Friday, August 28, 2009

trellises & roof!!! ... all in 2 days

 
 
 
 
UP & UP & UP it goes ... I know .. I just had to share again! about this ... yesterday was the roof trellises and today the roof!! I know it's plywood. But seeing the floorplan come 'alive' is fascinating (to me!). Here's yesterdays and today's progress. have a great weekend. I am blessed in that I am attending the Beth Moore simulcast coming out of Wisconsin ... God's timing!! xoxo, m
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Lot 9 ... all in one day!!

 

 

Take a look at this .... yesterday ~ cement and concrete TODAY framework!!!! yipppeeee the process begins. I about jumped out of my skin (actually car!) when I drove up to the lot this afternoon. I am so impressed!
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A R T

 
 
ART ~~ doug and I finished our Tole Painting class. This is my project SUNFLOWERS. I love love love sunflowers! I had a dream about sunflowers. So, AJ this is what I was talkin' about!!! One of my favO'rite movies is 'Calendar Girls' and there's a line in the movie about sunflowers!! flowing the Son!! and then I had this page 'GRILL MASTER' ... I was thinking about printing my favO'rite grill recipes!! have a great day ... and create some ART for yourself. xoxo, m
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Monday, August 24, 2009

T Y P E W R I T E R

 
 
I actually love to type. It really relaxes me and I have fun doing it! about 6 years ago, I saw a photo of an old typewriter in someone's garden with a foxglove plant growing up and out of it! It caught my attention ... and my desire to own one of these typewriters heightened!! I learned to type on one of these. Oh the pain back then! and then of course, the IBM selectric typewriters, then a Wang computer ... on and on. So, I finally found one of my "wishes" .. it was in a window at the American Cancer Society thrift shop, Visalia CA. It is in good condition ... and I'm happily enjoying viewing it!!
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Friday, August 21, 2009

GRAPE big NEWS from Dinuba, CA

 
 
 
Looky looky looky .... I happened to visit darlin' D for lunch today .. and LOOKY! I was given these BIG GRAPES. Actually, I was told they are 10 days early but .... oh my oh my!! they are so fresh, BIG and yummy. Mind you I have raised all boys and have mastered the task of talkin' with my mouth full ~~ HOWEVER, with just one of these beauties in my mouth I can't speak a word (I know what you all are thinkin'!) ... how does one obtain such BEAUTIFUL FRUIT? Well, the new company that employees darlin' D (oh, if you call don't call him darlin' D ~ no one knows him by that name .. please, use his big boys name, DOUG) Fruit Patch Sales, 38773 Road 48, Dinuba CA 93618 they pack & sell stone fruits. what is that you may ask? well, your plums, pluots, apricots, nectarines, and peaches. GRAPES too! pass it along!! tell them I sent you!! now, I must go enjoy my GRAPE big grapes!!
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Among Friendz ... scrapbook store in Visalia

okay ... Among Friendz, owner Kelley McCraken, is a darlin' scrapbook store here in Visalia. My quick story of scrapbooking = I used to make fun of people who did this!! waste of time & money (2 petpeeves O'mine). Then my mentors began to age (imagine that!!) and I didn't want to 'miss' the stories. So, I too began scrapbooking and life hasn't been the same!! I've even done more artistic things than I ever would have imagined!! Then I got a great job as a supervisor at ARCHIVER'S in Boise! loved all the 'goodies"!! and knowledge and artistic talent that surrounded me. So, all of that to say ............. GO VISIT kelley at AMONG FRIENDZ - 5121 w. goshen ave, visalia ca 93291 (559)733-2767

Thursday, August 20, 2009

antiques ....

here is a website that is fantabUlous. check it out!!
http://www.3finegrains.com/main.html\
let me know what you think!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

firm foundation


 

 

 

how thrilled I was as I drove past Lot No. 9 and ta-da concrete foundation poured. They say (and I pray!) 5.5 months to completion. Really?! Truly?! Oh how I hope. So, NOW ~~ the BIG project begins ..... I will completely document this thru photos. darlin'D & I have never ever done this before! hope you have a wonderful wednesday! m
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Grape STUFF!! Meridian Winery

 
 
 
 
