PT. 2 - God Does Amazing Work

Our trip to the Outer Banks reminded me of just what beautiful work God does. Just when you think you've seen some of his best work, you go to the Outer Banks and see Him take your breath away. It's beautiful. Nothing else need be said, He shows you it all...

This blog entry is photos of the beauty of the entire area we enjoyed. There was so much more to see and do, it would take an entire summer and then some. You would think the beach itself would be enough to keep you in awe, but then you see the off-road beaches, the life on the beach and in the water, homes, wild horses, the Corolla Lighthouse, views... Like I said, it's breathtaking. So let me share some of it with you, and hopefully, when we plan next years trip you will want to enjoy it with us. If so, just comment and say so. We'd love to have you! The guest list has begun...

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PT. 1 - What a Vacation Memory! Ahh, the People!

One of my favorite memories is of past vacations. Now we have new memories to add to the old. As a matter of fact, there are so many pictures for this vacation, all merged by 6 families, that I'm going to have to do this in 6 separate blog entries. Some times you just have so much fun, even doing nothing, that you want to capture it all on film and remember it forever. That's how this trip was.

It started being planned last November. As the pieces fell into place, we started to invite people to join in the fun. One thing we knew, this was going to be an adults only vacation. Nothing against children, but sometimes people need a break from it all, just to chill and do nothing. So the plans began. By January we were inviting people to join and trying to determine what size house to get. When you vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina it's best to rent a house, pool and all, and plan your vacation. In addition to no children this one trip, we were wanting to "Pay It Forward" for everyone who had helped us get through a rough year. Thank you was the main reason for the trip, and there were a lot of people to try to coordinate.

We finally had a final group list and had the time of our lives. Tricia and I were joined by Mary and Steve Gaylord (sister and brother in-law), their dog Bailey, Mom Schultz, Marcia Bourque (sister), Jeremy Smith (nephew), Lisa and Steve Schultz (brother and sister in-law), and Julie Madera (niece). Although so many others were invited, for a multitude of reasons, our guest list was the group of eleven of us.

I've started the memories with pictures of the people who were there, in order for the rest to make sense. Unfortunately, some people were more "picture takers" so there aren't as many shots of them to share.

There are a few special memories of some of the photos...

-Grandmama, was always covered up and cold while the rest of us were hot, but she did leave with a sunburn! She loved exploring all the unique shops and tourist traps.
-Jeremy, who we hadn't seen in years, reminiscing about looking at the stars each night and thinking of each other, or him being just plain crazy and fun... Lily Tomlin in the big chair!
-Julie says her sunscreen will protect her, then she's fried the next day, but she still keeps her commitment to study, so proud of her! She's so much fun!
-Lisa shares the first chance to get to know her and find out how lucky we are that she's in our family. She cheers for the Orlando Magic and takes some great photos!
-Marcia still loves to shop and laugh. I loved just watching her spend time with Jeremy, something I know she misses doing. And the "head joke"... you're killin' me!
-Mary was my pool pal and my cooking partner. I don't know how we made all the food fit in the refrigerators, or the look on her face when she saw all the cupboards of dishes... lots of bowls! We still had too much food!
-Steve S. makes the best pool fairy wrapped in a raft we have ever seen... he won the fishing contest with his TROPHY FISH catch, and allowed me to feed him his beer so he didn't have to leave the pool to drink!
-Steve G. woke each morning to watch the sunrise and see the daily news with me. He'd return from his daily fishing to tell us about the one that got away. A big thank you for taking everyone to the off-road area to look for horses and terrorists. About that grass skirt...
-Tricia ended every day with me by saying "thank you" for giving us this trip and the awesome people we shared it with. I will never forget the smile that finally returned to her face when she spent time with everyone...

I'm not as talented as many of you on making a montage, but I'm sure you'll get the idea. The computer kept changing the order of the pictures, so forgive a few "mix ups". Just take a few minutes... more than 5, I think, and enjoy the montage! Remember, with over 700 photos to share I will be posting 5 more montages of the trip! Enjoy!!!!

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Save a Memory With a Drawing

Did I ever mention how proud I am of my granddaughters? This past weekend was about making new memories and putting them on paper. When I was a child I loved to sketch and draw. I couldn't afford much paper so I drew on anything that I could. I did quite a good job back then, winning several art competitions. As I loved to create, I thought this would be a fun thing to share with the girls. My memory lesson to my granddaughters: let's go exploring and see what we can draw.

