something new...for me

My brown eyed handsome man and I took a walk today.
Kind of early, 9 a.m.
A rather brisk one. 
3.1 miles.
And we walked with a long time friend.
When we finished my man said
" honey! your first 5K.
I'm so proud of you."


cute huh.
Like I said, we WALKED.
Twas billed as a run,..but hey...
It was a fund raiser for missions,
and we were happy to donate.


I was thankful to do it under one hour. 
49 minutes to be precise.
It's been nearly a month since I've done
much walking so the lungs were 
out-of-shape.
( as if they were in before. 
it just sounds good.) 




 

I could live here..

It seems those words come out of my mouth often.
More than once even this month.
Two Saturday's ago I was enjoying norther Indiana
and the colorful Fall trees.
It made me think, " I could live here."
Yesterday I was happily skipping along on edge of the 
Gulf of Mexico. 
Galveston to be precise.
I thought  " I could live here".

Must be my gypsy feet that keep me wandering.
Or am I like Paul in the New Testament and 
learning to be content is whatever state I'm in?


Or....am I just being the crazy woman God made?


Probably all three.
Where have you been this month?
 

Many marvelous males

Once again am on a merry-go-round of traveling.
Heading in to the last adventure this week.
Will help a good friend celebrate her son's wedding.
Weddings are fun, but lots of work too. 
I choose to focus on the fun part.
BUT....
Last night hubby and I traveled to France, via our son's 
photos, seeing the colorful lush window boxes, 
the Eiffel Tower in daytime, night time,
from under, on top, 
up close, in the distance, 
and many other detailed and ornate buildings. 
While still lounging comfortably on our couch 
we took a tour of Alaska, 
the Cook Inlet, 
and Kenai Penninsula.
My word, the colors are intense and crystal clear,
scenery such a fine example of God's majesty.
I hope to snatch a few pics of both places to share.

Yesterday I had breakfast with a good friend.
Created another crazy adventure involving a missed exit, 
illegal turn around on the turnpike, and anxiousness as to the outcome of paying the fine. 
Almost like Thelma and Louise!


Then hopped in the car of our gorgeous daughter,
saw the adorable blue eyed blond 2 yr old she shares 
a home with. 
He was wearing pj top, diaper, mischievous grin. 
All topped off with a royal blue velvet wizards hat pulled down so his bright blue eyes barely peeked out. He had to show me how he puts the baby to sleep in the new stroller, covers her up, and even was meticulous to straighten out her little hat. As we hopped in our car he hopped on his smaller version and waved us off. 
He was a man of few words but those eyebrows have sufficient expression to speak clearly.
Next stop was to see the traveling son and his friends. 
The immensely creative 3 year old boy there was full of chatter and his own adventures. 
Shortly after arriving he announced to us. 
.."last night I killed a purple bear."  
We asked how many legs it had, " 4, then 3." 
He continued to delight me not only with adventures,
but his sweet blue-eyed face. 
Not to mention the bright green rain boots worn with his safari shorts. 
Naturally the boots were on the wrong feet. 
He has such a love for our son, that often our son gets credited for things, even when in reality he's far far away. For example, when the green-boot-wearing wonder did a naughty thing, the response was " Naki told me to do it.!" 
When it was time to leave he did not want "Naki" to go. 
(fyi, that's said w/a short a sound. )

Once again we traveled by car to rendevous w/another small charmer. 
He grinned shyly, then beamed at his aunt Jan as we devoured our pumpkin pancakes with his parents. 
This brown-eyed wonder has a trick eyebrow. 
Like his dashing uncle they can raise only one if they want.
Certainly adds expression to an already adorable face.
Even a waitress commented on my great nephews grin.
He really stole my heart when he zipped ahead of his parents and my kids, rushing forward to hold my hand as we left the eatery.
I tell ya, made me feel like a million bucks being escorted by this dashing fella.

Days like yesterday, are times to treasure and cherish.
May your week be blessed with those.












 

It was breath-taking

 

adventures abound

While out here supporting my framily friend, we are having adventures.
I am taking tons of pictures,
but don't have the necessary equipment to put them on my friends computer.
Will be a few days before I can show you the glorious fall scenery,
glass smooth lake, and worlds cutest blue eyed baby girl.

I had planned to go
the mountains this weekend, but am enjoying the
peacefulness of northern Indiana
and time w/these cherished and vital friends.
thanks God. You are good.

but have i got stories to tell.

rejoice in the Lord always-challenge

"giving thanks always"

big deep breath..
rejoice
okay.
giving thanks...
okay.


let me try


*thank you God I woke up healthy Sunday and every day
*I woke up knowing I could worship you with others who believe in you.

*thank you for that little yellow car that starts when it needs to,
has air conditioning and gets me where I need to be.
*thank you for the hubby who paid for that car and the gas,
with out complaining.
*thank you for the daughter who understands sometimes life 
is more challenging than other times, yet she knows how 
loved she is by her parents. even when they literally go different directions instead of getting to eat lunch with her and spend the afternoon together.
*thank you God for my siblings who's capable hands will be the physical and oh so important emotional support needed for our parents.
*thank you God I can drive, fly and arrive safely on the this weeks path
*thank you God for nsaids and how well they work.
*thank you God for sweet kids in Texas who's preemie son is growing strong and healthy, each hour even. 
*thank you God for allowing me to express my crazy emotions on paper. i know i feel better and once in awhile others do too. 
*thank you God our son has a job
*thank you God for our other daughter and her loving and fun hubby
*thank you I have a suitcase to pack and time to pack in.


okay...
I didn't do too bad.
it's your turn. 
let me hear 'em. 




 

I know

 Late night phone calls are usually not the happiest of news.
We got one last night.
A sweet 91 year old lady moved to heaven last night.
Am sure she was greeted by her charming Charlie.
One of her daughters is 'framily' to me.

This delight in our life, was a substitute grandma for my kids when we lived 16 hours away from our birth ones.
She watched our kids, loved on them and delighted in them. We celebrated many Easter Sunday dinners with her, and other fun times.
I enjoyed staying at their farm home.
I was so far from my folks' farm so this filled an emotional need.
We stayed upstairs in bedrooms that have eves, nooks and crannies filled with curiosities.
The sheets were worn cotton soft and smelled of sunshine.
When it was cooler the weight of the blankets piled high kept us warm.
Their work shop smelled just like my daddy's, filling the lonely places when I was homesick for my land of oz.
As you can tell, not only were we loved on by this sweet couple, but just being on their farm gave me comfort.
She was a small white haired cutie. Typical grandma in size and shape. Soft enough for squeezing and strong enough for correcting.

I am going out to help celebrate her life with her family.
I know I shall laugh and cry. I'll probably grieve for not only her, but her dashing hubby, who's funeral I didn't get to attend.

I called my sweet framily-friend this morning to say I was looking in to flights. We cried and she said "do you know what this means to me?"

I know.