Bonus Post: Caleb's Footprints

I just realized I hadn't finished this layout I started in March. Things were put on hold a while that month.

Aren't baby hands and feet just the most precious things? Holding a tiny little finger just makes me swell up in adoration of our Lord God, who created life and caused it to produce more life in like kind. And of course when that life has a blood link to my own, there is an added blessing.

Aussie's Chinese School Honors

As a grandmother, I was truly excited to be told that Aussie had been awarded honors in his Chinese School. He certainly has enjoyed his classes for three years now. In this picture, he is displaying a perfect attendance certificate. I believe steady attendance is a good quality itself...there is much too little of it these days. But even more important is this: He was added to the honor roll. Aussie is one of the few children in class who are not of Chinese heritage. I would think he must have to try harder. I'm very proud of him.

We have to try harder to overcome the evil which has invaded our government and threatens to make us a third world country. Watch Glenn Beck on Fox News at 5:00 EST. If you watch once, I believe you will want to tune in each night. We must be an educated people if we are to survive.

Beautiful Weekend

I understand the weather is to turn stormy tomorrow. Well at least we will have had a great weekend. We plan a boat ride tonight and that would make three in a row. Might as well take advantage of it. It doesn't happen that often.

I've taken a break this afternoon after church and lunch with good church friends. I sat down to my computer to rest my mind and found the most adorable picture to use for a layout. You may not think it is as cute as I do, because I'm prejudiced for this little fellow, my newest grandson.

This was his first bath; so it happened back in February. I can hardly wait to see him again. Am looking forward to his being here next week. John and Beth will be in Ohio and will have a chance to visit here for a short while.

A Special Weekend

Thought I'd show you a few pictures of us just hanging out on the ship. It really was the best way to see Hawaii. I remember before, we had to fly from one island to another. It was great to finish each fun filled, adventurous day, with a trip back to the 'boat', dinner and a show before retiring for the night. We would wake up to another day of sight seeing, often at a different island.

We enjoyed our balconies, especially the last day on board. It is hard to believe that was way back in January and it is now the weekend of Memorial Day and summer is near.

A less than fun way to spend the Memorial Day holiday is to till, plant and weed. But that is something that needs to be done this time of year in northern Ohio. And I've been tending to those chores all morning and will go out again in a few minutes.

Tonight though we will be hanging around the lake. We are going out on the pontoon with friends to have a relaxing evening on the water.

Don't 'forget to remember' our blessed veterans who gave so much so that we could have the freedom to choose what and when we will do, whatever it is we want to do.

Window Shopping

Click on the layout to see details. You must see these boots to your upper right. This was an artsy community in Hanapepe on Oahu. It made for very interesting window displays in the shops. I really enjoy seeing all the unusual items in the windows...and I'm perfectly happy to leave them there. I appreciate them to a point, certainly not far enough to put anything like these pieces of art on my own feet.

I finally finished my Hawaii book today and can expect it to be delivered next week...100 pages of cruisin' fun. Am well on my way to having another book ready for publication. I'm hoping to have a mistake free book next time around. I've already discovered an error in the book I sent to the publisher today. It included the blog layout I posted last night. On that page, I misspelled the name of my very good friend who is the female 1/2 of the couple who accompanied us to the Islands. It is so very difficult to proofread ones own work, because it is natural to read what you think it says.

It's going to be a celebration filled weekend. Hope you all find it in your hearts to take time out of your festivities to really contemplate all our brave veterans have done for us.

God Has Given Us a Beautiful Nation

What a marvelous world our God has created. What a gorgeous nation we have. The variety is fantastic. Looking back to our January in Hawaii brought up memories of being on the beach in Oahu. Now as I look out my window here to the lake, I see a view just as beautiful in my eyes...so different and yet magnificent.

Every day we can be reminded of God's love for us by noticing little details of his creation. Bring your children's attentions ( for they soak up what they see) to that which is lovely. The bad side of this world is constantly showing them (and us as well) way too much that is evil.

It is difficult to protect our young ones now with television, etc. But the Lord instructs us to teach our children.

The Bible tells us to,"bring them (children) up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

And while you are with them, you might want to teach them things they haven't been getting in public school for the past forty or so years, depending on the school district and individual teachers. One important thing is: love of our Christian nation.

Back in 1787 John Adams said, "Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom"

Our schools taught that faithfully, but have lost that focus. Hopefully the new text books will help...but not all schools have new books and we still have teachers to deal with who were educated under anti-American teachers and professors themselves. To be sure our children know the truth, we need to be informed ourselves and take time with them.

Parasailing

Another very busy day. Hope you enjoy the view.

Did catch Glenn Beck today. If you get a chance to see him, do it. It is very important, especially for those who are not at all interested in politics or who do not understand what is happening. He makes in simple. You need to know.

Beautiful Hawaii

It's been another busy day. Spring is beautiful, but it does bring with it plenty of chores like weed pulling, planting, mowing... all worth it, but time consuming. I went to a local nursery this morning and hopefully bought the last of the flowering plants I need to plant this year. Some are annuals, but most are the hardy perennials that multiply from year to year.

In addition to the normal things I must do, I have a book deadline starring me in the face. By Wednesday at midnight, I want to have ready for publication my book about Hawaii. One problem I'm having is with the number of pages. My Publisher has a limit of 100 pages per book. As of now I've completed about 120 and have more things I'd like to include. I need to work that all out very quickly now.

Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom for you today. I've missed the news all day. There is no telling what has happened; because a day doesn't go by that something significant isn't taken from the people and put into the hands of the federal government.

Pay attention. It will be harder for them to get away with these things the more people know the truth.

Coffee

There is more to Hawaii than beaches. We tried to see as much as we could. So we chose to stop at the Kauai Coffee Company at Hanapepe.

Most people I know drink coffee. I tried when I was doing marathon nights of study during college, but could never stand the taste of it. Later in life when I had 5 children at home, I got my caffeine from Coke. It not only helped me keep awake to finish all the chores, but it added lots of pounds to my frame.

Finally, I realized that I couldn't drink coke (not even diet) and have a figure at the same time and started drinking water. I've learned to love it. However, I guess I started eating more as well and am still heavy.

Sorry I'm overweight and sorry that really doesn't have anything to do with these layouts. I got lost and probably lost you as well. But, if you are still there. I started out to say, I am under doctor's advisory to avoid caffeine...for my stomach's sake. But of course Ron, Denny and Teece were quite interested in seeing the coffee plantation and tasting their products. As usual, I was interested in the company and the scrapbooking opportunity.

Check out the vintage coffee grinder in the last layout. Vintage...history, that ties this into our choice of social studies text books. I just have to say that I'm pleased with the Texas text book publishers, who have chosen to put actual history in their school books for the next 10 years. What do you think of that? We'll have pure, unadulterated history devoid of excess fluff and not watered down...or dumbed down as many say. It certainly would be to our advantage to teach our children our Constitution, our real history... our Christian heritage.

It could help them avoid doing stupid things like electing presidents who can not or WILL NOT prove their citizenship. Thank you Texas. Thank you, God.

Bougainvillea

It's been a busy weekend...good for keeping one's mind off the state of things. Must leave the computer again in a few minutes. But I did take the time to work around computer problems and make a layout for you to see. This is the bougainvillea that flourishes in Hawaii and other tropical places. It is plentiful on Kauai. We were standing on the Kauai Coffee plantation, next to the sales building. Three of us were enjoying the aroma and smell of coffee. I was taking pictures, as usual.

Royal Palace

At the top, you'll see me with my back to the king's palace across the street. We then crossed that street to an almost mirror image, the Queen's Palace. I know what you are thinking. But they were not man and wife, but brother and sister. The second layout shows Ron and me at the palace of the king in Honolulu.

As interesting as it is to see these palaces, I don't want to see a king or any other type of dictatorship take over our country. I opt to stay with the constitution and freedom. That is why I've joined the Tea Party. Think about it. We need you.

Remembering: Kauai Caves

These are the caves I remember so well from our trip to Hawaii in '84. I really wanted to drive up to the end of the road on the northern most tip of the island of Kauai this year. We made it, but it was getting dark at the time and we were rushed for time. If you read the crude sign posted near the parking lot, you will get a feel of the area. It is pretty well primitive. Sure the sign is in English, but , well you know...

The caves seem somewhat different from what I remember. Ron says I'm wrong. I don't have pictures from the last time we were there, or at least haven't found them. It seems to me that there was no road between the ocean and the caves like there is now. I wouldn't be surprised if in those 26 years they may have extended the road a bit. Perhaps there is some way I can find out about that...when I take the time. Until then, I just will have to doubt my memory, while still seeing in my mind how very beautiful it was to look out over the beach from the caves.

Beyond My Control

I hate making excuses. I like to follow through. But tonight it is another excuse... or one I used a couple days ago. My computer is acting up again. I think I send off vibes that computers understand to mean they can do pretty much anything they want and I will be helpless to do anything about it. That is true. But how does this machine know???

I have a layout ready and hopefully, Ron will pat this little box and it will stand at attention for him and say, 'Yes Sir." Maybe he'll get a few more hours of good behavior out of it...at least long enough for me to post a layout tomorrow. Should the feds make a law that computer techs can not go to sleep before their wives post their blogs? Will it be freedom or artistic expression? These 'old white fly over country men' have too much freedom anyway according to the guys in Washington. Well they don't exactly say that, but 'actions speak louder than words'.

Lighthouse

This beautiful view of the Kilauea Lighthouse just gives me sweet chills. I'm not sure what it is about light houses; but I will go out of my way to see them. Photography gives me the reason I need to look for them wherever we go. My first such focused trip was to see the lighthouse in Sandusky. We called it a scrapbooking opportunity. It fed my addiction to cameras, paper and such at the time. Now my sickness is digital and involves this computer. I'm still chasing light- houses.

These towers stand tall, waiting and searching endlessly for the lost, offering them a safe harbor.

As I think about that, it reminds me of our Lord Jesus who said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

The Bible also tells us, "For the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10 Man was lost in sin, but Jesus came to earth to show us a better way of life by his example. He reaches out to us. All we have to do is respond. He will lovingly save us and give us eternal life with him.

Jesus is always present. All you have to do is reach out for him. Matthew 7:7 reads, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

John called Jesus the true light in John 1:9. Matthew said to Christians,"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

I hope you saw Glenn Beck tonight on Fox News. If you did not, perhaps someone you know recorded it. Or you might be able to go to www.Glennbeck.com and get the gist of it. Check out Glenn's must read: Sacred Fire under HEADLINES.

A Day Late

My dad used to say, it is "a day late and a dollar short". It just came to mind as I sat down to post the layout I wasn't able to post last night. Hadn't thought of that before...I wonder when that saying came to be. Anyone know?

I have to apologize to my Apple. My problem last night wasn't it's fault at all. It was the fault of the tinkerer who is always trying to make things better for me and my computer. His expertise is with Microsoft, not Apple. Sometimes he fails to help and has to return the computer to its last configurations. Doesn't that sound like I know something? I don't. But I have heard lots of computerese over the last 40 years.

Now you have the cute picture of our triplet's smiles.

Frustration

Apple has been my friend for the last few days and I've been productive. Now, this evening I have no new layout for the blog, although I made one of the triplets that I'm anxious to show you.

I have a program that reduces the size of my layouts so that the files will not be too large for uploading to the internet. That program called 'Image Well' refuses to do it's job tonight. Knowing the history of this machine and of Image Well, I suspect it has nothing to do with the well, but everything to do with Apple.

However, if someone who was not well acquainted with the system were to try that operation, she would not doubt blame 'Image Well'.

There is an analogy here with our government. If you have not kept up with history, both Constitutional and the past few decades, you could be confused about the causes of our nation's problems today...especially if you were to get information from our press. You must not swallow all you read in the papers, see on TV, hear on the radio or read in blogs. Delve into history. Dig up books published in the past if you must. Remember that people who want 'hope and change' have been busy rewriting history over several decades now. Our children's textbooks, from elementary through college, don't bear much resemblance to history as it was penned at the time it happened. Don't be pulled around by your nose rings and end up completely ignorant of the truth. Too much is at stake.

Check back tomorrow for a cute layout or two.

Thrift Shopping

Any citizen in the US lives better than most in the rest of the world. At least that is the way things have been. I know there are people in our government who do not understand economics and think that is not fair. (They don't get the fact that when we do not have discretionary money, we can't buy goods and people who make those things are out of jobs.)

We do all right. But I am reared from conservative stock. Growing up hearing stories of the depression impacted me. My father was the oldest in a family of seven sons. They lived in a small town in Texas and were the children of the town's shoe repairman. As a man, he kept accurate accounts of how all his money was spent. And none was wasted. He used everything until it could no longer be repaired. He saved everything. Some of that thrift rubbed off on me. But I was surprised as could be when my husband suggested stopping at Salvation Army to find a suitcase to carry our purchases home from Hawaii. As usual, I hadn't spent a lot. I had picked up a few inexpensive, but bulky items. I really didn't check to see how it worked out... didn't look into the cost of shipping. (The items were not heavy.) But he was so proud of himself that I let him bask. I think the airline had just changed their policy that very week and charged us $20.00 for that extra bag...but it only cost $15.00 at Salvation Army and that money was probably put to good use.

Every Birdie Welcome

Well, I hung it thinking they would come. But for a couple of weeks my new bird feeder was empty. However, once the birds found this lush feeding ground of sunflower seeds, they have visited often and spread the word. The very special thing is they are not more than three feet from my window right here by my computer. There is a screen between us to hamper the view, but most importantly, they can not see in to be frightened by my grab for the camera. I have been keeping one within reach so that I can share these feathery ones with you.

The first visitor was a House Finch, perhaps the same one you see in this picture, his red coloring inspiring the colors in the layout. The next day brought more 'business'. Here you can see with the House Finch a Black-capped Chickadee, and in his own picture, a Tufted Titmouse.

I have also seen a bright red Cardinal, but he didn't stay long enough to pose.

This is the first time I've fed the birds here; so I'm not sure what varieties I will find. I'll try to not be disappointed if there are not as many as we had at the last house. It was not only near the lake, but also butting up against old growth woods. (While I typed, I saw a sparrow.)

I put up the bird feeder and very impatiently awaited these 'friends'. They did come.

We need friends in Washington. Don't lose hope for the changes we need in the capitol. Pray and try to hold your ground.

Wet Kids

I'm so late with this layout, that I am early. It is disconcerting to be a busy gramma with irons in every fire I can find. I get behind in keeping up ( (I would stop here, but the preposition nazis may get me.) with my scrapbooking layouts. I doubt you are counting grammatical errors anyway . So stick with me. I'll get to my point.

These pictures were taken in the triplet's backyard last May. Looks like it can be fun to be 'all wet'.

Maybe that is one of the reasons they are having so much fun at our expense in DC.

I suggest they come clean with us. Better yet, I'd like to see them dry off and go back to their universities until they have studied our history as much as they've pondered on the 'glories' of Karl Marx and become capable of handling government posts.

Our Story: Search for Piku Falls in Pictures

This is our story of trying to find the somewhat secret Piku Falls in Kauai, Hawaii. It is mostly pictures, but I think you will get the humor of our little adventure. It was a little frustrating, but also fun because we were enjoying the company. Yes, I would do it again.

Remember you can see each layout large enough to read if you just double click on the picture.

Our Story: Search for Piku Falls

Thank You, Jesus

This large picture of Jesus is in the church the triplets attend with their mother and father.

I'm thankful that they can worship their God with their family in peace, without constraint.

I will continue to pray that freedom remains for them and their children. Nothing is so important. God bless America...

A Trillion Dollars

I'm not going to try to explain to you how much a trillion is. But I will tell you, we don't have enough money to throw trillions, or even billions around. When the fairy tale is over, we will all be out of business. All the people who voted for this so that they could get their share will be sharing the crumbs that are left to 'the people' after the elite government takes what they want. Those who want to spread the wealth around don't realize that when we are not able to produce goods, there won't be anything to spread. It won't be long after the bubble bursts until we will need one of these big bills to buy a loaf of bread.

Mother's Day Flowers

It is a good thing we didn't plant these yesterday. We woke up this morning to frost. I think we are pretty well protected by the lake here, but would have hated to see these beauties frost bitten. I started to plant them today and was driven in by the cold wind. They will be pretty on the screened porch until later this week.

We did get some really good pictures, but a freak thing happened to the one of me holding the tray of daisies...It turned out colorful in the background, but the flowers and I were black and white. I don't get it. The camera must have been on a very strange setting that I didn't know existed. Oh well, it gave me the chance to do something a little different with sepia tone.

We need always to take what we have and make the best of it. In other words, come on you all, lets make lemonade out of the lemons the government has been throwing us. Or better yet, let's throw all the lemons out of their offices come November. Then we'll take time to smell the flowers.

Mother's Day

It's been a wonderful Mother's Day. Considering that the kids all live so far away, I was very happy to hear from them and have one with me for the day. April came in last night. I appreciate her sacrifice. She actually gave up being at home with her own daughter/ my grand daughter who had just returned from the university for the summer. I pray that Lauren will be an attentive daughter, like April is for me, when she gets older.

I haven't any pictures...I know that doesn't sounds like me. But we truly didn't think to take any. I'll have to take pictures of the lovely flowers she brought, and offered to plant for me. It was much too cold today to allow her to get out and do that. It will warm up this week and I'll plant them near my door so that I'll see them every day. They are so pretty, bright and festive, just like a party.

Pictures I do have new, as of yesterday, are the ones in this layout. Caleb is just hanging out in the big chair, happy as can be. When I saw the train on his outfit I thought of how much little boys like their trains...so do most big boys. I also thought about the verse in Proverbs, verse 22:6 that says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Of course they all have the freedom to choose to follow God or not. But that verse can be a lot of comfort to those whose children are going through rough times and questioning their faith.

It is also comforting to know these little ones are so loved by God. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

May God bless all the mothers this day with love, peace and comfort.

Mana Waipuna Waterfall

There are so many waterfalls in Hawaii and Kauai certainly has it's share. We saw several from the helicopter. This one, Mana Waipuna, is one of the waterfalls on the southern slopes of Mt. Walaleale. If we look closely at the larger picture and the close up that Teece is taking, we can see the fall above it as well. I don't know if that one is considered part of Mana Waipuna fall, or not. In any case, I do not have another name for the one at the top. Does anyone know?

Water can be a wonderful thing, both beautiful and life giving; but it can mean death as well. Much of Tennessee is experiencing that side right now. Thank God for the people who are pitching in to help the many, many whose lives are changed by this tragedy. You can do so as well. I'm sure there are several agencies who are helping. If you don't know of any, check with the Red Cross, or google it.

Peahens?

This is one bird of which I am not afraid. I don't know why. Yes, I do. I've never seen them flutter their wings and fly. Perhaps they do. I haven't checked, but I'll be all right as long as I don't know that they do. I've never believed ignorance is bliss, but it could be in this case. It is such a pleasure to see these big colorful birds; but to see them in the wild is a special treat.

This is the first time I remember seeing a penhen and was ignorant (That is becoming too easy to say.) of their name, PEAHEN. You can see they are not quite so colorful, the way of most female birds.

Evidently, we female humans must think we are not quite as beautiful as we should be, considering all the money we spend on beauty treatments, etc.

That reminds me of a quote I read just this week... "The best cosmetic in the world is an active mind, that is always finding something new." Mary Meek Aiken

Don't let yourself be ignorant. The stakes are too high. Today our president addressed the fact that our unemployment numbers went up this period. As I heard on talk radio, he would have convinced me it was a good thing, if I couldn't see the stitches on a fast ball. Don't let them 'sweet talk' you out of your common sense. Don't drink the kool-aid.

Flying Through Canyons and Over Beaches

When I was young I dreamed many times of flying and it was the same feeling I got in the helicopter...nothing like being in an airplane, large or small. It felt as if I had been set free and could just float along.

Having never seen pictures from a helicopter, I was doubly amazed to behold all these exquisite works of our God. What an imagination He, the creative artist, has. The colors are unimaginable... technicolor in real life. I never wanted to land. I could have gone without food and water all day, if I could have only stayed up there.

Here's hoping that any of you who have the desire is able some day to take this trip.

A Thrill in the Air

Yesterday here on the blog, we boarded the helicopter in anticipation of a thrilling, but peaceful flight. Today, we have landed. It was exciting and we are super glad we did it. This is one of the falls we saw from the air. Later, I'll have more pictures of the sights. Just stay tuned.

The elections yesterday were more exciting than most primaries. Even though some of those endorsed by the Tea Party did not get the votes we needed, Republicans got more voters to the polls than did the Democrats. I'm hoping that means a more conservative bunch in office come November. I'll continue to pray that God will save our country from those who are plotting and working to destroy it.

Helicopter Ride

This helicopter ride over Kauai was a super thrill for me. I had looked forward to it for so long.

I had another thrill early this morning.

I got to vote for candidates endorsed by the Tea Party. I've felt good all day. Boy am I anxious to see the voting results from across the nation. Hope tomorrow we'll be flying high.

Get Out and Vote

Trouble with Apple again last night. I thought I would never touch it again, but I want to give you the list of candidates the Tea Party endorsed for Ohio in case you haven't seen it anywhere else.

Endorsed candidates are as follows: Sandra O’Brien, Ohio Secretary of State; Robert Owens, Ohio Attorney General; Eric Deaton, U.S. Senate; Dan Moadus, U.S. Congress, 17th district; M.E. Bing Henderson, U.S. Congress, 17th district; Paul Schiffer, U.S. Congress, 16th district; Justin Wooden, U.S. Congress 13th district; and Jason Meade, U.S. Congress, 13th district.

All but one of these candidates are running on the Republican Ballot. Justin Wooden is running as a Democrat.

Perhaps I'll be able to put a layout on here later today...MAYBE.

Perspective

This waterfall on Kauai is not easily assessable, if at all. Several have died trying. One must view it from an overlook on Kuamo'o Road. It is a 150 foot fall, but you can't see all of it from this point. It is quite impressive anyway from this perspective.

If anyone missed me last night. I am sorry. I was throwing a fit with my 'still new' computer!

My techie husband had already gone to bed. It wasn't even midnight yet. He isn't the night owl I am. And I'm not the techie he is. I'm probably at the other end of the spectrum. (I'm getting colorful now.) If my Apple doesn't do what I want it to do when I want it to, I freak out.

Now people don't make me angry. I usually can find some way to make excuses for their bad behavior, or ignorance in some cases. But things can really rile me...sewing machines and computers being the two best examples. They both hate me.

If it is 11:50 PM and my deadline for getting a blog published with that date is 10 minutes away and my photo resizer fails, or bridge takes a dive, I'm 'fit to be tied' as my dad would have said.

For a short bit of time, I would not be able to put it into perspective. Now, the next day after the last explosion, I can think clearly. I know this computer is nothing to worry about, unlike the mess we have created in our government which is grabbing power day by day and hour by hour, minute to minute as I type. We have primaries coming up here soon and we need to really examine each person running, no matter what party they are in or whom they say supports them. Study like you were taking as exam. It is even more important. And show up at the polls.