Christian Photographers Community

My last post was thrown off when Windows suddenly shut down to reconfigure.  I spent a few hours making a quilt block for a cancer patient in our group and it is a new for me technique which took a lot of time.  Great to learn something new and the whole quilt will be something for her to cling to these days ahead. 

Dinner is minestrone soup with bran muffins. Well, my soups are always different so we shall see.  This one is almost a casserole. 

Gord - are you that old to have a daughter so old       our oldest son is now 47. 

Judy, that poor cat!     I hope she learned to stay away from the fly tapes.  But they probably move and that's just a perfect attraction for her, so you may have to go through it all again.   

Hey, Janet, would there be a use for the clothing in Malawi? If Eli is returning there, he might be able to take the most appropriate ones.

Those reports are wonderful. One of our church members will be going on a Jesus film trip I believe sometime in the fall.

This has been another resting day, but now the energy is beginning to return.

VBS requires lots of work, Etta Sue, but it also has lots of rewards.

Y'all have a good rest of the day, friends.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Got up early this morning as work up early and couldn't seem to go back to sleep.  Won't have a busy day today as only have my ROMEO's luncheon to attend at 11:30.  So will have a leisurely day.

Pat has to go tomorrow for a 6 hour glucose tolerance test.  She wants me to take her and then come back and pick her up as she has no idea of how she will feel when it is over.  I had my blood test yesterday and got the results last night.  My PSA had gone up just a tiny bit and nothing to worry about.  I shouldn't have to be checked again for another year.

Janet, our children will always remain as kids in our minds.  Hope your trip to Liberal and the doctor went well yesterday.  It sounds like you had a busy day. 

Al, your Winco store sounds a bit like Aldi's here where you can save quite a bit of Kroger or Publix, which are about our only other choices in our area.  Don't you just love treadmilling?  UGH!!

Etta Sue, sounds like you had a very successful second day at VBS.  Glad the A/C has been fixed.  When we own a home it seems that something always needs fixing.

Judy, you painted quite a word picture of your morning with the cat.  I remember those fly strips and how bad flies used to be.  We don't see too many of them around here but that is probably because we stay in the house with the doors and windows closed.

Carol, my wife is always trying some new pattern or technique with her quilts.  She is currently making a quillo for our daughter-in-law.  She has made several of them in the past and a friend recently gave her a lot of fabric including 6 quillo's already cut out.

Ruth Ann, glad you are getting some energy back.  I had one of those days last Saturday that doing anything just took too much effort but rest took care of it.

Time to go to coffee.  Hope all have a good day.

Heading out soon.  Kassie has physio on her foot, and then to surprise her we are going to Sudbury for a bit.  I am looking into the I  Max at the Science Center to see if there is any good science film running then on to do a bit of "dress" shopping.

Kitty woke me again last night but not as traumatic a reason.  She was trying to jump onto a shelf above my clothes in the closet.  The shelf is non-existant.......She wasn't a happy camper.  I closed the door which she didn't like either. Another blanket on our bed and I was quickly back to sleep.  The temperature dropped down to the high 50*F last night.  Good and cool for sleeping if  there are enough blankets.

I'm off have a great day folks!

Judy, poor Kitty! And pulling for more covers in late June!  Wow!  We are having days in the 106 and 107 range here all week.

John and I took Beth to Liberal yesterday.  We got there early enough to have their photos taken, then went to Applebees to eat.  By then it was time for her appointment at the hospital.  The test only took about ten minutes, but the explanation took quite a lot longer.  She explained the films to us, telling us which food or liquid Beth was trying to swallow as we watched the substance trying to go down her throat.  Kind of hard to explain.  But it seems that Beth's tounge and throat and jaw muscles are in a very weakened state, and that the food or drink often 'pools outside the epiglottis before she can open it (the swallowing motion).  This causes a tiny stream of it to go down into her lungs, and you all know what a danger this is, right?

Her best advice is to keep Beth's head propped up so her chin is level, and her ears are over her shoulders.  (It is usually reclined back somewhat, and that makes swallowing even harder.)  She also recommended tiny bites, lots of fluids, sauces, gravies, etc, and NOT to thicken her fluids, which made Beth very happy!  She hates those thickened things!  The final thing is that she gave her sheets of exercises to do for her tongue.  I hope they will incorporate those into her daily routine.