Off to the park we all went. Kristy and Dannen walked with Tricia and me, while the girls blazed the artistic trail ahead. Dannen got bored quickly so he just snoozed away in the stroller.


I really recommend doing this with kids. They love it! As we were on a nature trail, there was plenty to see. It became a game to see who could point out what to draw next. I can't believe how observant those girls became. Because the sidewalk was curvy, it became the "Snake Trail". We drew so many things along the way. Every few feet we would stop to draw whatever new things we found.

Kaylie found a cool log next to the trail, which Makenzie decided was the perfect spot to stop and pose for a picture. Nice log, ehh?

Artists have to learn to draw wherever they are, even if it means nothing to sit on. Kaylie really got into the details of the drawing fun. Being in Florida meant we heard lots of sounds in the tropical trees along the trail. Makenzie said she heard a monkey. We never found it though. Kaylie found lots of plants and trees that we "had" to stop and draw.

Makenzie liked the big lake and even drew three big fish swimming in it! She drew their log and palm tree too!

Kaylie got more detailed than Malenzie. She drew the "Snake Trail", the special log, trees, a bird, the lake, and a No Swimming sign she found near the lake.

These drawings stay in the sketch books for future reference. We plan to do more drawing expeditions so we can fill our books. I love how the whole event made them not only look at was around them, but listen for the tropical jungle sounds and just all have fun together. Memories don't always cost a lot to create. This one will stay with me forever. At the end of our drawing walk was a fun time on the playground followed by swimming at Zamma's house. Maybe next time we'll draw what we found by the pool? Hmmm...

Happy, Happy Easter Fun!

This year we were so fortunate to have a day of fun to share our Easter with the kids. Everything started when the girls realized that the "Crazy Bunny" left them a few goodies at Zamma and Auntie's house. Even Dannen got a little purple frog and a cute story book. I'm sure big sister Kaylie has already read it to him several times.

Easter Bunny knows how important it is to learn while having fun, so he brought the girls lots of activity books and work books to enjoy. Kaylie loves learning new words and writing!
Mommy and Makenzie were printing in a "Princess" book. She loves princesses!

Dannen thought it was all a bit much, so he opted to snooze this one out.

We decided to have lunch and give the candy a break. This picture is for Great Aunt Marcia. Makenzie tried Auntie Marcia's favorite dip. She thought it was "oooo tangy" at first, but then proceeded to finish off half the dip. LOL!!!

In the true spirit of " Girl Time" we have to rock out and dance! They moved so fast I couldn't catch them still on film.

Suddenly the girls disappeared into my room to rest on the "Queen's Bed" as they call it.

With beautiful weather to enhance our day, it was time to try out the sidewalk chalk the Easter Bunny brought the girls. I must say, they are quite the little artists!

People from up north brag about their Snow Angels, but we have a "Florida Angel" ! All you do is lay down on the sidewalk, let someone trace your body, get up and color in the details! I now have the prettiest Florida Angels adorning my front sidewalk.

The neighbors commented on how beautiful they were. Sidewalk chalk is not allowed in this neighborhood, but everyone says "keep them, they are so adorable!"

Kaylie drew an awesome Easter Bunny...

Makenzie drew an Easter egg and decorated it all herself.

We had a nice day full of laughs and good times. I love having the kids hang out with us. Kristy let Tricia feed Dannen for the first time too! I love a day full of happiness and good memories...

Appreciating the Past Changes the Future

Wow... a lot to think about lately. I've been thinking of all I've been through in the past year and a half. I listen to the news and hear about the economy and job markets. I hear about how many people are now unemployed, homeless, nothing left. I can't help but remember how all that was to live through. I feel like I am a year and a half ahead of the rest of the world.

BUT... then I think of where I am today. I think of all the prayers, family and friends who helped me through all that. I wonder what it could have been like without them. I think of learning so many lessons along the way and how its changed my outlook on so many things. I try to share the hope with others going through it now.

