Note on Deer in the Driveway

I talked to some neighbors who said we had a deer in the neighborhood a few weeks ago. That time it swam in from across the lake. Duh! Of course they can swim. I just never thought about that. Guess we are all entitled to our 'ignorant' moments.

Heading into Darkness

The sun is setting, but we are hoping to wake up to a brand new day. Everything will be light and colorful again. Likewise, the sun seems to be setting on our free nation. However, it is difficult to even hope for a new day. We are heading into the darkness of socialism. Socialism which kills the spirit through repression. Freedom has been our heritage from the beginning. It won't be easy to live in subjection to a government which does not have the people in mind, but just power for the elite. I pray that people awaken to this disaster and stand for our rights. And foremost I pray our people will turn to our God who created all, loves all, who reaches out to all and who is still in control.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land

King and Queen

I left you hanging yesterday because of time constraints.


This was taken on our anniversary last week. Looks like a big occasion, doesn't it? HA. Well that was it this year. I guess we can blame that on the economy or a husband who forgot (for the first time in 42 years) and made plans to have dinner with our neighbors at our favorite week night restaurant where we LOVE the salad bar. Everything is so fresh. And their fish and chicken are great as well. The strange thing is, it is connected to and owned by a super grocery store...which explains the freshness of everything.

This over sized chess set is right outside the door and that night we decided to play...
like we enjoyed chess...which I do, but he doesn't. Anyway. It just came to me later that we
were the queen and king of the game. CHECKMATE!

A MAN and His Grand DOG

Doing a layout a day, which I've tried to do this year, is catching me up with my pictures. I've run out for this year ... ones I want to do. So, Ive been looking back at last year. I really thought I was caught up on that as well. But, I realized I hadn't really done much with our visit with our son and daughter-in-law in Fort Collins last May. We made a trip shortly after that and this one just pretty much got lost in the madness of last summer.

Here is Ron and our grand dog, Rado. His name is Bulgarian for Happy Fellow.

My Peonies

Not sure why, but couldn't write on the last post.

My favorite flower is the peony. You may be able to tell. I think so far there are at least three layouts with them on this blog.

I found some freebies on line today with a poem about peonies on the Cottage Arts site. . I decided to do a layout using the free stuff exclusively. Anyway, I did... except I needed an extra flower. I got on my ACDSEE and checked out my trusty Scrapgirls stash of supplies. Sure enough, there it was, a gorgeous pink peony in Keri Schueller's Love Letters kit. Just what I needed to finish my layout to my satisfaction.

My Peonies

American Girl

I would hate to admit how many hours I spent on this layout today. All trial and error, cutting, pasting, patching, etc. The perfectionist in me is looking at it and seeing ways it could be improved. But I have to stop somewhere and this is it.

Our granddaughter Ashley was invited to an Americal Girl party and the little actress she is had to dress the part. As you can tell her favorite one is Samantha.

Ashley, I hope you like this page with you all dressed up like Samantha. You look darling. And glad you enjoyed the party. this gives me an idea for Christmas. Love Gramma.

According to Aussie

Aussie has coined the word' Mommaneze'. I wonder if he'll learn to translate.

I shamefacedly took this picture from my daughter, Chelle's blog to make this entry. I haven't seen the triplets since February, so I rely on her pictures a lot. The blog is the best thing she could do to help me feel attached. I appreciate it so much.

She does paper scrapping and is much more creative than I. If she has time to do a layout on this, it will outshine mine. I'm very proud of her for all she accomplishes in a day.

I used the Scrapgirls kit, 'Rugged' by Cheryl Barber for this page, except for the frame, which is the Scrapgirls 'Pin It Up' kit by Trish Yochum.

Ballerina

Isn't she pretty in pink? It's her favorite color. She still takes ballet at her co-op school for home schoolers on Fridays.

Her mom, Chelle, is teaching 4th grade history there this year. From the looks of her class blog, I think she should have gone into teaching. She was good at math and computers. Her degree is in Business Management and Computer Sciences. But she really gets into this teaching. It is a good thing since she home schools the triplets.

It's a Stretch

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and Chipper is sunbathing. Happy as she can be, this cat doesn't care a thing for the beach. As a matter of fact, she doesn't want anything to do with it...it's too close to the water.

I had wanted to take her for a boat ride with us since she always goes down to the wall above the level of the seawall and waits for us to depart. And of course everyone takes their dogs. It would be unique to take the cat. I carried her, unwilling, out to the boat and jumped on with her. Woops, wrong move. She did not like that at all. I put her down to keep from getting her claws stuck in my legs. It took her less than a second, I believe, to fly through the air to land. And up the bank to the safety of the wall she flew where she turned and started screaming at us. I'm not sure whether she way saying, 'Don't do it! It isn't safe!' or 'Don't you ever think of doing that to me again.'

