A Reminder to Be Thankful

Today is a hard day for Americans.  Twenty five years ago, the US was attacked.  Many people died.  Planes crashed.  Everything changed.  Nine Eleven.  Where were you?  It was one of those moments when you will always remember where you were.  I had just returned from a trip to Rome with my older daughter Deb (Rocket Scientist Girl) and was planning to fly home to Portland, Oregon from Los Angeles.  Obviously, my flight was canceled and I had to make other arrangements.  Two days later, I boarded a bus and rode it north on a twenty-four hour trip.  Thankfully, I arrived in Portland safely.  Where were you?

1.  I began this Friday Fave Fives with remembering September Eleventh Two Thousand One-- 9/11-- because I am reminded that I am so blessed to live in a safe country protected by a strong military.

2.  Deb's birthday was in August and we were in Alaska, so we celebrated her birthday on Saturday night with dinner at Olive Garden.  Presents.  Conversations.  Even a few extra guests.  It was a great way to celebrate her.

3.  How did you spend Labor Day?  We didn't do much during the day, and then at the last minute, we decided to have a bonfire and invite the family to join us.  The weather was perfect.  And we didn't cook anything (except s'mores) as we chose BYOD (bring your own dinner).  The Professor and I ran to the pizza shop but it was closed, so our second choice was P*nda Express.  An added benefit is that we managed to eke out THREE meals for each of us over the next few days.  I love sitting on our patio in the evening and watching the embers in the firepit.

4.  Tuesday evenings are always Trail Life.  The Professor is a leader and our grandson Liam is part of our local troop (Older grandson Nathan has aged out now that he is eighteen).  The troop met at Dillon Lake State Park which is near our city to play disc golf.  I joined them, not to play with them but to walk around the campgrounds and enjoy the beauty of this lovely park.

5.  Medical appointments.  Our dentist appointments went well.  Good news!  Also, I had an appointment with my dermatologist and she is happy with the progress I've made in managing all my allergies.  I am thankful for good health and for the excellent health care we have. 

Hello September!

It's September!  Ninth month of 2025.  School is back in the schedule.  The weather seems to be moderating (finally).  This week has been full of the usual busyness of life.  Friday is the day I just pause and remind myself of how blessed I am.  Susanne hosts us and we share our Friday Fave Fives (follow the link to join).

1.  Over the long weekend, we enjoyed not one, but TWO, bonfires.  Sunday night we hosted our church life group and enjoyed time just chatting around the fire.  Monday night we did the same thing with family.  It was perfect weather and a perfect way to celebrate Labor Day weekend.

2.  I am keeping up my walking. Six of the last eight days (including today).

3.  Peaches!  NurseGirl and I took PAL and her mom to the local peach orchard to buy fresh local peaches.  Yum!

4.  PAL and her mom like to visit thrift stores.  One day this week, we enjoyed checking out three thrift stores. We may have bought a few really great bargains...

5.  Yesterday, September 4th, is remembered by us for two reasons.  It was the wedding anniversary of The Professor's parents who were married during WWII.  Also, on their anniversary, we decided to announce our engagement.  September 4th is a wonderful day for us to remember.

AND... Tall Boy's Senior Photos...

Another Busy But Blessed Week

Hello to Friday Fave Fives for the Third Week in October 2024.  It's been another busy week.  But now I am finally home from dropping The Professor and Tall Boy and Warrior Boy at their location for a Trail Life Campout.  Their troop is on parking duty for all the troops arriving from several states surrounding Ohio.  It's the biggest event of the year, and they are all looking forward to a great weekend.  Now I'm home alone with my books and yarn.  Happy time for me, too.  So now I have a few minutes to focus on how God has blessed me this past week with mostly small things.  Susanne is our host over at Living to Tell the Story.

Younger Daughter and I found a new local knit shop!  Before this cute shop The Yarnologist opened, we had to drive into west Columbus to visit a shop with quality yarns.  On Saturday we dragged The Professor and her fourteen year old son (at his request) there.  The guys found a new coffee shop! (Does this make it TWO faves in one?)  I might have bought a bit of yarn...   Since we loved that new coffee shop, we invited T and S to have our coffee time there this week.  All agree-- it was great, and T declared that Leonard's has the best breakfast sandwich.

Our area has had a fire ban imposed for a couple of months.  We were really missing our family bonfires.  Finally, last week it was lifted!  Yes, we had a bonfire!

