TAKING

                                               The question is where is life taking you?

W each have our path and sometimes it is good just to question what you are doing and where you are going.  The Bible talks about the wind of the spirit who blows us along into the unexpected  at times

Our life has become very settled.  Every morning I walk the dog and come home and have a nap.

I putter around tidying up the house and pulling the old weed out of the garden.

Dad and I are both reading a lot.  He is reading "Farewell to Arms"  

I am finding the heat really getting to me.     Headaches and nausea  are no fun.

I am so thankful for the air conditioner.

The door bell rang this morning and Randy and Sandra arrived.  He was holding a little red  Package and he runs up stairs to fix our bathroom.

I am really thankful to have that extra bathroom working. 

The theme of my book,  "The One Life We are Given" says life does  not always worked as planned but happens by grace and the wind of the Spirit that can change our direction.  Be open to the Spirit.

for  grace as grace can never be planned for or willed to appear.  We wait expectantly for new experiences for changing moments that give life meaning.

Boy it is too hot in here.  I cannot wait to eat lunch and then  return to our cool room.

Have a Happy Long Weekend all you guys.     

.

OBEY

                                                I was told that the meeting would be at our house.

I was not to worry about food or drink.

I expected they would bring it.

Drena brought flowers and John brought cale from their garden.

I started feeling uncomfortable.

There is something about sharing a drink and a bit of something.

I had some GF. squares and some orange juice.

I would have got some grapes or something g to snack on.

When they arrived everyone tried to find the coolest spot to sit.

Even outside by the pond was hot.

We enjoyed a lively time of conversation, just being together was fun.

Today we are so happy Spenser is getting a trim.  He has been so hot.

Theresa sent more drinks over after everyone had left.  We could have done that for the group.

She is off to fly down to join Ben.  Exciting times.

Yes I should not have obeyed but it worked out okay.

Yes 

She is leaving to fly to join /ben

WORRIES

                                                   Ducks at Boundary Park.

                                                           Too hot to go there now.

                                                    I am worried about finding a cool place for our friends.

                                                   Outside or in?

                                                    I need to turn my worries over to God especially when I fall asleep at                                                            night. He is going to be up all night anyway.  -Mary Crowley

                                                    I can always find things to worry about.

                                                   My biggest worry right now is what to eat.

                                                    I try to find things that do not upset dad.

                                                   Life is a journey and we each need to find the right path for ourselves.

                                                   Faith walks with me to guide and strengthen me.

                                                   Be creative!

                              

                    

MEMORIES

Good memories are spending time with family,

I have many happy memories when I looked after Oliver when Carol returned to work.

Right now I am unhappy as instead of publishing my blog I deleted it.

It  has been a busy and stressful morning try to take the ice off the back of our freezer.  The freezer stops working and we need it to work until Wed.  We threw some left overs away and put stuff in a compost bag.  We did a good job but the whole kitchen was a big mess.

    We have dear friends coming over to-morrow .

I hope it will not be too hot to sit outside.

We met at church and have form a meaningful and lasting relationship.  We  do meet that often and sometimes it is because one of us has had a birthday,

We are comfortable with each other

because we all in our own way feel comfortable within our selves.

Some memories  I had forgotten

so it as fun to be reminded of them.

I do not like this hot weather

and my computer room is very hot.

Time to go and lie down in my cool bedroom.

HEARING

 

The daisy has taken over our garden.

So good to hear from you Ava.

We look forward to a visit but you are all so busy.

Dad and I enjoyed a visit with Carol and Oliver.

He may be starting a new job/

He looks good and he enjoyed climbing up and down hills.

In the Okanogan/

Carol too may be starting a new job.

We wish them both success.

The heat really bothered me as the day got hotter and hotter.

I had a headache and just wanted to rest.

Our bedroom was like an oven.

Sandra phones and came to our rescue.

We now have an air conditioner in our bedroom.

I am trying to be more aware of what others are saying

and not just thinking of what I want to say.

Inner chatter can get to loud.

The main thing is to listen.

ENJOY

                                              Light more candles

                                              Enjoy the gift of each new day.

                                              Accept the difficult things.

                                              Appreciate and be thankful for what others do to help you.

                                             Life becomes less stressful.

                                             We do not need to run the race or win a prize.

                                              Write your feelings down in a journal.

                                              My mom taught me to do your chores first then take time to enjoy the day

                                              Yes honestly I find it hard to leave the bed unmade and dishes in the sink

                                             Over and over again I am reminded to live in the moment.   