Just because we used to live in MERIDIAN IDAHO .. we also happen to enjoy Meridian Winery Wines. Check them out for yourself! great tasting, even better pricing too. Well, along the drive thru Paso Robles we saw Meridian Winery ...
had to slow way down and turn in. It is a very beautiful place, great tasting wines that you cannot purchase in stores (sorry you all!!), and just a lovely place. We soooooooooo enjoyed it. It's definately grape stuff!! xoxo, m
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Monday, August 17, 2009

Pismo Beach, CA

 
 
 
 
a quick getaway for darlin D and I. Pismo Beach is about 3 hours west from Visalia. It's beautiful (and not hot!). We had fun. Ate at the cracked crab at which they dump your bucket of wonderfully tasting crab on the table. And sunsets, who doesn't love a sunset. On the drive over, Meridian Winery just happens to be in Paso Robles. We didn't know that, so we stopped. They sell one of doug's favOrites there!! I have many more photos to share!
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Friday, August 14, 2009

BEACH bound .... weekend!!

 
 
many around this area, head to the coast ~~~> Pismo beach specifically. Well, when in Rome do as the Romans. Heading there late afternoon .... returning Sunday. Paso Robles winery, Hearst Castle, the ocean ... the sun ... the sand .... I'm there! Have a great weekend. love, m xoxox
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

inspiration .....

go check out Donna Downey at Simply Me ... Inspiration Wednesday! It will inspire you totatlly! go here: http://donnadowney.typepad.com/simply_me/
Let me know what you think? m

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

96 years old ... Hazel M. Campbell

 
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GRANDMA (aka Grandie!) ... today is your day ~ enjoy it!!! and many more birthdays to YOU!! We all love you!!! Happy Birthday and another blessed year. xoxox, m and BTW, I'm her favO'rite granddaughter ... wait, I'm her ONLY granddaughter!!!
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Monday, August 10, 2009

MOVIES & fruit!!

 
I went to the movies with darlin' D and saw Julie & Julia!! It was great!! There was a few oneliners that stayed with me. First, "home is where we are." This is SO TRUE WITH ME. My home has been many locales, yet Home is truly where my heart is ..... The real life pain .... the sillyness of real life ... been there and doing that!! And now there are a few more movies that I want to go see. and FRUIT ... why did I pair these two items. I happen to love the FRUITS this year. Do you think it's because I can get 'fresh' fruit off the trees and vines?!!! yep! And the varieties are incredible. Happy Monday. m
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Sunday, August 9, 2009

tole painting CLASSES

 
Doug and I are very familiar with Tole Painting ... as his mom was an instructor and talented tole painter. So, what did we do? being new to the area? found a class to take TOGETHER! and it just happened to be TOLE PAINTING. I'm not in the photo b/c someone had to take it!! and the class begins .... the instructor is Antonio.
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Saturday, August 8, 2009

THANK YOU my sweet friend!!

 

I don't go to the mailbox everyday, because frankly ... I don't get a lot of snailmail. And sometimes it's waaaay too hot to walk down to the mailbox carousel! But yesterday evening, I went to the box and what to my wondering eyes appeared? but this absolutely exquisite care package from Caldwell ID from my sweet friend IE!! wow ... take a look at these: a book bra, a key hole embellishment, a bingo card! ... and a delightful singing card!! Thank you !!! Thank you !!! and thank you.
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Friday, August 7, 2009

dare I share ..... the weather FORECAST?!!!

I've almost adjusted to the 101, even 104 degrees! ghastly as it be ... almost got it! Then the darlin' weatherman said 94 .. and I actually said to myself "self, this DOES feel cooler." Have they tricked/brainwashed me already???? ... BUT, yesterday ... dare I say it was high 80's :X and I felt the cool breeze, saw the orange sunset and said to myself "self, to grab a book and to sit outside and read would be the perfect evening ~ and the thot of grabbing a lightweight blanket entered this brain!" G A S P! in S. Cali even!!! BUT THEN TODAY ... the darlin' weatherman echoed what he said yesterday. double G A S P!! so, tis' being the weekend and all ... so I'm (and darlin' D too!) are going to the Rawhide Baseball game tonight. No sure how I'm supposed to cheer? as I haven't a clue in this truly blonde headO'mine what a Rawhide is .. as in team. I believe they are minor for Tampa Bay ~ who? All I know is the Cardinals and Red Sox. Oh how I am expanding my horizons!! have a great weekend; what might be your agenda FOR YOUR WEEKEND? Dare to share??? xoxox, m

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Class of '79 .... 30 yr. REUNION

Oh my gooooooooooooooooooodness!! people are contacting every which way!! oh my!!! doug and I are high school sweethearts which is another phenomenon ... and with FACEBOOK people are popping up everywhere. What a JOY is was to connect with Chris C. and Donie M. what stories we have. We were all AF brats!! and totally enjoyed life ...still do I might add. I don't think D & I will make it back to Bedford for the reunion (drats!!) but connecting with everyone is a hoot!!!! and YES, I do complain about FACEBOOK .. I'd rather blog anyday. have a great day, m

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

amazed!

I stand amazed at the awesomeness of God! It is His timing, His way and ... it's all for Him! have a great day, m

Monday, August 3, 2009

15 seconds of SHAME!

 
 
... as I always say "NO CURE FOR STUPID!" This is along the entrance way of my neighborhood. For the last 2 weeks this has ocurred .... and it makes me mad! Now granted, I know there are far worse crimes ... however, STOP IT! GROW UP! Get a job .... vandalism helps NO ONE. okay ~ I'm done venting. And besides it's been a loooooooooong time since I've lived anywhere where this actually regularly occurs.
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Sunday, August 2, 2009

URGENT prayer requests ... pass it along to all bloggies

on behalf of the Goff Family ~~~

June 15th, 2009 should have been the happiest day in Debbie and Ken’s life. After spending more than two weeks at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis on bed rest, Debbie Martinez Goff gave birth to three healthy and beautiful babies: Kyle, Cara, and Molly. Debbie’s oldest son, Ben, 6, finally had the three siblings he had hoped to receive.

Debbie and Ken were overjoyed – but their elation was short lived. As Debbie was being wheeled out of the operating room, she suffered a sudden, lethal and extremely rare delivery complication called Amniotic Fluid Embolism that resulted in cardiac arrest.

The nurses and physicians, acting immediately, brought Debbie back to life. However, the damage from this event was catastrophic to Debbie’s organs. She needs a ventilator to breathe, dialysis in place of functioning kidneys, and is fighting everyday to keep her liver functioning. She has suffered multiple cardiac arrests.

A tragic cascade of further complications has left Debbie on life support systems since that day – unable to speak, move, and most saddening – unable to care for and bond with her babies who were born 6 and 1/2 weeks premature. And her future is cloudy and uncertain. She has a tracheotomy, continues full time kidney dialysis, is still draining excess fluid from her body, receives an antibiotic for an unknown infection/excess white blood cell count, has received more than 100 units of blood, and is being prescribed antidepressants to help her deal with depression due to her condition.

The devastation from this horrible event is widespread. It has left Debbie unable to work, care and nurture her newborns together with Ken, or run a household of four young children with the unexpected expenses related to that task. Ken is obviously under unbelievable stress.

So far, Ken has relied upon the help of family and others just to “get by”. The babies are now home and are being watched in shifts. Meals are cooked and delivered by volunteers. This has allowed Ken to be at Debbie’s side around-the-clock, providing her with love and encouragement to keep the fight for her life going.

A distressing reality has begun to set in as Debbie’s family digs in for a long, long road to her recovery. It is not clear that she will ever be normal again. Any recovery will come after months of rehabilitation.

It has become very clear that more in-depth assistance is required in order for Debbie and her family to survive this ordeal and be able to offer Kyle, Cara, Molly and Ben a fighting chance for a normal life.

Debbie has now been in an Intensive Care Unit for six weeks. While the medical costs are not fully known at this point, they will be huge and not even close to fully covered by insurance. And her expenses are separate from the hospital and doctor care for three premature babies, one of whom also needed a surgery following his birth.

The family is working to deal with their huge, devastating financial demands as best they can. To this end, a medical expense fund has been established. If you are able to help Debbie, Ken, Kyle, Molly and Cara, and Ben, you can make a contribution directly to:

Bank of America, Deborah M. Goff – Medical Fund

ATTN: Patti Hickey, 15115 Manchester Road Ballwin, MO 63011

From Ken and all of the family and friends of Debbie, we thank you for taking your time to read Debbie’s story and for any assistance that you may be able to offer.