tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72185390259205860452024-03-05T00:19:28.144-08:00Man Have A BlogBe not simply good, but be good for something ~ Dora Van Laar FredriksDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-59438497297547427922011-06-21T06:34:00.000-07:002011-06-21T08:31:36.722-07:00One Mississippi, Two Mississippi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWbf0JoNsrKkUyRGuAPJIbPd5DBZR0W-QvArzIdXpUZw2QlfOLIHH4YS4lAOJJrhqe6wO2l34A42UCon6S9540bI3gzigSBl5ZWsv-_tbBL2aeS7PdOqFRU-v0ZThUo4VwF6TnADNeZU/s1600/camera+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620693233075031170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWbf0JoNsrKkUyRGuAPJIbPd5DBZR0W-QvArzIdXpUZw2QlfOLIHH4YS4lAOJJrhqe6wO2l34A42UCon6S9540bI3gzigSBl5ZWsv-_tbBL2aeS7PdOqFRU-v0ZThUo4VwF6TnADNeZU/s320/camera+010.JPG" /></a>
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Not until I actually LOOKED at my own blog, did I realize I still had not posted about our trip to Mississippi. I know, bad blogger :/.....sigh. Somehow, I just cannot keep up!!
In April, after our quick trip to Battle Mountain, we headed to Mississippi to pick up a new truck for VMP from...where else? Mississippi Tank! I was really looking forward to this, as I'd never been to MS before! Les and I flew to Jackson, MS via Houston, TX. This last leg of the flight was very smooth, even though storms were predicted for the area. After landing in Jackson and getting our rental car, we drove to Hattiesburg...a bit more than an hour away to the south. It was daylight yet and we were struck by how GREEN everything was....well, that and how many dead armadillos were beside the hwy.! Every one of them on their backs...four legs pointing straight up....guess the little fellas are top heavy ;)
That night as we lay in our hotel room, we could barely hear the thunder and lightening going on outside. Not much time to watch TV, and never mind the weather channel; we got up the next morning and expected to head over to MS Tank. Several phone calls later, it's clear the truck will not be ready today. The perfect opportunity to go explore.
We've never seen the Gulf of Mexico, so we head further south to Gulf Port. Once in Gulf Port, the folks at MS Tank said to take Hwy 91, and we did! White sandy beaches and brown water. What?? no Caribbean blue waters?? Nope. White sand, brown water. Bleh. Is it always like this we ask? Yep. That's it. Hmmmm. Not what we expected...but it seems the Mississippi River is responsible for the brown in this area. We travel east to Biloxi. As all good Harley riders do....we find the local Harley shop. Not much to see there either....even though it's been a few years since Katrina hit...the effects are still visible. The Harley dealer is still in "temporary" quarters. Their previous location was simply "washed away".
It's nearing dinner time and well, where do the locals eat? We want some real food! Hippie Nick (from the Harley dealership)....yes, that's what he's called....directed us to Darwell's Cafe.
Now, Hippie Nick says be prepared...it's sort of a "Hippie joint".....er,ok. I guess that shouldn't be a surprise? Darwell's did not disappoint!! All I can say is YUM YUM YUM! I had their combo special; shrimp creole, cray fish etouffe, and seafood gumbo. Les had blackened filet mignon with lump crab and Darwell's special sauce. I think we will talk about this meal for years to come!!
The next day the truck was still not ready, so we had a chance to enjoy breakfast at one the famous "Waffle House" restaurants, which are on absolutely every corner in the south. Pecans in the waffles... Then we killed more time at a Hobby Lobby. Wow!! That was a first for me too...a Michael's/Joanne's on steroids!! Huge! Les even liked this place :) Finally around 5pm. our truck was ready. We hear storms are coming in, so it's a good time to leave. The wind is blowing.....and only several days later did we find out that Alabama had been hit by a record number of tornadoes that day...179!
Finally on our way, it was smooth sailing. Unfortunately, we were nearly TWO days behind schedule and so our days were long and longer :/. Arriving home in the wee hours just before dawn 4 days later! Some of the places we saw along the way....Art Doctor's new home in Show Low, AZ. , The Evergreen Cemetary (which made us laugh each time we thought of it because it was everything BUT green!), Route 66, Colorado river(first clear water we saw coming west...all others were brown). The states we were in...MS, LA, NM, TX, AZ. The best hotel on the trip...Comfort Suites, Clovis, NM. Best meal :) Darwell's Cafe, Biloxi, MS. Most surprising find...pipe wrench found in visor of the truck..aparently forgotten by someone at MS Tank; it rode up there for over 200 mi. before we discovered it. Most annoying...high pitched whine the wind in visor made anytime we reached 60 mph.(duct tape to the rescue). Whew! We have 3 weeks till we leave again!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-20254711182783059222011-05-05T19:11:00.000-07:002011-05-05T19:21:45.359-07:00Grandpa's Waffles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kW5dwMBgicLyoV7f50xvyDZhKtHqGCE6roJ2DNdRODV7L9NO8rGhoFbiGdEsNhKOnQ2HknNNJG81CeXjAJemleml8I4EAmP9zo_CFpIKI2dGPAWrMLfMR0DJjMkqWqsJcSSpLwoFNNM/s1600/0402010836.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603422357655111410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kW5dwMBgicLyoV7f50xvyDZhKtHqGCE6roJ2DNdRODV7L9NO8rGhoFbiGdEsNhKOnQ2HknNNJG81CeXjAJemleml8I4EAmP9zo_CFpIKI2dGPAWrMLfMR0DJjMkqWqsJcSSpLwoFNNM/s320/0402010836.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<div>Our spring has been an incredibly busy one, with trips near and far almost every weekend. But.....when Ri called and said she was headed to Battle Mtn. and Casey and Lisa's house the weekend after our Mendocino trip.....we couldn't resist going and managed to squeeze in a quick trip to BM between the rest of our previously scheduled trips. It's not often we can be together with 3/4 of our family all in one spot!! </div>
<div>Immediately Les began planning....he'd bring the waffle irons and mix from home and on Sat. AM he'd make the waffles!!! His specialty :) Katie loves Grandpa's waffles and even talked him into adding some chocolate chips just for her! </div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-73301246478685766962011-05-05T18:44:00.000-07:002011-05-05T19:10:10.060-07:00Mendocino Coast and the Little River Inn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLo_gH9CP9yBchoaOW5eC6Gn-ylvFKmM5KcBCR-0yOK_Y0Ecq430UC2pkJZRC_Kh5RpLRlE-O5LOU1pgFn21vCiU2Bnm6v6R0uKKkwPgnr5S3WvlpgL2RpJih6cJsmi31B4J-8Pm3sw0/s1600/IMG_8424.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603419514669662754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLo_gH9CP9yBchoaOW5eC6Gn-ylvFKmM5KcBCR-0yOK_Y0Ecq430UC2pkJZRC_Kh5RpLRlE-O5LOU1pgFn21vCiU2Bnm6v6R0uKKkwPgnr5S3WvlpgL2RpJih6cJsmi31B4J-8Pm3sw0/s320/IMG_8424.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbThgJ6gtW7GJ3ICsh6kP6GD4Y3_PmNmWb7KvNH6b6x7hmMwugGbKEAx33oesipQhNK1CVCuMKmdKBTDURnYAPc3VlgUTZYYpuFSrEH4AxtOFOtrdCKSgN-q6vukpYiNHHmmiEQJCB8w/s1600/0325010949a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603419508214751858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbThgJ6gtW7GJ3ICsh6kP6GD4Y3_PmNmWb7KvNH6b6x7hmMwugGbKEAx33oesipQhNK1CVCuMKmdKBTDURnYAPc3VlgUTZYYpuFSrEH4AxtOFOtrdCKSgN-q6vukpYiNHHmmiEQJCB8w/s320/0325010949a.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkDVuLvQ_pAXlIPVZC36oomhaaXWPmVy9OrnVfNhfq0Tumjzqn21wV_OwD8-DwqBhnKsXcPSSXfqDnXIUJ16K3f-BP-1GFP_M5xrvyFkLNuPHIZshdcIHtJAcEHjehqkuk-cyrIg2J_o/s1600/0325010949.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603419503056664466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkDVuLvQ_pAXlIPVZC36oomhaaXWPmVy9OrnVfNhfq0Tumjzqn21wV_OwD8-DwqBhnKsXcPSSXfqDnXIUJ16K3f-BP-1GFP_M5xrvyFkLNuPHIZshdcIHtJAcEHjehqkuk-cyrIg2J_o/s320/0325010949.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Over a year ago, Les and I were given a gift certificate for a two night stay at The Little River Inn in Mendocino <a href="http://www.littleriverinn.com/">http://www.littleriverinn.com/</a>. This is a really lovely spot, with a view from every room. We had never stayed there before, but will definately be going back! Les' cousin Merv and his wife Diane made the long drive down from Snohomish to meet us there. Our first morning we made plans to head up the road 10 miles or so to Ft. Bragg to have breakfast at a "hole in the wall" that Merv and Diane had eaten at before. This was a first time for Les and I, but once again....we will go back when we are next in the area. Breakfast was delish....! Diane ordered "wicked eggs benedict". The hollandaise sauce for this dish was made with cilantro giving it a BRIGHT green color. I couldn't help taking a picture!! I had my favorite of biscuits and gravy. The whole place is decorated in a Wizard of Oz theme and as you can see...is truely a "hole in the wall". Next we headed over to Glass Beach, where years of dumping garbage over the cliff into the ocean has resulted in a magnificent beach totally littered with ocean scrubbed bits of glass. All well rounded and smooth. Since some storms had recently passed thru, the glass was particularly plentiful. We were excited with each new color of glass we found...and I guess you could say I got distracted!! The tide was out, so I wandered closer to the shore than I should have and before you know it....out of the corner of my eye, I saw a wave coming!!! As you can see by the picture....I didn't move fast enough and went for a roll in the surf :) Amazing how sand can get into everything....I had on a turtle neck shirt, fleece vest, and ski jacket. Jeans and my Dansko's. Everything was completely soaked nearly to my neck. Needless to say, we headed back to our room and I was thankful that I hadn't been able to decide what to bring for clothes and so had opted to bring it all!! I showered and changed, and off we went again :) A meal at Capt'n Flint's that night of fish and chips, a game of Phase 10 and our trip was complete!!! Can't wait to go again :)</div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-72532953519541363312011-05-05T18:35:00.000-07:002011-05-05T18:43:36.987-07:00Dinner at Bill and Susy's<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZYERt1ZQmlV-OrNvnUeDN2lGix7LMZcSVxcqSN0vRCmryVf1zOTL1mxgb_kyBp9maIz-wodhSdyK3MsI5i8WC2HUYFEIKzD_8c1GL_zD9MX1ATKBFJiCR9gAsBP_6fb2FkEHtX83gY4/s1600/0321011818.