The Day's pass way too fast...

Here it is almost Friday and I wrote the last time on Monday. Where oh where does time go? The older I get, I swear the faster it goes.

We are having long time friends to dinner on Friday. June and I became friends way back in 1st grade, 1st day. Oh my, so many years ago. We remained friends through school, when our kids were young we lived next door to each other and for the past years they've lived near Portland.

My other long term friend grew up with me. I was about 4 when I met her, she lived down the road from us and our parents became good friends. She's like a sister and a dear friend. She lives in Arizona.

My other friend I'm going to mention I found as a pen pal in a Girl Scout magazine. She lives in England and I started writing her when I was 11... going on 59 years ago. We talk on the phone now and then, send Christmas cards and oh I wish she had a computer but they don't.

I love long term friends. Well, I love short term friends too and all those in the middle. I feel I have been blessed with so many great friendships that have enriched my life and time here on earth. I pray I keep finding new friends as I walk this path (perhaps a little slower) in my sunset years. For those who read this, "Thank you for being my friend"

Sunshine

What a wonderful last few days.... sunshine and blue sky. Not a cloud in sight ( all though the rain is said to be returning soon) and at night the dark sky is lit up with the stars and moon. So crispy is the air and the remaining leaves crunch as you walk over them.

As tired as I get of the gloomy days, I'm so thankful to live in an area of our country that is green and full of color from Spring through Fall. I'll take the winter to have the spring, summer and fall. A tapestry of colors whichever the season, so awesome for the eyes to see.

How blessed we are.....

Hiding out

I think I have been "hiding out" from my blog. Been really tired and can't think of a thing to write about. I got "nudged" today by my sister to get busy so tomorrow morning I plan on writing.

What's this???

What's this? More snow, all white again, sand truck on the hill. Hope the whole winter isn't this way. The east coast is used to it, the mountains are used to it, but we aren't. Snow snow... go away.

Dog Kids

"Sparky"

Sparky is our "Dog Son". We always had doxies but when the last one died, we said, "no more, it hurts too bad". Then our daughter got a little white Maltese. I loved him (this was about 3 months later) Hubby said "I thought we said, no more dogs?" I said "yes, but...." He said "NO".

Our kids decided to get his half brother for me. I said "Yes"..... hubby shook his head.

Well the evening we drove to the airport in Portland to pick him up from a trip from Tennessee, we BOTH fell in love with him. He will be 3 years old in January. My hubby thinks he is the smartest, neatest dog we have ever had.

I think he is a spoiled baby (guess who did it?)... yep, both of us. He isn't a lap dog, he's a chest dog. Loves to lay across the bosom and snuggle his head under my chin on my shoulder. He's a great big 8 pounds. His hair is silky and has to be cut like ours does every 6 weeks. I'm keeping him in a shorter look but since he missed his appt during the snow he is really getting longer. We have an appt next week for him.

Happy Birthday, Sparky.... we love you! Of course our 3 human kids we love a lot more..... (have to say that so we don't get in trouble.

2008 Christmas Day has come and gone but

Christmas Day 2008 has come and gone but hopefully the Christmas spirit will stick around.

Christmas in Longview, WA this year has been so very different. Nothing like it since 1968 or before. Snow, snow and more snow. Cold, cold and more cold. As I sit and type this, we still have at least 8-10 inches on our roof, huge piles of snow from our Grandson's digging out of our driveway. From the snowplow coming down the hill it left a ridge of snow along the street at the driveway.

Nope we haven't left since it started. We found out that even after 50 years we can still be snowed in and not be at each others throats. Now if it went on any longer....who knows... laughing.

I'm one of those old fashioned girls that have too much in the freezer, too much in the canned goods cupboard and 3 drawers of staples. So we had plenty to eat but not enough to do, so every time I walk past the scales I threaten it with not telling where the food went.

The fascinating part of this is watching nature (birds, deer, squirrels and raccoons) has been a lot of fun. We had lots of sunflower seeds, bird seed, apples, etc that has kept them happy.

Now it's all over and SLOWLY melting. I'm praying that we will be able to get out tomorrow and see the world once again. Pete is one that would go to dinner out every night, I prefer to cook. Guess who wants to leave and go out to dinner... yep, me.

I hope everyone I know had a wonderful Christmas. It's the first one that we haven't been able to be together with our kids (3) and their families. That was hard for us old folks who value and love their kids so much.

Our daughter surprised us in the afternoon, (came from Ridgefield where they have more snow) and brought dinner... spiral ham, our favorite Christmas potatoes (hashbrown casserole) rolls, etc. They left not too long after dinner but it was a grand surprise. We will be celebrating soon with all of the families together. That will be the treasure we will keep.

Well, it's almost Happy New Year 2009 time....the years pass by so quickly.

Snow and Birds

What fun it's been watching all of the birds feed during this snow storm. We've had wrens, junco's, downy woodpecker, flickers, hummingbirds and lots more. The hummingbird feeders froze up a couple days ago so we had to thaw them and get them back out so they would have more energy. It amazes me that they stick around all winter.

I just talked to a granddaughter via the cam. They live in Norfolk VA. She loved looking at the snow outside via the cam. It's so much fun to chat with the little ones ( 1 1/2 and 3 1/2). Nothing is neater than when they squeal out "Nanaaaa"

We are not leaving the hill and to think this will go on to or through Christmas....

No Snow but.....

Baby it's cold outside. Down to 16.7 degree's last night. The leaves go scrunch, scrunch as you walk over them in the yard. Even wonder if the plants I covered will make it through the freezing weather.

Tomorrow snow is in the advisory, again on the weekend. It might be cold for some time. Takes me back to my younger years when hard winters were more often.

Glad my Christmas shopping was done early and by the time the cold spell started they were wrapped, bagged and around the tree. Going to finish picking up what I need for Christmas brunch at our son's (if we can get there) today so I'm 100% done.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.....

Lights went out for an hour...

The storm caused something to happen and we lost power for about an hour tonight. Probably a big limb falling onto the power lines.

Thank goodness for flashlights (that work) and oil lamps that are rarely used and lots of candles to make more light and we were set. Set to do what? Nothing. And then I realized my friend, my laptop, would work for on battery but no internet. Even found enough candles to take across the street to neighbors who had none.

We found out one oil lamp isn't working and the other one the wick is so old it didn't to burn. We will work on them tomorrow to make sure both are working well. We may have to use all of them again this weekend since we are in the midst of a possible 5 day storm.

Light is a blessing, when it's dark it's really dark.

Raccoon

We've had a couple of raccoons visiting our front yard the past few nights when they found Nature Boy (hubby) would feed them some dry bread. I went out and got this picutre but all you mostly can see is the glow of his eyes. He has the biggest raccoon tail I've ever seen and I was able to get about 6 feet away from him. Since it's very dark out it didn't show up real well.

Crisp Cold Days

Oh how I love them. There is nothing like blue sky, crisp air and crunchy leaves. When I take a walk it's so invigorating.

The crescent moon at night and stars out are awesome. What an awesome world and universe God created. I'm so grateful to be alive and part of the whole scheme of things.

Christmas Giving

I just wrapped 3 gifts for Santa to give to 3 someone's at Somerset Retirement along with one for my Mom. They have a wonderful Christmas party each year for residents. It doesn't take much to make someone happy who does not have family at the holidays. Giving is fun at Christmas time. Our church always finds a Christmas Family to help out each year... to help make their Christmas brighter. We also give to Salvation Army for needy kids. Always feel a little better after dropping money into the kettles seen at stores at Christmas. All coins/paper add up to bigger amounts. Then there are the food drives.

I can't give to them all so I've picked which ones I'll donate to. I can't imagine Christmas without a good dinner. I know there is so much more that I could do to put joy into someone else's Christmas...I'm thinking.

A smile, a "Merry Christmas", a hug all are free gifts to give. They are unlimited ...I'll make it a point to show my Christmas spirit to all I come into contact with this season.

Christmas Shopping Done

Yep, all done, plus 2 of the 5 December birthdays. Who was the hardest to buy for? Hubby, of course. No list ( well, 2 little things) but sneaky me figured out more. I sack, don't wrap. Don't send Christmas cards anymore... e-mail must do except for a very few.

