It's Been A Year ...

Since we kissed and said our goodbyes to our little granddaughter Rowan.

 You know .. we have this little wonderful way of remembering her .... every day we spy a heart somewhere along the way ... in the shape of a stone, cloud, pattern in wall plaster ... you name it .. our hearts are bent on never forgetting her .. and our hope is in one day being reunited when we pass from this world into the loving arms of the Creator. 

Now our days are blessed with another wee grandbaby AND his big brother.  I LOVE being a grandmother and try each time we're together to imprint a little bit of family knowledge, tradition and love for God upon their hearts, minds and souls.  These are wicked days we're living in ... and there is a struggle to preserve history, truth and wisdom in this next generation.

Dedication Day

 

 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14



Gearing Up for Retirement

The Mr. is planning (once again;) to retire (for good) at the end of 2013.  That gives us one year to adjust our budget (and attitudes) for life on his pension(s) and what savings we've squirreled away.  He deserves to hang up his badge after 25+ years of community service.  We have plans .. and then the Lord has plans .. hopefully some will be the same.

You can bet (Lord willing) we won't be sitting around (much).  We have fire wood to gather this summer, mini vacations to take (Glacier National Park), family to visit (us), and odd home repairs not to put off. Grandchildren to fuss over.

We've worked like dawgs paying off debt the past few years (knock on wood .. ) and have learned to be content not needing the latest or greatest gadgets; this all on one income.

We won't be jet setters or pet sitters.  We have a special needs son, Nathan, that will keep us young at heart and close to home; he's a blessing.

So with the New Year about to begin, may the good Lord prepare our hearts, minds AND finances to be adequate and sustaining.  May He give us peace and servant's hearts to give of our time and help to others.  Welcome 2013

Head 'em up and move 'em out ...

We just returned from a mini vacation in Sandpoint, Idaho.  About an hour north of us, we were delighted to spend time with family at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.

 This is a working 'guest' ranch that has many options when planning your stay.  They have all inclusive packages that include horseback riding, skeet shooting, meals, etc.

We opted to rent two cabins and just enjoy the relaxing scenery.  A few opted for horseback riding (which included a riding lesson).

The cabins have kitchens so we brought up pre-planned meals.

The area is surrounded by mountains, streams and Lake Pend Oreille.

Schweitzer Mountain is just a short drive from the ranch.

We took a trip up the mountain and had lunch.  The ski lifts run most of the summer and you can ride down some of the trails on mountain bikes.

Hubby wants to do this soon.  I say we take the easy route down and not go for the double black diamond trails :)

The Good Old Summer Time On Lake Coeur d'Alene

.... in a zippy pontoon boat.  A great way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.  Even Nathan enjoyed the ride.  He really wanted to try wake boarding.  Maybe next time we can get pulled behind the boat in a raft.  The one we were going to use flew off the boat as it was being hauled down to the lake (oooops)!

I am amazed how tired I was when we got home.  All I did was sit under the boat's canopy and watch life go by.  Eat a sandwich and grapes ... time for a good night's rest.  First I need to get my land legs back.

It's Been A BUSY Two Months

... since my last post.

We have had gardens to put in, company ... and my little granddaughter had heart surgery.  Many times I have come here and have not known what to write.  Ideas flying out my head .. then out the window as well.  Life takes turns and sometimes the ride is a roller coaster; I don't 'do' roller coasters.  But .. lately .. I've been along for the ride.

How can summer be just a few weeks away.  I've yearned for this season since last January while snow bound at home pouring over seed catalogs daydreaming.  The garden has been planted except for one type of seed .. morning glories.  It may not be too late to stick some seeds along the fence line and hope they have time to sprout and mature in our short growing season.

The grass needs to be mowed .. and so do the weeds.  Somehow, we have had several rainy days this past week giving me a break with watering the garden ... yet causing the grass to grow with wild abandon adding to the job of mowing.

This is the last week of junior high school for Nathan ... then he gets promoted to high school.  He's excited and prepared to make the step up.  School is serving him well as he is learning many life skills that are important to his current and future life. 

There is so much life to live in our short summer months.  Staying outdoors .. tending the veggie/fruit patches .. summer camp for Nathan .. watching the grand kids grow .. and soaking in the fresh mountain air.  It's time to get the kayaks and bikes out.  BBQ past 7 PM.  Star gaze around the fire pit.  Make homemade ice cream outside with chipped ice and salt, and listening to the cricket serenade.  How about you; what's up in your world?

The Babysitter ... aka ...

Grandma.

I'm heading out the door to babysit my grandchildren ... including the youngest .. with medical needs.

Having had a child of my own with 'hardware' attached soon after birth (feeding tube & ileostomy bag), I know how hard it is to find and trust a sitter.  My daughter (the mommy) needs a little break to visit the dentist.  She promised to come straight home .... and that makes me happy :)

Merry Christmas

It's been a very busy month .. one that has blessed us with the arrival of our wee little granddaughter, Rowan.

At nearly two weeks of age, she is still in the hospital after needing heart surgery .. and may be home in about a week.  Need I say that we are very blessed to have her and can't wait to hold and spoil her.

We had a lovely dusting of snow Christmas Eve and have plans to spend Christmas Day with our loved ones at home. 

Amid the hustle and bustle of this busy season, it's nice to remember why we celebrate.  In a few hours, there will be much chatter and tearing of paper as the young and old open presents.  Platters of food .. and sweets to be passed at the table.  It is good to remember that Jesus is ...

... a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
   and the glory of your people Israel. ...Luke 2:32

A PJ Day

Here it is nearly 1:00 PM and I'm still in my pajamas.  The weather is cloudy and I am enjoying the leisurely time spent sipping coffee, eating homemade waffles (after grinding the wheat .. of course), fresh thick bacon from the piggy we bought at the fair .. sizzled crisp .. and watching a few cooking shows for inspiration.  America's Test Kitchen (Cooks Country) featured St. Louis style pork steaks that I'm going to search the internet and find the recipe. 

Granny Day Care is closed this coming week .. that means I'm in vacation mode and can eat bon bons, pick up and go shopping at any hour of the day, or just bask in homemaker's bliss.  With Christmas just around the corner, I'll probably finish up shopping and drag out the decoration boxes (with Mr. Mac's help) from the storage room.

Well, perhaps I should figure out what new recipe I'm going to invent with Thanksgiving leftovers.

See you around blogland.

  

Life Takes a Different Turn ...

sometimes. 

This has been a tough summer.  My oldest daughter and her husband are expecting their second baby .. a little girl named Rowan .. that has a severe heart defect.  She will need several surgeries and who knows what all procedures after she is born.  I'm stepping back and watching my daughter become this very calm, wise mom that is putting her priorities and house in order to take the best possible care of her growing family.  All I can say is that I'm sitting on the side lines and watching in awe as God leads this little family and helps to strengthen them for the rough ride ahead. 

Monday Morning Quarterback

... from someone in the know ;)

Well .. that was some Super Bowl game yesterday.  It makes me feel so proud to see that America's best was on stage during the half-time show (not!).  Instead of hiring so called 'professionals'  ... Hollywood-ites .. why doesn't someone with half a brain try giving the stage over to some true American patriots .. like a military marching band .. or a group of Girl Scouts that can sing America The Beautiful or The Star Spangled Banner (our NATIONAL anthem) and belt out the words with meaning.  This is the problem when exceptionalism is paved over with mediocrity .. there are no winners .. just empty awards for participation (win or lose). 

Jake provided entertainment



 The best part of the day was spent with my beautiful family .. eating great yummy snacks and hijacking Face Book with a play by play account of how bored I was 'watching' the game.  I LOVE MY FAMILY for not turning me out in the snow :)

Family Life Of A Public Servant

Having been married thirty years .. 26 of which have been while hubby has been an officer of the law has not been easy on our family time.  Odd hours .. long shift work .. mid week days off .. are just of few of the lesser stresses of the job.  There's also the safety fears:  Will he come home in one piece at the end of watch?  Will he stay awake on the long drive home?  Will he be exposed to infectious diseases?

This life style has left a good deal of the work on my shoulders with hubby's odd hours and oft times need to sleep during the day.  Homeschooling was an option we chose so DH could take part in our family life.

We've survived separation during great civil unrest, earthquakes making travel impossible, hostage takeovers, high speed pursuits and shootouts.  Calls from the hospital with hubby saying, "I've been injured and am covered in someone's blood."

Now we are in another city .. with a less stressful job .. still odd and inconvenient days and hours.  People are people no matter where you live.  Some are kind .. but most treat the law officer in contempt .. that is until they need help.  Yes .. there are bad apples in every field .. and it only takes one to tarnish the badge.  Next time you need the assistance of an officer, or you get pulled over for speeding, or get a ticket for illegally parking .. be kind and thankful to the man or woman behind the badge that has sworn an oath to serve and protect YOU.