Tailgate 2017

Our granddaughter, Lauren leads a very busy life. I would say she is part of the female chain of hard workers in our family, but she gets it from both sides. Her mother and father are very hard workers, not ones who would just sit in front of a tv, for example.  I say that, even though her dad loves to hunt. It isn't easy for him to make time for that, but he works hard at that as well.

We are very proud of her and really wouldn't want it any other way.

This layout shows her and her friends from Cross Fit tailgating in early this month.

Mary Poppins, the play

I  get  to  post these on my blog, even though  I've spent lots of time doing the simplest things tonight. Because of that  I'm tired earlier and ready for bed. Getting up early for a Ladies' function, so I'm giving up on spending more time.

The Colors of Fall

It is nearing the end of November, the leaves are falling so heavy now that Ron has been working hours and hours to clear them from the lawn, driveway, etc so that he can haul them away to the leaf dump by the trailer full.  The color is nearly gone, but the sun shined brightly today. It was a warm, wonderful day.

I've started my Christmas decorating. The tree is finished and I plan to do more around the house tomorrow.

But I'm just not ready to be done with fall. I just had to post this layout tonight as a final farewell to all the bright color. Getting ready to settle down  to Ohio  grays and white, which is lovely as well, just not colorful.

Back Up Plan

When our sweet daughter, April, called us near midnight the night before Thanksgiving to tell us she was sick and that we shouldn't take the chance of getting it, we decided to not travel those 5 hours to see her. She called us the next morning  to say she was feeling better. Ron told her we wouldn't go, knowing it would throw her 'dinner' late. We decided to choose a 20 minute drive to Cracker Barrel where we had eaten before on Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, April and her husband, Tim, had eaten there with us a couple of times on Thanksgiving.  I felt badly because I was to take a pecan pie and dinner rolls. However, it was a good thing we didn't, because  their son, Jarod was there with his family and one of the children did get sick. 

When she called us the night before, she  saved us from those germs. Thank you, April, but we are sorry we didn't get to see you all.

It gave Ron and me the chance to practice what we believe...to be content no matter the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

It was funny that we took these pictures after we ate so that I could do this page for my next book. While Ron was posing here for his photo, a couple walked out and said, something like, "Oh, this is your 115th Cracker Barrel." It was pretty funny.

Little Pilgrim

Ava started preschool this year. Her 'class' learned about the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving.
Here she is dressed as a pilgrim  in her sweet dress and bonnet. The top picture shows her
and her mom, Brittanie, with some of her class art work. Below that, Ava eats an apple and
muffin, like the Pilgrims may have eaten.

Nothing sweeter than a little child. Our Lord, Jesus said
in Matthew 19:14

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not
 forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The innocence of children is to be admired, not tampered
with. 

Please pray for the protection of the little ones in this dark
world. We not only have to protect them from evil people
who would hurt them physically, but often schools which
teach them things contrary to the word of God. 

We need to know what our children are learning in school
and it is very hard to know what the young ones hear in
there. We must know school policy and the teachers.

Mr Turkey Recommends...

It has been a long time since I've seen a turkey so high on Thanksgiving. He seems to be celebrating this day. Happy to have been pardoned, bypassed, whatever...just happy to be alive.

The whole turkey community may be trying to push this idea, now that the Greene's have introduced it in Nashville...or more accurately, Antioch.

They decided to make something everyone in the family liked this year...a Japanese dish, Chicken with Broccoli and Pepper Tempura! You read that right.  It was a hit. Perhaps we should all give up our turkey and dressing next year.  Well, maybe you should. I think I'll stick to the traditional thing. 

I'm not sure I got enough of it on Thanksgiving day and may resort to roasting a turkey breast some day next week. One of my favorite sandwiches is a croissant with turkey and a cranberry, cream cheese dressing. 

Sorry about that Mr. Turkey.

Hope you all made a long list of what has made you thankful this year. Don't let it go, don't forget to be thankful each day. A positive life is a blessing to yourself and well as to others.

Mango Treat

                    Eating dried mango out of the bag is quite a treat for Julia. It is so healthy.

She is blessed to have a health conscious mother. 

