The Switch

It is bleach day. Ashley usually has blue hair and Aussie, purple. Pretty entertaining. Anyway, to keep it looking right, they bleach it once in a while and recolor.  October 11 was that day.

They decided to switch places for some pictures. Aussie became Ashley with her mannerisms. Ashley became Aussie. The top picture is right, then they switched shirts and glasses. If that wasn't good enough, they mimicked each other's mannerisms with Aussie doing Ashley's 'peace' sign and Ashley grasping a Rubik's Cube.

Angie's Dinner

One night recently we finally got together with Sue. We all went to Angie's.  It is a place, we've  gone many times in the past, before Sue's husband Frank passed on to his eternal reward.  We had been missing Sue so much. It was a wonderful time and we look forward to the next time, we can do the same thing.

While we were sitting there having dinner, the manager brought a photographer to our table and they took our picture.  If I had known that was going to happen,  I would have ordered a big green salad. Instead they caught me with one of my favorites there...a marinated chicken pasta salad. We generally would have pizza when the four of us were there, but that night, we all had that pasta salad.  It was very good. Of course, everything is good at Angie's.

Remember, your relationships are the most precious thing in your lives.   It outweighs any material thing you can own.  This old saying means a lot to me..."Make new friends and keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold. "

Misplaced Indians Fan

Our son Tim has the best of two worlds...at least he thinks so. He lives near the beach in Florida, yet 

he can still watch and root for the Indians, an Ohio team.  As you can see, he is very happy about that.

I've recently been asked what it takes to make me happy. When asked that question, I can think of lots and lots of things...nearly all of them involve my family. I love them all and love to see them. I especially love to see them smiling, like Tim is here. Yes, that makes me happy.

But a deeper question  was asked by his sister, Chelle yesterday on FaceBook:

How do you achieve happiness? What makes you happy and keeps you fulfilled?

It is a much deeper question, and one we should probably think about.

Princess Ava Rides a Horse

Sorry I don't have much to say about these darling pictures of Ava. I need to post tonight and I've come up short. This is the layout closest to being done that I have here. I would like a good bit of journaling here on the layout, but I'm not coming up with the words tonight. But then I haven't really heard where she is and why. I love her feminine painted face.

Perhaps after I talk to her mother, Brittanie,  I will have the info I need.

I'm yawning and it is only 11:30. What is up with that?

Well, I am going to bed so that my head doesn't fall onto the keyboard.  Good night.

Halloween

This layout looked just fine in Photoshop, but it is very blurry now. I don't know if the picture is as blurry as it seems to me right now, or if my eyes are ready for some strong glasses.

This was not the highlight of my day, but it was quite fun. We had a Halloween party at Curves today. so along with exercise, we  had some nice snacks and dressed up a bit. Eileen here had a super witch costume and I found out something about her daughter that I hadn't known. She told us her daughter acts with a company in the area that puts on short  plays to entertain groups. Eileen said the costume was one that belonged to her.

It could have been a case of comparison here. She really came through with a real costume while I panicked at the last minute when I remembered I was to have a costume today. I ran to the basement where I store this and that to get an idea. Thankfully, I saw the fall leaves and decided they could not only be used for decorations around the house, but also to turn me into a tree. I had just the outfit to go with them...plain dark brown pants and a long sleeve shirt. Although our trees were late in turning and have most of their beautifully colored leaves right not, I know it is just a matter of days, until they will all fall off, so I didn't need many leaves.

Now to the highlight. We went to hear a family group of singers, called Westward Road at a local church this evening. They were quite good and we enjoyed the evening with the Vaneks, who had also been invited.

Black and White

Many years ago, when I was a  young girl, all of our photos...and there weren't many of them, were black and white. By the time I was 11, my mother was working for the best photographer in town, coloring photos with oil paints. She did a lovely job and I still have many of those photos. Some I've published in books. 

But now after decades of color film and so many colorful photos that we have to store them in a cloud somewhere, we sometimes like to go back to a black and white. This is one of those photos that lends itself to the simplified mode.  Words are not needed. I believe the story is told quite well. Lauren is a beautiful girl (young woman) and she is very devoted to lifting.