                                             Becoming forgetful make more lists.

                                             Become an even better listener, listen with your heart. 

                                             Keep singing even if you are out of tune.

                                             Laugh at your mistakes.

                                             Leave some dirt and dust for the cleaning lady, she enjoys clening.

                                              

                                              Become kinder and gentler and accept your imperfections and limitations.

                                              Enjoy a second piece of cake!

                                               Enjoy every minute of your walk

                                               See the beauty and feel peaceful.

                                               Breath in love with every breath.

                                               God's love and the love of family and friends,

BIRTHDAYS

                                                  The birthday party at Sandra and Randy's.

                                                  Lots of noisy children running in and out of the pool/

                                                  Lots of candles on the cake  It took two big blows to put them out/

                                                  Lots of family fun!

Two sweethearts.

A week later there was a party at Carol and Panteli's  Sandra and Randy are there and so are 

Kim and Hamlet and Alba.  Alba started walk all over the place.  She is very proud of herself.  The cake was blueberry coffee cake with candles.  Only took one blow.

I was very touched by all the family getting together, I was touched by thoughtful caring like cleaning out our pond and getting it running,  The book marks Panteli made from pictures and words from my blog were special too.  Beautiful cards with loving remarks were very meaningful.  Phone calls from my friend Jane and from Ron Ateah and from Rick and Sandra finished off the celebrations

Thanks to you all.  I love birthday parties but I do not like getting old.  Kim and Hamlet gave me a new dress and dad wants to buy me something to wear too,  Too hot to go out today.

This room is very hot were I am typing and Spemser stays by me.

AWESOME

How awesome to have the stream running in our back yard.  Sandra and Randy got right into the middle of he mucky water and took out all the old roots and took out some old mud too. What a ugly mess.  They were soon covered in dirty mud.  Boy did they work hard.  We are so very grateful.  This is one of the worst jobs to tackle.

I hope they can get cleaned up to go to the party at Carol and Panteli's.  Kim and Hamlet will be there.  I believe  that fly home on Monday  I think they have had a wonderful visit here.  We were delighted to get to know little Albas.  She is very sweet.

I made some muffin and dad made coffee and we sat out in the back and listened to the water running.

This a party for me for my birthday.  It should be great fun.

Life is truly awesome!

 

FLEXIBLE

Ophelia 

Astrid

It is always so great to see the girls again.

I am not writing in the morning as I need to take Spenser for his walk while it is still cool. I still need to rest after.  A little work in the garden and doing laundry and the day flies by.

I have lived a long and a good life.

What has been important has been my marriage, my family. my home and my friends.

My faith in a higher power has helped me through difficult times.

I believe it is important to be thankful and positive.

I believe we all deserve to live a good life.

Jesus called it the abundant life.

I have been given so much

  

I understand Hamlet and Kim and Alba are still here.

They are having a wonderful visit

There is a reason I am still here.

If something bugs me I am learning to get over it

and not waste energy wishing it was different.

I tell myself to be flexible and go with the flow. 

I want to still feel creative even if it is just on my blog.

Or cleaning out my closet again.

 

ATTITUDE

                                                   Another warm day.

I DO ENJOY THE QUIET COOLNESS OF THE MORNING.

I did not mean that to be in capitals but I will just leave it.

Life often boils down to the choices I make.  

Yes I seem to be doing a lot of snoozing.  I rest after my walk with Spenser into the park.

Yes I rest after we take a trip to the store.

Has my life become over simplified?

The excitment   and fun  of the party is fading away but will be a wonderful memory.  so happy to see Leah and the girls and Kim and Mary and their girls.  Little Alba is adorable. 

  I wake up early as usual.  It is going to be warm today.  The fans will be going in our bedroom as it gets hot.

Yesterday Hilary brought us a supper. She promises to bring us some home made jam.  I open the door and Spenser rushes out and away down the block.  We all run after him.

He can be annoying but also adorable.

I remind myself that positive feelings have power over how I feel and what I can do today. 

Are there people who really do not worry about anything?

They just leave the worrying to the rest of us.  I know worry does not change anything but I am one of those people who do it anyway

.  

RELAXED

                                                     An underwater picture.

For me it was a beautiful day just to sit by the pool and relax.

Where do children get all their energy from?

Alba is a very happy little one.

She watches everyone.

It is hard to take pictures of everyone.

I am glad I caught these two.

The pool man

Happy faces I love.

Now I am back to being normal.

I took Spenser for a walk .  