Here is our Ashley in a dress. Oh for a fairy tale life for our' little' granddaughter...
Those of you who have grandchildren know the dreams we have for them...love, skills, freedom and most of all a true love for our God in heaven who has set forth a plan of life that will serve them well from birth to eternity.

Swans

We've been enjoying boating with our friends a lot lately. Guess we realized that summer is coming to a close in Ohio. We are also blessed now with many pals who are retired and can go out during the week on the spur of the moment. That helps us hit the nicest times to be on the water.

The swans are one of the high lights of any trip...so big, yet graceful, a true beauty to behold.

Deer in My Driveway

I can't remember whom I told just a few days ago that we would NEVER have deer because we have lake on three sides of us and only suburban residential for miles the other way... plus a four lane highway.

At 3:07 PM today, I was in my normal spot with my computer by the window looking over the driveway toward our garage and rentals. All of a sudden movement caught my attention.
IT WAS A DEER!

There was a camera laying next to me, but I had frozen in shock. When I regained my wits, I ran out with it, but the deer was no where to be seen. Who was going to believe me? About 15 minutes later, my husband came home. He asked me how long it had been and went to the new security system's log. Sure enough, we were able to see it come and go. He was able to clip a still picture for me and here it is. The system is paying off after all. (The color is not the best, but it does have night vision and the exact second is stamped at the bottom.) I'm impressed.

First Day Back to School

The triplets are back to school. August 14th was their first day of co-op for the second grade.
We haven't seen them since February and that is a long, long time for a gramma. I pray for their safety and for them to learn all they need to know to be able to stand on their own feet and face this world head on. I pray they will always enjoy our God granted freedom in this country.

Tea Party Patriots

Tonight I went to the largest tea party held in Ohio so far. It was called the Akron Tea Party and held at the River Front Square in Cuyahoga Falls. There were over 7,000 of us there.
This evening it was very encouraging to see so many real red blooded Americans who have realized that to keep their freedom, they must no longer sit back. These people are no longer the silent majority. Our country has been taken over by anti-Americans...those who don't want it to be Christian, moral, or even free. We have had enough! We are ready to fire Congress and the president.

The only thing that saddens me about the tea parties is that we only see white people there. Freedom isn't just for whites, but for everyone. I wish there were some way we could get the word out that all Americans are at risk to lose their freedoms and security. Congress and the president are enemies of ALL our people...male, female, young, old, black, white, yellow, God fearing , atheists, professionals and common workers. Many have worked hard to divide us through the years. (Divide and conquer.) Stand together everyone! Go to www.moveoutCongress.com. Check out what you can do now.

Hibiscus

Several kind people have replied. The flower I posted yesterday must be an Hibiscus moscheutos L. Engl.

Big Blooms

I bought these flowers at a closeout sale at the end of last summer and stuck them in a bed near the house. Didn't know if they would make it; but transplanted them down by the lake this spring. They are doing fine. But I can't remember what they are. I keep thinking they are some kind of Hibiscus, but can't find any on line that look like this.

Shutteerbug

I'm so excited for Patreece. Denny got her a new camera, and a very cool one. It has lots of neat features.

She had arranged for a picnic yesterday. We were happy to supply the pontoon ride to and from the state park. Most would think the weather was perfect. I must have been in the low 90's, much too hot for a fair Yankee like me. But I still had a great time. We met some very nice people. And it was fun seeing someone as enthusiastic about photography as I am. Patreece has published her first book now with My Publisher and should be going with me to the Scrapgirls convention in Salt Lake City this year. She is learning so fast. I anticipate that soon we will be helping each other with our digi-scrapping. However, she is afraid she is not ready for the classes and wants to wait until next year. (Considering our nation's new bent toward socialism, I hope there can be one next year.)

God Created

Genesis 1

The Beginning

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

³ And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

⁶ And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." ⁷ So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. ⁸ God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

⁹ And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

Cousin Visits

Ron's cousin Sheila has come back north to visit. It is a joy to see her doing well.
Ron enjoys show and tell with his hydroponic garden and she was actually interested. Made his day. She and I had a chance to talk a little politics. We are like minds. Hope she'll venture north more often.

Locks of Love

We are so proud of our Ashley. She has been growing her hair a long time so that she could donate to Locks of Love for a child who is suffering from a long term medical hair loss. God blesses those with generous hearts. She is beautiful outside and inside as well.

God's Blessings for the Patio

Nephew's Wedding

Our nephew Erik and our son John were good buddies growing up in the same neighborhood. Just three months apart and both with big ideas, they had a great time.

John married Beth in 2002. Erik married this past Saturday evening. His bride Elaina is now part of the family.

Best wishes for a long and loving marriage.

