Working on Her Smile

What a cutie she is... already trying to charm her daddy...and I think she has done it.  So glad we were able to see her in person at this age and watch her sweetness.

It is so very difficult to live far away, when we'd like to see her and her brothers every day. I feel very sad until  I remember my friend being a missionary in Belgium while we were going to church with her mother here in Ohio. It wasn't the same back then as now. One couldn't just pick up the phone and call any time...and of course, there was no FaceTime. Flying back and forth was more difficult then as well.

And way back when I was a child, my father's relatives were all still in TX, while we were on this side of the country. I got to see my grandmother 4 times in my life...no FaceTime yet. Even though I loved her, I barely got to know her except through stories my dad told me. We didn't call on the telephone either. We did write back and forth. I wish I had kept some letters. I remember my grandpa sending me $1.00 every birthday. Boy things have changed!

When I think of how good we have it now,  I count my blessings.

The Great Wall of Tea

Although this is not a place dedicated to the entertainment of children, we all found a bit o' fun there on the main street of town at The Great Wall of Tea.

The fireman pole drew the boy's interest. But, so did the tea. While I abstained, they did not. They took advantage of the free tastes. Actually, I am the only only who missed the tea. It is strange with me. I cannot have caffeine...I really like peach tea, but didn't think of that. I was too interested in taking pictures.

The Silver Grill Cinnamon Rolls

This picture of PaPa and the boys, Caleb and Oliver, is one of my all time favorites. And the thought of being there at the Silver Grill in Ft Collins, CO makes my mouth water, literally. I wish I could almost taste those great cinnamon rolls. The truth is, I can never remember how they taste, just that they are phenomenal!  The Silver Grill is one of my very favorite places to go in town, because of those huge and delectable rolls. 

I included the web-site of that restaurant just so you could read the story behind those special rolls.

I suppose now, I should add the web-site of the best airline for getting you there. Don't worry, you could also drive. You might as well start packing, because after you check out this site, you will just have to try them yourself!

A subject of a more serious and less palatable subject: Did you realize that of the Democrats who staged a  sit-in on the floor of Congress against private gun ownership... at least 26 of them own guns themselves?

They want to protect themselves and their own property; but don't want you to have the same right. That is government run amuck.

Cute Pretending

I'm posting two layouts... that should be worth at least 2,000 words. Doing that because I'm too tired to think of anything to write.

God bless you for checking in...I hope to do better tomorrow. Actually, this is tomorrow and now I've missed a day.

Catching on Young

He is six and taking selfies. He told his mom he learned to do that from me. If so, I am tickled that he could actually learn something from me, an old lady, who generally has to learn from the younger generations. 

Yes, there are even more pictures taken at the sculpture garden. I may eventually get all of the pieces we were able to see in layouts. They certainly presented some good photoshoot opportunities.

We enjoyed our day... heard a country music group and took a boat ride in the evening...talked politics. Who wants to do that? Well, this time, it is a very important election. Could be considered Life and Death...of our country, that is. This crash has been in the works of the modern Democratic Socialist Party ever since Kruschev pounded his shoe on the table and promised to bury us. It is not the party of the people as it once was. It is now the party of privilege and power over the people. All we get from them is promises and higher and higher taxes.

Check into Paul Ryan's new tax plan put forward by the new Republican Party. Now that is the GOOD NEWS. Fewer brackets, lower taxes for everyone and ease of reporting. Everyone wins and business comes back to the states, bringing lots of jobs we've been missing. Again, GOOD NEWS.

Budding Photographer II

It is fun to watch our young grandson follow in the steps of his father and mother, grandmother and great grandmother. He loves to take pictures. Of course lots of people these days find it very easy to pick up a cell phone and shoot pictures. But, I think he really has the bug.

In the first layout here, he tells little brother where to stand and what to do, then snaps the shot.  The second layout is a little bit more simple, but he got a good photo. 

Seeing them work together in this way will bring us precious memories in the years to come.

Well, it looks like the British people are trying to take their country back. Naturally the pound dropped and precipitated the fall of the DOW here, but the people should be better off taking control of their own country rather than having everything shoved down their throats by out siders.  

The shortened name Brexit made quite a hit and made others think what they might call their home if they were to do the same. I liked what some came up with for OHIO. It is OBYEO.  Pretty clever, I think.

You know where my thoughts come from...the spirit. We need to pray for Britain. We also need to pray that our country will turn around and be run by people with good common moral sense again.

