Barbara to visit Keith. Dan's Grand Jury duty messes up some of the dates. We still have no date for when Elizabeth will be going to Korea to be with Ryan. Hoping that when he is done with his latest training he may find out some information.
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I will be using Keith's room for a sewing room and set up a table to do some scrap booking. I don't want to put a bed in there and nothing else, except the toy boxes. When we need to I can put all away with ease and pull out some twin size air mattresses for sleeping on.
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We hear that there is a deal with the CA. budget, and voting is on Thursday. They are still going to close some of the state parks, but don't know which ones yet. Also that if signed on Thurs. IOU's will be turned to real checks. Last time we got IOU's our credit union cashed them, but not all banks will do that. Dan is retired, so he shouldn't get an IOU. However, both our son's work for the parks and we don't know yet. They already have 3 furlough days a month or 14 o/o pay reduction. Both their parks were on the closure list, hopefully not now. Hoping, also, it doesn't cut the Cal Grant program either, as Elizabeth has a grant and really can't afford to lose it. At this point all we can do is pray for the best.

Awwwww , that's all I have to say!

2009-07-10T13:22:00.001-07:00

Haven't done much blogging lately. Sooooooo, I am now doing some catch up. Haven't blogged much about Dan's surgery. Of course I have kept the kids updated with all that was going one. It is just a hard swallow when you hear the word 'cancer.' But all has gone well and everything looked good and clean after the surgery. Of course there will be more testing at a later date, that is just a precautionary procedure. As he has said, it is really nice to have so many God fearing friends and family who have been praying for him, and irregardless of how things may have turned out, it's OK when you have the Lord in your life. While waiting for him to go into surgery our pastor and 2 of the elders came by and sat with us and prayed with us. While he was in surgery anther couple we are good friends with came by and sat with me until the doctor came out. It is a real comfort having friends in Christ that can come and just be with you. It has been a little over 3 weeks and he is doing remarkably well. Still gets a little more tired then before, but that is because his body is still healing.
We have a good friend, (who will be 82 in Aug.) His wife had a stroke about a year and half ago, so she is not as strong as she used to be. Anyway, he has the flu (also diabetic) so Dan spent the night there last night to help out in case anything happened. God has a plan and He uses His own to help and comfort His own, also. Things were much better today and he was holding down his food and feeling better.

Had a nice 2 day visit with Rochelle and family. Kinda did nothing much the first day they were here. Would have taken the boat out or gone to the lake if it weren't for Dan's recent surgery. (Hopefully after his 6 week check up we can take the boat out again). But, to the enjoyment of the little one's, "Bob the Builder" was at the met, so we ladies packed up the kids and headed downtown to the museum. Needless to say Brandon & Caitlin had a fantastic time. They even got to meet "Bob". We all enjoyed ourselves, and it was fun to play there with the little ones.

We did get the kiddie pool out for them each day and they really enjoyed it, and of course we enjoyed watching them.

The day after Rochelle and Brian and kids left, Elizabeth and I headed to our place at the lake. My bother and his youngest were there. It was a nice visit. We headed to Lakeport for the fireworks display over the lake. It was nice, haven't been there for the 4th for a while.

There may be 10 1/2 years between them but they had fun "poking each other."

When Elizabeth and I headed home we went to St. Helena and some of the wineries. We stopped at Charles Krug first. The 2nd place we stopped was at the old Christian Brothers Winery, which since sometime in the 70's has been "The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone." We went inside to look around. Every since I was real young I can remember wanting to stop at this place and now I have. I got some real nice pictures inside, and it is remarkable inside. Of course I wanted to buy everything in the store but of course ~ I didn't!

The photo above shows the swallows nests on the building. It was built in the middle 1800's.

We stopped at Beringer Winery.This was his house, and it is just as amazing inside.

The stained glass windows are fantastic and the woodwork is amazing. Just beautiful.

Stopped at a couple other places, didn't taste everywhere we stopped, it can get pricey.

The last place we stopped was Robert Mondavi, and that was the favorite for the wine. I didn't have much as I was driving and still had a 4 1/2 hour drive ahead of me, but I did taste. R. M. has a desert wine that is really good. I should mention that wine can sit in my refrigerator for quite some time, as I am not much of a drinker, but I do like to cook with it.

It's hot!

2009-06-29T19:36:00.001-07:00

Yesterday tied a record of 108, today was cooler 106. That is if you can call that cool. Glad we have an AC, but dread the PGE bill.

I Took HIs Hand and Followed

2009-06-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

(I do not know who wrote this, credit be given to them. I was given this copy after the birth of my 2nd son ~~ doesn't matter boy or girl~~ and I immediately fell in love with it. I found it today sorting through some school things. Maybe I was going to copy it and put in my monthly newsletter. God knows.
******************************************************************
♥

My dishes went unwashed today, I didn't make the bed, I took his hand and followed where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring, my little son and I. Exploring all the great outdoors beneath the summer sky.

We waded in a crystal stream, we wandered through a wood, my kitchen wasn't swept today, but life was bright and good.

We found a cool sun-dappled glade and now my small son knows how mother bunny hides her nest where Jack-in-the pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young, we climbed a sunlit hill, saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, we plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected, that I didn't sweep the stair, in Twenty years, no one on earth will know or even care.

But that I've helped a little boy to noble manhood grow, in twenty years, the whole wide word may look and see and know.

Happy Father's day!

2009-06-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

I wanted to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. He has been gone for almost 11 years now. But I still think of him when special occasions come up, and other times also. He was a great person.

Dan came home from the hospital Sat. and went to church today! There is no keeping him down!!! He made a great patient for the hospital staff, as you can see. Happy Father's Day to the father of my children, you are a great man and I Love You!

Events of the last few days include taking a picture of the "one" and only ripe tomato we have. It is a lovely tomato! There are some green ones on the vine. We will enjoy this one tomorrow night. They are slow this year.

The sunflowers are blooming nicely, only about a half dozen or so this year, but they are nice.

Keith had a going away party Friday. He decided to show the gecko off. She liked his shirt, kept jumping to it as he'd hold her out. She also proceeded to climb on his face.

I hope everyone had a great Father's day with their dad. It doesn't take much to be a father, but it takes quite a lot to be a dad! I thank my heavenly Father for his love, and my earthly father for the love he also gave.

Little Bits

2009-06-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

Reposting pictures because Picasa got a bug.

We took the boat out again on Wednesday, as it is going to be at least 6 weeks before Dan will be able to go out again (that is another blog). Keith was coming up, but wouldn't be here in time for boating, so Elizabeth invited Cari to come. She hasn't done much boating, so it was fun. We pulled the girls behind in the tube, and I think Cari enjoyed it. Elizabeth then did some knee boarding. It was a refreshing afternoon. And now the boat is ready when the guys come to visit ~ if they want to take it out. If you double click the pictures you can see how high the water is. Sadly it is snow melt that melted to soon.

I captured this dragonfly sitting on top of one of the gladiolas at the side of the house. Everytime I got near it would fly away and if I was very still return to the same spot.

When things settle down in a few weeks, I will spend sometime exploring what my camera can do. I want to get another lens for really close up pictures or one so I can take pictures of the moon (that'll wait).

Just some pictures

2009-06-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

Before & after shots of the thunder and lightening, the end of May. The guys had to remove the tarp because the wind was so strong. We park under the tarp because the tree always sheds, we think the pigeons like to gather right above the vehicles and leave their mark on the vehicles.
Before

after ~ I was unable to get a shot of the lightening ~ it was vertical as well as horizontal.

Lakeport park, Labor Day weekend. I captured a picture of a mama duck and her babies. The dad was there also.

Last day.

2009-06-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy 2 weeks. Not only end of year activities and close out for my class, also a Bridal shower and Hilary's wedding. Elizabeth made a beautiful bridesmaid.

On Thursday we had our "End of the year ceremony" for my class. On Friday we had a pot luck brunch for the children and their parents. The principal of the school and other staff came by the present me with a plaque and beautiful bouquet of flowers in honer of my retiring. It was nice.