I wanted to update you, now I must go up there and talk to them.  I was too wiped out last night to go.  I have also written to Tate Publishing requesting that, if possible, they move the process along earlier, because Beth really wants to see the book!

Back later...................

The third day of VBS went smoother yet.  I am taking photos and before the end of the night Brad puts them on a slide show!  But they forgot the card reader and Krista had to go home and get it.  I could have brought mine but figured they had theirs. 

The hit for the night was a ball/panda thrower.  Picture this.  An electric leaf blower with a Y fitting toward the blower on the end and about 6 foot long PVC pipe on the end of that!  Then turn on the blower and someone picks up the end of it so that it aims good and another feeds balls or Pandas into the Y!  The balls and Pandas go clear across the sanctuary and the kids love to catch them. 

And every evening they all take turns playing games outside!  Last night everyone came back in soaking wet!  Glad it was hot outside.

And the Bible story last night was Jonah and the Whale.  Outside of a room was blue plastic table clothes taped to the wall to represent water...even fish were taped on the cloths.  Inside the door, the room was all covered with black plastic something with battery operated tea lights sitting around for a little light...the inside of the whale's belly!  Brad even brought some tins of sardines so it would smell fishy!  Grossed the kids out!  And some adults! 

It was so much fun. 

Blankets in June!  I don't even use blankets in the winter.  I am spoiled by A/C and heat!  I have about 4 degrees that I am happy about.  Below 68 and the heat goes on.  Above 72 and the A/C goes on.  Spoiled.  But I am paying for the comfort so I might as well be comfortable!

I remember those fly tapes.  Always had them in the house when I was growing up.  I didn't even know you could still purchase them.

My back was still out of kilter some yesterday but Jen put it all back.  It is much better today!  Tender from the adjustment but much better. 

And I called the A/C company to see what was wrong.  The drain was clogged up...they believe in the wall.  They went to the basement and opened it up.  I was told I wouldn't have to use the shopvac on the drain outside with this unit.  So I haven't.  But Jake didn't think it would have helped if I did but it won't hurt if I do use it once in awhile.  First I have to trim cedars to get to the drain! 

VBS tonight.  I wonder what will be exciting for the kids tonight!

We have the AC set at 75 or even a bit higher and nightime in the winter, we like a setting of 64.  We like cool nights and open windows whenever possible.   

Grateful that I am not on the child murder trial in Florida.  We watched a little yesterday and today and that is about it.  Before we moved to this house, I was put on jury duty every few years in three different states - the last time I wrote the word Insurance in the background, which is true and they never called again.  I used to work for an airplane insurance company in Texas. 

This mornings walk was fresh and lovely and a deer was spotted so that is always a gift.  Somehow pulled a muscle a little so it was slow coming back and seems alright.  High winds now so we are glad to not be camping. 

Yes, fly catchers are still used & I am thinking of the barns where they hang several.  We did not have flies in Seattle - something good.  Very few flies here so that is nice, or mosquitoes unless you are near stagnant water.

We just got home from the wonderful LIBERTY! program put on by Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberal.  What a treat, so professionally done and so inspiring.  Really renews one's pride in AMERICA!!!

And....we turned over the calendar page and see that we have to go to Amarillo tomorrow to the heart doctor.  I had (temporarily) forgotten that they had moved our appointment up from the 12th to the first!  Good thing I put everything on the calendar!

Etta Sue, your Bible school sounds like so much fun, for both adults and the kids!  Good for you for helping with it.

I must get to bed........OH!  We have a brand new baby!  Got a Chiweenie puppy today....3/4 Dachshund and 1/4 Chihuahua.  She is blue!  The lady we got her from said she was calling it silver, but the vet said, "they aren't silver, they're blue."  Darrel hasn't decided on a name for her yet.

G'night!

   Good morning to you  all or a very good night to you all.   It has been an unusual day with the weather but this afternoon was just great and nice and warm

Took my brother to a place called Port Colborne as it is where the Large Welland canal finishes and goes out into lake Erie. This is the lake where the song that some of you might remember came from because of the ship that sunk called the Edmund Fitzgerald.  So my brother was also a merchant seaman for a couple of years so it was interesting for him to see the shipping.

Larry.  Glad to here that you and pat are doing well and looking after yourselves.

