Tuesday, June 30, 2009

I'm Not Getting Out Enough


The allergy season has left me beaten but not broken this year. Like having to wear glasses after 40-odd years of great vision, allergies are tough to figure out. Just taking a walk can set me back days. Can I trade this old body in for a new one?

Speaking of taking a walk, I know I should get out of the house more. Other than swimming right behind my house, I don't get outside much these days. When I do, I rush back as fast as I can. If you have ever snorkeled, you know it is bunches of fun. So pretty and exciting. But no matter how good your equipment is, or how beautiful the ocean life, you can only stay under for so long. You are holding your breath. That's what it feels like to me. Holding my breath till I get back.

I don't want to give the impression that I don't like going places. I do. The farther away the better. Europe, the South, Hawaii, Disneyland. All are wonderful and I love to plan a trip. I look forward to going away and doing fun things.

But day to day? I go to the store, and rush back. Go to the library and come right home. Actually I go days without leaving at all. My world is small and safe. It feels right to be that way, but it probably isn't normal at all.

Isn't recognizing a problem the first step? So I am writing this down and putting a place holder here. I don't know what the next step is. Praying for inspiration.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Adventures


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Beloved and I have done a bit of traveling, so I’m not complaining that I never go anywhere. We have had adventures and hope to have many more, we talk and dream of things we’d love to do. But in the last couple of years, it has mostly dreaming. Then next adventure we’d have… someday. Always in the future, always around the corner. Next month. Next season. Next year. We don’t really make plans due to financial strain or job obligations.

But on last week we had an adventure. Sure we spent more that we should have and could feel depressed about it. But the memory of our smiles will warm my heart for many moons to come. Happy birthday to me.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Oops, I was havingtoo much fun

I was having too much fun on Friday to post my number 1 favorite thing out Disneyland. As it is never too late to love this happy place...
#1 favorite thing? the magic!

We had so much fun at Disneyland on my birthday. At least 1000 other folks, big and small celebrated their birthday at Disneyland that day also. I'll post photos tomorrow. but for now, I am happy and tired and not sad at turning 50 at all. If this friday was any indication of the coming year, it's going to be a great one!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

1 day away

I am excited! Tomorrow Beloved and I play in the magic kingdom. Today I list the thing about Disneyland that is my second all time favorite:
2. the rides! yeah!


Perfect for a hot day.Fun/scary drop and you get wet!

The Haunted Mansion has been a must ride for me for years. The room that drops and the terrific special effects make me smile every time.


Who doesn't think of Johnny Depp these days when you ride the Pirates of the Caribbean? It's an oldie but a goodie.

Indiana Jones ride is my all time favorite ride at the park. You know, I love them all, but some I will stand in line for a long time for. This is the best of the best to me. Maybe I will just ride it over and over. hmmmm.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Coming closer, closer to my birthday

Countdown to my 50th birthday
Things I love about Disneyland....
3. Shopping

classic disney stuff, like shirts,

kid smile makers, like balloons,

and Mickey ear hats,

an endless supply of pins to collect -yes, I do!

Christmas ornaments to satisfy every member of a Disney lovin' family,


lovely gifts like this carraige made of spun glass,

And art like this wonderful framed Jiminy Cricket; one of my sweethearts favorite Disney characters.
The days are flying by and we are getting closer to our fun day at the Happiest Place on Earth. Beloved and I drove to San Diego today so he can go to customer appointments tomorrow. Think I'll read for awhile before sleep. My big plans for tomorrow? Pedicure. Tough life.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

countdown to 50th birthday

Things I love about Disneyland...
4. Grand Californian Hotel and Spa



It is a beautiful and well maintained property and soooo close to the parks and Downtown Disney. There is a wonderful fireplace, big enough to enjoy and not feel crowded.



The rooms are not huge, but very charming and comfortable. There are quiet courtyard rooms and rooms with a view of the park.

We love the concierge floor. Separate check-in, very personalized service and a lounge with hot and cold running food all day. Cartoons in the background, cast members playing board games with kids while parents take a breath. And best of all, great view of the evening fireworks without the crowds.



And the spa... completely necessary for any vacation! In the interests of modesty, you only get to see the sign.


Monday, April 20, 2009





Here is where I start my countdown to the big 5-0. Lucky for me, I get to spend it in Disneyland with Beloved, my favorite Belle in the world and her sweetheart, Patric-with-a-"c".
My birthday is Friday, so this week I will be thinking about what I love about The Happiest Place On Earth.
5. The beautiful landscaping. Flowers everywhere!

Friday, April 17, 2009

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly. ~Gene Perret

I love her so much, but I'm pretty tired these days....



Saturday, April 11, 2009

Gratitude for spiritual gifts on Easter Sunday


Without Easter
Without Easter,
there would be no hope of heaven.
Without the hope of heaven,
there would be no repentance,
no personal transformation,
no attempt to follow biblical principles.
Without Easter,
the world would be in chaos
and darkness.
Jesus’ death and resurrection
means we can be reborn,
to live better, to do better,
to shine light into the shadows.
Hallelujah!
Happy, Happy Easter.








"I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in me will live even though he dies;

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.



Thursday, April 9, 2009

More Lavender for Easter




Lavender has become the color for this year's Easter. One thing after another catches my eye, then it's too late. A little while ago I showed you the shoes I prettied up for Baby J's Easter dress. With that in mind I started seeing other cute stuff



Then I came across the one perfect thing. I had to have it.


I will be wearing this dapper little gentleman on Sunday. Pam at FolkArt Tree at Etsy.com is brilliant.
The house is clean, the garden has flowers, there is food in the house and gas in the car. my very loved B & A are coming to town for Easter and I am feeling pretty ready. And Happy. Thats a good thing. Hope your preparations for the weekend are bringing you good feelings. Happy Thursday from me on a happy day

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Beloved and Ty were both getting ready to leave for work and Baby J decided she was going to work also. She picked up a toy and was ready to go. Ty asked her where she worked and she proptly replied, " at the beach". She said her job is to wake up the sand.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

In The Garden




Yesterday, Baby J helped me plant impatiens in the back garden. Yes, they are white. I'm so predictable. We had to put up a little fence across half of the area so Missy couldn't eat the flowers. After amending the soil, I would dig a hole and J would put the plant into hole. We both filled in the dirt after that. We were both happy and covered with dirt and had to hose off. Luckily it was a beautiful day. Playing in the water is a favorite part of life for J. She may be part fish.
It is raining today, so I'm glad we got the plants into the ground. Our little garden looks pretty for Easter weekend and we had fun.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Easter shoes




With Easter coming soon, we got a totally adorable dress for baby J from Tammy at
I wanted some cute lavender shoes to go with it, but couldn't find any. So I got some white sneakers from Babies-R-Us and glued some lavender sparklies on them. They turned out pretty cute!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

"What is femininity?


This conference Sunday I wanted to leave you with this excerpt from a blog I frequent:

"What is femininity? Does it mean that one must have long hair and wear skirts? Does it (God forbid) imply pettiness, timidity, and uselessness? The answer is, No! True, godly femininity is first and foremost an attitude of the heart; femininity gives courage and strength and vision to the daughters of the Almighty. Femininity understands and embraces the fact that God has created man and woman equal, but with different roles and responsibilities. A feminine woman is one who does not seek to be a man or function in man's role, but to function in her God-given role (Titus 2:4-5). She is diligent (Proverbs 31, esp. vs 13 &17), she is a servant and a studious student of the Word of Life. She seeks to pass the lessons that God teaches her to other young women, as well as to her siblings or children. She is a woman of prayer, understanding that "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much" and in her labors she is a vital asset in the spiritual war that we are engaged in. She embraces purity, her desire is to avoid the heart of the wicked, but to rather exhibit the heart attitude of Godliness."

Beloved and I watched Sunday morning session of April conference while teaching: showing, discussing, directing and rewarding reverent behavior. Reverence takes a lifetime but in small steps we are seeing her sit still longer. She recognizes the Tab choir when they sing and today was curious about why someone was praying on t.v.
Hey at least she was paying that much attention!
It's a beautiful day to have a sabbath day.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Have you ever...


