A New Week

Well, the birthday celebrations are over for this year. It was a wonderful week of enjoying family and good friends. The part I liked best was going to the mailbox everyday and finding new cards! (I'm like a little kid over things like that!)

This week is truly promising to be a splendid one. No real big things until Thursday when my sister and I are meeting for lunch with the two girls we grew up with who lived across the street from our home.. They live out of state, so we always get together when they come "home" for a few weeks in summer. Our lunches are always roucous, for we laugh so hard and long from recalling many incidents from our childhood. There is something wonderful about sharing memories with those we were so intertwined with as children into adulthood. So.........if you happen to be eating at Stanford's on Thursday, stay away from the booths by the window if you are planning on a quiet lunch!!

Yesterday (Monday), I went to Main Street, USA (my little town with all the hanging baskets and old buildings) I went to the Post Office and bought stamps for 6 x 6 cards, stamps for overweight letters, stamps for post cards, and stamps for overseas mailing. It was quite a little expedition. Of course, I had to go to Craft Warehouse for a little look around at what is new--bought a little,

then ate lunch out with a book I am trying to finish. Came home and basked in the warmth of an 81 degree day. Finished my book out on the patio.

Today my five! cleaning ladies came (once a month). They attack my house like bandits. I hide in my office, and in one hour they are done!! Only one speaks English. They have the best time together. They laugh and giggle and of course, I can't understand a word they are saying. We smile and nod a lot together.

Tomorrow is hair day and Safeway delivery day. When I get a free coupon in the mail for free delivery from Safeway, then I do my shopping online. I love that!



In my spare time this week, I am making cards--I'm totally out of thank you cards, and birthday cards. These are from today. Not quite done with the pink cards--need a little more bling!


Also last night I made ravioli soup and a chicken and cornmeal casserole. I divided them up into Glad boxes and got them into the freezer for some supper meals. I just add a salad or a veggie and I am good to go!

Friday, the glass man is coming to check my patio doors. I can hardly open them anymore, and the grandkids can't manage them at all.

Its going to be a wonderful week. I loved Monday and today. I've also closed the doors on this cabinet!! We'll see how long they stay closed!!

I am still working on time management. I'll say "good-night" for now. I'm going to go out to the family room and look at the closed doors and READ!

Another beautiful garden--Jo's

My friend Jo, lives in a wooded area, where all has been left natural and there are no lawns. Jo has worked at her grounds for years, each year being better than the year before! Last year she had some rockary work put in for beds.....and this year she is reaping the fruit of her labors!

The captions under the pictures are hers. Enjoy!!

My new rock wall flower beds this first summer after it was built.

Close up of some of the flowers I planted in my "digable dirt"!!

It is such a blessing to have some dirt I can dig in!

The other side is my new vegetable garden. I have eaten three
tiny cherry tomatoes already and yesterday I made six loaves of zucchini bread
from these two zucchini plants!!

Sadly my "Red Bud" tree is half dead. It was sooo beautiful

last summer! Not sure what can be done about the tree yet.

My first flower arrangement I made from flowers in my new garden

Summer of 2008

Jo and I have been close friends for over thirty years. She has always had a green thumb. When I first knew her she raised roses--beautiful, show quality, long stemmed roses, then she moved to the shade, so had to change her interests!

Pinky's Garden

On Monday I was at my friend, Pinky's, for a surprise luncheon. I didn't have a clue, so it was a true surprise! I happened to have my camera in my purse, so I had to take a few pictures of her luscious flowers and foliage. Her place is abounding in flowers of every kind. They hang just about anyplace she has a place to hang them. So..........here is an example of Oregon's abundance!

front courtyard

courtyard entrance and front porch

corner of the deck

looking on the lawn and garden from the other end of the deck

Thanks for stopping by!

My days have been fashioned by God!

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:16


Today I am seventy six!!

Yikes, that means I am pushing eighty! How in the world did I get here?? You know, I'm not quite sure! But here I am, enjoying this phase of life as much as any other phase of my life. Everything is a little harder than it used to be, my step has slowed, my energy comes and goes, but I am so blessed with a busy, full life. There are days that there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things that I want to do. I am happy!!

A friend sent me the following. I took the liberty of doing a little editing, but basically it is pretty true!

"I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and everything sagging!. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my marvelous, loving family for less white hair or a flatter stomach. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend, sort of. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying all the stamping supplies I don't really need.....but looked so enticing on the websites that sell them! I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? Well, I know that isn't such a good idea, but I have been known to make cards all night!

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things..(like what in the world I went out to the garage for) Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when we face heartbreaking disappointments! Broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn white, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to be honest, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. most of the time. I am not going to live forever here on earth, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. I shall live each day at a time, with thanksgiving in my heart.

