MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Good Morning  ... It's still officially morning here ... for some of you it's probably your lunch time ... 

I guess that you can see I'm already doing some meandering ... 

I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.💖😄

I really like that quote.  Keep Moving ... 

Keep Moving Forward ... 

We had a wonderful lunch yesterday.  Son Steve, Sigrid and granddaughter Amanda came over after church.

Its always great to be able to catch up on the happenings of the past weeks.

I love when we can have deep, uninterrupted conversations around the table.

Does a Body Good !

I'm going to attempt to trim some bushes today before it gets too hot.  They are trying to take over MY space !

We'll see how it goes.  Maybe it will be Fodder for another blog post.

I guess that's enough meandering for today.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for the amazing sunset we had the other evening.

It was like the entire sky was on fire.  I'm so glad I got out of my easy chair and went outside to see it.

I am also so very thankful for the safety features that finally were put in our home.

You all figured out my Wordless Wednesday.

This is "my" "guest" bathroom with new grab bars in the step into short tub.

I only use the shower though.  I could never sit down in that tub and get up again!

This is our master bath which Dave has claimed.

It is a double shower stall.

Guest bathroom grab bars.

The two gentlemen that came to install the equipment were just wonderful.  They were from  The Placer County Independent Resource Services.  These pieces and the work done was all free of charge to us as seniors through a grant.

They worked hard and cleaned up so nicely too.  The guy that did my bathroom asked if I had some cleaner that he could use.  He said he had been walking around in the tub area and wanted to clean it for me.  Talk about a win/win.  I didn't have to get on my knees and scrub that thing!  I could have kissed him for doing that job for me.

We are so thankful for the security and safety the bars provide and for there being no cost to us.

An interesting sidelight was finding out that they both attend the church we used to go to.  Blessings all around.  They are volunteers and don't get paid for their time and effort.  Such servants hearts ... 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

Wordless Wednesday

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Monday Meanderings

I guess I have been feeling a bit down in the dumps lately.

This isn't meant to be a Pity Party.  I just have to write this all out to get my brain back in gear ... 

A week ago, at our granddaughter's baby shower, I was chatting with our niece and going on about really missing all the serving we used to do at church and all the people that have passed away or moved away.  She said that it sounded like I had Lost My Community.  That resounded with me and I have been chewing on it since then.  It has been a different kind of lonely but instead of doing something about it, I began to isolate myself.

Fast forward to Thursday when we had our impromtu small group bible study group come to our home.  This was after 3 months of not seeing each other, due to health and being unavailable issues.  Thank goodness for texts.

This was like family and we really caught up on life.  This group has been meeting for about 14 years at our house.  Its the safest place to share anything...

By the end of the time 2 different ladies suggested having a Girls Day Out.

Those days are in the works now ... that really fed my soul.  God sure knows what we need.

So I have picked up my big girl panties and am Running the Race again.  Not knowing what I can still do or what the next adventure will be ... God wants us to Finish the Race, not because we are the strongest, fastest or the most gifted,

But because God will give me ... us ... the strength to keep going.

He is not standing at the finish line waiting for me ... He's running with me.

This is not the end of my story , Brighter day are ahead

Keep Running

Don't Isolate  Reach Out ...

Let people "Love You"

One Step at a Time

One Day at a Time

So

Happy Monday 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY and THE REST OF THE STORY

 Wow the weeks fly by and I am thankful that it is Thursday again.

Now on to the Rest of the Story from my Wordless Wednesday.

I had shared a few weeks ago about the 3 foxes we saw in our backyard.

Well, day before yesterday we had a visitor again.

I was standing at our kitchen sink just staring out our window.  A bit of movement caught my eye.  I thought it was our usual squirrel that uses the top of the fence as his personal Freeway to get from one yard to another.  I looked up and there looking at me was a young gray fox daintily walking on the top of the fence.  I really couldn't believe my eyes.  He wanted to escape out to the front yard but our neighbor was chatting with someone and he was blocking the route.

The poor fox jumped onto the neighbor's shed to get a better view.  Then he turned and scurried off around the corner and on to the other neighbor's fence and away he went.

I grabbed a few shots with my cell phone.  I was totally humiliated when I looked at them and saw how messy and water spattered my windows are !!  The morning sun definitely put a spotlight on the mess.  I guess its time for me to climb back into the sink  and clean away.

So all that to say, I am thankful I can still climb into the sink and do some cleaning !!

