Our Little Penguin

At story time, Oliver was given shiny orange feet and a matching beak.  We didn't know which book they read, but we did know it was about penguins; so I did some research. Above were the books I thought could be the one.  I circled, The Playful Penguins, the one I think is most likely.  OK, what  do you think?  I guess the only way I would know almost certainly would be to get a few at a time and read them to him.  Do you think a child almost three would be able to remember if I found the right one? I'm thinking that he could, especially if he had seen the pictures.  In any case, isn't he really cute?

It has been a very different, but relaxing, last week of the year.  Neither of us has done a whole lot.

I have, however finished a book for publication. I'm pretty happy about that. The new book covers from the last week in July, through the third week in November.  So the next one will start with Thanksgiving.

Just in case I'm unable for any reason to post a layout tomorrow night, Happy New Year!

Pumpkins and Pecans

Pumpkins! Well, I suppose pumpkin pie season is officially over now. Evidently we have passed through pecan pie season as well. I was craving it today, and NO I'm not pregnant! I went to three stores looking for one and did't find it. Guess I'll just have to get over it...or actually bake one from scratch...not much chance of that.

Had to post this of our Colorado grandchildren. I'm pleased with the way it turned out...such cute kids! We are so blessed to have the best grandchildren ever. The are not only spread out geographically, but by age as well. We have them approaching 30 all the way down to 9 months. (Julia was 7 months in October when these pictures were taken.)

I have LOTS of pictures of them all. They are in regular scrapbooks  and they take up a tremendous amount of room. These digital  layouts are certainly space savers.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1

An Early Start

It's not every not yet 8 month old who gets to ride a real pony. Living in Ft Collins has its plusses and this is one of them...a farm school at Laughing Buck Farm. Yes this was her first ride. Her little brother started when he was 2, I believe. At least, I don't remember him being younger. His riding coach called him a natural. Maybe Julia will be as well.

May our loving God bless you and keep you as you travel through this life.

Neputa / Ashley

Back before Halloween, our granddaughter, Ashley dressed as an anime character, Neputa, for her church Halloween Party. I was pretty impressed. She looked so good, she put Neputa to shame...well at least on a back shelf. I've decided this Neputa character needs to dress like Ashley.

As I write this there are 24 days 00 hours 38 minutes and 44 seconds until we have a new president in the oval office. I'm pretty excited to see what he and his administration can do to get our country back  

to a positive place to be again.

Praying that everything goes well and God blesses us with better  times. We can now have hope again. It was fading fast these last few years.

36 minutes, 30 seconds...and counting.

Grandchildren and Disney

Disney is certainly a Magic Land. Caleb, Oliver and Julia spent several days there in November and there are lots of pictures to show for it. This is the first layout I've done. I love this idea of Tinkerbell dancing in one's hand. I haven't yet figured out how it is done. I forgot to ask Caleb if he actually saw it there. I'm assuming now that it is photoshopped, since that's the only thing I can understand.
I will put it on a list of things to ask. It seems like when we talk, there is just too much to cover and not enough time. I know it is hard to sit still long at their ages and it is hard to think at my age.

I've made a correction to the dates above. Thankfully a friend called my attention to my mistake. The date on the layout didn't match the date in this text. Sorrowful thing is, both dates were wrong. Thank you, Gail, for proof reading.

Well Christmas has come and gone and we did it!  Now, hopefully there will be a little lull, where we can catch our breath and relax a bit...I did say hopefully...it isn't really likely. We manage to keep ourselves very busy from day to day.

I've gotten out of the habit of cooking, since I have been eating mostly fresh fruits and vegetables with a little chicken for some time now. During the holiday, I've been off that; but we have eaten out or take out food quite a bit.  I'll be starting back on that diet in the new year.

When I do need to cook, it is hard for me to get ideas of what to cook and to gather up all the ingredients I need. It also takes me longer to prepare things I've made in the past...as a matter of fact, it takes me longer to do just about everything I do. What is with that?

Play ground Pals

Julia swings with her big brothers. She looks like a happy girl. I believe this is a first for her. The picture was taken October the 23rd.
She is facing a lot of firsts this year. And of course, Christmas is one of the biggest. She has seen Santa. I can't wait to show you a picture of her in tears on his lap.

It is so common for very young children to react that way the first time, but we take them for photos...because of the beautiful memories in the making. Next year, we can look forward to a calmer little girl.

Speaking of tears, it is so sad to see so many young adults who cannot face the fact that they didn't win the election. This is a first for me to observe. While feeling sorry for them, I also get a little angry, not just with them, but  also with those adults in their lives who gave them their own way in every area of their lives. That not only includes coddling parents, but teachers who were not allowed to punish them and administrators who made the 'rules'. It includes coaches who presented each participant in their sport with a trophy...for what? For showing up at least once?  We used to have names for these people such as Pansies, and spoiled brats, but I suppose that is not PC now.  LOL
I no longer feel a need to be PC...as a matter of fact, I strongly feel the need to  oppose those who cater to others who cannot just grow up and smell the coffee.

