Under The Weather?

If I tell you I’m a bit ‘under the weather’, would you know what I mean?
If you knew that our weather last week was like this. . .

would you worry that I was buried under the snow?  Or, if you knew that it looks like this outside my window today. . .

would you think I’m outside getting a suntan, sipping a cool something beside the pool and basking in warm breezes?

None of those things would be accurate in the truest sense of the word.  We did have snow last week but I wasn’t buried under it's frozen whiteness.  And we do have sunshine today but it’s not warm and I’m not outside. 

I have been a bit ‘under the weather’ with sniffles and sneezes and coughs that don’t want to go away.  The weather doesn’t seem to make a difference!  I’ll be back to ‘normal’ soon, I’m sure.  In the meantime I’m puttering and playing and reading and planning a trip we’ll take later this Spring.  It’s a good time to be inside – a good time to do things that need to be done.  Things I'd rather do minus the sniffles and sneezes.  Things said without the raspy, deep voice that disappears when I least expect it.  I’m thinking of warmer days free from whatever came my way.  I’m grateful to be breathing again and sleeping without coughing.  And for the sunshine that makes an ‘under the weather’ day a bit brighter.  So much to be thankful for - no matter the weather!

Rejoice And Be Joyful!

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 

One-Of-A-Kind Portrait

You must see a very special portrait.  It’s one-of-a-kind, nothing quite like it.  Never was.  Never will be again.  Fortunately, one of our favorite photographers was close by and more than willing to capture the grandeur and beauty of the moment.

Are you ready?

OK – ready or not, here it is!

For the first – and only – time in blog land,
may I present to you. . .

my sweetheart and I!

Photography by Miss A., a dearly loved granddaughter –

taken in the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Chemistry Lab –

safety goggles carefully chosen by Miss A. herself –

proudly shared with the photographer’s friends round the world seconds later via cell phone –

later shared with millions on Facebook!

(no grandparents were hurt in the production of this venture)

Encouragement

Image: Lamplightart

News Of A Grandmotherly Type

We are excited!  Thrilled beyond belief!  We’ve been keeping a secret until it was shared by those whose secret it is.

We are going to have another grandbaby!  In August.  Our son and his dear wife are expecting a baby!  Happy news – smiling-making news – news that takes the mind down familiar pathways.  Another dear, little person is going to grace our home.  Number eight!

What will this baby be?  We don’t know yet. 

Will ‘he’ wear these?

source

Or, will ‘she’ wear these?

source

That’s not the most important thing – we pray for a healthy baby.  And mommy.  We will be happy with the little one God sends us because we know the true value of the precious gifts He sends our way.

A Promise Kept–A Bit Late!

Oh, I know I promised to show you a new find – a real treasure – and I didn’t do it!  I gave you a sneak peak before life took me several directions at once.  Here’s what you saw:

And then I disappeared for awhile!  Life has taken me out-of-state twice – two conferences in different states – on different weekends.  Catching up at home has taken longer than planned. 

At the wonderful sale I shared here, I found something I have dreamed of finding for quite awhile.  Since I bought my sweet, little vintage trailer – Miss Daffodil – I’ve longed to find just the right vintage tool box.  A tool box for tools needed for small things, minor repairs and little projects.  Certainly not planned for major break-downs.  None of those will be allowed!  As I stood at the wonderful sale and talked to one of the vendors – a friend – I turned around in her booth and. . .there it was!  Just right.  Perfect!

Isn’t she just the cutest little girl toolbox?  And she’s yellow!  Be still, my heart!

Inside, there’s the sweetest little tray to hold tools.  And room for more below.

Now I’m looking for vintage tools – useable, in good condition – to fill the yellowness of this new treasure.  The two vintage screwdrivers with yellow handles were found at a nearby thrift store.  Ninety-nine cents each!  My sweetheart told me there is a place not far from our home where we can go and find bins of vintage tools.  Cheap Inexpensive!  I hope we can go soon.  My sweet, little toolbox is getting anxious to be of some use!

A Special Day

source

Today is a very special day in our family.  This is the day we celebrate the birth of our first-born.  Our son came into the world and into our arms thirty-eight years ago – a day that never gets lost in my heart!  We were so proud of him we thought we would burst.  Our pride in him grew as he grew and today he is an incredible man who makes us stand a little taller with pride as we see how his life makes a difference.  He touches a lot of people with his great big heart!  Mr. J. – we love you.  Happy birthday.

As if that wasn’t enough for us to wrap our hearts around on this day each year, God blessed us with our beautiful first grandchild fourteen years ago today.  On the same day we celebrated Mr. J’s birth!  Our hearts grew a bit bigger and our heads swelled a bit more with pride.  She's the delight of our hearts.  She’s grown up so fast.  Where did the years go?  Wasn’t it just yesterday that she was learning to sit up and smile in a way that stole our hearts?  We love you bunches, Miss A.

We are blessed!
So blessed!