Now back to the cloud. I don't get it. I really don't! Where are these pictures really??? And what would happen to them, if there were some major glitch, like one which would do away with our computers? Something would happen to electricity...would they disappear forever, or would someone thousands of years later discover them floating around somewhere? It just boggles my mind. Would our entire history from the computer age vanish? No, I don't have a good education in computers, but my husband does. That doesn't help me one bit!

Thai Lunch for ORU

I won't take the time to write much about this tonight. Must be ready early tomorrow morning.

Hopefully the world won't get any stranger before I'm back to post again. 

Melrose Apples

I've been very disappointed lately with the apples I've been buying at Sam's Club. Of course they probably come from China or something, and we grow apples locally. So, even though I hadn't been down Arlington Road for years, I decided on the  spur of the moment  to head down and look for an orchard. I was happy to find one of the orchards where I had bought apples before years ago. The lady there was so helpful. She had plenty of apples ready and after she asked me a few questions to narrow down my choices., she started cutting bites from them for me.  After having tasted quite a few, I chose Melrose, which is crisp and on the tart side. I took them home and handed them  to Ron for a picture. I wanted to remember this day when I finally got off my beaten track and bought some good fresh fruit at Kuner's Fruit Farm.

They should be in business about two more weeks. I will be going back to stock up for the winter, as much as possible anyway. I'll also get some Red Delicious for Ron, who did not appreciate the tart ones I had purchased.

Got My Book

I started making photo books from scrapbooking layouts in 2006 to document our trip to Bulgaria. Since then, I've published 56 different books and ordered multiple  copies of some of those. It has been time consuming, but rewarding as well.

This layout is the story behind the book that was delivered to my door today. In case you are reading this on a phone, making the print to small to read easily, I'll copy the text here:
I had this book ready to
publish on the 8th of Oct.
Shutterfly would not take
my coupon for a special
deal. I would have to pay
around $200 to have it
printed. Thank God, we
were talking to John that
night. Beth came to the
rescue. She has an app
that gives her daily deals
from Shutterfly. That was
two weeks ago, yesterday.
Today I received my 100
page book for which I paid
$36. Thank you, Beth and
thank you, Shutterfly!

I am thrilled with my new
book, Summer Memories.
                    10/23/17

While this was the high point of my day, it was also very, very welcome after hitting a new low when I went in for a check-up at my doctor.  I was absolutely floored  when they apologized and said they had to ask me this question. They have to ask everyone now. It had to do with sexual orientation and gave me quite a few choices. For one thing, God just made two, so where did all the rest come from?

I resent such dumbing down of our nation. I certainly am against asking children such a thing. They can be confused enough these days with what they are taught at school and see on TV and in the movies.

Just one question...Were Sodom and Gomorrah this bad?

Golden Sands

Caleb and his family had a very good tour of Bulgaria. Here is Caleb at Golden Sands beach on the Black Sea.  This will appear in my next book. My last one should be delivered the first part of this week...hoping for tomorrow.

While I enjoy working on my books, making layouts of the family, I really  have a busy life and have to fit in my scrapbooking. 

We attended an excellent church service this morning at our home church and had a good lunch afterwards. I even spent a little time with my Physical Therapy exercises...and even took a nap. Yet, 

I have been working on layouts a very big part of the day. If I could do that every day, it wouldn't be long until another book would go to press.

I started working on a new book a few days ago. So far I have 35 layouts started. It takes me time just to round up all the pictures I want to use. Of course I want to use practically all the ones I get. It is really hard for me to narrow it down. I especially like my grandchildren and so all their pictures are worthy of a layout.

I love to follow their lives through the pictures, since I don't get to visit personally with them often enough.

I pray that God will protect each one and that they will grow close to Him, so they will be spared a lot of troubles in this life.

North Carolina Museum of Art

When I got this picture of our granddaughter, Leah, I was thrilled to see such a wonderful background for a photo. I had never seen or even heard of this place before. As you can see, it is at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, North Carolina. I would like to read more about these arches, but I have not located any information yet.