Janet. Where is Liberty?

Carol.  I am glad to see that you have A/C .  i AM SO THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE IT TOO AS WHEN IT DOES GET TO HAVING THOSE HUMID DAYS i AND MY WIFE CAN'T STAND IT .

Etta Sue.  I am also glad to see that you have your a/c fixed.  I am so glad that you are able to enjoy the d.v.b. and I remember when my wife had them at our house and the kids had a lot of fun thank God for people like you that are willing to give of your time to do this.  God's Richest blessing's upon you and your team..  Gord.

Hi Ruth Anne and Jeannine hope that you are both well.  Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and that is to all C.P. Persons that I may have missed.
                                                    Love in Christ.  Gordon and Noreen

Janet, a new puppy    As if you don't have enough to fill your days! 

Etta Sue, by the end of the week everyone will know what they're doing at VBS!   

I'm glad I live where I can get along very well with open windows and fans.  I really don't like A/C, although I worked with it for a good many years.  When Gene was alive we had two units - one in his bedroom and one in the living/dining area, but I slept with my door closed and a fan in my open window.   

Gord, it's always good to see a post from you.  Your day with your brother must have been great.

Time now to see what kind of trouble I'll get into today!   

Do you realize that half of 2011 is over?  How time flies!!

Fourth day of VBS went well.  The 'guys' that help with the outside games said the kids wouldn't get so wet last night.  Ha!  Little did they know that the balls placed in a tiny swimming pool of water and then launched in the Panda/Ball thrower for the kids to catch would get them wet!  Well, not when they caught the balls but when they squeezed the water out over their heads!!  The kids are having so much fun.  And I love it when they show they have made new friends!

Last night the treats (which are different each night and are prepared by the help of a different set of kids) were crosses.  Pretzel rods rolled in melted white chocolate.  Then a half rod rolled in the chocolate for the cross and then sprinkles on all.  I don't think there was a pretzel in the trash...the kids and adults loved them!  Of course the janitor may be sweeping up sprinkles for months!!

Tonight will be the last night.  Bitter sweet!

Today is swim rehab for me and Ivalou is right after me.  I may take Kitty to Frye's this afternoon.  I haven't driven Hawaii much this week!

Ivalou still doesn't have a new g-g-daughter that was due last Sunday!

Hi everyone.  Alone here at home as Pat is having her 6 hour glucose tolerance test today.  I took her to Kaiser and will pick her up this afternoon as she was concerned how she would feel when the test was over.  Plan on going to Sam's and perhaps Walmart to look for a DVD player with Netflix built in.  This is going to be our anniversary gift to each other.  I also need to find something for her birthday. 

Janet, hope the techniques suggested for Beth help her.  Certainly don't want fluid going into her lungs.  You will have your hands full with the new blue dog.  I bet she is pretty.

Etta Sue, cleaver ideas for Bible School.  Wouldn't care for the fishy smell.  Hope that is gone by Sunday.

Judy, I use a doubled quilt over my feet at night to hold in any heat generated by my feet and lower legs, which seem to always be cold.

Carol, I haven't watched any of the trial in Florida but know several people who have watched it a lot.  I will be glad when it is over.  I do see the brief news reports and have to think what a mess that family is.  Since I am now 70 I can opt out of further jury duty.  While I feel it is a civic duty the last time I served was almost too much for me and won't try to do it again.

Gord, I remember the Edmund Fitzgerald.  It sounds like your brother and you are keeping busy.

Jeanne, do you experience much humidity in your area? 

Larry, we do get some humidity, but nothing like what I was used to when I lived in New Jersey.  I seem to have adapted, though, and what seemed like nothing the first couple of years I was back here now feels just as bad and New Jersey.   

Gord Read this HERE.  Information your brother will enjoy.

We had a great day yesterday.  After dealing with the Physio we went on to Sudbury, about a 2 hour drive.  Kass drove most of the way but I took over in Sudbury.  The traffic was too heavy for her first time.  We did a little shopping then went to Science North.  The movie we chose to watch was on the Hubble Telescope.  This telescope has had major repairs and the astronauts who fixed it are amazing!  Then we got a look into deep space from the view of the telescope.  It made me think of the verse in Psalms "He stretches the universe.  Al perhaps you could give us an accurate quote?

We left there ans again I drove till we were out of Sudbury.  I had a friend describe it to me this way.  I drive instinctively.  For her to drive I had to think about what she was doing watch what others were doing, react to them and still react to what she was doing.  Wow, no wonder I was tired last night.  We had supper at a little Mennonite restaurant. John calls it Katie's Place but the actual name is Brunets.  This young lady and yes young, had a restaurant built, and she operates it.  All the food is off their own farms and all the baked goods she bakes.  It was like sitting at one of their home tables!  So much food and we couldn't finish.  We brought the left overs home to be eaten today.

She has a book stand was there with ONLY Christian books.  I bought one! How could I resist!

Today is a beautiful day, I have lawns to mow so I am off here and heading outside!

Judy, for years I "white-knuckled" whenever I was in the passenger seat, no matter who was driving.  I always felt I knew what I was aware of, but didn't know if the driver was aware of the same things.  Now I try not to "drive" for someone else.   

Gord:  Do know the Edmund Fitzgerald ship that went down & there is a shipping museum in Duluth, Minn. with the sad story because the crew had left the Duluth harbor.  Still a mystery.  Those lakes are really rough at times.  It sounds like a very nice time with your brother.  Love my brothers - one will never come and see us and the other has a wife who won't come anywhere if there is snow in the mountains - which it is even now. 

JudyB:  All our children had lessons from school in driving and I sat in the hot seat on the right.  Worse of all was when our youngest had to practice and I was in a full neck brace for those first five months.  He was afraid I would get hurt.  Do you think I prayed?  You betcha and all was fine - I worried that he would take such a hard blame on himself if anything had happened. 

We had the most violent thunderstorm last night and it felt like a giant was moving the house.  21,000 lightning strikes in the Rockies - trees down. 

So thankful for a nice cool day out there right now and grandson comes to visit and stain our deck tomorrow so we do hope it doesn't rain.   

   Good afternoon to all.  Just finishing doing the grass and the trimming in our back yard and had to also do some watering as the plants get very dry right now.

Carol:   If you go  to Judy B. last post and where she said to me to click on the HERE you will see a very interesting article about the Edmund Fitzgerald and if you are interested to find out what they think caused it to sink keep reading it further down.

It is a beautiful day here and we do have a holiday today which is Canada day.  We may go to see some fireworks tonight in Niagara falls

Hope you all are having a good summer but you can keep all those 21,000 lighting storms Caro; as we don't need them.  God's richest blessing's.  Gordon and Noreen.

We are home from a fast trip to Amarillo to see the heart doctor.  Almost forgot they  had called and moved us up from the 12th to the 1st!  We both checked out good....Dr. Friesen slapped me on the back of my shoulder and said, "You're blessed!"  And I wholeheartedly agree, I am!!  He even said I can start taking my blood pressure medicine every other day instead of every day!!  Praise God!  He told Darrel he needs to exercise, which is what I tell him every day!  Hope he listens to the doctor!

Yes, a new puppy.  My thinking is that she will be the impetus for getting Darrel out of that chair at least several times a day, to take care of her!  He loves dogs!

Gord, Liberty is not a place, it is the name of the wonderful patriotic music program we saw last night at the church in Liberal.  Did you mean where is Liberal?  If so, it is in the very SW corner of Kansas, about 60 miles southwest of where we live.

We met Darrel's sister Dolores and husband Norm for lunch, and enjoyed getting caught up on their news.  She is still having a lot of trouble with the ankle she broke not long ago....had to have plates, screws, etc, so is using a walker.

Diane and Abby puppy-sat for us today, and said the puppy was a good girl.  They all fell in love with her and want one just like her!  I meant to tell you the vet said the blue ones occur just once out of 50 puppies, but this lady has two mama dogs and there were two in each one's litter, so she has (had) four of them!

Darrel has been telling me my slacks were all too baggy and I needed new ones, so I gave him the privilege of buying me four new pairs today!    Wasn't that considerate of me?   That is all the shopping we did, though.  Neither of us slept well at all last night, and had trouble staying awake.  I drove most of the way down while he slept, thought he would do better coming home, but he fell asleep twice and really scared me!  So I insisted he stop and get something cold to drink to help him stay awake.  I still have a lot of living to do!!

Pat, you have really been scarce lately.  Are you all right?  I miss you.

