Back in Florida

We made it back to our home in Florida on Wednesday morning. It was 81 degrees and humid. . . Sweating before we got the luggage to the car. . . Welcome home!!

Our wonderful neighbors had turned the fridge on and put a charger on the minivan - so we had something that ran!! My time since Wednesday has been busy with trying to unpack, clean the mold and dust from the cars, golf cart (that isn't even close to done!) and putting out sticky traps for the mice that I haven't seen - but found lots of evidence of.

Keith has been busy trying to get the RV in shape for the friends that are borrowing it next week. The generator quit, one of the back tires was flat. . . and the spring that hold one of the front jacks is broken. All is in the works to have it ready to go by Tuesday. I did a big ooooooppppppsssss when I cut a corner to close and scratched the side...... I was terribly unhappy about it but my wonderful Keith said. . . . "accidents happen". He too thought I'd swung out far enough but. . . . I guess that's what happens when I start thinking. . .. .

We have weekend guests and they will be attending the Southern Gospel Concert at Faith with us this evening. They are really sweet children. . . can't wait to go to a RESTAURANT and to go hear music..

It's been fun reconnecting with others that are just returning and hearing what the summer has brought them. In several cases it hasn't been really good news - makes me realize how wonderfully blessed we really are.

Well - it's off we go!

Thank you Veterans

My Grandad was Army in World War I

My Dad was Army in Korea

My Daughter was in the Navy

she is also a

Navy Wife

My Husband is Retired Navy

and served in Vietnam

All I can say to them and every single Military

Man, Woman, Husband, Wife and child

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICES

THEY MAKE

AMERICA FREE!!

Happy Birthday Jaleel!!

Silly

Smiley

Dashing

Debonair

And ready for anything!!

You are such a special boy,

Always there with a big smile,

Always ready with a hug,

Never to old for a bedtime hug and kiss,

Keep being you!!

Love,

Amah and Papa

Happy Birthday April

April and Elizabeth August 2005

April and family December 2005
April and more family August 2007

She's Daddy's Little April,

She's sweet,

She's kind,

She's a wonderful mother,

A fantastic daughter,

And definately a fun- lover!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL!!

OOOPS!

Leave it to me not to proofread; and leave it to my daughter to catch me!!

I got 9 correct

not

19~~

I guess I was trying to cheat!!

A new quiz

This was sent to me!!

It showed me how much there still

is to pay attention too!!

How Smart Are You?

I got 19 correct.

Think before you answer.

Leave your score on the comments!!

We can have fun with this stuff.

Powers of Observation

Try out this

THINK TEST

and post your score on the comments.

You can post anon and just

put your name and score

in the box.

I got a 19 out of 25.

It's amazing what we see and don't learn!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Birthday Daria!!!

LOVE FROM AMAH AND PAPA

Wild Fires. . .

You can see by The Money Pit's Post that they have been evacuated. Spring Valley isn't the place to be right now. Please all pray with me for all of those displaced by the wild fires and they be safe and able to rebuild soon.

S'te's family home is still outside of the actual burn area - they would've had to move out of that area because of the air quality - even if they hadn't been evacuated.

Where the 94 sign is where their home is.

The fire isn't there but it is really, really close. This picture was taken from the CBS News 8 website. The date and time on it was 11:48 Tuesday night.

Please pray for thier safety and also for all of those

who were not so lucky. They have been blessed with close

friends who live outside of the evacuation area and who have

welcomed them into thier home. They saved them from having

to go to any of the Evac Sites. The open air ones (such as

Qualcomm) are not an option because of Mak's

breathing issues. I spoke with her this afternoon and

he is having some problems but so far, nothing

that can't be handled.

There have been so many that have not been as blessed.

I had news of a family who has a daughter in serious condition from

a car accident, now running a very high fever. And yet another family

who has just lost an infant daughter.

Please pray that these families can be comforted.

Progress. . .

Last week we had several really grey days and some pretty strong winds.

Today Papa is enjoying a bright sunny day

and putting the soffits up around the house.

Sorry birdies, you'll have to find a new place to build your nests!

Ellie is enjoying the sunshine too!!

