Special Find

I just had to show a picture of the memory books I found in Denver at Barnes and Noble. You may have seen something similar before, but I found these to be very special and relatively inexpensive. These are hard back books for grandchildren from their grandmother or grandfather. I was drawn to them when I started reading the prompts the grandparent is to respond. However, I do have a dilemma with the books. Maybe you have a suggestion to handle this situation. I have already received some suggestions, but I can't see anyway around this, but to do one for each grandchild. Now, I am soon to have five grandchildren, and if you do the math on the books...one from grandpa and one from me for each child ....that is basically writing and scrap booking 10 books. My original thought was to do one for my oldest grandson who is old enough to really appreciate what will be written. I thought David should do one too. Okay, I can hear the bemoaning of partiality and unfairness. Of course both of our adult children would want each of their children to have one. Katie suggested one book from each of us to include all of the grandkids in one family, i.e. - one for Rudy's children and one for her children. The grandkids would not stand for that one...I can hear it...why didn't I get one. Anyway you look at it , much time and love will be involved. I suggested David do one for the oldest in Katie's family and I do one for the oldest in Rudy's family and pass it down...again, not fair. It is designed to be individualized. David said, " do one and use it for a guide to do something similar for each one". I think the books are too nice not to use the exact book...they are well done, and hard backed. Okay, we are probably just going to be busy and will be ordering more books. And, how many grandchildren do you think I may end up having?? Gee, this is looking overwhelming, but I believe it will be something to preserve memories of our life that will be cherished for years to come....do I live in a dream world? They really may not see the value of it today, but someday they will.....long after I have forgotten everything they wanted to know.

Now about the prompts - some of them go like this: Why did you decide to write this book for me? What's my heritage? How did you feel when I was born? Tell me about my great grandparents. Tell me about your grandparents. When you were a little girl - where did you live? What was your family life like? Who's the first president you remember? What were you like in high school? What was going on in the world? How did you meet my grandfather? And much, much more. There are many pages for pictures and comments. All of the book will make you stop and reflect on your life and maybe help your grandchild learn about your life in a way they may never be able to....maybe answer some questions that they may wonder about long after your gone.

This is the kind of thing I like to do and I am anxious to get started. Let me know what you think? Do I just have too much time on my hands? Don't think so. Have I inspired you to leave some memories for your grandchildren? I hope so.

Layout Changes

I guess you can see that I have changed the look again. I get tired of the same old layout. These changes are easier said than done. It takes a while to get it just like you think you want it. I hope you enjoy a new view.

Slide Show Removed

Sorry, I felt like I had to remove the slide show. As it advanced down the page, the music would still play along with the Amazing Grace song....very annoying if you don't know how or want to go to the trouble to chase both songs down to mute them. I tried to edit and remove the music, but the site where I created the slide show would not except my password. I may try another one in a few days. I love both of those songs, but not simultaneous.

"Busyness"

Okay, I have been jumping from one project to another tonight. I felt inspired and started more than one thing. I should be in bed, but I wanted to post a few pictures tonight too.

Last week, David and I went to "The Mile High City" of Denver, Colorado. David attended the National Cattlemen's Summer Conference while I rested, read a couple of books, and walked the downtown mall streets. I wanted to post a few interesting pictures from there. Actually, I took these pictures when I went this time last year and they became lost in a mix of my computer pictures. I took this one with my zoom on from across the street of the guys watching the girl pass bye. I thought it was so funny...she must have felt someone starring and glanced back to see who was watching. I was just trying to get a picture of the guy playing the guitar and this is what I captured. There are street people everywhere....you never know what they will be wearing or what they will be doing. There are many shelters/housing for the homeless in Denver.
The remaining pictures are just shots I took up and down the streets of the buildings (so tall, and many of them), and the flowers were just beautiful.
This was a quiet moment on the street, but there are usually people walking on both sides of the street at a fast pace-going in all directions. The one time I tried to cross the street like everyone else...going when the stop lights flashed, "don't walk".........I darn near got ran down by a car...literally, they came faster when they saw me. Now, I just stand and wait like a "tourist".

This is just a small sample of the tall buildings...it is almost overwhelming to look at all of them in such a few short blocks. If you have not seen them before, you can't get the true perception of how tall they really are.

Lazy Days of Summer

It was not all fun and games for the grandkids this summer. Gracie really wanted to help bottle the calves and Katie was glad to have the help. Wish you could see the white cowgirl boots she is wearing....she came prepared.

They were really good helpers.
The farming pictures were a few weeks back. The boys love being around the tractors.
Just a little instruction from Grandpa here. Josh listens intensely.

I don't know where the phrase "Lazy Days of Summer" originated, but today I was able to have one. I had my endoscopic procedure done this morning. Thank goodness, they did not find anything serious....just some gastric reflux and the need to dilate the esophagus a little, along with a couple of polyps biopsied. Back to the "lazy" part. I have slept ALL afternoon. This is not something I EVER do....it was wonderful rest.

Now that I am awake, I have been checking blogs, viewing a DVD of Gillan singing at our church, and scanning over the many pictures I have taken. All of which are some of my favorite things to do. I found some more pictures of the grandkids I meant to post earlier...posted above.

I think I can go sleep some more. I will return.

More Fun

Gillan, Gracie, Josh, and Shadow on the new Play set - Shadow loves to be with the kids. She will join them on the trampoline, play set, or with what ever they are doing. Andrew was off in the sandbox when this was taken.
Andrew loves Dixie...look no saddle or bridle....gentle pony.
Gillan is doing great with his singing and guitar. He sang and played in our church Sunday.
Gracie has a new bass guitar and is learning. She looks like an old pro here. Talented kids, huh?
Andrew drove the wheels off of this little car at Mona & David's 4th of July celebration.