Thursday, October 16, 2025

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

This week has been full of things to be thankful for.

We got a part in our car replaced and then passed the DMV smog test.

Rain

Friends and Family coming to our rescue

Getting approval for some medical benefits

And the list goes on ... 

Beautiful Sunsets



Gorgeous Sunshine


Thankful for answered prayers

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Wednesday, October 15, 2025

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


 Always be Grateful

Always be Kind



Tuesday, October 14, 2025

WE DID GET RAIN !

 First of all, yes we did get some rain during the night.

Not the "storm" we had been warned about, but the mountains did get some snow.

That's a great start for the season.

In California, every 2 years, when we are registering and paying our license fees at the DMV we also have to have our car Smog tested.  Its to control the emissions from the cars.

Well our car is OLD... and the check engine light came on.  We knew that wasn't a good sign for passing.

We got it tested anyway.  Here is the result.


More money flying out of our empty pockets ... 

The red line says we needed an EGR gizmo.  I called our son Steve and said help ... what do we do?


He looked on Amazon and found the correct Valve and we ordered it.

We asked our Daughter in Laws brother if he was able to install that thing.

Bless his heart, when he was in town for an appointment he came over and with in an half an hour we were in business.  I am so grateful for people who know what they are doing.  To me it was daunting and I didn't even know what that thing was or where it went under the hood.


Dave took the car into the Smog Genie place yesterday and PTL, it passed the Re-test.


Just ignore this picture below.  Somehow I can't delete it.  Sigh I'm so non-techie.


Now we can get our tags and be Legal..

We are so grateful to have people in our lives that can help us when we don't know how to do something ourselves.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Monday, October 13, 2025

TODAY'S STORM ... SO FAR

 Today we are suppose to have Measurable and Significant rain fall.

80% rain today and 100% rain tomorrow.

I'll believe it when I see it!

I just went out in the front yard to capture our "rain".






Hmmmm ... 

Maybe by this afternoon ???

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 


Friday, October 10, 2025

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

 Way back in the late 1990's, Dave and I were really into Disney and all things that made it Magical to us.

We joined a Disney Club and got to see and meet so many interesting and creative artists, up close and personal.

One special person was and is Stacia Martin.  She has been a quick sketch artist and ambassador for Disney for all of her adult life.

We have many of her sketches made especially for us.

I love Dumbo.  Here is her version for me.  Drawn in 1997.


Here's another one done for Hubby Dave.


These hang on the wall in our "Disney Room".

Fast forward to last week.  Our Granddaughter Lauren attended a Travel Conference for her side business.  It was held at the Disneyland Hotel.

Lauren has always been a huge Disney fan and guess who one of the artists was there?

Yes ... Stacia Martin.  She was doing quick sketches and had 5 for a drawing.  

Darn, but Lauren didn't win one, but she got a chance to chat with her for a bit and have her photo taken.  Lauren couldn't wait to tell us all about it.  She was only 3 years old when our sketches were made for us.


I love that history can repeat itself.

This is so special for all of us.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Tuesday, October 07, 2025

THIS AND THAT TUESDAY

 Today will be a little of This and That ... if I can find my photos to upload.

So here it goes ... 



8 years ago Mark finally found the love of his life.
The Lord definitely restores it all to new life.



Here they are 8 years later.
Beautiful smiles
Beautiful couple



I'm having a Moment !

It's the best way to start the day !


Always be grateful

Always be Kind


Saturday, October 04, 2025

ROCKLIN TRAIN DEPOT

 Thursday and yesterday were suppose to be a celebration of the Lincoln and Transcontinental Railroad.  The train was coming to our local train depot and passing through both days.

It poured during the Thursday time so we decided to miss it.

Yesterday a different train was returning and only for 15 minutes.  But, we decided to drive down to the station anyway.

What an amazing sky.  It didn't drop a speck of rain though.

I love that sun flare in the left hand corner.  Lots of activity in the Heaven-lys.




Sorry this is a bit blurry.  The train was still moving.  I would love to sit up in one of those Vista Domes and see the world.


A very nice lady standing near by said she would like to take our picture for us.

Why not?