Whoever you are and wherever you are, I want you to know...you cannot get your own way your whole life! Make the best of it.

The Lakes Draw Us toTheir Water

Now that there is a thin sheet of ice over the lakes, it is pleasant going back to a time when we could still look out and see water. While Chelle's family was here in October, we all enjoyed the lake.  Soon I'm be taking pictures of people literally On the lake.

Thank you, Scrapgirls

Scrapgirls.com is the best! They were able to help me with my shadow problem and I'm back up and running.

I don't know if you can tell the difference, but here is the layout I posted last night, finished with shadows.

Absent Shadows

Here may be the last layout I ever do. No, as far as my health is concerned, that has not interfered with my scrapbooking. The bad guy in my book is Photoshop Elements 15. Since I moved up from PSE 13, I've had tremendous trouble making  necessary shadows on my layouts.  Things are just not the same without them. I've been begging for help everywhere that I know, but I have not yet found any clues to making  simple shadows...or any for that matter that look even remotely realistic.

These pictures were made when April and her husband, Tim were here for Thanksgiving.

And now it is almost Christmas. Time flies when you are busy.

I am excited about Christmas, the New Year and our new administration. 

Great Kids

Since Oliver is not yet in school, his friends  come as family friends and Cora is basically it. 

She is a good girl and a good friend. Here they are at the farm watching the goats.

This has been a difficult day. It just turned midnight and I'm totally exhausted already.  I have almost fallen asleep twice while typing this, so I'll sign off now. Hope to be back wide awake tomorrow night.

Lunch at Howie's

Back in October, we were  having  some pleasant weather for enjoying the boat. Here is our granddaughter, Ashley, relaxing in the sun, on our pontoon... docked at Howie's on Turkeyfoot Lake. We were waiting for them to deliver our lunches to us. 

We were pleasantly surprised by the menu and would recommend  it.  Will make it a point to try it again next summer.

Shoe Shopping

Shopping for shoes can take on different looks. Now if I were the one on the hunt, there would be several shops involved and multiple boxes scattered around and a look of anticipation at times, but more often,  abused feet and disappointment. It isn't easy to fit my deformed feet with their large bunions, crooked toes and narrow heels. Shopping can get exhausting, but this is not me in the picture above.  It is our grandson, Mason, who is not tired because of shoe shopping, believe me. I am not sure why this happened. I guess that stool just looked too inviting to resist. I'm just glad I was there to snap the shot, so that this very moment will go down in history. LOL  Love you, Mason.

It's a Good Life

It is raining pretty hard  in Ohio right now...mild December weather for around here. However, it is just passing through. Yesterday, we had a low of 5.1 and tomorrow a low of 7 has been forecast.
It won't be long at all until the rain turns to icy rain. It could be treacherous. So, what am I doing, layouts from fall, with the beautiful colors it brings.

ORU made a trip to the Pine Tree Barn near Wooster for lunch and a little shopping the last day of October. It was nice to be together and of course, we made it a point to get pictures.

It is wonderful to live in OH, because there is always someone around who is very happy to snap a picture. I'd like to post an appreciative note to all of you out there, with your smiles and beautiful attitudes who oblige the requests of people like us, who like to have pictures to remind themselves of all the fun things they do together. Thank you!

Work

Lauren is our Cross Fit Queen. She has work out fever, if there is such a thing. As she says herself, “I coach almost every morning, go to work, workout, then coach again at night a few times a week. I'd rather be busy than lazy! ”

She gets that drive honestly from both sides of her family, I believe. She truly is a worker. How could she be anything else?  

We are proud of her.

It is sad that we don't see enough of that spirit in the world today. 

I'm hoping to see more opportunities for work to pop up this next year. That should give many of the younger people who have not been able to find jobs, the chance to get meaningful employment and thus meaning in their lives. Maybe there won't be so many basement dwellers, couch potatoes, etc. Hopefully, they can feel good about their own productivity and support themselves.

Looking forward to some better times in 2017.

Bears and Tigers

Back in October, when the triplets, Chelle and Greg visited from TN, we made a tip up to a cool drive through zoo called, African Safari Wildlife Park...well four of us went. Ashley and Mason joined Chelle and me for a day of fun. It was near Sandusky, so  it took about 2 hours. Of  course we had lunch on the way, so we added that to our fun day.

