Grandchildren Delight

A few weeks ago, Phil and I watched the adorable grandchildren so their parents could escape to freedom for a few hours. It was fun. Amusing at times.


We shared a bit of our Subway lunch with the kids. Here Owen is enjoying cookie or chips from grandpa. They are watching the March of the Penguins movie we brought with us. Right now all my kids movies are on VHS not DVD, so I thought maybe they'd like this movie, which they did.
Melody and I worked on a Winnie the Pooh puzzle later while grandpa rocked Owen to sleep. Melody is my Canon pirate! Years ago I took a photo of my daughter as a Canon pirate. Shiver me timbers indeed! I think I need to dig out that photo of Megan and scan it and share it. Someday!

I'm working on ideas for this next visit with grandchildren. It's hard to come up with something we can do together with such an age span. I need to remember what I thought of the other day. Something musical. Creative. Instill Godly principles or word into their little hearts. Odyssey videos from Focus on the Family. Psalty. These were items from my children's growing up years. Maybe they are still around. I love being a grandma! A special time in our lives indeed!

Camera Strap and Coastal things

Last week we went to the coast. The past few months have been busy with the holidays, birthdays, new work schedule and a cold that sapped my energy. So we took off on a Friday and drove to the coast for the day. Stopped for lunch. Went on to Boiler bay and photographed in the rain. But that's another post. Just doing a few things here, featuring me in the sunset photo, at Depoe Bay, on my cell phone. Why? Cuz first of all I was getting a photo to send to my friend via phone. She's recovering from breast cancer surgery. Just to brighten her day.....and now to show off my camera strap made by my friend, April, over at Marine Parents blog. She has an Etsy shop. She's got some fun things and her work is great.


Notice the lens cap holder that's on the strap? Perfect fit! The fabric is camo ABU used in Air Force uniforms. Since I'm an Air Force veteran I requested that. It's also camo so I can't be seen so well while I'm out taking photos? Not exactly! :0-} But I like it, it's different and comfy for my Canon dslr, even when it gets wet. It dries out! I also like the little purse I purchased, with a zipper and red polka dot lining. I sent it as a gift to someone and she liked it. Of course. I like how April packaged her merchandise! So fun when I opened the envelope to see this!

After sunset photos, hubby and I went into a little shop and ordered ice cream. We tend to do that when we are out. Love the Tillamook ice cream. Favorite! Back across the street to the car and it was dark. Here's a fun, slow shutter speed, dark photo. Building to the left it the Whale Interpretive Center we visited. We watched the sky change from.....ooops that's the next post...!
The End....til next time have a great week!

Feather Find

A couple weeks ago I was out in our side lawn, cleaning up some branches. We'd had some wind lately and small branches from our birch tree lay scattered around. I was recouping from my cold and needed some fresh air. I opted not to go on a walk with hubby. Tired. So out I went wearing my heavy coat. While picking up branches I spotted a couple feathers. It appeared to be from a red shafted flicker (woodpecker family). Oh dear. Did he meet his demise by another bird, get scared or frightened or eaten by a neighborhood cat that frequents our lawn? No dead body that I could see. I did find another feather later.


I decided to go inside and get my camera and take a few photos. Well, then creativity struck and I found some moss and another branch that were stuck together. I put the feathers on it. The sun was going down and I noticed the front lawn had more light. Here are my two favorite shots of the feather creativity.


It never ceases to amaze me how my creative juices flow and come up with something out of the ordinary.....once in awhile! Enjoy!

Birthday Time

It's my birthday and these are my flowers from my husband. They are so pretty and fragrance is delightful, light and sweet!

Then there's cake. Finally! Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Oh.yum!

Both of these came home the eve before my birthday. Dinner was late because hubby was working a bit late and then stopped at Costco to gas up his car.
So he decided to get the flowers and cake. I made most of the dinner cuz I got home before he did. But that's ok. We could have eaten cake but we were full of dinner. And it wasn't my birthday yet. So it's in the fridge til we get home after eat at Denny's. Free grand slam for your birthday, just like we did for hubby's birthday.

Because it's Valentine's Day,
I want to wish all my blog reading friends
a Most
Happy
Valentine's Day!

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Amongst the Living!