This picture was taken October 30. Since then, she had the pleasure to go trick or treating downtown and now at the end of the week will get another special treat...Thanksgiving dinner. I can almost taste some of my favorites now. Wish we could be together so that we could see the little ones enjoy tasting new 'to them' things.

I Am Thankful for These Boys

Fort Collins is a special kind of town. It is picturesque. Of course it may be mainly that these cute grandchildren are really the best thing about all the photos.  I really appreciate these big smiles.

It has been too long since I've seen Oliver and Caleb in person and given them a big hug. But they are not lonely. This picture was taken by their maternal grandmother, who was in town with them that day.  

I am thankful for the photograph.

Many of us are mentally making a list of things for which we are thankful this holiday season.   Naturally, my grandchildren are at the very top of my list, followed by their parents.

I know it is a very busy season, but you will profit by taking a little break. Actually write down things for which you are thankful. Before long, you may manage to get into a thankful mind set and then many, many things will come to you. Try putting your burdens away for a while. Try, try, try. I didn't say it was easy, but if you can manage it, you will be blessed and you can be a blessing to others.

A Special Kind of Scary

Ava was a princess for Halloween. Now that is the kind of scary this old fashioned grandmother likes.
I not only enjoyed the sweet smile on her face,  I liked the pictures, to be published later of her at trunk or treat with her warm coat over her princess gown.

Other that the pictures, I have had a good time designing this layout. I used a technique I hadn't used for a while  with an action on my PSE 15. It is an action included in Scrap Girls Brandy Murray's Magical Actions. Not only am I pleased with the result, it was really fun to do.

That was good. I needed some happy moments today. It has rained ALL day, yes ALL day.
Oh, and that was not the only good thing that happened today.  We were able to have dinner with some good friends tonight...always fun.

It was also pleasant to receive notice of upcoming Black Friday. Always love to hear some of the deals friends and relatives get that one day of the year.

Finally, in my inbox this morning was some good advice from Rick Warren on prayer.
I've heard some say it seems God does not hear their prayers. Rick's message today sheds some light on that thought. I will copy it here, so that you might read it and perhaps learn something that will help you in your prayer life.

“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” (1 John 3:21-23 NIV).

The Bible says God has laid out five conditions to answered prayer: you have an honest relationship with God, you harbor no unforgiveness toward anyone, you’re willing to share the results with other people, you ask God in faith, and you pray in Jesus’ name.

Have you been overlooking any of these conditions?

Maybe you’ve been holding a grudge. Maybe you’ve been nursing resentment and you’ve allowed bitterness to build up in your life.

Maybe you’ve been refusing to admit some wrong in your life. You’ve known it was there, but you haven’t wanted to go to God and say, “You’re right, God; that’s wrong. I admit it.”

Maybe you’ve prayed, but you’ve never really expected God to answer. If you don’t expect God to answer, you’re just wasting your time. Or maybe you haven’t been abiding in God’s Word and growing in faith.

Maybe you haven’t been willing to share God’s blessings with other people. You’ve been hesitant to give back to God a percentage of all the things he’s blessed you with.

How about praying in Jesus’ name?

You can’t pray in Jesus’ name unless you know him as your Lord and Savior. The most important question is, “Do you have an honest relationship with God?” I’m not talking about church membership or being religious. I’m talking about a relationship, where you know God personally. You can start a relationship with him today.

Then, you can pray: “God, I have not been meeting one or more of these conditions, and now I understand why I see so few results in my prayer life. Today I want to recommit my life to forgiveness and generosity, to a willingness to share and give back to you what you’ve given to me. I want to believe in faith. Lord, thank you for the Bible — how it helps me and is so practical and relevant to my life. When I meet the conditions that you’ve laid out for me, I can see tremendous results in my life. Thank you that prayer is no big mystery but simply a conversation with you. Thank you for the privilege of prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

JuJu and the Chicken

Fort Collins is a great place to learn about farms. The kids in that area do not have to grow up ignorant of what happens on farms and why we need them.  They can make friends with the animals while feeding them. Often they can brush them. At other times they ride a horse, or pig, or farm tractor. All this, while enjoying the fresh air and getting a little dirty. They also are able to plant produce and watch them grow.  The farms provide wonderful experiences for the kids and they are able to make new friends through these wholesome activities.