From her new spot - a little further out in the sun.
Tim is finishing up the woodwork on the front porch,
next comes the lattice around the bottom

And there is grass growing clear to the back fence!
We have been working hard on the yard.
Here are the fruit trees.And I've done a little rearranging in the kitchen.
Not a lot of room or choices, but this works better for me
than the original setup.







As you can see, we've all been "making hay" while the sun shines.
Tim leaves us soon to return to San Diego.
We will soon be making ready to head south east to see
what awaits for us there.

Quit Pestering. . . .

Since S'te hasn't done it. . . . HEEEEERRRRRREEEEE's CB

He is just over 3 months old

Isn't he adorable!!!

(But please excuse the background!! hehe)

An old song. . . .

It's raining (but only a little)

It's pouring (not until later)

The old man is snoring!!!

Well, we have a little drizzle here and there,

supposed to RAIN tonight (imagine that???)

but the wind sure is blowing!!

and our first class is at 6 tonight.

Another year?

See my pretty rose? I find it hard to believe that they are picking now to bloom. This is one of the bushes that we practically "cut to the ground" as Sallie puts it. Not really, but we took it down to about 3' and there wasn't a hint of a bloom on it! Now it is covered with the prettiest roses. Deep yellow with a pink tint around the edges. No that's not my camera!! It's really the colors on the rose. . . .

Before I went to Klamath Falls and Crater Lake, Keith and Tim had torn the old "porch" off. As is always with older homes - nothing was straight or square or "plumb" (Keith's word) so instead of just "adding to it" - they had to tear it apart and start from scratch. They've worked hard on it between the "stop drops" (Tim's words) and it is almost finished. The fun part was moving Ellie!! Clint got his flat dollie out, 2 big boards and 4 adults balancing, manuvering, and pushing. We got her moved over in front of the bush. Right about where the blue wheelbarrow is in the picture!! She looks really great out there too!!

And last but not least, yesterday was Keith's Birthday!! Columbus Day - Keith's Birthday - a National Holiday! hehe

Clint, Sallie, Keith, and I went to the Coach House with Tim and he treated us to a wonderful dinner. and the dinners were so big that neither Tim, Keith nor I could come close to finishing ours. Of course they were wonderful about "doggy" containers for us doggies to have leftovers. Tim and Keith have both eaten theirs but mine is still reheating.... Keith, of course, had to save room for his birthday cake. . . He could only eat about a third of it - but had more while watching tv last night. It was a great evening of fun with our friends and of course with my sweet husband!! God doesn't give us better than that!! It's wonderful to be blessed with all that He has provided....

To finish out September. . .

We trimmed the "oldgrowth" Rhody down to bare branches. It is still almost to the roofline!! This trimming didn't seem to bother the birdies at all. They still sit up in it to "sun" themselves. This picture was taken from inside the kitchen early in the morning. The birds will start flying south soon - but I've really, really enjoyed having them so close for the last few months :) Andl next, I helped to finish off the garage. It is now the same color as the house (well - almost!!:) I think it needs some sort of trim - but I'm leaving well enough alone - it gone done - and for that I'm thankful!! Robert also came over and put my "stepping stones" down the side of it - so now there is no excues for "walking in the grass that is trying to grow!! and it's still trying. There are still huge "bald spots" but the grass is growing!! I'm watching it!!!! Makes me laugh - just sittin' 'round watchin' the grass grow!! Well, that's what I'm doin'

My frines had a great time in Spokane and I spent a fun filled couple of hours listening to their recollections of their trip!! "to live vicariously" - as another friend would say. . but they had a good time and I am so glad!! Even the dogs were gentle and easy to take care of. They can be really rough - but they were really good for me!! Maybe it's my "no nonsense" sargeant like voice!! hehe

The last weekend of September, Sharen invited us over to Klamath Falls to visit while our Mom Judy was there. Mom's birthday treat was lunch at the Crater Lake Inn. Tim is here and Keith didn't want to go - so he suprised me with a rental car - and I got to go anyway. Keith is sooooo wonderful to me. God was smiling on me when he arranged that introduction!! But everyone already knows that!!

