HELLO OCTOBER

Where does time go? My goodness it flies away sort of like the leaves starting to fall from the trees.

I want to use kindness. Our past few weeks have been littered with so much hate from inside our government. It is a sad sad situation for our country. a female friend of mine was badly injured while serving in the U.S.Army. She is so disgusted she feels like she fought for what? For hatefulness? I make a point to remind her that many appreciate her service and I am very sorry for the chronic pain she deals with. But without people who love this country that they go out and fight for it, we would be in an even more dire situation. Thank a soldier or sailor, mariner, marine, thank them all who had the courage to serve our country.

Live and let God, my mother did and each day I try. It is hard to let go and let Him guide your way but it is the way to a better place after this old world fades away.

Me and my girls Noelle, Rebekah and Hannah at Guanella Pass enjoying the changing colors of the aspen trees.

When I saw these trees all I could say was "Hello God". He sure makes everything beautiful for us.

We were at 1Up last night to celebrate my grandson Andrew and his birthday. We have a good friend who tends bar there, Bret. It is a fun bar filled with every imaginable video game like old school Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man and my all my time favorite old fashioned pin ball machines. We wore our Blake Street Bombers t shirt since the bar is across the street from Coors Field, home of our Colorado Rockies.

The birthday boy and his bride.

The 1Up bar where you can have just about anything including a sassy little drink called an "Otter Pop" which my daughter Hannah sampled. It tasted like a popsicle.

Brody is growing up so fast too. He is a semi serious fellow. we sure love spending time with him.

They call it the good life for a reason. PaPa and Brody taking a cat nap.

KINDNESS ALERT

Checking in here. I am sad I have had so much going on I have not been able to blog. But wanted to stop in and ask for a favor.

A fellow blogger, and one we miss dearly because he has had a lot of health issues has updated me with what is going on these days.

Karl a/k/a Iggy has a wonderful blog. He has been away way too long but he has had health issues and he recently sent me an update.

I love sending cards and encouraging others. I love to sit down and write nice letters. I belong to a wonderful encouragement group. I recently asked them to please send cards to my friend Karl because he was having a lot of problems getting his health in order.

I am a worrier by nature as my father before me was too. But I try really hard to let it go and give it to God. So everyone sent encouragement and prayed for Karl. He said he is getting a bit stronger and able to do a few things he hasn't been able to do recently. He was grateful for all the cards and prayers and wishes to thank each person individually. He said his doctor had changed his pain medication to one that seems to work and he is able to tolerate it without horrible side effects. He had not been able to get up and walk in over a week and was able to do this with a change in medication. He is very cautionously hopeful that the worst of this ordeal is over.

Prayer works and I am grateful for all those who sent Karl encouragement and prayed for him. I am always grateful to share with anyone who would like to send encouragement too. Just e mail me . You never know when you are the only thing brighten someones day.

I speak from experience. Prayer works, it is the best armor against all trials and I have had days when nothing seemed to go right and I felt so useless and a card came in the mail and someone made my day. Trust me, kindness and encouragement are a terrific team!

Please pray for Lauren and Wil. They went to the hospital to deliver their twin sons and tragedy struck. Carter was stillborn. He weighed 8 lbs. 14 oz. Dylan was 6 lbs. 8 oz. and he lived for 7 days in the NICU. His parents were able to love him and hold him until he passed away in his mothers arms. They were told he had suffered  catastrophic brain damage. There were no signs prior to his birth. Even in the death of their sons these parents found out that Dylan was approved as a heart valve donor. This will prevent two families from suffering this same devastation. Lauren is a LuLa sister to my sweet NC friend Tracy Freeman and there is a go fund me page as well as a PayPal donation site too.

Pray for Don, he sees doctors at the VA Hospital in NC and they found two spots on his lungs and they are thinking cancer. He has beaten the odds before. Please pray.

Pray for Lou in Florida. We all know cancer stinks and she is going through a difficult journey right now. Thank you.

The Green Green Grass of Home

Our backyard was a muddy mess in the rainy and snowy weather. We seem to never have the time, effort or cash to complete the lawn. Well, with the newlyweds help we all worked very hard to make our new lawn look . It is amazing how hard work can transformed a dusty, rocky soil into lush green.

The hubby and middle decided to add a mini fence around our giant tree in the backyard and we had previously added the natural mini fence last year around the tall bush that attracts many a beautiful butterfly.

Mini fences add some charm.