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603412487813731442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZYERt1ZQmlV-OrNvnUeDN2lGix7LMZcSVxcqSN0vRCmryVf1zOTL1mxgb_kyBp9maIz-wodhSdyK3MsI5i8WC2HUYFEIKzD_8c1GL_zD9MX1ATKBFJiCR9gAsBP_6fb2FkEHtX83gY4/s320/0321011818.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8POFwQHwqPqHl__3KVh2jUziC4yxDzmzdlT7rW0YEZphA7qj8spNxLT0-4AP45Z2kPoBPtFe64X-1lPaAgcmE-_WGMz6MkxfLlkDrPh6OCFRa5nT9Q5h4fmD9ftvrDDJEu6cK82cVVHk/s1600/0321011759.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603412486586247634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8POFwQHwqPqHl__3KVh2jUziC4yxDzmzdlT7rW0YEZphA7qj8spNxLT0-4AP45Z2kPoBPtFe64X-1lPaAgcmE-_WGMz6MkxfLlkDrPh6OCFRa5nT9Q5h4fmD9ftvrDDJEu6cK82cVVHk/s320/0321011759.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Not long ago, Bill and Susy De Kok invited us over for dinner along with a few other people. Susy had prepared veggies, beef, chicken, and sausages all cut in bite sized pieces. We were seated at the table and in front of us was a "Raclette". A sort of electric grill for the table top. Bill and Susy explained that this was a "Dutch style" dinner party and that when they visit relatives in Holland they always participate in this kind of meal. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all!! Thank you Bill and Susy!! </div></div>
Raclette's can be purchased at Target online :)Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-52628559698981376402011-03-21T09:47:00.000-07:002011-03-21T10:22:36.821-07:00Les' New Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG-dAkefn8YdJySaEW5uPMuQeDfAQMfRJ0TdkxoC0ehBRlTXhANEthRhk8N3SaHpKmjXGQnNx0IaJ_NIYVMKQf_ZZhwwdFCd9Xovgafuh_Oai2PNVhO89Ad7v2MuTIx1ftevEUhBPjVk/s1600/0319011318.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586582900821111378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG-dAkefn8YdJySaEW5uPMuQeDfAQMfRJ0TdkxoC0ehBRlTXhANEthRhk8N3SaHpKmjXGQnNx0IaJ_NIYVMKQf_ZZhwwdFCd9Xovgafuh_Oai2PNVhO89Ad7v2MuTIx1ftevEUhBPjVk/s320/0319011318.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-6jwMys0rkKFQ11eAOd00ACxc3q23rCdmjgo5id427FQtYLEDNtamNKjKWROGwvkWOIzyBojY_CUymGpjR6ym73U3WRXAsDguho8t2Dqwp63Os1hH61FvJeaRBrDBVJ8rIbSMavgkcw/s1600/0319011316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586582904503792642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-6jwMys0rkKFQ11eAOd00ACxc3q23rCdmjgo5id427FQtYLEDNtamNKjKWROGwvkWOIzyBojY_CUymGpjR6ym73U3WRXAsDguho8t2Dqwp63Os1hH61FvJeaRBrDBVJ8rIbSMavgkcw/s320/0319011316.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpsljUB1HvPHfvL9LoUPDIiIEz9dln8xXiekTtCiS0Roea2n5uaRUIf2rTVsazLrDpR-N_Hh4HgenTpJQ3riI99bIchU0YELX5JspcSJTjfs0nd02ToVZyZ7qpPq5Y288bbQa2flAZQ/s1600/0319011314.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586582914241384882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpsljUB1HvPHfvL9LoUPDIiIEz9dln8xXiekTtCiS0Roea2n5uaRUIf2rTVsazLrDpR-N_Hh4HgenTpJQ3riI99bIchU0YELX5JspcSJTjfs0nd02ToVZyZ7qpPq5Y288bbQa2flAZQ/s320/0319011314.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRh7ErGGR6SnoaKkRkY0g0_yqil5HpW6oFGoj3J5LBwRSrO8Ha7w-qMHPRVPn2cJVJtDZ165i3qusqLu8S3huSDR3JvlIEmrEBwG-ZilrgyVGhLx5RO4uJSBDLs_BHrhq53u-zIRrX7M/s1600/0319011319.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586582921055439586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRh7ErGGR6SnoaKkRkY0g0_yqil5HpW6oFGoj3J5LBwRSrO8Ha7w-qMHPRVPn2cJVJtDZ165i3qusqLu8S3huSDR3JvlIEmrEBwG-ZilrgyVGhLx5RO4uJSBDLs_BHrhq53u-zIRrX7M/s320/0319011319.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN3gJJy_Oor2j17en4NDxKpliVmFSp_jGnjEBkKsmvjF-xpgDYE_RT2U7OH71TZM0UichCA-3O9AC5tsBib5UKgbh77zyNYBUMEBpo2JNE_gwiWlVrfvbrFIykd4f7xYaQLj-sWSrpUI/s1600/0319011315a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586582927154594866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN3gJJy_Oor2j17en4NDxKpliVmFSp_jGnjEBkKsmvjF-xpgDYE_RT2U7OH71TZM0UichCA-3O9AC5tsBib5UKgbh77zyNYBUMEBpo2JNE_gwiWlVrfvbrFIykd4f7xYaQLj-sWSrpUI/s320/0319011315a.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Ah, when you have grand kiddos, life changes. It's a good change, in fact, a fantastic, phenomenal, lovely change. There are now these new <span style="font-size:78%;">little people</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> in your life that you would do just about anything for. They make you "remember when" their parents were <em>your little people</em>! And.....you think about what you <em>used to do</em> for them and<em> with</em> them and now you have a chance to </span><span style="font-size:78%;">do it over. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In a small way, I guess. No pun intended. So, it came about that when Casey and Lisa had Katie, Les and I said, "what's something special we can give them?" Since we are sort of hands on kinda people, we immediately followed with "what can we MAKE for them"? </span></div>
<div>Les had made Casey and Jerry and Ri a toy box when they were little, and it got used constantly and we still have it today. It was bench style so they could close it and sit on it....<span style="font-size:78%;">which they did many times with one of them inside! </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It was great fun! Practical, useful, and special, cuz Dad made it. So, it was decided......a toy box it would be! One was made for Katie a little after she was born, and now it's also for Tys and Trenton and someone special due in July. </span></div>
<div>Then came James and Lucas and now Peter......they need a toy box too!!! So, Grandpa get to work!! And so he is.....now that he no longer "shares" his shop space and can lay out his wood and keep it clean, the project has begun! I wish I would have gotten a picture of him sitting in his recliner with graph paper on clipboard....furrowed brow.....in complete concentration....but you can imagine it can't you? For now...here is the beginning of the toy box project for James, Lucas and Peter. </div></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-91924727530376213312011-03-21T09:14:00.000-07:002011-03-21T09:32:45.220-07:00Spring Cleaning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA5OaEmkMwC0RE9yn4czW5Sn0ZcrKH9rvEGRERHeysxr5y_EZ-lB3nX3XJrR5nNKeBfaotjTjKxr_xrcktAvbS3kUN_HwEfJn8WbpN4bEmOZ29IBvWWpzXaVVyykqk4l0iplOj4GRgHU/s1600/0803000921.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586571641471982866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA5OaEmkMwC0RE9yn4czW5Sn0ZcrKH9rvEGRERHeysxr5y_EZ-lB3nX3XJrR5nNKeBfaotjTjKxr_xrcktAvbS3kUN_HwEfJn8WbpN4bEmOZ29IBvWWpzXaVVyykqk4l0iplOj4GRgHU/s320/0803000921.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIc4Yd0D_g3-xcilS7vjKhrMvfyPxTITCwsvWW8hlOyrYpBCifs3fMJFks3dA4Ddh_VXpDFGWzzcoGg2Ff6jmHS7_JSVWNtQVjZ12qs3eptsl-CnT47ZAPhGRQqFhSBH6zl2NxC_Fwqo/s1600/0719001415.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586571637613384642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIc4Yd0D_g3-xcilS7vjKhrMvfyPxTITCwsvWW8hlOyrYpBCifs3fMJFks3dA4Ddh_VXpDFGWzzcoGg2Ff6jmHS7_JSVWNtQVjZ12qs3eptsl-CnT47ZAPhGRQqFhSBH6zl2NxC_Fwqo/s320/0719001415.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Yesterday my cell phone kept sending me a message stating I was out of room! It had content overload! Yikes.....what does that mean??? I cleared my inbox of rec'd msgs. Then I cleared my sent msgs. Then I moved on to My Pictures. Oy! Could THIS be the overloaded content? Uh....maybe so. It's funny how you can lose track of all those pics you store on your phone. Every picture that's been sent to me, like the cute purse Ri was buying, or the wrecked truck Casey helped put back on it's 18 wheels, or the "new ride" Jerry just purchased. It struck me that as I went thru these pics that "my picture" folder on my phone was a sort of diary for my life over the last year or so. And then there were the little <em></em>projects<em></em> that I took pictures of to blog about and well......never got to. So, here are some of the things I wanted to share with you and never did :).
I made these "enameled" tags http://www.cantstopmakingthings.com/2010/07/french-enameled-numbers.html, and had so much fun with it, I ,like the blog title says, <em></em>couln't stop<em></em>!! Enjoy!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-91564358428203707032011-02-27T19:18:00.000-08:002011-02-27T20:42:38.536-08:00Snowshoeing in the Sierras<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq6qsOWwQFYXtUfUQAIeGe6hqxYAxqSBk3HF7Rtxfz9W-QGnTSexrQsKzApYsm4vdWPDOReA-8zboK9WGgxJIZT0ovPiyBgcRyksLKv64b8sqM5u260HM9zrCB5FTSGMS6qdvRP-YPfY/s1600/2011+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578594218715238290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq6qsOWwQFYXtUfUQAIeGe6hqxYAxqSBk3HF7Rtxfz9W-QGnTSexrQsKzApYsm4vdWPDOReA-8zboK9WGgxJIZT0ovPiyBgcRyksLKv64b8sqM5u260HM9zrCB5FTSGMS6qdvRP-YPfY/s320/2011+017.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoakAtQJ7Zo_vmZQk7GsBB_6VOaNqgTSzTueppTAic9SaYKm3kbK88QjiiTrvf1dj2D_bMtTyAQcfeSMxBniND_7EjCw5zxpkgQYYqndDszBz5mKhcCTe8Q5Zb_nON60cY3M07aR_v5F8/s1600/2011+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578587544696809330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoakAtQJ7Zo_vmZQk7GsBB_6VOaNqgTSzTueppTAic9SaYKm3kbK88QjiiTrvf1dj2D_bMtTyAQcfeSMxBniND_7EjCw5zxpkgQYYqndDszBz5mKhcCTe8Q5Zb_nON60cY3M07aR_v5F8/s320/2011+028.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-5RasK1W7AOV-3kbL7ncb9QbuaYgNsnaE-4gNE6W-a0sJvoe8bSPcIlWgjxwlFIoM3qciY6WaD8mfqyxCyh82mdsSJ-iidvRie_M8ksDLvaGdDmjMaHS8h5QYWCIKD9ezx8LkGWFF1I/s1600/2011+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578587539997921042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-5RasK1W7AOV-3kbL7ncb9QbuaYgNsnaE-4gNE6W-a0sJvoe8bSPcIlWgjxwlFIoM3qciY6WaD8mfqyxCyh82mdsSJ-iidvRie_M8ksDLvaGdDmjMaHS8h5QYWCIKD9ezx8LkGWFF1I/s320/2011+023.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LAHU-MbC8KQsUr7MwVQzdkR-8ES8J1Pk8w6E0bU7BSvLOHy58tZnm8M9ODMUAJTGfeRPltZO6FFY7qE0QZ5pumeENNODu1fGuPXxM0-IwzN9uU-N72qQEms3gnjmjRfab4_xB80RVdw/s1600/2011+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578587535329628914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LAHU-MbC8KQsUr7MwVQzdkR-8ES8J1Pk8w6E0bU7BSvLOHy58tZnm8M9ODMUAJTGfeRPltZO6FFY7qE0QZ5pumeENNODu1fGuPXxM0-IwzN9uU-N72qQEms3gnjmjRfab4_xB80RVdw/s320/2011+019.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578583203272950258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n8u9UcBK-XAfg2jnMiv0-2bzybd4XmCgbtJFLYLtbwJekqD16EvDXBFZ5_s4NKjlZ151OUhbByxZB3bzIODzzWvN8a-Viaxyt_T7KvZJIEVGXkIvK5EUD70zXDjw117Rzmkee60U1XU/s320/2011+017.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kO9k922IKu9aUQI06OeoA45yxctVnbSdUGNAHZNfb2PomsTAzSZ1ECLkSRZ-o6C-TDwzzALd0Rl-WwHmc3ML3vqXL9q-bcRVxlfn4rh84l796ez0iVUMCvjXtZoQQ54otVRcTOMq7Zk/s1600/2011+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578583198426846386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kO9k922IKu9aUQI06OeoA45yxctVnbSdUGNAHZNfb2PomsTAzSZ1ECLkSRZ-o6C-TDwzzALd0Rl-WwHmc3ML3vqXL9q-bcRVxlfn4rh84l796ez0iVUMCvjXtZoQQ54otVRcTOMq7Zk/s320/2011+016.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Ever since snowshoeing in Idaho with Ri last year.....I've wanted to snowshoe with Les right here in California :) I was convinced that Les would enjoy it as much as I had. We checked into renting snowshoes from our local sporting goods here in Modesto....and after finding out it was going to cost us over $75 for a weekend, we decided we would go ahead and put that $75 toward shoes of our own instead. </div>
<div>I promptly began a search online and found used shoes for Les on Ebay for just slightly more than the $75 we would have spent on the rental. After a couple of failed bids on a pair for me, I finally found a pair in my price range and won the bid! Yay!! We decided these would be our Valentine's gifts to each other :) </div>
<div>Finally the day arrived for us to head up in the mountains and try the shoes out! A huge storm had just passed thru and we were excited to see what kind of tracks we could make :) As we headed up, there were grey skies and snow flurries.....yikes. The temp. topped out around 20 degrees, but as we drove farther, we saw blue skies. </div>
<div>Pinecrest Lake was our destination. After a few adjustments on the snowshoes, we were on our way for a trek around the north end of the lake. Gorgeous......just gorgeous!! I think it's one of the <em>best</em> Valentine dates I've ever had. </div></div></div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-35884452247703687132011-02-01T10:03:00.000-08:002011-02-01T13:19:38.695-08:00My Heart's Desire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ffimnbmt-xNMUWqJFUi9fKd6Ax6YWEQyC2WZfsWRc0sKWbuchJLCjkqJibongpkvcTR7gwcWxVp5Ik30fBbmws-KG6VTZFF4mRf3OV6z6TLf4A328qEeDbxyJnZXgoSbpCDH0x2Dmg4/s1600/Happy+Birthday+Ri+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568832284984470786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ffimnbmt-xNMUWqJFUi9fKd6Ax6YWEQyC2WZfsWRc0sKWbuchJLCjkqJibongpkvcTR7gwcWxVp5Ik30fBbmws-KG6VTZFF4mRf3OV6z6TLf4A328qEeDbxyJnZXgoSbpCDH0x2Dmg4/s320/Happy+Birthday+Ri+012.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL0Z1tnVlUN6AqgULOoqvChh1MXx1vip1sVzPncdFYBWiZcTnwuxiVUmBOa8IrvafNCW_3qwAEYeR66sDxrz_pSIYeDUaUxL_leLmzM6yky0_F-doK2ow4Buw3S_XQ-bjFUVmFxrrJjI/s1600/Happy+Birthday+Ri+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568832280164789426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL0Z1tnVlUN6AqgULOoqvChh1MXx1vip1sVzPncdFYBWiZcTnwuxiVUmBOa8IrvafNCW_3qwAEYeR66sDxrz_pSIYeDUaUxL_leLmzM6yky0_F-doK2ow4Buw3S_XQ-bjFUVmFxrrJjI/s320/Happy+Birthday+Ri+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx-owf0_F1pkWpu1roZi_jACePO64KLJFy_ZtnpjKJnYee03WY9iqd1659BTB_wihW8WPxwFBdtl3fSv0IsTDASt8iC5YNOtIci6gddKjmisiWAEL5i5E4mV2H3bmYYIFKHRyEziTTAw/s1600/Happy+Birthday+4+011"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568828583609793602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx-owf0_F1pkWpu1roZi_jACePO64KLJFy_ZtnpjKJnYee03WY9iqd1659BTB_wihW8WPxwFBdtl3fSv0IsTDASt8iC5YNOtIci6gddKjmisiWAEL5i5E4mV2H3bmYYIFKHRyEziTTAw/s320/Happy+Birthday+4+011" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFEaqbmCUAEhknrN37-QbxnUEikA_qat4td1fnOm8Cx3ixg11p8Oz1J9N0ihrTBpB0siYuoJtnorKFf4Bomjfu3RCMA3I5_YLlnc8CgioLOz0Ratndw_1eJhe2m_nyl9osWAGAYNkXbU/s1600/Happy+Birthday++011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568828580292888930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFEaqbmCUAEhknrN37-QbxnUEikA_qat4td1fnOm8Cx3ixg11p8Oz1J9N0ihrTBpB0siYuoJtnorKFf4Bomjfu3RCMA3I5_YLlnc8CgioLOz0Ratndw_1eJhe2m_nyl9osWAGAYNkXbU/s320/Happy+Birthday++011.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpRaLUuyOhM2xSxXj3Ddiq3MG3-HUS8GjLDzi-9SoQ1iXfLetIxGib_bmyc6Ljuvz-wjODmNJ_P9Z2X9PccjelI5AilKGjBgE8tWsGgyTWk1YCO1yn946DlKqIEjVOO0-ZwupbK7fz64/s1600/Happy+Birthday+0+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568828573377959282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpRaLUuyOhM2xSxXj3Ddiq3MG3-HUS8GjLDzi-9SoQ1iXfLetIxGib_bmyc6Ljuvz-wjODmNJ_P9Z2X9PccjelI5AilKGjBgE8tWsGgyTWk1YCO1yn946DlKqIEjVOO0-ZwupbK7fz64/s320/Happy+Birthday+0+011.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><span style="color:#660000;">That's an appropriate title for a February 1st post...don't you think? But, <span style="font-size:78%;">I have another reason</span>...because today is Marie's 30th birthday. Happy Birthday Ri!! </span></div>
<div><span style="color:#660000;"> I could not let this day pass without a bit of reminiscing of the day Margaret Marie (aka Maggie Marie, Margo, or Ri :) was born, <span style="font-size:78%;">as well as the days leading up to it</span>, because...you see, little Marie <em>was my heart's desire. </em>After a very difficult pregnancy with Casey and Jerry, their premature birth and health struggles when they were toddlers.....it was a risky move to get pregnant again. But we wanted....hoped for....prayed for a little girl.</span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> Oh yes, another healthy<em> BOY</em> would have been wonderful too....but a girl....well, <span style="font-size:78%;">I wouldn't let myself </span><em>dream</em> of it for fear of disappointment. I would certainly LOVE another boy, but a daughter, well, that would be a 'gift' indeed. </span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> As my pregnancy progressed, all seemed well. I felt good despite the awful morning/all day sickness I always endured for the entire pregnancy...<span style="font-size:78%;">it wasn't quite as bad the second time</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.....and so when Les needed foot surgery, we didn't put it off. I would manage....7 months pregnant, two toddlers, and a hubby on crutches. No sweat :) </span></span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> I had a Dr's appointment so I left the boys napping in bed, Les in his recliner, and headed off to Modesto. Just the usual pregnancy check. I sat on the examining table and had my blood pressure taken. No comment from the nurse. My Dr. entered and after greeting me, said that I needed to head right on over to the hospital. What? No!! Why??? Your blood pressure is off the charts and I'm calling you an ambulance. We'll call your husband and he can meet you there. NO!! this can't be happening <em>again! My baby...it's only 7 months....I went thru this before....no Lord please.....</em> I sat on that exam table and cried, and cried, and cried....literally. The Dr. came in twice to see if I was ready to leave and each time I said no. My mind was whirling...I drove here, Les can't drive, who will watch the boys? I can't go in an ambulance.....no no no. Unbelieveably, I convinced the Dr. to let me drive home. I was to be back at Modesto City Hospital in an hour. It was January 31, 1981 and my actual due date was April 1st. </span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> I was admitted, blood tests, and amniocentesis to determine baby's actual age/size and lung developement, then steroids to make the baby's lungs grow <em>fast....24 hrs. was all we had.</em> The amnio could have told us the sex of our baby, but we said no......I couldn't bear knowing yet. We prepared ourselves for the worst, and hoped for the best. We trusted God KNEW....we didn't understand why we had to go thru this yet again, but still we trusted. </span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;">My doctor came in and explained I would need to be transported to Sacramento and a larger hospital where they could handle "at risk" deliveries......like mine would be......my baby. Would my baby live...would I? Trust...that 's all we could do. God KNOWS...He knows....</span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> February 1, 1981 @ 7am the petosin drip is started to induce labor. It's grueling labor...HARD...from the first contraction to the last. It shouldn't be happening this way. I'm utterly exhausted from 12 hrs. labor. My doctor decides "nothing's happening soon" and heads home for dinner. His intern takes watch over me. She is kind and tells me her parents are Drs in Ripon. Ripon? How can that be? They were missionaries before....I <em>know them!</em> Are you a believer? she asks. I nod, as I can't work up the energy to speak. She asks if she can pray with me then.....I'm crying again. Yes! yes please. I can't remember what she said, but it comforted me. Three contractions later, this intern, who I'm sure God placed in my room, delivered our sweet Marie. "It's a girl!!" <em>Really? really really really? Are you sure??? </em>And then I saw her. It was <em>true!</em> We have a girl..... a girl. I can't believe it. </span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> This was our family now, and we had our girl. There wouldn't be any more babies.... </span></div><div><span style="color:#660000;"> We named her after one of the finest women I've ever known.....Les' grandma, Maggie Haveman. Maggie was strong, kind, and sweet, though not sickeningly so. She was practical and had a ready smile and sharp wit. She was a good cook too, and liked to knit. All but for the knitting part :) I believe Marie lives up to her namesake quite remarkably. We are proud to call her daughter, and on that day 30 years ago, I thank God that He saw fit to bless me with<em> "my heart's desire".</em> Love you Ri! </span></div>
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<div><span style="color:#660000;"></span></div></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-76114626382820626022010-11-03T20:28:00.000-07:002010-11-05T20:24:10.104-07:00Fall Color Tour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmSIFg9lUvrYOIVWdXwo31oLhoZBuO0a94uVj8AjynvtpaEMAsbbFf2IETbMfcJMBQnNlq00yqt53PZI7XMUpgwWBoVFckoCVIl_9N2Xig1B6uxFec-tdcmlPk5Pq0xrtdAf3TcPleCI/s1600/Color+tour+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270626016613218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmSIFg9lUvrYOIVWdXwo31oLhoZBuO0a94uVj8AjynvtpaEMAsbbFf2IETbMfcJMBQnNlq00yqt53PZI7XMUpgwWBoVFckoCVIl_9N2Xig1B6uxFec-tdcmlPk5Pq0xrtdAf3TcPleCI/s320/Color+tour+005.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our Campsite
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNT9iy5YGMCVvRdlcsvhWZ9vbBDXZNakvsuc8oY635tfDf_wI3HmdA2ROnYdYM8rD4vbwxhNDWEsBP0VZm61QALEQSXyVYDsVwrjs3KjH0zIJkZjYEQ-WFuN1PPke1jdxp4kDF1E79NE/s1600/Color+tour+038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270085998505810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNT9iy5YGMCVvRdlcsvhWZ9vbBDXZNakvsuc8oY635tfDf_wI3HmdA2ROnYdYM8rD4vbwxhNDWEsBP0VZm61QALEQSXyVYDsVwrjs3KjH0zIJkZjYEQ-WFuN1PPke1jdxp4kDF1E79NE/s320/Color+tour+038.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bishop Creek Canyon
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOr2pIFMzTrxonOa5kz-NvxFrvQc5O4iL1fFKxDXdMt689FZdFdzFu37iPUP_DmJVIcVusRynYmfVlGnI5USkOJ3OcZUjlEc01nTAWXcfglrq7606necFgNIebvVSSaAJOSO5HCjjJds/s1600/Color+tour+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270076216509442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOr2pIFMzTrxonOa5kz-NvxFrvQc5O4iL1fFKxDXdMt689FZdFdzFu37iPUP_DmJVIcVusRynYmfVlGnI5USkOJ3OcZUjlEc01nTAWXcfglrq7606necFgNIebvVSSaAJOSO5HCjjJds/s320/Color+tour+021.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bishop Creek
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IY2OccvddVxhHenQLHtG38dK9jQab1fjBF9qphG3eIhFF01S63dBfxGmKG9S0nsk6cqENra2VWyji4taFgE6hEY_1IOOFizlp8EyDv-UAZ_dl2nx4l9p7J5bChbFA9SOubxwQ5bZfs4/s1600/Color+tour+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270071329312562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IY2OccvddVxhHenQLHtG38dK9jQab1fjBF9qphG3eIhFF01S63dBfxGmKG9S0nsk6cqENra2VWyji4taFgE6hEY_1IOOFizlp8EyDv-UAZ_dl2nx4l9p7J5bChbFA9SOubxwQ5bZfs4/s320/Color+tour+018.JPG" border="0" /></a>Conway Summit at the base of Virginia Lakes
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45GDHbU4KwkvLg21KhNp0JlSK8LKlwQVuJLQKNNrKwDMpMDb4ACgmuradUghRYQn0seB8e-5ysIl1UBOnJ97J5jW4F7D8CuYpgwwVrWktwiLJMpaUNs4WsAJOczBmKSviHidR2HCuDW0/s1600/Color+tour+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270062818845810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45GDHbU4KwkvLg21KhNp0JlSK8LKlwQVuJLQKNNrKwDMpMDb4ACgmuradUghRYQn0seB8e-5ysIl1UBOnJ97J5jW4F7D8CuYpgwwVrWktwiLJMpaUNs4WsAJOczBmKSviHidR2HCuDW0/s320/Color+tour+014.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the way we roll!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HHNHefp55SoBlwm-pZrsKf9xhrEjBawt4hPdm_1b_aSGqNHoWYEJMthWNY5Qxkl1fi-dM6kXF_6_6jBF84F9VjV3BKlRIba_HG1J3gXYPdeGz8gY4RwKxVgP6XMyaRnwpj3aZrMKF5k/s1600/Color+tour+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536270059185062802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HHNHefp55SoBlwm-pZrsKf9xhrEjBawt4hPdm_1b_aSGqNHoWYEJMthWNY5Qxkl1fi-dM6kXF_6_6jBF84F9VjV3BKlRIba_HG1J3gXYPdeGz8gY4RwKxVgP6XMyaRnwpj3aZrMKF5k/s320/Color+tour+009.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the last 30 years or so</span>, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">or as long as Les was driving truck on the west coast, he's taken me on a "Fall Color Tour". Every year, about now, he would come home and say "it's time for your fall color tour hon' !" I knew just what that meant....he was beginning to see the trees along the way north turn their fall colors in earnest. I'd pack my bag, and the next trip north, I was along for the ride! He knew all the BEST spots.....and as we rode along would tell me to look left or right for that spot, or even a particular tree he had seen, that was a brilliant red or orange. We'd talk till we were both hoarse......about anything and everything. Lots of goals and plans for our life and family were made on those fall color tours. </span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Five years ago, when Les quit driving, so did our fall color tours. Not on purpose mind you, but simply a part of the changing times of our lives....weddings, grandchildren, and now I get to see Les EVERYDAY! </span>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">So this year, my sweetheart came in the house one day and said "Hon' it's time for your fall color tour". He'd been checking online to see just when the optimum time would be to see COLOR on the east side of the Sierras. He said he had a few vacation days left....com'on...let's GO! So we did.....and were not disappointed. </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We camped at Virginia Lakes, 9600ft. evevation in a gorgeous spot. These pics are from the campsite and in and around the general area...say a 50 mile radius. The picture with Les and Mickey in it with all the beautiful trees is taken in Bishop Creek Canyon. Gorgeous! </span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-14385139037154774852010-10-06T10:25:00.000-07:002010-10-06T11:01:11.535-07:00Trip to Chicagoland<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyx8L4b_rOo14hBfmcWk83MRsg2vf1wk7eTtKwYhhF-7-CBN7qUR_uJJJ1KkpWxSkIZLPBYLzDV7cFGqAjZQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>All summer we'd looked forward to our trip to Chicago and visiting Jerry, Bernice, James and Lucas. We weren't disappointed! What fun we had. Les and Jerry did their favorite MAN activity...getting grease under the nails and searching the countryside and city for just the right bolt. Oh yeah, they complained and acted frustrated...but we know the truth! They enjoy the challenge and the hunt for the right part and then finding it and finishing the project!! Another highlight was, of course, Jame's 3rd birthday. If you read Bernice's blog, then you know it was a Thomas the Train theme. After going to the children's museum in Naperville, we stopped for dinner at a train themed diner. It was REALLY cute! The train entered the kitchen on one side and then came out the other laden with all our yummy eats. The next time around it brought out our ice cream dessert....topped with a birthday candle for James. A good day indeed. </p><p>We also whiled our time away with shopping at an outlet mall, <span style="font-size:78%;">a really fantastic one,</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> in Aurora, antiquing in Crown Point, Indiana, visiting with friends, and going for walks in the neighborhood. Going for walks was one of my favorite things to do...all the houses in Jerry and Bernice's neighborhood are just plain lovely to look at. White with painted shutters, or wrap around porches decked out in inviting wicker seating and the most humongous lush hanging ferns I've ever seen in my life!! Just like the picture on a magazine cover. If only I could transform MY house to one of those.....