We are in information overdrive these days, yet I'm still looking for more on these arches.  

Since 'news' and views and even fake news is being poured on us 24 hours a day now, there are some who have retreated into their own heads and just don't listen. We must find a happy medium, so that we know what is going on and why, but are able to keep ourselves from going absolutely nuts over it all. I find humor  lets me be informed without going insane over it all.

May God bless this nation's attempt  to draw nearer to him.

Ready for a Hayride

This picture was taken, as you can see, on September the 8th.  The farm is a great place to get photos of happy kids.

Today, they were there again. I just downloaded quite a few  pictures of them, and posted a couple on Facebook. I'm looking forward to doing layouts, but as usual I'm way behind.  that is not a complaint, just a fact. I appreciate so much getting these pictures regularly, since I can't just jump into my car and drive across town to see them. It may be a good thing for some that I can't. I love them so much that I might make a pest of myself if I had the opportunity. 

Mister Goose

We have lots of Canada Geese in Ohio. As pretty as they are, they are not really welcome here. Their excrement is too plentiful. We have a big problem with them around the lakes. There are very large flocks of them, leaving their stuff wherever they go. Some have little fences to deter them from coming out of the lake and on to people's docks and lawns.  Some set up moving objects in an attempt to scare them away...and those with more time to  spend, often scare the geese with fire crackers, etc.

Sometimes animals will scare them away with their barks, etc.

On this farm in CO, it seems that the geese feel very welcome. This one is much more friendly than any I've seen around here.

Of course, Julia is a very likable little girl.

Hay Ride

Now that Caleb is back in school the two younger ones miss him. This day they had the opportunity to experience 'school' themselves at Farm School. It was hay ride day. What fun. I think it was a 

winner. 

Farm school offers lots of opportunities to become acquainted with animals, plants and farm life, while getting some social schooling as well.

I mentioned last week about our little dog being very sick. She seems to be as good as new now. 

That makes me feel a lot better. It is amazing how close we can get to a pet. She is our baby...now that everyone else is so far from 'home'. 

Bulgaria

I would not be one to encourage people to take their children across the world for a 

'vacation', but our son and his wife, Beth both traveled when they were young and both continued to go to new places and learn new languages. They think nothing of traveling with their children. The youngest is not likely to remember anything about the trip, unless of course she is like my father, who could remember things from age one. The youngest I remember anything like that was at the age of two.  I recall two things that happened when I was two. I remember seeing the full moon over the local high school while my dad was carrying me. I wanted him to get it for me. I can see it all in my mind, but I think the only reason is that someone took my picture and talked about it later. I do however remember vividly the time I fell on the register in our kitchen and it was so hot that it burned scars into my hand. I remember what the grill looked like, I remember my dad grabbing me up and taking me into another room, but that is all I remember. Thank God, I don't remember the pain.

Back to our story. John and Beth took the three to Bulgaria to visit with people they knew when they served as school teachers while in the Peace Corps.  Their oldest son, my sweet grandson, is in second grade. He had to miss two weeks of school. He probably could not have done that if he were in a regular school, but his IB World school encourages travel. 

At one point we went to visit John and Beth while they were serving there. We saw a lot of the country,  but we didn't see everything there was to see. For example, we did not visit this fortress in the background. It is Tsarevets,  a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnova in northern Bulgaria.

It is good to be familiar with life in other countries so that one might accurately compare life in our country. We would have many more patriotic Americans if they really knew what it was like to live elsewhere. There would certainly be much less display of disdain for this great land.

Same Shirt

All I'll say is, they did it again. Both showed up for a picnic with identical shirts. Well, actually, they are not identical because one is quite a bit bigger than the other.

I'm finished for tonight. I'm scared because my little Maggie has been sick for two days now and she is throwing up again.  I  tried feeding her chicken and rice, but that  didn't work.  She wants me to do something for her, but neither one of us know what. It could be a long night.