"Look ma, my hands are filthy from working in the ground."

These newlyweds along with my hubby and youngest daughter Hannah lifted these sod rolls to magically transform our yard.

It's so beautiful. I forgot to take a snapshot of the grass planted under my clothesline. It felt good today to hang out our sheets to dry and step on green goodness.

Job 28:24 explains this all so nicely.

ZACH WISHING YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELATED

For my son-in-law Zach. Hope this is birthday is memorable.

You know I could not resist! Canada + Hockey = eh! HaHaHa! Corny I know but I sure miss my hubby's former co worker Harold who use to say "eh"! I bet you didn't guess he was born in Canada.

If you know my son-in-law, you know is a one whole minute older than his twin sister Alexa. Yes, today is her birthday too.

His birthday cake.

Hawaii, 6/18 at Diamond Head Outlook. It was hot and humid after their hike.

Zach was our driver heading to Carbondale in February this year. It is becoming a phamily affair. The hubby and I were not stressed and not worrying about the drive. Zach got a last minute upgrade and we were riding in true style. Look at my silly Rebekah. she was the sign watchers.

Zach and ALexa having birthday fun with their mom and brother and sweethearts too.

The twins enjoying birthday shenanigans!

Aw....Mondays and More

It is a late post for Aw...Mondays and a sweet kitten who looks like I feel!

Getting ready for one of those milestone birthdays where you have to apply for Medicare was weighing heavily onmy mind. Recently,  I made the call and spoke to the lovliest lady named Robin. She really put my mind at ease. Often people who think they are helping you are really scaring the pants off of you with their horror tales of the Medicare system. So enough said except I am grateful I spoke with Robin at the Social Security 800 number. I heard God whispering "I told you so!". Learning to listen to Him is getting a bit easier.

You can call it what you like, special needs, disabilities. I like Joni Eareckson-Tada's take on it best:

She has often said, she dislikes labels. She said I am a cripple. I sit in a wheelchair. I don't really have a disability. I broke my neck and it put me in this chair! She always says when she gets to heaven she is going to dance with Jesus! Our country loves labels and offering pharmaceuticals to whoever feels like they need one. Have you seen the warning labels on so many of these drugs? It is absolutely frightening.

A friend I have known since we were 13 via "pen pals" reconnected with me at social media. She lost her younger sister Jackie recently. Jackie had Downs Syndrome. She lived a life that touched so many. I did not know her but hearing what others have to say about her makes me smile. I think Jane was truly blessed to have Jackie as her sibling. May Jackie Rest In Peace .

My friend Dr. T. or "Koko" as we call her always said her grandmother told her people do not understand those born with a pure soul. If you know someone with Downs Syndrome I know you will relate to this. Koko and I worked together, for many years in an ENT office. She was the doctor of Audiology.

The hubby is winding down his six days off in a row. He returns to work on Wednesday but we worked hard all weekend long with the newlyweds.

The start of our weekend long project.

The green, green grass of home.

Oh Maxine, stop reading my mind!

A thoughtful share for Anniewho always spread kindness. Remeber her in your prayers please as she is taking a much needed blog break.

PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN

Hello to Aw...Mondays . My friend Carole recently shared something. She said people spend too much time on their phones and ended with this message, put your damn phone down! Everywhere we go, people  with faces buried looking at  their phones.Look at life, your hubby or wife, your kids, grands and friends.Smile at a stranger. Please put your phone down while driving

This boy is on vacation in Cheese Country, otherwise known as Wisconsin. He told me one day to put my phone down and talk to him.  Goodbye phone, hello Harrison. I miss him already.

Harrison is warming up to the idea that in December, he will be a big brother. No pink ribbons there, another blue bundle of joy. Waiting on the name. They know I love Harley but they will have to find the perfect one. Love is...sums this up nicely.

HaHaHa! Oooooohhhhh Maxine, that new baby arriving in time for the CHRISTmas season. Maxine is 100 percent right, you know that don't you?

I have a quick challenge for you. instead of an unkind word or thought proceeding from your mind and mouth please do this:

Small kindnesses make big strides. People everywhere are fighting a battle you know nothing about. Use kindness.  It makes me feel better to be kind. It is easy to be mean, kindness is hard if you make it that way. I see so many wanting their cause championed or expressing the hate they say among others and yet they are doing the same thing. Try kindness, use love to it's full potential. Love is the greatest gift of all. Prayers going up for Annie who has always shared kindness and positive notes at her blog.