</span><span style="font-size:78%;">sigh.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p>It IS good to be home again though we miss our dear ones in Illinois....perhaps, someday we can all live a bit closer together....<span style="font-size:78%;">tis a dream ..................................</span><span style="font-size:85%;">but you never know ;-)</span></p>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-13797716900362368132010-09-20T11:56:00.000-07:002010-09-20T12:08:01.112-07:00A quilt for James<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWz36emb3FnV6fyC_5lonKeyCGhOUpnr7mhZBr_-9PLbhhLyAeW6Q-OvDHEzsfDef4WiZCdhIzY5Mvvo163FIUzlIPr7q6zBs7qI0llB99U9ssqJ97Z0tNIRxDO8zN0DmxswKiqwqEuk/s1600/james+quilt+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519072198733548098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWz36emb3FnV6fyC_5lonKeyCGhOUpnr7mhZBr_-9PLbhhLyAeW6Q-OvDHEzsfDef4WiZCdhIzY5Mvvo163FIUzlIPr7q6zBs7qI0llB99U9ssqJ97Z0tNIRxDO8zN0DmxswKiqwqEuk/s320/james+quilt+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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<div><span style="color:#000099;">Three years ago, when Grandma Dora entered the Bethany Home, she wanted something to keep her hands busy. Embroidery was something she could still manage, so off to Beverly's I went, in search of cute small projects. These little quilt squares were just the ticket! I found the coordinating fabric over a year ago and just now was able to finish the quilt in time for our upcoming trip to Chicago for James' 3rd </span></div><div><span style="color:#000099;">birthday!! I think it turned out pretty adorable </span></div><div><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CKdaIpwDAAnhl7D14V0sLaTEdD7d8rKpAPJ9lEzGjHbae8CCqvsc66PW5dPMhNOdHMnnjUq-1sTNrzLHvRyaoerIJS3DDTFonQ3i5s1y-NFTSbGSUCgA7VpAvJfLWpMVOu5ALrd0WOA/s1600/james+quilt+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519072192513312322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CKdaIpwDAAnhl7D14V0sLaTEdD7d8rKpAPJ9lEzGjHbae8CCqvsc66PW5dPMhNOdHMnnjUq-1sTNrzLHvRyaoerIJS3DDTFonQ3i5s1y-NFTSbGSUCgA7VpAvJfLWpMVOu5ALrd0WOA/s320/james+quilt+001.JPG" border="0" /></a>myself =) !</span></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-44341294476957239172010-09-17T20:53:00.000-07:002010-09-17T21:22:00.088-07:00Fall is on it's way....We woke to the sound of a tractor's approach....not unusual for 6AM on a week day in our little rural area of the world. The tractor...which turned out to be a swather, stopped in front of the house. It was followed by the silage trucks, <span style="font-size:78%;">and just like that, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">summer is fading into the distance. Everything in my house would soon be coated in an ADDITIONAL, <span style="font-size:78%;">hahahahaha,</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> layer of dust. I've been working hard lately to purge and organize all the "stuff" one accumulates in 25 years of living in the same place. I'd just FINALLY managed to see the TOP of my craft/sewing table and actually had my sewing machine set up there. The window was open.....and just like that....in a snap! MY nice CLEAN work space was filthy! Aaaaaaarrrrgh! </span>
<span style="font-size:100%;">On the bright side....we have our view back. The coast range is once again a gorgeous scene at sunset thru the front window. Ahhhhhhhhh.....fall is on it's way. </span>
<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uo95yKh2Jd4fGBAmfyuskrz1IZUwdXyIMvI4EA4IrugMa3RJBKZJR6fsyBqtEVAUnWKaV0Kula2sDK-NcHTPjvmkr4E_06VqIRPUX76B7Llj2-eMVhY5SVi-nt3_ajmzi7C-mknoEms/s1600/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518098208016005394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uo95yKh2Jd4fGBAmfyuskrz1IZUwdXyIMvI4EA4IrugMa3RJBKZJR6fsyBqtEVAUnWKaV0Kula2sDK-NcHTPjvmkr4E_06VqIRPUX76B7Llj2-eMVhY5SVi-nt3_ajmzi7C-mknoEms/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e2cQ0Us6GpG8tUfS9da4bJ3JQjS-s9DUTWH432lg8USJUPk1lyIdxmDt6XHbBPMmEDVVrTwGav4uqMhS51IDRfFuYmK6qK9BCmcfD-RF3PNIzaPygv23n1Q0qmPLgcGO4isBNLiM8Zo/s1600/010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518098215999472002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e2cQ0Us6GpG8tUfS9da4bJ3JQjS-s9DUTWH432lg8USJUPk1lyIdxmDt6XHbBPMmEDVVrTwGav4uqMhS51IDRfFuYmK6qK9BCmcfD-RF3PNIzaPygv23n1Q0qmPLgcGO4isBNLiM8Zo/s320/010.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8g26LJ2WiPhEwMudNXRZNUiCPdbSiNTDTKYtF9v0XGNZ8xrVCeTAThIdGlHoJD0NxICt05A-3SzvhA66ozmv1ROXC1LNW4ni3xZE9w3meAcYNcELtGMh4PNsn1cbW3WmBCIhDjtqTvA/s1600/013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518098223621563010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8g26LJ2WiPhEwMudNXRZNUiCPdbSiNTDTKYtF9v0XGNZ8xrVCeTAThIdGlHoJD0NxICt05A-3SzvhA66ozmv1ROXC1LNW4ni3xZE9w3meAcYNcELtGMh4PNsn1cbW3WmBCIhDjtqTvA/s320/013.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnn2hiaAblz9y4NGekCKAtT7kcUqbtIiiev5yqh4FX2PdPBLRadoAHUgKIYq_ccnoUFtpx3LzzXNzVbrDH_64bHrV4g1-QZv0QS8q85bGuqqFnBZhlfSZkLuPMSnLdP0Riq6wCYvR7jw/s1600/016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518098227344332882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnn2hiaAblz9y4NGekCKAtT7kcUqbtIiiev5yqh4FX2PdPBLRadoAHUgKIYq_ccnoUFtpx3LzzXNzVbrDH_64bHrV4g1-QZv0QS8q85bGuqqFnBZhlfSZkLuPMSnLdP0Riq6wCYvR7jw/s320/016.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFoFW6GmbaPpXLuUMkJhXK3kbAuTSfNjNyaDlhvtCkuuPU79xqA-HR5gkBZ5uG1SfQt443O9CXc0puxEFWg-TT-MlejHL2p0giTezKPcWFg9aUYVUlg6cFv3CW9OQz-TmJVKGLkwNu0w/s1600/018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518098236746697730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFoFW6GmbaPpXLuUMkJhXK3kbAuTSfNjNyaDlhvtCkuuPU79xqA-HR5gkBZ5uG1SfQt443O9CXc0puxEFWg-TT-MlejHL2p0giTezKPcWFg9aUYVUlg6cFv3CW9OQz-TmJVKGLkwNu0w/s320/018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-30304277225190561732010-08-28T13:27:00.000-07:002010-08-28T14:24:40.418-07:00New bathroom!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA-_iOyRmGHTIL7Einhqe6rWNo8kUfvt3f6AmkP6SRkaLhi6utai5GZntmd_THyLjZ3nUDWHYTmc-pJhswxkTBCTYIk5Hqdavhl7iC6VhBnRbrJhO80SARCcDhzDYnvTXYpVQJGHbk1w/s1600/bath+2"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510571800097172162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA-_iOyRmGHTIL7Einhqe6rWNo8kUfvt3f6AmkP6SRkaLhi6utai5GZntmd_THyLjZ3nUDWHYTmc-pJhswxkTBCTYIk5Hqdavhl7iC6VhBnRbrJhO80SARCcDhzDYnvTXYpVQJGHbk1w/s320/bath+2" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE24-tUtVLMo1FP3Aiod8gCiPpj6cVhLr0gK-N7yDfXPTOHNy2a4aJbLcOJjamoTn1Ij3PgT3hjZzGdbF9W7htDa6oXZIp49gsjc1Ut9RBw3PYsb4bfTwxLXsN614vtU-nfYzfPdfa8h8/s1600/bath+4"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510571488858079794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE24-tUtVLMo1FP3Aiod8gCiPpj6cVhLr0gK-N7yDfXPTOHNy2a4aJbLcOJjamoTn1Ij3PgT3hjZzGdbF9W7htDa6oXZIp49gsjc1Ut9RBw3PYsb4bfTwxLXsN614vtU-nfYzfPdfa8h8/s320/bath+4" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp_tOVQzobSpfe4e7z7V_HllmOfH3pKOW3yPoNUuvPJ62U85_a4HLpbQ5tFPShJEduLTejJcsZPvwLTcdRQIbre-cPFlgUnWiS-7XayHlYQrhf55joGVNkv39plPuqu1n78M79o4MPn0/s1600/bath+3"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510571482654676354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp_tOVQzobSpfe4e7z7V_HllmOfH3pKOW3yPoNUuvPJ62U85_a4HLpbQ5tFPShJEduLTejJcsZPvwLTcdRQIbre-cPFlgUnWiS-7XayHlYQrhf55joGVNkv39plPuqu1n78M79o4MPn0/s320/bath+3" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-tjAiU6bxjoive1RC8MaiE8oEoQHeQ895tb_2Asyy-JnGbmtk_0p0OzVLRwLcDLATinDuffH2HrTkkpw0Y6yJRSshID-aSVOL7d8zkc8VhoTh8EqTygW8cbD9m0De8VrOs6HukJLWGE/s1600/Bathroom+repaint+2010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510561619691100914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-tjAiU6bxjoive1RC8MaiE8oEoQHeQ895tb_2Asyy-JnGbmtk_0p0OzVLRwLcDLATinDuffH2HrTkkpw0Y6yJRSshID-aSVOL7d8zkc8VhoTh8EqTygW8cbD9m0De8VrOs6HukJLWGE/s320/Bathroom+repaint+2010.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC17Ldggj5ZtPrhafnuHYY9XOZEV-hDe5F0ewOcBiEhpGBAYnY3uX-TGXRHHzNXFBQ2P75ljrhehQ0QkI8Lh6itr1HX3_Ybm7wIh6L663SxCeF7qWErswJ1xBdy9sxb5rspS1tBWfmsQ/s1600/Aug+2010+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510561629773060962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC17Ldggj5ZtPrhafnuHYY9XOZEV-hDe5F0ewOcBiEhpGBAYnY3uX-TGXRHHzNXFBQ2P75ljrhehQ0QkI8Lh6itr1HX3_Ybm7wIh6L663SxCeF7qWErswJ1xBdy9sxb5rspS1tBWfmsQ/s320/Aug+2010+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcR2H9X7ZW1T4RGScut5YqwTQr3J0uZ-UZvDSUR_RPV_1qkGegFAJV6C_Ekfw7IlC11OpspXzVITut0xQ1ja_S0lzDZJUWdQ7mqI5ATtBH6Au5Y-uCY9r5_NRwzd4KJJCrN8Svw2YzSks/s1600/Aug+2010+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510561627712262834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcR2H9X7ZW1T4RGScut5YqwTQr3J0uZ-UZvDSUR_RPV_1qkGegFAJV6C_Ekfw7IlC11OpspXzVITut0xQ1ja_S0lzDZJUWdQ7mqI5ATtBH6Au5Y-uCY9r5_NRwzd4KJJCrN8Svw2YzSks/s320/Aug+2010+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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<div>Over a month ago, I began to work on re-doing our bathroom. For years...<span style="font-size:85%;">nearly twenty I believe....</span><span style="font-size:100%;">the bath has been </span><span style="font-size:100%;">decorated with a painted latice work and climbing roses on a beige background. I went for a BIG change and painted it a Laura Ashley color, Apple Green#3, and bright gloss white. The handles on all the cabinets and drawers were removed and replaced with glass knobs I purchased on a recent trip to Snohomish, Washington. The bird hooks and modified toilet paper holder came from Capitola, CA., two years ago. I've been hanging on to them with this project in mind....that's how long I've been pondering this re-do!! </span></div><div><div><span style="font-size:100%;">Since my brain doesn't work in a grid pattern ;), my wonderful "measure twice, cut once" hubby, laid the new peel and stick tile for me....thank you honey!! It looks great...don't you think?? So nice and fresh! </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-tjAiU6bxjoive1RC8MaiE8oEoQHeQ895tb_2Asyy-JnGbmtk_0p0OzVLRwLcDLATinDuffH2HrTkkpw0Y6yJRSshID-aSVOL7d8zkc8VhoTh8EqTygW8cbD9m0De8VrOs6HukJLWGE/s1600/Bathroom+repaint+2010.jpg"></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-17495128149625748792010-08-27T14:05:00.000-07:002010-08-27T14:31:42.615-07:00Loveseat that I love.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTTgtXQJKmqZirJBD-63wSTObU_Q3nsPq3MLckm3u_sCtStBGU80FUx9BWItqDeGdLLuSrMNH76-x8Smp9pDsEcj6kvi3lcbHr9MPM9KfmNhAL_f_L63sk_yXE34FdlghGXyzjL1Bhps/s1600/Aug+2010+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510199727826119042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTTgtXQJKmqZirJBD-63wSTObU_Q3nsPq3MLckm3u_sCtStBGU80FUx9BWItqDeGdLLuSrMNH76-x8Smp9pDsEcj6kvi3lcbHr9MPM9KfmNhAL_f_L63sk_yXE34FdlghGXyzjL1Bhps/s320/Aug+2010+013.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Ah...loveseat that I love....let me count the ways :) </div>
<p>1.Thou art lovely to look upon. </p><p>2. Thou art the <span style="font-family:georgia;">correct</span> color...in that burgundy plushness. </p><p>3. Thy pillows and cushions are soft and lush, but supportive due to your 56 pocket, ultra high coil density, roboticaly placed, ultrasonically welded seating. </p><p>4. Thy size is diminutive, yet adequate, just long enough for me to lounge with feet elevated....oh, the thought of it! </p><p>5. Thou art curved and rolled in precisely all the right places...<span style="font-size:78%;">sigh.</span></p><p>6. And lastly, <span style="font-size:78%;">though certainly not least</span>.....the one thing that made me love thee at first sight, ah, thinking of <span style="font-size:85%;">it <span style="font-size:78%;">makes my heart pitter patter.........</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> thou wast, ahem, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">half price!</span></p><p> </p>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-78325962728776483662010-08-13T11:11:00.000-07:002010-08-13T11:15:33.092-07:00It's a cat's life.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOve_mMZKWBxsGAW9IpNoPsHCWo-5kzxE5fj6iij-kjrM4jkKARai_7A3xFVTZZtMG9SbOZIFwA7kfcGMhUmihh98h2v48ONwajf3nUbQNJwk8oDaVQryy-H9rF58PeXatWrfQPCY6clU/s1600/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504959568356878018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOve_mMZKWBxsGAW9IpNoPsHCWo-5kzxE5fj6iij-kjrM4jkKARai_7A3xFVTZZtMG9SbOZIFwA7kfcGMhUmihh98h2v48ONwajf3nUbQNJwk8oDaVQryy-H9rF58PeXatWrfQPCY6clU/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Whoever said "it's a dog's life" .... never owned a cat. </div><div>Left to right....Sugar, Cinnabon, and Bob</div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-39927540479087257212010-07-19T13:31:00.000-07:002010-07-19T13:45:36.063-07:00Conference call<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX3jJbPZ7JAXEjK26j6yeN7qzIvwJDcBpheWO76Uy4op2AcmlT-f-k0zibdi-VxwYq3dyUR5IHOdUqvF5YobI5AJU0APVtBWxLDOFrHdlk6RyZMhXcNCcKeH5_ejA768qu42KdO2vVdI/s1600/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495721158695890194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX3jJbPZ7JAXEjK26j6yeN7qzIvwJDcBpheWO76Uy4op2AcmlT-f-k0zibdi-VxwYq3dyUR5IHOdUqvF5YobI5AJU0APVtBWxLDOFrHdlk6RyZMhXcNCcKeH5_ejA768qu42KdO2vVdI/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>This is the way things go at our house.....talk on the phone outdoors, and everyone (chickens, goose, cats, dogs, goldfish, steer, goats...<span style="font-size:78%;">you get the picture</span><span style="font-size:100%;">...) thinks you're talking to THEM. It's such a ruckus that sometimes you can't hear who you're talking to in the first place. </span></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-71345643770009550092010-07-14T12:40:00.000-07:002010-07-14T13:13:58.426-07:00Mr. Tree and the girls who love him<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvoooVXZ8nwJlxRy9dkhHpgjrYIA6WOZZA6tZDr93aPC02iS87FyHPs4To1fnn7l_L3WeN7Mlu6-CvXOB67czL-wUzbq5MD27QdUD5duoTBomvTV6atJ-kB3OX6fOJ2CKsB7Kj9_bm5M/s1600/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvoooVXZ8nwJlxRy9dkhHpgjrYIA6WOZZA6tZDr93aPC02iS87FyHPs4To1fnn7l_L3WeN7Mlu6-CvXOB67czL-wUzbq5MD27QdUD5duoTBomvTV6atJ-kB3OX6fOJ2CKsB7Kj9_bm5M/s320/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493857007429476626" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt0PLnHr9XVpRdjr_Q40jKpBqa2fMx1gydIodYDjRb0v_anC_vCz9tSbqqzMYWwJO9eZRPQy0bw81Y-9aXGgHRH1iZKSXAUogSJMWVWMrF39SWgtyvRTdIFZ22VQB3tA4EVYGdPCqOKU/s1600/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt0PLnHr9XVpRdjr_Q40jKpBqa2fMx1gydIodYDjRb0v_anC_vCz9tSbqqzMYWwJO9eZRPQy0bw81Y-9aXGgHRH1iZKSXAUogSJMWVWMrF39SWgtyvRTdIFZ22VQB3tA4EVYGdPCqOKU/s320/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493856999920636850" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ds2vY2xd2hWkBneJ6ZHYr3As9iolbAwezFSHOkig-rpbyo_UxnsFpeX3CGT3ek-AOGgXJxcy7Bx9Kb-CNE4CfTBEgCmG8n5lrqJZyOQnrThx2WCUwpUe8LLKmS8S1r1kS2qcSUymeyk/s1600/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ds2vY2xd2hWkBneJ6ZHYr3As9iolbAwezFSHOkig-rpbyo_UxnsFpeX3CGT3ek-AOGgXJxcy7Bx9Kb-CNE4CfTBEgCmG8n5lrqJZyOQnrThx2WCUwpUe8LLKmS8S1r1kS2qcSUymeyk/s320/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493856993448720818" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgufGfHOVGAYoocXmcBZi5xdUPIXHWM0xgqd1XPcTn1sFIyQ3yHVhDBfPShSyZysvoaGx1C9s5Eb9Bqa3yjQ9e6MqZyXOrgbLBHVzvNgJDtGW12MEPP5lGYH_aWO2hxpXgtJPYEKjK2E/s1600/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493853151303104178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgufGfHOVGAYoocXmcBZi5xdUPIXHWM0xgqd1XPcTn1sFIyQ3yHVhDBfPShSyZysvoaGx1C9s5Eb9Bqa3yjQ9e6MqZyXOrgbLBHVzvNgJDtGW12MEPP5lGYH_aWO2hxpXgtJPYEKjK2E/s320/Mr+Tree+and+the+girls+who+love+him+002.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Mr. Tree has lived here for some time now, but it is only recently that the girls truly discovered their love for him. They surround him and sit at his feet day after day, cleaning between his toes. At various times during the day they take turns leaving their gift of gratitude. They entrust him with their most precious possession, an egg :). Each one vigorously announces that they've left this gift; proud to let the world know that they've done it! Or, is it the same RELIEF we feel when a job is well done and we want to shout it to the world?! The analogies could go on forever here..... </div>
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<div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-88102454767168659082010-07-05T16:19:00.000-07:002010-07-05T18:52:24.382-07:00Down the road on a Harley<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxX5u3mjmo1AqXDOQ7pf2gbzK-DyNx3rzrj9BJ8iKgp-f50Fr41Ye_Y-11xamQNzDd6QZMuqjbtFW9kNrg64w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-76366466582596798292010-07-03T19:24:00.000-07:002010-07-03T20:07:04.268-07:00A new beginning....After being off this blogsite for a year and a half....I've decided to give it another try. I quite honestly was not feeling blogworthy for quite some time. It was a burdon. One more thing on a long list of chores. However, after so much enjoyment from looking at the blogs of those who are nearest and dearest to me, and encouragement from a good friend; I begin anew.
A weekly entry seems do-able so that's my goal......Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-37682829319847272472008-12-22T13:33:00.000-08:002008-12-22T14:21:11.235-08:00Great Blue Herons? or Sandhill Cranes?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3DTjX0LVuN-hPH75txrH1KG4dDLLFKpqf3p3_wGP-I39W0We8eU1ZdcM_MDK2_KMkY_N9Jb6kH8ocSq2MkvpglKGndSFdMkl1dRmRsEF7ksvTcTk-_NLZJJ4lnxG200fCLrGSALAcOg/s1600-h/P1000540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282742370471851314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3DTjX0LVuN-hPH75txrH1KG4dDLLFKpqf3p3_wGP-I39W0We8eU1ZdcM_MDK2_KMkY_N9Jb6kH8ocSq2MkvpglKGndSFdMkl1dRmRsEF7ksvTcTk-_NLZJJ4lnxG200fCLrGSALAcOg/s320/P1000540.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXYk7M7q2wncTQ1nq2BZStzP8afcdRYL3q__zHZDx1etCTmPvR6qbZnQ7mTOzCKpymeEcP1lJqKCkInmF9B-_NXiOHNweVfWgF6S1R_xu21t0ZPLeZ_o6ijmoR1CpURvn9mF4nYn6OS0/s1600-h/P1000539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282742363693060994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXYk7M7q2wncTQ1nq2BZStzP8afcdRYL3q__zHZDx1etCTmPvR6qbZnQ7mTOzCKpymeEcP1lJqKCkInmF9B-_NXiOHNweVfWgF6S1R_xu21t0ZPLeZ_o6ijmoR1CpURvn9mF4nYn6OS0/s320/P1000539.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A couple of weeks ago, we were awakened to the sound of herons calling to each other. "Breakfast is served...Breakfast is served"! :) It was a grey foggy morning, and though we looked and looked, we couldn't see anything. Then as the fog lifted...there they were. Hundreds of them across the road, eating to their hearts content. Watching them fly in to the "restaurant" was quite something. Their wing spans are 6' plus. We have always called them Herons but after looking in my birding field guides, I have come to the conclusion that these were not Herons, but Sandhill Cranes. Herons DO frequent our area, but they are primarily, believe it or not, carnivorous. They feed on fish and small mammals! Sandhill cranes on the other hand are grey, with a very similar look, but feed by "probing and gleaning the ground for insects and waste grain". Well, this was not waste grain! The field had just been planted but a week before!! Either way, Heron or Crane, they were fun to watch and listen to. </div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-19550842960350733822008-12-22T11:40:00.000-08:002008-12-22T13:32:21.069-08:00Thanksgiving Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j_UUHGAhzpvlxNMOVZqn6ZATjWRkyajhi7AQ3TMNQfgfy9cVi1gvak1dClS6rI_Heg7e_-neQ2bpqaMoUAnDdzjctQ71CZPgsJK4BzrWdF12j_cL5EVUZXDWRmMs5ghy9LTc3tyYbTs/s1600-h/P1000528.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282728717220961554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j_UUHGAhzpvlxNMOVZqn6ZATjWRkyajhi7AQ3TMNQfgfy9cVi1gvak1dClS6rI_Heg7e_-neQ2bpqaMoUAnDdzjctQ71CZPgsJK4BzrWdF12j_cL5EVUZXDWRmMs5ghy9LTc3tyYbTs/s320/P1000528.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Think I should post for Thanksgiving before I do my posts for Christmas! Now that's a novel idea isn't it?? </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We picked up Mom from Bethany Home on Thanksgiving Day. She was anxious to go and looking forward to having a good 'ol home cooked meal. I don't think she was disappointed! It was going to be just Les, me and Mom for the meal, so Les suggested I cut back a bit on the whole Thanksgiving FEAST idea. But you know, it's like cooking spaghetti.....when you put it in the pot, it never looks like enough! So, you keep adding.... Well, if we were having a turkey then you HAVE to have dressing, gravy and mashed potatoes..right? Then, it just doesn't taste like the full meal if you don't have cranberry sauce, home made applesauce (by Les), jello salad, green bean casserole and hot buns from the oven. A FEAST it was! Les helped out by BBQing the turkey, so the oven was all mine. </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">After such a feast, with the sun shiny and bright, it was time for a "walk". Since Grandma was in the wheel chair, it was a "ride" for her :) We started out taking the easy way...down the paved road, but quickly changed out minds and decided we could roll in the orchard just as well. It was a gorgeous fall day....all the leaves were a carpet for the wheelchair and Mom thoroughly enjoyed herself as did Les and I. </span></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-62701211857983993192008-11-24T10:22:00.000-08:002008-11-24T10:43:40.409-08:00Another treasure added<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXPcmOGJPQyqJzwOvoMX-xeBkwMAaGMGiVjXcSfmZI8FLIJdZ3Dw7fiRmAJpl2ju5pOcgb7w5m6tJgR_mAcx0liuK-TeALkYyGeOMjI950cS1aIcDUiIq1vpecrREoYr9aZoTR7mVkQU/s1600-h/P1000515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272296280960366978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXPcmOGJPQyqJzwOvoMX-xeBkwMAaGMGiVjXcSfmZI8FLIJdZ3Dw7fiRmAJpl2ju5pOcgb7w5m6tJgR_mAcx0liuK-TeALkYyGeOMjI950cS1aIcDUiIq1vpecrREoYr9aZoTR7mVkQU/s320/P1000515.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxvkE7N7R4P79cUnl8dXLivmfeuT08MRX82BVXA37LsSxxsUoLaFjnKFzx_iX27J5nxRVhOP2vsjzv0ztosCXYEWLLIA7Wja5Qhy2nc3oER93jdLTBokW1UOo0-Ut48ESTAQlljR1Q0g/s1600-h/P1000513.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272296277178133154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxvkE7N7R4P79cUnl8dXLivmfeuT08MRX82BVXA37LsSxxsUoLaFjnKFzx_iX27J5nxRVhOP2vsjzv0ztosCXYEWLLIA7Wja5Qhy2nc3oER93jdLTBokW1UOo0-Ut48ESTAQlljR1Q0g/s320/P1000513.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uJpZSkMguV8m4ar95pZFrbNy9uIk9jPigixpnJkT84240p1AEp0ms_GyTWo0efE4F1vl6tokx72lVVmD69nP8regbvxyK3GClRTXW29Mzb-6TGz1Sne3rqtb7k3LG8456Dab99Ya_Pg/s1600-h/P1000512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272296272170891746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uJpZSkMguV8m4ar95pZFrbNy9uIk9jPigixpnJkT84240p1AEp0ms_GyTWo0efE4F1vl6tokx72lVVmD69nP8regbvxyK3GClRTXW29Mzb-6TGz1Sne3rqtb7k3LG8456Dab99Ya_Pg/s320/P1000512.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Every now and then I like to peruse Ebay. I go to the section called EAPG, or, early american pressed glass. Since the early 80's I've been collecting a pattern called Minnesota. It was made by the U.S. Glass Company and there are 64 different pieces available (in Minnesota pattern), some more rare than others. They were manufactured in the mid to late 1800's, and were the poor man's version of cut crystal. I happened to be looking around the EAPG section the other day and found this little treasure. I already had one large dresser jar, but this little one was so cute! And cheap! $9 added this beauty to my collection and I couldn't be more thrilled :)</span></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-63006990699704849292008-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:002008-11-24T10:22:15.455-08:00Trip to Reno<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-s8hMoTVruEthotYEyvUr8CYOzUMi3yYwuEc6OxF4xUXywIAXKIFPTGmcGScQwO_Bz5lJQYALxAvtdgyB8dUnKC8SJ-qGEscOFzf6JGyM032bx_VOBgWQCYRm9qwnymG_by8gobpWX0/s1600-h/P1000526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272289971054966530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-s8hMoTVruEthotYEyvUr8CYOzUMi3yYwuEc6OxF4xUXywIAXKIFPTGmcGScQwO_Bz5lJQYALxAvtdgyB8dUnKC8SJ-qGEscOFzf6JGyM032bx_VOBgWQCYRm9qwnymG_by8gobpWX0/s320/P1000526.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lake at the top of Hwy. 4
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7hCn8ExgvkXjknyRZ6xWuI1eWFitwXBuTOVio187u7Tc3Fjf0hSV3Y3EmfAyYTLBrnDcc46m3yAfTIwfTPZa2NcO7-O__JMjREX_F505B_3inQbrx-UegT_V8JyqCeNOA12c8SorFwo/s1600-h/P1000524.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272289961471528834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7hCn8ExgvkXjknyRZ6xWuI1eWFitwXBuTOVio187u7Tc3Fjf0hSV3Y3EmfAyYTLBrnDcc46m3yAfTIwfTPZa2NcO7-O__JMjREX_F505B_3inQbrx-UegT_V8JyqCeNOA12c8SorFwo/s320/P1000524.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWNw8nQRtGuo1pMQea_X9xu-EdBA_mwZAPXjL1vIu1ipviPFJlqZMvpx4pGFgfgsxBK_61fatZnAsI0h4yvIH-lC3LpIhDqJNR4gootFIf1xJ9Lv821cUSIKTxZwr6f2qPlv1iHglJDk/s1600-h/P1000522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272289953678111138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWNw8nQRtGuo1pMQea_X9xu-EdBA_mwZAPXjL1vIu1ipviPFJlqZMvpx4pGFgfgsxBK_61fatZnAsI0h4yvIH-lC3LpIhDqJNR4gootFIf1xJ9Lv821cUSIKTxZwr6f2qPlv1iHglJDk/s320/P1000522.JPG" border="0" /></a>Reno in the distance