I am also thankful for these critters that find our yard so desirable.  We have never seen them so up close and personal.  I'm thankful for the scavenger service they perform too.  The mice and snakes are favorites of theirs.  They are opportunists and will snack on lizards and squirrels and even baby birds.  Not too happy about that but it is The Circle of Life.

We are looking forward to the next encounter ... Its fun to live in suburbia and the Wild Kingdom.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless  Wednesday

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Monday Meanderings ... 

Hi and I hope everyone had a good weekend.  I know I did !

Saturday was our Granddaughter's Baby Shower.  

We all had such a delightful time together.  Believe it or not there were about 50 ladies in our son and daughter in laws home.  The setting was simple and casual but all the little points of interest made it just perfect.

I took very few photos since I was having such a good time just visiting with some that I haven't seen for a very long time.  I also met a few gals that I didn't know before.  

One special person I introduced myself to was Billy's Grandma.  She speaks a little English but mostly Spanish.  I said my name was Suzan and I was Amanda's Abuela ... Her face lit up and she said with a huge smile on her face ... "I'm Billy's Abuela !!"

We hugged and tried to chat a bit.  It was such a precious connection.

Amanda and her Sweet Baby Bump ...

I can't wait to hold that Bundle of Joy.

Lots of finger food was available throughout the entire time.

That table was never empty.

Sweet cookies with saying on them .  We could help ourselves to them too.

Amanda and Billy don't want to know what the gender will be so there were little sayings on the cookies about wondering who it will be.

Lovely gifts for that precious Gift from God.

A clever dessert item was a baby rattle that had a mini donut on one end and a donut hole on the other.  They all looked so cute.

One special decoration at one of the tables was this mini crib.

This is a miniature crib.  

Billy and his Dad are master craftsmen and are building this exact crib for the baby.

I can't wait to see it in real life.

That will be one lucky Baby !

Now we have to wait some 80+ days for the Big Reveal !!!!

Changing the subject completely ... 

This is a message for Debby of My Shasta Home.

All of a sudden I can't comment on your blog.  I have read the last 4 posts and tried to comment but the message says your Facebook time has expired.  So I went to your email and it says its invalid so I'm at a loss to comment.

Its such a pain !!!

Take care everybody,

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

I'm glad so many of you enjoy my Wordless Wednesday posts.  Its fun to see where you find the "story".

That  photo is also from my archives.  We, Dave and I were down by a river close to us with our son and granddaughter.  Steve took up the challenge of balancing rocks that could be seen along the river bank.  He did a few that had more rocks to them but unfortunately I don't have the proof.

The photo has given me a few devotional thoughts for this day .

Its all about striving to live a Balanced Life that is "On Point" for the Lord.

One needs A Firm Foundation which is built on  Christ ... The Solid Rock.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Monday Meanderings ... 

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Even though the temps. are getting hotter it was still better than some for us.

The great news is that we sold a piece of Disney memorabilia for a good price.

The buyer is happy and so are we !!!

Saturday we finally sold something on Facebook Marketplace.  It had been on there for such a long time.  It seems that all of a sudden everybody wanted it and we had over 20 inquiries that said they would come the following day to pick it up... then all we heard from them was "Crickets" !!  

I said in my prayers, Lord maybe you were protecting us from the wrong people or transactions.  If it is meant to be sold please send the right one to us.  

A few hours later a lady texted us and asked if the item was still available.  She wanted it and Cash wasn't a problem.  She then asked when it would be convenient for her to come by and pick it up.  She also gave me her personal phone number. 

 We struck a deal and bright and early Saturday morning a perky woman bounced out of her friends truck and handed me the cash even before she really looked at the item.  She is local and we had a great chat about life in the community.  So now we have cash in hand and boxes out of the garage and have made a new friend.

Our son Steve is over here today to do a few "Honey Do" type projects for us.

We are so grateful for his willingness and muscles to do things that are no longer easy for us to do.  Sometimes it pays to just swallow pride and ask for help.             It's the New Normal for us ...

Believe it or not ..I didn't take a single photo of today and all the work that was done.  Too much nice time visiting, working and Granddaughter Amanda came over and brought us donuts.  Yumm...

She also picked up a few things to use for her baby shower on Saturday.

Its been a good and very hot day.  Destined to be 102F by 5pm.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY and PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

 Thankful Thursday

Its a good morning !

The sun is definitely shining and its going to be the start of a very Hot week to come.  I guess we will be joining the rest of the USA in all of the weather happenings.

Dave and I are so thankful for something that happened a few days ago.

