Hawaii part One

The Big Island. Funny name, but I didn't name it. That's where we went first. The first four days we did Volcanos. It was interesting, seeing all of the formations and results from deep inside the earth. We hiked and walked, exactly the type of vacation Tom loves! I don't have any photos to show you from this part of the trip. We had a death in the family while in Hawaii, Tom's hard drive died. He was able to get it replaced in the last third of the trip but we lost the photos I had downloaded up to that point.
So just imagine black rocks, all sorts, big, little, rough, smooth, tall, short, but all black. That is what lava, dried, cooled lava looks like.
We did go to the top of a volcano. The temperature difference was 40 degrees from bottom to top. We were there to use the big telescopes and see the stars. We did and it was ok/neat, but I was so cold. I had taken a coat and a sweater but could have used much more. Also, we had to stay up past my bedtime so this was kindda hard on me too. But I survived. such a trooper.
ok one little adjustment
I remembered I used my phone to take a few photos.

So here is the courtyard of the first place we stayed.

Hawaii

Sound wonderful?
It was.
My close friends know I was not looking forward to this trip.
How can you explain a gal who has diamonds and wants
pearls? What-the-hey?
But, being the good sport I am I went and
put on my "happy face."
You know there really is something to say about the
"act happy and you will feel happy" thing.
I did and I was.
Try it.

My mother's Robe

This is one thing I love about winter. I mean, real winter, when it is really cold. After all we don't get really cold very often, and certainly not for very long. But when the cold air settles, I love wearing my mother's robe. It if heavy, faded,cotton. I can't think of what the fabric is called, but bedspreads were made of this type of fabric. The fuzzy part made lines in the fabric.
I didn't keep many material things when my mother died, her wedding rings, a few dishes, a cookie jar and her robe.
When I wear the robe, I feel her arms around me. Is there a better feeling than being wrapped in your mother's arms? What safer place, what better place to be??
I treasure the memories of my mother. What a wonderful, wonderful woman she was. I feel like I am entrusted with a legacy to continue the goodness she shared. I, in NO way, am close to her goodness. But at least I had the perfect example.
I miss my mother.

Today I am 60!

Yeppers. 60 years young and I love it. I had a wonderful wonderful day. Judy and I wondered the Hill Country looking for adventure and found lots. We picked up pecans in a park, say Warring, Comfort, and Wellfare then went to Bourne for a great lunch of comfort food (chicken and dumplings AND homemade dinner rolls!!! In the afternoon, I had a big red velvet cupcake. We were stuffed sufficiently that we stood our men up, having to take a rain check on dinner at chris Madrids......hated to do it but a girl just needs a nap on her 6oth. we did have fun, we always do but this was special. Started with breakfast and gifts (plus Walt painted a new picture! Great Chai latte, then off for a trip outside to the beautiful day. We picked pecans in a public part, and did other fabulous stuff. Judy, she is just the best friend a gal could have. It was a ME day deluxe. LIFE IS SO GOOD!
Here are two photos of Judy and I being Big Girls in Big Chairs. See any attitude?
Blessings to you all. I am so happy.

Fixin' stuff

Well, some of you are probably thinking, "Boy, she is chatty today. Been gone for months and now can't shut her up!"
I just thought I would share with you what I have been doing.
I have been fixin'. That is Texan for Fixing.
Most of the stiff that needed fixin', is Judy's. I guess the fights between she and Walt have gotten violent and her garden shears, her New Zealand worm Amy gave her, her New Zealand favorite tea cup got the brunt of the violence. I was able to fix everything except the teacup, she didn't give me all of the pieces. I guess it will become a pencil holder, I know she won't want to part with it.
In addition, I fixed the top to my (teapot's) cream pitcher, and sewed on a missing button. Of course I couldn't find the original button, but I found one close, and at least my boobies won't be falling out!
Feeling so handy.
p.s. I included the onion because I found it in the box where all of my glues were! No telling how long it has been in there. I don't even remember having it, but it gets tossed today. It is a perfectly good silk-like green onion. Hate to throw something perfectly good away but........I don't need a perfectly good green silk-like onion, do you? Speak fast, our trash days are Wednesday and Saturday (the trash is gone for today)

Boo and Sonny

I don't think you have met my two new babies.
this is Boo and Sonny... we got them on Halloween and we have been busy ever since. They are so much fun and so loving. Tom and I laugh at them all of the time. The little one, Boo is still a baby so he is still trying to train US. They play so well together and stick together like lint on black pants!
Boo's face is a mess in this photo, but they really are cute!

today

Isn't that a comforting phrase. Today, so full of opportunity and promise.
I feel so fortunate.
Actually, I am BLESSED, a zillion times over, and I am grateful.
But today, I am grateful because I am warm and cuddly in the house, in a sweatshirt that I rarely get to wear (cuz it gets cold very seldom in my kingdom) But it is very cold outside, but I am inside, looking at a day with great promise.
I can do anything I want.
What shall it be.
I chose you first.
To send my love and thanks for being my friends.
I count you as one of my biggest blessings.