Haleakala

I could write a lot about the volcano in the Haleakala National Park on the Big Island, but it has been a long day and I'm heading to bed. If you want to know, google it. Don't you just love goggle? I do. It has really changed our lives for the better. Knowledge at our fingertips. But what will we do if all our computers fail. Guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to pack some of this info into our brains.

Volcanos and Earthquakes

If this hadn't been in a National Park, I would have been quite frightened to walk this path. Steam comes up constantly from the lava tube beneath the surface, formed by the lava flowing from the volcano to the coast where it spews into the ocean continuously adding hundreds of acres to the land mass of the Big Island.

I'm glad I've seen it, for it is something quite different from anything I've experienced before. But I'm happy I don't have to live near it.

It isn't a big jump from volcanoes to earthquakes...both 'acts of God'. The Bible speaks of many earthquakes in 'the last days'.

I only passed by a TV once today, but that was enough to see the banner, BREAKING NEWS, on the screen. It was being broadcast from Chile and the anchor woman was doing her best to be composed, but it was obvious she was shaken...and who wouldn't be. An 8.8 is a HUGE earthquake.

Caleb and Family

Caleb is such a tiny little fellow; but what joy he is to his family... his mother and father...and all the rest of us as well.

Pure as can be. How very precious he is to our Father in heaven, and our Lord Jesus Christ. How wonderful it is to hold him in our arms, believing that he will "grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man". The Bible Luke 2:52 That was my prayer for his father as I cradled him in my arms and for many years until he indeed did.

On the Wall?

Okay, tonight I'm coming off the wall and out of my 'shell'...like I was ever there. LOL

Have to be serious. The Tea Party has been having trash thrown their way because the administration sees them as a threat to their plans to rule us. I've read many articles and letters to the editor that make accusations against the party. They all seem quite naive... ignorant.

I am posting a letter written to the editor of our city newspaper (Akron Beacon Journal) and published yesterday, which puts it all down well; so that those who might not be familiar with the Tea Party can know the truth, because "the truth shall set you free". The Bible John 8:32

I am copying most of it here for those interested.

"I am writing in response to the letter about Tea Partyers.... The writer must be happy with the direction this country is headed (socialism, or even communism), and he is free to have his opinions, as I am to have mine.
At least the Tea Party movement is making noise so that our elected officials will know that we are going to hold them accountable for their actions., It is not about Democrat or Republican. It is about honesty , hard work, personal responsibility, humility and hope for this country to remain free.
I joined the Tea Party movement because of its principles:
America is good.
I believe in God, and He is the center of my life.
I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
If I break the law, I pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
I work hard for what I have and I will share it with whom I want. The government has no right to tell me what to do with my money.
It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
The government works for me; I do not answer to the government, they answer to me.
For those of you who do not understand what the Tea Party movement is about, I hope this will give you some insight. The movement is nonpolitical and non partisan. We are uniting as Americans, standing together to protect the greatest nation ever created, to protect our Constitution, to protect the principles on which our Founding Fathers built this great country."

Nancy Roesner

Wading at Waikiki

Well this caught me by surprise. The waves up until this time were not nearly this big. The water was not warm...at least to me. Many were seemingly enjoying themselves. I guess you have to get used to it.

Our country is being hit by waves right now, small ones coming ever more frequently and washing away one freedom at a time. They are just little and most of us either don't notice or we are just being conditioned slowly by smooth talking that soothes us and causes us to accept whatever the day brings.

But watch out, if our president is able to get this tragic health bill signed into law, it will be the big wave that surprises many and pulls us all under.

Teece Digs In for the Shoot

Our friend Denny decided he wanted to take surfing lessons while we at Waikiki. He is preparing to do his thing, while Teece digs into the sand before her shooting spree. Haven't seen her pictures. Hope she got lots of good ones. Ron was using my DSL and it was set wrong and all his pictures are bad.


Speaking of bad, guess what the Democrats have done now. Okay, you never would, so I'll tell you. Harry Reid is not well liked in Nevada, to say the least. They know he is going down, so they concocted a plan whereby he can win...or at least he would have a better chance. They are running a liberal, Obama supporter, registered as a member of the Tea Party . Don't fall for it. He is definitely not from the party of the people, but a true blue Democratic, blindly follow the pack candidate.