I know I didn't like being on the receiving end, but without it I couldn't have survived. I know I feel much better back on the giving end now. It made me understand how giving has to be done the right way, no string attached, no expectations of people holding up to their promises, no assuming some people would never let you down or hurt you if you needed them. I know who will always be there for me, and who I will go to the ends of the earth for. I've seen the emptiness in my daughters eyes when we had nothing. I've heard the grumblings of our hungry stomachs. I've experienced how people treat people with nothing like dirt.

BUT... then I think of where I am today. We are on our feet again. I am employed and surviving with no fears of the past. I have to keep looking forward. Life is already better. As I've always said, "the cup is always half full". I think of "Footprints" and how we were carried. I'm trying to look for a new person in my life now, who will understand what I've/we've been through and know we are good people who will never give up on life. There is someone out there like that, I know. If God wants it for us, it will happen. I know I promised I'd move on and find someone, I just didn't think the time was right before now. Everyone has their own timetable. Mine is starting again now...

More Girl Time, Yeahhh!!!

I love getting to spend time with my Granddaughters. When they come over, it's just them, Auntie and me... ahhhh! We may do some crazy things, but they will all be memories someday! When they first come over, they love to go out on the patio. I think it's because they can see the pool and hope to be in it soon. It was a bit too chilly last night, but we had a blast anyway!

Makenzie loves hangin' with Auntie. They get to talking and it's like they are in their own little world. Sometimes Makenzie gets moody, but she and Auntie love each other sooooo much!

These pics are a bit out of order, but you can see Kaylie enjoying her patio lunch. We broke the "Girl Time" trend so we could have Dannen join us too. He just slept. Guess he can't keep up with us girls just yet. Give him time!
We watched a movie called Dunsten Checks In. The girls loved it and laughed like crazy. Then Makenzie wanted to play with King Louie because he looked just like Dunsten. Now she wants a pet monkey. Oh-oh.
The girls had their time hanging out with Auntie while I got breakfast ready. Sometimes they help, but today they just wanted to play. Our house has a hallway leading to the bathroom. There's a second door on the other end of the bathroom, leading to my bedroom. Now that the girls know they can run in circles and chase each other through the rooms, they wear themselves out pretty fast.
My bed is up on risers. Kaylie says it looks like a queen's bed. They literally have to climb up to get on it. We go to sleep watching movies in the "Queens Bed".

Makenzie wanted me to take a picture of her "little pony tail".

There's a rule at Zamma's house: if you eat all your lunch, you get Oreo's for a snack! Mmmmm!

Sometimes you can "wear" oreo's on your face too! Just ask Makenzie!

I think King Louie just got renamed to Dunsten....

Kaylie, Miss Independant, was teaching me how to tie her shoes. She's been tieing them for 2 years already. She learned how to tie, watching Little Bill, on Noggin. I think my grandbaby is growing up...

The weather was 80 degrees, so we just sat in the sun and colored. We also played one of Zamma's games. When Zamma counts to 3, just have to freeze, and just listen. Then when she points to you, you have to tell her a sound you can hear. Kaylie heard birds, Makenzie heard squirrels, Auntie heard different birds, and Zamma heard the TV because she was sitting by the patio door. Lots of sounds if you listen closely, shhhhh!

Makenzie's favorite color this week is red. She has to see the word "red" on the label or it's the wrong color. Hmmm, wants to read already!

I'm so blessed to spend time with the girls. When the 4 of us get together, it's all about making awesome memories. We're talking about hanging sheets inside the screens of the patio and making it a giant tent. We may even spend the night out there soon. It's been in the 70's at night. Pretty soon...

All Moved!

Everything is moved over to the new house! Although it didn't go quite as planned, it's done and we're not moving again for a long, long time. We love the new place. It's the perfect size for us and is laid out in a way that Tricia can get herself around to everything safely.

Little Miss Makenzie helped us pack a few things. It's amazing what she finds... This is King Louie, from Disney World, hugging his favorite fan.

Of course, Makenzie loves her Auntie and loves posing with her and hugging her a lot. They've become great buddies!

When Dan and I got married, we were over in Spain, alone, with no family present. As I was trying to be realistic, I saved my bridal veil, knowing I could wear it again for our 25Th Anniversary. The dress... now that was way too small... Anyway, we didn't have a 25Th Anniversary celebration because we wanted to be sure people could attend Kristy and William's wedding, an out of state trip for most of our relatives. Regardless, I found the veil while moving and decided this was a good time for the girls to play "brides". It also gave me a chance to tell them some more stories about "Papa"(Dan). They are much more beautiful than I was.