Mary Poppins in Cleveland

Last night Denny and Patreece, Ron and I drove to Cleveland for our theater fix. It turned out this was our favorite of this season. It was very well done...so colorful, creative, the acting and singing really good. We sat in a loge at the center of the theater. Ron and I both thought we were exactly in the center. Of course, I was right. (That is not right of center, but CORRECT.)

The whole time, I couldnt' stop thinking about how I would 'scrapbook' this experience. I had it all worked out by the time the show was over. There's one more page in my mind, but I don't have enough pictures of us there to pull it off. Will probably use the background for a layout later. Keep you eyes open and see if you spot it.

Big Project

Yesterday when I left to attend a funeral, I looked around and decided to stay away a while. It was a mess, as you can see. I went to lunch with friends, did a little shopping and came back.
It was a little worse when I returned, but Ron had been having a good time. Well it seems like he is enjoying it. All the high tech stuff draws him like a fly to a picnic. I would plan a trip, if it wasn't for my nephew's wedding this weekend and the fact that I'm being drafted to do some wire fishing for the PROJECT. Whoppee, guess you can tell I'm excited.

Hydroponics

For years I have worried that Ron didn't have a hobby. Now he does. It is hydroponics. He had been researching a while and decided he would like to do this. He grows vegetables in some weird stuff. He constructed this contraption to hold the 2 liter bottles cut down and fitted to a water system and he replenishes the water from the fish pond. Then the water runs off the plants and back into the fish pond. Supposedly this is good for both fish and plants. It's a green thing.

We are starting to see some buds and even tiny tomatoes and peppers. Don't know how much it will help our food budget. It certainly is not cost effective, at least not yet. But Ron is having a lot of fun and feeling pretty accomplished. Good return for the buck.

Concerts on the Square

Once in a while, our life group gathers across the street from the square in Hudson to enjoy a concert. Tonight it is Swing Time Big Band ...Ron Goodwin said we should thank him because he is the only one of us who lives in Hudson and he pays his taxes. Don't tell him, but these are provided by private donations. But we are happy he lives here and that we don't have to pay Hudson taxes. Not that we have anything left after our own these days and the present admin-istration is planning more and more of them. It is a good plan. if you want to destroy this nation.

Amish Country

Remember my motto (Guess I have more than one). If you take enough pictures, a few will be really good. That is the way I feel about this picture I took last week in Amish Country. I was down there twice in two days and rarely go more than once a year. It isn't because it is so far, but it isn't just down the street either. It is always relaxing to get away from the big city ways.

The Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch ( a German dialect) and we are known as the English, foreigners to their way of living, which is very simple. They came to this country from Switzerland in order to be free to worship as they wished. They adapted several ways that set them apart from 'the world'. They dress in a peculiar manner mostly in black and dark blue. The idea is to be plain and not stand out. They use only simple buttons, hook and eyes or straight pins to fasten clothing. They do not drive automobiles, or use electricity. Although they do produce their own energy with batteries or gas.

One thing that is interesting is their lack of care about their sons owning cars from age 16 to the age of 18 when they are expected to be baptized and soon marry. Never buy a car from an Amishman because they typically drive them 'hard' during that short time...REAL HARD.

My mother's mother who died when Mom was born was Pennsylvania Dutch and I wonder if she may have been of Amish heritage. I'll never know.

Actually, their life often appeals to me when I think about the troubles in this world today. I guess that is a good thing, because it might not be long until we will all live simply like that.
I really could learn to enjoy the lifestyle...but I'd miss my computer. However there is one drawback. The group that is trying to force all of us into a third world type existence want to drive God out of our lives as well. That is the part I can not do!

There is a very good article on the Amish in Wikepedia. All that I read of it was accurate.

Back to the picture: On Thursday when I went to Sugar Creek and beyond with my girlfriends, I quickly snapped this picture as we were entering an Amish grocery to buy Sali's husband his favorite cheese. I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out so well.

You can tell where my mind is today...on sugar cookies, the best on Earth. they are much too pretty and expensive to eat, but we force ourselves on special occasions like the celebration of birthdays.

Scrapgirl's Convention

If you stopped by the blog yesterday, you might notice that this layout is indeed different from the page there. Oh, the things one can do with Photoshop. (PSE) Seldem do I do a page using only one scrapbooking collection, but I did this one. It is called Euphoia and can be found at www.scrapgirls.com.

I'm a daily follower of Scrapgirls and am excited that I'll be going to the convention in Salt Lake City, Utah again this October. It was a total blast last year and this one promises the same.

Looking forward to one again next year, for a friend has now used Scrapgirl's tutorials and wants to go then. She is afraid she is not quite ready now. I think she would be fine. She has already published a book on her visit to China using My Publisher.