Most of my layouts for the park do not include us, but just animals, but I  couldn't resist using this one of Mason with the bear and Ashley hanging onto a tiger, no less...her very favorite animal. 

She collects them...and I'm sure the thought of owning this one was in her head, but we all resisted and as far as I know, it still resides at the wildlife park.

By the way, these were the only  bear and tiger we saw that day. 

the following pictures, should give you an idea of what we saw.

I think seeing this fellow with the crooked teeth made my day. He seems to need an orthodontist; but then he wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining as he is now.

Popcorn Break

While at the pumpkin farm in October, John and his boys, Caleb and Oliver took a break for popcorn. It appears as if Miss Hen is quite interested and wouldn't mind eating some of that stuff as well. I don't know if she caught their eye at the right time or not. I'm not sure feeding her popcorn would be a good idea, either. Guess I had better study up on that in case I'm in the presence of chickens while eating popcorn, not a real likely possibility, but one never knows.

Right now, our yard is covered with snow. Since the fall season was so very long and colorful this year, it seems like it couldn't possibly be time for snow; but it really is. I love that white blanket. However, I'm not too excited about the very cold weather. Sometimes I wish there really were such a thing as global warming that we could control. I'd be the one bringing on the heat.

My body is still in fall mode, so it seems there should be plenty of time before Christmas. I mean, we  just now have our first real snow; but as you know it is almost time for Rudolph.  I hope Santa isn't feeling like me, or the trees might go without presents for a month yet.

Speaking of global warming, that's just what I need...a fire under me to speed me up a bit.

Presents, oh, yes, I do have to buy presents. It is not that I have to...I WANT TO. I just don't know what to purchase. I'm afraid that by the time I know what I could get, Santa's sleigh will be filled and he won't be able to deliver mine.

I Have Not Forgotten My Blog

It's true.  I've been gone from here for three weeks. Have not forgotten, but have been too busy. Hopefully I'm back for a while.

 I've not created layouts many of those days. And other times, I've made quicker  pages  using pre made layouts, or at least parts of them.  This one is an example. I used a PSD which can be found at Designer Digitals. I left out some parts of it and changed the location of others. It is busier than ones I do  all by myself, but I like the look sometimes.  I really appreciate the help when I  don't have time to create.

This layout tells the story...all that I know about it. Leah went to a  concert with a friend  who grew up in Charlotte, I presume, and her friends from high school. I love the picture. Leah is on your far left. She is our beautiful granddaughter, or I should say, one of our beautiful granddaughters.

I have to  admit I have been paying a lot of attention to the news lately. I find politics with a non-politician at the helm, very interesting. I enjoy all the controversy around it all. It doesn't seem like I can get my fill. Things are happening so quickly.

I know that God is in control. And He is ready for Trump.

ORU Manages to Meet

 I finally got around to making this layout. The picture was taken September 19th at the Blue Door  in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.  ORU (Opinions R Us) had  finally found a time all of us in the OH contingency  could meet together. As I explained on the layout itself, we just get busier and busier as we get older. I certainly didn't expect that to happen.

I just realized that we all didn't make it. There are actually 6 of us and one, Phyllis, was flying about and was not able to be with us that day.  Now, I will have to change this layout to correct that terrible mistake, but I will go ahead and post it like this now...because I am too busy to change it now...or do anything else. Not even sure why I'm posting at all tonight. I feel swamped with things that must be done this week.

OK, I couldn't stand to leave it that way, so I fixed it.

Please pray for me and I'll pray for you as well.

Can we Turn Back the Clock a Few Days?

I'm very happy with this layout. I adore this picture of Caleb and his baby sister, Julia. He  is a very loving boy. He has been so good to his little brother and now, Julia. It makes me so content when I see all that love in his eyes.

The soft feel of the page fits his gentleness. It is just too sweet.

I am so far behind already this season. I like to get my tree up the day after Thanksgiving and tomorrow will be four days late. I pray we get it up then, because if we don't, we'll have to wait at least two more days, making us about a week past my preferred timing. On top of that, I haven't shopped for family, just for things like Samaritan Purse and other things for the needy. Yes, those things are important, but so are my little grandchildren.  I would like to buy for the whole family, but several of our kids prefer that we buy only for the young children.  I'm praying that I will get some ideas for what to get soon.

Oh, and I am making a few gifts, which are not completed either. Can we put off Christmas a couple of weeks? It surely would take a load off me right now. Or maybe just stop the clock for a few days.

It's a Guy Thing

These old fellows like to gab. They entertain each other quite well. It is good for Ron to have a neighbor like Norm and his brother, Denny who like to get together.  It is sad that Denny has to spend so much time in Florida.  Sad for Ron, that is. I think Denny can get in a lot more golf down there.