I don't like really cold AC either, it makes me ache.  But I am so glad we have it, it is much too hot not to have it!

Time to scoot!

Hi everyone on a hot Saturday morning in Atlanta.  Of course, it is July in the south so this has to be expected.  There is no rain in the forecast for today that I know of.

Yesterday I did make it to Sam's and got a nice DVD BluRay player with built in wi-fi that has the Netflix and a number of other applications.  It was a Sony and works well with the new Sony TV we got recently.  It took me a bit to get it setup and then to figure our how to use it.  I plan on getting Pat her own basic Netflix plan so she can get some of the newer movies.  Stacey has been getting the movies on disc with the current plan and we just use the streaming feature.

Judy, sounds like you had a really full day.  The movie sounds wonderful and informative.  Also sounds like you know a really good place to eat.  Good driving experience for Kass.

Jeanne, I sometimes get "white-knuckled" when Pat drives and I think sometimes she is going to pull off the arm rest or send her feet through the floor when I am driving.  She gives new meaning to "back seat driver".

Carol, it is sad your brothers won't come to visit.  I feel almost the same way about my sister as she and her husband haven't been to our home more than a few times in over 40 years.  Of course, the same is basically true in visiting them except when my folks were in the nursing home in her town and I made a number of visits there and stayed with them.  Wow, I can feel for your young son in trying to learn to drive with the added pressure.

Gord, hope you enjoyed the fireworks.  Our big day for that is still ahead.  Don't look forward to the noise in the neighborhood.

Janet, always good to get a positive report from the heart doctor.  Isn't it a shock to see a loved one having to use a walker or cane for the first time?  Pat has to resort to the cane every once in a while and, of course, Stacey has to use cruthes or the transport chair to get around when she visits or her wheelchair when she gets around Atlanta.  Janet, I am overwhelmed with your generosity in allowing Darrel to buy you new slacks.   I find keeping a cup of ice to have something cold in my mouth while driving helps me stay alert.  I have done that on long trips for many years as used to fall asleep and wakeup as the car started off the road--not a good thing.  I take a cooler so always have ice available.

Time for coffee.

I took a grandmother and her 2 beloved grandchildren to a "splash & play" in a neighboring town about 30 miles away. My goodness! They had SUCH a good time, and then when it was over, ran, hand in hand, to thank the firemen who bleed the fire hydrants by hooking the hose up to the hydrant and using a fan-shaped nozzle and a contraption that aims the spray far up into the air. They notify the area newspapers, and it's free, so a lovely way for the children to play for free, scream and share space with other kids, and give "grandma" an hour & a half break. 

Now, THAT'S a win/win situation, and I loved just watching them from the shade of the nearby pavilion.

Will talk with y'all later.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

VBS is over for this year.  The kids had a great time and that is what matters.  They learned about God, Jesus and other things about the Bible.  They were having something about VBS today at 11am but I didn't go.  And tomorrow the kids are going to sing a couple of songs before church starts.

I need to go to Kitty's.  My neighbor across the road works at a nursery and brought me a half-flat of flowers.  I am not a flower person.  They grow or die.  I don't water flowers.  So if they need water, I would forget them.  Kitty is all the time working in her yard and flower gardens. 

I have made two batches of Candy Crackers.  Ivalou and I have potlucks to go to tomorrow evening and the 4th.  The 4th is where they shoot off fireworks from a boat on a lake.  Beautiful reflections!  Oh, we call them pitch-ins here but some of you don't know what pitch-ins are so I said potlucks...covered dishes...etc.   

And now at least ONE of us wants to know what are candy crackers?

Make that two of us, Janet ....     

Now there are Two of us who want to know what Candy Crackers are!!    

How about three?   

Candy crackers.....I think that is like we used to make using saltine crackers lining a cooky sheet.  Then you pour a butter/brown sugar syrup over them and bake.  There may be more than just the butter and brown sugar...can't remember for sure.

Add me to the list  of who wants to know what are candy crackers.

Carol and Larry, I have lived here in Oregon for  just over two years and We keep inviting Gilbert to bring the family and come to visit us here but he never has come. I always have to drive down there and half of the time I do I stay at my friend Willa's house. So I get to visit with her too. It is too hard to sleep at Gilbert's house on the couch  and with all the noise. They stay up until the wee hours.

Let's sing HERE.