Here, Caleb is introducing his little sister, JuJu to a hen. He has always been good with the chickens. He gave me the first one I had ever held a few years ago. I will never forget how very soft it was. I was very pleasantly surprised. I think Julia liked it as well.

Sweet Ava

Sweet school picture of Ava with a pretty little dress and a back pack.

I'm having computer connection problems tonight, so this is it, just this, but isn't she a cutie?

Twin's Day

Late last month the triplet's school had a Twin's Day. They decided to dress alike. They chose that all would dress as Aussie. The plan got complicated a bit, but it proved quite entertaining. The journaling on this scrapbook page explains....

Study Your Children

Oliver is back in the saddle again. Sassy is the name of 'his' horse.

No one is the same as anyone else, unless of course most identical twins...and they are still individuals. I say this because, God has given all of us special talents. This is all for good reason. None of us can be entirely self sufficient. We need others.

It is wonderful when parents and teachers pay attention to their children and  students in order to encourage them in whatever their talents might be.

Max Lucado sent out a very good letter today on this subject.  I am posting it here.

Study Your Children

Crankcase oil coursed my dad's veins. He repaired engines for a living. Dad loved machines. God gave my dad a mechanical moron, a son who couldn't differentiate between a differential and a brake disc.  Dad tried to teach me. I tried to learn. Honestly, I did. Machines anesthetized me. But books fascinated me.

What does a mechanic do with a son who loves books? He gives him a library card. Buys him a few volumes for Christmas. Places a lamp by his bed so he can read at night. Pays tuition so his son can study college literature in high school. My dad did that.

You know what he didn't do? Never once did he say, "Why can't you be a mechanic like your dad and granddad?" Study your children while you can. The greatest gift you can give your child is not your riches, but revealing to them their own!

Step Up to the Plate

There is no stopping this girl. She will not be intimidated. The sky is the limit.  Here she is climbing to the top alone. Nothing will stop her. This is not an easy fete. Go girl!

If we all had the determination of Julia. We wouldn't set back and watch evil  take over so much of our freedom.

I Perter 2:15-16

" For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves."

Lauren Lifts

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lauren lifting. It shows her very pretty face. She is very strong and beautiful as well.

Still on my busy train and tomorrow is no exception. It is tougher to handle as I age.  Of course, if I were not pretty busy I would be bored to death; so  I guess this is the way it needs to be. Yet I just can't fight drowsiness to night and must get some sleep.

Shippo of Anime Fame

Ashley is a fan of anime. She would like to make it a career. Time will tell, but in the meantime, she really enjoys going with her dad to anime conventions within driving range of their home. This summer they attended one in Indiana and in September, they went to Anime weekend in Atlanta.

It is an interesting hobby. It's followers dress the part of characters and their imaginations are very good. Some go all out and the results are quite entertaining. 

Ashley dressed as two different characters in Atlanta.  One was Shippo, as in the picture above. The other was Killua.

Yesterday we jumped into  winter weather.  I had to dig out some gloves and a heavy coat. Winter has begun, no matter what the calendar says.

I remember in 1970  on this day, it was snowing. I was on my way to the hospital to give birth to Ashley's mother, Chelle. Happy birthday, Chelle. And because Chelle was born on Veterans' Day, here is a wish for  all the veterans who have given a big part of their lives to give us freedom. God bless every one of them.

Princess Pedicure

I like all the fall colors I've been posting and could go on and on with them, but I just had to throw this on this blog.

Everyone likes a good pedicure, at least I know I do. It is a wonderfully relaxing time and the results are quite pretty. I can hardly imagine a little one being this fortunate. Ava and her mother are enjoying this special blessing together.

Well that is all for tonight. I had trouble with our internet last night and just got it fixed...at least if this is actually published it is fixed. It is the layout I tried to put here last night.

I has not been a good day because of that computer trouble piled on top of an already overloaded week, seeing no pause for at least the next four days. I'm nearly braindead and on the way to bed for a much needed rest. 

God bless you all. Don't forget our veterans. 

Identical, What?

Two of the triplets faced off in the kitchen. This was the exchange: Mason: Wow! You are tiny!
Ashley: But...but...you have shoes on!

