snapshots from this week . . .

I've been walking and running at lunch . . . I manage to get about 3 miles in each day - even taking time to stop and take pictures.  I have always tried to notice things around me and there is so much to see and enjoy . . . 

 

I am not really into what kind of car I have at all . . . just never has been a big thing with me.  This old truck I like . . . I think it would be great restored.  It has been in this neighborhood for years and I have always liked it for some reason . . . not really sure why.  It has been ages since I walked down this street and I had to smile today when I saw that it was still there. 

 

Peace ~ Love ~ Cranes

Flashback Friday . . .

This is one of my favorite photos of my sons . . . taken years ago when we were visiting my family in Iowa.  They had gone fishing with Richard and my Dad.  I don't remember which one of them actually caught this fish, but they seem happy to share in the glory of catching it.  It was simply a big old carp - so we couldn't eat it . . . they also got quite a kick out of Grandpa Pete burying it in his garden. 

They are now 31 and 26 years old . . . but I still keep this picture on my desk.  I love their innocence and excitement . . . how they got along . . . knowing this day was spent with my dad.  I love Luke's hat (which he never went without) and Jake's haircut . . . . I love the smiles on their faces.  I don't think they understand now as young men that I can still look at them and see these two young boys . . .

My Son
Watching you grow has been the delight of my life. I look at you and wonder what dreams you will dream, what mountains you will climb, what joys you will have. I know there will be tears and struggles as well, but my prayer is that you will grow into the man you are meant to be.

                                                                               ~ Author unknown

September 19th . . .

32 years ago today Richard and I were married.  It was a very small wedding in a park in Orlando, Florida.  We had only known each other about two months . . . something just felt right. 

31 years ago today . . . Luke was born.  What a way to spend your first anniversary.  :)  He was an amazing baby . . .

 . . . an amazing child

. . . and he is an amazing adult. 

It is hard to describe my oldest son . . . he is an old soul, intelligent and creative, fun loving and truly unique.  He thinks too deep and marches to beat of his own drummer . . . (that the rest of us don't always hear and understand)

. . . he is a wonderful father and I am truly proud to call him my son.

I have very strong beliefs when it comes to love, marriage, and family.  32 years ago Richard and I started our life together . . . 31 years ago we started our family.  Things have not always been easy . . . but we have always found a way through the tough times, and celebrated the good times . . .

All these years later . . . something still just feels right!

Color of the Day . . . Green

I saw something on pinterest that read . . . "The Mysterious Love of Green" . . . which inspired me to take a look at the green around me today. 

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. It symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony.  It has always been one of my favorite colors  . . .

THINK GREEN!



Weekend . . .

 

 

Peace Love Cranes

 

 

 

Flashback Friday . . .

 Amy . . . this one is for you. 

You and Gramma at the San Diego Zoo. 

San Diego Fleet Tournament

I am not sure exactly what year . . . early 80's

You have to love a man in baseball pants . . . especially one that can hit!

1986 . . .

This is so funny.  When I emailed it to Richard the other day - he called me laughing and saying something about how young we were and asking me why I was drinking beer out of a tennis ball can?   I also sent it to Roger . . . he just had to laugh at the mustaches.   

Petty Officer Smith . . . I was a pushover for a Navy uniform.  I prefer the dress uniforms and cracker jacks, but I like the dungarees too.

"Good on ya Eagle"

We had a lot of fun during those years and met some great people . . . and yes, we were really young . . . I may have to drink a beer out of a tennis ball can for old times sake.

Happy Friday!

lunchtime therapy . . .

Today is a day made for eating lunch outside . . . I enjoyed the sunshine, wrote in my journals, and listened to the happy sounds of children on the playground. 

Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow. ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You

Happy Birthday Charlotte

It is our sweet Charlotte's birthday today . . . can a year really go by that quickly?  She makes us smile and laugh . . . and realize what is really important in this crazy world we live in. 

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. 

                                                                                ~Carl Sandburg

I believe . . .

in pink . . . 

I believe in God. 

 I believe in the power of prayer. 

 I believe in love at first sight.

I believe in magic . . .  

I believe laughter is great medicine.   

I believe in fighting for something that is right.

I believe in angels that protect us from things we are not always aware of.

I believe baseball is the greatest sport played. 

I believe in kindness & compassion.

 I believe in real LOVE that lasts a lifetime and longer.
I believe in being sexy. 

I believe that miracles happen every day. 

I believe in family and friends.

I believe forgiveness is necessary in order to heal and move one.

I believe in telling people that you love them.

I believe that sometimes nothing tastes better than a cold beer.

I believe children are amazing creatures!
I believe in music.

I believe in being creative and having fun.

I believe in holding hands.

I believe sometimes you have to have a good cry - just to feel better.

I believe in always doing your best - no matter what you do.

I believe in honesty.
I believe in dancing until your feet hurt.

 I believe . . . .

I believe I think too much and at times I am way to serious . . . like tonight. :)  Write a post about what you believe in . . . and leave me a comment/link.



wine labels . . . journal . . . me . . .

I have a friend who bought some of this wine while she was wine tasting in Paso Robles.  She says it is pretty good.  I may have to try some . . .  but mostly just for the bottles.  They would make really cute lighted bottles for Halloween and Day of the Dead.

I like this label the best and now that I am looking at the labels again - I wish I would have bought them when I was at the store.   

I have a couple of other bottles with Halloween labels . . . . the wine in those I would venture to say is not very good.  Maybe I will dump those out tonight and have Richard drill holes in them.  It won't be long before I start getting Halloween stuff out.  I love this time of year!

I have been playing with my journal a little more . . .

. . . and smiling a lot more.

PEACE!

Peace and Princesses

Keep Peace . . .

Doodle Princess . . .  

 . . . and our little princess

 

A lot on my mind this morning . . . actually,  I always have a lot on my mind - that's just me.  I started a new eating plan which has given me this incredible amount of energy . . . which is a good thing, but I tend to have a mind that won't shut off anyway and with all of this energy it is even worse than normal.  Lots of ideas . . . hoping to turn them into something creative if time allows and life doesn't get in the way . . . and working on keeping the negative stuff out.  For today . . . Keep Peace!

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

I had painted this frame orange to use for something else, but last night spray painted it pink for Charlotte's birthday party.  I tried to get everyone to take their picture with her . . . but only got a few. 

 

 

 

 

 

I knew Sarah would like this . . . we are going to have to use this again. 

Charlotte likes people . . . having her picture taken . . . balloons . . . having people sing Happy Birthday to her . . . but she does not like cake on her hands at all.