Now that this dirty trick has come to light, we must watch every move these socialist/Marxists make. Watch them like hawks... and oh yeah we make good hawks. Too many people are not well acquainted with the Tea Party and it is too easy (evidently) to claim membership. In case any of you don't know, the Tea Party holds the Constitution dear and will promise to uphold it. But of course you can't believe a thing the new Democratic Party members promise while running, whether they are running as Democrats, Republicans or whatever. Remember all the promises Barak made? They just say what they know you want to hear. Judge them by their records and pay NO attention to what they say.

Ron Makes Footprints in the Sand

Off with the sandals, toes in the sand. Ron is making footprints on the beach. The next big wave will erase every sign of them.

Our lives go so quickly, like the footprints. We are here and then we are gone. If we have found the right path, we'll go to our reward in heaven to spend eternity. But when we leave this life, we are truly gone, not to return again. In time, all memory will be washed away.

But, those of us who are scrapbookers are hoping to leave something for our families that will live beyond us and serve as a reminder that we were here...once upon a time.

Those who founded our nation are gone and some modern historians have tried to blot our remembrance of them and their causes. History is being rewritten day by day just like in the book 1984. Please study history as it is recorded in many books that have withstood years of review. Don't let anyone ruin your perspective, by altering records of what has happened to make this the great nation it has been. Stand up and stand firm. We are all in this together.

Grab a Frame from Movie

A person would think that I, with a new grand baby boy and a recent trip to Hawaii, would have plenty of pictures for the rest of the year. But here I am offering something quite different, and having to go back to last April for the pictures.

I must confess that over the last year I've wanted to add some type of hardware or software to my computer that would allow me to stop movies and take still frames for layouts. I've been frustrated because I couldn't get my computer expert interested in that pursuit. But a few nights ago when I just couldn't sleep and was exploring Photoshop (PSE) to see if I had missed anything, I came upon the very feature I had wished for all this time. When I go to File/Import, as in search of the scanner, I find "Frame from Video..." . I had to try it right then... found that the quality of these frames is no where near what I get with my DSL or Canon Power Shot Digital Elph, but they do help me tell a story...and I am happy.

Now I can show my friend, Phyllis do the hula. I'm sure this feature will serve me well. There are lots of possibilities.

Fat Tuesday

Lent is not part of our Christian heritage, but we do fast. Even though we don't find Lent in the Bible, it is not a bad idea. And some of us do give up one thing or another for the season. However, all of us enjoy celebrating Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Whatever you call it, the purpose of which is to rid your house of all the ingredients you don't want to eat during Lent.

For several years now, since we discovered this tradition, we have gone to Bob Evans for pancakes on Fat Tuesday. Being Tuesday, it always falls on the same day as our Ladies' Bible Class. This is our bunch for lunch this year. Our youngest reveler being little Lincoln. I guess there wouldn't be many people in the world who wouldn't like these plates of blueberry pancakes or blueberry crepes. Look at the smiles they put on our faces. Another year, another pound.

My Snowman

I've heard so many complaints about the snow recently. We have had much more than in recent years...thanks to Al Gore. I guess all his talk worked.

How many women my age are ignorant enough to get out in the deep, deep white stuff and make a snowman? More of them should try it. I've been wanting to do this all winter and finally just put on my gloves and boots and did it. Ron got a picture while I worked, but he had to run back inside. Of course he hadn't even put on his coat, but jumped out quickly to snap me. I guess he figured if I died out there, he would be able to show the kids my last fling. I'll be sure to do it again next year. It was fun. Next time though, I'll try to talk my girlfriends into sharing the fun and we will line them up and down the street with appropriate signs like,"I'd melt for sunshine".

Memories from 1983

Wish I had all the time I want to play with my pictures. What fun it would be to relate that first trip with this last one all along the way. And what a great book it would make. At that time, I didn't do any scrapbooking at all. At least the pictures are in an album; but oh I could make it so much better. Okay, back to reality. I still have nearly 2,000 new pictures for layouts.

From Waikiki Beach

It's just about midnight and I'm finally at the computer. Has been a crazy day.

Working with my Hawaii pictures has brought back many memories of our first trip to the islands which we made in 1983 with our two youngest children. I jjust had to get out the pictures from that trip today. That was an adventure itself. I traveled again through each island with the kids. Those were the good old days.

Waikiki Banyan and Doves

Don't know if I'll ever finish this book of the Hawaii trip; but I certainly will enjoy every memory along the way. Here we are on the second day.


I couldn't resist the fountain, hoping it was the real fountain of youth. Needless to say, it wasn't.
But because of Teece and Denny I did recapture some of my youthly vigor while away.

Near the beach sands of Waikiki was this root growing monster Banyon Tree. I really appreciate these individually unique and beautiful trees and praise God for his creativity.

Am not sure why. It is only 11:28 and I am about to fall asleep in my chair with my hands still on the keyboard. Guess I had better post this and head to bed before I drop to the floor.

A Fetching Beauty

Here I am, thinking of chocolate. what is this attraction that has me under its spell? Sunday I was given chocolate from my sweetie for Valentine's Day. It is my first chocolate gift on Valentine's Day since seventh grade. I never would have guessed it would affect me like it did...but I love it. Thank you, Ron. But for some reason I'm now having trouble saying no...
to food. We had a big dinner at church Sunday and then today we girls went out after Ladies' Class to celebrate Pancake Day and I ate blueberry crepes. Haven't had them but one other time in my life. That was when we lived in Boston and I had just turned 30. I now exceed the
weight limit on the Main Street Bridge. You girls know what that means...diet tomorrow. No
looking back to the cacao orchard and pineapple fields of Hawaii. NO more pancakes. (But I do have great pictures for the blog tomorrow.) The first of February is a memory only, not something to wear forever.

More Dole Pineapple

Didn't know there were such a variety of pineapple plants. I was impressed by this garden of varied plants...all pineapples of some sort. Two of the new types of pineapple are pictured here... the Denny and the Teece, both sweet.

You'll notice the
Denny is playing a ukulele. And I'll stretch that to music...it is quite a stretch and then on to American Idol.

Some of you know that is one of the three shows I watch. I don't know how much longer I will though. Heard today that they are actually thinking when Simon Cowell leaves they will hire Howard Stearn (yes, the Howard Stearn of foul mouthed infamy) to take his place. Evidently they do not want to keep the same audience the show has attracted up until now. What are they thinking? If they want a degenerate (look up the meaning if you must) show and it looks like that is the way they are heading with Ellen and some of the wild, crazy stars they showcased last year, then that is fine. Let them do that. But I think they need to come up with a second show for all the upstanding citizens who have supported American Idol all these years and made it as BIG as it is.

This country is turning more conservative with people being tired of the mess. They are standing up and being heard. Seems like a terrible time to push the show to the liberal side of the fence. Surely it would be a losing proposition for the sponsors. I will not watch H.S. and will boycott the sponsors. And certainly we don't want our children watching such trash. Did I make this plain enough?

A Bit of Color

I think this picture is just darling of our granddaughter Ashley.

Am hoping to get pictures of the kids with their ukuleles and leis pretty soon.

I've not yet heard how Aussie's Chinese show went tonight. Am hoping to get pictures of that as well. It isn't easy being so far away and missing all the 'big' events in my grand children's lives.

A Taste of Oahu

Shrimp and pineapple...two Hawaiian delights. This first layout shows one of the many shrimp trucks parked along the road on Oahu's north shore. Very tasty fair there. We met a very good looking and nice couple originally from Colorado and now living on Oahu with their two young sons and home schooling them. Glad we stopped along the road for a snack. We also got to mingle with some very domesticated chickens who kept the ground beneath the tables 'clean'. Now, that is the 'minimum wage'...but then I don't think they belonged to a union.

The ocean was beautiful. We were told that the waves have been exceedingly high this past year, providing the surfers with total joy.

Finally a few layouts from our visit to the Dole plantation and the taste of sweet fruit. Sadly, we reached this point near their closing hour, but we did get large dishes of pineapple ice cream and saw a lot (probably as much as we needed) of the plantation. At least we hit the 'high' points.

One of the most surprising things to me was the gorgeous colorful bark on the trees there. I first thought they were pineapple trees, but realized that couldn't be and have found they are Rainbow Eucalyptus trees.

Sorry that my comments are not beneath each picture, but I haven't fully figured out how this site works. Will I ever? Stay tuned.

My Valentine to You

Bear with me. This is the first time I ever made a Valentine...at least since I was in a poodle skirt. And it is definitely my first digital Valentine. I made it just for you, all of you who check in and read this blog now and then. You are the best.

These Layouts Are For the Birds

Near the beach at Kualoa Ron noticed a red bird fly into a tree. I tried to get a picture, but failed. But he was able to get these two. I didn't see its crest, but did find one picture of the red crested cardinal online that didn't seem to have the crest. Either the feathers are laying back or at some time in either the males' or females' life the crest is not evident. I need to read up on this. It is quite beautiful.
Ron always gets a kick out of posing with dummys. Remember his birthday? This one was definitely not interested in either him nor Denny. She had a wooden expression!

Speaking of dummies...maybe not. I'm tired of seeing him on TV day after day!

Kualoa Ranch

On the windward coast of the island Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi where the ocean meets the mountains, would be a perfect place to live. Pictures on this page were taken there at Kualoa Ranch. So were the ones made of the beachcombers posted here recently.

I'm considering the view, the weather and the governor...Linda Lingle. Like Sarah Palin, she has very high approval rates. Like Sarah, she has cut the budget and has sacrificed luxuries for herself to balance the budget. I say it is time for a female Republican president.

House Sitter

It is always a comfort to know someone is taking care of things whenever we heve to be away. We generally have a house sitter, but this time we opted to 'let' a good neighbor who is retired watch over things. Chipper loves him, so he was happy (at least he said he was) to check on her and keep an eye on the house. He even drove us to the airport very early in the morning. It was great knowing a close neighbor was in charge...until we got his first e-mail. The list of emails that ensued is above. Double click it to see. First was the report that he had a minor auto accident. We were feeling guilty thinking that he had been quite tired on the trip to the airport.

Next day, he emailed there was a water pipe break in his house. I started wondering if he were teasing. The following day we got the message that another neighbors house had been broken into. That did it, I was sure he was just pulling our chains. Ron was sure he wouldn't do that.

Day after day we heard of another catastrophe. My hubby continued to believe every word until the very end. Good job Hugh. Now it is our turn.

Wouldn't You Be... ?

Of course I'm anxious to see this little fellow in person, to snuggle him in my arms, to hear his coos...and yes his cries as well. Yes, this is coming from a very proud Gramma; but look at those tiny foot prints. I even love them.

Some times I see a freebie online that is just too cute to resist. This is one of them. It is a complete quick page designed by Verena Karolyi that I got from Digital Freebies.com. It is so much nicer than the ones I do... a lot more detail. I generally like to do the layouts myself. It is my creative outlet of the moment. I have purchased several collections from Scrapgirls.com and will be making lots of pages about our Caleb as he grows.

Beach Combers

Never too old, we comb the beach for...shoot, I don't even know for what we were looking. Oh yes, Teece collects sand, rocks and sea glass. Don't know that she picked up anything here, but we all had a good look. And best of all, we had our feet in the sand. At home I have to 'sand' my feet all the time to keep them smooth, but the beach does it for me...and so pleasantly.

Some time we'll have to tell Teece's story about having her sand confiscated.

Our Party of Four

Because I didn't have a map with me, (It was nice to depend on someone else for a change) I didn't keep up well with where we were, but I do know that our ship was docked not far from Pearl Harbor on Oahu. After visiting there and finishing our cruise related city tour, we drove up the eastern coast of the island, past Diamond Head. I've researched and found that we were at Kualoa Ranch. If you want to see the layout well enough to read, just double click on it.

And please if you will, remind the lady who turned her head while a photo was being taken that she committed a faux paus!

Rado's New Friend

It was love at first sight. Rado has a new friend. He can't keep his eyes off Caleb. He even has to sleep near him.

Got Squid?

What do you do on an overcast morning in Hawaii? You might try this. But don't be disappointed if you don't find our fisherman. We think this might have been a once in a lifetime experience. Too bad I didn't have the nerve to hold that ugly thing.

First Night

There guys are good sports. They posed for me as if they really were old guys, but we all know better. They kept up a fast pace all week.

This is where Denny was when he posed... not by the police car, like he was pictured recently on the blog. You never know what Photoshop will do to you.

The cruise line put us up in the Waikiki Resort Hotel. We didn't really expect an ocean view since the cruise line included this in our package. But supposedly we had one...if we were to peek between the buildings while looking out the small window in the hallway outside our rooms.


Isn't it lovely? You can't see it? Look harder. It is a little darker blue than the sky. Oh, there you go. Now you've seen the ocean. Are you happy, or what?


Perhaps you've noticed I'm neglecting my duty. I'm not watching the big football game. Actually, if someone would pay me handsomely, I would. However no one offered; so I'm doing something fun instead. I was, however, called to see a couple Doritos commercials that were quite amusing.