Nope, not baking this year, quit that last year... less stress, less work and much healthier for all.

Now this all sounds a little negative but it isn't at all. I love Christmas... the decorations (much less each year), the lights (have a few outside) the smells (spray can on fake tree giggle).

I love the times with family and friends. Love the special lunches and dinners out. Love the Advent season at Church and the Christmas Carol's. Love rehearing the Saviors birth. Love the lights on the lake, the ones on residential streets. Such fun to see them at night along with all the other decorations so many have these days.

No little ones anymore...youngest grandchild is Cody who is 13 now. Our little ones are our oldest granddaughter's and they are in Norfolk VA - Navy. He is soon on his way home to Norfolk after a six month "out to sea" in the nuclear sub he works in. Then in March they will head for 3 years of duty in Hawaii. Those poor kids.

We also won't see our next oldest granddaughter and her other half. They live in Southern California and she will be working hard as she prepares for department manager in her store.

The other six grandchildren will be around, thank goodness. But we know they will spread their wings, too, and off they will go.

I'm really lucky as all 3 kids are close to home.... isn't happening that way with the grand kids. But we are so proud of them as they go their separate ways.

My sister lives in Utah, my brother in Cathlamet, my hubby's 2 brothers live here but another one in southern California.

And another gift of another year with Mom. She is 97 1/2, oh how blessed we all are. She is a jewel and the whole family is darned proud of her.

How lucky we are to have family. What a gift God gave us in family.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, off I go to play computer games. No list running through my head tonight.

Sunshine and Kindness

I've noticed that some day's I just cannot think of what to write about. I have decided to use quotes/thoughts to get my thinking going. I send out a Thought each day to hundreds of people and know from responses how they make us think and ponder over them.

The thought for today's blog is....

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. ~James Matthew Barrie

I stop and think about the times I've felt more like rain than sun. In my case it is probably more due to my pain than my temperament. When I've gotten out into where there are people and I start receiving smiles and hugs, I suddenly find myself forgetting self and pain and instead feeling sunshine. Isn't it amazing what influence we have on others when we show happiness and love. It seems to bounce right back to us in such a good way.

The other day a handicapped person in a store scooter was buying groceries in a "sack your own" market. The clerk wasn't thinking and jugs of milk were where he could not reach them. I automatically told my husband to check out ours as I was going to help him. It was a little thing, but that man must have said "Thank you" 5 times while I was doing his small sack of groceries and the jugs. We went on and checked out and I forgot about it... until....

A few days later I went to Freddie's to get some groceries. I wasn't feeling real good and ended up walking the whole store looking for gifts for Christmas. By the time I was checking out I was really hurting. I was standing behind a lady waiting for her to self check herself out. I had more than 15 items and didn't feel I should go through the less than 15 items checkouts so I was waiting for an opening.

A clerk came and said to me "Let me help you over here" and took me over to the "less than 15 " and proceeded to run through and bag all of my groceries for me. I've never had that happen before but I was so thankful and kept telling her "Thank you".

I got home and was telling my husband about it and suddenly a light went on.... I told him that I guess I was rewarded for helping the fellow a few days earlier. Awesome how that happens, isn't it?

Kindness goes a long long ways....

Twas the day before Thanksgiving....

.....and I'm sitting here doing nothing. Our daughter has invited us to her house on Thanksgiving Day and insists I bring nothing. It feels funny not to be cooking but, again, it feels good. For many years I cooked and then our kids got married and the sharing began. I'm glad we can share gracefully and allow kids to do what is comfortable for their families. We spend Christmas morning at our oldest son's home. All 3 kids are their with their families (this used to be around 18 of us) and now fewer as the grand kids have sprouted their wings elsewhere in the USA. We have Sunday dinners off and on with youngest son's family and our daughter-in-laws family. My Mom has gotten where she just doesn't want to leave her home (apartment in a retirement center) and we miss her at most of the family functions.

Memories of my Thanksgiving's so many years ago at home with my parents and siblings have faded a little but it was always a joyous time with huge meals, (Mom always cooked enough for extra's).

I'm so thankful for family and friends. Wishing all who read this a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the yummy foods you look forward to devouring and plenty of leftovers to munch on later.