For if we do, God will save our land.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14 KJV 

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

It Sometimes Takes a While

Today, I've done 6 times as many layouts as I usually do. My creativity was either flowing, or my need for perfection has been doused.  Whatever the case, I'm tired. You may be tired as well. Tired of the same subjects day after day. I am really trying to get my next book done, because I feel so very far behind. What I did today, got me 1/2 way though my coming volume. I need to spend a few more days like this one.  

I've heard very little of what is going on in the world today...but the shooting I heard was bad enough and local...at least in our state....and we know a victim of that shooting. He wasn't shot, but when he heard the gunshots, he ran as fast as he could, but was hit by a truck. He has a bad concussion, two bones fractured in his neck and a broken scapula. 

The fellow who shot the gun is now in custody...but the damage is done.  It is so sad to see innocent people harmed by...    I won't judge. God is a better judge than I, since He knows what is in a man's heart.  We are praying for our friend.

For the layout above, I took several pictures.  None turned out as we wished. This time it was Oliver, who was tired...or at least antsy. But, sometimes it is best to get a picture that will remind us that life is not always easy....just in case we forget. lol

Signature Smile

You may have to click on this layout to see what I'm saying. Oliver's signature smile is tickling me.
I think he might be trying a little hard to please us with a big smile. I love it. He is such a sweet little fellow. One of these days, he'll get it just right and we'll see his big gorgeous eyes. Yes, I know we've seen them in many pictures, but just recently, we are getting more of this squinty signature.

Do you have a fixed smile? I have to admit that after 60 or so years, my smile has become pretty much standard. Many people are like that...and some of them look much better if they just relax and think of something pleasant. They are either camera shy or much too self conscious.  My advice: Don't shy away from the camera. You may not like what you see in pictures of yourself, but others are happy to see you. They look at you with love, not fault-finding as we often do ourselves. And beauty IS in the eyes of the beholder. Love covers a lot of blemishes. Relax, smile and be happy that someday your descendants will see a picture and say something like, this is my great uncle when he was about my age. I have his eyes, nose, ears, chin...whatever. Perhaps your great grandchildren will say warmly, these are my great grandparents. I wish I had known them.

Now, it may be possible, they say nothing is impossible, but it is not likely it will kill you to have your picture taken. Humor me and your other friends and family and cooperate. Your friends, and especially your family will be glad you did.

Feeding Sheep

Early this morning, I posted Feeding the Goats. Now, here it is nearly 11:30 PM and Im posting again. This time the boys are feeding the sheep. At least that is what I hope these animals are. I'd never seen sheep that looked like these before.

I mentioned a Bible passage that talked about separating the goats from the sheep when Christ returns for his children. The last post about the goats reminded me of that Bible story.

Now today, the picture, which has the sheep separate from the goats. The verse that comes to mind is something quite different. It is John 21:17 Jesus said to Peter, 'Feed my sheep" He told him three times. He was instructed to guard over the sheep...or young Christians who still need help to grow and mature into strong Christians.

And then there is the verse, John 10:27..."My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

We are the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3  We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Remembering that, when Christ returns to the earth, He has said, He will divide the goats from the sheep. The sheep will be His forever, but the goats will be cast away.

Makes me want to be easily identified as his one of His people. He also said, by their fruit we would know them. If we are filled with love and do His will, it will be easy to tell that we are His children.

I pray that all of you will aspire to that great freedom, freedom from sin. Bought by the spirit and saved by the blood of Christ's death on the cross. He arose and He lives forever and ever.

Sounds like an Easter sermon, right? All I can say is, the spirit led me through this blog tonight. I'm nearly asleep right now. Love you all.

Feeding the Goats

It's early the day after I meant to post this. There was no storm. There was no computer problem. It was simply a brain malfunction. Or let me put it this way. I am ignorant. For as long as I've used computers, I still am basically unlearned when it comes to anything of the sort. I do not know how they work. I don't know why one can do the same thing more than once and not always get the same results. (Is that why the younger generation tries to do the same thing over and over thinking they will get different results. Is that what computers have taught them. )  OK. I really don't get it. Why does that happen? Why can I do the same thing over and over and then one day, something different happens?

It had to be the programmers. That's where I will put the blame. lol

Well, that is not the only problem. Read this...While I was posting last night, all of a sudden, my computer screen went hooey and up comes a message about a guest user...A GUEST USER?!?
Was someone trying to get into my machine? So who is the guest?  After trying to get things to come up right again, a message came up with my picture and wanted my password. Oh gee. At midnight, they want my password. OK. I put it in. I knew it must be one of two.  Neither worked!

So, if you ever want to know how to make me angry...this is it, give me a computer problem. I know people are imperfect. I don't expect them to be. I can forgive them. But not a computer!!! Anyway, I disconnected my computer to make sure no one could fool with it while I slept.

This morning, real early, I called my computer expert, on the other side of the bed. Of course, part of the problem had been ME. I thought I put the password in correctly, but must have hit the capital key or something, for when he typed it in, up it came, like it should have last night. Still, I never did find out why it jumped to that screen from blogger in the first place.  But I did find out that everyone on a Mac is a guest user! Why?? It doesn't make sense to me! Computers are like men, you can't live with them and you can't live without them.  OK, that is a joke. Don't tell Ron (my computer geek and husband) I said that.

Now on with my post...After all that, I don't remember what it was. But you can see my layout above.
I will post the companion page tonight. At least if there is no other problem for which I need an expert. In this layout, the boys are feeding the goats at the city farm. The next post will be them feeding the sheep. It made me think of the Bible passage, Matthew 5: 31-46 where it tells how God will divide the goats from the sheep on that great day.

Let's make sure we are part of the sheep the shepherd holds dear, not the goats who will be locked out.

Budding Photographer

It is fun  posing for Caleb. It's the least I can do since he has been so very good to pose for me. He took this picture with his iPhone in his back yard in CO.  Im very happy to pose, since he has been such a good model for me over the last 5 years.

I certainly wish he had been here tonight. We had our 55th high school reunion dinner this evening and all I have to show for it is an African violet for serving on the committee and a group shot, which I haven't actually seen yet.

I'd like to have more pictures with other classmates, for example. However there is a story to remember about the shooting of the group photo. The photographer kept us laughing with all his directions done inside the restaurant at the top of his voice, I believe. Then when we went outside, after getting specific instructions and lining up inside, he kept us laughing as he walked out into the street, stopping traffic going both ways by yelling and holding up his hand and camera. Then he just stood there in the street for the photoshoot, in which he must have taken at least 10 shots, before turning, nodding and waving to the traffic, while we clapped for their cooperation. I'm sure that couldn't be done just anywhere. It is nice to live in and to have gone to school in such a laid back community.

The Boys

The boys are watching the animals. Which ones will they feed next?  We'll have to wait and see.

Sorry to have so little for you to see tonight. But this has been a busy week. Tonight, we kicked off our 55th high school reunion. It was an interesting evening.

I'm lucky to have gone to school when I did, when we respected authority, loved our country, were taught to be independent thinkers. No groupthink at that time...only in the book 1984, which we read for government  class.  Our teachers had not been brainwashed. I even had a teacher in 6th and 7th grades who had escaped communist rule, knew what it was like to live in a socialist country, and was so glad to have become a citizen in our free country.

Everyone should know someone like that, instead of having ones head stuffed full of rubbish like how bad our country is and how great it is if the government runs your life for you.

Please help us God. Help us recover our freedom. Give us back our Constitution. Let these boys grow up with respect for individuality and the freedom and safety we once knew.

Feed the Animals

Evidently I'm losing it. I thought I missed one night posting because of a thunder storm, but  the last post showing was on the 13th. I know that is right; but I don't have time to figure it out  right now.

Anyway, tonight we have another cute picture of Caleb and Oliver at the city farm in Ft Collins. 

Little Helper

It's really nice when a two year old has a helping attitude. Now if that toy lawn mower really worked...


It's been a long day and I'm not sure I've accomplished much of anything...but I was trying.
Hope that counts in the big scheme of things.

A Fishing Trip

We are happy to see Mason was invited to share a trip with his friend to Welaka, Florida. I was not familiar with the area in Putnam County, but it doesn't seem far from St Augustine on the map. His paternal grandparents live there.

We do have more pictures so there will be at least one more layout of that vacation.

We are comforted today that Mason is not in the Orlando area. Terrible news awaited us this morning when we turned on the TV for the news before leaving for church.

It was a terrorist attack, the worst ever in this country, with 50 dead ( the cold blooded murderer, an ISIS sympathizer  died himself) And over 50 more were badly injured. It was enough to strike fear in our land...just what they want.

What I fear worse than ISIS right now, is our own government which will do nothing but talk and bring thousands of the enemy in, to live off the taxpayer. We need a big change in Washington. Protection of our people is the one and biggest obligation of the federal government.

I am hoping that this has an affect on our people that neither ISIS nor the Democrat Party expect. I hope it makes people realize that Trump is right about this. We must rid ourselves of this threat...and quickly!

It is now summer. Tomorrow, we expect full blown HOT summer weather. But it was still spring and very pleasant when these pictures were taken in Colorado.

I love the sweet way Caleb poses and smiles for the camera. He is also able to get good results when he is the one taking the photos.

If you are wondering why there are so many of the youngest grandchildren, this is the reason. I need to use them in the order they were taken, so that when I get down to the last 20 pages or so, I'm not making ones that should be in the book that follows the one I'm presently making.

Since we were in CO, there is a significant number of pictures that were taken.

Because of that,  I have several pictures of the older children that I am very anxious to use in layouts. Once in a while, I'll sneak one into this order. I really love the pictures I've been getting.

Little Tractor Driver

The layout features Oliver. It was fun to watch that little guy climb up on that tractor like a big boy. What a fun day we had at the city farm in Ft Collins.


Recently, as you know if you've checked, I've been trying to mention something positive each day. Today, I received this piece in my email from a friend. I like it. I like it 
very much. I hope you do as well.


Find Something Beautiful To Notice
Lisa Beamer on Good Morning America - If you remember, she's the wife 
of Todd Beamer who said 'Let's Roll!'
and helped take down the plane over Pennsylvania that was  heading 
for Washington, DC back on 9/11.   She said it's the little things that she 
misses most about Todd, such as hearing the garage door open as 
he came home, and her children running to meet him.   Lisa 
recalled this story: "I had a very special teacher in high school 
many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack.  
About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a 
classroom of students.   As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming 
in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, 
she moved a few things a side on the edge of her desk and sat 
down there.  With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she 
paused and said, 'Class is over.  I would like to share with all of 
you, a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I 
feel is very important.  Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, 
love, appreciate and give of ourselves.  None of us knows when this 
fantastic experience will end.  It can be taken away at any moment.   
Perhaps this is God's way of telling us that we must make the most out
 of every single day.  Her eyes, beginning to water, she went on, 'So I 
would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to 
school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice.   
It doesn't have to be something you see; it could be a scent, perhaps of 
freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the 
sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way 
the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.  
Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may 
sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life.  The little things 
we are put here on earth to enjoy.  The things we often take for granted.  
The class was completely quiet.  We all picked up our books and filed out 
of the room silently.  That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way 
home from school than I had that whole semester.  Every once in a while,
 I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all 
of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all 
overlook.   Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour 
today.  Go barefoot.  Or walk on the beach at sunset.  Stop off on 
the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone.  For as 
we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but 
the things we didn't do.   If you like this, please pass it on to a 
friend,  If not just delete it and go on with your life! Life is not 
measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments 
that take our breath away."   GOD Bless you every day of your life.  
The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts. The safest place 
to be is in someone's prayers, and the very best place to be is in 
the hands of God.

She learned to look for the good. I am trying to do that as well. One of the
good things I remember is the freedom teachers had to talk to us about 
things like that...and God was still in the classrooms.

Wise as an Owl

Julia seems to study her environment constantly. She isn't going to miss anything. Everything peaks her interest. I'm thinking she will be a very wise little girl. I don't think anyone will pull anything on her.

It is 11:20 P.M. here. In 15 minutes,  I will be 73 years old. I'm starting to plan the changes we should make to our home that will make it accommodate us when we are older. We see the day approaching.

I believe in preparing for the future instead of just letting it happen. I've seen how hard it is when all of a sudden it hits...one or both spouses needs a wheel chair, for example. Not all houses are wheel chair assessable. The doorways inside this house, for example, are not wide enough. Bathrooms are generally in need of some changes. I would rather do the work before it is needed.

Today was a special day. I spent hours on the computer 'speaking' to friends and relatives and on the phone with well wishes from my family. One friend always calls to sing Happy Birthday. I will call him tomorrow with the same wish. His and Ron's birthdays are the same.

Some are excited about electing the first woman president. Yes, even though a person's gender should not have anything to do with his/her qualifications  to be president, I want our first female president to be one of whom we can be proud.  I want an honest one. I want one who has a clean record, one who does not get most of her funds from foreign sources. I want one who would never think of leaving the White House taking with her the china, etc. I want one who is responsible  enough to keep state secrets off her  email. One who wouldn't stand by and let our men fight and die needlessly and then say, "Oh what difference does it make now?" One who isn't just riding in on her husband's coat tails. My goodness! Could we just have someone like Margaret Thatcher?

Interactive Bible Story Book

This book was a hit with Caleb. Of course books of all kinds are big in his house. This is pretty special though as it interacts with his iPhone which makes the characters literally jump off the page.

It is so good to see this big smile. Love you , Caleb.

Space Gramma

Can't write much today. I have become a space Gramma. Hope my grandchildren enjoy my transformation. Can't write a lot because it takes so many lightyears for each letter to travel to earth.

Hello Caleb. Oliver,  Ashley, Mason and Aussie. Oh, and  I don't want to forget Brandon, Brittanie, Ava, Leah and Lauren.  And hello to Sam, Ryan an Quinn.  

Trampoline Hair

If you are reading this early, you might be confused. I hit the publish button before I had written anything. I know this causes Blogger  to send out a message to those of you who have chosen to see my blog regularly.  Sorry, if you do not get this accompanying 'story' along with the picture and have to read it tomorrow. Not that you would really miss much of anything. 

My blogging has lacked something for quite a while now. I'm spending more time making layouts than I have been paying attention to the news. It puts me in an uneasy state to see how the country is falling apart under the present administration and how those who should be uniting to rid us of this plague are quibbling among themselves. Guess what. In case you haven't figured this out yet, you will never find the perfect candidate. Even Reagan was not perfect.   Please pray that God will help you through this, then live your life as he tells you to in his book. If enough people do just that, God will save our country from the grip of the evil one. 

These pictures were taken May 2 of this year. They were the first ones of me and baby Julia. I had just arrived at the house and after greeting Caleb and Oliver  waited just a few minutes until she finished nursing.  She was so very cute in that little Tea  outfit.  However, I didn't like these pictures of me at all, so it took me this long  to do a layout.  I finally came to my senses...It is NOT about me, but about this sweet little one. Our eyes locked and it was true love.  We surely are blessed!

The Net is There For a Reason

I've been a busy beaver today. I have added a picture to the layout from last night, so here it is, with two others that go along with the same theme...trampoline and the boys.
Don't generally do as many layouts in one day as I've  done today; but I feel so far behind that I'm trying to catch up with everything.

all these pictures were made the same day.  In the middle layout here, are three pictures of Oliver that remind me so much of his daddy, John. I really want to dig out pictures of him at this age and compare, but I haven't yet found the time.

I  do have something good to report this evening...our yard smells heavenly with the peonies in full bloom.

Jump Sporting

This layout should have actually come before the last one I posted. This is the type of thing Caleb was doing that led to his need for a rest. However, I just finished  working on this one. The page with him taking a break was done at least a week ago, when I fell for the picture of him lying on the trampoline. I had been trying to find a photo where I could extend part of the picture outside the frame for affect. That picture was perfect for that. Of course, I could have done the same thing with this last picture on your bottom right. That would make a pretty interesting shot as well.

The only thing I can say good about today is, I have accomplished quite a bit that has needed to be done for a long while.  I've been nursing my knee. Today I was able to do quite a lot before it started complaining. So, in some ways, things are looking up... for me anyway, if not yet much for our country as a whole. We just need to hang in there and convince others to vote to make our country great again.

Rest On the Trampoline

For some reason, I'm losing track of time! I know it goes fast; but I thought I'd only missed one night of blogging. When I finally got here to post, not only was the day over...It is now eleven minutes past June 1, but I've missed 3 other days of blogging....now 4 in all. Wow! Where did the time go? I've been up after midnight every night, and still didn't post. I hate to think of it as negligence, but I really don't know what else to call it.

Of course, I don't know any good news to list tonight. I guess it is good, however, that I am actually posting something...and a cute something at that. Caleb loves his trampoline and makes good use of it.

I just finished another book on Monday night. So I've started another one. I think I have enough pictures to fill a new one already. If so, I'm way behind because I'll continue taking more photos. It is just so easy to snap them these day. Since we carry our phones everywhere we go, we don't have to miss anything.