We had a home appointment with a gentleman from our county's Independent Resource Services.  He was here to check out what kinds of things would help us have a better life in our Very Senior Years.  These services are all done by grants from the State and the actual work is done by professional volunteers.

We are going to be getting Grab Bars for both bathroom showers and additional grab bars for one of the bathrooms.  A shower bench and mats will also be given.  All of these pieces of equipment and the installation work will be provided to us Free of Charge.

The Lord truly does provide for our needs.

We thought that Dan looks familiar.  Turns out that he goes to the same church we have gone to for the last 15 years.  Lots of mutual friends and personal history.  It was really fun just chatting about life in general.  I guess as the saying goes ; Small World !!

Thank You Lord !!

Now on to the Photo a Day Challenge for July 30 and 31 ...

Challenge for July 30th ... SHAPES

July 31 Challenge:  My Choice; 

Shapes and Promises

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

SURPRISE VISITORS and PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

 A surprise activity this morning has changed my post a bit.

I looked out our back sliding patio door about an hour ago and was startled to see some movement in our weedy yard.

3 young gray foxes were having the time of their lives up on our retaining wall and then down in the yard.  At first I thought it was a mother and 2 young but it seems more like 3 youngsters ... I haven't a clue.  I'm not up on foxes !

And after having a snack in our yard ... up and over the 6 foot fence they climbed just like a cat would do.

Now I know why we are finding lots of "scat" in various places.

I just hope they don't feel too comfortable in our yard.  It is kind of unnerving to know they were so close.  If we can get the weeds out soon they may not think its their new undercover hideaway.  I don't want to be surprised by them when I am out there.

Never a dull moment around here !

Now on to the July 28 challenge ... 

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE 

BLUE

Its a BOY !

58 years ago Today ... our first born son, Steve, made his appearance in our world.

Love this guy and everything he stands for and the things he does to make our world a better place.

He's creative and has such an inventive mind, full of integrity and loves the Lord with all of his heart.

Steve is a wonderful son, husband, father and soon to be Grandpa !

The world is a better place because of him.

💓

Always be Grateful

Aways be Kind

SUNDAY BLESSINGS and PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

 I just have to tell you we feel So Blessed today.

A surprise gift was put into our checking account last night.  It left us speechless and thanking the Lord for an end of the month provision.

JULY 26    PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

                  9 o'clock ....

My take on this challenge is it's 9 in the morning.

I really am not a morning person ...

This is me this morning even though I am up and having my 2nd cup of coffee.

We have to complete some business matters today so they can get in the mail.

But

I think I will PROCAFFINATE a bit longer ... 😄

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

A LITTLE WHINING and A PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

 Good morning. 

I'm not exactly whining but we were again on the phone for a very long time this morning, working on some business.

At least we could understand her accent and could get some of our issues done.

I'm not trying to offend any one but when one is talking serious numbers and information, its hard when it sounds like they are talking under water and the accent is so thick that one can't move forward.

Ok I'm finished now and its on to the Photo Challenges for today and tomorrow.

July 24 :  CLOSE UP

These are both from my archives.  I just haven't had the inclination to go out in the heat and photograph.

July 25 :  FAR AWAY

Well, 

That's going to do it for the next few days.

Stay cool everybody 

and

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE and THE REST OF THE STORY

 Today is day 23 of The Photo A Day Challenge.

Todays challenge is An Ordinary Moment.

There were so many things that I wanted to choose, it was hard to decide.

I love this cup and it certainly fits the challenge.

This is my ordinary moment every single day.  I can't begin my day without The Word and my delicious cup of coffee.

This is my other favorite cup that says Morning Break.

Just an Ordinary Moment for me.

Okay, now to explain my Wordless Wednesday post from yesterday.

This was our one and only Asian Pear/Apple or as we call them ... Papples.

Its been Too Hot and the tree I guess is getting too old.  Maybe a bit like me and my Lack of Production around the house these days.  HaHa ... 

So very sad but it did give me a new photo to post on the blog.  😊... and for me to add to Thankful Thursday !!

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless Wednesday:

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

 Photo A Day Challenge 

July 21 ...  RED ...

The absolute best thing to do on a HOT day.

Today it will reach 100F.

Cheating and doing some Time Traveling ... 

July 22 ... TREE ...

2023   TIMBER 

Our next door neighbor had some trees felled.

Those guys that took the tree down were amazing.  Pure Athleticism !!!

LOVE TREES but I have to admit we are happy with the openness since the tree is gone.

That will do it for today.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind