Long Time Friends

Count your life by smiles, not tears.
Count your age by friends, not years.

Now, these are some old friends! I have to tell you how blessed we are...how many people do you know who have continued a friendship for 55 years with more than one friend. Yes, I said.....55 years. I met my long time friends Donna and Alice at Whittier Elementary School in the first grade. Those were the days of no Pre-School or KG... I was five years old. The first day of school I stood next to a crying little girl trying to climb her mother's legs. I really wondered what was wrong with her, as I was excited to be there. I started to talk to her and she eventually responded a little....however, her mother came to school several more days for that same routine.....crying and clinging. Finally, Donna stopped crying and our long friendship began....the rest is history. Donna's Momma continued to thank me for befriending Donna that first day of school for the remainder of her life.

I have been friends with Alice since that same time, but we did not have the same teachers at Whittier.......my relationship with Alice grew more in Junior High School, but we were friends and played together in grade school, as well. Alice lived about three blocks south of my house and Donna lived about three blocks west.

Both Donna and Alice's parents were special people and I loved being around all of them. They always treated me like family.

Thanks ladies.....I enjoyed lunch and the visit today. We must do it more often.

There's a miracle called Friendship
That dwells within the heart,
And you don't know how it happened
Or when it gets its start.
But the happiness it brings you
Always gives a special lift
And you realize that friend
Is God's precious gift.

Author unknown

Growing Too Fast!

You just can't have too many pictures of grandchildren.......can you?
Babies grow faster than you can click the camera.
Nathan at 5 weeks

Easy Entertainment

It takes little to entertain these boys.... a rake, small mound of leaves, and a playful dog and they are set.

I Can't Believe It Finally Worked!

I have tried for days to post some pictures. I just grabbed this one to try it out. This is one of the last ones I wanted to post. Sandy, here is my pretty bowl of potpourri.....can't you just imagine the aroma? I have more new pictures, but they will have to wait until tomorrow.

Checking Blog Status

Okay, I know this is a strange way to check the blog, but I am having SO much trouble with uploading pictures. I know, I confess, I have an addiction to blogging. And, I am not trying to steal a copyrighted picture, but I think it is okay to post this one to advertise for the photographer....at least I think that is what Katie said....sounds like I could be classified as an addicted thief......OH NO...I really am not.

I have been trying to post some pictures for several days, to no avail. I have been blaming it on my updated virus scanner, but I am so afraid it might be from the new layout...boohoo....I love it and don't want to change it. I tried saving from Kodak EasyShare, Desktop, My Pictures and my pictures will NOT upload. HELP....can anyone help me??? If you have any suggestions please drop me a line.

If you follow Katie's blog you know that this is a picture from Nathan's very first professional photo shoot at 2 weeks of age. Katie has not been able to add pictures other than this one either. I am assuming the reason we can post this one has to do with it not being from our sources of pictures. Oh brother....computer problems so frustrate me, but not as much as politics.

I guess I need to work on my addiction and other problems.

Thank You

Sandy,

I knew you would be checking my blog, so I wanted to publicly thank you here for the birthday gift. You are such a special friend and it was so nice of you to remember me with the Aromatique.....you know I love the Cinnamon Cider. I placed the potpourri in a pretty cut glass bowl I have and it is filling the living room with fresh fall scent. I took a picture so I could post it here for you to see, but I have tried for several days to post pictures...tried again with this one...to no avail. I either have a virus or the new anti-virus software is messing with blogspot....so frustrating.
Thank you again and I appreciate all you do for IBC.

The Big One

I will celebrate another birthday this week. It is the big one....well it seems that no matter if it is 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 90 we call it the big one. Those big round numbers seem to have an affect on how we "feel". Though it seems a time of getting "old", I am thankful for each and every day. I do realize that I have lived more of my life than I have remaining to live...at least on this earth...don't think I can make it to 120. Thank the Lord, I know Him as my personal Savior and I will have eternal (never ending) life with my heavenly Father. And, there will be no pain, suffering or sorrow....no politics,Wall Street, hate, crime and so on. This may sound like I am complaining or depressed.....quite the contrary. I am so very blessed..one only need look at some of my pictures posted to see that I have the most precious grandchildren, children/in-laws, husband, and other family members one could have. I hope each of you realize and appreciate your blessings, and that you know the Savior personally. I wanted to share a verse I received on a birthday card from my church signed by the pastor and minister of music. I thought is was worth sharing this morning. It was given as My Birthverse:

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful".
Hebrews 10:23

Have a great day! FYI - My daddy will be "90", November 4th...he reminds us of his birthday daily.

OK...I Just Can't Help Myself!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sorry, you may need to slow this one down so you can read or take it off of automatic play. This is my new favorite thing to do....Smilebox..call me crazy! I realize it is a little more trouble to view by having to wait for it to download, but oh so much more interesting and colorful....don't you think?

SmileBox is FUN!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Please be sure to open full screen and you can also zoom each picture in-click the arrow key in the bottom right side of the screen to advance to the next page, and hit escape to end (just for those who may not know)...I promise I tried to fix the red eyes in Josh's picture and the editing showed it to be done...I tried several times and got a screen which indicated it was already fixed...boo hoo! Hope you enjoy the 50's music. This was our whirlwind weekend. You can tell the wild outdoor children had a great time together. Love them all to pieces....I like their parents too! If you don't all just love this, I am going to SCREAM! Love....silly grandma

Flashes of Fall

This daisy has seen its better day, but the little bee is still at work. I took a brief look around the yard earlier today...just enjoying the beautiful weather. I just had to take a few pictures of the soon to be gone flowers around my house.

I planted this Clematis a few years ago and it has bloomed more this year than ever. They seem to be enjoying the cooler weather.

Now these Petunias are a different story....they seem to be winding down.

Remember the strawberry pots I was so excited about back in the spring...this one is doing very well....prettier than ever. The other one looks good too, with the strawberry plant and other little plants, but I didn't get a picture of it today. It is really a bit overgrown for the pot.
The roses are still blooming and sometimes continue into the winter....I remember a book I read about death shortly after I lost a dear friend to leukemia........."Roses Will Bloom Again" and Katie used to sing a song with the same title. These are beginning to fade a bit. Watching birds, blooming flowers and shrubs, and other beauty of nature have become a special time for me....almost like therapy some might say...........I truly enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

FALL

A great procession of leaves ushers in fall,
Green now disguised by yellow, red and brown,
Falling and listening to the grounds call,
Leaves decorate the outside like a bright crown.

Wind begins this chilly season's fresh start,
Slow at first but picks up speed in due time,
The way the wind places the leaves is an art,
Much like words placed on paper to show rhyme,

Fall is the new victim of winters chill,
This season is the one that can destroy,
Covering the ground with snow is its thrill,
Traces of fall are gone, winter finds joy.

The cycle goes on throughout the long year,
Fall can accept this now and has no fear.

by Erica L. Ordway from Poetry in Nature

More Camera Snapping Today

I helped Josh with school today...I should say I directed him. After he completed his seat work we retreated to the back porch for some fresh air and to take in the beautiful weather. He read his reading assignment aloud to me.

Josh proceeded to tell me about earth worms and why it is difficult to pull them from the ground at times. He just seems to soak up everything he reads.

Katie arrived with Nathan shortly after I picked up Andrew from Pre-School and Andrew gave brother a sweet kiss.

Babies have a way of changing by the minute, seems as if you can see them growing
right before your very eyes.

Just Fun

Look at Josh's dimples...new brother Nathan and Daddy both have them too.

These boys really get in to their pudding.

Nathan is so alert - two weeks old tomorrow

This boy is a character. He is the future class clown.

Dad, Mom, and baby are doing well and the big
brothers love the new baby...very attentive.
Happy Birthday Katie!

Update on Progress of Mexico Project

This is a picture of Martin in his new little home. If you followed several months ago you will remember the Mexico Mission trip I had the privilege to go on last June. The picture below I believe is one I posted earlier. I spoke at length about my friend Taylor who has a strong call to missions and was instrumental in getting the young man above a new place to live.

Below is a picture of the new bathroom.

This is a shot of the exterior--it is unbelievably neat in comparison to before.
Taylor recently shared some of the pictures sent to her of the progress. It is so exciting to see the progress made. You would have to seen the living conditions before to appreciate the changes. This is God at work. If you are interested in seeing more of the before pictures, see the July, 2008 postings.
Stay tuned, I have not posted since I have been distracted with a new grandson.... excuse me while I stray from the grandkids pictures.....they will be coming soon.