In the news: I found  out today that Fidel Castro has died. There were people in Florida, most of Cuban heritage who were celebrating in the streets. In one way it was very strange to see people celebrating a death of a wicked man. One of our friends said it just seemed very wrong to do so. He is right. As people commanded to love others as ourselves, it is probably not right to celebrate. Yet these  people, their families and friends had suffered immeasurably at his hands, since he took over their country. He killed thousands, and made all subservient to him and his abusive power. He was the first Communist dictator in this hemisphere and he has caused numerous individuals and families to escape to the United States in order to live free lives, many dying on the way.

We are told to pray for our enemies. He is one for whom we should have been offering prayers. But it is too late now. He has gone to his 'reward'. For that we can be sad; but others just can't see it that way. God bless them all and help them resolve their anger.

And while you are thinking about it, pray also for those who have oppressed us in this country. Pray for all our leaders. Pray especially for guidance and protection of our newly elected president.

Tasty Toes and Christmas Shopping

Back in August, Julia was still chewing on her sweet toes. Now she is standing.  Since I am behind, I haven't done a layout of the picture that proves my statement. But it will be ready in the coming days, so keep near-bye. 

Well, thanksgiving is officially over now. Black Friday is done, at least in my timezone.  April and I did go to a couple of stores today, one was called the Bird's Nest. It features the minimalist  look. It was very interesting to me, but we were the only ones there besides the two clerks. Actually the reason no one was there is they generally do business only with professional decorators, etc. April bought something and I saw something I would like to have, but just didn't want to spend the money.

We also went to Tuesday Morning. They specialize in both domestic and international closeouts of medium to high-end name brand gifts, soft home, home furnishings, housewares, luggage, toys, seasonal items, gourmet food and fashion accessories for men, women and children. I love the store and was hoping to find some gifts. Found six and bought a few things for myself as well. It is good to get them when you see them, because the turnaround is fairly quick and it  could be gone the next time you are there.  It turns out that April loves the store as well. I'm sure she will go back the next time she is in the area. 

Now, we are in the Christmas season. Can't be, can it? We still have beautifully colored trees seemingly full of leaves.  It really isn't conducive to dragging out Christmas trees and  boxes, but it must be  done. I'm late already, since I usually start the day after Thanksgiving.  I feel like Christmas just jumped on me out of the bushes.  

On top of that, I realized today that our youngest grandson, Oliver, has a birthday December 10!  I need to go shopping!!!

Thankful for Family

It is nice to see Ron sit down for a few minutes without falling asleep because he has been working all day. It has been a very laborious summer for him. Of course he likes it that way and gets very bored in the winter; but sometimes it wears me out just watching him...and cleaning up after him. All right, I didn't have to write that part...but you know. Reality is reality.

I love this man and am thankful that God brought us together; that I married him and have been a mother to his children.

It would be wonderful if we could ever get our whole family together some time; but I am thankful any time one or more can be here. Today has been a great day with April and her husband, Tim here for Thanksgiving. It has been fun for Ron and me.

I was negligent though and have no pictures to show for it. I will consciously try tomorrow to get a few.

In case you missed our president's thanksgiving message, it is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUnv6Kb7syQ

I hope you take time to watch it. 

Happy Thanksgiving

You've heard, "It is the thought that counts." Well, I've often thought when people said that, it meant the gift wasn't the best, but they appreciated the thought. Now,  I believe that is just a negative way of looking at it. Perhaps that is because I found myself loving this scarf all the more because not only is it beautiful and comfortable, but it was very thoughtful of Chelle to hand make it...and with my monogram as well.  In other words, I love it and I love her. Thank you, Chelle.

Tomorrow in Thanksgiving and I am thankful for so much. I'm thankful that God gave me life and a free will, so that I could choose to serve Him. He doesn't force us to do His will. He asks us  to follow Him.

I am thankful for my family, for each one of the children and grandchildren...and my husband as well.

I am thankful that I had great parents who set a good example for me.

I am thankful for my church family, who love each other dearly and offer support for each other.

I am thankful that God taught me to love my fellow man. I, like Him, get aggravated sometimes, but I still want them to find their way to God and be with us in heaven someday. 

Hoping all who read this will have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow.

I'll pray for you. Please pray for me. 

Playing with Layers

Nothing I like better than willing, smiling models, especially when they are my children and grandchildren! Here are John and his family out for a day in the country.

I enjoy making layouts. Today was a new experience. Instead of starting from scratch...I began with a  Layer Works product from Designer Digitals. It is a finished layout with all the layers of elements right on it, all in one psd.

If I had used it just the way it was done, it would have had one larger picture and the 4 tiny film spaces as well. I added two pictures and moved some of the elements around while subtracting others. I also changed the size from a 12x12 to a size of 3249x2574 pixels...which is the size I make to fit my book pages at MyPublisher.com.

