Wednesday, August 27, 2008
EVERYONE NEEDS AN AUNT JOAN
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Of Rescued Birds, Taut Strings, and Painted Rocks
We are once again in Project Mode. Dad is re-doing the deck, which he's thoroughly enjoying--living out his dream but scares the pea wad out of me! I'm painting rocks and little items for the garden. Some of the rocks painted during the reunion were painted with the wrong kind of paint and had already faded and needed a re-paint. Once I got started, I painted some myself and benches that have been sitting around for years, and a bench or two. Look out world. I'm wicked with a paintbrush!! In the past six weeks, we've been to three wedding receptions, a baby shower, two bridal showers, and a 50th anniversary open house, so I've been busy making gifts. The "Warby" sampler is for a darling bride named Sara Lee who is a friend of Marie's and was our Institute student several years ago in The Dalles; the "horse" welcome sample is for Kelsey Torrey--yes Kelsey--who'll be married on Saturday; and the "Warren" sampler is for Mindi Brandt. It's always such a personal fulfillment for me to sit beside your dad in the evenings and stitch SOMETHING.
Another lesson learned this summer!! In our hurry to get Vale to his swimming lesson, we left the front door slightly ajar, and a little hummingbird flew into the house. The frantic bird was pecking at the window when we arrived home. It had amazingly knocked over one of the decorative plates on the dining room window valance. We tried several stratagems which only served to frighten the bird--a towel thrown his way to wrap him in, a blossom to lure him outside, gloved hands to hold him. Finally, Dad caught him and took him outside. There've been times that we've been like the tiny bird--out of our element, frightened and lonely, thinking there was no way out and not realizing that the help I needed was close at hand!! We need to look around us--Help, in many forms, is there. Am adding a wonderful quote I stole from Joe Gunter's blog site--Parting shot...Throughout our lives we will often miss our childhood home. We eventually realize that it is not our childhome home we miss...It is our childhood. Love to you all.....Mom
Sunday, August 3, 2008
REUNION FINALE, WATERFALLS, AND THE END OF AN ERA
Life is beautiful and wonderful. This has been a nostalgic week. We've attended a bridal shower, a 50th open house, and a wedding reception. In each case, we were able to visit with friends we haven't seen for a while and reminisce. Dad keeps saying, "I think I'm getting old!!" Our second mission ends officially on September 15. Although we've been asked to extend, we've declined. We're tired, and we feel that we can best serve the Lord by rejuvenating and resting. Of course, we won't stop. The ward needs people to fill callings, and there's always genealogy and temple work to do. Onward and upward, Senior Birdmen, as they say. We could serve the Lord every minute of every second of the rest of our lives and not repay Him for the rich and abundant blessings which He pours out to us!! Each of you is one of those blessings we have in such abundance. Take care. Love, Mom