I'm back! Thank you for all your kind words, encouragement and prayers for my well being. I have finally gained my energy back, no swollen or sore throat. I still cough some but am feeling alot better! I took Tues. off from work because there wasn't enough strength in the a.m. at home let alone thinking about all day at work. I'm glad I stayed home as I felt much better the rest of the week. Now if I can just get a good night's sleep, I will be even better. Something tells me to get to bed early tonight. Why? See these cute children?

Hubby and I are watching them for a few hours on Sat. so their mom and dad can go out for lunch and whatever without the adorable littles! I remember that well! Years ago! Love the children so much but there is a need to go away for a break. So here's a few photos I took last month when I watched them without hubby. He had a prior engagement with a friend to play a game that day. We did ok. Can you guess what we watched for awhile? I'd never seen it!

Grandma on the floor and the view from there! Melody and I played with her blocks and we built a house inside her plastic container. Then I knocked it over on purpose.....then sang The Foolish man built his house upon the sand..Wise man built his house upon the rock......remember that song that comes from the Bible? The kids both liked it. Then we built a zoo and with toilets and did you know robots lived at the zoo as well? Owen finally got tired enough he fell asleep on me and then mom and dad came then did he wake up? NO, which is a good thing.

Today I was reminded that spring is on its way. Even though it was raining, but that's nothing new to Oregon! I bought some unopened purple tulips at Trader Joe's to take to my mom in the nursing home. They were so pretty. I could have got some for me but next week is Valentine's day and my birthday and I will probably be getting some flowers. I can't wait til tulip season comes again. I love going out to the tulip field and take more photos and just love being out there. Period!


My mom was diagnosed this week with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Oh.my! Sounds frightening, I know. Wasn't sure what to expect when I got to the nursing home, although she's been ok. She was in bed, resting her legs, as directed..... and surprise! My brother, David, was there. Someone from the church he goes to, brought him up to see mom while the couple went on further north for a dr. appt. Then stop by and take him home after dinner. Mom is ok, cool to touch and a bit of sweat on her cool brow. She's on antibiotics and a diuretic for the swelling in her legs. Oxygen available if needed. Prayers for her, please. It's hard to see her sick and she can (and mostly likely will) pull out of this episode. The care givers and nurses are great where mom's living. At the good ol' age of 88 life has it's moments...good and bad. Right now, well, I don't know what to think. I can prepare for the worst case but am not going to dwell on it. It's all in God's timing.


By the way, have you seen the ads on my blog? Clicking on ads generates a bit of income for our household. (Like a tiny job.) But don't feel you are beholden to doing it, only if you wish to!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday Evening Thoughts

I didn't make any cake this
weekend.
I've been sick with a cold virus
so I just didn't do much of anything for
a few
days.
During the Super Bowl I went
shopping.
We needed new pillows and coupons were
expiring from
Bed, Bath and
Beyond.
So I found what we needed,
spending a bit more than I
thought.
But I bought some items for a
birthday gift as
well.
I am still craving
cake.
Hubby said he'd get me one
for my birthday
next week.
Can I wait that long?
No stamina
or time
to bake.
Oh dear.

Will see how much blogging
gets done this
week.
Be patient.
New photos to
share.
Energy is coming
back to me,
slowly but
surely.
Prayers
appreciated.
Now I'm going to drink some
hot tea.
Then it's off to try out
the new pillow!

Random Thoughts Tonight

Today, the sun shone alot more than usual.
I worked inside
but I got to see beauty behind my sunglasses
on my way to the
bank.
I worked today inside,
with a throat that sometimes
made me choke when talking
to customers at
the register.
But I made it through the work day
with my voice intact
with a little scratchy throat near
day's end.
Hubby had warm homemade turkey hoagie
sandwiches ready to eat when I got home.
Delicious!
It's dark outside but the moon and stars
are shining which makes outside
colder.
No
clouds.


I am wanting a dessert that's more
than a cookie, or
ice cream.
No cake or pie in
the house.
I shouldn't be eating any
one of
those.
But sometimes I just feel the need
to eat
cake.
Must I wait til my
birthday?
In a week and a
half.
If I get
one.
Maybe I'll make a red
velvet cake.
But not tonight becuz
there's laundry to fold,
kitchen to clean,
Bible reading,
a Restaurant Disaster show
to watch.
Maybe this weekend...oh wait,
I have to make
cookies,
but there's always Sunday afternoon,
Super Bowl
or not.

Good
night!