Thursday, May 31, 2007

His Presence!

Oh, what a day today has been! It started out with a huge worry about my mom after a late night phone call about her last night. Then before I could get an update on her Jerry had a doctor appointment. Next he's got lab work tomorrow, more extensive lab work next week, and then another doctor visit. In between he's getting a tooth pulled. I finally got an up-to-date report on my mom. Not good. Then her doctor decided to let things ride for a couple weeks. Weird! And in the midst of it all, God decided we needed a sign of His Presence in the form of a big Buck at the back of our own back yard! We watched him in awe! Thank you, Lord. I Praise You because You are The Creator and because You are In Control (even when it doesn't look like it)!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Our Creator!

Here is a sample of God's creativity! When Pam and I planted this a few years ago it was very small but every year it grows and spreads.
This is a close-up of the flowers. It's a very unique plant! We've also planted our impatiens and petunias that we plant every year. They are so colorful. After they spread out a little I'll post a picture of them.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day

Today is a beautiful sunny day for Memorial Day. We've been invited to join some friends for a cook out. That should be fun! I've got a rhubarb pie to take. Mmmm! I know, everyone doesn't like rhubarb pie but we do and Ted does! Right now Ted and Sydney are washing his truck outside my window. I'm afraid Syd is going to be soaked! Oh well! Have a wonderful day. While I was out in Washington a friend took me to the cemetery to visit my dad's grave. It was a sad and thoughtful time for me. I didn't know we were going there so I didn't have any flowers to leave on it. I felt bad about that but it was still nice of Mary to take me. Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful Christian Daddy.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Iris



Another of my favorite flowers is the Iris. I have several that are so heavy they have bent down to the ground so in they come for a beautiful bouquet! They're just beginning to bloom.

Nature Center



We went to the Nature Center today and had a good time. Here's a turtle we saw, one of several. We were entertained by a turkey at the bird watching window. She wanted in in the worst way! She kept hitting her beak on the glass and flying up against the window! We told her she was going to get hurt but she didn't pay any attention to us. She just wanted in!

Syd's birthday celebration










We are finally getting to celebrate Syd's birthday! We're just five days late. I can't believe she's eight years old! Last month we celebrated Bella's fifth! How time flies when you're having fun! We've had a fun day today at Burger King, Nature Center, and here at home playing and riding bikes and the scooter. So belated happy birthday, Sydney!

Friday, May 25, 2007

Lily-of-the-Valley, plus




One of my favorite flowers is the Lily-of-the-Valley. I thought I'd missed them, that they had bloomed while I was gone for 10 days. But when I looked yesterday they were still there although it is the end of their blooming time. The snow ball flower is from a bush given to us by our good friends, Mac and Lin. The red flower is on a bush we planted several years ago and I can't remember what it is, but it sure is pretty! If anyone knows what it is, please tell me!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

What?



This was a goodbye present to me from Lorraine. Do you know what it is?Let me know if you think you do in a comment to this blog. I'll tell you later.

Infant Baptism Dresses from 1913 & 1914


These two infant baptism dresses were worn by Corina and Oberlin back in 1913 & 1914. The doll, Molly, on the quilt, is wearing Corina's, Sally is wearing Obie's. These are real keepsakes that somehow our Mother saved through all the moving our family did in the early years and just a few years ago she gave them to Lorraine and me. We treasure them. Molly is sleeping and you really can't see her facial features in this picture. Sally is awake and even reaching out to us! I just thought it would be fun to show these wonderful antique dresses.

Sally and Caty!

Meet Sally and Caty! Sally is actually about 40 years old! She belongs to Linda. She's the larger of the two. Caty is new and was recently given to Lorraine by Linda and Sonja. Both dolls are precious! Lorraine and I used to spend hours playing house when we were little girls and we both still love dolls today.

Sunset




I took these pictures from Lorraine's deck. The sunset kept changing so I was taking a new picture every few minutes or seconds! I have lots more, I only picked these three to put on here. This was all the same evening. In the third picture you can see the sun's reflection in the water. Thank you, Lord, for such beauty in Your creation. I Praise You.

Lorraine's Apartment



Part of the time I stayed with Lorraine in her charming apartment. I slept in this huge, beautiful king size bed all by myself! She has a charming spiral staircase which took me downstairs to my bedroom. There's also a living room or den and a bathroom downstairs. Then the view that she has of Puget Sound is beautiful. You'd be as impressed as I am if you could see it! Thanks, Lorraine, for letting me stay with you!

Breakfast Gang!


Every morning I ate breakfast with my good friends, Clarence, Gwen and Tillman. It was a good way to begin my day. But one morning, Clarence said he had a question for me..."why don't you want to eat breakfast with your mother?" Here was my answer: "She didn't want to eat early and she didn't have real coffee!" So I ate with my friends in assisted living. He was satisfied with my answer and I hope he misses me now! While I was there Tillman and Gwen celebrated their 65th anniversary! In just a few days Clarence will celebrate his 96th birthday! Thank you, Lord, for long life, good health and good friends!

Hydrangea




I'm back home now. It was a long day traveling home. We were even stranded by thunder storms in Minneapolis but I'm here now and eager to post the pictures I took. So here's the first one...my beautiful Mother! This Hydrangea was only a few feet from the door of my room! Absolutely beautiful!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Last day!

Well, today is my last day here. The time has flown by. I'm anxious to be home with Jerry. I had my last breakfast with my good friends. I'll post a photo of us when I get home. I've got some other pictures to post as well. Today Lorraine and I are taking Mary out to dinner. She's Mother's care giver when I'm not here and we really love and appreciate her. I have wonderful friends here so I'll be saying goodbye all day, and some I may never see again. That's how life is, every time I come here I hear about someone who has gone to heaven. This is a wonderful place for folks to live out their last years. I'm so thankful my mother is here, although it is kind of hard having her so far away from where I live. The sun is shining today and I'm looking forward to a good day and hope the same for anyone reading this! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and glad in it.

