Sailing On!

I've turned a new leaf...and I'm sailing on!

There are very few photos of me in my early years...but no doubt,

this one has been resurrected...

My parents took me to Indonesia in 1972, 40 years ago,

but we had a 2 day lay over in Honolulu,

unfortunately just enough time to run down to the beach and feel the warmth.

How little did he know the interest that he aroused in my heart,

and that I would be travelling frequently to these Islands.

Our bags are packed, tickets in hand and we're ready to board.

Across the Atlantic Pacific ocean where the trade winds are headed for the Hawaiian Islands.

And I'm going with the one who's been by my side, forever,

throwing off our bowlines, sailing away from the harbor,

catching the trade winds in our sails.

Explore..... Dream.... Discover...

"We don't have an eternity to realize our dreams, only the time we are here."

 

I Love Being Old!

Here I am....

Feb.13th   1952

Today I'm going to share a reading. that a friend gave me a few weeks ago.

This reading is to many friends who have shared many different aspects of life with me.

"I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.  As   I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant-garde on my patio.  I am entitled to a treat, to be   messy, to be extravagant. "

What else can one expect with five brothers and one sister?

Living with five brothers taught me to become one feisty gal.

They conditioned me well for the long haul.
And my sister?  well she keeps me level-headed.

Thank-you FAMILY!

"I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon: before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging."

Yes, my parents and brother Len left this world far to soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

"Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4:00 AM and sleep until noon?  I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ....I will."

This group of friends only knows too well...

what it means when we chat on our computers in the wee hours.

"I can't sleep!"  are familiar phrases..."Is anyone out there in cyber space?"

Thank you ladies for holding me strong through my rough days!
A whirlwind of activities and events which keep us young.

You've brought many smiles to my life.

Here's another group that let's me dance the tunes of 60's & 70's.

It's called "Let the good times roll."

Who says we're getting OLD? 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.  

They, too, will get OLD."   

Can't you see that I too, was YOUNG????

~~~~~~~~~

"I know I am sometimes forgetful.  But then again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things."

I have two daughters who remind me of many things.

But remember they too are getting OLDER.   MIKKI, HOW OLD ARE YOU TODAY?

~~~~~~~~~

"Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.  How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when your beloved pet gets hit by a car?  But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect."

Thanks Jim & Sharon for sharing life with us not only as pastors, but as friends. 

You've seen our tears and dried them.  

Who would of ever thought that we would share the same corporate office now?  

He's the one who told me not to hang around for my 60th.

He said, "We're way to OLD to have parties!"

~~~~~~~~

" I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. 
 So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn   silver."

I won't comment whether I'm silver or blonde, 

but the grooves on my face are becoming stronger.  

And here I am, holding my first grandson...

and yes, they called me Oma...Aren't all Oma's OLD?

 ~~~~~~~~

"As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.  I don't question myself anymore.  I've even earned the right to be wrong."

Jerry and I go back along way....and her positive attitude through life has helped shape my thought pattern many times..."How did Jerry manage on her own?  If she can succeed, so can I!  She's been a model and mentor for our family.  But you know what?  She's OLD Too!  She's almost retired.

 ~~~~~~~~~

"So, to answer your question, I like being old.  It has set me free.  I like the person I have become.  I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been,  or worrying about what will be.  And I shall eat dessert every single day! "

(if I feel like it).

This group of friends has hung in there with me for 40 some years.

This past weekend, they gave me the royal bumps plus a bowl of dried prunes.

And let me tell you...we ALL  love to eat our desserts.

It doesn't matter how OLD we are.

One more group of friends that love getting OLD!

As you can tell we love to celebrate in style.

So as life goes on, grab it and live each day to it's best.

And if you really want to have fun...

Here's some more OLDER friends who can't stop laughing with me.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing this day with me!

I LOVE BEING OLD!

FAVE FIVE's ~ Smiles & Chuckles.

Today it's Friday and it's all about things that make me smile.

I walked through my house this week, thinking..

What is it that has put a smile on my face?

If you are interested to see what this is all about....

join our hostess Susanne at Living to Tell a Story.

Each week she nudges us to see what we consider our favorite highlights.

I rediscovered the Hymnal that we used in the Clearbrook MB Church, 

where I used to attend as a small child.

This is where I learned the hymns and sang them with my mom while doing dishes.

I have found this hymnal again..thanks to Central Community Church,

I know exactly the page numbers...I can hear her voice....

This makes me smile as I think of the craftsmanship of a seamstress.

Add a little ruffle to a tea towel and look what you've got.

I love this little tea towel...Thanks!

Today I'm smiling knowing that another butterfly has reached eternity.

I was given this awhile back...from someone who has moved on.

I will continue to think of your flight!

I have enjoyed this candle...I light it frequently and say a prayer

for someone special...for someone who's smiling again.

You are on your way to recovery!

I'm reminded of a particular birthday celebration of two old friends.

Yes, some of us are turning the big corner, not short of any pizazz.

It's been fun celebrating with all of You!

You all make me smile!

This week I  received a few elegant scarves...

Some of you must know my future plans.

It's time to remove the woolens, and bring out the cottons.

(at first I thought I was receiving something intimate)

But it made me smile once again!

Thank you for your friendship over the years!

This card makes me smile...

Who says you can't have fun at our age?

Thanks, you seem to enjoy some good humor at SIXTY!

Here's hoping that you can all find something to smile about this week.

February ~ Gardening?

The clear sunny mornings have my thoughts drifting toward my garden.

Let's see what's left?

But it's only the beginning of February and the snow is still covering the grounds.

My first stop was to step into my boots, until....

I felt a cool gushy feeling between my toes.

Was this water?  Was this a joke?

How could my single boot have been filled with water?
Meanwhile I drained the access water onto my herb garden.

Fresh onion greens and chives.

Fresh carrots?
I dug them out and sorted through the carrots.

Just last week my little man said,

"Oma,  I think it's time to pick raspberries again."

Not yet!

It was a perfect weekend to crank up the BBQ and make chicken rotisserie.


with fresh carrots,


a fresh asparagus stir fry,
and fresh garlic mashed potatoes.

"So, yes, I do experience a type of reverie as a gardener.  But it is not something I control or strive for.  When I find spirituality in my garden, it seems to go hand in hand with hard work and diligence.  
Like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day, a feeling of peace will come over me and
grab me by surprise. 
I don't really know why or how it happens.  But then again, I wouldn't want it any other way."

So, are there any rules about gardening in February?

It's Your Day!

This little guy in the middle was born Feb.3, a long time ago.

Four sisters and one brother,

and one more sister was along the way!

The toddler stage...when life was filled with castles and fairy tales.
Filled with smiles for everyone.

Those primary days, had him strutting along the shores of Harrison Hot Springs,
with his younger sister.
We'd all strut with an outfit like that.

And soon...he was old enough to milk those cows.

I'm not sure who's helping who...because he's always loved cows.
His sisters paid him to milk their shifts for 25 cents and he loved it.

And he milked them for 25 years.

I see a disgusted face on this young teen.

The family wants him to perform, but he's got other things on his mind.

He is one attractive guy and somehow he was not interested in those women.

Yes, these days cannot be forgotten.
  John and his friends loved nothing more than to polish their cars.

He did not fall short of his two favorite interests.
Girls and Cars!

 Years later, he has become a Dad with a family....

And now they are all grown up with lives of their own.

And he loved those years of being a Daddy.

And they still come to him and ask for his advice.

Sometimes they take it and sometimes they leave it.

Now they are bringing grand kids and he's participating in the same activities all over again.

He's always loved his family and nothing makes him happier,

than to know the kids are coming home.

"If you are fortunate enough to have a job, do it with all your heart.  But remember that although it is a vital part of your life, it is only a part, and although you may rise to great heights, somebody else will one day take your place at the work bench or at the head of the boardroom table. Nobody will ever take your place as the father of the child you are now cradling in your arms.  You may well work for the best part of half a century but the time you have been given to pass on the things that matter to your child is so very limited.  There will be many demands on your time, and you will not always be able to give your children the time they ask. But so far as is possible, count the days.  Try not to miss one of them."

You've known how to work, how to celebrate life and how to live your days well.

May God give you many more days!

Happy Birthday!