Bride Kaylie

Bride Makenzie

Bride Kaylie and Maid of Honor Makenzie

Bride Makenzie and Maid of Honor Kaylie

I really thought I'd gone through most everything before the move. Unpacking brought back a flood of memories of the past 30+ years. It's been a good life. I've learned so much about people and life in general. I think it is true that as you get older you get wiser. You learn who and what you can rely on and where you still need to improve yourself. You learn you can't "do it alone" and everyone you meet helps you to weave the tapestry of your life. I've got a lot more weaving to do. It looks like I'm going to be using lots of bright colors to express how well everything is finally going. The most important thing is that your tapestry will only be as beautiful and as strong as you make it. So live well, love while you can, and keep making beautiful memories. Those are the threads that make your tapestry you!

It's Moving Time Again!!!

2009 has been a much better year!

We've found a new house and will be moving in less than two weeks. It's a single story townhouse with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. We could not have found a more perfect place. Everything we need is on one floor and the layout is perfect for Tricia to get herself around the entire place. There is a huge screened in patio and we are less than 50 feet from the community pool.

I will be sending an email with the address soon. I just wanted to keep everyone updated and let you know we are having a wonderful year so far! Watch for pictures soon!

Goodbye 2008!!!!

I've been thinking of this post for the past few days. So much has happened in 2008, the good, the bad, and the ugly... At the beginning of this year, my resolution was to stay positive. For the most part I was, but there were some events which really tested my resolution.

So let's review: unemployed, no home, no income... whew! The one thing I know I learned was how to receive. How can that be hard, you say? I'm a giver by nature. Receiving is very uncomfortable for me. But, swallow your pride, put away your self image, and do what you need to do to survive. I think the hardest thing about receiving, is to know the right way to give. For years, being a giver was something I didn't even think about. If you needed it and I had it, it was yours. God was always there to refill my cup. But there is a clear and real difference between giving because you really want to help, and giving so you can fill your "charity" square on your bingo card of life. So many people helped us through this year. To many the giving was real, to others we were just a charity case, something they could tell people about, something they could throw in our faces when we least needed to hear it. I learned how easy it was for people to lie. But not to worry. I still appreciated it all and will never forget the help.

We were talking recently about how many times we dreamed out loud of better times and kinder people. I think if I say "when I win the lottery" one more time, Tricia will scream. LOL! (Hey, dreaming keeps you going some times.) We now know what it feels like to have an empty bank account and be living in a car. We know hunger. We know what it feels like to be treated like dirt and talked to like we were worthless. We know how peoples words can leave a scar on our hearts that will never go away. We know who our true family and friends are. It's funny, because I really believed some people when they said they would be there for us, said they were our friends, and gave, even when they rarely ever even saw us. I was amazed to learn how many people judged us by the money we didn't have. We learned unconditional love. Even when we were being judged by people not even knowing the facts, we kept praying and held our heads high. I will never stop praying...

I know our Lord was carrying us this entire year. I describe this past year as if Christ were taking us for a walk through a giant mansion. Each room held different experiences, some good, some bad. Some times things looked beautiful on the outside, but when you got into them you found everything to be fake. Yet Christ held our hands throughout the entire year. He opened our eyes to be able to see the true people from the fakes. He blessed me with a real and true friend, a daughter who never turned her back on me, and the two most wonderful grandaughters ever. He gave me realtives I will forever be indebted to. I am blessed!

The best part of this past year is knowing the future will be better. I pray you all have a beautiful 2009, learn to give unconditionally, love unconditionally, and keep your faithful loved ones close. It will be my year to say thank you to all the people who helped us. I know who you are and know I will be saying thank you loud and clear. Happy New Year!

The Grandchildren's Christmas With Us

We all know the real reason for the season. It's about the birth of the Christ child, the start of something new and beautiful. And that is what this blog is about. My grandchildren always make me smile. They make me want to do fun things and laugh. I watch them and it brings back all the memories of my girls when they were little. We've tried over the years to create special holiday traditions that will become a part of our families history. Since Dan died, it has undoubtedly been difficult to keep up some of those traditions. But we will keep trying and keep smiling as life brings us new and exciting traditions and memories. Here is a collection of photos that have made this year special...

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