So on Friday, off I went. I stopped in MP again - I'm determined to see at-least-some-of the people that I knew during the many years I lived and worked there. . . Actually did see a couple more people. . got caught up on some of the "news and happenings", found out where a couple more people are working. . . I'll have to visit there before I leave for the winter. . . And finally decided I'd better get on the road. It was a beautiful drive. I just enjoyed every second of the scenery that is out there. I had rain, sleet, snow, sun, rain, sun, snow, sun, rain and even skunk. . . I was so intent on following my map directions - and didn't have my co-pilot - that I forgot to gas up before the last 1.5 hour leg - that is a little short on gas stations!!! I was about 50 miles or so from KFalls when I happened to look at the gauge. It was just barely north of the red line!!! At Lake of the Woods the sign says "GAS" and I was truly thankful. . . so I went about 3 miles off of 140, back to the most beautiful lake!! with snow all around and the setting sun reflecting off of it. . . Really gorgous!! With a little country store sitting down by the dock. . . And they were Closed for the season!!! So now I've wasted 6 miles of my precious fuel!! Back to 140 I go. . . really praying now. . . I am so far out in the boonies that my cell phone even says "No Service". So, I'd just have to wait for someone to miss me, try to decided which way I decided to thru the mountains . . . and then to decide to come looking for me. . . so I'm asking God for a gas station. Price was no obect. . . just the ability to fuel my chariot!!! and, walaaah, there was one. And it was OPEN.. . and someone came out and put gas in the car. . . I was so relieved, so blessed, so happy!! It was almost euphoria. . kind of hard to explain. . if you have never been in the middle of nowhere. . and from you own stupidity . . . put yourself into a situation like that. . . .

So I got my gas, got back on the road and made it to KFalls. It was back to being a beautiful drive. The road wound around the south side of the lake and not all of the birds were gone yet. . Relaxing. Made it to KFalls and my "mapquest map" had different street names than the ones posted on the corners (where there were names). . . I made a complete circle - and then called. . . . I was only about 9 blocks away - but headed in the wrong direction - so glad that I called. So I got turned around and made it. Couldn't have missed the driveway, Sharen, Mom, and Jack were all standing out there waving at me!!! And Jack had made Pazzoli for dinner. . And let the weekend start~~~ What fun. . . . . to spend time with family is a total blessing!!

click here for the Crater Lake Slideshow. . . Mike and Sharen took some really beautiful pictures. . .

and HERE is a link to the story of crater lake.

Weekend

So far this week: we (mostly Keith) put another coat of stain on the fence. It needs some more on the east end - but I think it's done for now. . The white bucket next to the Rhody is oyster shells from the BBQ. As soon as I have time - I'm going to crush them and put them around the flowers ~ or trees ~ or somewhere. They are really good fertilizer.

Then we picked up the boards we have been walking on and put down some pavers. Not the most professional job - but we aren't sure yet just what we will be doing with this space - wanted something decent to walk on but also wanted something portable ~ so this is it!!

I did this little project out of first day of school photos and some that I had left over from the cruise. This actually shows most of the family. Some of Keith's sisters and my siblings are missing - but the kids, grandkids, and Keith's Mom are all hanging on the wall now!!

THEN, this morning I forgot my camera when we went to the Myrtle Point Harvest Festival. It has sure grown since the little 3 block (if that much) clutch of booths it started with. We witnessed the Rooster Crowing Contest, walked thru the entire legnth of Main Street looking at the most awesome Antique Cars, watched a member of their Volunteer Fire Dept carve animals out of chunks of cedar (we bought raffle tickets for one of them but must not have won it LOL) and that was really an awesome show. It is totally a work of art - these animals are. . . We visited the skate park and watched some really talented kids (and some not-so-kids) compete for prizes there. I was amazed at how much talent some of them showed. And one little guy was already doing the big curve and I sure wish I had my camera!!! We saw restored military jeeps and tractors. . All kinds of really great crafts and so much more. . . . I actually only saw (and talked) to a few people that I knew and recognised a few that didn't remember me ~ so I left that alone. . . I saw Alfred, Ike (Few-Fingers), and Grandpa Ray. I talked with a few others that remember Mom and Dad - I haven't spent much time in Myrtle Point since Mom died. . It's just to hard. We also went into the Loggers Museum there and spent some time talking with the volunteers there. I have been there several times but they keep adding things and it just keeps getting better! We stayed until just after 1 and left when it clouded up. When we got home - the sun was shining - a beautiful afternoon!! And we ate a whole "organic blackberry pie" that Keith bought at the Festival while watching Rainman.