He was and sniffing in the grass when all of a sudden he jumped out in front of me.

He was limping.

I could not feel or see anything.

I tried to carry him and push my walker and it did not work.

I put him on the seat and went very slowly. 

He was better by the time we got home and wanted to go for another walk.

I just wanted to relax..

DIFFICULT

                                              Ben comes to visit before he leaves on his big adventures.

                                               Good to visit with Carol too.

Alba watches Sandra get ready.

Shandel and Mary relax

Where did Cameron go?

Alba says hi'

                                               

 She likes grandpa's cane

She loves her daddy.

                                               Matt and Mary

Sandra takes her for a swim.

                                               Matt and me

                                                  Tasha and Justice,  Leah in the picture too.

                                                  A happy couple

                              

A very happy birthday.

The table looked so beautiful,

All the happy faces looked beautiful

1

 I am having difficulty doing this.

 

 

THE PARTY

 It is a shame Carol will not be able to join the family.   Her and Panteli very tired and do not want to give it to any one else.  So disappointing not to be able to be with Alba and Kim and Hamlet.

I am very excited thinking about the family being together.  We will miss Ken and his family and Rick  I do not know if Leah and Craig are coming today.  It is so easy to lose touch.  Everyone is busy.  I do appreciate comments that help keep us in the know.

We will go over at about 2 to have a visit first before others come.

It is a cooler day today but that is okay for me.  

Every stage of life has things to teach us.  Lessons that are not always easy to learn. 

I need to have a rest before joining the party.  I know it will be fun. I need to accept my limitations.  I need to accept help and that means accepting when things are not done my way

HERE

 Here I am again.  No new pictures. I am going to need more help.

We have not heard from anyone so I do not know what they are doing.  I know Cameron and Shandel are on the way home after a wonderful visit.  What an awesome place for a holiday.  The children love the swimming pool/

I think Hamlet and Kim are in Chilliwack visiting Theresa.

The gang planned to go to Harrison Hot Springs.  It was a cooler day but it also felt muggy.

I got the report back on my urine test and I do have a nasty bladder infection.  It makes me feel tired and a little confused.  The doctor will get back to me on Monday.  I am a little annoyed that I have to wait.

I am learning to look at life differently. Each day has precious moments that bring us happiness.

Now is the time just to relax and rest.  Here is where I am meant to be.-

SAFE

 We all want to protect  little Alba, especially Carol.    It is better to be over cautious.  

I was up early to walk Spenser so we could be at Sandra and Randy's on time.  Dad wanted to re-arrange my fourth shot that we had previously booked for that morning.

We tried to get hold of the druggist.  Dad was getting stressed and that is not good.  I made him have a slice of toast.  I suggested we drive over and inform the druggist.  Just pop in quickly and speed on our way.  The druggist volunteered to do it right then.  Several customers came in and he had to look after them

Dad really wanted me to get this shot.  Yes I finally got it and of course we were late for the beautiful breakfast Sandra had planned.

We enjoy visiting with everyone.  Alba is adorable and does well with all us strange people.

I want to hold her but I am afraid she may cry.  We may see her to-morrow before she goes to see Theresa in Chilliwack.

I am glad to have my computer working but I am making a lot of mistakes.

I also have a very sore arm.  

We like to think that all ends well.

To-morrow is another day!

he does well with all these strange people.

ed off on our way.

EARLY

 I am very thankful for the visit we had with Shandel and Cameron.  I wish I was not feeling so tired.  

It was a bonus to have my big computer working.  Everything seems to be in the proper place.   

Cameron worked wonders and I feel very grateful to him.

It is better sometimes to have an visit with another couple.

To-morrow we are having breakfast at Sandra and Randy's.

Mary's boy friend Matt will be joining us with his daughter.

Kim and Hamlet will be showing off little Alba.

It will be another early morning for me as I have to walk Spenser first.

This morning I had a visit to the lab for some blood work.  The results are excellent.

I wonder why  do not have more energy.  I guess it must be old age..

I have a lot to be thankful for that is for sure.

VACATIONS

Vacations can be so exciting especially as you make plans for all you hope to do.  Seeing family and making memories to last a life time.  We have often found out that some plans did not work out.

Carol and Panteli have been busy preparing for Kim and Hamlet and baby Alba.  When Carol gat a sore throat and felt achy she was tested for Covid and now they find out both of them have.  Kim and Hamlet will be staying at a Bed and Breakfast near Sandra's house. How disappointing for Carol.

 I hope we can drive over and see them.