<div>Wow! We had a wonderful time taking a little trip to Reno. On the way over we had the Tahoe loaded down with the desk and bookcase for Katie, a box full of kitchen items and a turkey for Ri, and a chair headed for Ri's house as well. That, along with our luggage, made for a full Tahoe!! We started out on Sat. morning and just "meandered" up to hwy. 49 to Jackson, making stops along the way at the kitchen store and of course, the Harley dealer. It was a very relaxing trip over the hill. We were able to meet the Bronco fans (Casey, Lisa, Marie, and Ri's friends Meredith and Stacy) for dinner Saturday night. Lots of fun and so nice to just visit again. The guys transferred all the goodies from our car to the other two cars divvying up all the bootie, while us girls enjoyed a leisurely stroll thru the nearby Barnes and Noble. Sunday morning we met for church at the OPC in Reno and then headed home once again. What a nice visit and ride. </div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-49988675718294607972008-11-24T08:50:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:13:46.027-08:00Latest Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8hWnEVxY_ECpo8y4me4xM0wpKLXsWE78uymKLEA0wul-Ke5GJZOsfC_deXY1w6YZEl9QJkXXVSbeEPW3WVDRa5oeIQjuspKxfMpkNGCi6Kw7iICz60m6MNYzOyCKXRcfJXFteOsSygU/s1600-h/P1000518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272271557506106642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8hWnEVxY_ECpo8y4me4xM0wpKLXsWE78uymKLEA0wul-Ke5GJZOsfC_deXY1w6YZEl9QJkXXVSbeEPW3WVDRa5oeIQjuspKxfMpkNGCi6Kw7iICz60m6MNYzOyCKXRcfJXFteOsSygU/s320/P1000518.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFE8sGTDsnvZhqS4kngK1VV05pUmaVd5bjl23ums-0h9l8KX24TEsIDvp3ROQEdVBItOWEgSD9THOaKVH0uhblbGY6q0sh1-2m1V93ECkBTkhMkaKjihITcGzbKLo1qdjNcuCSn76qlU/s1600-h/P1000519.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272271549671146306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFE8sGTDsnvZhqS4kngK1VV05pUmaVd5bjl23ums-0h9l8KX24TEsIDvp3ROQEdVBItOWEgSD9THOaKVH0uhblbGY6q0sh1-2m1V93ECkBTkhMkaKjihITcGzbKLo1qdjNcuCSn76qlU/s320/P1000519.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrbUC8zRttLRgRwyXeljA6UPL7zjHjq8Upn_oXGiXFBGH799DmR2fTsLTsQpEGR3JcKU7YymRhkXRmBxIyKQi3G8cSYLkO61l3Hj1SlwogNu4oUdo-6uFWDGoRCHTSzc_bSnN6c7Xu5U/s1600-h/P1000511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272271544443193154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrbUC8zRttLRgRwyXeljA6UPL7zjHjq8Upn_oXGiXFBGH799DmR2fTsLTsQpEGR3JcKU7YymRhkXRmBxIyKQi3G8cSYLkO61l3Hj1SlwogNu4oUdo-6uFWDGoRCHTSzc_bSnN6c7Xu5U/s320/P1000511.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVN6WDnf9do_y_HACD1MI6mAqdjwI7hGEPpqO6VWQYJtyELjtaNHT5CDS2J8e7hIKfuU5VVbybxZwV6DcdBTx12-KWUmZMFKrIDN5qB7Cgqj03kTvqY-Ia3Ppun3yj4PF4FT6ivGms-U/s1600-h/P1000510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272271542749238002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVN6WDnf9do_y_HACD1MI6mAqdjwI7hGEPpqO6VWQYJtyELjtaNHT5CDS2J8e7hIKfuU5VVbybxZwV6DcdBTx12-KWUmZMFKrIDN5qB7Cgqj03kTvqY-Ia3Ppun3yj4PF4FT6ivGms-U/s320/P1000510.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>One of my latest projects was cleaning up and repainting this desk and bookcase for Katie to go into her new room! The desk has traveled around the family a bit. Les and I purchased it new and unfinished from Al's furniture. It started out in Casey and Jerry's room, then moved to Mark and Philip's room, and now back here again for the last several months while we decided what to do with it. As you can see, paint and some new knobs can make quite a transformation! So nice to see it all "girly" and ready for Katie to make her mark on it too!! </div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218539025920586045.post-11885621216213463752008-11-12T07:48:00.000-08:002008-11-12T17:57:10.956-08:00From the Tool Shed to the Living Room<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMO1N0k-uvFbGXIXmPyNBlOp7lUjvQz-OXlD2u61tJZBLSkY-ZEQwJ6d4KCQ57AYc7p8UXPFy40pRKDWlWG4Whs_mOKU7owh5ZO9AfnIF1JESv-PFsByLJcPdiFpD7x5oPvItbTWCVlc/s1600-h/P1000509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267814986353827746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMO1N0k-uvFbGXIXmPyNBlOp7lUjvQz-OXlD2u61tJZBLSkY-ZEQwJ6d4KCQ57AYc7p8UXPFy40pRKDWlWG4Whs_mOKU7owh5ZO9AfnIF1JESv-PFsByLJcPdiFpD7x5oPvItbTWCVlc/s320/P1000509.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoaejum9MM3Nvpft_RATXqqkZMT6i4SYuFNRg7M54h221OqBIBgUnLoG0HE9WehNhBKBITK9zB4QmosyFXwuvvhqARW_AGefUEtD79UEKgpttO7odBtoBwVSNeK2pr2dKf63qA8m5Y7Y/s1600-h/P1000508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267814980825429042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoaejum9MM3Nvpft_RATXqqkZMT6i4SYuFNRg7M54h221OqBIBgUnLoG0HE9WehNhBKBITK9zB4QmosyFXwuvvhqARW_AGefUEtD79UEKgpttO7odBtoBwVSNeK2pr2dKf63qA8m5Y7Y/s320/P1000508.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9Ga9whfZB6nUUn69b5N0Kqu0xHVUikR6KdeJH5DHuuatmByiiUW4JEI4rbW4rjU6zYe-oIpkPazIB5DEg6Kv7rZGFWoYPNjNGpp1BMrAQbPVuOYrms4fYMTqmbQChDXZ375XCtwH0rc/s1600-h/P1000507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267814967720475266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9Ga9whfZB6nUUn69b5N0Kqu0xHVUikR6KdeJH5DHuuatmByiiUW4JEI4rbW4rjU6zYe-oIpkPazIB5DEg6Kv7rZGFWoYPNjNGpp1BMrAQbPVuOYrms4fYMTqmbQChDXZ375XCtwH0rc/s320/P1000507.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAudbu4yntV5Md-E257s1ofHCC-5rQNVho46H46rtP_lB-CDmN1uP1s8UP8Jxz5NiO8y9_BzvpKpCiuWypjQ0-ACBf6ojR4K7PEzBuhke9K3g7XqJ4o-iyUIxCP4-5sNxX7BL-ksbK7g/s1600-h/P1000503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267814960593236658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAudbu4yntV5Md-E257s1ofHCC-5rQNVho46H46rtP_lB-CDmN1uP1s8UP8Jxz5NiO8y9_BzvpKpCiuWypjQ0-ACBf6ojR4K7PEzBuhke9K3g7XqJ4o-iyUIxCP4-5sNxX7BL-ksbK7g/s320/P1000503.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><span style="color:#330000;">This old buffet, which I have loved since I was a child, has finally made it into the living room. If I had a dining room, it would be<em> there</em> in it's appropriate place....but for now it resides in the living room. It has a long history in our Van Laar family....one which each of us remembers in a slightly different way. When I was a child, 5 or 6 I believe, my Dad brought this home from the Modesto Cattle Auction. Just the thought of the auction brings about the memory of the sights and smells...from the auction ring with it's sawdust floor and bleacher style seating, to the auctioneer with his fascinating speed talk I could never understand, to the coffee shop on site where we got a treat! There was a huge Quonset hut there filled with antiques....mostly estate sale stuff. I am assuming that this is where Dad got the buffet. My love for antiques and anything with a history was in place already at that age. I absolutely LOVED going into the Quonset hut at the auction. People's lives were spread out there in the dust for all to see. Rich, poor, and in between. Lovely burl bedroom sets with marble topped side tables, old discarded wringer washers, and Formica topped kitchen tables accompanied by red vinyl and chrome chairs. </span>
<span style="color:#330000;">The buffet came home in the cow trailer and was promptly placed in the tool shed. It had two drawers which locked (the top ones were lined in burgundy velvet) and seemed a good place for Dad to "lock up his tools". It had some nice storage space as well as another counter top to work on. Work bench space was a premium in the tool shed. With 4 boys who wanted to tinker too, there was always something spread out on the counter. <em>I</em> thought it was much too lovely a piece of furniture to be treated that way, but Dad was a practical man and the buffet served him well as a cheap work bench.</span>
<span style="color:#330000;">If you look in the pictures, you will see where motor oil was spilled across the top and down the front and left side. There were bits of red paint dispersed all over the top and front..... International Red, of course. There was some green too, though I don't believe Dad ever had a John Deere! It was also known in the family for having the name my brother's teased my older sis with, emblazoned in red spray paint on the back! I won't write it here...she might come for me!</span>
<span style="color:#330000;">I was living in Washington as a newlywed when the day came for Mom and Dad to move off the farm. "Dad, please, I want the buffet!" "That 'ol thing?" "Oh yes Dad, I'll fix it up!" The buffet journeyed to Washington and back again. It sat in the garage on N. Ripon Rd. for 8 yrs. being used in the capacity it had grown accustomed to....storing tools. Then it moved "home" again nearly 23 yrs. ago with lots of promises to "bring it in". Finally she's here...she shined up better than I imagined. Do you see the glow? Briwax and Formby's is all it took. The motor oil? Well, I just think of Dad, the auction, and good memories. Besides, it's great storage, don't ya know? </span>
<span style="color:#330000;">When Mom moved to the home, I got all her "good" dishes and silverware. They're now stored in the <em>perfect place</em>. Dad's old tool box and Mom's good china....it fits doesn't it? </span></div></div></div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527466844837762089noreply@blogger.com1