Monday, May 21, 2007

A New Day

Monday morning...rain...clouds...gloomy. I've had my coffee so I'm okay now. I trudged up the hill with my mom's umbrella shielding me from the rain. It's okay, rain here isn't like rain where I live! Rain here is a nice gentle fine mist. I'll only be here for a couple more days. I should write about a few days ago. I had stayed over night at Lorraine's apartment. I got up at 6:30, showered and left her place about 7:00 AM. Breakfast here begins at 7:30 so I had plenty of time. I left Lorraine sleeping. After driving through town I glanced down at the dash and noticed the gas gage almost on E. Oh no, I'd already passed all the gas stations but since this wasn't my car I didn't know how long I could drive on E. I'd have to turn around, then I remembered a gas station next to a camp ground where we stayed a few years ago. There was a road just up ahead that would take me cross country to the road that would take me to the gas station. I decided to do that. I made it to the station, pulled up to the pump, oh, the tank on this car is on the passenger side. I got back in and whipped around the pumps to the other side, got out...oh, that didn't help any, I was still on the wrong side. I pulled ahead and made a donut (slowly) and pulled back up to the pump so the passenger side was up. This was all done inbetween other cars pulling in to get their gas! I kept wondering how many people were watching me and laughing! I got out to open the tank and...oh, no, it won't open. I went back to the driver side to get my purse to go inside and ask how to open my tank when I noticed a picture of a gas pump down by the floor! Oh, I must have to pull a lever or something to unlock the tank. Sure enough! Okay, I got it. Now to get my gas. Oh no, it won't start pumping gas. What was I doing wrong? I looked for instructions...none. A man came by so I asked him what to do. He asked how I was paying and when I said "cash' he told me to go pay first. I did and got my gas...finally. I made it to the senior center and to breakfast and coffee! All this before I had even one cup of coffee!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Sydney! I wish I could be with you to celebrate but I'm clear out on the west coast. I'm hoping we can celebrate this coming weekend...I'll be back. I hope you have a wonderful day today. Maybe you celebrated with family and friends Saturday or yesterday or both! Happy, happy birthday!!! I love you.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to our son and daughter-in-law! I can't believe it...it must be about 11 years ago now when you rode off on your motorcycle in your tux and wedding gown! What fun memories we have! Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

My Mom

I'm writing this from the community computer just down the hall from my Mom's apartment. There are flowers blooming all over the place here! It's just gorgeous! Mother is doing pretty well. Her mind is still good and that's good. I stayed with Lorraine last night and that seemed good. We just both relaxed and enjoyed being together. I'll be staying with her part time and in my usual room part time. So, until next time...have a good day!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Apple Blossom



This apple blossom is on an apple tree that was here when we bought our land. It's behind our house and we've seen deer near it so I imagine it draws them. There's a slight breeze this evening so it's just slightly blurry. It's so interesting how first this beautiful flower comes and then later an apple. Thank you, Lord.

Humming Birds


Last week the Humming Birds came to our feeder! This is very late. I got a picture today but not a very good one. I'm very busy today and just don't have time to sit and wait for them to come around!!! Another day I'll get a full view of one. But, at least this is proof that they are here now. Thank you, Lord, for the little tiny humming birds!

Ladies over ninety!

Back a few months ago I wrote a blog about a tea for ladies over 90 at the senior center where my mother is a resident. Well now, in the Light & Life Magazine, May/June issue, is the story with pictures of this event. My mother's picture is featured! So...check it out. If you need help in finding this web site send me an e-mail and I'll give you more information.

Lilacs



You can smell these lilacs as you walk by! Such a wonderful flowery odor. I praise you, God, you are our Creator!

Ted's Family



I got a couple of good shots of Ted and his girls. Of course the second picture he didn't even know I took!

Goodbye...



Time to say goodbye! We've had a good visit, maybe the best we've ever had! Drive carefully and keep in touch! Thank you, Lord, for family!

Trampoline

Haleigh, Bella, and Sydney using some of their abundance of energy!

Aunt Vel





All my granddaughters love to be fixed up and made up. Aunt Vel is fixing their hair, teaching them how to take care of it, and making a friend for life! They watched, totally fascinated, as she put on a wig! Then came the most fun of all as Aunt Vel gave Sydney a manicure! Thanks, Vel, for making my granddaughters feel so loved and important!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

More flowers




The tree is our Flowering Crab Tree. It was given to us nine years ago as a memorial to Jerry's Mother. I couldn't seem to get a good picture of it. The blue flowers, I don't know what the name is for them. They were given to us and work well as a ground cover. They spread fast and have these beautiful blue flowers.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Bill & Vel

Here they are! Bill & Vel finally came to see us! We've only lived here 10 years and this is their first visit! Of course we've never been to their house in California, but that doesn't count, does it?

Jerry and his MG

Jerry loves to show his MG to friends and family.
Here Jerry is showing the engine to Bill and Vel. It's almost as clean as the car itself! Bill is letting Vel go for a ride with Jerry!
Here we go! Hey, this is fun!
Okay, Bill's turn! Drive carefully, Jerry!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Window Peeker!



Last night, late, we had a window peeker! Bill and Vel and I were sitting in the sunroom visiting. It was quite late, Jerry was in bed. All of a sudden Vel says, "What's that?" On the window of the door was a creature window peeking! I took these pictures through the glass! This morning he's gone.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Flowers

Trillium
Purple Tulips
Pink Crab Apple Blossom
Red Geranium
Here are the latest flowers to bloom in our yard. So til later...