We have to hold fast to our dreams at times because life is not a fairy tale but it is reality,

I want to spend as much time as we can visiting and talking and laughing and fill my heart with the joy of being together of feeling loved.

There will come a day when memories are all we have so I want to have a huge supply of the days that were a little bit crazy but always fun.

I am so very thankful for our family the best family one could wish for.

 

FEELINGS

we love spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I love sitting out in our back yard,

I am thankful that I am not feeling stressed or over worked or anxious.

Dad and I are having a quiet day with two fans going.

I had a walk in the morning when it was still cool.

I have felt a bit tired so 

Dr. Nolte is ordering some blood work and a urine test.

He thinks it is a good idea.

I do what I can when I feel like it.  I am thankful Laura does the heavy cleaning.

I am thankful I am a Christian

who believes in a God of love.

I feel that I am secure in His love

I feel happy healthy holy.

I feel that the Holy Spirit is flowing within me when I become quiet and peaceful.

We have been blessed with a wonderful family.

 

FUN

Another fun day at the pool.  Such fun watching them have fun.  This is an old picture as I cannot download my pictures from yesterday.  We have fun watching them have fun, laughing and splashing.

Shandel and Cameron have arrived.  /Cameron jumps right in. 

Simone is joy as she reads me a story.  She has taken my hand as I come out of the car.  Honestly I thought she might be afraid of this wrinkly old lady.

Love does not see what I see when I look in the mirror.
 

EARLY

 

Up early.

Cann't wait to go Sandra and Randy's

We want to come as early as they want us,

I am writing and praying like I do every morning.

"Those who let their eyes adjust

can even see in the darkness."

Sorry to hear that Melina's mom has Covid

and so has Jesse,

Sorry to hear Morgan's cat died.

It is good they, Mikie. Ben and Morgan are leaving on their holiday trip/

Destination is South Carolina.

I am now walking Spenser and will have a nap when  get home.

Dad and Spenser have just woken up.

RESTORED

Ken phoned wondering why I had not written.  I explained that the system was down.  It is on now but it is very slow.

We have had a very quiet few days.  Sandra arrived home from Edmonton with a nasty cold so it was decided they should not come over.  Very disappointing as I was very excited to see her and Mary and the children.

Today we went out to the /white /spot and then took Spenser around the pond and they phoned.  We will be going over to-morrow.  Cameron and Shandel are arriving.

I am tired so I will do better to-morrow.

 

FRIENDS

Friends

Even Spenser has friends.

He says "Hello" and goes right back to sniffing.

I have many childhood memories of my best friends. 

Most of my childhood memories are happy ones.

 I am thankful for the wonderful friends we have made

We have and by attending church,

That is where I met Jane and Jeff, and Cathy and Glen and Pat and John.

They have been and still are the best of friends.

I am thankful that we live in a friendly neighborhood.

Dad and I fell in love and married.

Now many years later after four children we have become best froens.

 

 

CREATE

My garden is overgrown.

I will deal with it another day,

I am up early feeling very creative.

I journal away.

I dream a little.

I plan to write in my blog.

Dad wakes up and we start talking.

Then Laura arrives and I talk with her and dad.

I am late starting out on my walk.

I believe that as this day unfolds I will meet the people  at the right time and place.  

Sometimes went you feel positive  about life good things happen.

Carol brings us a healthy and tasty supper over.

She continues to be helpful just at the right time.

I meet Maxine on my walk \

She is planning a service for her husband.

He had major health problems.

It is called a celebration of Life.

It will be at Crossroads /Church

We feel at home there as we have gone several times.

Hilary dropped by with some rasberries.

She loves being generous and Helpful

Now I am off to see the Hearing Lady,

I have some concerns.

After I will walk around Boundary Park.

And our air conditioner arrived.

I will be eager to try it to-night.

I am reminded of how important it is to be thankful.

 

BECOMING

what to expect as you age,

 This was taken several years ago.

You do not look so good.

Your hair becomes gray.

But you keep smiling.

You do not hear as well or see as well'

Your energy drops.

Your memory fails.

We are becoming a different pepelbut

your heart is full of love!  !

 

 

TRUSTING

 

It is hard to keep trusting when nothing works.

Now this computer will not turn on

Is moaning and groaning a prayer?

Well turning it off and on finally worked.

Another cloudy day.

Will the sun come out?

It does not feel like July

but it is.

I am trusting it will finally warm up soon

.Dad and I went to the golf course for supper.

The flowers are beautiful

and everything is very bright green. 

We even had desert!