Tomorrow will be Church and our friends will be back from Spokane with stories to tell. So It's been full and it's been fun and it's been interesting. :)

There is Green!!

I limed the dirt

I fertilized the dirt

I planted little bitty seeds

I watered and waited

and

I waited and watered

and

I have grass!!!

Just little bitty tufts of green sticking out

of select spots in the huge brown dirt pit

but I HAVE GRASS!!

Like little tufts of soft hair on a baby's head

I HAVE GRASS!!

It's not long enough

or lush enough

or big enough

to even take a picture of it

BUT I HAVE GRASS!!

It's amazing the little things that make you feel good!!

It's UP!

If you look really closely, you can see my baby birdies. They are learning to fly already!! Keith knocked down the nest so they are sleeping on the crossbeam right above where it was. They are sooo cute!!

The guys work hard on getting this fence done!!

And then, finally, at last,

(actually only a couple of weeks)

Mission Accomplished!!

and even before lunch.

Time to celebrate with burritos and chips.

Great job guys!!

BTW - this is over 100' of fenceline -

now I get to go and stain it -

that should take longer than building it!!

I am trying really hard to post 2 video/stories that Jeremy's father wrote.

One is the "Tribute to Vietnam" which is very touching for those of you who remember those days. War is horrible - but so very different than it was.

Remember 9/11!!!

The other is closer to my heart. It is a song with video that he wrote for Jeremy. He and Jeremy didn't know each other - at one point Jeremy tried contacting him - and at another - Joe tried contacting him. But neither happened before Jeremy disappeared in August of 1986. This video is amazing and very a wonderful thing to listen to.

Please take this time to remember all of our Soldiers, past and present, the men-women-and children that were victims of the terrorists that tried to "take down America, and also say a prayer for all of mankind - from the person that mastermined the tradgedy that shocked the world all the way to the person who hasn't yet given information on the whereabout's of Jeremy. Pray for them all - they will need them. . .

Does it get any better? ? ?

Today Alice Faye is leaving to go back to her home. . She stayed with us last night and today we relaxed out in our yard. . nice weather, little wind, wonderful. . Friend Lucy also came by with her little grandson. .
Isn't he the cuttest little guy!!! He loved the baby birds (actually more interestedin the black and white mound on the floor under the nest) and generally explored the yard while we had a great visit.

Took Alice off to the airport and she called from Portland, she is thru 1/3 of her travel home!!

Here is the best invention ever!!! I never knew one even existed!! An apple peeler, corer, and slicer!!!! I had about 1/2 of a bucket of apples left over after doing the 2 Apple Betty's - so I tried my hand a the first actual fresh apple pie I've tried to make in about 30 years. . and if my memory serves me correctly. . . it was totally inedible!!! LOL But this one turned out really good - maybe following the recipe all the way works- ya think?

Babies and Fence

We have new additions to an old nest. Out in to toolshed!! I thought baby bird season was over - boy was I wrong!! We have this nest (that seems awfully full) and one on each side of the house!! We were talking about replacing (or installing) some new soffits around the house - but we didn't get that done in time :( Now we have to wait for the new families to flee the nests before we can do that project. . . .

Meanwhile out back. . Keith is busy working on the fence that came down with the duck (chicken) wire. This (as usual) turned into more of a mission than just putting up a fence. They had all sorts of setbacks in just getting the posts set tightly on top of the concrete wall. It was a challenging task. . . but they gotter done!! The hardest part of the fence is up now - they are actually working on the bottom part now. . .

Oh, and Clint stopped by with another gift from a wonderful friend. . . a dozen jars of home grown, home canned green beans from his dear wife. . . how she finds the time and energy . . I'll never, ever figure out. She makes me tired just watching her .. . and when I try to help . . . I just get in her way. . I'll figure something out. . .