What is new.

So much going on, I don't know where to begin.

A week and half ago, Elizabeth came to visit for a few days. That was really nice, we enjoyed a nice visit and were very glad to see her. She came down with her sister-in-law. She and Ryan are still looking for a place to rent, keep them in your prayers.

This Friday, Dan and I are going up to San Mateo, as my sister-in-law Kellie, is going in for cancer surgery. We want to be there for her. She also needs prayer.

Keith and Liz's wedding plans are moving on. She has her dress and it is beautiful. They worked on the guest list this past weekend.

My niece is getting married the end of June, and I am starting her quilt this week. I am anxious to get that going, along with making some summer pj's for my granddaughter and pj's for my grandson. So glad I go another sewing machine. Now I can keep one for quilting and one for regular sewing.

In June, my niece, Mariah, is moving from Ohio to live with us. She will be going to college out here, and working. It will be a change for her, coming from a small town.

Today we will be attending a life celebration for a dear woman who passed away from cancer last week. We pray for her husband, Gordon. Though he is happy as to where she is now, he will still grieve her after many decades of marriage. She was a faithful Christian.

Now I think it is time for me to go get a map of San Mateo, so I can find my way to the hospital. We will leave around 5 in the morning, her surgery is at 10 AM. We need to allow for work traffic, which can be a real pain in the Bay Area.
Have a great day and God Bless

Behind

We had quite a rain storm over the weekend. Not bad considering we have been over 80% behind on our rainfall. We are now 50% behind. However, some of the snow pack was over 5 feet, so that is good. It means we may be able to take the boat out this summer .
We had a hail storm yesterday, with (for us) nice sized hail stones. I have been enjoying the blooms in my garden, not realizing that they would soon be destroyed. My irises were beautiful. The hail took it's tole. The ones in the photo had just opened up the day before. They were not totally destroyed yesterday, but look like they are on their last leg. I so enjoy the beauty of the flowers when they open. Hopefully the blooms getting ready to open are just delayed. Today is partly cloudy so hoping the suns warmth will rejuvenate the blooms.

Quilting

I have been a sewer most of my life, making my first outfit in 3rd grade. My mom was a Fashion Major in college with she first started, wanting to be a fashion designer. She got ill with rheumatic fever and had to quit school, she never went back. I grew up with her sewing, all the time. When we lived near my grandparents (after my dad got out of the Air Force) my mom and her mom would spend days sewing various outfits for them, for my sister and myself. She taught my brothers basic mending~ such as repairing rips and sewing on buttons. When I was in junior high (now called middle school or intermediate school) and high school there was a class called "Home Economics" , which was required. The schools now, here anyway, don't even offer the course. It wasn't a choice it was a class we had to take. In Jr. hi. we spent half a school year (girls only) learning to cook and half a year learning the basics of sewing. I took Home Ec in my freshman year of high school so I could get it out of the way. When it was over my mom told me to forget everything I learned in school and she would teach me to sew, and she did. However, it started long before I ever took a class. There isn't much I cannot sew, there is more I choose not sew. I do not have an industrial machine, so I care not to sew heavy denims or canvas and the such. I enjoy making dresses and play cloths for my granddaughter, and she enjoys receiving them.

After my first child was born, I took up crocheting, which I learned to do at the age of 6. Let me rephrase that, I learned to crochet at age 6, I perfected it as an adult, so when I did crochet I actually made something!!!! My great-grandmother quilted a little and it was always a goal of mine. So after all my kids grew up (2 of them married) I finally took up a quilting class ~~with the help of a friend. Currently I am working on 2 and will start another next week. I have made 2 and completed them. One my grandson uses when he visits, I took a class for that one. The other I made entirely on my own (meaning no classes or colleagues help). I had the help of my husband (picking out some material) and my youngest son who along with his dad laid out the pattern of the cars.

It was a Christmas gift for my oldest son. He is currently restoring a 1959 El Camino, of which is depicted in the quilt. It was a fun project, once I figured out the pattern I wanted to use. I even did the quilting of it, which is time consuming.

This is the kind of help I got when I was sewing.

I am taking a "Hand Quilting" class in a week and a half. I then want Eric to bring his quilt back to me so I can hand quilt around the cars, which will high-light them.

Legacy

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.

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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!!!

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

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.

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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.