Now it is time for me to do some catch up not only with neglected house cleaning, but blogging, scrapbooking, sewing, reading, etc., etc., etc. Only now I will have some more time to do that in. Trying to get some work done before Dan's surgery (that's another story) on Thursday.

Going to the gym soon, that is another area that has been neglected the last 2 weeks. Oh, did I mention some sleep! Yes, that is defiently something I look forward to.

God Bless

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2009-05-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

Until I started teaching ( and it is only pre-kindergarten!) I never gave a lot of thought to my kids complaining about the last few weeks of school. Now, I have a greater appreciation of school getting out. I honestly believe that teachers look forward to it more then the kids. The end of the year clean up, organizing, etc. etc, etc. goes on and on and on. Also, finishing up the children's memory books, binding their ABC books ~ and as a gift from me to my families, I give each family a disk with anywhere from 400 -600 digital pictures I have taken through out the year and pictures parents have taken and been so kind to give me a disk I can down load. But to make it easier on me, I do edit the pictures through out the year. What takes time is just putting then on a disk. I have the pictures in a folder and all it takes is a click, but I have to do 24 disks. Enough complaining. School is out the 12th, and my official last day is the 13th. I have gotten all (I hope) my retirement papers in and now am waiting to hear back, the usual stuff.

We had a good weekend at the lake. I will post some pictures later of the 'thinning' of the trees. The place still looks like a mini forest, but with a little more visual in the front, yeah! I really do not like overgrown places, reminds me of old people (we'll just ignore the fact that I am 60). My brother and his youngest were there. Timmy is now 13, wow. We had a good visit.

The weather forecast said today was suppose to be 98 and it was 102 and it felt like it. The AC in my classroom went out a week ago Monday, and finally got fixed yesterday. My class gets out at 11:30, so with windows open and doors open it wasn't to terrible. Yeah for the AC getting fixed. The weather forecast said/explained how the heat created the thunderstorms tonight. And tonight quite a thunderstorm came through the area, lots of lightening and some rain. I am really hoping not to wake up to some massive fire somewhere because of the lightening. I think the thunder got stuck above the house, as you could feel the house vibrate slightly and the cats hid where ever they could. The sound was very loud and the lightening almost blinding. Nothing like the thunderstorms we experienced living in the Sierra's, but still impressive. God can light up the sky!
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It has also been busy here, getting Keith ready to move to Santa Barbara. He and his dad took a load down on Wednesday. He will be leaving here on Saturday and his first day is the 1st. I still need to sew the patches on his shirts and will do that tomorrow evening. We will prepare his room, as his bed is gone, for the grandchildren to sleep in. We will turn it into a library, not a spare bedroom, except for the grandkids. We will put in the children's books and the toys, also.
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I have been wanting to update my side bars on my blog, but work has side tracked me on that also.
I probably should sign off as it is late and I need to get up early, and am really misspelling words now. The children are having "octopus" for snack and I have to leave earlier to get the stuff at the store, on the way to work.
God bless

Going.

2009-05-22T07:31:00.001-07:00

We are getting out of town for a few days this weekend. Going to our place at the lake. Not all of us, Keith's last day of work was yesterday, and he starts his new job June 1st and has things he needs to do here. Moving to Santa Barbara, gee! He should like it, going from the heat of the central valley to the cool coast. Working at a beach, who can complain. I loved it when we lived at the beach near Santa Cruz and in Monterey. I think those are some of my most favorite places. I love to smell the ocean air, even like the coastal fog, it has much more personality then the valley fog~ which just sits here and takes in all the stale smell around us.

Don't know about anyone else, but my computer is not letting me open up and stay on some blogs for very long. Sorry about that. Hopefully it will feel betting when we return. That's what happened last time. I think I will virus scan it and spy ware scan it.
Have a Blessed Weekend!

Hot!

2009-05-17T21:33:00.001-07:00

It was 104 yesterday, today it hit 106. We turned on the AC and got the fans out. Even the cats had no energy. I thought this was just funny of Squirt, he just lay there.

I see my windows need to be cleaned, they shall be added to my list of things that need to get done as soon as school is out or sooner!

Quotes

2009-05-16T07:22:00.001-07:00

It all started with a quote I read yesterday, I believe was said by Ronald Reagan and it goes something like this:
In this current crisis government is not our solution,
it is the problem.
(it's hard to write when you are driving)

The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.
Ronald Reagan

There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.
Ronald Reagan

We are never defeated unless we give up on God.
Ronald Reagan

We might come closer to balancing the Budget if all of us lived closer to the Commandments and the Golden Rule.
Ronald Reagan

Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.
Ronald Reagan

Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.
Billy Graham

The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
Billy Graham

It is a masterpiece of the devil to make us believe that children cannot understand religion. Would Christ have made a child the standard of faith if He had known that it was not capable of understanding His words?
Dwight L. Moody

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.
Dwight L. Moody

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. ....
...................Norman Vincent Peale

Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds.
Norman Vincent Peale

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.
Norman Vincent Peale

God Bless ♥

Yeah!

2009-05-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

Conferences are done and the papers are all turned in. Just need to get what I have left in order and place in the childrens files. I had 22 of 24 families come in for conferences. So tomorrow I will be able do some belated housecleaning.

Ready or not!

2009-05-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

I am ready and glad my parent conferences are almost over so I can move on to other things.
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I am not ready for it to be 104 on Sunday! I hope the weathermen are wrong in their predictions as that is above normal for this time of year!

Owl Lady

2009-05-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

The "Owl Lady" as she is called, came to my class today for an on site field trip. As you can imagine the children were captivated by her and her birds. They are all rescued birds that cannot be let loose in the wild. While they want to fly, the three she brought in today cannot. They were hit by cars and their wings broken.

This owl was angry and kept scolding the lady, as she had recently laid an egg and wanted her egg, though infertile. The children thought she looked angry.

The burrowing owl was the smallest yet the oldest ~ almost 12 years old. He is called "Grandpa owl".

If you look closely you can see where the wing was broken on this Red Tailed Hawl. She was only 3 months when she was hit.

It was a wonderful presentation, geared to the ages I have in my class. She talked about each one, showed ~literally~ an example of the different wing spans for some of the birds. The Calif. condor has the largest wing span and the hummingbird the smallest. She explained some of there behavior, talked about what they ate, where they lived, etc. She asked the children questions and let them answer. Needless to say all the birds flapped and spread their wings to the delight of the clsss. She was great and so were the birds. I don't know why I haven't called her in before this.

After all was said and done I let the children out onto the play yard for approximately 20 minutes before we brought them back in for activities. They did remarkabley well and needed the outside time to run and let loose some of their energy.

♥

God Bless!

1915

2009-05-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

This is the photo that I recently restored. I printed out a 5 x 7 copy last night at the college, and it is really nice. The photo was very yellow with lots of stains on it. It had been cut with scissors and the edges on the original are ragged. My instructor said it was very nice, and maybe we could do a copy in black and white, only. I worked on it in photoshop CS3. If you click on it, it will enlarge. It was taken approximately between (I am guessing) 1915-1918. My grandmother was born in 1905 and she is the young girl in the center of the photo. It is my great grandmother and g. grandfather Laura and Frank. Guy (L) is the oldest, my grandmother~ Bernice, and Elwin. The youngest I am guessing, wasn't born yet, not sure. I plan on getting copies printed for other family members, but will wait on that for a little while. FYI, they lived in Minn. until my mother was 7 when they moved to Calif.

Now it is back to conference paperwork, for tomorrow.

Pray

2009-05-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

I finally finished restoring the photo I have been working on of my grandma and her family, taken around 1915 or so. If I do say so myself, I was pleased with the way it turned out. Later I will try to save it in jpeg so I can post it.

Went with my hubby to a doctors appointment today, and while there he told me a friend had been in an accident Monday morning. Since we were at Kaiser I was able to call the info line and find out what room she was in. So we headed up to check on her. God was with her Monday morning, as she may be bruised, cut and have broken bones nothing is life threatening. She was hit by a semi she did not see. Please pray for Chris. When she leaves the hospital she will go to a a rehab facility for some physical therapy. I pray for a speedy recovery for her. She is probably one of the nicest people I have ever known.

I so look forward to 2:oo Friday, as most of my conferences will be over, with just a few the next week. Right now I am just taking a break, my spelling is horribile and I think I should finish my conference notes, have a blessed night.

So much to do!

2009-05-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

So much to do and so little time. I have parent conferences Friday and all next week. It's not hard just very time consuming. My staff help me with the observations, assessments, etc. but in the end I still have to put them all together. I usually don't get the sleep I'd like, but always look forward to Saturday mornings when I can sleep in. Friday evening there is a girl's night out at the church and am looking forward to a little fun and games with some friends.
♥
Friday Elizabeth picked up her Bridesmaid dress for Hilary's wedding in June. It looks real nice on her and fits very nicely, she won't need to get it altered.
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Today I went with Elizabeth to Lamoor NAS where she got her overseas physical, which had to be done and signed by a military doctor. She got a power of attorney so that after she leaves for Korea, sometime during the summer, I can authorize what can be shipped overseas, when the military come by to pick up their things, of course it will be what she decides goes. Slowly things are coming together for the transition so she can join her husband.

Eric came down, he bought a newer pickup and now will sell the one he has. (He actually came down to help his dad work on his 55 Studebaker.) As we have a corner house, you should have seen the front and the side, everyone has a pick up and I have a car~ 5 pickups parked outside. It looks like a car lot for pickups or a bunch of rednecks live here! Sigh.............
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Keith went down to Santa Barbara Saturday, to look at the room he'll be renting and get information, etc. I believe he said he'll have a 12 mile commute to Carpenteria. He will need to look for another place to live within the year as his friends plan on moving away from Santa Barbara. At least he will have a little more time to look and will be near his job. So we will be putting together food, ordering uniforms, etc. in anticipation of his move. He won't be able to take all his furniture at this time, but will have to decide what he wants besides his bed, desk and computer. Oh, he will take the dorm 'fridge we have and keep it in his room.

We will be looking at an empty EMPTY nest come this summer, with our nearest child living 2 1/2 hours away or should I also say the nearest family. That is life isn't it.

I have recently discovered a show on TV called California's Gold, with host Huell Howser. Many people I know have heard of him, but not me. He does half hour shows about interesting places in California to visit. I Tivo them until I have time to watch. Some I am not interested in, but others yes. After I retire I think we may be taking some 3-4 day trips to go and visit these places. You would think that being born and raised in Calif. for most of my life I would know some of these things. But some of those places are little out of the way places or things I just never thought about. However, he also does State Parks in Calif. and most of those I know about.

I really dislike the politics in California, but there is so much here!

Photoshop

2009-04-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Feels like life has been in the fast lane lately, where has the time gone! The last few weeks seem to have flown by so quickly! Six more weeks until school is out and so much to do. I have parent conferences next Friday and right now am procrastinating getting all my paperwork done. I will be busy this next week that is for sure!
√
Last week in photoshop we had four pictures we had to work on: we had to repair a blemished photo of a young girl, give an older man a more youthful appearance, repair a ripped photo that also had missing pieces and restore a very old photo that was stained and faded. When done I had to explain how I fixed each picture and I go a 95 out of 100. I felt good about that. Currently I am restoring a picture taken (I am guessing anywhere between 1913-1917) of a family portrait of my grandmother and family, when she was between 8- 12 years old. It is a little hard to tell because then you had to stand so still because of the way photos were taken. I am guessing the age because her older and younger brothers were both wearing knickers and the youngest wasn't born yet or at least wasn't in the picture as he would have been a baby (the photo wasn't dated) After the photo was scanned and I started working on it, I zoomed in so I could repair small detail. As I was working on it I struck by how much one of my cousins (Becky) looks like my great grandmother! My GG would have been in her late 20's - early 30's and my cousin is 38, so close in age and appearance. After I am done with the photo, have printed it out (the college has a great photo printer!) and saved as.. I will let my cousin know what I found and send her a copy. The plan is that after the photo is restored to get copies made to give to family at our annual family reunion in the fall. I cannot post it because the instructor saved it in Tiff and to post or e-mail photos they need to be saved in jpeg and I will save as .. in jpeg after I am finished. I am able to do some work on it at home on my PC but in class we use Mac.
Then the final project is to make a CD cover. I have all the information and he went over it last night. I don't know what to do it on. There are 2 more classes then the final. I am to save the project on a flash drive and he will then download it onto his computer. We are also to not flatten it but to save all the layers so he can see how we did it. I have asked Elizabeth to help me. She has a Mac and has CS2 on it (the professional version), plus she has more knowledge of working with digital images and photshop, after all she is a photography major and I trust her knowledge!

Random shots.

2009-04-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Keith sold his Geo last month, and now has 1991 Escort. The colors aren't as vibrant in this photo as in real life. This is one of my favorite roses with the oranges and yellows so vibrant. Looks pink here but it is an orange red.

The miniature pink roses finally bloomed.

Lots of little things emerging!

2009-04-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me say that my pictures posted backwards from how I loaded them. Why? Who knows?
Friday was a very exciting day in our Prekindergarten classroom. We got to see the chicks in the 2nd grade classroom and how they had grown. They were going home to their farm that day. We had a turtle and 3 ducklings for show and tell, also.
♥
Read on for the rest of the exciting news.

If you double click on the pictures they will enlarge. You are looking at praying mantis. They began hatching Friday during class. Of course, you can imagine the excitement of the children as they watched the progression of the praying mantis emerge from the egg.

As we were watching and talking about what was going on my associate said "Did one just bite the head off one?" Yep. Because this all was happening on Friday we told the children what was going on and then we headed outside and found a secluded corner in the yard that was semi protected, yet had lots of decomposing leaves where there would be many tiny types of bugs and insects for them to eat.
Praying mantis are carnivorous critters and when there are no other sources of food available for them to eat, they will turn and eat one another. That is the way God made them. They are an insect that are not only harmless to humans and their environment but are fundamentally good because they will eat bugs that damage our food crops.

Our butterflies (Painted Lady) also emerged from their cocoons earlier in the week. It had been way to windy to let them fly so I brought in some Sweet Williams for food until we were able to let them fly. I grow them in my garden at home. Four cocooned and all four emerged, but not on the same day. Two flew and two we will release on Monday. As we teach about the butterflies they also learn about bees and pollination, which they both do.
You can see 3 of 4 in the last picture. The red is not blood but a type of fluid/ink that is part of their metamorphoses

The silk worms are tiny and growing. I will take them in on Monday. The children are eagerly anticipating the worms. I have read the book, we have discussed the pictures. I have taken in some cocoons that didn't hatch last year, and will take in some more that did, for them to pick up, touch and pull off some silk strands.

These are such visual learning and teaching instruments, and the children remember so much when they can see what is happening. It is fun to watch and listen to the children as they huddle around the containers in the science area, discussing this among themselves. It is such great language, especially for the children who are learning English.

This also allows me to talk about some of the creations God made and the who, what and whys of these critters. I do themes on snakes and spiders also, especially since my school is in the country and there are rattlesnakes and black widows in abundance around here. We had a baby rattler in the boys bathroom four years ago, and black widows in the shed in our yard. They can be very scary. I try to teach the children they do not need to be afraid of these creatures and yo have a healthy respect for the creatures: and why they should not touch things they don't know what are or could be very dangerous for them.

♥

When my older children were little we lived in the community known as Big Sur. They had so many opportunities there it was unbelievable. Because we didn't have reception and satellite TV did not exist my children had no TV for 4 years, so we did a lot of reading and different outside things including exploring. There was so much community involvement in the school that their learning experiences were expanded way beyond the classroom. I think in a way I try to keep some of that learning and bring it into my classroom. That is one of the reasons I do some of the things I do.

Achy muscles

2009-04-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

I am a little tired of the weather this last week, way to hot for April. Two days at 98, then 96, 87, today around 76~ which is more the normal this time of year.
I added weights to my work out this week and I am feeling it a little. I probably will leave the weights where they are. At my age just how much weights do I need to be able to handle? I have found that I like the cross trainer much, much more then the treadmill.
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All my rose bushes have finally bloomed. My garden is just full of color. I will post some pictures later after work.
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After all the fires in Calif. last summer (every summer) I am saddened to hear about the fires in S.C. Fires are just bad no matter where they are!
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God bless ♥

Too hot!

2009-04-20T22:31:00.001-07:00

One of the 2nd grade teachers, where I work, incubates eggs for her class. I was able to take my class in one day last week to see the baby chicks. They are so cute. We will go in again this week to see how much they have grown. I have 24 children in my class so I divide them up into groups of 8, it's less distracting as class is in session when we go in.
It has been hot the last 2 days. 95 today and the same tomorrow. That is around 15 degrees higher then what is normal for this time of year. I am posting a photo of Chloe, she is sprawled out on the cat climber, where she is getting a direct breeze from the ceiling fan.

At least the mornings are cool and it is still cooling down at night.

I am still going through the retirement papers I need to send in. Hoping to get them in the mail before Friday. I am also finishing up assessments and getting ready for conferences. The rest of the school does not do spring conferences. We do them so we can let parents know where their child is socially and academically as they are getting ready to go into kindergarten the end of August. I don't like some surprises and so I let parents know 'if' I have any concerns that I will pass onto the kindergarten teachers and I do hand over a copy of the 'academic' part of the assessments to the K teachers, the parents get a copy also. On the last day of school I send home a little packet of work for the children to do over the summer. I laminate the papers so they can practice their names, letters, etc. using a washable marker. Then they can wipe off the marker with a damp cloth and do it again.

Tonight it is no fun doing paper work when it is so hot, and it is way to early to even think of using the AC.

It is getting late, but I think at last it is cool enough so I can get some sleep.

My yard is blooming ♥

2009-04-19T21:22:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post some pictures of my yard. The weather has gone from extremely windy and cold to more then warm. The flowers are in all stages of bloom. God has a mighty way of painting beauty for us!

Oops.

2009-04-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

There is always going to be something missed when children grow up. One is coloring Easter eggs. The kids had fun and the cat was curious.

BUT, I still make "Bunny Bags" for those who are at home. I am afraid 'these' bunnies had a hard time waiting for Easter morning.

They still had a smile on their face.

Need I say more? What's done is done. ♥ We had a good Easter, hope you all did, also.

Praise the Lord!

2009-04-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

He is risen!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. HAPPY EASTER everyone! ♥ ♥

Odds and ends ♥

2009-04-10T16:55:00.001-07:00

Here is a funny picture of Squirt. He is so afraid of going outside, but loves to watch the birds. This is his latest position ~ on most days. He is watching the finches or doves on the ground eating the seed that has been knocked down.

We have found a cat food that does not make his food allergy flare up. It is so nice not to have to take him in every other month for his allergy shot. It is nice that he has all his fur also, he looks so funny and pathetic when he is half bald.

Keith and Elizabeth getting ready to go to their older brother's for a couple days.
I really thought the storm we had the other night ruined my flowers, but I was (happily) wrong. The Sweet Williams are beginning to bloom. If you want butterflies to come to your garden these flowers are one of several that will attract them. I really like them~ one package produces many different colors and they will reseed for years.

The roses are beginning to let loose. Here is a picture of just a few. If you look closely you can see the buds. There are 4 different bushes in this photo and all different colors.

I thought the iris's were gone, surprisingly they did survive. They are laying down a bit but still look pretty.

I have been working out at the gym more. This week I added some more weight to some of my routines, and I am feeling it. I have started using the cross trainer ramp and that really gives me a work out. I don't usually go on the weekend, but am thinking of going tomorrow as I skipped today. We try and go between 3-4 days a week.

Well, now it is about time to think about dinner, think I'll do breakfast tonight!

Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

2009-04-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

My computer/internet has been at a snail's pace lately ~ for any number of reasons. This is the first I have been able to get to my blog in a couple of days, or to read those that I follow.

We had one terrific storm go by last night, thunder, lightening and rain that was extremely loud. Two of our cats hid for sometime and would have slept with us if they could, but they aren't allowed in the bedrooms. It was enough to wake us up around 1:00 am, and the thunder sounded as if was right above our house (but it wasn't, it was just very loud). Having lived in the Sierra's for several years we have experienced lightening just across the street from us. We got close to an inch of rain in just a few hours. There is another storm coming in tomorrow evening and through Friday. Last I heard 'our' storm was in Utah and I don't know where it is going from there. The valley really needs the rain.

Elizabeth and I went down to the passport office Tuesday so she could get the application process started. I believe they said 8 - 10 weeks. When she went to New Zealand it took around 3-4 months. If all goes well she should be moving to Korea this summer to join her husband who is stationed in South Korea. We will also apply, who knows maybe we'll go to Korea for a visit.

I finally talked to my supervisor about my retiring this June. I now need to fill out the paperwork and get it in the mail. Since my computer is now up to some speed I can finish reading the information that was sent to me (I don't want to download 50 pages of instruction, I just want to fill out the 10 pages I have.) I am still struggling with it a little ~ so I will put my name on the sub list, but I am also looking forward to the time I will have doing some of the other things I enjoy and just spending time with my husband. More on that later. Since we are planning on driving to Colorado this summer to visit our daughter and her family, we now will have more flexibility in planning our trip and what we can do!

God Bless ♥

Photoshop

2009-04-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

In my photoshop class the instructor is talking about scanning now. We will be taking in a picture that needs repairing, scan it and then fix it. I am not sure which one I will take in, as I have several to choose from. Last night I took in a tin picture of my dad on his 1st birthday (1925). We weren't sure if it would scan or not, after making the necessary adjustments on the scanner it was a go. It scanned really well, I am pleased. I had a flash drive with me so we were able to save it, and that makes me happy. Now I can work on it at home and then get some copies for other family members.

He downloaded some of the pictures we will be "repairing" so I can practice at home. There were 4 students left at 9:00, class is over at 11:00, so we all were able to get some downloads to take home. Three of the others, me being the fourth, have CS3 or CS4 at home, I have Photoshop 7. But I will do what I can, and at least it will give me some practice. I need to mention that the 4 of us at 9:00 were not the youthful typical college students, but more the more mature ones that really want to learn the program. It is interesting learning this stuff, but lectures and video tend to be on the dull side. Working on the computer, going through the book, step by step is not always exciting but it is hands on and it does help. Sometimes I need to do a lesson over a couple times to really get. I have finished all the required lessons, now he will give me some extras to work on in class or I can just go over the more difficult ones I had.

We have had some nice weather, but we still could use more rain. I am afraid that anymore storms that may come our way will not be significant in the amount of rainfall or snow we need, but hey anything is better then nothing. The flowers are doing great and the oranges are delicious.

This & That ♥

2009-03-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Our flowers.
The new blinds, of which I am thrilled as this window has sun all day!

We had the children in class do some planting. They planted green beans, peas, butternut squash, viola's and pansies. What for? The flowers we are hoping will be nice and healthy plants to send home for Mothers day, the veggies go along with our gardening theme. The beans came up in 3 days. WOW! the kids are impressed so am I. We set the containers outside, weather permitting, during our outside time and bring them in at the end of class. The new blinds allow us to put them in front of a window where they will get the warmth of the sun but not the hot rays.

We are still waiting for our caterpillars and silkworms, but I do expect them any day now. We did get our praying mantis egg and it is as big as it looks. I checked out some books from the children's section of the public library for the children. They are just amazed to watch this egg just sit there. It is in an aquarium (minus the water) for safe keeping from little hands that want to touch everything they see. I do have plastic, life size replicas of the egg and the praying mantis so they can touch. It is fun to just watch the hundreds of little critters come out of the egg, it is like an explosion.

Since Elizabeth has been home Chloe is delighting in going outside on a daily basis. She actually looks like she has lost a little weight. This cat weighs around 16 pounds, she is just fat.

We let the boys out also, they don't know what to do ~ especially Jonah. Jade does, he just runs away or hides in the bushes and we have to flush him out. They also enjoy the 70 plus degree weather we are having now.

Spring!

2009-03-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

OK, so the first day of spring was Friday. We "celebrated" in class by making vegetable soup. Having to do with our theme of gardening/planting/spring, and following 2 of the stories we are reading and discussing with the children. All went well. Then on Saturday night, late this wild and crazy storm came through Calif. and dumped rain and snow where ever it could. I am grateful for what we got, though it wasn't enough. It rained Sunday morning and by the time church was out the rain was over and the storm moved on. Today it was in the mid 60's and tomorrow it is suppose to be 70. I am glad we went to Yosemite the weekend before as it snowed there over the weekend, roads were closed and those open required chains.

Now I am curious as to the type of birds that visit my yard. If you click on the photos they will enlarge. I am posting more for identification. It is really hard to get good pictures, even with my zoom lens on. Just as soon as I walk out the door the birds fly away. Even when I am trying to be as quite as I can. Occasionally I can sneak out for a picture.

Any comments are appreciated.

God Bless.

Doings

2009-03-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

It has been a long week, just random daily things I will spare you the details. I had Open House on Tuesday, and that kept me busy. I had a really good turn out, 18 of my 24 families came into the class. Talking with other staff at school, it was good all around. Usually spring Open House is not a good as the one in the fall ~ but it was a little better this year.

Here are some ramdom photos around the house. It seems we can't keep enough bird seed out to satisfy the birds. I am not sure what kind these are, but there can be as many as 6-9 little birds on the flat feeder and the one hanging next to it ~ at one time. Lots of doves also.
We have even had some pigeons showing up. Of course it drives the cats crazy as they are in the house looking out. The other birds do not want to be on the feeder with the pigeons. There have been a couple humming birds on occassion, but not many as they usually migrate. However, I will refresh their feeder today.

Some of the flowers are taking off also. The purple daisies are spilling onto the sidewalk.

My mom bought me this germanium when we bought the house as a house warming gift, sorta. It is doing great this year.

My iris's are georgeous, but they will soon be done.

The weather has been in the upper 70's all week. We are due for some rain tonight and tomorrow, then it will go back up to the 70's again.

We learned how to add color to drawings in photshop this week. So much stuff, it is very interesting but not very exciting. It is hard to stay awake during the videos. I brought a copy of the video home to "rewatch" it.

Have a Great day!

Yosemite

2009-03-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

Friday, Keith and Elizabeth went to L.A. to deliver the Galaxy to it's new owner. It was a long day for them. Keith drove the Galaxy and Elizabeth followed him, so he could come home. Needless to say it was a long day for them both. The person who purchased the car also gave them money for gas and food, very considerate as it took them 5-5 1/2 hours to get there. He is staying near Knotts Berry Farm Amusement Park in Anaheim. The cars next destination, New Zealand.

Saturday we went to Yosemite, Elizabeth, Dan and I. I haven't been there in the snow and have been wanting to. I am not sure that the amount of snow there really counts. The snow pack is somewhere around 88% of what is normal this time of year. We had a good time. Walked a lot, so we got our 'gym' time in, sorta.
Yosemite Falls, upper and lower. There were people going over the boundaries and climbing on the rocks/boulders around the falls. I really don't have much to say about their mentality. I am sure that most of the fence jumpers don't get hurt and go home with some exciting photos and stories ~ but some get severely hurt.

Half dome looks as if it has been sprinkled with powered sugar.

This is the river in the meadow and a view of upper Yosemite Falls. When we had the girls out from Ohio in 2006, we ate lunch here and they played in the water. Then again it was 103 when we had them and it was around 50 this day.

A view of Bridal Veil Falls.

Half Dome again.

We walked where we could, and saw what was open. Part of the park is closed until late May, they don't plow those roads and the road to Glacier Point is one of them. What was missing were wild flowers. We saw fields of them on the way up, but not many in the park. I guess it is just a bit early for that elevation.

We enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning. It takes us about 2 hours to get to the valley floor.

Just one of many places that magnify the glory of God and his miraculous works.

And it's off!

2009-03-09T15:37:00.001-07:00

It's been over a week since I blogged. What ever was I thinking that when my children grew up I would have lots of extra time, HAH! There is so much to do and not enough time. I will admit that I have been on the computer doing various things, and playing a game here and there, but not blogging ~ even though I have been reading others. I have lots of thoughts to blog, but am usually not even near the computer when the thought comes around.

So much for the needed rain last week. We had one rainy day and that isn't enough as we go into our 3rd drought year. There still is hope that we'll get some spring rain and snow, but it won't be enough to catch up. It is nice and sunny today but the wind is very icy and bone chilling.

Eric and dad are switching cars ~ Eric is getting the '59 El Camino and dad is getting the '55 Studebaker. Sometime during the early hours on Sunday someone broke into the Studebaker and stole the steering wheel. We think some kids out for a kick. They really didn't know what they were looking for. It is now in the yard behind locked gates. They egged Keith's car, so we think high school kids.

Keith is selling his Geo to a friend, but alas the tranny is having problems. He spent most all day Sunday working on the car, with his brother and dad. He now needs to finish putting it back together, after work.

This picture was taken last June. Keith is doing some work on/for his '59 Galaxy. Here it is! Looking nice and shiny. I can't even begin to say how much time and effort he has put into this car. He did a really nice paint job and enjoys driving it.

His goal has been to restore the car and sell it. There has been interest off and on. This last weekend he went down to Bakersfield, with his brother and dad to a vintage car show, meet. Anyway to make a long story short he sold the car to a man from New Zealand who is a collector. This gentleman has been in the U.S. for a couple months looking at and buying old cars for his collection, and will be in the U.S. for another month (with his family). Keith will drive the car to L.A. on Friday and the gentleman will bring him back.
Interestingly the car is going to become part of a collection.

OOPS!

2009-02-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

We had a pleasant surprise yesterday. Because of a clerical error Ryan has been able to come home until Sunday. You can imagine Elizabeth's delight.

I had planned on cleaning the refrigerator yesterday, but put it off until today ~ because of school stuff. I am hoping to sort through some more of my clutter this weekend, and in a few weeks get enough stuff together for a yard sale. Tomorrow would be perfect, it is suppose to be 74 degress, and then a week of rain. Alas, I am not ready. Tomorrow is Dan's birthday, so I shall worry about that instead.

I mentioned I was taking a Photoshop class. I am learning interesting things on how to work the program, much of which I will never use. There is a graphic arts student in the class, and a fashion student ~ I can see them using parts I will not. But, it is interesting. Hard to stay awake when he shows the videos, they are so technical. It isn't boring, but tedious and I know in the end I will be grateful to know what I am learning. For those who know Photoshop it is from CS3 and some of CS4 stuff, translated Photoshop 12 & 13.

Days Ahead ♥

2009-02-24T06:54:00.000-08:00

I've had a little difficulty blogging lately, only because of what I am going to blog about. I have read the blogs of others, and am faithfully praying for those and whom I have told I would pray about. God is glorious and has infinite wisdom, power and love for all of human kind. His ways are not always our ways, nor does He answer prayer the way we always want. But it it is one thing I know He has our interest at heart and even if prayer isn't answered the way we want, it is answered for our benefit and His glory.

Today our daughter is moving back home, temporarily. Her new husband is leaving for San Jose, to MEPS. Thursday he is heading for Missouri, then on Monday the 2nd he is heading for his duty station in S. Korea. When she joins him permanently we don't know for sure. This isn't exactly what they were hoping for after they got married in Nov. but it seems God has other plans. They have plans, and have discussed this a lot and have made dissions. So at this point I am asking for prayer for them, and their plans ♥. I pray for God to go before him to keep him safe.

God bless and have a good day ♥

Party day!

2009-02-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

Valentine's day is tomorrow, but because it is a Saturday school parties are today! I put out sign ups for parents to bring goodies to school for the children, and I try hard to have a list of healthy foods, fruits and vegetable for the children along with a few chips and dip and "real" juice, not punch or soda. Maybe a couple others like cookies or a cupcake (did you notice single, not plural cupcake). The kids do not eat the cupcakes, they just lick off the frosting. Cupcakes seem to be what we always have the most of. I really wish parents would try and stick to the list when they bring in goodies. Why not bring in crackers and cheese, a trail mix or granola mix. Those really are a big hit! (no peanuts this year due to peanut allergies) I realize they are just trying to be helpful and I am grateful. At times I have told parents no cupcakes because they just don't eat them very well and I feel it is wasted money and I don't want them to spend their money needlessly.
When they do birthdays and a parents brings in cupcakes, and that is all besides juice~ the children do eat them and they are not wasted.

I had plenty of parent/grandparent help today, which make things go much smoother~ as a 4/5 year old in preschool really needs help in handing out valentines. I do not send home a class list with names. I have the children sign their names on their cards, and that's it. The kids sit in a circle and have their decorated bags in front of them on the floor. A few at a time, with an adult helping them they go around and drop a card in each bag. It is a fairly smooth process and much quicker and faster then if their were names on the cards. There are 24 in my class. All the kids were ready with their cards, except for the 2 kids that brought their cards in, not ready to put in bags. One child just handed out the suckers, the other needed help with his "Cars" valentines and the tiny tattoos that went in them. We cut, folded and passed out the cards. With 4 of us working on them, one separating, one cutting tattoos (me) one folding and one passing out ~ we got them done in a timely manner. Things were actually going along very smoothly.

I must say this first before I go on~ It was a very rainy and stormy morning!

While the children were passing out valentine cards, my other staff and parents were setting up their plates with food. (at least this way we have some control over the junk food). It is now 11:05, class is out at 11:30. Plenty of time to relax, and they can eat and 'talk' with their friends. Clean up should be easy and they go home. Well, at 11:15, we had a firedrill! Of all times and all days with the rain and party! It was rainy outside. The parents helped us get their jackets on, we had plenty of umbrellas ~ plus I have 2 golf sized ones at the school we got the children lined up,emergency cards, etc, etc, etc, that we needed and headed out to the field with the rest of the school. The field was wet and muddy. By the time we headed back the rain had stopped, fortunately. And at this time they won't have enough time to eat. As other parents came in to pick up their children we were covering their plates and explaining why they were taking their food home. Fortunately I had some parents stay and help us clean up in a timely manner.

As I read my school e-mail after class, the firedrill was an accident and should not have happened. Oh well, it is over now, and we got our practice in for the semester!

Rest Day.

2009-02-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling a little out of it the last few days. I think I caught one of the colds the little ones bring to school. Parents will tell me their child is sick but they didn't want to miss class, so here they are. None the less, I will still tell the parent their child is better off at home resting ~ SO, not only will they get better, but they won't expose their illness to the other children in class. I believe that many, but not all, parents think that colds are harmless in group settings. I am really glad not all parents think that and will keep their child home until they are better and I am not sending them home. Actually, I really don't know what the parent is thinking.
We had today off for Lincolns birthday, so I got to rest some more. The guys were gone all day so I had the house to myself. I did some mundane chores and some errands, plus lessons and rested.

I purchase crickets for the gecko about once a month. No matter how careful I am one cricket always seems to escape. Usually we know this either by the crickets singing or the cats looking around in unusual spaces in the front room near the cage. They will actually eat a cricket if it is caught. I walked in the room and saw them around the cage as the crickets were singing. After I took the picture I shooed them away and rearranged the heat lamp on top so the cats can't get on top. I don't want to replace the screen.
____________

Dinosaur Cake ♥

2009-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

I am doing a unit on dinosaurs for my prek. class ~ and this is our dinosaur cake. After I cut it and laid it out we talked about what type, and colors of skin. They knew it was a stegosaurus and also knew that scientists know the texture of skin from fossils, but not the colors.

They chose the colors, we mixed it up. (I used food color and added milk to the frosting to make it the consistency of a thick glaze)

The children then proceeded to decorated with frosting and sprinkles.

They then got to choose what part of the dinosaur they wanted to eat, and they were picky.

They also made "fossils" and really had fun! I use a baking soda/corn starch mix that is cooked and use (used) coffee grounds to make it look like dirt. To decorated we used dinosaur skeletons and non skeletal dinosaurs and small sea shells. The shells got to stay in the mix, I then put small dabs of glue around the shells if they weren't embedded enough. It really is a fun unit and I have lots of very enthusiastic children!

Friday's blog!

2009-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

I am not sure why the weeks seem to be flying by lately, maybe I am just doing to much. The dog is doing much better, her blood count shows her red blood cells near where they should be and the anemia is gone! That is good news, she will get her stitches out on Thursday, she must have about 2 dozen. We are putting her outside for longer and longer, but are still bringing her in at night, until it is a bit warmer.

I managed to watched my eating a little better and lost a pound. I am using my WW recepies for dinners now. I am hopoing to find a cookbook about make ahead and freeze meals. Anyone know of one please let me know. It would help, especially on class nights, to have something I can pull out and let D. cook for dinner for him and Keith. Also for those night I just don't want to cook!

Time to get ready for work, we are going to make a dinosaur cake in class today. A stegasaurous to be exact, it is a fun recepie and the children really like it. I will take pictures to post later, if the little dears let me.

Random thoughts

2009-01-24T09:12:00.000-08:00

After going into the vets everyday to bring Kandy home, and being told one more night, we got to bring her home yesterday. She is still weak from not eating much and all the meds. I have to take her back Monday for a recheck. This dog was one we had gotten for my parents when she was 8 weeks old, she is now 13 1/2 years old. She has cancer, what do we do? After much thought we have decided not to do the tests or treat her. How do you tell an old dog that you are going to cause her more pain so she (maybe will live another year)? And the treatments can go on and on. We will just make her life as pleasant as we can.
She used to be rather aggressive, and we believe it may have been because my parents were elderly and she was protecting them (she is half Queensland red and half Manchester terrier). Though she has mellowed out considerably since she came to live with us 8 1/2 years ago, I wouldn't trust her around my grandchildren, she is old. She got very used to being around people when Keith and Elizabeth were in high school. We had an open door policy and kids were always in and out for one reason or another. Though there are still a few people she hasn't taken to, she does try and can be very loving. Being an outside dog, she has no house manners and right now I have her in the bathroom until the weather warms a little or she is a little stronger. We have to check on her, give her water, food and her meds and take her for walks so she can do what she needs to.

This week has gone by rather fast. I am now visiting blogs and doing some catch up. Dan is at a men's conference until 2, and K is at a swapmeet with his brother, so I have some time to myself. I need to go to the resource center to do some things for school on Monday, a little housework and a little shopping.

We went bowling again last night. I won't say what my score was, God never intended for me to be a great bowler ~ but it was fun! I am little sore in my legs, muscles I don't use often. I will start back at the gym on Tuesday, so maybe get those muscles working again.
Have a great day & God Bless ♥

Tuesday

2009-01-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

We had to take the dog in for some surgery. She has a fatty growth on her front leg on a joint and it has an open wound that does not want to stop bleeding. We have wrapped it and it will stop, but then she tags and pulls the wrapping off and it bleeds again. We are unsure how it opened up, if she tore it, bit it or it burst. The vet said it could have been any one of the three. When we went in today, they weren't going to send her home, she is severly anemic, and we found the growth was cancer. So lots to think about.

This week

2009-01-16T07:04:00.001-08:00

For some reason this week seemed to have flown by. It is Friday again and it seems like it was just Friday yesterday. It is amazing how God works in this world.
Tues. we went bowling. I haven't bowled in years and it showed in my score and how the muscles in my legs ached the next day. It was fun, there were 5 of us and we bowled 3 games. I had a coupon so it cost me under $20, total! Of course I also had my own shoes and ball.

Wed. I signed up for a photoshop class. I am excited about learning how to maneuver through the program. I had money in my account at city college from another class I dropped- that I had let ride - so my total registration was a whopping $3.00.

The Extreme home make over has happened, in the town next to us. It is amazing as we listened to all that goes on with that, all week- on TV and in the newspaper. One of the little boys in my class has been to the site, as his dad was a volunteer. He was so excited to share the "blue" shirt and badge his dad had, in class on Friday. He kept telling me the lady had 'no legs'. It will air in early March, but we get to see some on Sat. on the local tv station that airs the program.

Christmas has come and gone in this secular world. But for those of us who believe and know God our Father and have faith and hope it will forever remain. I have been wanting to post this, as I keep hearing on the news how some had no Christmas. Have you seen "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"? Remember where it says he hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came, without packages, without ribbons, without bows. And maybe thought the Grinch, that Christmas was a little bit more, and it was! I believe in that thinking, I know that thinking. I can remember telling the Christmas story to my children when they were little, explaing what and who and they whys of it. And during a time when we had very, very little money to spend. We still had Christmas, and we will forevermore. God is good, God is everlasting, God is mighty and we can never forget that. That is a faith that we need to keep on believing and holding onto- especially now as our country will be swearing in a new president, and the economy has done nothing to spark any upbeat stories (according to local and national news casters). Things that can be very depressing can drag you down. Look toward our heavenly father, and the many blessing we have because of Him!

Psalms 9: 1-2
1) I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2) I will be glad and exhult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.

I am sad that Mervyn's has closed and am sad to hear that Circut City is closing it's doors, and expects to be liquidated by the end of March. That just happens to be where I purchase most (but not all) of my electronics. They have just always had the best deals. Gottschalks has filed for bankruptcy, they opened for business in 1904 and are a locally owned department store. I purchase most of my cloths there and so I am really sad. Hopefully they will be able to reorganize and remain open.

Even though the week has been full, the week end is coming, and I have 3 days off. I will clean house on Sat. and hopefully do some sewing Sunday afternoon and partly Monday. Other then church there are not appointments on my calender. Hopefully I can also catch up on some of my reading and Bible Studies.
Have a good week and God Bless ♥1

God is good ♥

2009-01-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is Friday already! I made it back to class and am in routine for school once more. I am missing sleeping in a little longer, but that is the way it will be until summer comes. If all goes well I will be retiring in June, that is the plan!

I look back on last year, and God has been good. So much happened. The blessed thing we made it through was Elizabeth's wedding, and she is now with the love of her life. I pray for their future and that God will walk before Ryan as his plans to re-enlist move forward, and the eventual military career he plans. I pray for God before him to keep him safe.

For the 1st time in all the years we have been married, Dan and I went on a vacation in June for more then 3 days without kids. Seemed really odd to have a family vacation with just the 2 of us. There will be many more coming up. We are planning on driving to Colorado to visit our oldest daughter sometime during the summer or early fall, and possible our youngest daughter - where ever they end up.

There are 3 of us at home now, though Keith isn't here much and would like to move out soon. At 24 that isn't unreasonable on his part. Then we will truly be what is called in this society as empty nesters. Truth is though I feel the lose of their presence, children are meant to grow up and move on, that is a biblical truth. As the beatitudes state there is a time for everything.

Prayfully, the fires in CO. and the floods in Wash. will die down.

God Bless.

New Year

2009-01-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

We had an enjoyable Christmas time with our family. It was sad when it was time for our oldest and her family to return to Colorado, but I very much know the feeling of wanting to be home with my family and done with vacation. Caitlin is so like her mom at the same age, very much a homebody, not wanting to be away from her home or her things (familiarity)for very long and wanting it to just be mom and dad and brother.

It was hard to get up this morning and go back to work after being home for 2 weeks. We had an inservice day, and the children start back to school tomorrow - so they had an extra day of vacation. I dread the wet drizzly mornings and cold fog when I am not able to take my class outside for some exercise. (It is a good reason to add on an extra couple days of small group time with the kids.) It is suppose to be sunny on Thursday, I hope so, I am really tired of the dreary, foggy days that the central valley is so famous for. We went out to the school today to rearrange the furniture. The district waxes the floors during the break and whoever does it never puts things back. I will need to go in a little earlier then usual tomorrow, I have another 30 minutes of putting things away before I even start to put things out for the days activities..

Have you every watched the show "Extreme makeover: Home Edition"? We have been hearing much about it lately because they are going to do a local family. There are 5 families in the running and we will find out on Thursday who they are and where they live; there are many small farming towns in the county. It is interesting hearing about how they recruit the help they get, as it is all over the local news stations. I must admit that I am a fan of the show, though I seldom sit through the entire show. I will turn it on and do other stuff. I like to watch the beginning and about the family and the end when they are showing the family the house.
My aide last year said that her family and some others nominated someone for the show,but I haven't heard if they were elected as one of the runner ups. If they were to win the makeover, that is really close to us. Most likely I would drive by to watch some of the building. Sorry to say, I don't have the time to volunteer for them, but admire those who are willing to do so.

God Bless ♥

2009-01-02T10:29:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and happy new year celebration.
I will post more later, lots of clean up to do!

Christmas Break ♥

2008-12-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

Today was the last day of school until Jan. 6th of next year. I do an International Feast for my class, because it is such a diverse class. We do a potluck, where different families sign up for the dishes. They usually bring a traditional food from their culture that they use to celebrate the Christmas season with. We get a very wide variety of foods, and they are all so good. It would have been so easy to indulge, but I was very good today.

The children came into class this morning very excited about today. I think when "Santa" came in (real beard and hair) the children were in heaven, or so they thought. He was one of the grandfathers of one of my boys, who goes to the schools and visits the special needs children. He was just great with the children. They sat on his lap and he asked them questions, answered them and gave each child a candy cane. I liked the way he handled their "requests" by telling each one that there are somethings that they need to tell their mom and dad and that he hopes each one will get what they want, but that doesn't always happen. He spoke to them very gently and they accepted his answers. After Santa left we did show and tell. His grandson brought a creche to share and said it was his grandma's and she said he could share it. He also mentioned that it was the "baby Jesus". I thought that was special.
Working in the public school system we are not suppose to talk about Jesus. However, when a child brings something in to share about Jesus, I go for it. I am impressed with how many children in my class know who Jesus is. Once the subject comes up they like to share about their Sunday school class. I just sit there and let them talk, - ah, I do make them take turns talking and sharing about their SS class.

Break used to be called Christmas vacation, now they call it winter break. I don't, to me it is still Christmas break. It is like going into the stores to shop. My son's birthday was 2 days ago. When I went shopping for his gift I had a sales lady ask me if I was holiday shopping. I told her "No,it is for my son's birthday. I don't holiday shop anyway." she said "You don't" my turn, "No, I don't celebrate many holidays, but I do celebrate Christmas and I do Christmas shop." After that the look she gave me tempted me to reach out and lift her chin up to close her mouth. She then said "Oh" and walked away, no other comment. That statement usually gets me more comments, she just seemed a little dumbfounded. I think I may have missed an opportunity to share Christ with her, but I know I left her with something to think about. Really, it was almost comical.

Now I need to finish decorating and finish my Christmas shopping! My feet hurt just thinking about it. Tonight I will finish my cards.

God Bless

Life moves on and God gives blessings.

2008-12-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have been in a fog lately. With the wedding behind us, and our daughter now a married lady, I have been trying to catch up and focus on what needs to be done now. My dental surgery set me back just a little. I had nothing but soup and cottage cheese for a week and do look forward to solid foods now. I lost 4 pounds and hope to keep them off when real eating resumes. The bruise on my face is just about gone now, it was a very deep purple, approximately 1 inch across and 2 inches long and looked hideous, yet it never hurt.

Last Tuesday was a real joy for my class. Through the generous contributions of - hospital and their Angle Tree program, to give to the community, Santa was able to come and give to the families I serve. To see the looks of anticipation and excitement on those little faces was nothing less then pure joy. The children sang 3 songs for them, gave them a (giant) card which my staff had them make (when I was off for the wedding) and necklaces I prepared with their names and pictures; this was the children's way of saying Thank You. There was a short segment on the late news that night, but that doesn't matter. The generosity of this hospital is beyond bounds. This was truly an event that these families will remember for a very long time. What I have to say is "God truly works in mysterious ways."

_________

We turned the heater on when our other daughter was here for the wedding. The weather had still been warm until that week.. It seemed to work alright, even when we helped up the temperature some. Little did we know. Even though it had been going on it wasn't sufficently heating. To make a long story short, there was part of the unit that we had to have replaced, and I dread the bill. However, it works nicely now. Which is really nice as the central valley is known for it's hideous dreay, foggy days. The sun has been seen in the afternoons, so there is still hope.

I love to decorate for the Christmas season. The colors, the lights, the music, the reason for the season just make it all so special. I am sitting here looking at a tree with just lights on it and the box of decorations on the floor. After I finish here I need to finish some other work. I am hoping to finish decorating this weekend.

I am hoping to get my brain out of a fog and get on with what needs to be done here.
God Bless

This week

2008-12-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Going back to class after being off for 2 weeks, I felt like I was in a fog. But it was good to be back and see all the children. I do like what I do.

I had my 6 month dental exam in late October, he found an infected molar and sent me to a specialist for that. To spare the gory details, I needed some dental surgery, no fun. He wanted to do it before the wedding and I said no. I am so glad I did. I had the surgery on Monday, and I look like I have been kicked in the face. My left side has been swollen (doesn't hurt) and I have had a bruise around the side of my mouth and chin the size of a baby's open hand. Looks, well you can imagine. Yesterday I went back in and all is healing well. I go back next week and the week after he will remove the stitches. I ger courious looks from some of my parents as they bring their children into class. So as a few have asked what happened I make sure I say it in a voice that others can over hear. However, I have been on a 'soft or liquid' diet since Monday and look forward to eating real food again, next week.

I have an unspoke prayer request. Thanks

God Bless

After

2008-12-02T18:27:00.001-08:00

After all was said and done, and the happy couple were on their honeymoon, we were able to relax and enjoy our visit with our oldest daughter. Since we wouldn't see them again until the day after Christmas, the little one's and I did a gingerbread house.

Brandon had very specific ideas about how the decorations were to go on and decorated most of it. When sis was helping he told her where the decorations went and how they were to stand. They had quite a conversation going. He, being in kindergarten, was more focused on the house then she was. After all she isn't 3 yet, so that's alright.

We did Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, as they left Thanksgiving day for their home. It was a good visit and I enjoyed them all.

Wedding pictures.

2008-11-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to get the pictures in order for a post and slide show, but don't think I am doing it right. Soooooo, I am going to post some without the slide show. I need to do a little research because I did it before with no problem.
The pictures are a little out of order. Here is Uncle Keith and Brandon (ring bearer) Relaxing before the ceremony, or shall I say being a little goofy. Because his uncle was a groomsman Brandon did very well during the ceremony, standing next to his uncle.

After the ceremony and some photo's, Brandon and Caitlin decided they wanted to climb to the 'top' of the world.

Brandon is standing there looking like a 'cool dude'

Sitting in the front of the chapel, before the ceremony.

The photographer was talking to the happy couple, arranging them for cake cutting.

Fresh flowers decorated the cake, which is a very light gold.

The wedding party.

Cutting the cake.

2008-11-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

Wedding ♥

2008-11-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

Caitlin and Aunt Elizabeth, before the wedding.

The wedding was Saturday, and it all worked out. The reception was very nice. After we cleaned up and went home, we were up for a while, but I was super tired as I think I only had about 30 minutes of sleep in 2 days. I will put a slide show together and post more later. Right now I am enjoy the grandchildren who were both in the wedding. Real cute.

Have a great day and God bless ♥

Little break.

2008-11-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

Right now I am taking a little break from sewing and shopping. I should be doing other stuff around the house, I do that too. It is unusually warm for this time of the year. On the news last night they mentioned that the 81 degrees yesterday was an 85 year old record, meaning that's how long it has been since. It is 13 degrees above normal, or was that 18? Right now I don't mind because of the wedding on Saturday and the reception being an indoor outdoor event. It is suppose to be 69 day and 44 night on Saturday. It is 79 currently. We will put up tents for outside and have the use of a propane outside heater. Again God is granting little miracles and the weather may just be one of them! ♥ ♥
I have taken the entire week off, and will have all of Thanksgiving week off also. Kinda nice.
Hopefully the fires in So. Cal. will be contained by Saturday. It's California, we burn up every years it seems, not good.

The doves are still coming to the bird feeders and the cats sit and drool at the window. I am not sure they'd even know what to do if they caught one. A few hummingbirds still show up now and again, but not as many in the summer.
Have a great day! ♥

Shopping blahs

2008-11-12T22:29:00.000-08:00

Nobody every told me that I would spend around 10 hours in 3 days shopping for an outfit to wear to my daughters wedding. It wasn't this hard when my 1st got married. What I found out: Most of the stores have very small dress sections, or selections. Most mother-of-the-bride outfits in the bridal stores look like formals, the color selections for anything decent has been black or red. To make a long story short, I did finally find something. It is a skirt and jacket combination in (yep) red & black, but it does look nice. Penney's was the only store I could find that had any decent dress section. There are many other nice stores in the world, just not where I live. I could have made something in the time I spent shopping, little time saved there.
I will finish up the flower girls dresses tomorrow. Then will focus on getting the favors done. After Sat. I will know what appetizers are being made elsewhere and can focus on what I need to do. Monday I get my hair done. In between all this I will finish what I need to for my class (I am taking all of next week off) by Friday and prepare my house for guests. Do miscellaneous stuff.
The weather is suppose to be in the middle 60's, and the reception is at his parents house. We will supply the tents for outside, and a small miracle is another friend has loaned us their outside heaters. It will come together, but it is close, 10 more days from today. God has provided us with many small miracles, each one very special.
Our Christ
Our Creator
Our Saviour
God Bless

God's everlasting love.

2008-11-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

If anyone had told me when I was younger that parenting or being a parent got easier as your children grew, I would have embraced them with a big YES!. As I have learned, and many others have also, being a parent doesn't get easier. In some ways it gets harder. Oh, you're not always tagging around with little ones, or sometimes you are. Working with low income families as I do, I encounter many grandparents taking care of or raising the little ones for a variety of reasons. That crosses all income levels.

When our children are small we always strive to do the best we can and give them the best of what we have (that doesn't mean material things). Somewhere along the way we are going to make mistakes, it happens. Hopefully they are obvious mistakes that we can correct. But often there are mistakes we will never be able to put our fingers on, we will only have hindsight to know that something didn't work the way it was suppose to. There comes a point in our child's life as they graduate from high school that we are no longer parenting them. We stand back and bite our tongues and see if we have done enough so they can fly from the nest. It is hard to know when to not give advice, etc. and that we learn also through trial and error. {{Of course still living at home certain behavior is expected ~ but not always received.}} I always strived for what I believed was best for my child (and I have 4) but have found out that was not always the case, according to things said to me. I have, and always will believe in the power of prayer and God's loving and forgiving capabilities. I know as I have prayed for His forgiveness that it comes, I only hope my kids are as forgiving as our heavenly father is.

As my youngest approaches her wedding day (less then 2 weeks), she is looking at life differently. I pray (as I did with my 1st) that she will embrace her new life and her priorities with God's love and blessings. She (they both do) has our blessings.

Matthew 19:4-6

4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

This verse is reflective for both husband and wife.