I definitely used more elements and brushes than I would have ordinarily, since my style is a lot less cluttered; but I do like this look occasionally.

My new favorite TV show is called Tucker Carlson Tonight at 7:00 on the FOX News Channel. Oh my goodness. He is good at making his point.

Pray for a peaceful uniting of our people. After all, we call ourselves the United States.

Playing with Layers

Nothing I like better that willing, smiling models, especially when they are my children and grandchildren! Here are John and his family out for a day in the country.

I enjoy making layouts. Today was a new experience. Instead of starting from scratch...I began with a  Layer Works product from Designer Digitals. It is a finished layout with all the layers of elements right on it, all in one psd.

If I had used it just the way it was done, it would have had one larger picture and the 4 tiny film spaces as well. I added two pictures and moved some of the elements around while subtracting others. I also changed the size from a 12x12 to a size of 3249x2574 pixels...which is the size I make to fit my book pages at MyPublisher.com.

I definitely used more elements and brushes than I would have ordinarily, since my style is a lot less cluttered; but I do like this look occasionally.

My new favorite TV show is called Tucker Carlson Tonight at 7:00 on the FOX News Channel. Oh my goodness. He is good at making his point.

Pray for a peaceful uniting of our people. After all, we call ourselves the United States.

Love Your Neighbor

Our 88 year old neighbor has always been a worker. He had his own business building docks around the lakes. He is an expert, but has had to pretty much let it go, since he cannot do all the labor himself and has problems hiring others to work...like who wants to work these days? 

But he really wants to keep going, because of that he has driven his tractor all over his property, just so he can get around. He has even driven his car down to the lake a few times.  This picture was taken on August 8, this year. 

Ron has been good to help him quite a bit and Norm is very thankful. 

Ron is sitting on the golf cart that he found on Ebay for Norm. Ron drove Norm a long way to pick it up recently. It gives him a better way to get around his property.  

As I wrote on the layout...their relationship always reminds me of the Bible verse,Mark12:31,  Love your neighbor as yourself.  They really don't have much in common, but they get along very well.

I love what I heard Ben Carson say on TV. 

‘We, The American People, Are Not Each Other’s Enemies’ 

“I want people to understand that we, the American people, are not each other’s enemies. The real enemies are those people who are trying to divide us into every little possible group.” 

"They will find any crack they can drive a wedge into to create, you know, gender wars, race wars, income wars, age wars, any kind of war there is.  And you know, that's completely not who we are. That's why we're called the United States of America.” 

Pumpkin Farm Fun

So far, the boys were having a great time at the pumpkin farm. Feeling silly they put on a good show for the camera. 

Every time I get pictures, I wish I could have been there to enjoy the time with them. It isn't fun living so far away. But thank God for the internet and FaceTime and for parents who like to take pictures and do a good job with a camera.

It's been a full day, and again this is all I was able to accomplish at the computer today. Needing to 'hit the sack' as people used to say when I was a kid. I never questioned what that meant. But now I do. I would really like to know where they came up with that expression.

Good night. Guess I'll sleep on that... too sleepy to google and find out the answer.

Meet the Farm Cat

I have loved these pictures since I first saw them in September, but now that I'm posting this layout, I notice the exposure is not right on the second one. I didn't receive it that way, I fixed it. Right. I fixed it wrong and have too much light on it. I will need to do it again before I publish the next book. I don't have time to do it now, so I hope you can imagine that is looks right.  OK, I just fixed it. At least it looks better to me.

I am anxious to talk to this little fellow.  He is having so much fun this week and I'm anxious to hear from him and his brother. 

Max Lucado gave some good advice in hie Upwards email today.  

For 20 years I was the senior minister of our church. I was happy to fill the role. But I was happiest preaching and writing. As the church increased in number, so did the staff. That meant more people to manage. And that meant spending more time doing what I didn’t feel called to do. I transitioned from senior minister to teaching minister.

A few people were puzzled. “Don’t you miss being the senior minister?” Translation: Weren’t you demoted? Earlier in my life I might have thought so. But I’ve come to see that God’s definition of a promotion, is a move toward your call. Don’t let someone promote you out of your call. Not every tuba player has the skills to direct the orchestra. If you can, then do. If you can’t, blast away on your tuba with delight!

I like that he says.  I think it is just another way of saying, do what you like. In my book, I think a person needs to do something he  or she feels like he/she  does well. So many people now are shoved through school trying to do what someone else wants them to do, or wanting to do something that pays very well...while all the while, not really liking that area and having trouble. 

There are some who really shouldn't go to college...and I'm saying that as a college graduate. The info they can learn in college will not help them at all in some jobs. They are just wasting time.

Others are trying  to please someone else with something that cannot please him or herself. 

Just think of a person who is trying to excel in art while having no artistic talent. So sad. 

A person's job should be something he/she enjoys doing, not something which makes him or her want to stay in bed in the morning. The money, prestige, etc are not worth the lack of joy.

There are many jobs needing to be done. So make a good choice and be happy in your work.

This is a companion page for one I posted  on November 7th this year. Oliver was enjoying the river.
I still don't have enough info to do any meaningful journaling on the page itself. I'm sure eventually I will find out about it, but Beth and John are very busy with the three and time is flying by for me, making me very busy myself.

I do love the pictures.

I  really thought that once the election was over, I would have much more time for my scrapbooks, but it really hasn't worked out like that at all. Plus Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming quickly. Of course those are very busy times as well.

I hate to admit I've only chosen one small gift so far. Shoeboxes are due this Sunday. I just started searching for things to stuff in those boxes today. It has been fun so far, but time consuming. I Must finish those tomorrow, for Saturday is full as well.


Rick Warren's Daily Hope was good enough this Monday that I kept it in my email. I would like to post it now, due to a problem many are having.

Proverbs 19:11 NIV  "A person's wisdom yields patience, it is to one's glory to overlook an offense."

Rick goes on the say that When you’re dealing with people who are offensive or irritating, you need to look past the behavior to the pain. Because everything we do is motivated by something. When people hurt others, it’s because they’re hurting on the inside. Hurt people, hurt people.

The more you understand about other people’s background, the more grace you’ll show them. Think of the people who you find the most difficult to deal with and who irritate you the most — you probably know nothing about their background. So you don’t cut them any slack. You don’t know that maybe they were molested. You don’t know that maybe they were orphaned. You don’t know that they’ve gone through three marriages and their husband walked out on them. You don’t know their story, so you’re not showing them any grace.

The Bible says in Proverbs 19:11, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (NIV). With wisdom, you don’t get offended. Why? Because wisdom gives you patience. When you understand somebody’s background, you understand the stress that person is under — and it’s easier to show grace. That gives you patience to overlook the offense. 

What I’m talking about here is real love. In fact, the Bible says refusing to be offended by other people is actually an act of mature love. It shows you how much love you’ve got in your heart. The more love you have in your heart, the harder it is to offend you on a personal basis.

The less love you have in your heart, the more insecure you feel and the easier it is to offend you. Proverbs 10:12 says, “Love overlooks the wrongs that others do” (CEV). The more I am filled with love, the less I’m going to be upset with you when you are demanding or demeaning or disapproving. 

This is the first step in dealing with difficult people: You must choose to refuse to be offended or to take it personally.

A Memorable Trip to Pine Tree Barn

Back on October 31, I posted a crazy layout of ORU, using this photo. I promised myself I would redo it. It has been a while, but I finally finished the rework of this layout. It has been a long time, and I am happy with the new layout. However, it is still not up to what we have been used to doing with ORU pics. They generally end up on a calendar for the next year. but this layout is much too busy and the photo too small for a calendar month. (That's right, you can call us calendar girls.)

We have been having lots of trouble getting us all together. We thought that when we were older, without so much time taken up with our children, who were still home and sans other obligations we had going, that it would be much easier to spend time together; but, alas, we were wrong, very wrong. For one thing three of us moved to Texas and the ones who still live here in OH have even more obligations now, even as some of us have gotten to the age that slows down activity. One has a home in Florida that consumes some of her time, and she also volunteers at the local Cuyahoga National Park.  Because of this, we were lucky to get 5 of us together out of the 6 still living locally.

We would love to find a way for all nine of us to gather for at least a weekend.

Since the picture is so small...in the back are Sali, Jane and Phyllis and in the front are Paullette and myself, Lou Ann.

Renaissance Faire in Pennsylvania

I am so thankful for FaceBook. It is where I gather pictures of my grandchildren, especially the older ones who post their pictures themselves. 

This picture is of Lauren and her boyfriend, Pat when they went to the Renaissance Faire, an event in Mannheim, Pennsylvania.

Sounds like something very interesting. This is the second year in a row, I believe, that Lauren and Pat have enjoyed this fair.

Following is info I found online about the fair. Sounds very interesting.

The Key

We really need to see this little girl again soon.   Perhaps God will provide that opportunity for this grandmother who lives way too far from all her grandchildren. 

I think all of them have a key to my heart, at least every so often I feel a tug on it, and must believe it is from one or another of them. When I talk to them on the phone or see pictures of them, I feel the pull. It is by far the best thing a lady of my age can experience ...that tug now and then. 

I know many of my friends are being tugged each time they go shopping and see things their grandkids might like. I can't afford to even window shop, for I would end up spending everything I have and be left without a home for them to visit. I certainly understand the temptation to overspend and spoil these little ones.

Thank you, Father for answering prayer. We beg you to bring back freedom to our land and help those who have not learned to live the good life of the freedom, adapt and experience the peace and love it brings.

Bless our President elect. Help us make a smooth transition from the old. Help us all to make our best efforts.

Sun Rays and the Deer

This is not the best, or most attractive layout I've done, but it does tell a story.

You can tell I took this picture into the sun, and  it came into my car in rays of beauty. The deer is to your upper  left of the circle, where I've placed an enlarged picture of him and  gave him more contrast, so that you can see him better.

On a Thursday, when I returned home after Ladies' class, having lunch with some girlfriends and running some errands, it was a beautiful day for November 10. So I grabbed my dog's lease, because she had been left at home most of the day, and took her for a ride in the state park that is near our home. It is the Portage Lakes State Park and is quite lovely any time.

As I drove into the woods, there appeared in front of me a deer. He started to run away, but stopped and just stared at me as I stared at him. Thankfully Maggie didn't bark; but he saw what he wanted to see, then ran back into the woods.

Tea for Bonnie

Jean gave many of us ladies at church a tea in remembrance of our friend Bonnie Snyder, who loved teas. She was a classy lady. We should have all worn hats, for Bonnie loved them as well. 

Paulette and Sali did the planning, gathering, decorating and serving. It was quite beautiful. 

This was just one of the small tables. These ladies with me are Bobbie, Juanita and Sherry. 

We all gathered, after enjoying our tea, to remember Bonnie. Everyone spoke of some of our favorite memories of her. It was comforting to hear what others had experienced. Many knew more about her history than I did. It was fun to hear some of the stories. 

I liked it much better than a regular funeral service. 

Rest in the Lord, Bonnie. You had your share of troubles; but you are now in the arms or Jesus and we are thankful to have known you.

Best November

This is indeed the prettiest autumn day I've seen as late as this November 11. It is gorgeous. It has been a long fall and I've enjoyed it all.  Now there may well have been another fall as nice, but I don't remember any other; but then of course my memory isn't as good as it once was.

It was wonderful today to wake up a little earlier than usual and come out of my room before I had my alone time with God... and see this out of our window. I didn't waste any time getting a few pictures before I went back to my bed to read.

Many of my prayers have been answered just this week. Thank you, Father.

I'd like to share with you the encouraging words of a lesson published in UpWords by Max Lucado today.

When the Devil Draws Near

When the Devil draws near, stand against him. Give him no quarter. Don’t stand for his accusations. When he dredges up your past mistakes, tell him whose you are. He has no recourse to this truth. He knows who you are. He just hopes that you don’t—or that you’ll forget. So prove to him that you know. Tell him: “I have been bought with a price. I belong to God” (1 Corinthians 6:20). “I cannot be separated from the love of God” (Romans 8:35).  “I can find grace and mercy at the time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God’s people think like this. They walk with a reverent swagger. They live out of their inheritance. They show the Devil the new name on their spiritual passport. The secret of survival when the Devil draws near? Remember what God has done. And remember whose you are! Please continue praying for our country to come together and for guidance for our president and  our president elect Trump.

A Bug's Life

I remember at the time not making a layout with this picture of Oliver at the park because one couldn't really tell who it was in the picture. But every time I came across it, it became more and more delightful for me. I decided it doesn't matter, Oliver will want to remember this day...he was sooooo cute! And besides it makes such an appealing page.

I'm slowly coming down from my high over the election.  It has been sad to think that so many of our younger people are so distraught about it. They can hardly keep from crying and many do. It is so foreign for me to see those who cannot accept the results, thinking  that you win some and you lose some. That is what a free society is all about. No government is telling you what you must do at all times. They somehow believe that everyone must be a robot and think alike.

What is worse is that they have been taught  that in school. It has actually been called group think in some of the older books that I was encouraged to read even before I was of voting age. It was called communism at that time, but communism was not what it was. It was actually socialism, which is not a good thing in any way. Yet they have been taught in our schools that it was ideal by teachers who were indoctrinated by 'communist' professors in the colleges. That was happening when I was in college. But it became the norm in later years. Now, it may be difficult to find a non-socialist in any college of education or journalism.  So, children of all ages are being subjected to these untruths taught by their socialist teachers. Their history books, which they really don't have  time for anyway have been diluted, with 'facts' changed to support their socialist agenda.

I just pray that they can grow up before they hurt themselves.

If they had any idea what it is like to have a vibrant economy and borders, they would be exuberant about the election. Hopefully, they will soon come around and be able to enjoy their new freedom , instead of moping about sitting at home with a computer collecting unemployment. Then they will be able  to feel good about their country and themselves.

Where's Waldo?

Do you ever 'lose' pictures and then find them again? Or am I the only one. A person would think it is easy to keep the  together and in order, but sometimes, one or two will get away. This layout should have been in my last book, but it was lost. It is much too good to skip over, so it will be in my next volume to go to press.  

Congratulations, Caleb.

Well, I am very happy with the vote and I am praying that God will guide our new president, vice president, congressmen and all officers in our land to make  godly decisions daily; so that our nation can begin again to revere our lord and his values above our own.

New Template

This is the only layout I did today, and it hasn't been completed. I'm still thinking about the journaling, but I want to post it. I'm happy with it so far. The pictures are of our little grandson, Oliver at a river in their area.  

It was easier to do this layout than most. I get supplies most often from ScrapGirls.com, a digital scrapbooking site.  They have very nice kits that adapt well to my style. This morning, they offered a deal on one of their clubs called Scrap Simple. It was a super deal, where one could get it for 1 cent! this month. Yes, that is right. It is a trial offer. I must cancel it quickly, if I don't want to pay the regular price for the monthly sets coming up. 

I can't really explain what it is, but you can probably find it online if you are interested.  The template for making this layout was included in that set. It certainly did make it easy. I just put the pictures in place where I wanted them to be.   It doesn't take any creativity at all, which cuts down on the time needed to finish a project. 

I didn't quite finish because I've run short of time.  Posting anyway.

Please remember to pray for the election tomorrow and vote as well.

Three Favorite Pokemon

This picture was taken of Ashley in August when she found these favorite Pokemon in a local store.

I have practiced Pokemon names, but I can't hold on to them. I could very easily say that they go in one ear and out the other, because that truly represents how well I can retain them. So, as I type these names, Umbreon, Glaceon and Leafeon, I'm forgetting them.

By the way, she did not buy them.

None of us can have everything we want, therefore about 1/2 the people will be disappointed after the election. I pray that God will watch over this election. I pray he will help the one whose aims correlate with His and not Satan's. I pray for protection of the candidates and voters. I pray that all illegal votes will be uncovered and thrown out. I pray for our country to be great again.

Lake Anna Mums and Pokemon

While Ashley, her brothers, her mom and her dad were here in OH about a month ago for their fall break at school, we tried to find activities. Many that we would have liked were closed for the year. But it hadn't been long since the Barberton Mum Festival had taken place. It isn't far from here, very close in fact. It was at Lake Anna, which is also a good Pokemon stop, so off we went. It only took about 15 minutes to get there. The mums were still there, so we snapped a few pictures for my book. 

Finally . . . a statement that is clear and reasonable.

I heard a young Lady at a game in a Trump shirt, get asked how she could vote for Trump, a “misogynist, a racist and a bigot”.

Here was her answer: (as she posted on social media and shared here with permission)

Because I use my head to research and find out what candidates really are, not what the media WANTS me to think.

Because Donald Trump has more women in executive and managerial positions than any comparable company, which tells me he is NOT a misogynist.

Because he pays these women the SAME or more than their male counterparts, which tells me he looks for capacity and skills in people, NOT color, gender or race.

Because he fought the West Palm Beach City Council to be able to open his newly purchased club, so he could INCLUDE blacks and Jews as members, who had been banned until then. This tells me he is NOT a racist.

Because he has raised wonderful children who have turned out to be outstanding, hard-working and compassionate adults. He must be doing something right.

Because his economic plans makes sense, are conservative in nature, and I vote based on what is best for my family, my friends and my country.

Because everybody, the left AND the right are afraid of him, the media is trying to destroy his image, and even foreign governments are voicing their opinions, so he must be doing something right. Cleaning house maybe?

Because I want a Supreme Court that will uphold the Constitution, not behave as minions of the administration. I have had enough with judges who are more like political activists than law enforcers.

Because I fear for my family’s safety if the current trend of NOT confronting blatant terrorism continues – which IS a threat to our way of life.

Because I am fed up with the rampant corruption of THIS administration. Accountability in government is paramount, and as this administration has demonstrated, it is a foreign concept to them.

Because I am fed up with the #PoliticalCorrectnessGoneW ild, and because Trump is not afraid to say what everybody thinks but does not dare to say. A thug is a thug, regardless of color, and that's it.

Because it is about time someone puts America's interests AHEAD of other countries.

Because I know he recognizes and embraces America's exceptionalism, and will not tour the World apologizing for who we are. That tells me he IS a patriot.

Because, unlike HRC, he has actually HELD a job, worked hard and achieved success.

And last, but not least, because I am WAY more offended by what Hillary DOES than by what Trump SAYS.