Sunday Evening

The weekend has gone fast. We went out to eat last night and had a yummy dinner with friends. My husband is one that if I would agree we would go to dinner every night but I like to cook and like good homecooked food so we go every 3 or 4 days instead. It's a change of scenery and good company and always fun.

Today would have been my Dad's 97th birthday if he was still living. He's been gone for some time now but I still miss him. I know we all have those who have passed on and our memories are loving and deep. I'm so thankful for the memories. My Dad wasn't perfect, (are any of us?) but he loved us dearly. He and my Mom had many years together and traveled throughout the country in their 5th wheel. They had many camper friends, many of those gone now.

Memories are great... we take them with us to our end of time. What a gift!

Is it Friday already?

Just sitting here with my coffee, thinking and remembering. OOOPS, that can be frightening, (laughing).

Friday... how does it roll around so quickly? It seems it comes faster than it did when we had kids at home, faster than the years of working and now retirement the weeks fly by. Makes me realize that in the seasons of life, time flies. I appreciate so many things more as I get older.

Things like:

The time I get to spend each day with hubby and how our lives have become one over the years.

The time we get to spend with our kids and their families. They are all so busy that we don't see them often but treasure the moments we do see them. The times we get to see our grandchildren as they have spread their own wings going every which way. How proud we are of our family, they are so very dear to us.

The fact that I still get to hug my mom and get hugs back. I'm able to share with her and she shares with me. You see, my Mom is 97 and "still with it". I'm so proud of her and how she has spent her "winter" years. She reads, plays games on the computer (is a scrabble whiz), and has a smile that reaches anyone she comes into contact with. How blessed I am.

The friends we have, a life time of friends. I can't even begin to count on both hands the number of friends we've had since we were kids and they are still in our lives. Oh we are so lucky to have so many. My first friend, Janet, is still a close friend. We were so little when our parents started visiting and getting to know each other. Her family is still like part of my family as we did so many things together as families and as kids. My friend, June, who I met in first grade on the first day is still a close friend. How many things we've shared, good and bad. How we have always been there for each other. We still get together with them often. And the list goes on and on and on.

I'm still making new friends... in person, at church, via e-mails and more. Friends are truly some of the richest gems through life.

I could go on and on this morning but my coffeepot is empty and so is my cup. I need to "get into gear" and start my day.

The Hawk's Eye

Another picture that my sister took close to our home (telephoto lens) of a hawk. I was amazed how close of a look she got.

It's cloudy and rainy today, very gray day. I'm not much of a gray day person but have learned to make my own sunshine. That sunshine might be a phone call, a friend stopping by, chatting with an e-friend or just visiting with my husband. There is always so much sunshine around when you look for it, each ray is a blessing for that moment. How blessed I am to see and recognize those rays of sunshine.

Our Downy Woodpecker

A few days ago, I shared with you that we had a Downy Woodpecker eating the suet. He came back again yesterday. My camera isn't as good as my sisters was with the other pictures but at least I got one of him. It could be the same guy who was drumming on a wooden house that is hooked to our blue spruce tree this spring. He was around in the early hours (5:30-6:30 a.m.) drumming away and then sometimes in the evening. It went on for probably a month or more. Don't know if he ever found the love of his life or not.

The squirrels were eating at the back feeder today getting the seed up off the ground where a bunch fell as my hubby was filling the feeder. Sparky, our little "dog-son" was very happy as he had his friends to play with. It's really funny to watch as they tease each other. The little 8 pound guy can't figure out why he can't scurry up the trees like the squirrels do.

Love those Squirrels

This is one of our front yard squirrels. We live about 5 miles from the lake where they originally stayed. Over the years they have migrated miles out into the more urban area.

One day a couple weeks ago we had 11 of them scurrying around in our front yard. They were having a good time "aerating" our lawn burying their sunflower seeds for dinner during the winter. It was "squirrelly" with squirrels chasing each other. They are so fun to watch. We feed them sunflower seeds each morning. You can watch them walking the telephone and power lines to their next course of food.

Nature is so fun to observe. Love being retired so there is time to just sit and watch all nature's glory. What a big plan God had when he created all these awesome things.