We just wish that we were on that train going "anywhere"...


It was fun just to get out and see something different for a change.

Then it was on to Costco... Everyone and his brother was there. 
It felt like Bumper Cars in every aisle. 
I couldn't wait to get done shopping and go back home !

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

Thursday, October 02, 2025

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday ... 

There is always so much to be thankful for.  

Sometimes our issues hide them from view.

Today I am Full.

This may not seem like much, but, its rained steady for quite some time.  No gully washer 

But Just Sweet Rain !!


I'm thankful for successfully getting some important paperwork done and in the mail.  Thankful for Dave and I doing it all together and surviving without getting ourselves totally wound up in knots and still liking each other ... 💟

We went to have our Smog Check done so we can get our DMV registration tags done before the deadline.  Our old car Failed due to the Check Engine light going on.  We were able to purchase the needed part and our DiL's brother is going to install it next week.  We are so grateful.  Going to a mechanic would be too expensive for us to handle.  We will be all legal after that !!

Thankful for Family that is helping us get through these tough times.

Thankful for a decent nights sleep last night.  The world sure looks a lot better today.  😍

TOGETHER is the way we do things BEST ... 


Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 


Wednesday, October 01, 2025

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY


Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 


Monday, September 29, 2025

MONDAY MUDDLES

 Well good morning or afternoon to all of you.

I am struggling with my blogger today.  Son Steve helped transfer my photos onto another file.  Right now I'm having some difficulty finding what I want for todays post.

The learning curve is really high for this old gal !!!

I want to post a photo of both sons together since yesterday was National Sons Day.

This photo was taken just a few weeks ago when the guys and their wives went on a short cruise together.


It thrills my heart that they were able to have some great bonding time just for themselves.

I love our sons to the moon and back.  They are so kind, generous and compassionate.  They married some pretty great gals too.  

We are totally Blessed !

On another note, remember the fungus I posted last week?

Well. this is how it looks today.  At least I think its the same one ... 


Weird huh?

Now there is another species next to it!  Doesn't it look like an orange peel?

I wonder what is going to come next ... 



Well, it seems I have been successful getting the photos for my blog.  Thank goodness.  I have been in sort of a panic since my computer is a 2014 and can't be updated.  Seems there is always a stumbling block along the way.

Grateful for Steve helping me and thankful that my brain is semi in gear..😉😏😜

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Friday, September 26, 2025

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

 I didn't sleep too well last night.

I've got nothing new to post about today, so I thought I would go back into my archives.

Perhaps these have been seen before, but it's always fun to go back and look at them again.

The first one is me with our 2 sons way back in 1974.

I call it "Brotherly Love"


The next is from Bodie, California.  I love this old mining town that is now abandoned and full of wonderful photo opportunities.





And lastly,
My old stomping grounds.
The Pacific Ocean, just a mile from our home.
This was about 20 years ago.
Sometimes I really miss this view, but I sure don't miss the foggy days that seemed to go on forever.


Enjoy your weekend.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind



Wednesday, September 24, 2025

HOW DID IT GET TO BE WEDNESDAY ALREADY?

 Time seems to be fleeting and I'm madly trying to catch up.

Here's a thought for Wednesday Wisdom.


Wise words from Elizabeth Elliot.

Taking an 180 degree turn ... 

Do you remember Trolls?  Did you or your kids collect them?

To me they are so "ugly" that they are "cute".

I have 2 Trolls up on eBay right now.  I don't even know where we got these, but someone is sure to want them for their collection.


Army guy and the blue mullet Rocker Dude....

I think one of you must NEED these trolls for your shelf !!! 😁

Have a great day.

We have cooler weather today and that makes me happy.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Monday, September 22, 2025

WHAT IS THIS ??

 Use your imagination.

What does this look like to You?


I call this our Rhinoceros Hoof.

Or maybe its an Elephant Foot ... 


Just having a bit of fun on this First Day of Fall.

Our old tree stump gives me a lot of blog fodder 😃.

Have a wonderful day.  First day of fall and our temperatures are going back up to 93F today.

Summer hasn't looked at the calendar yet !