Now I'm rooting for Doritos from in here. Someone let me know if they win.

First Day in Hawaii

The first day in Honolulu, our cruise package included a tour of the city. Here we are at the King's and Queen's Palaces which were located directly across the street from one another.
If you double click on the top layout, you will be able to read more about them.

I know the large picture of me in the top layout is too light, but I like the effect.

By the way, that is not the king and queen in the little picture. In case you couldn't guess they are Denny and Patreece...the ones who kept us running and making the best of our trip. We did a lot more with them than we would have accomplished on our own. They are GREAT travel partners...just hope I didn't slow them down any.

Sweet Baby Caleb

Caleb found his thumb. How serene he is. I think he likes his warm little cap. His mother must have made it for him. {Correction. His daddy knitted it for him and his mother made the cute little fuzzy ball at the top.}

Please dear God, help this nation be widely known as a Christian nation once again...a safe and secure place for this little fellow to thrive in your love.

A Mother's Arms

This picture brings a blessed peaceful feeling to my innermost being... Seeing my new grand child in such loving and capable hands. It is a beautiful sight.

God bless you Beth and all your days as a mother.

Fresh Bread

I just decided I need some lunch. Went to the kitchen, pulled out a loaf of bread that I bought some time before we left for Hawaii on Jan. 21. It is STILL FRESH...at least it looks and feels that way. Thought about tossing it; but perhaps if we eat it, we will be so preserved that we'll not need to be embalmed.

Can You Tell?

Can you tell I like snow? (I don't do the plowing.) We have a new grand baby and a couple thousand pictures of Hawaii and I'm doing a snow layout. I just can't resist. This is what I see from my seat at the computer.

Proud Papa

It is such a joy to see one's child holding his very own baby. We know what is in his heart. He loves little Caleb every bit as much as we loved him. (We care for him even more now. But he wouldn't be able to believe that until he experiences it himself. ) His heart is so full.

Grandparents can't help but talk about their grandchildren. And we will. We will think about him many times a day and wonder what he is doing. It will be hard to be so far away. But we can take comfort in knowing he will be raised by two loving, devoted, Christian parents who want the very best for him.

Until the end of my time, I reserve the right to brag, brag, brag.

And speaking of proud parents and bragging, I want to call attention to the cap that John is wearing. He designed it himself for his bicycle company. Check it out at www.pandabicycles.com.

Our New Grandson

I'll have to tell you about our new grandson, Caleb. I told John not to say anything to Beth, but Caleb looks like him. He said the nurse already told her.

What a wonderful, calm, sweet baby. His first night he couldn't get enough to eat. He would nurse until he fell asleep; but when they put him down, he would waken and want to eat more. Finally the nurse came in, put something warm on his tummy, wrapped him snugly and put him to bed. He slept all night. Last night, John jumped up every hour or so to check on him because he thought Caleb should be keeping them awake. But, that boy slept soundly until 7 AM.

They went home today and my little grandson has already been accepted into the family by Rado, their dog.

I can hardly wait to put more pictures on the blog, but must be patient. All I have is a video and I don't know how to attach it here.



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Snow Painting

It is definitely winter here. The groundhog, no matter what he saw, has not helped us yet this year.

This cold could grow old...and it does when the white is sprinkled with soot. But to me, it is beautiful when day to day it snows enough to keep a white covering on the ground. Lamentations 3:23, "...new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

This Bible verse comes to mind: Psalm 51:7 "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

Since we are but imperfect humans, God's son, Christ, gave his life for us...shed his blood on the cross to 'wash away our sins'. We must rely on our Father God in heaven to continually cleanse our lives of sin...and by grace he does just that, day to day as long as we follow Him in faith.

Caleb Has Arrived

Am I a proud grandmother or what? Most of all I am impressed with Beth for going through 17 hours of labor so valiantly... all natural. As Ron said, "What a woman." Am also happy that John could be there assisting after only 15 minutes of sleep since Sunday night.

Somehow in all the commotion, I missed the exact time, but I believe it was about 6:00 PM Mountain Time. (Correction: 5:04 PM) Can't believe this little one is so far away. I want to hold him.

I Phones

It is wonderful to be back at my desk. Will be trying to catch up on life for a few days.

Doubting that our daughter April will become addicted to I Phone like my hubby and granddaughter.

This past week, I've seen more I Phone than I ever want to see again. Yes, they are great info seekers...but enough is enough already. There are people to be nourished.