little lost heart . . .

 I'm always on the lookout for hearts.  I found this one when we went to play tennis . . . simply a little lost bead - but something special when you take time to notice it.  I had such a busy weekend - most of it doing the things that I had to do - and not much of the stuff I wanted to do.  Although I am extremely excited about getting my garage in order . . . and I did finish the second book of the Hunger Games series.  I believe Luke is still reading the third one and Jake and Abbie have finished the series.  What to read next???

 Tonight I am going to make myself sit down and crochet!!!!

do overs allowed

I had hoped to post a picture of a cute little pink beanie - with a pompom on top and maybe some little pearls sewn on the edge . . . but you would think that I had never crocheted before.  I kept having to rip it back and fix rows because I was off - it probably would not have even mattered, but I was in one of those moods that it had to be exactly right (just part of my personality) . . . so finally I just cut the yarn, threw it away,  and decided to start over the next day.  This is as far as I got before my doctor appoinment.  This is simple single crochet and I have made so many of these beanies over the years that I could probably make one with my eyes closed.  Sometimes you just need a fresh start!

This was a gift from my friend Jessica . . . LOVE IT! 

Hot day for tennis

Jennifer and Lily joined me yesterday to watch Richard play tennis.  This was the best line of the day . . . Lily asks, "Papa, what are you doing?" . . . and Richard responds back, "Losing." 

I'm still laughing. 

This is what the thermometer in the car read when we were finished.  Last year at this tournament I was wrapped up in a blanket and drinking coffee. I have been looking forward to the heat - but even I must admit it is a little early for this . . . it is supposed to cool down a little bit tomorrow.

pizza, beer, and cranes

This is one of the packs of new origami paper that I bought while we were in San Francisco.  Will my obsession with this paper ever end? . . . I doubt it.  The paper is just so pretty . . . This paper is a little larger and printed on both sides

I will use it to make some cranes . . . but with the print on both sides of the paper I had to make one of these boxes.

An origami box needs an origami crane nesting in it.

Richard and I went out for pizza last night - I had some paper with me - so decided to fold some while we were sitting there . . . I tell you - it is an obsession (the origami cranes - not the beer)

This is only about the 4th crane Richard has ever made.  He needed a little instruction to remember how they were made.

. . . and my obsession continues.

Daily Choice

I just read the quote on the header of my blog . . . I've been living my life in a storm the last couple a weeks and let myself forget all about enjoying the rain and dancing away.  We all probably have reason to do that sometimes - dwell on the stuff that makes life hectic or difficult.  But shame on me for letting it get in the way.  I seem to have found my balance again - for now anyway. 

My dear cousin Amy posted this on Facebook this morning . . .

it's exactly what I needed to remind me . . . and get my ooola back!

Life can change in a matter of seconds, so live your life worthy while you are here, because we are only here temporarily...you have a CHOICE daily to choose positive, smiling, laughing and living life to its fullest...do what you desire and take good care of the people you love, your parents, siblings, friends because you may not get that chance again. So, draw a line and jump over it and Love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything with no regrets and forget the past with exception of what you have learned and remember everything happens for a reason.

loves me . . . loves me knot . . .

Richard found this heart while putting up our new fence . . . and took a picture of it for me. 

There has been a lot of stuff that life is made of keeping me busy these days . . . so haven't been posting much.  I have to be better about that. 

Things such as . . .

It's a girl!

. . . and thumbs up to that.  I am going to be a grandma in September.  I really didn't care whether it was a boy or a girl - but now I know what to shop for . . . and every grandma to be knows how fun it is to shop for a girl!

Spring Break was wonderful.  I already posted that we spent a couple of days in San Francisco.  But Spring Break also included dying Easter Eggs with Lily.

 . . . and blue Lily fingers.

We spent a day at the zoo where Lils got to feed a giraffe. 

Life through the life of a 3 year old is wonderful!   

And today - Stella had an appointment with the vet . . . yes she was nervous.  She growled quite a bit and took a couple of swipes at him.  She had to show off her attitude of course.  She will have to spend the night - I think it will be harder on us than on Stella. 

A day in the city

We drove up to San Francisco this week . . . one of my favorites cities.  We saw these (senbazuru) at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park - a perfect place to drop some of my cranes.  (hopefully I will get some responses from some of them.)

A trip to San Francisco always call for a stop at Jack's on Fisherman's Wharf . . . for a beer

 . . . and a shrimp cocktail.

We found this little bar called the Black Magic Voodoo Lounge . . . from the outside it looked questionable - but we just couldn't walk by without checking it out.  It turned out to be a great little place.

and the bathroom was great - this mirror . . . purple walls . . .

 . . . and this reminder (which I happen to need)

Pretty Pig in a Pink Party Hat . . .

A pretty pink hat . . .

. . . and a pig.

About a month ago Lorraine posted her "This Little Piggy Post".  I replied with a comment and in return received a papermache pig to decorate for her Pigs on Parade.  I ended up with . . .

 A pretty pig in a pink party hat!

Faith

I just have to keep this in mind . . . sometimes more than others.

Still getting flowers after all these years . . .

My husband made me this flower the other night.  It was his first attempt at making a rose out of duct tape. 

I love it when he surprises me with simple little things like this.

He made another one today . . . love them!

Room 12 cranes

Yesterday one of the teachers that I work with asked me to come talk to her class.  They had just finished reading Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.  She wanted me to tell them about my 1000 paper crane project and show them how to fold an origami crane.

The teacher had told me that the kids were excited that I was going to come talk to them - but what a welcome I received . . . and such enthusiasm.  There were a couple of faces that didn't look too interested - but once we started folding - they all were interested.  Some of the kids who had done origami before helped the others who were having trouble.  They were amazing!

I took a picture of every one's cranes - I especially liked how a couple of the little girls place their craned on the book about Sadako.

The boy who made this crane is so sweet.  He tried to help anyone who was having trouble.  If you would like to see all of the cranes from room 12 or take a look at my 1000 paper crane project . . .

http://chs1000cranes.blogspot.com/

Dad's Birthday

Happy Birthday Dad . . . I miss you!

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."

                                                                         ~ Clarence Budington Kelland

Miss Lily

Friday's at work are always a little better when I get a visit from Lily.

She is quite the worker when she puts her mind to it.

I wish this photo showed more of her fingers.  She is talking to her Grammy and telling her "peace out."

She also had to call Papa, Luke and Jake

Love our Lily Bug!

Stella

I wish this picture wasn't so dark . . . but she does this all the time so I will keep trying to get a better shot.  This is what Stella does when Luke and Abbie leave the house.  Sometimes she cries . . . but usually just watches them leave.  Stella can drive us all crazy with her antics - but she is the most unique cat we have ever had . . . and she makes me laugh.  Wishing I was home with her today . . . I could use a dose of Stella.

Breakfast with Lily

We had a sleepover last night . . . which means waffles in the morning.  Lily mixed up waffles, cracked some eggs,  and poured the syrup.

. . . and while we weren't looking - she mixed the syrup in with her scrambled eggs. 

Never a dull moment when Lily is over.