Walks on the county paths are always a fave with us, especially in the autumn when the leaves are turning all the fall colors.  We walked with Younger Daughter and her dogs.  The weather was great in the morning while we were out.  Fortunately, we made it home before the rain and hail started.

yes, we had hail (after we were home from the walk, fortunately)

A local young woman is a professional harpist.  Olivia Claggett often plays at banquets and fundraisers in the community.  On Sunday afternoon she performed at a local church.  She rotated around playing four harps.  Her sisters also sang with her.  It was amazing.

Then last night, we attended a banquet for Nightbirde Foundation.  If that name Nightbirde sounds familiar... yes, Nightbirde was a contestant on America's Got Talent and won a Gold Buzzer for the season for her performance of It's OK even as she was battling breast cancer.  She was a local girl and attended the church we are part of.   Her family started a foundation in her memory to help women who have cancer.  What an amazing evening that was, to see the impact she still has on the world because of her bravery and strength in her battle with breast cancer.   This is the youtube link to her performance on AGT.

It was PAL's birthday this week!  I can't believe our youngest granddaughter is ten years old!  Happy Birthday, PAL!  (in case you don't know, PAL are the initials of her name which I think is awesome)

A few years ago...

Arizona Girl catching her first snowflakes

Bonus!  This week, I celebrated nineteen years of blogging!  I can't believe it.  My first post was October 12, 2005.  Things have changed A LOT since then.  Four homes, two states, four grandchildren.  And a whole lot else.  Happy Birthday to Willow's Cottage!  Do you want to read my very first post?  Here's the LINK.  My reference to 'inner city' is Los Angeles inner city where we were living at the time.  The next few posts are focused on what things were like living there.

FIRE, HOPE and a Few Other Faves

 Good Friday Morning!  I hope your week has gone well.  Mine was busy although I was able to find some time to relax and rest.  Our weather has been hot and dry.  Even so, we have been able to do some work in the garden and take a few short walks in the evenings when the temperatures cooled down a bit.  As I looked back over the past week to choose my Friday Fave Fives, this is what bubbled up to the top.  (the link takes you to Susanne's blog where you can find other bloggers who have written their FFFs, too)

1.  Bargain hunting with Older Daughter.  I was looking for a couple of items and so we ventured out to explore the local thrift and bargain stores.  Score!  I found a laptop desk, the kind to use while you are sitting in your chair.  And some fall decor.  It's almost autumn!

2.  A successful episode at the dentist.  I had two very small spots on two teeth that needed attention.  I greatly appreciate my very skilled and caring dentist who spent at least half his time with me refilling vials and pushing needles into my gum to continue to numb the area.  Evidently, I do not have "normal nerve pathways" (to quote the dentist) so I don't respond to normal anesthetics in a normal way.  But in the end, I am fine, and he was relieved to have me out of the chair all healthy and even more relieved than he was.  I am very grateful for such a kind, caring and competent dentist.

3.  Several coolish evenings this week meant we could have bonfires.  I love to sit out on our patio and just relax while I watch the flames.

ready to light the FIRE!

4.  Hair cut!  I love my hair stylist!

5.  Two Bible Studies I am part of began this week and are both studying the same book-- Revelation.  I love that one had a statement that the main topic is HOPE!

Finishing Up October

FRIDAY FAVE FIVES.  I pause in my week to reflect on blessings and little or large things that I am grateful for.  Monday evening at my Bible Study, we discussed being grateful and decided that we would focus on THREE THINGS each day that we were blessed with.  Just like the FIVE THINGS in my week.  If you want to join in, use THIS LINK to get you to Susanne's blog where she hosts us.

1.  A wedding.  On Saturday, we drove an hour each way to attend the wedding of a young man who we knew back in California.  He lives here now and married a young woman from here.  It was beautiful!  And we were able to chat with his parents and sister who flew out here for the wedding.

2.  That drive through the country to and from the wedding was lovely.  I posted lots of photos of the autumn scenery and old barns here on the blog a couple of days ago.  This is the link if you love barns and autumn leaves.  Or just scroll down to the next blog post.  Here are three pictures to whet your interest.

3.  One little blessing really cheered me up this week.  We were in a big box store looking for a new ceramic pot for my shamrock plant.  When we took it to check out, we realized that there was actually supposed to be a plant in the pot.  Since there was no plant (probably it had died), the store just gave it to us for free.  I think I like this store and will be back.

4.  Since we own the home Younger Daughter was living in, we decided to sell it and not continue to be landlords.  We already have a buyer and things are moving along quickly.

5.  I can never tire of enjoying backyard bonfires.  On the weekend, we invited our next door neighbors to join us and we sat and chatted until late evening.  I am so very thankful for my new beautiful firepit!