She is right! He does!

This  BIG difference reminds me of when they were babies in their triple stroller. People, knowing one was a girl would ask if they were identical. And no, they didn't look alike. But yet, people would ask that. I guess they were just so surprised to see three that they didn't know what to say. IDENTICAL?..No, not really. An that holds true today, in case you wonder.

Oh So Cute

Oliver is nearly 4, but I can't resist calling him a Cutey Pie here. He certainly puts a little extra pizazz in his poses these days. 

Oliver is not the big brother, or the baby, but he is just right where he is on the sibling 'ladder'.  So wish I could see this boy, his brother and his sister.  It's been too long.

I need to cut this short and head to bed. It's been a very long, hard working day.

Colorful Fall

We were in our car much of the day and we saw the most beautiful color combinations of leaves on plentiful trees most of the day.  They were breathtakingly beautiful. I tried to get pictures, but failed miserably to capture the grandeur. 

Last year was the most beautiful in some time and later than usual. This year the color was late as well. I had almost given up hope of a wonderfully colored autumn. But I just needed to be more patient.   

I just wish I had gotten pictures so that you too could see.  

I'm in a great fall mood, so  I'm posting another great autumn season layout.

This  photo is of our grandsons Caleb and Oliver with Caleb's friend, Brady, who gives me a complex because he is nearly as tall as me and he is only 7, or possibly 8.  The girl, McKelvie is Brady's little sister and Oliver's friend. 

All  of you who love this country need to get out to vote tomorrow. Don't let anything hold you back. Pray and vote.

Keep Healthy, Laugh

Anyone who knows the triplets know of their wit. They really should have their own comedy show on TV. Yes, I've said that before and I'll probably be saying it again.

Aussie and his dad were visiting a cemetery in the Nashville area. It is an interesting place. But here is Aussie thinking ahead a bit. He said to his dad, "I’m just saying this now because it can happen any 

time - if my casket doesn’t have WIFI, I’ll be pretty disappointed."

It is a good thing we can laugh at times, because things have gotten so frightening in this world with all the malcontents who want their own way all the time and care nothing about the wishes of others.

They could go off and pout somewhere and leave the rest of us alone, but Satan pushes them out on the streets. Today there was another shooting of many innocent people. It is very disheartening.

Thank you God  for giving us life and help us to use  it wisely for our own good and for the good of others. 

A Bible verse comes to mind.  "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no

authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 3:1

No Time for Playing Around

These pictures of the boys playing in the falling leaves in October are very timely here in Ohio, where the leaves are falling heavily now. It has been another late fall like last year so far.

Caleb was very serious about jumping in that pile of leaves. I'm not sure why, but he told his little brother, "Oliver, this is no time for playing around."

This reminds me that early this week is a time for being serious. We get to vote on local school issues and two statewide issues that are very important. I had been 'playing around', at least I had been going about my business here at home and not preparing to vote. However, today, I got serious and dug into the issues and candidates histories. Remember, it is not in what they say they will do, but what they have done in the past.

I urge you to study up and vote. These times are too serious to let the opportunity to 'speak your mind' at the ballot box. It is not just the president and congress that are important. All things work together, to bring  about the kind of world we all want for ourselves and  to avoid the pitfalls which throw a country into anarchy and then oblivion.

I'm praying for God  to protect us though the process of bringing morality and safety back to our nation.

Pick a Pumpkin

You can see that Julia takes pumpkin picking seriously.  I think she has done a very good job. It is just the right size and well shaped. What a nice pumpkin, Julia! And this is her very first try.

To see her dad's big smile now, it is hard to think of him as a little fellow, but he was so serious when he was young that our neighbors called him the judge. I'd say, Julia does take after her daddy. So, I suppose in the future her smile will be big, but right now, she is concentrating and learning a lot.

I am so happy that she gets the chance to learn first hand instead of sitting in front of a TV or computer all day long.

We ought to be thankful at all times, but this month is particularly one dedicated to giving thanks. 

In spite of all the things we have to deal with in these crazy times, there is sooo much for which to be thankful. Lets start now identifying day to day that for which we are thankful. By the day on which we officially celebrate, each one should have a very long list. To God be the glory!