And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

a portland granny--1932--

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

~ William and Gloria Gaither ~

July birthday celebrations coming up!!

We're celebrating the July birthdays on Sunday at my sister's home. My "boys" are getting older. They are the three "P's", two Policemen and a Preacher!

Jonathan, my son is 43

Matthew, my nephew is 44

Christopher, my nephew is 45

What does that make me? I'll tell you next week.
I'm also celebrating with them tomorrow!

But seriously, aren't they all good looking fellows?
They will forever be "boys" to me. In fact, I have been known to call the
nephews, "Chrissy or Mattie", which are leftover names
from childhood!
Certainly not befitting two tough policemen!!

Happy Birthday, sweet boys--each so special--each so loved!

I received an award from my cyber friend, Amy

I received this very nice award from Amy at Abundant Curiosities. She has a delightful website, which often features vintage pictures. She also has an Etsy. (You will have to click on it and see what it is.) Amy often posts pictures on her blog that give me a walk down memory lane! I love to visit there and see what she has new and different on her blog! Thanks Amy, and thank you also for the kind words you often leave on my posts!

I am supposed to pass this award on to seven people, but as Amy said on her blog, that is just too hard to decide between all the wonderful blogs we visit each week......so I am choosing two people to get this award.

The first one is for Jose, a new friend from England, who does stamping, and has emailed me, and I her, several times. She is very creative and I am enjoying her cards she makes so very much. We are getting to know one another and find we have several interests in common--stamping, cruising, church activities, retirement, etc.

The other person I am going to send this award to is Tanya, the dairy wife, who is one of my multiples Moms I visit. She has adorable triplets, she is a wonderful photographer, she's a Mom to four kids in their 20's, she had her triplets in her late forties and her website is just plain heart-warming. They live on a large dairy farm and many of her photo shoots are on the farm. Do visit and read her story. Besides you will fall in love with her kiddos! I have gotten to know Tanya through emailing back and forth. Its worth a visit to her website just to see the picture at the top of her blog!!

I would pass this award to everyone one of you whose blogs I visit, but time and space won't allow it. Each blog I visit is so special to me and always a blessing in many different ways.

A Busy Week

I'm going to break it down for you.

Monday
Met Molly and her Mom at Wilsonville, which is half-way between our houses.
Molly came home with me. We stopped at Target and because Molly had earned some money from me for Bible memory work and grades.
She picked out a pink digital camera...and began taking pictures!
Bought some pink loafers at Target.
Had lunch at Macaroni Grill--I had never been there and it was quite good.
Came home and made some cards together.
Here is her birthday card she designed and made for her Daddy. I'm including her message because it is so sweet!

Tuesday
We went to a pottery place near me and she painted a darling mug for her Dad, that said "I l0ve you, Dad" That took over two hours.
A stop at the beauty parlor was next. Molly got her hair cut and it looks adorable. I had mine done and then we were out of there.
Came home worked on cards,
Went to Old Navy and bought her a couple pair of shorts.
Ate dinner at Old Chicago.

Wednesday
Her Mom and I exchanged kids and Elliot came home with me.


We stopped at Kohl's on the best sale day of the year, I think!
Bought him three pair of summer pants, and about 6 tee shirts. The sales were too good to pass up, plus I got my senior 15% discount.

Thursday
Laid low, went to the library, had an early dinner out, and came home to TV time for him, and playing on the Play Station.

Friday
He was invited to go canoeing with my pastor and his son, Jim. (our cousins) That was a fun day for Elliot.

Ready to roll.

Afterward we went to my friend Laurie's, and he played with her three cute boys. They have a paradise for boys both inside their home and outside.

We watch two episodes of the Waltons each night Elliot is here .

On Friday I measure him and he is 5' 4.25" and he was quite excited about his growth. I suggested we take a picture of cousin Jim and himself. (the 5' 4.25" didn't seem quite so tall)

Saturday
Again invited with our church youth group to an island in the Columbia where they had a motor boat and a lovely large sailboat for the kids. He had a wonderful day and was more than "sun-kissed" when I picked him up.

They got home later than intended, so we stopped at a near by restaurant and he "snorfed" a steak dinner down. He cheeks and nose were nice and red!


Sunday
Got up early and I drove him to his own church. I stayed for the service as
one of my favorite preachers was preaching!
Jon is taking the month of July and is doing the book of Philippians.
It was a good sermon from one of my most favorite books.
My heart thrilled as I listened to my dear boy give out
the Word, clearly and concisely.

I was blessed beyond measure that day on July 10, 1965 when that baby boy was born!


Thanks you, my dear Jonathan, for listening
to the call of God upon your heart.
May God continue to lead, bless, and guide you
as you labor at Countryside Christian,
but even more so
in raising up these two precious children
He has entrusted to you and Leah
to bring to Christian maturity.