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 


Saturday, September 20, 2025

THANKSGIVING TURKEY 2 MONTHS EARLY

 Our next door neighbor texted me last night and said that Thanksgiving Dinner was at our door ... 

Of course I had to go and see what she was talking about.

There were 6 very large wild turkeys parading around in hers and our front yard.

In the last 6 months we have seen critters in our yard which have never been here in the entire 17 years we have lived here ... at least that we have seen or their remnants ... 

There were a few "Calling Cards" left behind.  Life just gets more interesting all the time.


I think there was a female in the group and the Guys were after her.

They went across the street and back again several times before disappearing into the next cul de sac.


Life is never dull.  
So glad Shirley let us know they were there.
I got more Blog Fodder ... 😀😃😄


Hope your Saturday went well and that you have a great Sunday.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Friday, September 19, 2025

WELCOME TO OUR PATCH

 First of all I want to thank all of you for your kind and thoughtful comments on my last few blog posts.  

I cherish every one of them and I cherish ALL of you.


During the night we were blessed with the first "rain" fall since April.

It wasn't much but it did wash the earth and gave the air that wonderful smell of dampness.


No rain in the forecast for the near future.  Its only suppose to get to 82F today but the overcast makes everything feel muggy.


Enjoy the weekend.

I'm going to ... 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 



Thursday, September 18, 2025

SOME TIMES ARE HARD

 There has been a lot of hard times for all of us during the last few weeks.

I'm not whining because my difficulties as so small compared to some of my Blogging Friends.

I just get so frustrated when my body isn't as strong as I wish it was in my younger days.  I get so frustrated when my brain can't comprehend all the computer technology I need to have to move forward.

Financial difficulties aren't any fun either but we are learning to Trust in our Lord.  Everything keeps going up except our fixed income ... sigh.

Ok, now I am done ... 

This is Thankful Thursday and I truly am thankful we are still above ground, have a wonderful home, fabulous family and food on our plate.  What could be better than that?

I'm going to leave this post with a photo of fungus.  I saw this on the stump in our backyard.







Be sure to enlarge these photos.  The details really show up.
This stump is "dead" but there seems to be life there anyway.  Sometimes I just have to look for it.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Tuesday, September 16, 2025

A WORKOUT FOR MY MUSCLES

 Whew, yesterday got pretty warm, or should I say hot?

I went out to our backyard anyway.

The weeds were calling me !

Our sprinkler system has been fixed and things are finding new life.

Even the weeds are thrilled with the drinks of water they are getting.

Dave and I are trying to get ahead of the new growth and to get things under control before they go to seed.

Its a huge job but we are tackling it bit by bit, inch by inch.

Some of you may be wondering why the garden hose is out on the grass when I said that the sprinklers were fixed.  There is one spot right in the middle of the lawn that neither side of the set sprinklers reach, so every once in a while we have to accommodate the thirsty part too.

I have to admit that my thighs, knees and "backside" muscles are a bit tender this morning.  So I guess its all good anyhoo...



And so, the Saga continues... a little bit each day and soon it will be time to start all over again ... 😅😳😜... 

Temps today 96F and tomorrow 97F, which means it may hit 100F by 4PM.

Then its on to the front yard ... Sigh ... 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind 


Monday, September 15, 2025

ANOTHER WEEK IS BEGINNING

 Here's to another week full of all things good.



Our hearts are breaking for the sadness and awful things happening in our world.

This past Sunday we went to our former church and joined everyone in prayer.

It was the right place to be.

On a lighter note ... 

An oldie but goodie ... or is it two Oldies but Goodies? ...


Always be Grateful

Always be Kind


Friday, September 12, 2025

WHERE HAVE THE LAST FIVE YEARS GONE?

 Today is our First Granddaughter's Wedding Anniversary.

Mark and Lauren have been married 5 years already.

Lauren gave US a call last night to see how We were doing and it was the perfect time to wish them blessings and more love  in the years to come.

Here are a few photos from the lovely outdoor wedding.


Me, being crowned as my precious Granddaughter's Flower Girl.


Their First Look 


Mr. and Mrs.


Love my Lauren to pieces.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind