Twilight Ride

We often take friends for a ride in the boat in the evening. It is an opportunity to share with others the wonder of the lakes as they cool and the sun lowers in the sky. We don't plan many boat rides in advance because we just haven't figured out yet what the weather will be. Guess we just don't have Al Gore's insight. So we have become very last minute.

My friend Sali's daughter and son in law are here from Wales. When we called her on Saturday night, we were just hoping they would be able to go. They were here within an hour, and the trip was delightful. I took these pictures of the dimishing sunset over Turkeyfoot Lake.

I miss that view so much. Our 'new' house (which is actually 30 years older than our last house)
does not have a clear view of the sunset.

Small Town

We were happy that our friends and neighbors, Kay and Hugh Weinberg could join us in a short trip by car to Hanoverton, Ohio along the Lincoln Highway.

The small town atmosphere attracted me more than ever. Seeing the flags along the street and the neat houses with front porches made me long for the simple lives they hold, the patriotism and love of God that they make me feel still exists somewhere.

Birthdays

On our first date Ron asked me when my birthday was. I told him it was 'tomorrow' and he told me his was the next day. He used that info for his advantage and said we would have to celebrate. And we did. He then brought up that we were born under the same sign. He thought that meant we would get along well. Since I've never believed in Astrology, I just thought it was funny.

We will have been married 42 years in August.

And by the way, if you do believe in trusting the stars to tell you anything, supposedly Geminis should marry Sagittarius. If I'm wrong you can correct me. I have been wrong a few times... about insignificant things.

I almost forgot to say where we went for Ron's birthday... to a small town on the Lincoln Highway in Carrolton County, OH. I had been there to the Spread Eagle Tavern before with girlfriends and thought Ron would enjoy the history. He also likes company, so we took our friends and neighbors, Kay and Hugh along. It was an interesting trip.

My Publisher.com

Looks like we could have an ORU book if I keep going on this theme. I love to publish books on My Publisher.com. Haven't done one in a few months. ORU would be a very good subject.

Have been very busy today and neglected doing what I had set out to do. I need to make a layout of my husband's and my birthdays...June 8 and 9.

I know some of you have wanted to post a comment and haven't yet learned how to do it. Teresa, while you are in Switzerland, maybe you could tackle that. I'm sure you won't have anything else to do there.

Girlfriends

Here we girls are, back in Florida.

For years I was the 'designated' photographer, but some of the other girls are going digital and are now helping capture every important and silly thing we do.

We do have a lot of fun. In my opinion, no matter how happy your marriage is, there is always a special place for girlfriends. Don't neglect your friendships.

Father's Day

On Father's Day Ron, Mark and I went to church and to Friday's for lunch (Sunday Dinner). Then in the evening, Ron and I met our life group at Luchita's in Hudson. It was our first time there and it made our favorite Mexican restaurant,El Rincon, look soooo good. After our meal, we headed up the street to the square for a swing jazz concert.

College Already

My 'baby' grand daughter will be leaving home for college this year. Grand children grow up even faster than children. I pray God will watch over her and bless her.

Calendar Girls

This is ORU at the Tango Cafe. We needed to take plenty of group pictures while away in Florida so that we could be sure to have enough pictures for our next calendar. Yes, we are 'Calendar Girls'... modest ones, as you can see.

Under a Bright Blue Sky

It is very special to me to have so many pictures to remember the fun we have together...all us girls. This is Teresa, our Florida hostess with the mostess towels. Guess whose feel are lazing in partial shade at the club. Of course, the whitest ones would be mine.

Faux Pas

Haircut

Our daughter April doesn't get to visit as often as she did before her move. Living where she does, it takes her six hours to make the drive. It only took two hours before. She sold her salon when she moved and no longer has that to tie her down, but she does work a few days a week. It is a true treat to have her visit, even when she can't bring Lauren and Tim along.

She has been taking classes from a fellow who has come to Wilmington to teach the hair dressers at her salon. She is feeling pretty good about that. Of course I always liked her to do my hair.

Beach

It is a beautiful day today. Would have liked to be at the beach, but I was pulling weeds.
I just kept thinking about Florida and escaping with my beach buds to the white sands of Watercolor.

Get Hopping, Go Shopping

I suspect all of you girls have been waiting for me to get this page done. After all, the picture was taken April 30. It's only been 1 1/2 months. Anyone up to traipsing to Wal Mart for Bubba Kegs? Or are you willing to pass that one up for now?

It's too late. Now everyone knows we shop at Wal Mart for our FINE clothing. LOL

Home Depot

Naturally four women on the way to Florida couldn't get all their luggage in the car, especially since we were taking a husband's computer, etc. and a dog in a cage. We fastened a luggage box on top of the car for the extra baggage. About half way through Ohio, we were hearing strange noises coming from the roof. The wind was strong. We finally realized the box was not secure. We stopped at a filling station and bought duct tape. Remember, we are women. Sounded like a good idea. We strapped that baby down well...used the whole roll of tape, and went on our way. I'd say we got about 120 miles and there it was again, noise from up there!
But it wasn't too bad and we continued on our merry, gabbing way. Soon people started passing us and pointing frantically to our rooftop . Okay we can take a hint, especially after seeing about 20 fingers or so. We looked for a Home Depot. That is where we could get anything we needed to strap this baby down. When we got there, we discovered about 3 inches of duct tape still clinging (but barely) to the luggage rack. Evidently, all the rest was left behind on the highway and perhaps vehicles somewhere.

We went inside like troopers, found the strap we needed and even thought to borrow a ladder so that we could fix the problem. Soon it was apparent that we were not doing so well and when an alert clerk finished with his customer, he came out to rescue us. He climbed up on that ladder and had us all fixed up and ready to go in no time.

Of course since everything is a scrapbooking opportunity for me, I photographed the whole thing. (Also gets me out of working.) Walt cooperated and here is the layout I've done of him and the girls. I hope Home Depot gives him a raise. He sure served us well.

Fruits of the Spirit

What a nice birthday this has been.

Decided to write myself a note after Sunday morning class yesterday. I've been caught twice by Ron wanting me to tell what the fruits of the spirit are. I think I know them, but when he asks in public, I go blank. I'm going to pray about it and practice, practice, practice!

INTENSE

I am sitting here with tears running down my face. Did something terrible happen? Did I see an animal get hurt? Did someone hurt my feelings? NO NO NO. I just found someone who could be my sister...not really. Don't jump to conclusions. But I was reading Ro's blog: Life Muses by Ro today. Can't even give you a link to it, because it is fed to me by Feed Blitz. Shoot I don't know how that works. She wants comments, but I'm frustrated to death because it doesn't give me a way to do that. I contacted her helper at Scrapgirls yesterday, but evidently not all of us are picking it up without the comment box. I've gotten it in the past, but the last couple of days it has been GONE.

My point is. The subject of the blog was INTENSE. Some of you may not think of me that way, but I am. I didn't realize how much until my son John was here last week. He said in these exact words, "Mom, you are just so INTENSE." Yes. I guess I am. It is just like Ro said in her blog:
"I am intense. I work hard, think hard, worry hard, laugh hard, feel hard, and love hard. I commit fully to work I believe in and to the faith in which I believe."

And as I think, she says, "Some people think that intensity is a negative quality to own, particularly if you are a woman, as women are often expected to be cushy, milk and lovey-dovey. (relaxed) My keen interest in business, politics, technology, and my strong opinions of what should be done catches people off-guard. I believe my intensity is a gift from God because without it, I would not have accomplished what I have. My drive to succeed and to make it possible for others to succeed requires intense commitment - both to myself and to the people who trust me. I, in turn, must then have an intense loyalty and trust in God to make it all work. "

Of course, I can't claim to have accomplish anything like she has, but I couldn't be more intense.

All I can say is, I like this woman.

She has a layout with her blog. Maybe I'll come up with one soon.

It is now 5:17. There is now a layout. I worked it in. Have to go now. Not ready and have to pick up the neighbors in 13 minutes.

Tooth Fairy

I've slowed down a bit. Have been using Photoshop Elements 6 for my scrapbooking. However, I now have Photoshop CS4 and am trying to learn how to write text on a curve. Haven't mastered it yet. Wish it were the only thing I had to do for a day. But alas, there in also a house to care for, clothes to wash, a zillion e-mails to answer, weeks to pull, a cat to feed, Curves, a socialable husband to entertain...... Anyway. I notice I haven't posted since Tuesday. Am posting this layout of Aussie. Look at his big smile. He is expecting a visit from the tooth fairy.

When I've learned to type on a curve, I'll repost the picture. Wish me luck.

Flying Dog

John and Beth had Rado here last week from arid Colorado. I think he will be begging to come back to Gramma's house, because he LOVED the lake. We took him down to the neighbors yard. Our broken down 'seawall' was too high for him to get back out of the water. He jumped in over and over and we were able to get some good pictures of him. I couldn't resist using my Photoshop skills to put wings on him.

Family Ties

I just realized I hadn't posted this layout of our 'kid's' Chelle and Mark in March.
Of course the triplets were there as well.

Summer Fun

Always have plenty of pictures of the triplets thanks to Chelle's blog. Makes me happy to keep up with how they look and what they are doing. I don't get to see any of my grandchildren nearly enough. The other four are adults now, all of college age. Sad, isn't it? They grow up too fast.

School is out for the summer for these guys. So they will be doing some fun things. Actually, they do all year in home school. There is much more opportunity for field trips, crafts, etc.

Sometimes I like get photos of me doing whatever the triplets are doing. I will have to draw the line at bicycling. Or will I?