Please pray for my little dog, Maggie and for me as well.

Youngest Granddaughter

Julia is really coming out now. She is trying everything, thanks to her mom, who is exceptionally good at keeping all the kids active and learning. Her mom is a great example for stay at home mothers.

Here they are at Farm School where they go regularly. Julia, as you can see, is trying out a saddle. I'm sure she will be on a horse as soon as possible. She is a very serious learner.  This week, she decided to climb on... no I can't tell you about this. You must see it for yourself.

I was hoping to show you the video, but it didn't work. All I have here is a picture, but it does help you see how hard this climb would be for a little girl of 19 months. She climbed and pulled herself to the very top of this jungle gym or climber. I was certainly impressed.

Do we keep striving to learn and do more? Some times it is disheartening to see those who have pretty much given up and just sit around and watch TV for example.  Sometimes we just want to blame others when we don't have what we want, instead of getting out and doing things for ourselves.

I'm praying for all to be encouraged to do their best.  

Do you know of any specific way we can help in that encouragement? If so, perhaps we CAN make America great again.

A Little Bird

Ava had fun playing with this little bird. I'm glad her mom got these pictures of her.  Children grow up so quickly; it is fun to look back and remember these little things, things we quickly forget in the daily rush of life.

Speaking about the busyness of life, I'm reminded about how many of us have quit trying to find time  to go to church.

Rick Warren is a preacher who has written some great books like Purpose Driven Life.

I get his emails weekly. Today's email is worth repeating. Read it here:

“Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT).

These days you don’t have to go to church to watch a worship service. You can just stay home and see it online. You can stay in your pajamas, and make a late breakfast.

But the Bible makes it clear. “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near”(Hebrews 10:25 NLT).

And this is why you need a church family. This is why we need to gather as groups of believers who can live life together as we follow Jesus together. 

Without a church family, you’ll drift when it’s tough to trust Christ. I can look back on my life and see times when, if I had missed a specific worship service, my life would have taken a radically different turn. And I’ve thought, “What if I’d skipped that service? What if I’d just slept in that day?” I would have missed something that changed the direction of the rest of my life. So if the church doors are open, I want to be inside. 

A church is kind of like a campfire. In a campfire you’ve got all these red-hot coals. If you remove one single coal and set it far away, it will cool in a matter of minutes. The fire goes out, and the coal goes dark. But if you take a coal that’s lost its fire and put it back into the fire, it gets hot again. That’s the power of fellowship. 

Now, I know there are times when we can’t make it to church, and we can be grateful that there are ways we can still connect, such as watching a worship service online or listening to a podcast. You may be too sick to come to church, or you may have times when you live hundreds of miles from the nearest church, such as when brave men and women serve in the military. You might even be serving the Lord in some remote region of the world. 

In cases like these, it’s still important to stay connected as best you can with other believers, who can help you stay encouraged and faithful. And it’s important for people within our congregations to reach out to individuals who experience challenges in getting to church every week.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them” (GW). Let’s continue to pray and support each other, and “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV).

Harvest of Squash

This is Julia's first year at farm school...and she is diving right in. Here she is with the other little ones, checking out the farm ripened squash.

Oh, how I would like to live on a farm this time of year, when I imagine the hardest part of the work is done and it is harvest time. 

Everything tastes so much better when it is allowed to ripen on the vine, the stalk, or on the tree. Those of us who live in the city eat fruit, for example, that may travel thousands of miles to our homes. They are picked before they ripen and supposedly get ripe on the way. But anyone who has ever tasted tree ripened fruit, is terribly disappointed in the tastelessness of this fruit, for which we often pay high prices. I haven't had a good peach this year. We are always advised to let them set for a couple of days before eating. Well it usually softens a little before it turns grainy or mushy, but there is never any juiciness or scrumptious taste. I was taught how to tell if it was ripe. It won't help to know, if you are never going to find any. 

That is another thing I'm looking forward to in heaven...GREAT TASTY AND JUICY FRUIT.