Have you?:

1. started your own blog x

2. slept under the stars x

3. played in a band

4. visited Hawaii x

5. watched a meteor shower

6. given more than you can afford to charity x

7. been to disneyland/world xx

8. climbed a mountain x

9. held a praying mantis

10. sang a solo x

11. bungee jumped

12. visited paris x

13. watched a lightning storm at sea x

14. taught yourself an art from scratch

15. adopted a child

16. had food poisoning x

17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. grown your own vegetables x

19. seen the mona lisa in france x

20. slept on an overnight train

21. had a pillow fight x

22. hitch hiked

23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill x

24. built a snow fort

25. held a lamb x

26. gone skinny dipping x

27. run a marathon

28. ridden in a gondola in venice x

29. seen a total eclipse x

30. watched a sunrise or sunset x

31. hit a home run (ha ha...only playing kickball.....with KIDS)

32. been on a cruise x

33. seen niagara falls in person x

34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. seen an amish community

36. taught yourself a new language

37. had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person

39. gone rock climbing

40. seen michelangelo’s davidx

41. sung karaoke x

42. seen old faithful geyser erupt

43. bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. visited africa

45. walked on a beach by moonlight x

46. been transported in an ambulance x

47. had your portrait painted

48. gone deep sea fishing

49. seen the sistine chapel in person x

50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris x

51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling x

52. kissed in the rain x

53. played in the mud x

54. gone to a drive-in theater x

55. been in a movie

56. visited the great wall of china

57. started a business

58. taken a martial arts class

59. visited russia

60. served at a soup kitchen

61. sold girl scout cookies x

62. gone whale watching x

63. gotten flowers for no reason x

64. donated blood, platelets or plasma x

65. gone sky diving

66. visited a nazi concentration camp x

67. bounced a check x

68. flown in a helicopter x

69. saved a favorite childhood toy

70. visited the lincoln memorial x

71. eaten caviar x gross

72. pieced a quilt

73. stood in times square x

74. toured the everglades

75. been fired from a job x

76. seen the changing of the guards in london

77. broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. seen the grand canyon in person

80. published a book

81. visited the Vatican x

82. bought a brand new car x

83. walked in Jerusalem x

84. had your picture in the newspaper x

85. read the entire Bible x

86. visited the white house x

87. killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. had chickenpox x

89. saved someone’s life

90. sat on a jury

91. met someone famous x

92. joined a book club

93. lost a loved one x

94. had a baby x

95. seen the alamo in person x

96. swam in the great salt lake

97. owned a cell phone x

98. been stung by a bee x

99. wrote a poem for someone else x

100. given a toast at a wedding

Friday, April 3, 2009

today we have a questionaire




1. What is your favorite Summer Drink(s)?
ice water

2.
2. What is your favorite Summer Activity?
going to the ocean; playing in the pool with baby J and Beloved

3. If you could spend a lazy afternoon reading, what would be in your hands?
Victoria magazine and a cozy mystery, make cookies

4. What is your favorite type of craft/art medium?
it changes all the time. I like the silly things you think up and just do without a lot of planning

5. What is one art/craft supply you absolutely have been dying to have or try?
silk painting

6. What are your favorite colors in our 'rainbow sherbet' theme? Pink, lime green, yellow, orange, aqua (or blue)
pink and lime green

7. What is your favorite sweet treat?
rice krispie treats
are the best

8. Are there any craft or art supplies you would NOT be interested in?
knitting and crocheting...I admire those who can do it, I thought about giving it a try just to teach myself, but I really am not interested

9. What is your favorite song today?

Taylor Swift’s Just another Picture to Burn. Made me laugh out loud

10. How do you 'pamper' yourself during the hot summer days?
pedicures and ice cream

11. Do you have any kidlets or pets?
I have a zillion kidlets and grandkidlets...a box turtle who lets us live with him and 1 tortoise named Missy

12. What is your best potluck dish for summer get togethers?
chips and dip!

13. If you could take a summer vacation anywhere, where would it be?
a
cottage near Bath, a swanky resort in Hawaii, country house in Southern Germany

14. Describe your decorating style. Does that say anything about your personality?
I really like English country look

15. What are your initials?
RMG

16. You have 25 dollars to spend just on you for a little treat. What do you buy?
I will splurge for pedi.

17. Do you live in a pretty place?
yes. Not much weather, lots of blooms and close to ocean

18. What's one craft supply or art supply you absolutely can not live without?
hot glue gun...that thing works for EVERYTHING

19. Who's the last person you hugged?
my beloved

Thursday, April 2, 2009

all my ducks in a row









I went out to the car to go to Ash's and get baby . I was happy to find that all my ducks were in a row.
These ducks usually spend spring by the pool, but there is no water for them due to some long needed maintenance.
When we got back home we had bubble time before nap. Big fun was had!