Take Me to the Mountains

When I was three years old my family moved here from a little town near Charleston, WV.  Then 70 years later, our daughter, April chose to move to another small town near Charleston.  It seems the mountains were calling her and her husband. She has really taken it on well. Right now, they are in a long process of building on to their house.  It will be first class when completed. The view of the river and mountains is beautiful. 

She has changed her lifestyle to fit the location and she loves it and all the hard work that  goes along with it. It was fun to see what she has done so far and we're anxious to see the completion.

There was a big reunion of their family the first weekend of September and we were invited to join the fun.

Here, our granddaughter Lauren (April's daughter)  carries both of her nieces! Lauren is used to lifting weights, so it was a breeze for her.

Back in the Saddle

In many ways, Oliver is walking in Caleb's footsteps, now he riding like his big brother. With good balance and self confidence, he looks like a natural.

It's been a jamb packed day, but I've enjoyed every minute of it. First this morning was lady's class, which is very inspiring. Then came lunch with 5 other ladies, of varying political beliefs, enjoying each others company. Next was my generally weekly visit to Sam's Club to pick up some necessities. I impressed myself with picking up two cases ( 28,  20 oz) bottles of water, putting them in my cart, then into my car all on my own strength. That you God for that. Then a stop at Marcs for the oat meal that I can no longer buy at Sam's Club. What is up with that?  Then on home, where I put things away , including the two cases of water, and rested up a bit for dinner. Next, I had a high school friend who now lives in Colorado,  and is in town for a few days come go to dinner with us at Ron's favorite fish restaurant. Once we were home, we had some Amish baked razzleberry pie, as if I needed any more calories today. Then we sat down to watch the movie, Accountant, which had reminded Ron of the Las Vegas gunman. It did seem very similar, so much so, that I'm wondering if it  could have  influenced  the Sunday night shooting.

Thank God for Children

April and Kim came to see us. April also brought her granddaughter, Ryan.  You can see here what a cutie  she is. We had a good visit and of course shot a few pictures. Glad we did, she is very photogenic. 

It has been hard to watch TV lately, since I just like the news. As you all know, it has been the same story told over and over. It is not one I want to be my primary thought for the day...and especially not the whole week.  

I know it happened. I lament that it happened. I am praying for all involved in any way. It was just plain evil and I pray nothing like that happens again. Too much bad news! 

It all started with the hurricane hitting Texas just five days  before these pictures of Ryan were taken. There have been three BIG hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. Now this.  If it isn't the last days, it at least feels like it could be.

These facts make it even more pleasant to watch the children, who are...or should be care free and to stay at my computer making layouts for hours on end.

Eclipse USA

Monday I shared pictures of John's family viewing the eclipse in Wyoming, now today, I'll go on to Nashville, TN to show you pictures, our daughter Chelle's friend took that day. and then a little about the eclipse and Ohio, where we are.

As you can see from my layout with the window, even though I was disappointed by the lack of show with the partial eclipse that shone here, I am impressed by the view of the sun from our window.                          

An Evil Day Will Not Defeat Us

Naturally cute describes our youngest grandchildren. These were taken while the family waited for the total solar eclipse in Wyoming. 

I particularly like the one of Oliver. In this picture he looks very much like his dad did at his age.  

Children are our joy. No wonder God told us to be as little children... Matthew 18:3

..."Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

What this verse describes is the farthest thing from the major event of evil in this last 24 hours in our nation.  

I pray that we can all come together as one, united, against evil like that which was portrayed by the one who ended  and damaged so many lives in Las Vegas.

Listen to our president as he expresses what we feel at this time. Matthew 18:3

and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

God bless America and God bless our president. I pray for unity through this  evil time.

If you have not listened to our president's message, watch it here: https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-Lkry-SF01&hsimp=yhs-SF01&hspart=Lkry&p=president+trump%27s+speech+in+las+vegas#id=0&vid=85e51d6bf9a0f45d3dca15479499d873&action=click

Total Eclipse

  

Wyoming is one of the states where one could see a total eclipse of the sun on August 21. John and his family made a two hour long trip to see it on August 21, 2017.